What is DECA?

 

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.

 

DECA’s Comprehensive Learning Program:

·         Integrates into Classroom Instruction - An integral component of classroom instruction, DECA activities provide authentic, experiential learning methods to prepare members for college and careers.

·         Applies Learning - DECA members put their knowledge into action through rigorous problem-based activities that require creative solutions with practical outcomes.

·         Connects to Business - Partnering with businesses at the local and broader levels provides DECA members realistic insight into the industry and promotes meaningful, relevant learning.

·         Promotes Competition - As such in the global economy, a spark of competition drives DECA members to excel and increase their performance.

 

DECA prepares the next generation to be

·         Academically Prepared - DECA members are ambitious, high achieving leaders equipped to conquer the challenges of their ambitions.

·         Community Oriented - Recognizing the benefit of service and responsibility to the community, DECA members continually impact and improve their local and broader communities.

·         Professionally Responsible - DECA members are poised professionals with integrity and high standards. 

·         Experienced Leaders - DECA members are equipped to effectively influence their peers and provide leadership in a business setting.

 

DECA is organized around an ambitious goal: to improve education and career opportunities for students interested in careers in marketing, management and entrepreneurship. What began with a few hundred students in 17 states has grown to over 185,000 students in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, Guam, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Germany.

DECA's objective is to support the development of marketing and management skills in career areas such as hospitality, finance, sales and service, business administration and entrepreneurship. Programs and activities are tailored to the specific career interest of students and include technical skills, basic scholastic and communication skills, human relations and employability skills, and a strong emphasis on economics and free enterprise.

DECA provides recognition and leadership activities directly related to attainment of specific occupational and leadership skills. DECA's mission establishes clear criteria for its programs and activities.

DECA is a nonpartisan, non-sectarian 501(c)(3) association of students, teachers, and administrators and is recognized and endorsed by all 50 state departments of education and the U.S. Department of Education.

 

Michigan DECA Facts:

Membership in 2009-2010: 6,500 in Michigan, and 185,000 Internationally

 

Schools Participating (approximate): 165 in Michigan, and 5,000 Internationally

 

Michigan DECA has more than 7,546 members in five divisions: high school, Collegiate, professional and alumni. At the high school level, more than 165 high school and area career centers have DECA chapters. 

 

Michigan DECA is a tax-exempt, not for profit 501(C)(3) educational association and is affiliated with National DECA located in Reston, Virginia. Michigan DECA is supported by a project grant to the Department of Business & Technology Education, in the College of Technology at Eastern Michigan University, from the Michigan Department of Career Development. The project office is located at Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197; (734) 487-DECA or FAX at (734) 487-4329.

 

Michigan was one of 17 charter states to affiliate with DECA in 1947. Today, there are associations representing membership in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Manitoba, Ontario, Mexico, and Germany. Of those 56 state associations, Michigan has grown to be the seventh largest in terms of membership. Besides having a large membership, Michigan DECA is also an innovator in many different ways. From competitive events to corporate partnerships, Michigan DECA is always striving to provide as many opportunities as possible to its student members.

 

Throughout the year, high school members are offered the opportunity to participate in many conferences that focus on DECA's four main goals: Vocational Understanding, Leadership Development, Civic Consciousness, and Social Intelligence. This year, members will have the opportunity to attend The Central Region Leadership Conference, the New York City Marketing Conference, District Competitions, the State Career Development Conference, and the International Career Development Conference.

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_{DECA CREED}

 

_{I believe in the future which I am planning for myself in the field of Marketing and Management and in the opportunities which my vocation offers.}

 

_{I believe in fulfilling the highest measure of service to my vocation, my fellow beings, my country, and my God, that by so doing, I will be rewarded with personal satisfaction and material wealth.}

<sub>I believe in the democratic philosophies of private enterprise and competition, and in the freedoms of this nation, that these philosophies allow for the fullest development of my individual abilities.

I believe that by doing my best to live according to these high principles, I will be of greater service both to myself, and to mankind.

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DECA Calendar of Events