The Illinois Foundation for Marketing Education (IFME) is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the educational experience for high school students. We do this in partnership with Illinois DECA, the local division for a national student organization which prepares emerging business leaders.The IFME supports Illinois DECA in three capacities: financial support for critical programs, scholarships for deserving DECA members, and connectivity between business leaders, educators, and students.
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Our Mission To create a synergy between DECA advisors and business leaders to enhance the education of the members of Illinois DECA.
Our Purpose IFME is the leading business education advocate for Illinois high school students. By providing communications, connections and capital, IFME engages the community to support students involved in DECA co-curricular activities. Our Approach IFME offers convenient and meaningful ways to become involved and influence others to make a difference. The IFME carries out our mission in multiple ways, including: awards and recognition for deserving DECA members, advocacy in the community and government, advisor training and support, student educational programs, local chapter support, and by providing volunteers to participate at local and state competitions. |
History
On May 26, 1959, the Illinois Foundation for Distributive Education, Inc. (IFDE) was founded as a non-profit corporation to encourage education for distribution. The original purpose was stated as: To encourage, promote and stimulate, through education, publicity, research, scholarships and otherwise, the growth and advancement of Distributive Education, especially among students, teachers and businesses in the State of Illinois. The original signers for the Foundation included Hugh Muncy , The President of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, and Patricia Mink, Illinois State Education’s Supervisor of Distributive Education. Other signers included Alan Myers, William Smith, Brenice White, and Richard Grummon. The first Board of Directors in 1959 consisted of John Austin, Phil Crippen, J.E. Hill, J. Faye McCall, Patricia A. Mink, Hugh Muncy and Berenice White. The program continued to grow. By 1964, IFDE was celebrating the 25th anniversary of Distributive Education in Illinois.
IFDE in the 1970s
In 1970, the Foundation refocused its energies to providing ongoing dialogue between business and vocational education. The Board made the decision to insure viable local business advisory committees for every high school and junior college marketing program in the State of Illinois. It was hoped that the partnership will create the kind of constructive climate for understanding and change. IFDE also stayed committed to offering scholarships.
IFDE in the 1980s
By the early 1980s, IFDE documents were broadening their focus to state that young people can be prepared for challenging career fields in Marketing and Distribution. In 1980, the organization began sponsoring educational workshops for Distributive Coordinators (teachers) on current marketing topics. For instance, in March 1981, Carson Pirie Scott & Co. had their Director of Visual Merchandising lead a presentation on Carson’s strategies and training program for merchandising. Richard Cline, President of Jewel Companies was the first executive speaker brought In to discuss important issues in food marketing.
Additionally, the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, who had been involved with IFDE from the beginning, continued to invite educators and students to their annual meeting. In a 1982 letter to Friends of Distributive Education, David Stailey, the IFDE President, invited people to the DECI State Executive Conference to screen and select a state of DECI Officers. Additionally, people were invited to the State Career Development Conference where they could be judges and screen scholarship recipients. During the 1980s through today, these activities continued to be a central focus of the IFDE/IFME organization.
From IFDE to IFME (1990s to present)
The organization eventually changed the name to the Illinois Foundation for Marketing Education, Inc. IFME members continue to serve as judges for DECA competitions, screen officer candidates, mentor chapter members, as well as speak on business topics for chapters and conferences. IFME has raised money to provide college scholarships, need-based competition grants and funds to support Illinois DECA activities.
On May 26, 1959, the Illinois Foundation for Distributive Education, Inc. (IFDE) was founded as a non-profit corporation to encourage education for distribution. The original purpose was stated as: To encourage, promote and stimulate, through education, publicity, research, scholarships and otherwise, the growth and advancement of Distributive Education, especially among students, teachers and businesses in the State of Illinois. The original signers for the Foundation included Hugh Muncy , The President of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, and Patricia Mink, Illinois State Education’s Supervisor of Distributive Education. Other signers included Alan Myers, William Smith, Brenice White, and Richard Grummon. The first Board of Directors in 1959 consisted of John Austin, Phil Crippen, J.E. Hill, J. Faye McCall, Patricia A. Mink, Hugh Muncy and Berenice White. The program continued to grow. By 1964, IFDE was celebrating the 25th anniversary of Distributive Education in Illinois.
IFDE in the 1970s
In 1970, the Foundation refocused its energies to providing ongoing dialogue between business and vocational education. The Board made the decision to insure viable local business advisory committees for every high school and junior college marketing program in the State of Illinois. It was hoped that the partnership will create the kind of constructive climate for understanding and change. IFDE also stayed committed to offering scholarships.
IFDE in the 1980s
By the early 1980s, IFDE documents were broadening their focus to state that young people can be prepared for challenging career fields in Marketing and Distribution. In 1980, the organization began sponsoring educational workshops for Distributive Coordinators (teachers) on current marketing topics. For instance, in March 1981, Carson Pirie Scott & Co. had their Director of Visual Merchandising lead a presentation on Carson’s strategies and training program for merchandising. Richard Cline, President of Jewel Companies was the first executive speaker brought In to discuss important issues in food marketing.
Additionally, the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, who had been involved with IFDE from the beginning, continued to invite educators and students to their annual meeting. In a 1982 letter to Friends of Distributive Education, David Stailey, the IFDE President, invited people to the DECI State Executive Conference to screen and select a state of DECI Officers. Additionally, people were invited to the State Career Development Conference where they could be judges and screen scholarship recipients. During the 1980s through today, these activities continued to be a central focus of the IFDE/IFME organization.
From IFDE to IFME (1990s to present)
The organization eventually changed the name to the Illinois Foundation for Marketing Education, Inc. IFME members continue to serve as judges for DECA competitions, screen officer candidates, mentor chapter members, as well as speak on business topics for chapters and conferences. IFME has raised money to provide college scholarships, need-based competition grants and funds to support Illinois DECA activities.