Updates and other important DECA notices will be placed here, so come back often!

March 8, 2002

Because I get so many requests, M & M Production Company has agreed to tape the entire SLC weekend for us this year. Unlike years past, they will also edit and produce a profession quality video of SLC.  I am confident that you will find the video of the highest quality, and will become a valuable recruitment tool for you in the future.  All students, advisors, and parents are welcome to purchase the video or DVD.

Please be advised that the video sales ARE NOT A FUNCTION OF VIRGINIA DECA.  I have requested that they produce and sell these videos, and have found M & M Production to be of the highest level of professionalism and integrity.  However, please be advised that any arrangements you make to purchase a video or DVD will be handled directly through the production company, not Virginia DECA.

The pricing on the materials is as follows:

DVDs for $20 each or the entire conference set (5 DVDs) for  $70. 
VHS will be $15 each or $60 for the entire conference set.   
Shipping & Handling charge is  $2 for individual purchase or $7 for sets.
 

• M & M Production Company will accept school P.O.s, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, checks and cash.
• Delivery time will be less than 30 days from the time it is approved by Virginia DECA for production.
• Shipping & Handling charge is  $2 for individual purchase or $7 for sets.

I have also requested a copy of the order form so that you can retrieve it from the Web site.

I hope that you will enjoy the video!

February 8, 2002

SATS AND ROLE PLAY TIMES - This year's SLC coincides with one of three SAT dates for this school year.  I have received numerous calls today regarding the possibility of scheduling role play times around these tests.

As important as the SATs are, unfortunately we will not be able to accommodate your requests for specific time allocations, particularly given the number of requests received.  For whatever it's worth, I scheduled my daughter's SATs for the May sitting so that she could attend SLC this year.

On another note, I just started processing the preliminary registration data.  While last year's conference was our biggest ever, this year is going to be even BIGGER, with 1593 people registered!!!  Thank you all for getting your registration materials in by the deadline.  It will allow us to have adequate time to plan conference details and provide you with the best possible conference that you deserve.

GROWTH - One other positive note:  This year Virginia DECA has had a whopping 7% membership  increase, now boasting more than 10,000 members--our most since the dues unification with National DECA.  Texas and Washington had better start looking over their shoulders...  That might just make us number TWO!

Thank you again for the great job you're doing.  Keep it up, and you'll hear more from me about the conference as it develops.

February 4, 2002

I received several of the same questions over the past week as you gear up for SLC.  I'll try and address them in case anyone else should have the same questions.

SLC INSERT - The SLC insert to your Chapter Management Guide was mailed to you by "snail mail" back before your winter break.  If you did not receive it, please let me know so that I can verify your address in my database.  I have attached another electronic copy for your convenience. (SLC INSERT)

"MISSING" AWARDS - The chapter activity awards were previous State Program of Work activities.  Those were removed from the Chapter Management Guide and replaced with this year's Program of Work activities.  In addition, the Diamond Projects were also eliminated for this year.  Therefore, if you are looking for those pages in your Chapter Management Guide this week, they aren't there!  We tried to announce this as prominently as possible by including them in the CMG "Highlight of Changes," in the VAME DECA update meetings this summer, etc.  If this has created any confusion, please accept my most humble apologies!

IMPORTANT DATES -If I don't already have your registration (and you would know via an e-mail confirmation), I look forward to receiving it from you on or before this THURSDAY, Feb 7th.  Thanks! 

January 17, 2002

This year's SLC has lots of surprises for you, and I am confident that you will be pleased.  If you weren't planning on coming, you're going to miss a good one, so I hope you'll reconsider!  A few notes about SLC...

PICTURES:  Don't forget, your time has almost run out to submit pictures for the SLC slide show!  Give your students a chance to be on the big screen.  Send me your ACTION photos of activities your students have been involved in during the course of the year.  They love to see themselves in lights!  E-mail them, or if you are mailing hard copies, do it soon!

IMPORTANT DATES:  Don't forget the deadline for SLC registration is FEBRUARY 7th.  Substitutes will be permitted through March 2nd (in the same event only), and requests for refund will be considered through March 11th.

SLC VIDEO:  We are currently working with the media company to have them produce a professional copy of the video for SLC.  It will not be like the videos you might have seen in past years.  This will be one that will be professionally edited and before it is sent out, and I think you'll be happy with it.  More details to follow as we get them, but it's something for you to start thinking about, both as a recruiting tool for your chapter, as well as for individual sale.

GLOW STARS:  We will once again be selling glow stars at SLC, and the proceeds will go to SAARA (Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance), our state charity this year.  Last year we sold approximately 350 stars, and we hope that you will help us promote them with your students this year.  In addition to helping SAARA, they really are cool, and the students loved them last year!  They will be sold before the opening session, the dance, and the grand awards session (if there are any left).  I may even take pre-conference orders if time permits.

PARTIAL REGISTRATIONS:  Don't forget, the online registration form will allow you to generate partial registrations!  If you know that you want to register some students, and are still unsure about the others, feel free to get started.  At any point you want a roster of who is registered, just send me an e-mail.  I will send it back to your promptly.  The registration can be found at http://www.lions.odu.edu/org/deca/regform.html

January 7, 2002

SCHOLARSHIPS, SLC ELIGIBILITY - Welcome back to school, and I'm glad that you survived the blizzard!

As you prepare for your district competition, be advised that the following districts now have met or exceeded the 400+ member eligibility requirement, enabling you to now send two CBCE competitors per event to SLC:

Districts 9a, 9b, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 22, and 27.  If you feel you should be included in this list and are not, please feel free to contact me.  Keep up the great work!

Also, your scholarship deadlines are coming up soon.  Deadlines for state scholarships are February 7th (same as SLC registration), and Harry Applegate scholarship applications are due in the Virginia DECA office on February 26th.  For more information, visit the Virginia DECA Web site at http://www.lions.odu.edu/org/deca/scholarships.html

JANUARY 2, 2002

SLC REGISTRATION - Happy New Year, and  welcome back!  I hope you enjoyed a restful holiday break.  You  earned it.  I know most of you have shifted gears and are now working  diligently on final DLC preparations.  Good luck!

Although you have already read the Chapter Management  Guide insert, I wanted to add a very important bit of information that will  help you save time when registering for SLC.  This year when you  register for SLC, a database has been created that will check your  students' names against your membership roster.  Please be aware that  if your registration name and your membership name aren't an identical  match (for ex., Mike Jones and Michael Jones), your student will not be  able to register for SLC until the
situation is rectified.  This is  also the same data that will generate your name badges, labels, and other  information, so it is critical that all of the information is correct and  consistent.

If the required  correction is obvious (for example, Mike Jones vs. Mike Jnoes or Mike Jones  vs. Michael Jones), I will make the corrections for you.  I will use  the information that you type in for your REGISTRATION DATA (as opposed to  your membership data), going under the assumption that most of you know  your students much better now than you did in September and October.   For all other students without a "match," they will be sent to you in  a report, and you will need to identify the inconsistency before we are  able to get them registered.  In addition, if for some reason  your student is not a Virginia DECA member, they must become one prior to registering for SLC by way of additions roster.  The software  won't register them otherwise!

I  will also start sending weekly reminders to you all regarding the  SLC registration deadline, not to nag you, but to help ensure that time  doesn't get away from you at this very busy time of year.  So don't  forget, SLC registration this year is FEBRUARY 7th.  Since late  registrations will be returned, mark this on your calendar if you haven't  already.  WE WANT YOU THERE!

One final note:  congratulations to Colonial  Heights, St. Paul, Central, and Northside for another super showing in the  Virtual Business Challenge. I smell some Virginia qualifying  teams...........

December 10, 2001

ICDC  AIRLINE TICKETS - As you know, the events of September 11th have significantly altered the travel industry, at least in the short run.  One result of the incident has forced our travel agent--which we have utilized for years--to change its rules regarding blocking ICDC airline tickets.  This year the agency wants a firm commitment--including seat count and non-refundable deposit--by next week.  I am aware that you cannot make such a commitment this early in the year.

As a result, Virginia DECA will not be making airline reservations for you this year.  While this should not affect many chapters (only fourteen chapters used this service last year), I do want you to be aware so that you can start planning now.  The good news is that last year, chapters that made their own reservations were able to save approximately $120.00 PER PERSON by making their own reservations.  It does, however, mean that you may need to plan differently regarding how your tickets are paid for.

Virginia DECA will continue to negotiate tickets on your behalf, and should the situation change from its current situation, you will be the first to know.

Meanwhile, if your chapter has participated in any type of 9/11 event or fundraiser, please let me know (if you haven't already) so that you might be recognized at SLC.

October 24, 2001

DLC COMPETENCIES- This year is flying by, as the last week of Daylight Savings time means Halloween!  I hope you year is running smoothly as you finish your officer training conferences and start looking ahead to your district leadership conference.  As you begin to prepare, please note that the DLC competencies are now online.  You can find them by going to the Web site, and following the links to conferences, then DLC.  I hope it helps!

COMMUNICATIONS ROLE PLAY - Speaking of DLC and competitive events, if you have any clever ideas on a good communications role play, please let me know.  I'd like to vary the event, and some of you veterans may recall some creative concepts from the past.  If so, please contact me so the idea can be considered.

9/11 DISASTER RELIEF EFFORTS - Many of you are making tremendous efforts toward the 9/11 disaster relief efforts!  If your chapter has raised money and sent it to Virginia DECA in support of this cause, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!  You ARE making a difference.  If you chapter has raised funds but you are sending your your donations directly to charity, please let me know about that, too.  I'd really like to see just how much assistance we have been able to provide as a state.  A quick e-mail when you are done with your efforts, letting me know would be most appreciated!

AREA CODE CHANGES- If you happen to be located in a school that hs changed area codes this year, please let me know about it!  434 and 276 are new to Virginia, and new to me.  I'd love to keep your information current.

LESSON PLAN FOR STATE DESIGN CONTEST - There is now a lesson plan online for you to use regarding the state t-shirt and lapel pin design contest.  You can find it by going to the http://www.lions.odu.edu/org/deca/lessons.html and looking under "DECA in the Classroom."  If you have a creative suggestion on how to implement this lesson, please let me know.  I'd love to share it with others.

VIRTUAL BUSINESS- Your kids are LOVING Virtual Business!  I've heard nothing but rave reviews from all of you.  The first month of competition only has a week to go, but it's not too late to enter!  Also, a new case situation is provided for each month, and the slate is wiped clean from month to month.  If you don't get the chance to play in October, let your student play November.  They can even play from home!  To get the FREE software, or to check Virginia's current rankings, go to http://knowledgematters.com  Currently Central High School and West Springfield High School are leading the pack in Virginia, and both have cracked the top 100.  Way to go!

If you have technical questions about the Virtual Business Challenge, contact them directly by e-mailing them at decavbc@knowledgematters.com.

Keep up the great work!

October 10, 2001

A few bits of information worth noting:

SLC FORMAT CHANGES - There have been two changes in the competitive events format at SLC and ICDC for this year.  First, last year in keeping with National DECA, we divided the Entrepreneurship Participating Event into a Franchise and an Independent Business.  While we will continue to do the same this year, please be advised that National DECA has not given us an allocation for both of these categories.  In other words, while they will have separate contests at ICDC, they are still only allowing us to send four students TOTAL from this event.  As a result, there will not be four spots from the franchise category and another four from the independent category.  We will be sending four TOTAL from Virginia to ICDC in that category.  If you have any questions, please let me know.

Also, the 7 Up Web design contest will NOT be a state event this year.  We are still attempting to work with National DECA to get them to recognize our state winners to go on to Nationals, and should that status change, I will let you know.  In the meantime, please submit your 7 Up banners and Web pages according to the guidelines provided to you by National DECA.

ICDC HOTEL ARRANGEMENTS -This year Virginia DECA will be staying at the Wyndham Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah.  The good news is that it's only "78 steps" away from the conference center--NO SHUTTLES REQUIRED THIS YEAR!  I think you'll be pleased with both the hotel and it's surroundings.  It also is less than a block away from one mall with a food court, and a block and a half from another.

SCAVENGER HUNT DEADLINES -Many of you have entered the new Web site scavenger hunt this year, and I'm happy to see it!  The deadline for entering your students for prizes will be November 15th.  Some of you have returned your students' scavenger hunts but have not met the requirements on the instructions page (specifically  the lesson plans requirement).  If you fall into that category, please try to correct that before the deadline.  The students/teachers who have met the requirements will be the first to be selected for prizes!  If you are still interested in participating, you can get your scavenger hunts forms at http://www.lions.odu.edu/org/deca/forms.html.

VIRTUAL BUSINESS -Virtual Business in now in full swing!  Classroom on the Mall (Va Beach), Central, McLean, West Springfield, and Petersburg have all now posted scores, and I know there are a lot of you out there playing that haven't posted yet.  Great job!  Remember, it's free, and your students will love it.  (Tip:  Save your game often and in increments.  That way if you make a mistake, you can always go back and restart your game from that point.)  To get rolling with Virtual Business, go to http://knowledgematters.com/.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES UPDATE - Congratulations to Linda Amburn on being reelected in a "squeaky tight" Western Area Board of Trustees election.  Linda has served Virginia DECA well in the past and will continue to do so.

E-MAIL ADDRESSES - While I am working diligently to compile an e-mail address for every advisor in  the state, I'm still missing 133 of them.  Please be sure to tell your colleagues about these updates, provide them with a print copy, or let them know that copies are posted on the Web at http://www.lions.odu.edu/org/deca/update.html.  I also would like to have their addresses!

Finally, National DECA has asked me for a copy of every advisor's e-mail address.  I am reluctant to provide them with that without your blessing.  Other organizations have asked me and I have told them no.  Please provide me with feedback, letting me know how you feel about this. 

As always, keep up the great work, and let me know how I can help you!

September 25, 2001

OFFICER TRAINING CONFERENCES, DESIGN CONTEST, VIRTUAL BUSINESS - 

Three quick notes for timely events...

First, are you attending the STATE FAIR on October 2 for DECA Day?  If so, Virginia DECA has a gift for you!  Please drop me a note letting me know that you are registered, tell me approximately how many students you have, and I'll fill you in on the details.

Please tell your students that Virginia DECA will be hosting a design contest for this year's state pin and state t-shirt.  Every DECA member is welcome to participate!!!  Simply send us your designs for the t-shirt, the pin, or both.  The pin, in particular, should in some way be representative of the State of Virginia.  We want other states to know who we are.  Get creative and send your designs to the Virginia DECA office.  Lesson plans will be posted on the Web site during the next week or so, along with the deadline dates (approximately Nov. 1).  Go the lessons page and look under "DECA in the Classroom."

Finally, VIRTUAL BUSINESS is here!  You may now go to the Web site http://www.knowledgematters.com/ and get your FREE copy of Virtual Business.  You'll need to register your team(s) for competition, then get going!  If you are interested, I might have a few tips that will help your class along the way.  Call me.

September 18, 2001

OFFICER TRAINING CONFERENCES - Don't forget, the registration for Officer Training Conferences is due by NEXT TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25th.  The state officers have some great ideas planned for your student leaders, and there should even be a workshop or two for advisors.  If you would like to be involved with a teacher workshop,  please let me know.

Hollins University will host the October 6th conference, and the Richmond Technical Center will host the October 20th session.  For more information about pricing, driving directions, and other aspects of the conferences, please visit the Officer Training Conferences pages.  Here you can even collect the

Simply complete it and e-mail it back!

I hope to see many of you there.  Even if you conduct your own OTC, I think you'll still find this very worthwhile for your student leaders.  Hope to see you there!

***Please note:  OTC conferences are planned based on the registered number of participants.  If you do not register, name badges, materials and lunches will not be ordered for your students.  Please don't let this happen!!!

September 10, 2001

PRIZES - I hope that your first week (or more, for a few of you) has gone very smooth.  If you haven't already, soon it will be time to introduce your students to DECA.  I hope that you will take advantage of the DECA Web Scavenger Hunt, found online on the forms page, to make this a fun, interactive lessons.  There will be plenty of prizes to go around--50 in all--so be sure and have your students earn a few.

SoNAR - DON'T FORGET THE SONAR REGISTRATION DEADLINE  is September 18th.  That's next Tuesday, so be sure to get your registration forms in.  We want you there!

Also, the deadline for speakers/presenters is September 25th.  While many of you have stated that you have someone who would like to participate, most of you have not yet returned the application.  If you need another application, please let me know and I'll get it to you right away, and thank you for helping to make this SoNAR a good one!

Also regarding SoNAR, this year National DECA is asking that each state bring a basket of items for auction.  Basket items should be representative of Virginia in some way.  The state officers have accepted the challenge of building the best basket in the nation, and can use your help in doing so.  If you have an item that you think might represent us well, please let me know.  All proceeds will go the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

TOOLS FOR YOU TO USE - The Virginia DECA Web site now has a few new features.  First, thank you to all of the teachers that have been contributing lessons to the lesson bank!  The lessons that you have sent are very good, and I hope that other teachers will take advantage of them.  To the rest of you, we would love to have you share a lesson or two with the rest of the state.  You send the lesson, I'll put in on a page for you.  We currently have about 50 lessons posted, but the goal is 800--2 for every teacher in the state.  Please help us out!

We now have a Virginia DECA message board for all of you to use.  One of the most obvious reasons to use it right now is to locate a roommate for SoNAR.  However, there are lots of other reasons to use it.  Feel free to submit a message, or allow your students to.  The more, the merrier!

Also on the Web site (under Advisor Tools) is a "DECA News" page.  This section of the site will include a copy of all e-mailed updates, as well as any other information that may be relevant to you and/or your students.  If you missed the first update, please go back and review it, as there was a lot of information that will help you this year.  Please check it from time to time to see what is happening, or send me information that you feel the rest of the state should see.

As I've stated in the past, please ask your colleagues if they have received this update.  If they haven't please ask them to contact me with current e-mail information.  Have a super year!

August 20, 2001

DECA DAY AT THE STATE FAIR - Plans are being made to encourage participation this year at the Annual State Fair.  DECA Day will be October 2, and the State Action Team is planning DECA activities and events for all those that attend.  Stay tuned for more information.  For more information regarding the State Fair, visit http://www.statefair.com.  If you would like classroom objectives to support your field trip, please contact Mickey Kosloski, DECA Specialist at mkoslosk@odu.edu.

August 17, 2001

Welcome back!  I know you all have a lot to do to get your year off on the right foot.  Recently following the VAME conference and the SAM conference, I became aware of a lot of information that I will benefit you.  I know how hectic the beginning of the year is, so please save this message and go through it at your earliest convenience.  Also, please check with your colleagues and make sure that they have received the message.  If they
haven't, please print them a copy and ask them to send me their e-mail address!

KUDOS - Congratulations to Debbie Myers (Landstown), Jay Walker (Robinson), Kelly Kitchens (Oscar Smith), and Roger Poston (Oakton).  Their community service projects from last year have been recognized in print in this year's edition of "DECA: Learning Through Service."  Way to go!

VIRGINIA DECA WEB SITE - If you haven't visited lately, the Virginia DECA Web site has been revamped this year in order to help you to collect the information you need more easily.  There are a few items that you need to act on right away!  There were a few minor errors in this year's Chapter Management Guide that have been caught since its publication.  Please follow the links from "Advisor Tools" to "Forms," and click on the link
that says "Chapter Management Guide Corrections."  You can then either open the pages directly or save them to disk.  Please print these pages and replace the like pages in your CMG.  Other forms now ready for electronic download are:

**The 2001-2002 revised Annual Report
**All forms from the CMG
**District Advisor Manuals
**The new Virginia DECA online Scavenger Hunt.  FIFTY PRIZES WILL BE GIVEN AWAY TO THOSE WHO COMPLETE THE SCAVENGER HUNT!  I have made it much simpler than last year so that all of your students will be able to compete.  Take a look and tell me what you think.
**The entire Chapter Management Guide is also now online in .pdf format.

This year includes a new section for advisors on utilizing competitive events in your chapter.  There is a tremendous amount of expertise in Virginia, and I would love to post your input!  If you have a suggestion that you are willing to share with the rest of the state, please send it to me and I will happily post it for others to see.  You will be credited with
your submission, so if you wish to send it anonymously, please note this along with submission.  You don't need to send me a Web page, just a document.  I'll put your tips in a format consistent with the rest of the Web site and post it for you.  Some topics that are often requested are fund-raising ideas, competitive events tips, travel suggestions, running a state officer, applying for scholarships (see corresponding Web page), motivating your students to participate, etc.  Any  and all suggestions are welcome.

While you're at it, we'd love to have your input on the lessons page, too.  Please take a look and see if you think you can use it.  I currently have about 30 more new lessons that I'll be posting within the next two weeks. Thanks to all of you that have contributed so far.  Virginia Marketing teachers appreciate your help!

In addition, if you want a chapter Web site, here's the place to park it!  Send me a write-up (and pictures, if you wish) of what your chapter is doing, or your existing site's Web address, and we'll put your chapter under the lights.  Sounds like a good project for your reporter or historian???  There's a lot more of the Web site that I think you can use,
so take a look around, and send me ideas or suggestions on anything that you would like to see on it for the future.  The site is located at:

SOUTHERN/NORTH ATLANTIC REGION CONFERENCE (SoNAR) - Many of you have
inquired about attending SoNAR in a limited capacity.  Especially since the conference is in our own backyard (Washington D.C.), we would love to see you ALL attend.  For individual consideration on conference arrangements, please contact me directly.  For more information on the conference, including the agenda, please visit the conferences section of the Virginia DECA Web site.

Many of you have responded to my call for presenters/speakers at the conference, and I thank you!  I now have the applications, and they must be completed and returned to me by September 24th (they are due to national DECA by the 25th).  If you know of someone that is willing to help, and can offer up either a good professional or student workshop, I would be most grateful!  Thanks for your support in this area.

VIRTUAL BUSINESS CHALLENGE - Another opportunity to compete at ICDC is the Virtual Business Challenge.  You do NOT have to purchase the software to participate!  Virtual Business allows your students to own and operate an electronic convenience store, and they love it.  You can obtain a FREE download of the competitive software at

Each month your students can compete online while altering only ONE variable, such as price, product, etc., and scores are posted cumulatively.  The top 64 teams compete in a Nationals qualifier where they control ALL of the variables, and the top 32 go on to compete live at ICDC.  Having personally evaluated the software in the classroom, I can tell you that it's a fun and valuable teaching tool.  Contact me if you would like more
information.

SCHOOL STORE - Does your school operate a school store or other free enterprise organization?  If so, please let me know.  National DECA is making an effort to provide you with additional support, but they need to know who you are!  Drop me a message if you fall into this category.

CASH ON THE BARREL - Is your school teaching E-Commerce this year?  In an attempt to include some younger students in the organization, National DECA is providing selected schools with a $2000 grant to do some cooperative activities that include your school's IT programs.  If this interests you, and you want some $$$ for your program, contact me for more information.

MARKETING ESSENTIALS TEXTBOOK - The new Marketing Essentials textbook, published by Glencoe, now has a "DECA Connection."  It not only includes teaching tips and activities from top teachers around the nation, but each chapter also provides a DECA activity, a clarification on how to use it in your curriculum, and relates the activity to district, state, and national competitive events and manuals.    The teacher's edition now includes 14 occupationally specific glossaries and marketing tests, as well as specific
links and online journals.  These tools should significantly help your students prepare for competition, especially the written tests!  The online test bank is selected at random based on occupation, and will provide your students a new tool in testing practice for competition.   In addition, the new text includes lessons that you can use with the Virtual Business software program.  It's VERY cool, and I think you'll like it.  If you haven't already, request an evaluation copy from Glencoe (or through your regional supervisor) to see the new "DECA Connection."

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS - Speaking of competition, this year's competitive performance indicators are now listed on the MarkEd Web site.  You can find them by going to http://www.Mark-Ed.com/ and clicking on the Curriculum/Std button on the lower left-hand corner of the page.

LEAP ACADEMY - Due to a lack of participation, there will be no LEAP academy at ICDC this year.  However, LEAP materials will still be available for your students to work with.  Don't let the omission of the academy deter you or your students from learning these valuable leadership lessons.

Thanks again for all you do.  I look forward to talking with all of you as the year progresses.

***The free download does not offer all of the features of the "paid" version, but it still is a great tool!