Starting a new chapter

Join more than 10,000 DECA members in Washington State!

Starting a new DECA chapter at your high school will be one of the best decisions you’ve ever made. As you work through this process, please remember that the Washington DECA staff is here to assist you.

For more information, contact Nancy Hanlon at nancy@wadeca.org or 206.285.1195.
In addition, you may reach out to Ron Cooper at ron@wadeca.org or 206.930.5280.

Here’s how you can activate your chapter:

step one

Involve your School

DECA provides a framework for teachers interested in getting students focused on academics, leadership and involved in the greater community. Learn More »
step two

Organize a Chapter

Organize into chapters around courses, programs of study, academies or other forms of career and technical education programs. Learn More »
step three

Promote DECA Awareness

Advise chapters in one or more of the content areas and leverage members DECA experiences to become emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality or management. Learn More »

Step 1: Involve your School

DECA provides a framework for teachers interested in getting students focused on academics, leadership and involved in the greater community.

Request to Create a DECA Chapter

Complete the online form to create a new DECA chapter. Once your new chapter request is approved, you will receive an automatically generated user name and password to access the DECA online membership system . A chapter starter kit will be sent to you.

Your contact information will also be shared with your state advisor, who is a great resource to connect you with local and state activities, and Christopher Young with DECA, who works with new chapters and advisors.

Connect with your State Association

Introduce yourself to your state advisor, who provides communication and leadership in your state. Ron Cooper, Washington DECA’s Advisor Development Mentor is available to support you and the development of your chapter.

Meet with your Administration

During a meeting with your administration, discuss the benefits of DECA, creation of a DECA account, travel requirements, acquiring transportation and funding, and including DECA activities on your school calendar.

Enroll in DECA’s Online Membership System

Use your username and password to login to DECA’s online membership system. By November 1 and March 1, submit your member names and state and national dues on DECA’s online membership system.
For detailed instructions, view the Washington DECA Membership Procedures document.

Pay membership dues by November 15th.

An invoice will automatically be emailed to you for each group of members you submit. Send the invoice(s) to your bookkeeper as soon as possible to ensure prompt payment.

Mail membership payment to:
DECA, Inc.
1908 Association Drive
Reston, VA 20191.

To pay by credit card (MasterCard or VISA), call 703.860.5000 and ask for the data management department.
There will be a convenience fee of 4% on all charged amounts.

Note: Do not mail membership payments to Washington DECA.

Step 2: Organize a Chapter

DECA members organize into chapters around courses, programs of study, academies or other forms of career and technical education programs that are engaged in preparing high school students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.

Identify the Programs and Activities you will use in your classroom

Review the “Bring Your Classroom To Life” viewbook for an overview of DECA’s learning programs and activities.

Develop a Chapter Constitution

Visit the DECA website for a sample constitution that your chapter can amend as your chapter grows. Review a sample of a Constitution.

Select a Student Leadership Team

Your chapter constitution helps determine which leadership positions your chapter will select and the process for selection. Review a sample of the Chapter Officer Job Descriptions.

Create a Program of Work including a Budget and Calendar of Events

Simply, a program of work lists all of your chapter activities, including budget information, people involved and dates/deadlines. This guides your chapter for the year. View our calendar of events for 2010-2011.

Step 3: Promote DECA Awareness

A teacher advises chapters in one or more of the content areas and leverage members DECA experiences to become emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality or management. With this connection to the curriculum, DECA members and advisors are able to integrate DECA activities into the classroom, apply the classroom experience to project based activities, connect to business partners at all levels and utilize competition to improve their performance.

Introduce DECA to your students

Use the “Introducing DECA” lesson plan that introduces DECA to your members using the promotional video, website and other resources.

Engage Members by Publicizing Chapter Events

Involve your members in DECA chapter activities and promote them to all of your students, teachers, administrators and community.

Build your Chapter Membership

Implement strategies for building your chapter membership.