DECA meaning in Community ?

DECA Inc., formerly Distributive Education Clubs of America, is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit career and technical student organization (CTSO) with more than 225,000 members in all 50 U.S. states, Washington, DC; Canada, China, Germany, Poland, Guam, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Spain. The United States Congress, the United States Department of Education and state, district and international departments of education authorize DECA's programs.

DECA is organized into two unique student divisions each with programs designed to address the learning styles, interests, and focus of its members. The High School Division includes 215,000 members in 3,375 schools. The Collegiate Division includes over 15,000 members in 275 colleges and more colleges.

The organization's mission statement is:

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. The four components of the organization's Comprehensive Learning Program are that DECA integrates into classroom instruction, applies learning, connects to business, and promotes competition. DECA prepares the next generation to be academically prepared, community-oriented, professionally responsible, experienced leaders.

Dr. Ed Davis served as executive director from 1992 to 2014. Paul Wardinski served as executive director from 2014 to 2018. Lou DiGiola served as the executive director in 2018. Frank Peterson is currently serving as the executive director since 2020.