Here are interviews with DKG members telling how their membership in DKG has been of benefit to them. For one of them it was the support in a difficult life situation; for another it was the educational discussions locally and internationally. An early career teacher talks about the important support from an experienced chapter member. A now deceased member said that she joined DKG because she wanted to have influence on situations for female educators. The full text that she left behind is found on the website of DKG The Netherlands.
The names of the persons have been omitted to protect the person’s integrity. The texts of the voices have been brought to us by EEC state representatives and have been edited by Marianne Skardéus, International EEC.
Voice 1
Charlotte, Sweden: I interviewed a member
I want to tell you about a member who has been through a difficult separation. After several years of marriage, she decided to divorce her husband and move into her own home with her two children. At a chapter meeting, she began to talk with an older member about her separation. She did not really know this member very well but was feeling down and sad that night.
As a result of the conversation, the separated woman felt that she received a lot of support from the older member, who was able to listen and give good advice, not only professionally but also on a personal level. The older member said that, in a lifetime of work as an educator, you take on many different roles, and being able to comfort others, both pupils and colleagues, is part of the job.
The older member also expressed that she has noticed that people in need can often be grateful when they are listened to and can receive simple advice that can help them move on and out of difficult periods in their lives. It was a great story about how we women in DKG can help each other to develop both in our professions and in the private aspects. We develop through each other through adversity as educators, as people and as fellow human beings and that is exactly what our sisterhood in DKG is all about.
Voice 2
Eija Liisa from Finland: I interviewed a member.
She is 70+ and has been a member over 20 years. She has attended five European conferences, because she feels she gets new experiences, meets members from other countries, gets the cultural experiences, sees the environments of the countries, and sees the landscapes.
Locally she feels that she has new friends and colleagues with whom to exchange ideas and professional views. Before retiring it was nice that she knew she could continue and even enjoy more and learn new things.
Both locally and internationally she feels she has seen places she otherwise would not have seen as a private person, but with the society members it has been possible.
Her digital skills have improved through her service in society duties. It has also enabled her to see a broader view of the Society. The training sessions have been useful. Even though in her working life she was active in the teachers’ union, a new kind of society or association always opens new views. Regular meetings give structure to life and something to look forward to. Being in the planning groups or on chapter board has given possibilities to influence chapter program contents.
Note: Please check back in a couple of weeks for Part II of this blog regarding how two others share what their DKG membership has meant to them.
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