On Thursday, Dec. 8, three members from the Plainview DECA Chapter met with the local Bethpage Rotary Club. Rotary International is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, heartens high ethical standards in all vocations and helps to build goodwill and peace in the world. In addition to assisting those in need, the Bethpage Rotary Club also holds weekly luncheons, summer picnics, year-end parties, various fundraising dinners, dances, swim-a-thons, golf tournaments and other fellowship activities to promote harmony and generosity. Every Thursday the Rotarians meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Plainview Residence Inn. Last year, several representatives from the Plainview DECA Chapter met with the Bethpage Rotary Club and made valuable business connections with knowledgeable men and women who understand the importance of the principles DECA stands for.

In response to the success of last year's visit, several DECA students were given the opportunity to talk about their experiences in DECA, upcoming events and projects at a meeting of the 2005-2006 Bethpage Rotary Club. To begin the presentation, Plainview DECA Chapter Advisor, Mrs. Sue Rachell, gave a brief explanation of what DECA is all about and DECA's plans for another great and eventful year. Following her presentation, DECA President Jacqueline Mazzola and officers Jenna Jabinsky and Risa Eilbaum, presented their upcoming plans for their individual projects to the Rotarians. Each of these projects entailed some sort of charitable activities, such as a business clothing drive for the Dress for Success Foundation to promote entrepreneurship, the sale of DECA sweatshirts to benefit the Trickle Up Program, the sale of DECA long-sleeve shirts and a Charity Concert to help victims of Hurricane Katrina and various activities to help raise money for Habitat for Humanity. They were inspired by the Rotarian philosophy of "Service Above Self," and the aim of Rotary to foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise, high ethical standards in business and professions and the advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional individuals in the ideal of service.

The dinner at the Rotary Club was a great success and a wonderful experience for everyone who participated. The students who took part in this event learned so much from these established business leaders and were inspired by their entrepreneurial achievements and enthusiasm.