The chance to serve Michigan DECA’s members is an exciting opportunity and a big responsibility. Being elected as an officer is an honor… but serving entails a lot of commitment, hard work and dedication. Michigan DECA encourages potential candidates to talk to their parents, chapter advisor, employer, guidance counselor and principal to discuss the responsibilities involved in holding a state office.

Running for and holding a State Office is exciting and challenging. The rewards are many:

• Personal growth
• Development of life-long leadership skills
• Travel to exciting places and meet new people
• Plan Michigan DECA State Leadership, District and State Career Development Conferences
• Visit high schools and universities
• Recognition for chapter and community

Interested individuals should:

• Talk to your parents, advisor, employer, and principal to discuss the responsibilities and activities.
• Obtain permission for absences from school, work, and family activities.

Interested individuals MUST:

• Be an active member in an affiliated Michigan High School Division chapter
• Have held a responsible position at the chapter level
• Candidates may only run in their Junior (11th grade) year of school
• Be recommended by the chapter advisor, parents, chapter members, and school administrators
• Be the only candidate from your DECA chapter (only one candidate per chapter)
• Have good speaking and writing skills
• Complete the required forms (See the Guidebook for specific instructions)
• Register for the Candidate Screening
• Complete the online Candidate Information Form
• Complete the Candidate Signature Packet with two letters of recommendation
• Attend the State Officer Candidate Screening Interviews in Lansing, Michigan
• Follow the Michigan DECA State Officer Campaign Guidelines
• Agree to the State Officer Code of Conduct

What kind of training will I receive?

• Once elected at the State Conference, training will be provided during the following required conferences: the International Career Development Conference, the CTSO State Officer Workshop, and the DECA Emerging Leaders’ Summit. 
• At the International Career Development Conference (attendance required), you will be assigned to several officer training workshops and voting delegate meetings.  If you are competing, these activities will be scheduled around your competition schedule. Please note, due to the activities and commitments required of you as a State Officer you will not have much time to spend with your chapter at the conference.
• Additional training will be available during State Officer meetings throughout your term of office.

Application Process

Before Tuesday, January 31, 2023

• Study the Candidate Guidebook for complete rules, regulations, and information about running for office.
• Candidates must register for the State Officer Candidate Screening by completing the Candidate Screening Registration Form with their chapter advisor. Completed forms are to be scanned and emailed to Ms. Day at Michigan DECA by January 31, 2023.
• Michigan DECA will email each candidate’s advisor a Recommendation Form designed for chapter advisors when we receive the candidate’s screening registration.

Before Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Candidates must complete the online Candidate Information Form by January 31, 2023. This form collects basic information of the candidate and will be shared internally only by Michigan DECA and the election committee. Information needed for this form includes:

• Basic contact information for candidate and parents (phone numbers, address, etc.)
• Clothing sizes
• Information about DECA conferences attended, DECA chapter activities, community activities, and your future goals and plans.
• Rank of your State Officer position preferences. Note: Potential candidates will not select a specific office to run for. The Election Committee will slate up to sixteen candidates based on the candidate application and screening process. The State Executive Council will consist of eight officers.

Before February 3, 2023

• Complete the Candidate Signature Packet and gather the required signatures and Recommendations. The original copy must be brought to the State Officer Candidate Screening on February 4, 2023. No scans of the signature packet will be accepted, these pages must be the originals signed by all parties.
• Each candidate must submit two recommendations using the Recommendation Form found on the last page of the signature packet. Suggested resources for these recommendations include school officials, teachers, counselors, employers, community members and leaders, etc. Recommendations may not be provided by the DECA chapter advisor, parents, relatives, or classmates. Recommendations should be received by the candidate in a sealed envelope, and may not be opened by the candidate.
• Complete the COVID-19 Acknowledgement and Liability Waiver Form.  You will not be allowed to participate in the screening without this fully-signed form.

On Saturday, February 4, 2023

• All potential candidates must attend the State Officer Candidate Screening on Saturday, February 4, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Lansing, Michigan. 
• Candidates that do not attend will not be considered.
• The completed Candidate Signature Packet, Recommendation forms, and COVID Waiver form must be turned in when you arrive at the screening. 

 Each candidate will participate in the following on Saturday, February 4, 2023:

• Candidate Interview
• Deliver a two-minute presentation on “DECA and What it Means to Me.” The audience is the screening committee, and the purpose of the speech is to convince the committee of your belief in DECA and its goals and your dedication to the organization. The speech should be viewed as a sales presentation on your behalf.
• Participate in an evaluated interpersonal skills activity.
• Take a written examination.
• Photos will be taken for use on the website and in Spotlight on DECA.

State Officer Screening Policies

• Candidates must submit the required materials by the posted deadlines.
• Chapters may not have more than one candidate for state office.
• A DECA blazer (optional) and/or other suitable professional dress is appropriate.
• The Election committee will evaluate each candidate during the screening process on the criteria provided and may slot a maximum of sixteen candidates to run for state office.
• Potential candidates will not select a specific office to run for. The Election Committee will slate up to sixteen candidates based on the candidate’s combined applications and screening process. The State Executive Council will consist of no more than eight officers.

What happens next?

• You will be notified if you have been approved as an official State Officer Candidate by Michigan DECA. Now you can start planning on your campaign!
• Candidates cannot post anything about their campaign or that they are running for office until they are given approval and posting regulations after they have been approved to run for office.
• Candidates may not post on social media.
• Because the focus of the campaign should be on the candidate’s skills, no materials may be sent to chapters or voting delegates prior to the State Conference.

• Approved candidates must EMAIL a one-page (8 1/2” x 11”) State Officer Candidate Flyer by February 24th that will be distributed in a special packet for voting delegates. We will contact you with the email address to send the attachment.
• Email the completed Campaign Summary Form to Michael Parr by February 24th.

• Attend the Candidate Briefing meeting on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at Huntington Place.  You will need to bring a copy of the completed Campaign Summary form, along with a sample of each item you plan to hand out at your table.
• Candidates will be provided with a table in Huntington Place prior to the Opening Session. Tables will be located near the Opening Session entrance.
• Candidates will give a one-minute greeting during the Opening Session at the State Career Development Conference.
• Voting will take place immediately after the Opening Session. 
• No campaigning can take place after the Opening Session at the State Career Development Conference.
• The new officer team will be sworn-in on stage during the Awards session on Saturday.

If you have any questions about being a State Officer, your best resource is to contact a current State Officer. You can also contact the Michigan DECA State Coordinator, Mr. Parr.