As the school year comes to a close, we want to make sure members feel recognized, celebrated and motivated for what’s next.
Below is your chapter's guide to finishing the year strong and ensuring you're ready to hit the ground running next school year.
Final Meetings
The goal of the final meeting is to make your members’ efforts feel seen, recognize successes, build community, gather feedback and build excitement for next year.
Here are a few best practices:
- Make it an end-of-year celebration! Have games, food and music.
- Recognize members’ efforts and successes by giving out awards and superlatives.
- Thank your advisors for their dedication and support throughout the year.
- Collect members’ feedback. Ask for highlights and areas for improvement.
- Create a slideshow of photos with as many members as possible to make everyone feel seen.
- Have a place for seniors to sign up as alumni.
- Invite your school’s administrators so they can support you.
Officer Teams
This time is also an opportunity to ensure your incoming officer team is established and transitions smoothly. This ensures that every year builds on the next and allows your officers to plan over the summer.
- Elect the new officer team at the end of the school year so they can meet over the summer.
- Meet with the incoming officer team to discuss what was successful, areas for improvement, and which initiatives would have the greatest impact.
- Make an officer group chat before school ends.
Middle School Outreach
At this point, most rising freshmen have selected their courses for next year, making this the perfect time to begin recruitment efforts. Reach out to middle school counselors to schedule a visit and encourage rising marketing students to join DECA. If an in-person visit isn’t possible, send a promotional flyer for them to distribute to introduce students to the opportunities DECA provides. Promotional materials and brand resources are available here.
Organization
Lastly, ensure your physical School-Based Enterprise space and classroom are organized and clean for next year.
By hosting an end-of-year celebration, establishing your incoming officer team, and organizing your SBE, you can end your school year strong, while reinforcing a positive chapter culture and building excitement for the next school year.
