Brock University community members are needed to judge student business case competitions Saturday, Nov. 30 as part of DECA, an extra-curricular program for Ontario secondary school students.

Hosted this year by the Goodman School of Business, the DECA Hamilton Regionals case competition is an opportunity to showcase the University to more than 1,500 high school students from Hamilton, Halton and Niagara.  

Approximately 100 judges are needed to officiate student competitions from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Ian D. Beddis Gymnasium. Training, as well as complimentary breakfast and lunch, will be provided.

“We’re looking for people who are interested in or passionate about business,” said Cristina Greco, Recruitment Co-ordinator with the Goodman School of Business. “Volunteering as a judge is a wonderful way to contribute first-hand to student success.”

DECA encourages students to develop confidence, leadership qualities and employability skills by creating experiential learning opportunities and professional partnerships. The case competition puts students’ analytical and communications skills to the test in several business categories that mimic real-life situations they will face in the workplace. Topics include accounting applications, sport and entertainment management, marketing communications and business law.

The day of the competition, each student will be given a case to read and prepare for 10 minutes. The student and judge will then role-play the situation for 10 minutes. After the student leaves, judges will have three minutes to complete an evaluation form. The same role-play situation will continue with other students until the end of the day. 

DECA Regionals is often used to prepare students for the provincial competition taking place in February. Earlier this year at the Ontario case competition, Brock’s team received a record 21 medals. A pair of students also earned top prize in the International Marketing category.   

Brock staff, faculty, alumni, as well as students who are in at least their third year of studies are invited to express their interest in judging by submitting an online form by Friday, Nov. 15. Judges are required to wear business attire the day of the event.

Questions about the volunteer opportunity can be directed to Greco at cgreco@brocku.ca