Political Outreach Kit

Political Outreach Kit

Reaching out to both state and federal legislators has never been more important for DECA members to do. The Perkins Act, which federally funds Career and Technical Education (CTE), was cut by $140 million in 2011. State-level funding for CTE was also reduced in some states during 2011. CTE classes are the basis for Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs), such as DECA. For this reason, legislation that affects CTE also impacts CTSOs. Therefore, if CTE is weakened through reductions in funding, CTSOs will also be weakened. The objectives of the resource are: (1) to guide you in reaching out to legislators, (2) to provide you with creative ideas for reaching out to legislators, and (3) to show you samples of effective documents aimed at legislators. The following is a list of the contents in this resource.

Information on DECA’s Congressional Advisory Board (CAB)

Three sample CAB letters

Two handouts to accompany CAB invitations

Information on the Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus

A sample CAB letter aimed at CTE Caucus members

A request to join the CTE Caucus

Information on starting a State CAB

A sample State CAB invitation

A sample document of “talking points” to use when preparing to meet with legislators

Two sample newsletters for legislators

Two sample handouts for legislators

Information about recognizing supportive legislators as well as sample thank-you letters

Links to five videos that discuss DECA and politics

Two sample political outreach projects

A “notes” section that contains important pieces of information and reminders A comprehensive document that addresses DECA and politics can be found on www.slideshare.net/DECAInc. You are strongly encouraged to read this document; it will help you to understand how the government impacts DECA and why reaching out to legislators is vital. If you should have questions, please email me at [email protected]. If you would like to adapt and use any of the following documents, I will provide you with rewriteable versions. Although my term as Central Region VP will end in May of 2012, I will assist you with political outreach endeavors after I am out of office. DECA Wishes,

Note: This document is not necessarily designed for you to read in one setting. Rather, you can pick and choose the areas that are applicable to your situation.

DECA’s Congressional Advisory Board

CTE is federally funded by the Perkins Act, which is currently appropriated at approximately $1.13 billion

per fiscal year. The appropriation for the Perkins Act is determined by the members of the U.S.

Congress. For this reason, gaining the support of federal legislators is vital to DECA’s future.

DECA’s Congressional Advisory Board (CAB) is a voluntary, nonpartisan group of national decision-

makers who are committed to supporting DECA as well as Career and Technical Education. Currently,

nine U.S. Senators and twenty-one U.S. Representatives sit on the CAB. DECA does not require the

members of the CAB to take any specific actions. Joining the CAB is simply a way for legislators to signify

that they support both DECA and CTE. Members of the CAB are recognized in several ways. They are

featured in DECA Dimensions (the organization’s bi-monthly magazine), on deca.org, and in the

International Conference program.

Invitations to the CAB can be sent to legislators via email or hard-copy mail. Please note that hard-copy

mail may take up to a month to arrive in a federal legislator’s office. If you send CAB invitations through

these channels, you should follow-up with a phone call to recipients’ Washington D.C. office. However,

the most effective way to get legislators to join the CAB is through face-to-face visits. When a federal

legislator is in your community, arrange a meeting with them to discuss DECA and CTE. If they are

receptive to your message, invite them to join the CAB. Also, giving legislators handouts with both

quantitative and qualitative information can aid them in deciding to join the CAB.

Although National DECA recognizes CAB members, it is important to create state-level recognitions.

Submitting press releases, giving certificates of appreciation, or providing recognition at your State

Conference are all great ideas.

Current Members of DECA’s CAB

Senators (9):

Thad Cochran - Mississippi

Kent Conrad - North Dakota

Mark Kirk - Illinois

Carl Levin - Michigan

Richard Lugar - Indiana

Ben Nelson, Nebraska

J.D. Rockefeller, IV - West Virginia

Jon Tester - Montana

Ron Wyden - Oregon

Representatives (21):

Rob Bishop - Utah

John Boehner - Ohio

Dave Camp - Michigan

Shelly Capito - West Virginia

John Duncan, Jr. - Tennessee

Norman Dicks - Washington

Jeff Fortenberry - Nebraska

Gene Green - Texas

Ralph Hall - Texas

Vicky Hartzler - Missouri

Blaine Luetkemeyer -Missouri

Kenny Marchant - Texas

Michael McCaul - Texas

Jerry McNerney - California

Devin Nunes - California

Gary Peters - Michigan

Nick Joe Rahall, II - West Virginia

Denny Rehberg - Montana

Sylvestre Reyes - Texas

Pete Sessions - Texas

Fred Upton - Michigan

Note: This is the CAB signature form that has been developed by National DECA. To

join the CAB, members of Congress need to mail or fax this form to DECA

Headquarters. A letter that provides more information about the CAB should always

accompany this signature form. Sample letters are found on the following pages.

Date

The Honorable John/Jane Doe U.S. House of Representatives/United States Senate House/Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representative/Senator Doe:

“Education is not preparation for life; it is life itself.” – John Dewy, American Philosopher

My name is Micah Melling, the Central Region Vice President of National DECA for 2011-2012. The

foregoing quote is an inspiration to me. When I read this quote, it reminds me of the impact that DECA

has had on my life. My involvement in DECA has inspired me to strive for a life of learning,

understanding, and excellence.

DECA is a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) with over 200,000 members. DECA’s

mission is to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, management, hospitality, and

finance. DECA’s program of activities prepares students to be academically prepared, community

oriented, professional responsible, and experienced leaders. This organization is an integral part of

Career and Technical Education (CTE). By equipping students with skills in a variety of areas, CTE

specifically focuses on preparing tomorrow’s workforce to make a positive impact on the U.S. economy.

The CTE fields of marketing, management, hospitality, and finance are the areas on which DECA focuses.

DECA’s Congressional Advisory Board (CAB) is a voluntary, nonpartisan group of national decision-

makers who are committed to supporting DECA as well as Career and Technical Education. Currently,

nine U.S. Senators and twenty-one U.S. Representatives sit on the CAB. If you decide to join the CAB,

National DECA will recognize your commitment in several ways. They will list your name in Dimensions

(the organization’s bi-monthly magazine), on deca.org, and in the program for the International

Conference. These recognitions will spread your name to thousands of students, teachers, and

businesspersons, many of whom will be in your state or Congressional District. As a member of the CAB,

you will also have easy access to DECA members and staff for research and discussions. Please note that

outside of agreeing to have your name listed as a supporter of DECA, your commitment to join the CAB

has no obligations.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly. My email address is

[email protected], and my cell phone number is (insert number). You can also contact John

Fistolera, Assistant Executive Director of Corporate and External Affairs, DECA, Inc., at (703) 860-5000.

Sincerely,

Micah Melling Central Region Vice President DECA, Inc. 2011-2012

Note: This is a general CAB

invitation that can be sent to

any member of Congress.

Date The Honorable Roy Blunt United States Senate 260 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Blunt:


My name is Micah Melling, the Central Region Vice President of National DECA for 2011-2012. The foregoing

quote is an inspiration to me. When I read this quote, it reminds me of the impact that DECA has had on my

life. My involvement in DECA has inspired me to strive for a life of learning, understanding, and excellence.

DECA is a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) with over 200,000 members. DECA’s mission is

to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, management, hospitality, and finance. This

organization is an integral part of Career and Technical Education (CTE). By equipping students with skills in a

variety of areas, CTE specifically focuses on preparing tomorrow’s workforce to make a positive impact on the

U.S. economy. The CTE fields of marketing, management, hospitality, and finance are the areas on which

DECA focuses.

Missouri DECA has been an affiliate of this national organization since 1946. With over 9,100 members in

more than 180 high schools, DECA has a large impact on many of Missouri’s youth and has prepared

thousands of students for successful futures.

DECA’s Congressional Advisory Board (CAB) is a voluntary, nonpartisan group of national decision-makers

who are committed to supporting DECA as well as Career and Technical Education. Currently, nine U.S.

Senators and twenty-one U.S. Representatives sit on the CAB. By joining the CAB, you will be investing in

Missouri’s future and showing young constituents that you support their educational programs. If you decide

to join the CAB, National DECA will recognize your commitment in several ways. They will list your name in

Dimensions (the organization’s bi-monthly magazine), on deca.org, and in the program for the International


businesspersons, many of whom will be in the state of Missouri. As a member of the CAB, you will also have

easy access to DECA members and staff for research and discussions. Please note that outside of agreeing to

have your name listed as a supporter of DECA, your commitment to join the CAB has no obligations.


[email protected], and my cell phone number is (insert number). You can also contact John Fistolera,

Assistant Executive Director of Corporate and External Affairs, DECA, Inc., at (703) 860-5000.

Sincerely,


Note: This is a CAB invitation that I

have tailored for Missouri Senator

Roy Blunt. I have included specific

information about the Missouri

association of DECA.

Note: Make sure to format your

letter so that you have space to

include a handwritten signature.

Date

The Honorable Vicky Hartzler U.S. House of Representatives 1023 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representative Hartzler:


My name is Micah Melling, the Central Region Vice President of National DECA for 2011-2012. The foregoing

quote is an inspiration to me. When I read this quote, it reminds me of the impact that DECA has had on my

life. My involvement in DECA has inspired me to strive for a life of learning, understanding, and excellence.

DECA is a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) with over 200,000 members. DECA’s mission is

to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, management, hospitality, and finance. This

organization is an integral part of Career and Technical Education (CTE). By equipping students with skills in a

variety of areas, CTE specifically focuses on preparing tomorrow’s workforce to make a positive impact on the

U.S. economy. The CTE fields of marketing, management, hospitality, and finance are the areas on which

DECA focuses.

Missouri DECA has been an affiliate of this national organization since 1946. With over 9,100 members in

more than 180 high schools, DECA has a large impact on many of Missouri’s youth. In fact, there are over 40

DECA chapters in your Congressional District. One of these chapters, Waynesville Career Center, is the top

fundraising chapter in the nation for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, having already raised $40,000 this

school year. Additionally, chapters such as Sedalia Smith-Cotton and Clinton have been nationally recognized

for many achievements over the past several years.

DECA’s Congressional Advisory Board (CAB) is a voluntary, nonpartisan group of national decision-makers

who are committed to supporting DECA as well as Career and Technical Education. Currently, nine U.S.

Senators and twenty-one U.S. Representatives sit on the CAB. By joining the CAB, you will be investing in

Missouri’s future and showing young constituents that you support their educational programs. If you decide

to join the CAB, National DECA will recognize your commitment in several ways. They will list your name in

Dimensions (the organization’s bi-monthly magazine), on deca.org, and in the program for the International


businesspersons, many of whom will be in Missouri’s 4th Congressional District. As a member of the CAB, you

will also have easy access to DECA members and staff for research and discussions. Please note that outside

of agreeing to have your name listed as a supporter of DECA, your commitment to join the CAB has no

obligations.


[email protected], and my cell phone number is (insert number). You can also contact John Fistolera,

Assistant Executive Director of Corporate and External Affairs, DECA, Inc., at (703) 860-5000.

Sincerely,

Micah Melling

Central Region Vice President

DECA, Inc.

2011-2012

Note: This is a CAB invitation aimed

at my U.S. Representative. I have

included information about DECA

chapters in her Congressional District.

Note: If I was sending this invitation

to a member of Congress, I would

decrease the margins and increase

the font size.

Note: The next two pages display informational documents to accompany any

CAB invitation. These documents further explain the value of CTE and DECA.

The Congressional CTE Caucus

Launched in 2007, the Career and Technical Education Caucus is committed to ensuring a bright

future for CTE programs across the nation. The caucus was originally co-chaired by U.S.

Representatives Brian Baird (D-WA) and Phil English (R-PA). Today, the caucus is co-chaired by

Glenn Thompson (R-PA) and Jim Langevin (D-RI). Currently, 56 members of the U.S. House of

Representatives sit on the CTE Caucus.

“Our main objective is to raise general awareness about the importance of CTE jobs and meet

the needs of the CTE community,” explains Congressman Thompson. “Another one of our main

focuses is educating legislators on CTE and its importance in the educational system.”

Also, it is important to note that the CTE Caucus is a bipartisan group.

“The CTE Caucus gives all members of Congress an opportunity to collaborate on a subject they

have a passion for,” says Congressman Jim Langevin.

All members of the CTE Caucus strongly encourage citizens to contact their U.S. Representative

and ask him/her to join the CTE Caucus. With more support, CTE will become stronger.

For more information on the CTE Caucus, please visit www.acteonline.org/ctecaucus.aspx.com.

Fast Facts about the CTE Caucus

The CTE Caucus was launched in 2007 by Representatives Brian Baird (D-WA) and Phil English

(R-PA).

The caucus is now chaired by Representatives Glenn Thompson (R-PA) and Jim Langevin (D-RI).

Fifty-six members of the U.S. House sit on the CTE Caucus.

Their mission statement is: “The Career and Technical Education Caucus is a bi-partisan group

of Members of Congress created to enhance awareness in Congress of the importance of

Career and Technical Education in preparing a well-educated and skilled workforce in America.”

Members of the CTE Caucus

Jason Altmire

Michele Bachmann

Andre Carson

Ben Chandler

Tom Cole

Jim Costa

Mark Critz

Geoff Davis

Norm Dicks

Michael Doyle

Bob Filner

Bob Goodlatte

Gene Green

H. Morgan Griffith

Raul Grijalva

Tim Holden

Rush Holt

Jay Inslee

Mike Honda

Lynn Jenkins

Hank Johnson

Marcy Kaptur

Jim Langevin

Rick Larsen

Steven LaTourette

Robert Latta

David Loebsack

Jim McDermott

Patrick McHenry

Mike McIntyre

Cathy Rodgers-McMorris

Michael Michaud

Mick Mulvaney

Donald Payne

Collin Peterson

Thomas Petri

Todd Platts

Jared Polis

David Price

Denny Rehberg

Laura Richardson

Harold Rogers

Mike Ross

C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger

Linda Sanchez

Mike Simpson

Adam Smith

Mark A. Stutzman

Betty Sutton

Bennie Thompson

Glenn Thompson

Pat Tiberi

Henry Waxman

Ed Whitfield

Rob Wittman

John Yarmuth

Date

The Honorable John/Jane Doe U.S. House of Representatives House Office Building Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative Doe:

“In all 435 Congressional Districts, there are Career and Technical Education based jobs. CTE is a

national issue that all members of Congress should be vested in.” – Congressman Glenn

Thompson, Co-Chair of the Congressional CTE Caucus.

My name is Micah Melling, the Central Region Vice President of National DECA for 2011-2012.

DECA is a Career and Technical Student Organization with over 200,000 members. The

organization’s mission is to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing,

management, hospitality, and finance.

As a member of the Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus, you fully understand the

importance of CTE. Furthermore, being a part of this caucus demonstrates that you are an active

advocate for this branch of education. Since you are a strong supporter of CTE, I invite you to join

DECA’s Congressional Advisory Board (CAB). DECA’s CAB is a voluntary, nonpartisan group of

national decision-makers who are committed to supporting DECA and CTE. Joining DECA’s CAB will

allow you to further demonstrate your support for CTE, and it will also help students to recognize

you as an advocate for their educational programs.

If you decide to join the CAB, National DECA will recognize your commitment in several ways. They

will list your name in Dimensions (the organization’s bi-monthly magazine), on deca.org, and in the

program for the International Conference. These recognitions will spread your name to thousands

of students, teachers, and businesspersons, many of whom will be in your Congressional District.

As a member of the CAB, you will also have easy access to DECA members and staff for research

and discussions. Please note that outside of agreeing to have your name listed as a supporter of

DECA and CTE, your commitment to join the CAB has no obligations.


[email protected], and my cell phone number is (insert number). You can also contact John

Fistolera, Assistant Executive Director for Corporate and External Affairs, DECA, Inc., at (703) 860-

5000.

Sincerely,


Note: This is a CAB invitation that I

have written for members of the CTE

Caucus. They have already pledged

their support for CTE, and joining the

CAB is simply another way to

demonstrate their advocacy.

Join the Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus


My name is Micah Melling, the Central Region Vice President of National DECA for 2011-2012.

As a Career and Technical Education (CTE) student, I value having federal legislators that

support these programs. By preparing students to be college and career ready, CTE is a vital

part of our educational system. According to the Association of Career and Technical

Education, nearly 16 million students enroll in CTE courses each year. CTE spans many different

fields, such as marketing, agriculture, technology, healthcare, and business management.

Through CTE, students better understand the importance of their curriculum and how it to

relates to the “real world.” Specifically, CTE helps students to realize that their work in the

classroom directly correlates to success in their future profession. In fact, one of CTE’s main

objectives is to prepare tomorrow’s workforce to make a positive impact on the U.S. economy.

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) are an integral part of CTE. CTSOs are

organizations such as DECA, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), the National FFA

Organization, and SkillsUSA. These organizations allow students to apply what they have

learned in the classroom to real-world situations. They also provide professional-development,

networking, and leadership opportunities for members. Over 1.5 million students hold

membership in CTSOs each year.

As a CTE student and DECA National Officer, I ask you to consider joining the Congressional

Career and Technical Education Caucus. This is a bipartisan group of over 50 federal legislators

who work to highlight the value and importance of CTE. The CTE Caucus has three main

objectives: (1) to enhance awareness in Congress of the importance of CTE, (2) to promote

policies concerning CTE, and (3) to support legislation that benefits CTE.

Your support will be valued by the many constituents in your district who are currently enrolled

in CTE courses or who have taken CTE courses. Should you have any questions or wish to join,

please contact either Congressman Glenn Thompson or Congressman Jim Langevin, who serve

as the co-chairs of the CTE Caucus.

Best Regards, Micah Melling Central Region Vice President DECA, Inc. 2011-2012

Note: This is a request for federal legislators to join the CTE Caucus. This request can only be sent

to members of the U.S. House. The handouts found on pages 7 and 8 can accompany this invitation.

Note: I have not included my contact

information in this letter because I

want to encourage legislators to

contact either Congressman

Thompson or Congressman Langevin.

I will, however, include a business

card that will provide my contact

information if it is needed.

State Congressional Advisory Board

Many state legislatures appropriate funding to support Career and Technical Education.

Therefore, it is also important to gain support from state legislators. In many cases, the state-

level funding for CTE monetarily exceeds the amount of Perkins funding a state receives.

Starting a State CAB is an effective way of reaching out to state legislators and encouraging

them to pledge their support for CTE. A State CAB is simply a nonpartisan group of legislators

who are supportive of CTE and DECA.

Invitations to your State CAB can be sent to legislators via email or hard-copy mail. Invitations

sent through these channels should preferably be followed up with a phone call to recipients’

capitol office. However, the most effective way to grow your State CAB is to meet with

legislators face-to-face. If possible, take a trip to your state’s capitol building and discuss the

importance of CTE and DECA with legislators. If they are receptive to your message, explain the

State CAB and invite them to join. Setting up appointments with legislators when they are in

your community can be highly effective, as well. Also, partnering with at least one state

legislator can be extremely helpful when starting and growing your State CAB. Having their

insight can be invaluable in many circumstances.

To help inform legislators about the importance of CTE and DECA, you should provide them

with different types of informational documents. Newsletters and handouts with both

quantitative and qualitative information are appealing to many legislators. Such information

will aid legislators in making a decision to join your State CAB.

If a legislator joins your State CAB, it is important to recognize them. Submitting press releases,

giving them a certificate of appreciation, or displaying their name at your State Conference are

all great ideas.

For more information on developing a State CAB, please see the following pages.

Note: Not all state legislatures appropriate funding for CTE. Some states operate their CTE

programs solely on Perkins funding. Even if your state legislature does not provide funding

for CTE, it is still important to gain the support of state legislators. Legislators, in any state,

are some of the most influential and important people. Having the support of such people

can elevate the status of your organization and can serve as a pride point.

Dear Representative/Senator:

Greetings from Missouri DECA. Missouri DECA is a state association of DECA Inc., and its mission is

to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and

management. With more than 200,000 members worldwide, DECA is one of the most powerful

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs). This organization specifically works to

prepare students to be academically prepared, community oriented, professionally responsible, and

experienced leaders.

Missouri DECA is one of the strongest state associations of DECA. With more than 9,000 members,

our state association ranks sixth in national membership. Last school year, we raised $87,500 for

the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Additionally, Missouri DECA chapters recorded over 13,500

hours of community service. More information about Missouri DECA is available at

http://dese.mo.gov/careered/deca.htm.

Through classroom instruction, a rigorous competitive-events program, and dynamic conferences,

DECA prepares thousands of students for successful futures. DECA helps its members polish

essential business and marketing skills, providing a firm foundation for success in any career. In our

opinion, DECA serves to develop citizens who help make Missouri economically prosperous.

“My involvement in DECA has shaped my future,” says Micah Melling, 2010-2011 Missouri DECA

State President. “DECA has been instrumental in helping me develop intangible tools I can use for

the rest of my life. Missouri DECA has helped prepare me for a successful career and future.”

We, as members of Missouri DECA, ask for your support for our organization. To pledge your

support, please sign the attached form. You can mail this form to (insert your address or your

school’s address) or fax it to (insert your fax number or your school’s fax number).

We also invite you to serve as a judge at our District or State Competition. Here are the dates and

locations.

District – (insert start time and date) in (insert location)

State – 10 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Monday, March 14; The Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark

Serving as a competitive-events judge would allow you to see firsthand that our organization is

unique and valuable. If you would like to be a judge or receive more information on judging, you

can reach my cell phone at (number), or you can send an e-mail to (insert email address).

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and for your consideration in providing support.

Sincerely,

Micah Melling Missouri DECA State President

2010-2011

Note: Missouri DECA used this letter to ask legislators to join their State CAB

during the 20102-2011 school year. Twenty-four legislators joined this State CAB.

I, ________________________________, pledge my support of Missouri DECA. I will use my

position as a member of Missouri’s General Assembly to serve as an influential advocate for this

organization. I understand the importance of Missouri DECA and will strive to make others aware

of the value of this Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO).

__________________________________ Signature _______________ Date

Note: This State CAB letter is more

focused on DECA as opposed to CTE.

We felt that taking this approach

would yield better results for our

newly-developed State CAB.

However, some states may be better

served to focus more on CTE than

DECA.

Missouri DECA is a state association of DECA Inc., and its mission is to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. With more than 200,000 members worldwide, DECA is one of the most powerful Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs).

The international symbol of DECA is the DECA Diamond, which represents DECA’s mission and guiding principles. The organization’s priorities and standards center around competence, innovation, integrity, and teamwork. DECA, through its full range of opportunities, prepares students to be academically prepared, community oriented, professionally responsible, and experienced leaders.

Academically Prepared: DECA’s competitive events require students to apply the knowledge

they have gained in the classroom. Nearly every DECA competitive event combines a written

portion and a presentation portion. Written projects and tests allow members to demonstrate

marketing knowledge and savvy. Through role-play performances and oral presentations,

students develop critical-thinking skills and interpersonal skills. Participating in DECA events

helps high school students to prepare for postsecondary education and ambitious careers.

Community Oriented: Community-service activities are an integral part of DECA. The

community service that students perform while in high school helps to instill a sense of service

that can last a lifetime.

Professionally Responsible: Through conferences, chapter meetings, and competition, DECA

strives to teach students to be socially intelligent. Involvement in DECA educates students on

professionalism and how to act in a business setting with poise and confidence.

Experienced Leaders: DECA provides many opportunities for students to develop vital

leadership skills. Students have the opportunity to hold chapter, state, and national offices.

Students can also be the chairperson of a chapter project or can organize meetings and events.

Pride Points

With more than 9,100 members, MO DECA is the 6th largest state association of DECA.

MO DECA is comprised of 178 chapters in 12 DECA Districts.

More than 1,000 industry professionals contributed their time and talents to serve at District

and State Career Development Conferences in 2010.

MO DECA awarded $10,000 in scholarships at their 2010 State Career Development

Conference.

MO DECA raised $87,500 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) in 2009-2010 and was

recognized for having the largest contribution to MDA in the international DECA organization.

MO DECA members served more than 13,500 hours of community service last school year.

MO DECA boasted 375 participants at the 2010 International Career Development Conference

(ICDC) in Louisville, Kentucky. Sixteen MO DECA members earned “Top 10” honors at the ICDC,

including seven students who won first place.

Note: The 2010-2011

MO DECA State Officer

Team used this

document as a guide

when preparing to meet

with legislators.

Note: The next two

pages comprise the first

newsletter the 2010-

2011 MO DECA State

Officer Team sent to

state legislators.

Note: The next two pages

comprise the second

newsletter the 2010-2011 MO

DECA State Officer Team sent

to state legislators.

Pictured is the 2010-2011 MO DECA State Action

Team. These students provide leadership for more

than 9,000 members.

Missouri Legislators,

I hope you have enjoyed the materials we have given you about

Missouri DECA over the past few months. Our goal has been to help

inform you about our organization and the work we do. We hope

that we have shown you this is a great organization for students and

communities. We greatly appreciate the support we receive from

the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and we are

grateful for your support of MO DECA.

Sincerely,

Micah Melling MO DECA State President

2010-2011

MO DECA Must-Know Facts With more than 9,000 members, MO DECA is the 6th largest

state association of DECA.

More than 1,000 industry professionals contributed their time to

serve at District and State Career Development Conferences in

2010.

MO DECA awarded more than $10,000 in scholarships at the

2010 State Career Development Conference.

The organization raised $87,500 for the Muscular Dystrophy

Association in 2009-2010.

MO DECA members served more than 13,500 hours of community

service last school year

Note: The next two

pages make up a

handout the 2010-2011

MO DECA State Officer

Team gave to state

legislators.

Viewpoints on MO DECA

Chris Young, Assistant Director of DECA Inc.— “Missouri DECA

is one of the leading associations to integrate classroom

instruction, DECA, and work-based learning in to a complete

program that prepares students to become emerging leaders

and entrepreneurs. Not only does Missouri DECA have thriving

local chapters, but many of its members also achieve success at

the annual International Career Development Conference. This

demonstrates their mastery of knowledge and skills that will

prepare them to be college and career ready.”

Sophia Mullineaux, Former MO DECA State Officer —

“Missouri DECA in unlike any other organization I have ever

participated in. Throughout my three years in DECA, I saw

myself grow as a person, both professionally and socially. DECA

gave me countless wonderful experiences, life-lasting

friendships, and knowledge that I am now using as a business

major. DECA was my favorite component of high school and is

something that I believe holds great value for every member.”

How DECA Impacts Students

The international symbol of DECA is the DECA Diamond. The

Diamond represents DECA’s mission. DECA, through its full range

of opportunities, prepares students to be:

Academically Prepared: DECA’s competitive-events forum

integrates into classroom instruction and requires students to

apply the knowledge they have gained in the classroom.

Furthermore, nearly every DECA competitive event combines a

written portion and a presentation portion. This helps students to

become well-rounded and confident.

Community Oriented: Community service is a large part of DECA.

The community service that students perform while in high school

helps to instill a sense of service that can last a lifetime.

Professionally Responsible: Through conferences, chapter

meetings, and competition, DECA strives to teach students how to

be socially intelligent. DECA specifically works to educate

students about how to act in a business setting with poise and

confidence.

Experienced Leaders: DECA provides many opportunities for

students to develop vital leadership skills. Students have the

opportunity to hold chapter, state, or national offices. Students

also can be the chairperson of a chapter project or can organize

meetings and events.

Note: I customized this document for Missouri DECA members to use when they visited their

state capital in February of 2011. Each legislator they visited received one of these handouts.

Thank You Letters and Recognitions

If a legislator shows their support for CTE, it is important to thank them for their support and to

recognize their efforts. Demonstrating your appreciation will show legislators that you value their

support and will keep CTE at the forefronts of their minds. Also, if you plan to recognize legislators for

showing their support, let them know about your intentions. As public representatives, they appreciate

being visible to their constituents and will value your efforts.

The following bullet points provide ideas for recognizing and thanking legislators who endorse CTE and

CTSOs.

If a federal legislator joins DECA’s CAB…

o Send them a letter of appreciation. (See page 26 for more information).

o Write a press release and send it to media outlets in the legislator’s district. (This

activity will only be applicable for members of the U.S. House as they represent a

specific district within their state; Senators represent the entire state).

o Work with your state advisor to recognize the members of the CAB from your state. You

can list their name in the program for your State CDC, on your state association’s

website, or in a statewide email to DECA stakeholders.

o Ask your state’s Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) to recognize

supportive legislators on their website and in publications.

o Also, please note that National DECA recognizes CAB members in a number of ways, and

these recognitions are listed in the sample CAB letters.

If a federal legislator joins the CTE Caucus…



activity will always be application as only members of the U.S. House can join the CTE

Caucus).



If a state legislator joins your State CAB…



activity will always be applicable as all state legislators represent a specific district

within their state).

o Work with your state advisor to recognize the members of your State CAB. You can list

their name on your state association’s website, in the program for your State CDC, or in

a statewide email to DECA stakeholders.



o Ask them to attend a DECA event where they will be publicly recognized.

o Have a DECA member present them with a plaque.

o Give them DECA apparel and ask them to proudly wear it.

If a legislator attends a CTE or CTSO function…

o Send them a letter of appreciation.

o Write a press release and send it to media outlets in the legislator’s district.

o Submit a press release to media outlets in your community.

o Publish the press release on your state association’s website.

o Request that your state’s Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) publish

the press release on their website and in a publication.

o Of course, be sure to generously recognize the legislator at the event, too. For

example, give the legislator a DECA shirt or a plaque.

Date

The Honorable John/Jane Doe

U.S. House of Representatives/United States Senate

House/Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative/Senator Doe:

Thank you for making the commitment to join DECA’s Congressional Advisory Board (CAB). As

you know, DECA is the premiere student organization for preparing emerging leaders and

entrepreneurs in marketing, management, hospitality, and finance. The support of

policymakers, businesspersons, alumni, and other stakeholders make DECA one of the most

beneficial opportunities for today’s students. Showing your support helps to reinforce the

power of our mission to our stakeholders and to the general public.

Your commitment to join DECA’s CAB will be recognized in several ways. DECA will list your

name in Dimensions (the organization’s bi-monthly magazine), on deca.org, and in the program

for the International Conference. These recognitions will spread your name to thousands of

students, teachers, and businesspersons, many of whom will be in your state or Congressional

District. Additionally, as a member of the CAB, you have easy access to DECA members and

staff for research and discussions. Please note that outside of agreeing to have your name listed

as a supporter of DECA, your commitment to join the CAB has no obligations.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance. My email address is

[email protected], and my cell phone number is (insert number). You can also contact

John Fistolera, Assistant Executive Director for Corporate and External Affairs, DECA, Inc., at

(703) 860-5000.

Sincerely,


Note: This is a thank-you letter for

federal legislators who have joined

DECA’s CAB. This letter should be sent

within two weeks of the legislator’s

commitment to join. If you plan to

publicly recognize this CAB member,

include those intentions in this letter.

Date

The Honorable John/Jane Doe U.S. House of Representatives House Office Building Washington, DC 20515


Thank you for joining the Congressional Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus. As you

know, CTE benefits millions of students each year by preparing them to be “college and career

ready.” Your support for today’s CTE students will help ensure that tomorrow’s workforce is

qualified, ambitious, and hard-working. By joining the CTE Caucus, you are also supporting

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs). CTSOs allow students to apply the lessons

they have learned in the classroom to real-world situations. Involvement in CTSOs also

provides students with networking, leadership, and professional-development opportunities.

With the recent cuts to the Perkins Act, CTE stakeholders need more members of Congress to

show their support for this valuable educational opportunity. For each fiscal year, we must

collectively work to maintain our funding. Having your assistance in this effort is greatly

appreciated by the millions of CTE stakeholders. We know that having your support will help

ensure a bright future for tomorrow’s workforce.



either Congressman Glenn Thompson or Congressman Jim Langevin, who serve as the co-chairs

of the CTE Caucus.

Sincerely,


Note: This is a thank-you letter for federal

legislators who have joined the CTE

Caucus. This letter should be sent within

two weeks of the legislator’s commitment

to join. If you plan to publicly recognize

this CTE Caucus member, include those

intentions in this letter.

Date

The Honorable John/Jane Doe Missouri House of Representatives/Missouri State Senate Missouri State Capitol Jefferson City, Missouri 65109

Dear Representative/Senator Doe:

Thank you for making the commitment to join Missouri DECA’s State Congressional Advisory

Board (CAB). As you know, DECA is the premiere student organization for preparing emerging

leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, management, hospitality, and finance. The support of

policymakers, businesspersons, alumni, and other stakeholders make DECA one of the most

beneficial opportunities for today’s students. Showing your support helps to reinforce the

power of our mission to our stakeholders and to the general public.

Your commitment to join Missouri DECA’s State CAB will be recognized in several ways.

Missouri DECA will list your name in an email to stakeholders, on their website, and in the

program for the State Conference. These recognitions will spread your name to thousands of

students, teachers, and businesspersons, many of whom will be in your district. Additionally,

as a member of Missouri DECA’s CAB, you have easy access to DECA members and staff for

research and discussions.



Gayla Westergaard, State Advisor, Missouri DECA, at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Micah Melling State President Missouri DECA 2010-2011

Note: This is a thank-you letter that

I sent to Missouri legislators who

joined the State CAB while I served

as the MO DECA State President.

Videos

I’ve recorded five videos to assist you when reaching out to legislators. These videos can be accessed on

my YouTube account: http://www.youtube.com/user/MicahMelling.

DECA and Politics Video. This video discusses how the government impacts DECA and why we

must get involved in the political scene. This video can help motivate members to reach out to

their legislators and fight for our funding.

Federal Legislator Video. This is a video that I have recorded for federal legislators. This video

was part of a CAB “package” I sent to some members of Congress. If you have the opportunity

to meet with a federal legislator, this video will help you prepare for that meeting. Also, you can

record a video similar to this one and package it with a CAB invitation. (Go to pages 2-8 for

more information on sending CAB invitations to members of Congress) :

CTE Caucus Video. This is a video that I have recorded for members of the Congressional CTE

Caucus. This video was part of a CAB “package” I sent to members of the CTE Caucus. If you

have the opportunity to meet with a member of the CTE Caucus, this video will help you prepare

for that meeting. Also, you can record a video similar to this one and package it with a CAB

invitation. (Go to pages 8-12 for more information on sending a CAB invitation to members of

the CTE Caucus).

CAB Member Video. This is a video that I have recorded for members of DECA’s CAB. This was

part of a CAB “thank-you package” I sent to members of the CAB. If you have the opportunity to

meet with a CAB member, this video will help you prepare for that meeting. Also, if one of your

legislators is on the CAB, you can record a similar video and send it to them.

State Legislator Video. This is a video that I have recorded for members of Missouri’s General

Assembly. If you have the opportunity to meet with a state legislator, this video will help you

prepare for that meeting. Also, you can record a video similar to this one and package it with a

State CAB invitation. (Go to pages 13-23 for more information on State CABs).

Political Outreach Projects

I have developed two sample political outreach projects. One sample project is for chapters,

and the other is for state action teams. I have three goals for sharing these sample projects: 1)

to demonstrate how to organize an outreach project, 2) to display a sequence of activities, and

3) to show the extensive amount of time it takes launch an effective outreach program. These

plans will not be applicable for all situations. In fact, it would be difficult to exactly follow these

plans due to a number of variables. However, please use these sample outreach projects as

models or as “idea starters.” Additionally, please note that all state legislatures operate

differently. Many legislatures begin session in January, and I have built the following outreach

projects based on that timeframe. Please keep in mind, however, that not all state legislatures

begin session in January. The way your state legislature operates will affect the structure of

your outreach project. Furthermore, I have suggested that you ask state legislators to help

students prepare for competition. For this activity, I have based the timeline on having a

district competition that occurs in January or February. Of course, if your district competition

occurs prior to those times, you will need to adjust the timeframe for this sequence of events.

While not specifically focused on obtaining legislators’ support, the “Promoting Your DECA

Chapter” PowerPoint on www.slideshare.net/decainc can provide you with some useful

information as you organize your political outreach project.

Chapter Plan: Sample Goals: To personally interact with each of your state legislators at least twice.

To contact all three of your federal legislators at least once. To build a lasting

relationship with at least one legislator (either state or federal). To get at least one

legislator (either state or federal) to pledge their support for CTE and CTSOs.

Potential Leadership Structure: A dedicated, hard-working chapter member or chapter

officer should serve as the chairperson for a political outreach project. The chairperson

should work closely with the chapter advisor on all endeavors. Additionally, the

chairperson should strongly consider forming an “action committee” that will assist with

all aspects of the project.

September

o Select a chairperson and assemble a group of DECA members to assist with the

project. The foregoing group of people should be a mix of chapter officers and

dedicated chapter members.

o Identify your state and federal legislators and research them. Know their

biography, the committees they sit on, and what they do outside of politics.

o Determine if you have any connections to your legislators. Having

“connections” can provide an avenue for effectively reaching out to legislators.

o Research your state legislature and the U.S. Congress. Your goal should be to

obtain a working knowledge of the legislative process and to know the most

recent political news. Your high school’s government teacher or a history

teacher might be able to provide you with useful information and facts.

o Collect facts and statistics about the importance of Career and Technical

Education (CTE) and Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSOs).

o Read about how the government impacts CTE and CTSOs. This information can

be found in the “DECA and Politics” document on www.slideshare.net/decainc.

o Once your research has been completed, determine the specific vision for your

project (goals, activities, and timelines).

October

o Share your project with the entire chapter.

o Show them the “DECA and Politics” video that explains the importance of

reaching out to legislators. (A link to this video can be found in the “videos”

section of this document).

o Develop a chapter “pride points” document that can be given to legislators as

well as to other stakeholders. For more information on developing a “pride

points” document, view the “Promoting Your DECA Chapter” PowerPoint on

www.slideshare.net/decainc.

o Invite your State Representative and/or Senator to a chapter event in

November. (Please note that you need to invite legislators to an event at least

a month before it occurs).

November

o Host your State Representative and/or Senator at a chapter event. Give them

the chapter “pride points” document. Also, present them with a thank-you

plaque, chapter t-shirt, or nice card. (Be sure to send a thank-you card after the

event, as well).

o Ask your state legislators to help chapter members prepare for competition.

They can serve as a judge for role plays, listen to presentations, or read written

projects. Ask them to spend 2-3 hours one afternoon with your chapter

members. Aim for holding this event in January.

o Reach out to your U.S. Representative’s local office. Request a meeting with

your Representative when he/she is home for Congress’s Christmas Break. This

meeting would most likely occur in early January, and your entire project team

should attend this event.

December

o Re-contact your State Representative and/or Senator and finalize the details of

having them help DECA members prepare for competition.

o Prepare for the meeting with your U.S. Representative by reviewing the

research that was conducted in September. Also, watch the “Federal

Legislators Video.” A link to the foregoing video can be found in the “videos”

section.

o Develop a chapter newsletter to give to your U.S. Representative.

January

o Meet with your U.S. Representative. Be sure that you have done thorough

research for the meeting and that you are professionally dressed. Discuss the

importance of CTE and CTSOs, and specifically explain the benefits of marketing

education and DECA. Give them the chapter “pride points” document and the

chapter newsletter. Ask them to join the CAB as well as the CTE Caucus and

have the necessary paperwork on hand.

o Have your State Representative and/or Senator help students prepare for

competition. Their level of involvement for this event will be contingent on

their schedule and prior commitments. To fully accommodate your legislator,

be open to hosting this event on a Saturday. (Be sure to give them your newly-

developed chapter newsletter).

o Coordinate a trip to your state’s capitol. (Aim for visiting the capitol in

February). Going to the state capitol will allow you to visit your state legislators

and their staff while they are in “work mode.” It will also allow you to

represent DECA in an important business setting. Also, keep in mind that some

states have an ACTE Legislative Day at the state capitol. If your state has a

Legislative Day, try to go to the state capitol on this day rather than on a date

when only your chapter will be present.

o Begin developing another chapter newsletter that will be given to your

legislators when you visit the state capitol.

February

o Send CAB invitations to your U.S. Senators. If you weren’t able to meet with

your U.S. Representative, send him/her a CAB invitation and a request to join

the CTE Caucus. Remember to send a thank-you letter to legislators who join

the CAB or the CTE Caucus. Also, be sure to publicly recognize supportive

legislators. These activities should be done shortly after the legislators’ display

of support for CTE and CTSOs.

o In preparation for your visit to the state capitol, watch the “state legislators

video.” (A link to this video can be found in the “videos” section).

o Visit your legislators at the state capitol. Distribute the documents you’ve

developed and continue to build a working relationship with your legislators.

Additionally, while you’re at the capitol, ask for a tour and learn about your

state government’s history.

March

o Write a press release about your chapter’s experience at state competition and

send a copy to your state and federal legislators’ offices.

May

o Write a press release about your chapter’s experience at DECA’s International

Career Development Conference and send a copy to your state and federal

legislators’ offices.

Summary: From a chapter standpoint, you should work to develop personal relationships.

Strive to make your legislators strong supporters of your chapter who will be involved year after

year. Chapters are the “heart” of DECA, and allowing legislators to see your efforts will

demonstrate the power of the organization.

State Plan: Sample Goals: To convince two federal legislators to join the CAB. To get 25 state

legislators to your join State CAB. To have five legislators judge at your state

conference. To create three polished, formal documents to give to legislators.

Potential Structure: One state officer should lead the political outreach project. They

must work closely with the state advisor and other leaders in the state association.

Reaching out to legislators should be one of the state action team’s top priorities, if not

the top priority. Therefore, the entire team should be committed to this effort and

should assist the lead officer as directed.

During State Officer Training

o Select the state officer that will lead the political outreach project.

o Determine the specific vision for your project (goals, activities, and timelines).

o Read about how the government impacts CTE and CTSOs. This information can

be found in the “DECA and Politics” document on www.slideshare.net/decainc.

September

o Identify important state legislators as well as the federal legislators from your

state. Know their biographies, the committees they sit on, and what they do

outside of politics.

o Research your state legislature and the U.S. Congress. Your goal should be to

obtain a working knowledge of the legislative process and to know the most

recent political news.

o Collect facts and statistics about the importance of Career and Technical

Education (CTE) and Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs).

October

o Develop your State CAB letter and signature form. This letter should be

approved by your state advisor and other key people in your state association.

(See page 13 for information about starting a State CAB).

o Connect with at least one legislator who is willing to provide advice and help

grow your State CAB. If possible, get 2-3 legislators who will help with your

endeavors. Any “connections” to legislators will be extremely helpful in this

situation. However, if you are not able to form a partnership with a legislator,

you can still start a State CAB.

o Contact chapters in your state and inform them about your endeavors. Also,

encourage them to reach out to their legislators and provide them with helpful

ideas and useful resources.

November

o Contact your state’s Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) and

ask for their support. They may be able to assist with your efforts and provide

valuable resources. Also, work with them to coordinate a day for DECA

members to visit the state capitol and meet their legislators. (Under this

timeline, set up this event for February). Please note that some states have an

ACTE Legislative Day that allows CTSO members to visit their state capitol. If a

Legislative Day is an annual event, offer to help your state’s ACTE with organizing

this event.

o Begin developing a polished “pride points” document about your state

association. You should also develop a formal document of “talking points” that

DECA members can use when preparing to meet with legislators.

o Contact the chapters in your state and update them on your progress.

December

o Organize a visit to the state capitol for your state officer team. (Try to schedule

this visit for some time in January). Make sure that each state officer contacts

their legislators and requests a meeting. If applicable, contact the legislators you

have partnered with and inform them about your team’s scheduled visit.

o Develop a statewide DECA newsletter that will be given to legislators when your

state officer team visits the capitol.

o Begin to organize an outreach project aimed at your state’s members of the U.S.

Congress. You should invite all of them to join the CAB; you should also ask the

U.S. Representatives to join the CTE Caucus.

January

o Mail the CAB invitations and the CTE Caucus requests. Remember to send a

thank-you letter to legislators who join the CAB or the CTE Caucus. Also, be sure

to publicly recognize supportive legislators.

o Visit the capitol as a state officer team. Have each state officer meet with their

legislators. They should discuss the importance of DECA, share the newsletter

and “pride points” document, and invite legislators to join the State CAB. After

the scheduled meetings are completed, visit other offices and request to speak

with legislators. If they are able to visit with you, discuss the importance of

DECA, give them the documents you’ve created, and invite them to join your

State CAB. If the legislator is unavailable, talk to their legislative assistant and

leave the documents you’ve created.

o Develop another statewide DECA newsletter; this will be used when DECA

members visit the state capitol in February.

February

o Have DECA members visit the state capitol and meet their legislators. Your state

officer team should also attend this event. This event should have been planned

and promoted for at least two months. Remember that some states have an

ACTE Legislative Day where DECA members can visit their state capital. When

members arrive at the capitol, have a short meeting with all attendees and share

your political outreach expertise. Give them a copy of the “talking points”

document to help them prepare for their legislative meetings. Also, provide

them with copies of the “pride points” document, the most recent newsletter,

and paperwork for the State CAB.

March

o Write a press release about your state conference and send a copy to all of your

state’s members of Congress and as many state legislators as possible.

May

o Write a press release about your state’s experience at DECA’s International

Career Develop Conference and send a copy to all of your state’s members of

Congress and as many state legislators as possible.

Summary: Your ultimate focus should be to reach out to as many legislators as possible and to

inform them about DECA and CTE. All legislators are bombarded with competing interests; you

must find a way to stand out. Students who are well-informed, professional, and driven will

impress legislators and can potentially impact their viewpoints.

Note: I have developed this outreach

project based on the timeframe of

electing officers in the spring.

However, effective outreach projects

can certainly be developed if your

state elects officers in the fall.

Notes

Important Information

Keeping your target audience in mind is extremely important. You cannot reach out

state legislators and federal legislators in exactly the same way. When giving written or

verbal information to state legislators, primarily focus on your state association of DECA

and your local marketing classes. Remember, your state legislators will only impact CTE

and DECA programs in your state; they want to specifically know why these entities are

important. When giving written or verbal information to federal legislators, primarily

focus on CTE and DECA on the national level. Federal legislators have the power to

impact CTE and, by association, CTSOs in all 50 states. Therefore, they are interested in

knowing the impact their policies will have on a national scale. However, including

state-specific information can still be helpful; federal legislators will want to know how

their stance on CTE affects their constituents, who have the power to reelect them. I

have reflected these ideas in the sample materials for both state and federal legislators.

Legislators are deeply concerned with the state of the U.S. economy. CTE specifically

prepares students to make an impact on the economy. This concept is difficult to

adequately explain in writing. However, if you have the opportunity to meet with a

legislator, stress the positive impact that CTE can have on our economy.

Asking legislators to get involved with your chapter is an excellent way to engage them

with DECA and CTE. You can invite them to a chapter meeting or ask them to visit one

of your marketing classes. Also, you can request their help in preparing students for

competition. Legislators can serve as judges for practice role plays, or they can provide

feedback on written project and presentations. (Please note that state legislators will

have more availability than federal legislators when it comes to chapter involvement).

Convincing legislators to serve as judges at district/regional or state competitions can be

a highly effective way to garner their support. Most likely, federal legislators will not

have the availability to serve as a judge. However, some state legislators may be able to

judge. Asking state legislators to serve as judges can be a segment in your State CAB

invitation letter.

Important Reminders

Keep in mind the objectives of this resource: (1) to guide you in reaching out to

legislators, (2) to provide you with creative ideas for reaching out to legislators, and (3)

to show you samples of effective documents aimed at legislators.

Remember, if you would like to adapt and use any of the documents in this resource, I

will provide you with rewriteable versions. My email address is decavpmicah@gmail.

com.

To better understand the importance of reaching out to legislators, please read the

“DECA and Politics” document found on www.slideshare.net/DECAInc. In this

document, I explain how the government impacts DECA and why we must get more

involved in the political scene.

A PowerPoint titled “Obtaining Legislators Support” is also found on DECA’s SlideShare

Account. This presentation concisely combines the information found in this resource

and in the “DECA and Politics” document.

A PowerPoint about the Perkins Act can be found on DECA’s SlideShare Account, too.