Over 700 DECA members will be competing on February 21-23 to earn a spot to advance onto the International Career Development Conference.          

Advocacy: Civic Consciousness in Action
 

Oregon Capitol BuildingThis is the place for students, advisors, alumni, parents, business partners and others to learn how they can advocate on the behalf of Oregon DECA, Career and Technical Education and the Student Leadership Development Center.  

The Oregon Legislature meets every other year to make budgetary decisions for a two-year funding cycle. On May 18, 2009, the Joint Committee on the Ways and Means Co-Chairs removed the Student Leadership Development Center from the budget.  Through the advocacy efforts of many, 70% funding for the SLDC was restored to the Oregon state budget.  Senate Bill 5519 passed the Oregon House on June 25, passed the Oregon Senate on June 29, was signed by the Senate President Courtney on July 1, signed by House Speaker Hunt on July 9 and then by Governor Kulongoski on July 16.

We are thankful for the wonderful support of our members, advisors, alumni, parents, business leaders and community supporters across the state.  We also appreciate the leadership of many members of the Oregon Legislature who have been champions for Career and Technical Education and the important work of AOFC, DECA, FBLA, FCCLA, FFA, HOSA and SkillsUSA.

 

What Can I Do to Advocate?
There are a lot of ways to advocate and the first place to start is by reading What Can I Do to Advocate?  An additional resource is the Legislative Guide for Career and Technical Student Organizations in Oregon, with pages 10-12 providing communication tips.  You can write your representatives and the Way and Means Co-Chairs, send them emails, give them a call, set up an appointment to visit with them, and join the Facebook group below.

Writing Campaign
Letters written by Kansas CTSO State Officers on our behalf.

Advocacy Tips from ACTE

Join, Fan, and Follow
Join “Help Save The SLDC” Group on Facebook
“Help Save The SLDC” Group on Facebook Let’s recruit 5,000 members to this group between the seven Oregon CTSOs.  All membership, friends and supporters of AOFC, DECA, FBLA, FCCLA, FFA, HOSA and SkillsUSA are welcome to join! Share this link with others: http://tinyurl.com/savethesldc.
 
Fan Oregon DECA Page on Facebook
Oregon DECA Page on Facebook

Help us recruit members to this Facebook page, which is the place for current members, advisors and supporters to get the latest in Oregon DECA news and information.  Share this link with others: www.facebook.com/oregondeca.
 

Join Oregon DECA Alumni Facebook Group
Oregon DECA Alumni Facebook Group

Help us recruit members to this Facebook group, which is the place for alumni and friends to stay connected to Oregon DECA.  Share this link with others: http://tinyurl.com/oregondecaalumnifb.
 

Follow Oregon DECA on Twitter
Oregon DECA TwitterYou will receive important, current and fun bite sized information when following Oregon DECA on Twitter.  Share this link with others: www.twitter.com/oregondeca.  (See Contacts for how to follow from your cell.) 
 

How Do I Testify?
Opportunities to testify before legislative committees often come up with little advance notice.  How to Testify Before a Legislative Committee will help to you to prepare in advance for such opportunities.

Who Are My Legislators?
Below are two lists that show legislators by chapters (based upon the school’s address), but be sure to confirm who your representatives are by using the “Find Your Legislator” online tool: http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/.

Visual Guides

Contact Information

Legislative Postcard Project
One way to communicate with your legislatures is by hand writing a postcard to them.  Individualized postcards were created for this purpose for each of the seven Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs).  The following is information on how best to utilize the postcards:
  • Instructions for Advisors
  • Guidelines for Students, Parents, Alumni and Business Partners
  • You can also print your own postcards:

  • Oregon DECA Legislative Postcard (one-sided)
    Instructions: Print, fold in half and adhere together with tape or glue.
  • Oregon DECA Legislative Postcard (double-sided)
    Instructions: Print double-sided on card stock paper and cut in half.
  • Additional CTSO Legislative Postcards
    What Are the Facts?
    These SLDC Talking Points will help supplement your personal testimony as you advocate for funding for the Student Leadership Development Center.  The second page of “Postcard Project Guidelines for Students, Parents, Alumni and Business Partners” above has great questions to prompt your communication with your representatives and the Way and Means Co-Chairs.
     

    You can learn more about SLDC and the seven Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) from the following resources:

    SLDC Funding Crisis 2009
     

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