ATTN:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
All DECA Members at J.P. Taravella High School
JPT DECA Student Action Team; DECA Advisors - Mr. Simmons, Mrs. Acosta, Mrs. Webster,
Mrs. Wilder, Mrs. Lucas and Ms. Pointer
2012-2013 DECA Introduction, Membership Dues and Sales Projects
By virtue of your course selection in the JPT Marketing or Academy of Finance program, you ARE a DECA
program member! This applies to students in any of the following classes:
 Marketing Essentials
 Introduction to Info Technology
 Marketing Applications
 Financial Operations Honors
 Marketing Management
 Personal Financial Planning Honors
 Accounting
ABOUT JPT DECA: You are going to experience the thrill of learning about business and the marketing field, traveling
and participating in community service projects that can change your life, while competing (and winning!) at local, state
and international levels. You are now part of one of the largest (over 300 strong) and most respected clubs at J.P.
Taravella. All students in Marketing and Academy of Finance classes become involved in DECA. Past chapter activities
have included Let’s Shake on It!, Financial Football, Train the Brain Against Violence, Entrepreneurship for Everyone
(which won Top 10 at International Competition in 2010!), and The Smart Driver Program (2nd Place International
Winner!). This year, State DECA competition is in Orlando, and we will travel to Anaheim, California for International
DECA Competition! We generally have 60-70 students qualify for States and around 15 for ICDC, making JPT DECA one
of the top chapters in Broward! There are four events especially for first year members. This year we expect to make the
Florida 200 Winner Club for state trophies!
This semester we already have plans for the following activities: promoting our AOF-run Bright Star Credit Union branch
on campus, running a repeat of the successful Drive One 4 UR School fundraiser and a Feed the Hungry event with Ford
Motor Company and planning a school-wide program to raise awareness about how to prevent teen suicide. We also will
conduct our annual candy sale fundraiser. In addition, your Action Team will be planning a chapter-wide social event for
this fall.
DUES: The first order of business is the collection of annual membership dues, which is $20.00. Why do we ask you to
pay dues? The answer is: to be DECA members in good standing, we pay local, state and national dues that allow you
to participate in DECA activities beyond the classroom. These include competition, trips, social events, etc. PAID DECA
members will receive:
 National DECA membership card and pin
 DECA Dimensions, a quarterly magazine that will help you plan your career and learn about what other
DECA students are doing around the country
 JPT DECA Spirit t-shirt
 Eligibility to attend DECA Career Days with The Miami Heat, The Florida Panthers, and The Florida
Marlins (cost additional, and will vary depending on event).
 Eligibility to compete at District, State and International levels against DECA members from other schools.
 It qualifies you for the first JPT DECA PIZZA PARTY.
 Classroom recognition through food and awards.
This year, we are offering DECA members the option of using our annual candy sale to pay for their dues by selling
ONE ADDITIONAL BOX OF CANDY; Each DECA member will be expected to sell the first box of chocolate during our
fundraiser (Sept. 4 – 13) to support the chapter. This is our ONLY candy sale for the year, and is important to fund the
many activities and benefits students in our DECA classes receive.
DECA POLO SHIRT: JPT DECA members are requested to wear a JPT DECA polo shirt for Business Casual Dress
days once a month, DECA field trips and other DECA community events. If you own a past DECA polo shirt, you need
not buy another. We will take orders and payment online for the shirts, which cost $15.00 (no mark-up).
Please Turn the Page
HOW TO PAY FOR DUES, CANDY SALE AND POLO SHIRT:
1) Bring cash, a check or money order (payable to J.P. Taravella) to your DECA advisor no later than Thursday,
September 13th. (Must pay by this date to earn 5 DECA Diamonds and qualify for the DECA Pizza party)
OR…
2) Pay online by Thurs. September 13th! Visit www.jptaravella.com and click on Online
Payment. Just follow instructions to locate the ACTIVITY NAME. Your choices will be:
a. 2012-13 DECA DUES - $20
b. 2012-13 DECA Candy Sale $52.00
c. 2012-13 DECA Polo $15.00
A note about the money from fundraising activities: Although we have had phenomenal success in our sales
projects, the following information must be addressed. All money must be turned in to your DECA advisor by the due
date in order to avoid having us process an obligation. Obligations are SERIOUS BUSINESS, and having one can
prevent you from participating in a number of school activities, including DECA competition and field trips,
Homecoming and Prom, Grad Night, and even GRADUATION! You are obligated for the FULL RETAIL VALUE (cost
plus lost profit) of products taken. We accept paper cash (no coins, please), checks payable to JP Taravella High, or
you may pay online.
EARN DECA DIAMONDS BY PARTICIPATING IN THESE ACTIVITIES! DECA DIAMONDS CAN BE USED TO EARN
EXTRA CREDIT, PAY FOR TRIPS, AND GAIN ADMISSION TO OUR DECA ICE CREAM SOCIAL!
LEADERSHIP: Would you like a leadership role in planning and guiding this year’s chapter activities? Great! We
welcome your participation! You may be interested in representing your fellow classmates as a DECA Senator.
Two Senators will be elected from each DECA class during the first two weeks of school. Opportunities are also
available to lead DECA committees. See your DECA Advisor for information!
If everyone does a great job, this can be a year full of options for field trips, celebrations, and competitive event trips.
Help keep the JPT DECA tradition going: Our first-class chapter is made up of first-class individuals!
DECA Dues Letter Acknowledgement
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Student (print):______________________________________ Teacher _____________________
Period ______
Please sign below and return to your Marketing or AOF teacher by FRIDAY, September 24, to acknowledge that you have
received and read this communication. If you have questions or concerns about the contents of this letter, please contact
Jamie Simmons or Laurie Acosta, JPT DECA Advisors, at jamie.simmons@browardschools.com or
laurie.acosta@browardschools.com.
Student (sign)
___________________________________________________
Date: ___________
Parent (sign)
___________________________________________________
Date: ___________
Parent email address:
___________________________________________________
O I acknowledge that my son/daughter will be expected to pay for any DECA candy that he/she receives as a participant in the
Academy of Marketing/Academy of Finance program Fundraiser. Unpaid candy will result in an obligation.