P.O. BOX 1589AUSTIN, TX 78767–1589

Revised 2011

An Orientation Guide for

Chapter Membership Teams

Pride in the Big Picture

Membership Services DepartmentThe Delta Kappa Gamma Society Intenational

P.O. Box 1589Austin, TX 78767-1589

Physical address: 416 West Twelfth Street

Telephone: 512.478.5748Toll-Free (Canada & U.S.): 888.762.4685

Fax: 512.478.3961E-mail: mem@dkg.org

Web site: www.dkg.org

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and

excellence in education.

Mission Statement

Leading women educators impacting education worldwide.

Vision Statement

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Message from the International President .................................... 1

Introductory Note to Presenter(s) ..................................................... 2

Ideal Orientation .................................................................................... 4

Understanding what the Society offers ............................................ 4

Understanding what the invitees offer ............................................. 5

Orientation ............................................................................................... 6

Presenter instructions ........................................................................ 6

Welcome .............................................................................................. 7

You are special ..................................................................................... 7

Good fit ................................................................................................ 8

Members of DKG belong to ............................................................. 8

Member countries ............................................................................... 9

DKG offers members ....................................................................... 10

DKG also offers members ............................................................... 11

Plus other benefits ............................................................................ 12

Seven purposes .................................................................................. 13

Continuation of purposes ................................................................ 14

Members contribute to the Society by ........................................... 16

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society was founded ........................... 17

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society ................................................. 18

The honor of membership ............................................................... 19

Pride in the big picture ..................................................................... 20

Communicate with Headquarters .................................................. 22

Table of Contents

Slide 1

Your International Membership Committee is so pleased to have you use this orientation presentation with your potential members. This guide is intended to accompany the Orientation Power Point presentation or, if that technology is not available, to stand alone as an outline for an oral orientation presentation. The presentation makes no attempt to cover “everything” about the Society; our focus is on what is attractive to a potential member about the Society. Other areas (like our history, Founders, etc.) are incorporated into the new reorientation materials for the entire chapter including new members.

When using the Power Point, the first slide of the presentation is slide 3. Slides 1 and 2 are for you, the presenter, so please become familiar with the notes that accompany each slide and understand the method of presentation as it is explained to you in Notes for the Presenter(s).

Please insert your chapter name, location and the state organization on the first slide, but make no changes on any subsequent slides. It is our belief that this presentation will be most appealing to potential mem-bers. Please give us your feedback on the outcome of your orientation using the new process.

Jensi Souders, International President, 2010-2012

Message from the International President to the Orientation

Presenter(s)

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Introductory Note to the Orientation Presenter(s)

Slide 2

As noted in the message from the international president, this orienta-tion may be presented with the accompanying Power Point or, if the technology is not available for showing the Power Point slides, it may be an oral presentation using these notes as a guide.

When you use the information in your presentation, whether from the notes in the Power Point or from the printed guide, you will bring clar-ity, emphasis, and essential detail without overburdening the potential member with information they do not need to make an informed deci-sion about membership.

The order of steps through which chapters gain new members should give prospective members a clear understanding of the organization to which they’ve been invited before they respond positively or negatively to the invitation to membership.

The suggested process is1. Chapter votes on prospective members;

2. A letter inviting those prospects to an orientation, including the date of the orientation and initiation, is sent to each, with the statement that a response to the invitation will be asked for fol-lowing the orientation (see sample letter);

3. Orientation, held days, even weeks, prior to initiation;

4. Commitment to membership at some designated time following the orientation, allowing time for reflection;

5. Initiation;

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6. For areas which orient and initiate several chapters at the same time, the orientation team should meet and process together the orientation presentation;

7. Immediate assignment of chapter responsibility to each new member.

The orientation may involve a group or may be one-on-one. The orien-tation is conducted by members designated by the chapter president.

The content of the orientation is included in this publication.

Ongoing orientation for all members is essential. There are suggestions for this activity, called Reorientation, in a separate Power Point and Guide.

We recommend a business-like atmosphere for orientation where the value, commitment, and responsibilities of membership can be discussed in a more intellectual, less emotional environment. We do not recom-mend a strictly social environment where the focus is on inter-personal relationships rather than the content of the orientation. While a social event is not inherently negative, it does not lend itself to diving deep enough into content issues.

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First, they leave with an understanding of what the Society offers:

1. Each invitee clearly understands the honor of her invitation (con-trasted with a notation on a résumé);

2. She understands that DKG is more than one chapter – she sees the Society’s bigger picture;

3. The invitee is able to articulate membership return on investment in a personal way;

4. The invitee has an understanding of the Vision and Mission of the Society;

5. She has knowledge of the Purposes of the Society and has been shown a concrete example of how each Purpose is brought to life;

6. She has knowledge of the intrinsic value of membership;

7. Each invitee understands the possibility of life-long friends formed in DKG;

8. Each sees the possibility to have a mentor in the Society and to one day become one;

9. Each invitee learns how DKG makes a difference in the commu-nity, state or province, country and world in impacting education through individual action, projects and programs;

10. And finally, each invitee has a grasp of how members support one another’s passions, personal triumphs and sufferings, professional accolades, struggles and difficult decisions.

Ideal Orientation: What do the invitees leave the session knowing?

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Second, they leave with an understanding of what the invitees can offer the Society.

1. The invitee will be expected to participate in chapter activities;

2. She will be expected to be present as often as possible at chapter meetings/events;

3. Each invitee has a voice and a vote and will be expected to use both in chapter life;

4. She will share her talents and professional expertise;

5. Each will seek out opportunities to grow personally and profes-sionally and to support others in their growth;

6. She will accept leadership opportunities in the safe DKG envi-ronment; and

7. Each invitee has a financial obligation to pay dues and fees in a timely way.

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Slide 3Presenter instructions

The invitation to membership should invite the potential member to an orientation about the organization, also giving the date of the initiation. The letter should state that she will be asked to make a membership decision after the orientation.

T h e p u r p o s e o f t h i s presentation (either the Power Point or oral version) is to provide a common outline for orienting prospective new members to the Society. It should be used at a session weeks/days prior to the initiation so that the candidate has time to gracefully withdraw if the invitation is not appropriate for her at this time. The presentation should lead to thoughtful reflection on the part of the invitee. Acceptance then means an informed commitment to the organization. Orientation on the day of initiation (or immediately preceding initiation) means the invitee is “trapped.”

Establish a welcoming, comfortable environment for the presentation. Provide nametags for all in attendance. Arrange the room to prevent issues with visibility and sound. If necessary provide signs at the entrance to the building to assist guests with finding the appropriate room.

Presenter(s) can describe the chapter in the introduction with • a few facts about the history of the chapter such as when it was founded

• how many other chapters, if any, are in the area

• This orientation is for “active” membership.

Orientation

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Slide 4Welcome

The presenter(s) should welcome the invitees by first introducing themselves with key points about their professional background and involvement with

DKG. Each invitee should be introduced or asked to introduce themselves with area of education in which they work. Congratulate invitees and share that someone believes that each demonstrates or shows the potential to demonstrate distinctive service in the field

of education. Invitees may be told about eligibility and qualities necessary for membership in DKG. The honor of membership should be stressed.

Underscore that this is an information session. Invitees will be asked to make a membership decision after the orientation.

Slide 5You are special

Presenters should make it clear that just as each member is special, Society members feel that the organization is, itself, a unique, special organization. We believe that we help each other • Grow personally and professionally

• Make a difference in schools, the community and the world

• Be recognized as a leader in the educational profession

• Increase pride in the field of education7

Slide 6Good fit

Acknowledge that we all have different motivations for being part of a group or community. Ask invitees if any of the aforementioned goals f its their needs. Discuss the need for each. Enthusiastically share that if any of these goals sound worthy to them, you believe DKG will be a fit for them; that they have come to the right place and that you are so glad they are there! Presenters may consider sharing personal stories of the impact of the Society on their own personal and/or professional lives.

Slide 7 Members of DKG belong to:

• A chapter

• A state organization

• The International Society

Each member is a part of supporting the Society’s Vision that we are

Leading Women Educators Supporting Education Worldwide

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International is organized in 17 member countries. The member countries in order of founding are United States, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Mexico, Finland, Guatemala, Iceland, The Netherlands, Puerto Rico, Great Britain, El Salvador, Costa

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Rica, Germany, Denmark, Estonia and Panama. The United States, Canada and Mexico are divided into state organizations. The other countries are each one state organization. For example, Estonia is the Estonia state organization.

The Society groups state organizations into regions. Regional conferences are held in odd-numbered years to disseminate information and to provide workshops and leadership training. There are five regions: Europe, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest.

The international offices for DKG are located in Austin, Texas, because the organization was founded there in 1929.

Our vision is to impact education locally and worldwide. We do this through projects, programs, grants and scholarships.

Slide 8 Member countries

Delta K appa Gamma includes 100,000 members in the 17 member countries and 79 state organizations. The Society ’s mission statement is:

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional and personal excellence of women educators and excellence in education.

Each member in each chapter in each state organization from Finland to Hawaii, from Costa Rica to British Columbia adheres to the same mission.

As an organization we strive to support one another personally and professionally as well as supporting other educators. We build excellence

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in education through the integrity, dedication and ethical behavior of our members, through meaningful programs and relevant projects.

Presenters should give examples of chapter and state organization projects and describe recent chapter programs.

Slide 9 DKG offers members:

• Scholarships and Grants

• Leadership Training

• Community Programs

• Worldwide projects

DKG gives approximately $3,000,000 in scholarships and grants each year to members and non-members.

State Organizations hold conventions and also host retreats and special seminars. Many of these meetings offer opportunities for leadership education and professional growth.

Chapters and state organizations do a wide variety of projects supporting new teachers, future teachers, local shelters, literacy, libraries and many other worthy endeavors. Internationally, the Society is a Non-governmental Organization (NGO) with consultative status at the United Nations.

Presenters should describe chapter and state organization scholarships and grants and mention state organization opportunities for leadership development. The Educational Foundation’s Lucile Cornetet Awards for Professional Development should be described. The Educator’s Edge Web site should be mentioned. This Web site serves as a resource for professional educators who are looking for workshops, courses, seminars and

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conferences to enhance skills, develop talents and become a better educator (www.educatoredge.org).

Slide 10 DKG also offers members:

• Conferences and Conventions

• Affinity Benefits

• Professional Liability Insurance

Seminars and workshops are held during every regional conference and at international conventions. Each meeting offers a wide variety of professional and personal growth opportunities.

Affinity benefits are those that are of benefit to members and at the same time give a small percentage (at no cost to the member) back to the Society and include:• Online shopping through OneCause with retail stores such as

• Amazon and Barnes and Noble

• Container Store and Pottery Barn

• J. Crew and Nordstrom

• Travel and hotel benefits

• Sheraton Hotels and Resorts and Radisson Hotels

• United Airlines and Enterprise Rent-a-Car

• Access to a Bank of America affinity Visa credit card with WorldPoints Rewards.

• Access to a number of insurance programs including Professional Liability through AIM with a cost of only $45.00 per year; various medical plans, long-term care programs and Liberty Mutual auto, home and rental coverage at excellent rates. Details and contact

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information for all firms can be found on the Society Web site www.dkg.org.

• The A Society Web site that serves as a source for detailed information about the Society;

• A private social network for members that offers interest groups for content areas such library/information science and art education and other special groups.

• Publications including a news source, The DKG NEWS, and a juried professional journal, The Bulletin.

Presenters should describe chapter and/or state organization Web site information and any additional communication sources available from the chapter or state organization.

Slide 11 Plus other benefits:

• Networking opportunities

• Private social network

• Face-to-face learning opportunities

• Support as you strive for your own excellence

Through the honor of knowing and working with key women educators in your community, state or province, country and around the world you will have extensive networking opportunities and support.

Presenters may wish to describe chapter, area or state organization personal development or other learning opportunities. Presenters may also want to share any personal stories of networking and DKG friendships across geographical lines – See “genuine spiritual fellowship” below.

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Slide 12 Seven Purposes and many ways of putting them into action

Our first Purpose – To unite women educators of the world in a genuine spiritual fellowship – is one that many members feel is unique to our organization. Nearly everyone who has worked outside her chapter can tel l a story about meeting a member from

another city, state organization or country and immediately feeling a kinship that is difficult to describe which in many cases turns into a life-long friendship. (There are many examples of “genuine spiritual fellowship” and presenters may want to provide their own examples.) To honor women who have given or who evidence a potential for distinctive service in any field of education.• We consider active membership the most visible way we can honor

outstanding women educators.

• Chapters, state organizations and the international organization also find ways to honor members and non-members who exhibit excellence.

• Achievement and service awards along with and other recognitions are given so that what the community seldom does – recognize extraordinary educators in a positive way – the Society does regularly with the goal of raising external and internal pride in the profession.

To advance the professional interest and position of women in education. • Our Founders were dismayed by opposition to efforts by women

to gain equal pay and opportunities for administrative positions.

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• Ever since the founding, members have been supported as they seek advanced education and push for equal rights and professional benefits, including opportunities for supervisory and administrative positions.

• Today, through networking, assistance with advanced degrees, certification and professional development, we continue to help each member be the best she can be and open doors for other women educators around the globe.

Slide 13 Continuation of Purposes To i n i t i a t e , e n d o r s e and support desirable legislation or other suitable endeavors in the interests of education and women educators.• While the Society

does not support political candidates or parties, the US, Canadian, Latin American and European Forums highlight and support educational policy and community efforts.

• The US Forum supports a National Legislative Seminar in Washington, DC, and Canadian and Latin American Forums support projects that bring community leaders together to discuss educational issues.

• The European Forum presents academic papers, panel discussions and other presentations, which educate members about common educational, environmental and social issues.

To endow scholarships to aid outstanding women educators in pursuing graduate study and to grant fellowships to non-member women educators.• Each fiscal year the Society gives over $3,000,000 in grants and

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scholarships; clearly, we are a major player in the philanthropic world.

• Our World Fellowship program awards grants to women educators from around the world to pursue advanced degrees in the United States and Canada.

To stimulate the personal and professional growth of women educators and to encourage their participation in appropriate programs of action. • The Society offers members outstanding leadership training and

encourages members to step out of their comfort zones to accept leadership opportunities.

• The International Society offers a two-week leadership Management Seminar at a graduate business school at a large university.

• Many state organizations offer leadership training opportunities. (Presenters should describe any opportunities available which have not been previously mentioned.)

To inform the members of current economic, social political and educational issues so that they may participate effectively in a world society. Chapters offer programs of quality that inform and/or lead to action by members. • Examples: After studying the environmental issues confronting

the Everglades, a Florida chapter took an overnight trek of the Everglades to see the damage personally. After hearing about the plight of siblings of sick children in Namibia, a Texas chapter made “Clean Kids Packets” for families visiting a hospital in Windhoek.

• This type of education and resulting action is repeated in all 79 state organizations of the Society.

(Presenters should describe outstanding local programs.)

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Slide 14 Members contribute to the Society by:

• Participating in meetings, projects, and activities of their chapter, area, state organization and internationally.

• Sharing interests, talents, and professional expertise – we want to learn from you.

• Seeking out opportunities to grow personally and professionally and supporting others in their growth – we encourage each other.

• Paying dues and fees in a timely manner.

• Becoming involved in chapter life by attending meetings and other activities, by using voice and vote in chapter business, by taking risks and taking advantage.

• Accepting leadership roles in the safe, supportive environment of the Society.

Presenters should describe the dues structure for the chapter and also describe how new members become involved in chapter life. Chapter meeting times and meeting place should be described.

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Slide 15 The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International was founded

• To bring together qualified women educators serving in a broad spectrum of educational fields and

• To strengthen qualified women educators serving in a broad spectrum of educational fields and

• To pursue worthwhile projects

The Society has a rich history of support for women educators. Members tackle professional projects that make a difference in communities and across the world.

The Society is in partnership with UNICEF to support the Schools for Africa program – transforming lives through education. The program follows the precept that every child deserves a quality education. Schools for Africa benefits nearly 5 million children with a special emphasis on girls, orphans and children living in extreme poverty. Schools for Africa:• Is increasing access to basic quality education in 11 of Africa’s

countries

• Builds and rehabs schools

• Trains teachers

• Supplies notebooks, pens, desks, chairs, and other essential school materials

• Makes sure schools have clean, safe drinking water and separate bathrooms for boys and girls

• Creates schools that offer a protective environment

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The Society has been a longstanding UNICEF partner; recently we ended a joint successful project in Afghanistan that assisted in teacher training and re-training. The Society maintains a presence at the United Nations as non-governmental organization. Presenters may want to describe the chapter’s previous support of UN projects and/or the Society’s World Fellowship Program

Slide 16 The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International continues to impact excellence in education worldwide in a variety of ways but most directly as it focuses on supporting early-career educators.

Many chapters within the Society have programs to support and mentor new teachers. As the drop-out number of early career educators continues to rise in most of our member countries, including the United States, there is a growing dedication to be a part of the solution to this crisis. The Society’s International Educational Excellence Committee is spearheading promotion of activities in this area

Presenters can use this opportunity to describe and local activities in this area.

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Slide 17 The Honor of Membership

This is the only slide that we suggest the presenters read to the group. Invitees should be thanked for their attendance and asked for questions. If there are any questions that cannot be answered about international activities or projects email mem@dkg.org and communicate to the invitee the answer. Presenters should give invitees the time line for the next steps that they can take to accept or decline membership at this time.

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Slide 18 Pride in the Big Picture – The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International

Resource MaterialsPublicationsCeremonies, 1994 edition (new edition to be published in 2012Constitution/International Standing Rules, 2010 editionNew Member Information KitOur Heritage, Volumes I, II, and IIIGuidelines for Chapter PresidentsGuidelines for Chapter Membership Chairs (new edition to be published in 2012)Guidelines for Chapter TreasurersGuidelines for Chapter Communications Chairs

BrochuresOne and AllYou and UsGolden Gift International Speakers FundScholarships The Delta Kappa Gamma Educational FoundationWorld FellowshipEunah Temple Holden Leadership FundLucile Cornetet Awards for Professional DevelopmentInternational Expansion

Forms and LettersLetter of InvitationMembership Card

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Change of Address Card (blue)Initiate Card (yellow)Reinstatement Card (green)Recommendation for Membership (Form 11)Society Order Form (Form 1)Transfer of Membership (Form TR-A)Report of Death of a Member (Form 6)Dues Alert CardAward Concepts, Inc. Order Form (Society official jewelry)

MediaOur FoundersThe Expansion StoryDKG NetworkSociety Web site

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Communicate with Society Headquarters

Mailing address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PO Box 1589, Austin, TX 78767-1589Street address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 416 W Twelfth Street, Austin, TX 78701-1817Telephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 512.478.5748Toll-free telephone (Canada, U.S.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 888.SOC.INTL (762.4685)Facsimile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 512.478.3961Facsimile (Information Services Department) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 512.474.2494World Wide Web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.dkg.org

Society Headquarters telephone extension numbers and e-mail addresses

(All staff e-mail addresses: @dkg.org) Ext. E-mail

Executive Services Department. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . societyexec@Executive Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Corlea Plowman . . . . . . . .102 . . . . . corleap@Executive Services Supervisor . . . . . . . . . .Anita Williams . . . . . . . . .103 . . . . . anitaw@Executive Services Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . .Sarah Sanchez . . . . . . . . . .104 . . . . . . sarahs@Executive Services Specialist . . . . . . . . . . .Terri McPheeters . . . . . . . .100 . . . . . .terrim@Educational Foundation Specialist . . . . . .Lynette Hancock . . . . . . . .106 . . . . lynetteh@

Operation Services Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . societyoper@Operation Services Administrator . . . . . .Phyllis Hickey . . . . . . . . . .115 . . . . phyllish@Operation Services Supervisor . . . . . . . . .Jolene Crozier . . . . . . . . . . .117 . . . . . jolenec@Operation Services Assistant . . . . . . . . . . .Cheryl Schnosenberg . . . .116 . . . . . cheryls@Accounts Receivable Specialist . . . . . . . . . .Mary Boland . . . . . . . . . . .118 . . . . . .maryb@Accounts Payable Specialist . . . . . . . . . . . .Sandra Govea . . . . . . . . . . .119 . . . . sandrag@

Information Services Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . soceditr@Information Services Administrator . . . . .Linda Eller . . . . . . . . . . . . .120 . . . . . . lindae@Information Services Supervisor . . . . . . . .Mary Sanchez . . . . . . . . . .123 . . . . . . marys@Web Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Debbie Davidson . . . . . . . .122 . . . . debbied@Graphic Design Specialist. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Camille Kuntz . . . . . . . . . .121 . . . . camillek@Order Department Manager . . . . . . . . . . .Irene Morales . . . . . . . . . . .125 . . . . . irenem@Order Department Assistant . . . . . . . . . . .Sandra Roche . . . . . . . . . . .124 . . . . .sandrar@Systems Technician . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Victor Trisnadi . . . . . . . . .135 . . . . . victort@

Membership Services Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .mem@Membership Services Administrator* . . .Sandra Smith Bull . . . . . . .113 . . . . sandrab@Membership Services Supervisor . . . . . . .Linda Davenport . . . . . . . .107 . . . . . . lindad@Membership Specialist I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gloria Morales . . . . . . . . . .105 . . . . .gloriam@Membership Specialist II . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Yve`tte Calhoun . . . . . . . . .133 . . . . . yvettec@Membership Technology Specialist . . . . . .Virginia Pearson . . . . . . . .114 . . . .virginiap@

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