Advocacy by VP Matthew

​So advocacy. It’s a pretty intimidating word, but odds are it’s simpler than you think. Advocacy doesn’t mean going to the moon and back to reach out to as many people as you can. All advocacy is is promoting DECA within your sphere of influence.
 
Probably the biggest way I advocate DECA in my school is just by being very involved. I have a reputation that I’m involved in DECA and it makes some people curious and talk to me about it. By talking to people about DECA, I’m advocating. That’s all it takes.
 
Another easy but impactful way to advocate for DECA is through social media. Whether it be on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or a different social network, posting about DECA makes many more people aware of what it is. You can use both your personal and chapter social media to advocate, but odds are a personal account will be more effective.
 
One of the more difficult forms of advocacy is reaching out to local government officials. It may take some letters and maybe even some physical visits, but eventually, you will be able to get in contact with at least some of your local officials and use those connections to advocate for DECA. Even though this is more difficult than just using social media, it is still completely doable.
 
Something I neglected to mention in my video blog is the importance of advocating DECA to students. There’s no chapter if there are no members. Advocating through your schools’ announcements and taking advantage of any opportunities your school offers for clubs and organizations to promote themselves ensures that your chapter will maintain a healthy membership, if not grow.
 
Something else that should be mentioned about advocacy is that in February, DECA has an advocacy campaign. If you have any questions about this, check out DECA.org or my blogs about the THRIVE campaigns.
 
Overall, the importance of advocacy cannot be overstated. Not only does advocacy keep your chapter alive and thriving, it increases the impact that your chapter can have on your members and your community. If you’re still having trouble understanding advocacy, it might help to realize that this blog has been me advocating for advocacy.