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.

Please Tell Me About It!

Communication is key to marketing any new or great idea.  We all agree that membership in DKG changes lives, develops women as professionals, and promotes richer learning at all levels.  So, spread the word! Find a way to communicate that works best for your chapter and state organization.

California State Organization did.  I recently subscribed to the email distribution list the state organization has developed.  They are sending to all the subscribers on the list a weekly email that is informative, positive and inspiring.   The one I received this week recounted the story of a young educator who received a Cornetet Grant from the DKG Educational Foundation and was so inspired by the experience that she has since joined DKG! Not only will this amazing story inspire members to share the benefits of membership with other women educators, it will also perhaps remind us all about the membership benefits we forget to enjoy ourselves!

Think about the ways that you can best communicate to your community, state organization, members and potential members about DKG.  Explore the options.  Then, Spread the Word!

Just Share Your Excitement!

It's really about sharing your excitement - that's all.

Marketing can be such a frightening word to many people.  But it is really very simple:  when I was in the classroom, someone once shared a tip with me about a household cleaning product that would

clean my classroom's whiteboards to a polished shine.  It worked! And I was so excited that I told every teacher I knew about my new find!  Guess what?  I was marketing that product every time I told someone else about it.  And I was just sharing my excitement about a product that worked for me.

Are you excited about your membership in DKG?  Share that excitement with the world.  Those women who are eligible will be excited to learn more.  Those people who are not eligible may know others who are.

Carola is a member in The Netherlands who participated in the recent Golden Gift Leadership Management Seminar held in Austin, Texas.    She  attended a seminar held this month for educators in Europe.  She wrote "These are people from all over the world and I try to promote DKG."

Now, that's marketing!

Small Action: Big Effect

Every day I am reminded how little effort it really takes to impact the world around us.  I tend to think that to make an impact, I have to do something really big.  But, that simply is not true.  We have all pondered the idea that a simple smile and a kind word to a stranger can have a ripple effect beyond imagination.

Let’s apply that to marketing – and specifically, to marketing DKG.  We do not have to be a marketing expert to promote the Society we so appreciate!  Today I received an email (one of around 5 that I receive each week) from an educator interested in membership.  She wrote that she received a “kind note and a candy bar in [her] mailbox, welcoming new teachers to the district.”  While I am sure she felt welcomed, her deduction was that “Obviously the chapter is very active and I’m excited for the chance to join.”  This small act created an incredibly positive picture of DKG and the chapter. I do hope the chapter takes the chance (even if it is outside of the comfortable zone where we only invite women we know well) and invites her to join! Her initiative and ambition certainly show the potential of a key woman educator.

Speaking of taking a chance, a 70 year member recently told me a story about her reinstatement after losing track of DKG during the war years when she moved frequently with her husband who was a naval officer.  At that time, chapters were less open to the idea of reinstatement.  She read about the current initiative to reinstate members and, while recounting her membership experience since reinstatement in 1949, she wrote “I have been an active member ever since…I am thankful that the chapter was ahead of their time.”

So, you see, it may only be a small act in your view but the impact on someone else may be grand.  Take a small step out of the comfort zone and watch the ripples grow!

The In's and Out's of Marketing DKG

I just had a wonderful conversation with the DKG  California State Organization President, Judy Kearns, where we discussed the concept of marketing. We agreed that it seems we often forget that promoting DKG to our own members is just as vital as promoting this amazing Society to the community. After reflecting on this idea, Judy recently involved DKG leaders in California in the creation of marketing modules that could be used to remind members of the value of membership. During a recent state organization leadership training session, they created PowerPoint presentations, recommitment ceremonies and other tools to be used in chapters around the state. She encouraged them to visit other chapters and share the benefits of membership.


Do you remember why you joined?  Do you remember how special, how honored, you felt that day?  Take a walk down memory lane if you have been a member for a long time and reflect on the power of membership in DKG.  If you recently became a member, explore the benefits that come with membership in an international organization promoting excellence in education and developing innovative educators.  Find out what your membership offers you.  And then, remember to share that gift with other key women in your community.