Proposed Amendments Categories

Blog #2 - This biennium members will be asked to vote on proposed amendments in three categories. The 94 proposed amendments are grouped in three categories following the sequence of the International Bylaws. Category I consists of 15 proposals which will be considered with one vote. This one vote of a group of proposed amendments is referred to as “Consent Agenda”. If approved Category I proposed amendments will be moved to GAPP: Guidelines and Policies/Procedures.  Category II has 46 proposals.  Grouping of proposed amendments in Category II are due to the number of related proposals for a specific Article or International Standing Rule. Categories I and II contain a total of 61 proposals, all Consent. Of course, any item a member wishes to discuss can be pulled for debate where it will be considered along with an appropriate group from Category III.

Category III has 33, all Floor and are automatically open to debate.  A snapshot of each proposed amendment can be found in the “Summary”. The Summary serves as a quick reference guide for members to use in locating information specific to a proposed amendment. Look out for Blog #3 for more information on how a proposed amendment arrives at the Convention floor.

Your Knowledge of the Proposed Amendments for 2024

Blog #1 - Convention 2024 of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International is quickly approaching and members have a multitude of items to check off of a travel list in preparation.  Some of those items include registering for the convention, hotels reservations and deciding what to bring to the great state of Maryland as DKG gathers in National Harbor.  One item that should not be left behind is “your knowledge of the proposed amendments for 2024” which can be found in the March/April 2024 DKG News. The amendments will consume a major portion of the general sessions in which members have the opportunity to hear from the authors, Administrative Board and members of the Constitution Committee. Look out for the upcoming Blog #2 for more information on the grouping of the 94 proposed amendments.

Do Chapters Need to Vote to Approve New Members?

The International Membership and Expansion Committee continues to be asked this question.

Once upon a time in DKG, a vote was required to accept new members into the Society.   However, this requirement was dropped several years ago and DKG DOES NOT require voting on new members. 

While DKG has dropped the voting requirement the DKG Constitution states under Article III Membership Section C Election, “A candidate for active or collegiate membership shall be selected by the method established by the chapter’s rules.”

What if our chapter rules still say we need to vote members in?

Many chapters are changing their chapter rules to eliminate voting on members.  If your chapter rules say that a vote is needed here are some suggestions of ways that a vote can be taken without making the new members feel uncomfortable:

• When your chapter is discussing membership and brainstorming who to invite, make a motion to extend the offer of membership to all prospective members listed by chapter members who accept the invitation to membership.

• If a vote needs to be taken, vote electronically so the vote is not taken in front of the new members.  Then invite these members to an orientation.

• If someone attends your meeting and asks to join and writes out a check, figure out a way for them to join right now.  (Under Article III Membership Section A Membership, the DKG Constitution states, “An individual becomes a member of the Society when she pays her dues.”)

What not to do:

• Some chapters used to have prospective members in attendance leave the room so they could talk about the members and take a vote.  This made the new members feel uncomfortable.
• Even if slips of paper are passed out for voting, it makes the new members feel uncomfortable if they are present during the voting. 

What about members transferring from other state organizations or other chapters within your state organization that are unknown to the members of your chapter?

The DKG Constitution Article III Membership Section D Transfer states, “A member in good standing may transfer from one chapter to another upon notification to Society Headquarters.”  No vote is needed when a member transfers from one chapter to another chapter.  They are welcomed enthusiastically into the new chapter. 

What about former members requesting to be reinstated into membership?

The DKG Constitution Article III Membership Section F Reinstatement says, “A former member shall be reinstated to membership by the chapter receiving the request.” A vote is not needed to reinstate a former member into her previous chapter or a new chapter.  

Remember, members who recommend prospective members know the people they are recommending so if someone is recommended by a member, they should be encouraged to attend the orientation and join the Society.  We should all work to make the Society as welcoming as possible.  Being open and receptive to those who want to join should be a priority for everyone.