Team 74 at WRLC: Expanding Our Horizons

This year’s Western Region Leadership Conference (WRLC) was an incredible experience for Team 74! From interactive workshops to fun activities that bonded us as a team, we came back inspired, energized, and ready to lead our chapter to new heights. The conference was packed with valuable sessions, amazing networking opportunities, and a chance to experience what leadership truly means within DECA. Here’s a recap of what we took away from this experience.

Pitching Sustainability Workshop

One of the highlights of WRLC for our team was attending the Pitching Sustainability Workshop. This session focused on sustainable business practices, covering key areas such as respectful and secure work environments aligned with OSHA standards, wage systems that ensure equal pay for different roles, and the importance of making smart material choices. We also discussed resource stewardship and circular systems, which aim to create efficient, waste-reducing business models. The facilitators emphasized how to effectively pitch these sustainability initiatives by making them easy to visualize for stakeholders in terms of revenue and profit. The biggest takeaway? Ensure that your pitch is relevant and solves a real problem – authenticity is crucial.

Professionalism Workshop

The professionalism workshop provided valuable insights on how to maintain a professional demeanor in various situations. We learned about effective communication, including crafting impactful elevator pitches, which are useful not only in DECA competitions but also in real-world professional settings. The workshop highlighted the importance of body language, eye contact, and active listening in creating a strong professional presence. We left this session with a deeper understanding of how to present ourselves confidently and effectively, no matter the scenario.

DECA Bingo: Fun and Connection

DECA Bingo turned out to be a fantastic way to relax, unwind, and connect with members from other chapters. This activity was designed to help us meet new people, share experiences, and learn about how other chapters are navigating their challenges. It reminded us of the importance of collaboration and that we’re all part of something bigger. Networking can be both productive and fun, and DECA Bingo was the perfect way to build connections in a relaxed setting.

Expanding Our Leadership Toolkit

The workshop on expanding our leadership skills explored different qualities of effective leaders, such as adaptability, empathy, and decision-making under pressure. We learned about the “Leadership Compass,” a tool that helps identify different leadership styles and understand how to bring together a balanced team. This understanding will help us better support our chapter by leveraging the strengths of our members. We also discussed how to handle challenges and lead effectively during uncertain times, which will be instrumental as we take on future projects.

Takeaways for the Future

WRLC 2024 was much more than just a conference; it was a transformative experience that left us with a toolbox of practical leadership skills, strategies for promoting sustainability, and the motivation to take our chapter to the next level. From the workshops to the social activities, every part of the conference was a chance to grow – both as individuals and as a team. We’re excited to take what we’ve learned and put it into action, making our chapter more impactful and ready to face new challenges.

We can’t wait to share these new ideas with the rest of our chapter and encourage everyone to join us next year for another unforgettable DECA adventure!