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About Us

Monta Vista DECA

About Monta Vista DECA

In the fall of 2002, Monta Vista freshmen Melina Mathur and Katya Avignan approached business and marketing teacher Mr. Schmidt with a new opportunity for Monta Vista's students. A student organization that gives students real life experience in business, marketing, management, entrepreneurship and leadership while allowing them to compete in events that can give them the edge they need for college and for life: DECA.

Today, Monta Vista DECA is a student organization on campus and is one of the largest chapters in the state of California and in the world. With a gleaming competitive record and high membership in the state, our chapter is now rising to international prominence. As of 2007, Monta Vista DECA is ranked 1st in the state of California! In 2008, we tied with four other schools for the most first-place wins of any chapter internationally! Now, in 2009, we have successfully become world champions and are ranked 1st internationally.

Monta Vista DECA has a unique approach to leadership: with an officer team comprised of students and modeled after enterprises, students in our leadership program will gain first hand experience in management and strategy. Our legacy of excellence continues to rise as each new class of members start a new chapter in our history, writing their own stories of success. We specialize in giving our members the competitive edge in college and in life, and jumpstarting their high school careers.
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About California DECA

Founded in 1951, the California Association of DECA has evolved through the years from its beginnings as the Future Retailers of America to the large state association as a DECA organization. Currently, our state organization is comprised of two districts, governing both Northern and Southern California. In 2009, our state became the 6th best state/provincial association in the entire world! With this in mind, the state of California continues to maintain a spirit of competitive excellence while allowing members to have fun every year at Internationals!
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About the International Association of DECA

More than 56 years ago, DECA organized around an ambitious goal: to improve education and career opportunities for students interested in careers in marketing, management and entrepreneurship. What began with a few hundred students in 17 states has grown to over 185,000 students in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, Guam, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Germany.

DECA's objective is to support the development of marketing and management skills in career areas such as hospitality, finance, sales and service, business administration and entrepreneurship. Programs and activities are tailored to the specific career interest of students and include technical skills, basic scholastic and communication skills, human relations and employability skills, and a strong emphasis on economics and free enterprise.

DECA provides recognition and leadership activities directly related to attainment of specific occupational and leadership skills. DECA's mission establishes clear criteria for its programs and activities.

The mission of DECA, Inc. is to enhance the co-curricular education of students with interest in marketing, management and entrepreneurship. DECA helps students to develop skills and competence for marketing careers, to build self-esteem, to experience leadership and to practice community service. DECA is committed to the advocacy of marketing education and the growth of business/education partnerships.
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DECA vs. FBLA

Both DECA and FBLA are large business clubs on campus which will offer you both a fun and useful learning experience. To most people, both clubs appear very similar, but there are some key differences that may affect your decision in choosing between the two organizations. It is, however, perfectly fine to join both of these clubs.

Below is information comparing the two national organizations.

DECA FBLA
Website http://www.deca.org http://www.fbla.org
Founded 1946 1940
Membership (2009) 185,000 215,000
Divisions High School Division
College Division: Delta Epsilon Chi		 Middle School Level: FBLA-ML
High School Division
College Division: Phi Beta Lamba
Focus Marketing General Business
Competitive Events 44 60
Conferences
Leadership Development Silicon Valley Leadership Development Conference (SVLDC)
Location: Fremont High School, Sunnyvale, CA
Date: October 3, 2009		 Leadership Development Institute (LDI)
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Date: October 23-25, 2009
Regional Competitions NorCal
Location: San Ramon, CA
Date: January 8-10, 2010		 Bay Section
Location: Lynbrook High School, San Jose, CA
Date: February 27, 2010
State Competitions States
Location: Irvine, CA
Date: March 11-14, 2010		 States
Location: Irvine, CA
Date: April 22-25, 2010
National Competitions DECA does not have a national level of competition. National Leadership Conference (NLC)
Location: Nashville, TN
Date: July 14-17, 2010
International Competitions International Career Development Conference (ICDC)
Location: Louisville, KY
Date: April 24-27, 2010		 FBLA's competitions end at the national level.

Monta Vista is home to both DECA and FBLA chapters that are both very successful. There is a saying that "you know you go to Monta Vista when the only fights on campus are between DECA and FBLA." While that is an exaggeration, the rivalry and competitiveness between both clubs is rather fierce.
All FBLA information has been verified by an FBLA officer, but for the most up-to-date information, please check the Monta Vista FBLA website.

Monta Vista DECA Monta Vista FBLA
Founded 2003 1974
2008-2009 Membership 356 135
Website http://www.mvdeca.org http://www.mvfbla.org
Meeting Time Wednesday at Lunch, Portable 6 Thursday at Lunch, Portable 6
Study Sessions Saturday Mornings, typically between 11:00 and 3:00 Saturday Afternoons, typically between 2:00 and 5:00
Preliminaries MVDECA does not hold preliminaries for competition. Any member who wishes to compete may do so for NorCal. MVFBLA holds preliminaries for competition due to capacity limitations. Most members are still able to compete in Bay Section, but not necessarily in their event of choice.
Competitive Excellence 1st in California (since 2007)
1st in the world (since 2009)		 4th in California (since 2009)
2nd in the nation (since 2008)
State Presidents Elected 2
Anagha Vaidhyanathan (2006-2007)
Diane Keng (2009-2010)		 0
Membership Dues $45.00 $15.00
Alumni Futures MVDECA has sent students to some of the nations best colleges and universities, including UC Berkeley, NYU, MIT, Wellesley, and Wharton in its 7 years of existence. Alumni have been accepted to UC Berkeley, Brown, Wharton, UCLA, UC Davis, USC, and Princeton, among other premier universities in the United States throughout FBLA's numerous years as a club.

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For Students - Why Join DECA?

DECA is not limited to competing and studying and preparing for events, it is learning life skills while having a great time. If you aren't into competing, don't worry, DECA still has you covered, with trips and socials that are quite fun. Here are some reasons to join DECA:

  • Compete at FUN conferences and WIN! Monta Vista DECA is proud to have freshmen excel over upperclassmen from other schools and win trophies. Our conferences also let you room with friends overnight away from home.

  • Meet new people, all across California and the nation and beyond. At Monta Vista DECA, you will be able to connect with freshmen you never knew, as well as upperclassmen who don't bite. At conferences, you will have an opportunity to meet fellow DECA members all across the state, nation, and beyond through the general sessions, the dance, or simply in the hallways or the streets!

  • Participate in exclusive tours! Previously, Monta Vista DECA has always conducted tours of the San Francisco Federal Reserve, the EA Games campus (where you get games at an employee discount!), the Fashion Institute (FIDM), and more! This year, we have plans to participate in these tours once again, so join us on our fun!

  • Travel (and justify taking off from school). Regardless of the destination of our conferences, you will always have a GREAT experience with your friends, not to mention that you get a break from school for a few days! This year, join us as we travel to San Ramon, Irvine, and Louisville (Kentucky) for our conferences.

  • Learn life skills. Through guest speakers, workshops, and the competitive events themselves, you will learn skills that will last you a lifetime, which you can apply to virtually any career. Give yourself a head start and invest in your bright future.

  • Get extra credit for your business class! If you have Mr. Schmidt for business, you are eligble for extra credit by participating in DECA field trips and competitive events.

Ready to join? Perhaps you have some questions? The officer team would love to help!
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For Parents - The Benefits of Joining DECA

DECA will teach your child numerous lessons, from allowing them to apply business skills and economic principles to real world scenarios in our competitions, to basics such as presenting and acting professional. Students do not need to have any knowledge in business when joining DECA, as we will teach them all they need to know and to win. Monta Vista DECA is proud to be the ranked first in the state, with underclassmen teams excelling and outperforming upperclassmen from rival schools. Our conferences also teach students leadership and responsibility! Also, winning at our competitions against competitors, first against students from Northern California, then against students from all across the state, and finally being pitted against international students looks great on a college application.

Besides competing, students will also be given opportunities to participate in tours to the San Francisco Federal Reserve, the Fashion Institute, EA Games, and more! While students may have loads of fun in these tours, they will also expand their knowledge about the industries in the market.

DECA can help your child develop important skills that will last them a lifetime. It is a valuable investment and stepping stone to a bright future. Join a club which is recognized in the community by local news today!

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Questions?

If you have any questions regarding joining DECA, feel free to contact any of our officers, including those listed below.
Our VP of Membership, Frances Wu, can address any questions or concerns about joining DECA.
For information regarding FBLA, please contact either Jackie Maslyn or Jessica Yu. Monta Vista FBLA's Director of Membership, Jennifer Chen, will be more than glad to address any futher questions regarding Monta Vista FBLA.

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Join Today!

Registration forms can be downloaded here. Please return the completed form to Portable 6 or any officer with $45 for membership dues.

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