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DECA News

The Summer of DECA Quest

Jun 12, 2026

Welcome to Camp DECA, the ultimate summer destination for emerging leaders! Whether you're snapping photos or completing trivia questions, Summer of DECA is your chance to earn ultimate camper bragging rights.

Chapter Strategy

The Step-by-Step Guide to Meet with Congressional Representatives 

Jun 10, 2026

Meeting with your US Congressional Representative is one of the most effective ways to advocate for DECA. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you schedule a meeting with your representatives, share your experiences, and follow up.

DECA News

Congratulations to the Members that Achieved SBE Individual Certification

Jun 1, 2026

Congratulations to the members who have earned individual certification through DECA's School-based Enterprise (SBE) Individual Certification Exam!

Compete

Preparing for Success: Summer Competition Preparation

Jun 1, 2026

Taking steps during the summer sets you up for success when competitions begin. Whether you’re competing in a prepared event or a role-play event, getting started early can make a huge difference.

College Success

Lip Balm to Life Choices: Finding Your College Essay Topic

Jun 1, 2026

Your future goals can shape the stories you choose to center your college essays around. One of the best ways to brainstorm a strong essay topic is by looking at the projects, hobbies and products that connect back to you.

Chapter Strategy

Your Chapter’s Guide to Finishing Your School Year Strong

Jun 1, 2026

As the school year ends, it's important to make sure members feel recognized, celebrated and motivated for what’s next. Here's a guide to finishing the year strong so you can hit the ground running next school year.

Conferences

The ELS Experience for Association & Chapter Officers

Jun 1, 2026

DECA's Emerging Leader Series is designed to help association and chapter officers gain leadership skills, meet members from across DECA and leave feeling inspired for the year ahead.

Career Insights

The Real World Awaits

Jun 1, 2026

Though finding an internship may sound a little terrifying, employers are excited to see our generation eager to get involved in their industries. Discover both the benefits of an internship and how to secure one in this article!

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: K-pop Revenge?

May 25, 2026

Step into the role of the promotional director for Shony Pictures Animation. The vice president wants you to create a promotional plan for the theatrical release of Revenge at K-pop Hall.

Chapter Strategy

Leveraging the DECA Brand to Make a Community Impact

May 22, 2026

By following three key steps, chapters can turn simple connections into lasting impact, transforming participation into true community influence. Community involvement is just the beginning of DECA success.

Spotlights

First Place Wasn’t The Best Thing I Got From DECA

May 19, 2026

From making states to earning first place in PMFL and placing top 20 at ICDC, DECA gave me confidence, leadership skills, unforgettable friendships and lessons that will continue to shape my future long after I graduate.

Partners

16 Personal Finance Terms Everyone Should Know

May 18, 2026

Learning the language of personal finance is one of the most practical steps you can take toward feeling more in control of your money. This guide walks you through 16 essential terms, from everyday basics to more advanced concepts.

Leadership

Video Call Tips and Tricks

Sep 10, 2020

Practically overnight, video calls have become a new societal norm. This guide will provide you with a few tips and useful tricks to help improve your online learning or telecommuting experience.

Leadership

A Quick Guide to Understanding Servant Leadership

Sep 8, 2020

The concept of leadership has been around since the days of Aristotle and Plato and has evolved countless times throughout the centuries. But in 1970, a new theory emerged. Developed by Robert Greenleaf, servant leadership is the idea that empowered leaders serve their followers and to enable them to live and work to their full potential.

Leadership

The Ethics of Leadership

Sep 8, 2020

Ethical leaders exist in all walks of life. They are the individuals who step forward when crises occur, come to the rescue of others and generally do what's right—no matter what. Anyone can talk the talk, but can they walk the walk? In today's high-visibility, social world, more people are taking note of leaders’ behavior and holding them accountable.

Leadership

DECA Direct Magazine: Next Level Leadership

Sep 8, 2020

A new school year brings new chances to elevate your leadership to the next level. Discover fresh ideas to enhance your chapter and become a leader worth following in your school, community and beyond.

Leadership

The Next Level is Inclusion

Sep 8, 2020

It has never been more important for emerging leaders to be characterized by teamwork, innovation, competency and integrity. Fortunately, those are the valued characteristics of DECA’s student leaders. What if this moment needs you and the unique values that drive your leadership?

Chapter Strategy

Top Tips for Socially-distant Membership Recruitment

Sep 8, 2020

Building your chapter’s membership is one of the most important ways to set it up for success in the new school year. But what are the best ways to recruit within the “new normal” of more virtual interactions and less in-person activities? Learn how to recruit new members the socially-distant way with these top tips.

Chapter Strategy

The Power of the Diamond

Sep 8, 2020

Throughout your DECA career, you’ll wear the blazer, throw up a DECA diamond symbol and add lots of blue to your wardrobe. You will also undoubtedly hear DECA’s core values and mission statement more times than you can count. But have you ever stopped to think about what they really mean?

Chapter Strategy

Cultivate Your Chapter’s Culture

Sep 8, 2020

2020 is a year that has changed all of our lives. If your DECA chapter has experienced a decline in recent months, struggling to cope with virtual meetings and maintain engagement, your chapter culture may need a boost.

Chapter Strategy

Discover Your DECA Leadership Style

Sep 8, 2020

There are hundreds of assessments to help you pinpoint your leadership traits, but the only one you need to take your leadership to the next level is the DECA Leadership Style Quiz.

Leadership

Influence with Informal Leadership

Sep 8, 2020

While you may not have an official leadership title, you still have the ability to help take your chapter to the #NextLevel with your informal leadership influence. Read on to learn more about informal leadership and how you can use it to make this year a success for you and your chapter.

DECA News

DECA Members Raise $7,000 Through the MDA Muscle Corp Program

Sep 1, 2020

DECA members raised over $7,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) this summer through the pilot MDA Muscle Corp Program. Twenty-one DECA members successfully completed the program and earned 40 hours of community service.

Spotlights

Mountain View High School Virtual Recruitment

Sep 1, 2020

Like for many chapters, this year’s DECA kickoff meeting was unique for Mountain View High School in Georgia. Even though the meeting was held through Zoom, the chapter still found a way to make it one of their best meetings yet.