Constitution

Preamble: Collegiate DECA is designed to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in colleges around the globe.


Article I:
The official name of this organization shall be GW Collegiate DECA and may be referred to as GWDECA.


Article II:
Section 1 -The purpose of Collegiate DECA here at The George Washington University is to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in colleges around the globe. GW Collegiate DECA will assist its students in the growth and development of DECA; and to further develop a respect for education in marketing, and management which will contribute to occupational competence. GW Collegiate DECA will promote understanding and appreciation for the responsibilities of citizenship in our free, competitive enterprise system. It gives students the opportunity to compete in a specific event that they are knowledgeable and passionate about and excel through competitions. The conferences and competitions allow students to network with a vast amount of individuals ranging from CEO to companies, national officers, sponsors, other Collegiate DECA members, etc. The group was founded because of all that Collegiate DECA has to offer to students; the student organization teaches students leadership and networking skills, provides them with life-long memories, and allows them to excel and show off their knowledge in their event.
Section 2- Collegiate DECA will abide by and support the established University polices that are in place.


Article III:
Section 1- As the student organization begins to grow it will be the member’s responsibility to increase membership through word of mouth, and posters that will be put up. However, once an executive board is established then Collegiate DECA will elect an individual who will be Vice President of Membership. One can become a member by expressing interest in Collegiate DECA, and paying the mandatory dues in order to be considered an official member. Students will be recognized as members. National Collegiate DECA after receiving an individual’s due, deems that individual an official member by providing them with a pin and a statement that gives them the permission to compete. Any individual who is not a registered GW student will be considered a guest, and would not officially be a part of the student organization.
Section 2- Withdrawal from Collegiate DECA is acceptable; however they will officially remain a member of Collegiate DECA until the year ends. If a member does withdrawal they are not expected to compete, or show up for meetings. A member is not able to compete or attend conferences if they do not pay their national Collegiate DECA dues.
Section 3 - The Collegiate DECA of The George Washington University does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, creed, age, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, marital status or parental status, sexual orientation, or disability.

Article IV:
Responsibilities of all the executive board members are to attend all meetings and stay until the end of the meeting. Board members unable to attend should notify the president as soon as possible. The executive board is to serve as leaders and set an example for other members of the Association and for external constituencies. Each executive board member is to uphold their responsibility and be an active participant in decisions made by the Board on behalf of the members.
Section 1- Executive Board
-President

  • Provides leadership and direction to all activities of the Association, the Executive Board and its members
  • Shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Board of Directors
  • Represents GW Collegiate DECA as a voting member in the Executive Board meetings
  • Approves expenditures and has authority to pay bills and submit an annual report of the year’s activities to Association members
  • Any decision made must go through the President, and be signed off by the President

-Executive Vice President
  • Shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Board of Directors
  • Advises and counsels the President as needed
  • In the absence of the President, presides at Executive Board meetings.
  • Will take minutes during meetings

-Vice President of Membership
  • Manages the overall membership function including the design and implementation of programs that broaden membership engagement for the chapter, increasing membership by an identified goal, and retaining current members.



- Vice President of Finance
  • Receives at disburses moneys of the Association
  • Maintains adequate and appropriate records of receipts and expenditures
  • Pays the bills of the Association
  • Receives meeting registrations and membership dues
  • Submits financial reports to the Executive Board when asked to do so
  • Prepares annual year-end financial statements

- Vice President of Marketing
  • Create, coordinate, manage, and execute all marketing strategies and implement tactical plans that meet GWDECA expectations
  • Is responsible for the strategy, tactics and programs to create interest, demand and recognition for GWDECA

- Vice President of Special Events
  • Coordinate with the President about all details that the special event will entail
  • Will come up with at least two events to promote DECA throughout the school year, and will work closely with the VP of Marketing for that


Article V:
Section 1- The officers will be elected through an application process. The previous officers will go through the applications together, and be in consensus about the new officer team. The officer team will be elected at the beginning of the school year, and remain officers until the time the following year. Anyone is eligible to be an officer, and regardless if you’ve done DECA before, everyone has an equal opportunity to receive an officer spot. In the case that the Executive Board cannot to consensus, the President will make the ultimate decision. Officers will be removed if they do not abide by GW Policies, and if they receive “Two-Strikes.” The “Two-Strike” policy is a policy in which if a situation or action occurs that involves one of the officers, the rest of the Executive Board will get together and discuss whether or not it should be considered a “strike.” If it does count as a strike, the President will inform that member of the Executive Board, and give them a warning that if they receive another strike, they will be removed from the Executive Board. If that does occur, the Executive Board will appoint a new individual to serve that position for the remainder of the year.


Article VI:
Section 1- The student organization will begin to allocate its funds by charging at $25 dollar mandatory dues at the beginning of each school year. The Vice President of Finance will keep GWDECA’s official financial records, and will submit an annual Student Association budget request. To approve expenditures, the Vice President must consult with the President.

Article VII:
Section 1 - This constitution may be amended by 2/3 majority vote of the Executive Board.  Amendments may be introduced by any Executive Board member of GW Collegiate DECA, or member of GW Collegiate DECA providing that the amendment is submitted to the The George Washington University Collegiate DECA in writing at least 14 days prior to our next meeting.