Who comprises the organization under Ohio DECA's legal identity?

The organization under Ohio DECA's legal identity primarily comprises all Ohio DECA chapter advisors. These individuals play a vital role in overseeing the activities, governance, and educational opportunities provided by Ohio DECA. Advisors are often educators who guide the student members, ensuring that the chapter adheres to DECA’s goals and objectives, implementing programs, and facilitating experiences that align with DECA's mission of preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management.

In this context, while high schools, DECA members, and business owners are all part of the broader DECA community, they do not represent the legal identity or governance structure of Ohio DECA. High schools facilitate the presence of chapters, but it's the advisors who legally represent and manage those chapters. DECA members engage in competitions and activities but are not the legal entity itself. Business owners may support DECA but do not hold a governance role within the organization. Each of these other groups plays an important role in the overall program, but the chapter advisors are the key figures in the legal identity of Ohio DECA.