What is DECA?
DECA is a marketing organization made up of students. It is a basic component of a Marketing Education program that supports and enhances related school based and work based learning
DECA provides students with skills and knowledge to succeed in the new global economy
DECA is a local, state and national organization of goal-oriented youth with career interests in marketing, management and entrepreneurship ![]()
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DECA's Mission Statement
The mission of DECA is to enhance the co-curricular education of students with interests in marketing, management and entrepreneurship. DECA helps students develop skills and competence for marketing careers, build self esteem, experience leadership and practice community involvement. DECA is committed to the advocacy of marketing and the growth of business and education partnerships ![]()
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What are the benefits of DECA?
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How is VA DECA organized?
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How does DECA enhance school-to-career transition?
- DECA serves as a vehicle to transition students into their life’s career.
- DECA helps to develop a world class workforce.
- Students learn how to communicate in real world situations, solve problems and work in teams.
- Students gain respect for the dignity of work while developing high standards.
- Business people involved with DECA can:
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General Information
Tagline: Developing Future Leaders for Marketing and Management
Logo: DECA Diamond with description
“An Association of Marketing Students”.
Membership: 13,000 members in 165 local chapters.
Tax Exempt 501(c)(3) organization.
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DECA Creed printable version
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.
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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History of Virginia DECA
The first Virginia Distributive Education club was organized in March 1938, at
During the next five years, clubs were organized in twelve more schools, each one with a different name. In September 1942, the thirteen local clubs formed a state organization, the "Distributors' Clubs of Virginia," and began planning for the first state convention to be held in
Under the direction of Miss Louise Bernard, State Distributive Education Supervisor, the new
During the early years, the
In 1953, the
During the second ten years (1957 - 1967) of the national association,
James Horan, Jr. served DECA, Inc. as President and Chairman of the Board from 1960 - 1962. Virginian Walter B. Anderson persuaded L. G. Balfour Company to strike the DECA Diamond pin. In 1965, Ivan Perkinson was elected President of the postsecondary division of DECA.
Also during the 1960's, Lucy C. Crawford of Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech) completed her landmark study, "A Competency-Based Approach to Curriculum Construction," that became the basis for the DECA competitive event program during the early 1970's. The second decade culminated with the awarding of an Honorary Life Membership to Virginian Louise Bernard.
The third decade (1967 - 1977) began with James Horan, Jr., succeeding Miss Bernard as State Supervisor. DECA state membership increased exponentially by 3,500 in one year (1970).
I.W. Baughman served on the DECA Board of Directors from 1971-1974. Many Virginians were members of the DECA headquarters staff during the 1970s, like John Hudson, Lynn Rhudy, Ivan Perkinson, Dale Clark, and Marvin Brown. Many others offered leadership and technical services on a part-time basis.
The fourth decade (1977 - 1987) brought an increase in enrollment to 18,337 members. Several research studies were conducted for DECA by the Virginia Tech staff during this time, the "Corbin Study and the "Berns Study," to name two. Dr. Richard Lynch provided national leadership in the development of competency based competitive events, and Dr. Vivien Ely and Ettalea Kanter also provided strong leadership at the national level.
Elinor Burgess was elected Vice President of the American Vocational Association (AVA) in 1978 - 1981, thus becoming another member of the DECA Board. A permanent full-time Virginia DECA Specialist was employed in 1978, and in 1980, a complete in-service training program was given to all 358 DECA chapter advisors. In 1980, in commemoration of National DECA's 30th anniversary, Virginia DECA state officers presented a 50 year time capsule for burial at the
Since 1987, Virginia DECA membership has stabilized and great effort has been made to refine and improve the
Virginia DECA offers scholarships each year to member in honor of Miss Bernard, Louis Spilman, Mrs. Crawford, and Mr. Horan. Other scholarships have been provided by the Virginia Retail Merchants Association.
Virginia DECA celebrated its 50th anniversary on March 5 - 7, 1993, at the George Washington Inn in
In 2002, Virginia DECA became on the 4th state association to ever surpass the 10,000 member mark. In 2004,
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Sources: (Author). Virginia DECA, Inc.,