Full Throttle Leadership: Welcome to Indiana Collegiate DECA!

Welcome to the newly chartered Indiana Collegiate DECA association! We’re thrilled to have you on board as we launch into our inaugural year. As the first-ever State Officer Team for Indiana Collegiate DECA, our mission is to ensure that every member, advisor, and chapter is informed, equipped, and ready to succeed in the year ahead.

As we welcome new and returning chapters our our association this year, everyone needs to be up to date on what is to be expected. Below, we have broken down some of the basics in a Q and A style format to make sure each chapter member, officer, and advisor is up to speed on all things Indiana Collegiate DECA.

What Does It Mean to Be a Chartered Association?

As a chartered association of DECA, Indiana now enjoys several new rights and opportunities:

• Increased Representation: We now receive more voting delegates to help determine DECA’s future Executive Officer Teams.

• State-Level Conferences: We will host a State Career Development Conference (SCDC) ahead of ICDC, giving our teams a chance to sharpen their skills before the international competition, as well as a Fall Leadership Conference (FLC) in the early months of the year to prepare your chapter for success.

• Expanded Opportunities: As a chartered state, we’ll offer more leadership, educational, and professional development experiences across Indiana.

• Student Leadership: We can now elect a State Officer Team annually to lead, represent, and serve our association.

What Stays the Same? 

For chapters that were active before our official charter, you will experience the following:

• You’ll retain full control over your chapter’s local operations, including elections, events, and member selection.

• Marketing, recruitment, and branding will continue to be managed by your chapter leadership.

• Your chapter’s identity and autonomy remain firmly in your hands.

  
  

What’s Changing?

While much will feel familiar, here are a few key differences as we drive forward:

• Conference Participation Requirement: In order to compete at ICDC, all competitive events members must first participate in the Indiana Collegiate DECA State Career Development Conference. There is no placement or score requirement at this time – this is simply a preparation opportunity. We will offer leadership development opportunities and welcome non-competitive members to join us for our state conference (more details to come!)

• Updated Membership Dues: Annual dues will now be $18 per member, up from $10. This increase ensures high-quality experiences, funding for state-level events, scholarships, and leadership development. The increase in dues ($8 per member) will stay within the association.

• Voting Rights: Chapters will now select delegates to vote in state officer elections. Indiana also receives additional voting power in DECA’s Executive Officer Elections. More details on delegate allocations to come.

• New Registration Process: You will now register for the Collegiate Fall Leadership Conference (FLC), State Career Development Conference (SCDC), and International Career Development Conference (ICDC) through Indiana Collegiate DECA. Information on costs, dates, and locations will be released soon.

We can’t wait to see how Indiana Collegiate DECA makes its mark – starting with a strong presence at CICDC in Louisville, Kentucky this April.  Stay tuned to our Instagram page and email updates for important announcements, registration details, and leadership opportunities rolling out this summer. Let’s Go the Extra Mile together as we begin our Indiana Collegiate DECA journey!

Written by President - Eric Bedrosian