These past two months as Florida DECA Vice President have flown by, but I’ve loved every minute of them. I’m seeing more and more every day that being elected to this position is a true honor and I thank the members that elected me from the bottom of my heart for giving me this opportunity. It is my job to not let the delegates, members, advisors and the whole state down. In short, I have to make the next year count. Team 54 and I are focused on our jobs and serving as your Florida DECA Officers. We’ve already begun work on some major things for the coming year; we are going to MAKE IT COUNT!

I’m looking forward to the Florida DECA Leadership Council, which will allow chapters from around the state to represent themselves and voice their opinions while helping them to develop into better chapters. Leaders from chapters around Florida will be able to network and share ideas with Florida DECA Officers and other chapter leaders through social networks and web meetings.

At ICDC, Team 54 presented, and passed, its Annual Business Plan (ABP) to the Florida DECA Board of Advisors. The ABP can serve as a guide to chapters, helping them implement activities that will result in a better chapter. Chapters can also earn recognition at the Florida CDC for completing bronze, silver or gold levels. The final version of the ABP should be released soon, so check back to look it over.

As a Florida DECA Vice President, it is my goal to work with Team 54 and leave Florida DECA a better association than when we took office. That requires a lot of hard work and dedication but I know we can do it! I’ve told you some ways Team 54 is going to make it count, but now I want to hear from you. Tweet me at the handle @mike_stone15 and tell me how you and your chapter will make it count in the coming year. I look forward to hearing from many of you. As a chartered association, we are going to MAKE IT COUNT!