Washington DECA: Where Washington Businesses Look for their Future Leaders

Check out this page to find out more about the following subjects:

What is Washington DECA?

  • A student-centered organization whose program of leadership and personal development is designed specifically for students enrolled in marketing education classes.
  • Marketing education prepares our high school and college students for rewarding careers in marketing, management and entrepreneurship. DECA enhances that education by providing marketing-related activities based directly on classroom study. DECA is not extracurricular. It is a co-curricular organization, an integral part of the classroom instructional program.
  • The cornerstone of DECA activity is its Competitive Events Program, available on the local, state/province and international conference levels. These competitions test competence in specific occupational skills, leadership development and management training. They also include basic scholastic and communication skills, human relations and employability skills testing.
  • It is the only student organization operating in 50 states, the U.S. Territories, and Canada that attracts individuals to productive careers in marketing, management, and merchandising. It is a co-curricular organization and serves as an integral part of the classroom instructional program.

Our Programs:

Washington DECA consists of educators and business professionals whose mission is to provide quality co-curricular education and global opportunities of Washington State students through:

Leadership and Career Development Activities
Washington DECA provides a program of activities that are associated with exploration, planning and preparing for vocations and enables people to manage resources.

Integrated Experiences
Washington DECA merges events and resources that lend themselves to learning.

Teaching all Aspects of Economics
Washington DECA includes educational activities teaching economic concepts and analysis of the effect of economic systems on individuals, groups, and society.

Conferences and Competitive Events
Washington DECA promotes the strategic use of conferences and competitive events as a powerful educational tool and essential component of the organization's success.

Partnering with Community and Business
Washington DECA promotes the involvement of the Businesses Community for the betterment of the organization and it's mission.

Community Citizenry
Washington DECA advocates its members to be a contributing member of society.

Recognition
Washington DECA demonstrates a commitment to recognize its member achievements and creativity.

Maintaining High Professional Standards in Conduct, Accountability and Safety
Washington DECA holds itself to the highest standards in how we conduct every aspect of our organization with integrity and honesty as a focus. We teach student guidance in behavior and decision-making, answering to and being liable for their decisions, while protecting the health and general well being of themselves and others.

More Facts:

  • After high school graduation, approximately 80% of DECA members begin a program of higher education and 15% enter the work force. DECA members have specific career objectives and interest.
  • DECA membership reflects that of the student enrollment in public schools as to sex and ethnic background.

Funding:

  • Our chapters are self-supporting as is our state association, with members paying chapter, state/province association and international membership fees.
  • Funding of Washington DECA is funded entirely by student dues, conference fees, and financial and in-kind sponsorships. All contributed funds are used for incentive programs or directly for students' benefit through a program of activities.
  • Washington DECA is a non-profit 501 3(c) educational association with our headquarters located in Kirkland, WA.

Get Involved!!!

26% of our funding comes from sponsorships, not including in-kind contributions. This is why our business partners are so important to us. 

To get involved and contribute to the students who are the future leaders of our nation contact Shanna LaMar, Executive Director. Shanna can be reached by phone at (425) 814-0865, or by email at Shanna@wadeca.org