Are you passionate about DECA and its members? Do you have what it takes to lead others? Then maybe you should consider running for an association office.
Keep reading to find out whether or not this position is the right fit for you and what you can expect from it!
How to know if it’s right for you:
Being an association officer requires a great deal of sacrifice, commitment and dedication to DECA and all of the members of your association. It can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your DECA career when your intentions to run are member-oriented. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before deciding to run:
- Will I be willing to dedicate my time and energy to this position?
- Will I be able to balance (hopefully) traveling to and attending events with school, work and family obligations?
- Am I willing to put in the work to complete tasks, prepare for events and develop my public speaking skills to fulfill the expectations of this role?
- Am I willing to comply with the standards of professionalism needed to uphold my reputation (both in-person and on social media)?
- Do I work well with others and contribute equally when working on a team?
- Am I motivated, driven and able to work independently on projects and assignments with little supervision?
- Am I knowledgeable, passionate and enthusiastic about DECA?
If you were able to answer “yes” to most, if not all of these questions, an association-level leadership position may be just the thing for you to reach the #NextLevel in your DECA career! This is by no means an all-inclusive list of what makes a successful association officer, but these are some essential components of the position. Even if you were not able to answer yes to 100% of the questions, some of these qualifications can be developed over time as your devotion to DECA grows. Being an association officer is truly one of the most challenging, yet rewarding experiences you can have during your time in DECA. It is an opportunity to serve others and impact the lives of countless DECA members daily, all while serving alongside a team of people that are equally passionate about the organization.
I can honestly say from my personal experience serving as an association officer that there is no greater reward than knowing you impacted members and were able to contribute to their success. While every association runs things slightly differently, one thing that remains constant is that you will get out of it whatever you put into the experience. The energy you devote to DECA will reward you with memories, experiences and opportunities that prepare you for the future in a very unique way. While this position can include late nights working on projects and waking up early to help run conferences, it is also so much fun!
I highly encourage any leader who is willing to serve their fellow DECA members to run for an association office. Make sure to check out your chartered association's rules and requirements and to reach out to former or current association officers to learn more about what this position entails!
