Impact of Dues

When Dr. Annie Webb Blanton founded our Society on May 11, 1929, she emphasized that we were “Not a Sorority, but a philanthropic Society.” The twelve Founders saw the need to unite women educators in efforts toward better professional preparation, recognition of women’s work in the teaching profession, and scholarships to help those needing further education.

Today we strive to maintain those goals, but as times change, DKG has also evolved into a Society that encourages women educators to be professionals, speak with authority, recognize the global impact of education, be involved in the world, to be leaders. As members of this wonderful Society, we need a well-thought-out, efficient, modern organizational structure to promote these purposes.

DKG has a structure that is supported by the memberships’ dues which in turn supports the purposes of the Society. The $40.00 active, $20.00 reserve and collegial, annual dues benefit our organization and offer much to our members in exchange for our membership. We could say our payment of dues keeps DKG financially healthy. Or, as some say, membership dues keep the lights on. Your dues and membership have an impact on the organization.

Looking at the graph above, we can see how our dues make an impact. The largest percentage, 47.41%, goes to the membership. The volunteer members are the members who serve on International Boards, Committees, and Juries. Travel, food, lodging, and supplies for these boards, meetings, and training are covered by the Society. A detailed accounting of these expenditures can be found in the 2022-2024 budget. These trained members are the liaison to state organizations and chapters.

Conventions and conferences constitute 21.08% of the total dues received. Our Society plans and conducts biannual conventions and conferences that promote the professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. These bring together members for renowned speakers, breakout sessions, and camaraderie. Every member is eligible and encouraged to attend these conferences and conventions.

General and administrative purposes use 14.89% of the international dues collected. Our dues pay for the Society’s operational expenses, such as postage, telephone, taxes, and fees. Technology, iMIS database and website, printing, and office supplies are also included. There are 16 full-time staff members divided into four teams: Executive Services, Accounting, Technology, and Membership Services. Member dues pay for these salaries, taxes, and benefits. These excellent employees keep our Society running.

Publications and media receive 15.78% of the dues received. This amount includes the cost to produce and mail the Bulletin and Collegial Magazine, a stipend for the editor of the Bulletin and Collegial Magazine, the cost to print and mail DKG News for members electing to receive a paper copy in the mail, and a stipend for the editor of the DKG News.

Fundraising is less than 1% at .84% of the dues’ usage.

You can view the Society’s budget by going to the DKG website under Resources, then clicking on Finance Tools. You will find an icon for the approved budget, and you can browse through the numbers at your leisure. To get the budget approved, it must go through several steps. First, the Finance Committee creates the budget, then it is reviewed by the Administrative Board. The budget is only approved when there is a majority vote in favor of the budget by the Executive Board; your dues are spent very carefully.

Dr. Blanton would be proud of the “modern” DKG Society and how we have embraced our vision of “Leading Women Educators Impacting Education Worldwide.” Your dues and membership have an impact on our Society. Thank you!