By Aarushi Anandakumar, @aarushiideca | Centennial High School, TX
October signifies many things: the annual rewatch of Gilmore Girls, the Starbucks fall menu, and most importantly…HALLOWEEN!
During such a versatile month, holding meetings that engage members is a great way to boost chapter participation and growth.
Here are some fall-inspired themes that’ll make your next chapter meeting unforgettable:
1. Gilmore Girls Meeting
Besides being THE show to binge during fall days, Gilmore Girls is perfect for DECA meetings. Lorelai’s ability to talk confidently to anyone, anywhere, can be used to teach members how to speak naturally during role-plays and presentations. Paired with cookies and coffee (of course!), this meeting will be entertaining yet informative.
Agenda:
- Intro: Have members take a fun quiz to find out what character they are!
- Focus lesson: Speaking techniques such as eye contact, pacing, emphasis, etc.
- Activity: Have members volunteer to play “Um-Olympics”. This exercise challenges people to speak on a random topic for as long as possible, without using any filler words or extensive pauses. Remember to provide feedback and tips for improvement.
- Wrap up: Enjoy refreshments while watching fan-fav Gilmore Girls highlights!
2. Starbucks Menu Meeting
No season is complete without a seasonal Starbucks menu. For this meeting, challenge members to create a new Starbucks fall drink and design a pitch to accompany it!
Agenda:
- Intro: Go over examples of past Starbucks fall drinks and their marketing techniques
- Focus lesson: How to design a selling pitch incorporating various DECA performance elements
- Activity: Have students pair up into groups to design a new fall drink. Ensure that they include a marketing plan and their idea to pitch to the “judges” (officers)
- Wrap up: Have members vote on the best idea, the winner can get a Starbucks gift card!
3. DECAween Social
After a presumably long month, a Halloween social is the perfect way to let members wind down. This social allows members to connect, have fun, and celebrate Halloween surrounded by friends!
Here are some ways to make this meeting memorable:
- Refreshments: drinks and Halloween-inspired snacks are a MUST HAVE!
- Card making: let members get crafty while giving back to the community
- Disney horror films: Frankweenie, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Hocus Pocus, and the list continues
- Trivia!: Host a Kahoot or Blooket based on popular Halloween knowledge
