This document provides an overview of The Movement, a community-service project for MDA. CRVP Micah Melling also gives a special "thanks" to the states in the Central Region that participated in the effort.

1. The Movement
Making a Difference for MDA
This document was developed by Central Region Vice President Micah Melling.
Participants of The A Word from Your CRVP Micah Melling
Movement from the DECA Members,
Central Region Serving as the lead National Officer for The
Movement was one of the most exhilarating
experiences of my time in office. The Move-
Ÿ Kentucky ment is certainly a bold effort to make an
enormous impact on those who suffer from
Ÿ Michigan debilitating muscle diseases. I am incredibly
proud of DECA’s efforts for MDA this year,
and I know we are helping to find a cure for
Ÿ Minnesota muscular dystrophy.
Ÿ Missouri I would like to thank the leaders of The Movement in the Central Region.
I had the privilege of personally working with each of these individuals.
Together, we worked to make this endeavor a success.
Ÿ Nebraska
Ÿ Kentucky - London Kutzman
Ÿ North Dakota Ÿ Michigan - Casey Block and Maddie Mayleben
Ÿ Minnesota - Dan Drill-Mellum and Vanessa Panchyshyn
Ÿ Missouri - Cara Hartwig and Mike Richardson
Ÿ South Dakota Ÿ Nebraska - Em Donald
Ÿ North Dakota - Morgan Thompson
Ÿ Wisconsin Ÿ South Dakota Carter Christensen
Ÿ Wisconsin - Christine O’Neil
More exciting information about The Movement can be found on the fol-
lowing pages. If you have questions about the project, please email me
at decavpmicah@gmail.com.
DECA Wishes,
Micah Melling
Central Region Vice President
DECA, Inc.
2011-2012

2. Advocate
Missouri DECA State Report-
er Cara Hartwig speaks at an Inspire
MDA reception at Missouri North Dakota DECA
DECA’s State Conference. State Officers and
CRVP Micah Melling
pose after an MDA
Muscle Walk.
Enjoy
Wisconsin DECA Vice Presi-
dent of Community Service
Christine O’Neil gets made
into a “human sundae” to
benefit MDA.
A Recap of The Movement
T
he Movement is a fundraising effort for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). The Movement was
introduced by National Officer Team 66 in cooperation with Jay Koontz, a former Oklahoma DECA State
Officer. The project is a two-year endeavor with the ultimate goal of raising $1,000,000 for MDA. The
2011-2012 school year served as the “pilot” year for the project. This year’s goal was for DECA chapters to col-
lectively raise $100,000 more for MDA than they did last year. The strategy to accomplish this goal was to unite
at least 25 chartered associations that would each convince a minimum of eight chapters to join The Movement.
These chapters were charged with raising $500 more for MDA than they did last year, which would equate to an
additional $100,000. In total, twenty-two chartered associations joined The Movement and made MDA a focal
point this year. (These associations are listed on page 3 of this document). Next year, the goal will be for DECA
chapters to collectively raise $1,000,000 for MDA.
Participating chapters were asked to submit a contribution report to their National Regional Vice President. Al-
though not every participant submitted a contribution report, the data that was submitted provides several en-
couraging signs. Participants of The Movement that submitted a contribution report raised a combined total of
$101,569 for MDA. Additionally, these chapters raised a combined $55,827 more for MDA than they last year.
Therefore, since the project’s goal was to encourage chapters to raise funds at a higher level, we can specifically
attribute $55,827 of DECA’s fundraising total to The Movement. Furthermore, 62% of chapters that submitted a
contribution report did not raise funds for MDA last year, which demonstrates The Movement encouraged more
chapters to support MDA.
Due to the fact that not all participants submitted a contribution report, the data in the foregoing paragraph is not
comprehensive. However, the available data reveals two key accomplishments of The Movement: many partici-
pants significantly increased their fundraising numbers for MDA, and more chapters supported MDA. When the
cumulative MDA fundraising numbers are released at ICDC, the overall impact of The Movement will be more
clear as DECA will be able to compare last year’s total to this year’s total.
All participants of The Movement deserve to be thanked for their efforts. As DECA continues to focus its fund-
raising efforts, major strides will be taken to find a cure for Muscular Dystrophy. Together, DECA chapters
throughout the world can make a difference that will benefit the lives of countless people.

3. Participating Chartered Helpful Hints for Raising Money for MDA
Associations
Pending the endorsement of the 2012-2013 National Officer Team, The
Movement will soon transition into its second year. The goal for 2012-
Central Region
2013 will be for DECA chapters to collectively raise $1,000,000 for
Ÿ Kentucky MDA, something the organization has never done. Here are some
Ÿ Michigan helpful hints that will aid chapters in raising money for MDA next year.
Ÿ Minnesota
Ÿ Missouri Ÿ Utilize The Movement’s Online Resources. The Movement has
Ÿ Nebraska recently launched a website (www.ourmvmt.com). The project also
has a Facebook page. Be sure to check out the useful information
Ÿ North Dakota on both of these online outlets!
Ÿ South Dakota
Ÿ Wisconsin Ÿ Stay in Contact with Your State Officers. Your state officers will
receive information from the National Officer Team about The Move-
North Atlantic Region ment. In order to receive the latest news, be sure to stay in close
contact with your state officer team.
Ÿ Connecticut
Ÿ Maine Ÿ Partner with Local Businesses. Try to partner with a few local
Ÿ New Hampshire businesses to assist with your fundraising efforts. Forming partner-
Ÿ Pennsylvania ships with businesses will give your chapter more resources and pub-
Ÿ Vermont licity, and it would be an excellent public-relations opportunity for your
business partners.
Southern Region Ÿ Research Fundraising Ideas. Talk to chapters in your state that are
Ÿ Arkansas successful at fundraising for MDA. Get their tips and tricks. Also, go
Ÿ Florida to a search engine and look up effective fundraisers. Giving your
Ÿ Louisiana fundraising efforts a “face lift” may be what you need to generate
Ÿ North Carolina more revenue than in past years!
Ÿ Oklahoma Ÿ Be Passionate about MDA. Understanding the importance of sup-
Ÿ Puerto Rico porting MDA will help motivate your chapter to take your fundraising
Ÿ Tennessee efforts to the next level. See the box below to learn more about
Ÿ Texas MDA.
Western Region
Ÿ Oregon DECA’s Partnership with MDA
Ÿ MDA is the leading organization in working to find a cure for
muscular dystrophy and in providing services for those with
debilitating muscle diseases.
Ÿ Symptoms of muscular dystrophy include: progressive muscle
wasting, inability to walk, respiratory difficulty, and limited range
of movement.
Ÿ MDA and DECA have been partners for over 30 years.
Ÿ DECA is MDA’s largest student donor, contributing over $400,000
each year.
Ÿ MDA sponsors DECA’s Community Service Project, sits on the
National Advisory Board, and gives DECA publicity at their telethon.