Maryland DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.
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Advisor Center
Advisor Center
Helping Maryland DECA Advisors Support Their Students
Helping Maryland DECA Advisors Support Their Students
Being a DECA Advisor should not be a stressful experience. This page is dedicated to Advisors and how to best support your DECA club.
New for 2023-2024 DECA Advisor Resources and Classroom Resources
DECA is more accessible and exciting as ever with so much in the way of classroom resources to help your club and classroom grow in information and lesson ideas. Filter your content, join DECA Advisor Chats and Maryland DECA will also be holding monthly Virtual Calls for all DECA Advisors in Maryland to get updates and support on the last Thursday of each month at 5:00pm. Make sure to check your monthly Advisor Update Email for the link. Be sure to stay on top of any DECA emails or information to come.
There are some requirements for Maryland DECA Advisors in order for your chapter to meet all required National DECA requirements, school required paperwork and travel associated with being a DECA Advisor. However, the payoff to see your students grow in their abilities and skills throughout the year, makes everything worthwhile. This page is dedicated to YOU, the Advisor, to give you as much information as possible to help your club succeed.
The information below can help you get started. You can also refer and share this Maryland DECA Comprehensive Chapter Guide with your chapter leaders in order to have a successful DECA Chapter.
What Is DECA?
What Is DECA?
The purpose of DECA is to develop occupational competencies in the field of marketing and management, and to promote understanding and appreciation of our free enterprise system.
DECA, organized at the national level in 1947, is a tool used by a teacher coordinator to motivate, inspire, teach and recognize young people in unique ways. It complements the marketing education classroom instruction and work experiences. DECA's activities focus on competition at the local, state and national levels in specific occupational skills, leadership development and management training. DECA also offers many opportunities for young people to develop leadership qualities in a student-directed organization.
DECA is co-curricular and is infused into the curriculum of marketing, management and entrepreneurship classes, thus giving the teachers of these programs access to a multitude of new resources and activities to enhance the classroom experience. DECA's programs directly address the career clusters as identified in a study by the U.S. Department of Education. These clusters are Business, Management and Administration, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Hospitality and Tourism, Marketing, Sales and Service. Members can compete in Written Events, Individual Role Plays and Team Decision Events. Learn more about DECA membership.
Career Clusters
Career Clusters
DECA offers several areas to participate. And as an advisor, you can have your club choose which cluster or allow students to explore areas of interest. Members can choose to compete in different clusters, they may choose one area for a Regional competition and then choose another for States and Nationals. DECA covers all areas of business and can provide a well rounded opportunity to members to learn about all areas of business during their time in DECA. To the right is the career cluster breakdown.
View DECA's 23-24 Competitive Events Guide
National DECA will be offering an Advisor Mentor Program for 23-24. If you are interested in being a Mentor or Mentee, please contact Kim Gustin to express your interest. Your contact information will be sent to National DECA to be set up in the program.
Enter Membership
Enter Membership
Membership is what allows students to compete in competition and be recognized by National DECA. Dues are collected for a minimum of $15 ($8 to National and $7 to State). Click the link below to enter your 2023-2024 Membership. To see some more details, you may download this PDF to help you complete your registration. Final chance to register and pay for a DECA chapter is January 31st, 2024.
DECA Competitive Events
DECA Competitive Events
Many members love the opportunity to compete. And DECA has great opportunities for that.. In order to compete, members must have registered and paid their dues to National DECA. Regional and State Competitions as well as ICDC, which is being held in Anaheim, California for 2024. Please click the link below to discover DECA's Competitive Event opportunities.
Conferences
Conferences
DECA is more than competitions! They also organize events and conferences for students to learn from one another. Maryland DECA hosts a few during the school year, but National DECA also has some great learning opportunities. For 2023-2024, Maryland Learn more by clicking the link below.
DECA Direct
DECA Direct
DECA spends time getting you, the Advisor materials to help your students succeed. DECA direct has provided the opportunity for you get lessons, articles, ideas and more all with one click through DECA Direct! As an advisor you will also receive additional information through your email to help you get started and supports for your classroom. Click the link below to learn more about DECA Direct.
Advisor Links for County Paperwork
Each County has their own set of Field Trip Paperwork to submit for any DECA event. Below you will find the direct links to each County Website where their Field Trip Paperwork is located. Make sure to create a working relationship with your school's Finance Secretary and Field Trip Coordinator or Business Manager to make the process as easy as possible. It is advised that any paperwork be submitted to the school at least 4-6 weeks prior to the field trip date or before you can collect any funds.
County:
Baltimore County Transportation Form | Board Information
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