About Michigan DECA

DECA Chapters are run by Marketing Education teachers (Advisors), who have their students join DECA, and integrate DECA’s programs and events into their classroom teaching.  Some schools require all their marketing students to join DECA, and some schools may have DECA as an after-school club.

Our high school members are offered the opportunity to participate in many conferences and activities that focus on DECA’s four main goals: Vocational Understanding, Leadership Development, Civic Consciousness, and Social Intelligence.

Throughout the year, our student members:

Raise Money for MDA – The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has been a long-time community service partner of DECA.  From simple to involved, and from service to fundraising, chapters and their members continually give back to MDA.  At the state level, Michigan DECA hosts a Miracle Minute at each of our conferences to raise funds for MDA in a pass-the-hat style challenge that lasts one minute.

Engage their Local Community and School – Our DECA chapters across Michigan host charity fundraisers for their community and school, choosing their own causes and charities to support.

Attend the State Leadership Summit – During the fall of each year, Michigan DECA holds an annual State Leadership Summit.  Student members are assigned to a table with a business professional from various career fields during a networking dinner.  Workshops are hosted by business professionals to present a unique look at future careers, workforce changes, and outlooks.  Our peer elected State Officers (high school seniors) present workshops on leadership, community service, and personal development. Chapter Advisors and State Staff offer workshops explaining the purpose and goals of DECA, as well as our competitive events.

Compete in a Career-Related Competitive Event at a Conference – For most members interested in DECA’s competitive events, competition starts at the District Conferences, held throughout the state.  The qualifiers advance on to the annual State Career Development Conference, with the ultimate goal to qualify to represent our state of Michigan at the annual International Career Development Conference.

Depending on the event, members may engage in a roleplay scenario with a judge; after ten minutes of preparation, they may need to present a solution to a customer service problem, or a new way to market a service or product to a specific audience or to a client.  Other competitive events have members presenting a prepared business plan for a new franchise, or perhaps a financial strategy to a judge who acts as a client, boss, or investor.  All these skills give our student members experience that they will carry on into their future careers.

Run a School Based Enterprise – DECA members learn to run a business through their school store, a cafe or coffee shop, and other services.  They may sell to consumers through a permanent location, a mobile kiosk or through Internet marketing. Products may include spirit wear, food and beverage items, school supplies, or provide services such as creative design, advertising sales and more.  School-Based Enterprises provide the first work experience for many students; for others, they provide an opportunity to build management, supervision and leadership skills. Educators and DECA advisors have used School Based Enterprises as a powerful teaching tool for more than four decades.

DECA offers chapter competition in its School Based Enterprise program for Retail and Food Service operations.  Michigan does especially well in SBE competition; our state ranks very high in the number of SBEs in operation compared to other states and providences, and we usually have a chapter in the top ten at the annual International Career Development Conference.

Engage in Online Events or Corporate Challenges – With over 25 different opportunities, student members can run a Virtual Business, develop a portfolio in the Stock Market Game, and more.