SUPPORT DECA

Judge & Volunteer

VOLUNTEER WITH WASHINGTON DECA

Volunteers are key to the success of Washington DECA’s events and programs. Help make an impact on the lives of countless students by joining us as a volunteer! From running competitions, to helping students prepare for competitions, to being a friendly face to greet and assist DECA members at conferences, you can make a difference by contributing your time…and have fun while doing so!

Each year Washington DECA recruits more than 200 business professionals to volunteer at the Fall Leadership Conference (FLC) and 400 volunteers for the State Career Development Conference (SCDC).

Reigster to Judge!
All Judging Opportunities
about competitive events
Experts from the business community are a critical element of DECA competitions. In DECA, we call these individuals business and community “judges”. Judging simply requires a background in business and an interest in helping high school students. You must be 4 years out of high school to participate.

HEAR FROM PAST JUDGES

David Kaplan

Custom Business Solutions

“Being a volunteer judge for DECA provides me an opportunity to help mentor our next generation of leaders and innovators. But the real reason I do it is because it’s fun”

Jordan Bowen

“Judging proposals through the online portal was so easy and fun, I wish I had more to review!”

Nina Durante

Liberty Mutual

“As a former DECA student and competitor, it has been my honor and privilege to participate as a judge for these outstanding students. It is great to see how DECA has continued to evolve through the years… this ensures student success in an ever-changing industrial and economic environment.”

Andrea Drinkwater

BECU

“It is truly inspiring to see such talented young people with out of the box and creative ideas. It makes you feel hopeful about our future leaders and innovators in the business world”

Daniel L. Hammes

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

“Judging at DECA reminds me that the future of our country is in good hands with this generation of smart, passionate students.”

Donnie Maxwell

Bank of America

“What an honor it is to listen to our future leaders as they present innovative and thought-provoking business ideas and strategies. DECA provides these young people with an opportunity to hone valuable skills that cannot be substituted for the technology currently at their fingertips”

  • JUDGING OPPORTUNITIES
2025 State Career Development Conference
  • February 27 (Thursday)
    • 2:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  • February 28 (Friday)
    • 7:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • Location: Downtown Bellevue (various locations based on competitive event)

Judge in marketing, hospitality and tourism, finance, business management/administration, or entrepreneurship events

 

Written Event Judging (virtual)

From the comfort of your home, office, or favorite coffee shop, evaluate student written projects. We’re looking for judges in the areas of project management, operations research, and entrepreneurship

  • Judge on your own time, late January 2025

 

Western Region Leadership Conference
  • Principles of Entrepreneurship or Marketing Communications Role-Play Judging – Judging now closed!
  • Mock Job Interview Judging – Judging now closed! 
Area Conferences

This map shows the locations of each of the 11 regional Washington DECA areas. If you would like to volunteer to judge at an Area Conference, please contact the applicable Area Leader linked below.

Area leaders
Reigster to Judge!

JUDGE TIPS

Wondering what it's like to serve as a DECA Judge? Take a look at some of our key tips on how to be an effective judge.

judge tips

JUDGE MAILING LIST

Never miss out on an opportunity to judge in your area! Get added to our list of volunteer judges today!

Register to judge
  • VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES

Speaking & Workshops

Being a conference guest speaker or workshop presenter is one of the most direct ways to connect with students and help them discover their passions and career paths. If you are interested in volunteering as a speaker or workshop presenter, please contact Lori Hairston at lori@wadeca.org or at 206.285.1195.

Classroom Speakers

Visit a high school classroom and serve as a guest speaker. DECA advisors/marketing educators are always interested in hosting guest speakers who will inspire students by sharing their career experiences and business expertise. Contact info@wadeca.org to get started.

COMPETITIVE EVENTS

A critical component of a student’s DECA experience is the participation in DECA’s competitive events program. These events apply learning, making the connection to business, and directly contribute to every student being college or career ready by focusing on the following outcomes:

ACADEMICALLY PREPARED

DECA’s competitive events provide an avenue for members to demonstrate National Curriculum Standards through individual or team activities and to develop and employ the key skills of analysis, application of knowledge, creative problem solving, and logical presentation.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED

DECA’s competitive events help members explore their communities, participate in collaborative environments, and recognize their responsibility to the community.

PROFESSIONALLY RESPONSIBLE

DECA’s competitive events help members explore their communities, participate in collaborative environments, and recognize their responsibility to the community.

EXPERIENCED LEADERS

DECA’s competitive events provide constructive avenues for team expression, initiative, and creativity. Students participate at the local regional level in early January, with the winners proceeding to state competition in early March.