Chapter Spotlight: Jefferson DECA by VP Morgan

Three weeks ago Jefferson DECA located in Tampa, Florida hosted their first annual Freshman Orientation. Their officer team met together multiple times to put together presentations, activities and personally called every incoming freshman registered for a business class (Talk about #SummerofDECA Dedication!) I was so impressed with what they had put together that I wanted to share a few ideas with you to bring back to your chapters for incoming DECA members!
 For those of you that are upperclassman it may be hard to think back to the time where you were transitioning into high school and couldn’t spit the 4 P’s of Marketing out in your sleep. Below I’ve listed a few activities that Jefferson DECA did at their Freshman Orientation mixed with a few of my ideas to ensure a smooth transition for your new members!  

1. Ties: A huge part of DECA is being professional dressed! It’s also a great way to get people up and moving around! Just collect a few ties and split your group into pairs. Which group can tie it the fastest? Follow this link: http://www.shirtsmyway.com/articles/split/t8/different-ways-how-to-tie-a-tie-knots-v14.php?utm_expid=101840694-108.-rKK4EgPQxuoTcfcx3VMUA.3&utm_referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3D%26esrc%3Ds%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D8%26sqi%3D2%26ved%3D0CDEQFjAHahUKEwifioP-qeHHAhXDJx4KHZi2DgI%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.shirtsmyway.com%252Farticles%252Fdifferent-ways-how-to-tie-a-tie-knots.php%26usg%3DAFQjCNGNziEK0uBWKs6HR0Lxy61iTSZDUA%26bvm%3Dbv.102022582%2Cd.dmo to find 30 ways to tie a tie with videos included!
    
2. Competition: When you only have 10 minutes to plan a role play thinking on your feet comes in handy. On index cards right down scenarios like “ Person A just broke your phone screen” or “Person B just ran over your foot with a shopping cart” and throw them in a hat or drawstring bag. Pick a Person A and B from the group and a scenario and have them perform in front of the group! This gets them comfortable talking to one another and thinking on their feet! 
    
3. Networking: The beginning of the year is the perfect time to give your new members a crash course on first impressions! Do they have strong handshakes? Are they practicing proper listening skills? Do they have their “elevator speeches” prepared? They’re bound to come in contact with other members and local business leaders at some point in the year so prep them now!
    

If you try any of these activities in your chapter email me at morgan@fldeca.org! I love hearing about all of your chapter’s success!  
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