The Difference One Member Makes

I was honored to visit Iota Upsilon Chapter in Priddy TX yesterday.  I was invited to share with them about the DKG Girl Scout Patch Project. They invited two Girl Scout troop leaders to join us and by the end of the evening, we were all excited about the possibilities.

I am particularly excited about the DKG Girl Scout Patch for two reasons.  One is because a relationship between DKG and the Girl Scouts is so natural... both organizations focus on growing leadership in women and girls. However, it also so exciting for another reason that has nothing to do with the mission of either organization! It is a project that began as one member's vision and has gained momentum with chapters throughout the country.  It truly shows the difference one member can make within an organization.

What will be your contribution to DKG?  How will you make a difference as one member?  Share your vision for DKG and the impact we can have on education, for women, in the world, in your community.

It IS what YOU make it.

 My late mother always said "you get out of something what you put into it." I believe she was right. I just expanded my exercise routine to add a little interest and step up the intensity.  I spent quite a bit of time researching the wide variety of programs available on CD, TV, DVD, at the Gym, in my home or even live streamed from somewhere else I may never go.  If I had spent this much time
exercising, I would be fit again by now!

However, I realized suddenly that the most important factor is ME! I am, quite simply, going to get out of any program about what I put into it.  It is not really as much about the program itself as it is about my commitment to it.

And so, I think, it is with DKG. Are you committed to the Purposes and mission of DKG?  Would you count the women in your chapter as professional peers and friends?  Do you want to impact education worldwide in a positive way?  Do you work alongside dedicated educators who care about the success of their students, whether young or adult?  Then, what are you waiting for?  Ask a fellow educator to join DKG.  Get engaged in whatever way suits you best.  Volunteer for the next project, step up to a leadership role, or  log in to the communities through the DKG website or APP and network globally.

DKG is what you make it - so make it count for you today!

DKG: From Generation to Generation

One of our Florida members, Alisa, recently shared that DKG has become a family tradition.  Her mother and her aunt have been very active in DKG for years.  Now, she and her cousin are members as well.  They plan to attend an international convention together soon. Realizing how special it must be that DKG is such a bond between the generations of women in one family, I  began wondering how we each could also "play it forward" as the saying goes.


As professional educators, we all recognize the opportunity we have to impact our worlds by our work with students, at whatever level that might be. However, we often forget the impact we can also have as we touch the lives of other educators. Have you noticed someone in your school or university who positively impacts the lives of students?  Perhaps you have recently found yourself thinking "why, she would be a wonderful candidate for membership!" If so, play it forward.  Membership in DKG is not only an honor but also an opportunity.  Share the gift of membership today.

Opportunities

I was honored last month to receive an invitation to participate as a presenter at a Texas Society of Association Executives (TSAE) Learn @ Lunch session. The panel discussion centered on membership issues and I was proud that I could represent DKG on the panel along with membership administrators from four other associations. I learned as much as I shared that afternoon.  I learned that DKG is facing the same challenges other associations are facing, that the Society is not alone in “feeling the crunch” of recent economic and cultural changes, and that in fact this great organization of key women educators, as were our Founders, is ahead of the game in many ways. 

This month, Austin's KXAN News reporter for education is interviewing DKG members who are mentoring teachers as part of the international project, Supporting Early-career Educators. Erin joined DKG in New York to accept a media award and is now sharing our work with the Austin community.  What an opportunity for our members in Austin area!

So, seize the opportunities that come your way.  Opportunities to learn from other great educators, to lead in growth and reform, and to share about the good things happening in education today - these opportunities often come our way when we least expect them.  I am excited that our Society is moving forward with a powerful presence in the 21st Century, proud that our impact on education is being noticed and honored to be a member of DKG.  I hope you are, too.