FL DECA State Officer Candidacy Exam

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DECA Mission Statement

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.

Florida DECA's Commitment

Florida DECA is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment where every emerging leader feels valued, heard, and empowered, maintaining zero tolerance for discrimination, harassment, or bullying across every chapter, event, and interaction.

DECA Core Attributes / Values

• Competence

• Innovation

• Integrity

• Teamwork

DECA Diamond - Inner Points (Comprehensive Learning Program)

• Integrates into Classroom Instruction

• Applies Learning

• Connects to Business

• Promotes Competition

DECA Diamond - Outer Points (Results of Program)

• Academically Prepared
• Community Oriented
• Professionally Responsible
• Experienced Leaders

DECA Official Colors

Blue & Gold

DECA Inc. Official Theme for 2026-2027 Year

Next Big Thing

DECA Inc. Founding Year

1946

First DECA National Conference Date & Location

April 1947 in Memphis, Tennessee

DECA Month

November

DECA Inc. Headquarters Location

Reston, Virginia (1908 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1594)

DECA Inc. Executive Director

Frank Peterson

DECA Inc. High School Executive President

Chrysanthi Euripides

DECA Inc. Southern Region Vice President

Mason St. Jean

DECA Inc. High School Executive Officer Team Structure

• Executive President
• North Atlantic Region Vice President
• Central Region Vice President
• Southern Region Vice President
• Western Region Vice President

DECA Inc. Four Geographic Regions

• North Atlantic Region
• Central Region
• Southern Region
• Western Region

DECA Geographic Region for Florida

Southern Region

DECA High School Membership Dues Structure

• $8 (DECA Inc. dues)
• $6(Florida DECA state dues)
• $14 total dues

DECA Official Publications

• DECA Direct (magazine and deca.org/direct)
• DECA Direct Weekly
• DECA Guide (annual curriculum and competitive guide)
• DECA Insight (advisor publication issued 4 times per year)

Official DECA Merchandising Store

Shop DECA (shopdeca.org)

DECA Four Operating Divisions

• High School Division
• Collegiate DECA
• Alumni Division
• Professional Division

DECA Recognized Membership Types

• Active Student Members
• Alumni Members
• Professional Members
• Advisor Members
• Honorary Life Members

DECA Inc. Five Chapter Campaigns

• Membership Campaign
• Promotional Campaign
• Community Service Campaign
• Ethical Leadership Campaign
• Advocacy Campaign

Career Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

An organization primarily based in high schools and colleges that integrates into CTE programs to develop leadership, academic, and career-ready skills through co-curricular activities, conferences, and competitions (e.g., DECA, BPA, FBLA, FFA, FCCLA, HOSA, SkillsUSA, TSA)

Co-Curricular Meaning in DECA

Programs or activities directly integrated into the classroom curriculum that complement, reinforce, and apply coursework, distinguishing DECA as an instructional tool rather than an extracurricular club

Perkins Funds

Federal funding provided through the Carl D. Perkins CTE Act to support, improve, and expand CTE programs and CTSOs through equipment, curriculum development, and professional training

CAPE Funds (Florida)

State performance incentive funds provided through the Florida Career and Professional Education Act awarded when CTE students earn approved industry certifications and complete registered career academies

Servant Leadership Philosophy

A leadership philosophy where the main goal is to serve others, focusing on meeting member needs, empowering the team, and elevating the organization above self-interest

Parliamentary Procedure Authority

Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised

100 Club (DECA Inc.)

Chapters that achieve 100 or more registered and paid student members during a single school year

100 Club (Florida DECA)

Chapters that reach 100 or more total ICDC qualifiers from State CDC

Florida DECA Founding Date

April 26, 1957

First Florida DECA Chapter Chartered

Edgewater High School in Orlando (William Dannenburg, Advisor)

First Florida DECA State Conference

March 1961 at the San Juan Hotel in Orlando (532 student members representing 25 programs)

First Florida DECA State Officers Elected

1958-1959 school year

Year Florida DECA Transitioned to Independent Board

1993 (transferred administrative governance from the Florida Department of Education to an independent Board of Advisors/Directors)

Florida DECA Corporate Name & Tax Status

Florida DECA Association and Foundation, Inc. (501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization)

Number of Florida DECA Geographic Districts

10 Geographic Districts

Florida DECA Student Membership & Chapters

Over 18,000 members across 200+ active chapters

Chartered Association Advisor

Dr. James Benedict (Executive Director, Florida DECA)

State Officer Coordinators

• Dr. Ted Newfield
• Ms. Grace Seibold

Board of Directors (Florida DECA)

Responsible for setting association-wide policy, overseeing fiscal health, establishing official rules and dress code, and employing the Executive Director

Board of Advisors (Florida DECA)

State-level leadership body composed of DECA educators and elected corporate officers (President, Secretary, Treasurer) providing strategic guidance, operational oversight, and administrative support

Florida DECA Board of Advisors Corporate Officers

• Rachael Dubrow (President)
• Wendy Rosche (Secretary)
• Ted Newfield (Treasurer)
• Dr. James Benedict (Executive Director)

District Advisor (Florida DECA)

An educator/advisor elected or appointed to lead and coordinate operations, conferences, and competitive events within one of Florida DECA's 10 geographic districts

District Advisor Ratio to Membership

One advisor per 700 student members (or major portion thereof)

Florida DECA Board of Advisors Compensation

Unpaid, volunteer positions

Florida DECA Board of Advisors Meetings Frequency

Twice per year (once in the fall and once during the Florida CDC or ICDC)

Florida DECA Board of Advisors Quorum

More than 50% of total voting Board members present

Voting Proxy Rule for Florida DECA Board Meetings

Board members unable to attend must submit a voting proxy form in writing at least one week prior to the meeting

Vote Required to Amend Florida DECA By-Laws

Two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Board of Advisors

Advance Notice Required for Florida DECA By-Law Amendments

Submitted in writing to the Executive Director or Board President at least 30 days prior to the Board meeting

Florida DECA Board Voting Tie-Breaker

The Board of Advisors President has the authority to break tie votes

Florida DECA Chapter Voting Delegate Allocation

Allotted according to the chapter's total registered and paid active student membership by the state deadline

Florida DECA District 1 Counties

• Escambia
• Santa Rosa
• Okaloosa
• Walton
• Holmes
• Washington
• Bay
• Jackson
• Calhoun
• Gulf
• Gadsden
• Liberty
• Franklin
• Leon
• Wakulla
• Jefferson

Florida DECA District 2 Counties

• Duval
• Flagler
• St. Johns
• Nassau
• Baker
• Clay

Florida DECA District 3 Counties

• Alachua
• Levy
• Hernando
• Volusia
• Marion
• Citrus
• Gilchrist
• Bradford
• Columbia
• Union
• Hamilton
• Suwannee
• Lafayette
• Dixie
• Madison
• Taylor
• Putnam

Florida DECA District 4 Counties

• Lake
• Orange
• Brevard
• Seminole
• Osceola
• Sumter

Florida DECA District 5 County

• Polk

Florida DECA District 6 Counties

• Hillsborough
• Pasco
• Pinellas
• Manatee
• Sarasota

Florida DECA District 7 Counties

• Collier
• Lee
• Charlotte
• Glades
• Hendry

Florida DECA District 8 Counties

• Palm Beach
• St. Lucie
• Martin
• Indian River
• Okeechobee

Florida DECA District 9 County

• Broward

Florida DECA District 10 Counties

• Miami-Dade
• Monroe

Team 70 Motto / Slogan

One Team. One Purpose. One Florida DECA.

Team 69 Florida DECA Executive President

Lucy Pellegrino

Team 69 Florida DECA Executive Vice President

Nishant Shah

Team 69 Vice Presidents Assisting Districts 1 to 5

• D1: Miller Morris
• D2: Emily Fitzsimon
• D3: Holden MacNeill
• D4: Davinci Chau
• D5: Claribel Bautista

Team 69 Vice Presidents Assisting Districts 6 to 10

• D6: Audrina Parker
• D7: Mahi Patel
• D8: Treyson Hirsch
• D9: Aranza Hernandez
• D10: Carolina Rodriguez

Florida DECA State Action Team Equality Philosophy

There is no hierarchy, all Association Officers stand on equal ground, united in mission, voice, and action

Florida DECA Association Officer Core Qualities

• Organized
• Motivated
• Professional
• Team-oriented
• Ethical and accountable

Career Development Conference (CDC)

Annual state-level conference where members compete in events, attend workshops, elect the State Action Team, and qualify for ICDC

International Career Development Conference (ICDC)

Annual international conference with over 20,000 high school members, advisors, and partners competing, developing leadership, and electing DECA Inc. Executive Officers

Helping Hands (HH)

Annual statewide community service collection drive conducted at the District level in fall and state level at CDC to support local communities (charity of the year: toys)

Calling Florida Forward (CFF)

Call campaigns that engage local chapters, encourage participation in district, state, and national events, and build stronger statewide unity

Chapter Business Plan (CBP - Key Vocabulary)

Supports chapter advisors, chapter officers, and members in developing sustainable chapter goals and operations to promote overall FL DECA chapter development

Personal Business Pathway (PBP)

Outlines and pursues individual leadership goals and achievements while developing long-term sustainable membership development opportunities for all types of members

Envision Conference

Florida DECA's premier annual fall leadership conference featuring team-building, networking, and competitive prep

Dollars for Diamonds Scholarship Program

Funded by $1 of each member's state dues plus donations, awarding $500 member scholarships, $1,000 Ed Fleming Memorial (Exec Officers), and $500 (VPs)

Florida DECA Professional Recognition Awards

• Honorary Life Member (10+ yrs service)
• Outstanding Service Award (5+ yrs service)
• Award of Merit (business/community leaders)
• Eagle Dare to Achieve Award (board members)
• Hall of Fame (longstanding CTE impact)
• Officer Coordinator Award

Florida DECA Candidate Entry & Position Limitation

• Maximum of two (2) candidates per chapter per academic year (one Executive Officer candidate and one Vice Presidential candidate)
• Candidates may only apply for one officer position per academic year

Florida DECA Officer Candidate Academic Requirements

• Paid member in good standing of an accredited FL DECA high school chapter
• Minimum cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0 based on a 4.0 system
• Official transcript must accompany application

State Officer Eligibility Exam Score Requirement

Must score at least 70% on the State Officer Eligibility Exam

State Officer Eligibility Exam Sources

• DECADirect.org
• DECA.org
• FLDECA.org
• FL DECA By-Laws
• Robert's Rules of Order
• FL DECA Facts

Intent to Run Form & Testing Window

• Intent to Run form deadline: Monday, November 9th
• Exam testing window: November 16th - November 20th

Simultaneous Testing Rule for Officer Candidates

If more than one student is scheduled to take the exam at the same school location, all students must test at the exact same time to ensure exam integrity

Officer Candidate Application Packet Deadline

Completed packet must be submitted to the District Advisor(s) no later than December 4th, 2026

Executive Candidate Interview Committee Composition

• Current Executive Association Officers
• State Officer Coordinators
• Chartered Association Advisor
• Two (2) FL DECA Board of Directors members

Chapter Connections Requirement for Officers

Visit a minimum of four (4) DECA chapters within their region and meet with 50% of the chapters in their region before the term ends

Officer Communication Frequency Commitments

• Monthly virtual calls with chapter leaders
• Monthly contact with District Advisor(s)
• Bi-weekly communication with fellow officers and State Officer Coordinators

Team 70 Officer Term Duration

Begins at the closing of the 67th FL CDC (March 2027) and concludes at the closing of the 68th FL CDC (March 2028)

Mandatory Conferences for Team 70 Officers

• 67th Annual FL CDC (March 3-7, 2027 in Orlando)
• 2027 ICDC (April 16-21, 2027 in Anaheim, CA)
• Officer Training Conference / OTC (June 2027)
• FL DECA Board of Directors Meeting (September 2027 in Orlando - Exec Officers only)
• FL DECA Envision (October 2027 in Tampa, FL)
• 68th Annual FL CDC (March 1-5, 2028 in Orlando)
• One assigned leadership conference (Southern Region Conf, ELS, or Ultimate Power Trip)

Assigned Regional Leadership Conferences for Team 70

• Southern Region Conference (March 31 - April 3, 2027 in Pigeon Forge, TN)
• Emerging Leader Summit / ELS (July 2027, Location TBD)
• Ultimate Power Trip (December 3-5, 2027 in San Francisco, CA)

FL DECA Officer Travel Emergency Information Form

Completed, signed, and notarized form required for all officer travel, kept on hand by Coordinators and Chartered Association Advisor, due before ICDC

Officer Travel Status & Transportation

Officers are considered independent consultants and are responsible for coordinating their own travel arrangements to meetings and conferences

Officer Uniform Policy

Coordinators coordinate and purchase 3-4 officer outfits, but each officer is responsible for securing their own official DECA Blazer for their term

Consequences of Officer Non-Compliance

• Removal from office
• Loss of officer privileges
• Revocation of Dollars for Diamonds scholarship

Executive Candidate Campaign Start Date & Time

Campaigning begins at 7:30pm on Thursday, March 4th, 2027 (no campaigning or outreach allowed before this time)

Campaign Display Board Specifications

• Maximum size 36 inches by 48 inches
• Must provide own easel/trifold stand
• All content within board borders (nothing extending past edges)
• No handwritten content allowed

Campaign Handout Pamphlet Specifications

• Standard 8.5 inch by 11 inch trifold pamphlet
• Maximum of 250 printed copies allowed
• Outside of the poster board and trifold pamphlet, no gimmicks, visuals, or aids are permitted