Imagine a classroom full of motivated students who are engaged in learning and captivated by the relevant information you share with them. DECA, an organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management, is your dream instructional tool.

For 6,000 teachers, DECA makes their teaching more fun and rewarding. It gives them the spirit to push their students to excel and the satisfaction of seeing them achieve success.

If you’re interested in bringing DECA to your school, here are the following steps:

STEP 1: CONFIRM THAT YOUR CHAPTER MEETS DECA INC. REQUIREMENTS

  • The chapter must be part of a high school, college or university.
  • The chapter must have a chapter advisor recognized by the high school, college or university.
  • The chapter must pay dues (DECA Inc. and chartered association) for each of its advisor, student, alumni and professional members.
  • The minimum chapter size is ten (10) student members and one (1) advisor (or any combination of 11 paid members). The only exception is in the case of a new or reactivated chapter, which has two years to obtain the minimum chapter size.
  • The chapter meets all requirements of the chartered association in step two.

STEP 2: CONFIRM THAT YOUR CHAPTER MEETS YOUR ASSOCIATION’S REQUIREMENTS

  • If your chapter can meet the basic requirements set forth by DECA Inc. above, you must also ensure that your chapter meets all requirements set forth by your chartered association.
  • A chartered association implements programs and manages chapters in a geographical area — usually a state, province or territory. Your chartered association is one of your most valuable assets in providing resources and leadership to help your local chapter thrive.
  • Each chartered association has its own requirements to start a chapter, and the requirements vary by association.
  • Also check your chartered association’s requirements for serving as a DECA advisor as well as requirements for your student members to join DECA.
  • In many cases, you can find these requirements on your chartered association’s website. If you cannot, we suggest contacting your chartered association advisor or contact by visiting this webpage.

STEP 3: OBTAIN THE APPROVAL OF YOUR SCHOOL, COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY

Once you know your chapter can meet the DECA Inc. requirements and your association’s requirements, the next step is to ensure you have the support of your school’s appropriate leadership group. For high school chapters, this may be your administration, and for colleges and university chapters, this may be your dean and/or student activities board.

STEP 4: OFFICIALLY REQUEST TO START A CHAPTER

After you receive approval from all parties, get the official process rolling by completing a new chapter request at https://membership.decaregistration.com/deca#. Be sure to first select your state/province and division – high school or collegiate. Once your chartered association advisor approves your chapter, you’ll receive an automated approval message with your username and password to login to the membership system. You’ll also be contacted by DECA’s New Advisor Liaison within two business days.

STEP 5: GET APPROVAL AND MAKE IT OFFICIAL BY SUBMITTING YOUR MEMBERS

Once you get approval, make your chapter’s membership official by entering your membership roster. Once you have entered your members’ names, be sure to actually hit submit and send your dues to DECA Inc. If dues are not submitted, your students are not official DECA members.

STEP 6: HEAD OVER TO THE NEW ADVISOR RESOURCE CENTER

Go to our New Advisor Resource Center for information on how to build and grow your chapter.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT ARE THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH A DECA CHAPTER?

DECA Inc. membership dues are $8 USD per person (student, advisor, alumni and professional) for the high school division plus appropriate chartered association dues. DECA Inc. membership dues are $10 USD per person (student, advisor, alumni and professional) for the collegiate division plus appropriate chartered association dues. The list of dues is available for high school and college and automatically appears for your chartered association in the online membership system.

WHAT IS THE APPROVAL PROCESS AND HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

Once a new chapter request is received, it is sent to the chartered association advisor for approval. Once approved, the chapter advisor will receive notification from membership@deca.org of their approved status along with information to access the online membership system. Approvals typically occur within one week. If you have not received your approval, please contact Matthew Arnett or your chartered association advisor for more information.

ONCE MY CHAPTER HAS BEEN APPROVED, HOW DO I REGISTER MY MEMBERS?

Once approved, the chapter advisor will receive their username and password to access the online membership system.

CAN MY PRIVATE OR CHARTER SCHOOL START A DECA CHAPTER?

Each of DECA’s chartered associations set policies on membership. To learn more about your association’s policies for private or charter school chapters, contact your chartered association advisor.

HOW CAN I SHARE THE IMPORTANCE OF DECA TO MY ADMINISTRATOR OR SEEK THEIR APPROVAL?

DECA supports your school’s educational initiatives.

CAN I JOIN DECA AS AN INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AND NOT THROUGH A CHAPTER OR CHARTERED ASSOCIATION?

DECA offers membership through local chapters. Individuals interested in joining DECA should inquire about membership with their local chapter advisor. However, Collegiate DECA members may join individually but must still be affiliated with a college or university.

I DO NOT ATTEND A SCHOOL IN THE UNITED STATES, ONTARIO, GUAM, PUERTO RICO OR GERMANY. HOW DO I START A DECA CHAPTER?

Email internationalchapters@deca.org to receive an informational guide to begin an independent international chapter at you school.

Once a new chapter request is received, the high school division of DECA will review the request for approval. Once approved, the chapter advisor will receive notification from membership@deca.org of their approved status along with information to access the online membership system. Approvals typically occur within one week. If you have not received your approval, please contact internationalchapters@deca.org to request additional information.

WHAT IF I AM A COLLEGIATE CHAPTER AND I DO NOT HAVE A CHARTERED ASSOCIATION CONTACT?

If you are in an association that does not have a Collegiate DECA chartered association contact, you can contact Rebecca Cox at rebecca@deca.org or your executive officers.

“

I couldn't imagine teaching without DECA. It engages my students and challenges them to excel.

Sonja Weiler
“

I realize it when the kids come back from college and they really have a leg up on the other students in their college courses.

Melvin Morgan
 

DECA brings your classroom to life and gives you the tools to promote your program, enrich your classroom using instructional tools, extend learning beyond the classroom and enhance your teaching skills.

START A HIGH SCHOOL CHAPTER
START A COLLEGIATE CHAPTER