Campus Public Relations

Use campus public relations tools to promote Delta Epsilon Chi, such as the school paper, school Web site, campus radio station and student organization fairs.

Recruitment Tree

When a continuing member recruits a specified number of dues paying members, he or she receives recognition as determined by the chapter. He or she then receives an additional award for each dues-paid member recruited by a member from his or her original branch.

Open House Socials

Socials can be held any time for any reason. Why not hold one for new member recruitment? A social atmosphere will draw in students of all designations with extra participation from new students, as they will look for the campus social scene. Set up a sign-up sheet and a cashier to collect dues during the event. If available, invite a state or national officer or successful chapter alumni. Deliver a short presentation about the organization and the benefits it offers to members.

 One + One

Professional and service organizations commonly use a system of recruitment which requires each dues paid member to host a guest (potential member) at a chapter meeting or special event before qualifying for active member status. Hosting a potential member at a chapter activity is a simple requirement to fulfill and the recruitment percentage is high among students who have experienced Delta Epsilon Chi's program of activities first hand.

Direct Mail/Target List Development

Surveys and contest entry forms are reliable means for developing leads into a target market. Surveys which require information about the participant can be developed on any number of topics, and contest entry forms (particularly opportunity drawings) are also terrific for soliciting a person's name, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone number(s), and even his or her major course of study. Once a target list is formed from these basic demographics, the chapter can mail recruitment information and advertisements for events to students who meet the qualifications for membership.

Career Development

Promote the organization as a means of getting a job, making money and having fun. Offering a general career workshop for all students and putting in a plug for joining Delta Epsilon Chi will get a better response than just holding a Delta Epsilon Chi meeting. Your chapter may go even further by developing an internship or mentorship program (link) exclusively for members.

Classroom Response Cards

Half-page cards are printed with a brief description of Delta Epsilon Chi, an advertisement for chapter meetings and chapter membership, a slot for academic interest, and a space for the student to write in their name, mailing address, e-mail address and telephone number(s).

Ideally, your instructors will allow a chapter member to visit their classes. If not, the cards are distributed to each targeted class instructor through his or her divisional office. The instructor is asked to read a prepared statement while handing out the cards, collect the cards when they are completed, then return the completed cards to the division secretary. Cards are then picked up by a chapter member.

A thank you social should be held for everyone involved. The social can be used to gain support from instructors, while enticing them to become professional members. Professional members count toward your chapter membership totals!

Bookmark Response Slips

Third page bookmarks are printed with perforated middles; an advertisement for Delta Epsilon Chi membership is printed on one half, and a space to write in a name, mailing address, e-mail address and phone number(s) is printed on the other side with instructions on how to turn in the tear-away half.

The page markers are placed in books as pre-determined by the chapter and the bookstore management. A box can often be displayed in the bookstore to collect the response slips as they are completed. Students that turn in a completed slip are immediately contacted about membership.

Good textbooks to use:

High School DECA Scholarships

Scholarships can be used to promote the progression of high school members into Delta Epsilon Chi. Local high schools feeding into your college are prime targets for this type of program. Provide local high school seniors challenging applications that will help to evaluate an applicant pool for the strongest scholarship candidates. The awards should be announced during the high school chapter's end of the year banquet to promote greater competition for future awards. Consult the high school chapter advisor for any applicable regulations.

DECA College Connection
Graduating DECA seniors enter their new school contact information into our DECA College Connection database so that they can join a chapter that exists on that campus, or so they can find other entering freshmen to help start a new chapter. Email us at Kyle_walton@deca.org to include your chapter's contact information in our system. When a new student tells us they will be on campus we will let you know so that you can contact them to be a part of your chapter.

Continuing Student Scholarships

Scholarships draw attention! And in most cases free publicity for the sponsor organization. Membership awards can be set by the chapter to recruit the best continuing students or students who are new to the campus. Consult the campus financial aid officer on promotion of a Delta Epsilon Chi membership scholarship and on any applicable regulations.

Special Incentives Program

Many instructors, especially advisors, will offer extra credit to students participating in additional educational activities. The Delta Epsilon Chi program offers credible opportunities to complement a course outline. Effective incentive programs will motivate students to become members and participate in activities. Provide each instructor a special events calendar to help him or her decide which activities to recognize with credit.

Passport to Member & Chapter Recognition

The Delta Epsilon Chi Passport for success encourages local chapters and individual members to plan activities and participate in events that enhance the experiences of members at the local, state and national levels. The passport seeks to reward action taken by members and chapters that build personal and professional skill sets. Members and chapters participating in, and earning the various levels of Passport success will be recognized for their efforts at the International Career Development Conference.

Counseling Recommendations

Provide counselors a set of promotional materials to give to students who express an interest in marketing, management, and other related programs. After all, Delta Epsilon Chi's program of activities enhances a student's educational plan, better prepares him or her for the adjustment to college, often increases student retention, and assists students as they begin their careers.

Admissions Office Distribution Program

Admissions offices generally direct-mail information specific to the major or course emphasis selected on a student's enrollment application. Propose that the admissions office include promotional materials about Delta Epsilon Chi's curriculum-enhancing program in the packages sent to the applicable majors as designated by the chapter.

Chapter Publications

Publications of all kinds are favorite tools of marketing. Locally designed publications allow a chapter to establish an outstanding identity for Delta Epsilon Chi while promoting programs for students on the chapter's campus. Utilize the skills and interests of members to form effective publications and distribution plans for your chapter and its environment.

Constant Audio/Visual Display

Audio/Visual and other multi-media presentations are popular ways to introduce a company or product during a sales presentation. Gain permission for the chapter to install a new television or stereo system for the constant play of a prepared presentation on Delta Epsilon Chi. The chapter may also gain permission to use audio/visual systems already in place on campus.

Membership Development Team

Public presentation is among the most popular forms of membership development used by chapters. Turn the chapter presentation team into a professional development team for greater student response and an increase in the number of members involved in chapter activities.

Permanent Display Area

Display areas are active forms of advertisement. A permanent, or at least a regular, on-campus display area serves as a reliable source of advertising for chapter activities and the advantages of membership. Organize a committee to secure a prominent location on campus and design an effective rotation of displays for the promotion of your Delta Epsilon Chi chapter.

Places to Consider:

These recruitment strategies are designed to benefit you, the chapter leader, in strengthening your local chapter. Contact your state/provincial officers or your national officers for additional ideas on recruiting members and developing your chapter. But most of all, be excited about Delta Epsilon Chi and your enthusiasm will spread across campus!