DKG MYTHS

Bulls get angry when they see the color red.

Lightning never strikes the same place twice.

All deserts are hot.

Twinkies have no expiration date.

What do all these statements have in common? They are myths or widely held but false beliefs or misconceptions. Believe it or not, they are many myths surrounding DKG. Let’s look at some common DKG myths and dispel them.

If members don’t pay dues when the treasurer collects them then they must pay International on their own.  If a member needs to pay her dues after the chapter treasurer submits them, she just gives them to her chapter treasurer who will take care of moving them on.

If someone gets dropped by International for non-payment of dues that’s the end for her.  Anyone dropped for non-payment of dues who wants to remain a member can be reinstated at any time. Dues just need to be paid to the chapter treasurer who will submit them.

The chapter must approve a member’s request for reinstatement.  Once inducted, if someone leaves DKG and chooses to return, they just need to let the chapter know that they would like to be reinstated.

Retired teachers are ineligible for membership.  Retired teachers are eligible for membership.

A woman must teach two years before joining.  A person does not have to have been employed for two years before becoming a DKG member.  DKG welcomes early career educators who may just be starting out as well as junior or senior education majors.

You must have a DKG pin.  A DKG pin is not a required accessory.

You must wear your pin in a certain place.  A DKG pin can be placed anywhere on one’s clothing or name badge.

You must wear your DKG pin at all chapter meetings and DKG functions.  DKG does not require members to wear pins at meetings or functions.   

A member must return their key pin when they discontinue their membership.The key pin is given to a member when she joins. If she resigns her membership it is still her pin. Remember she can always reinstate her membership.

You must sing the DKG Song at every meeting and at DKG functions.  Singing the DKG Song is optional.

You must go through the induction ceremony before you can officially become a member.  A person is a member of DKG once her dues are paid.  An induction ceremony is a formality not tied to membership status.

Induction of members can only occur once a year.  Member inductions can happen as often as a chapter or state wants to hold them.  They are not required and if a chapter chooses not to do an induction at all, that is fine.

You must have an installation ceremony to officially become an officer.  Once elected and upon July 1 of odd years for state officers and even years for chapter officers, a person officially takes office.  (Some chapters have members assume their office upon election.)  The installation ceremony is a formality not tied to moving into an officer role.

Only Greek letters should be used for Delta Kappa Gamma.  It is appropriate to refer to the Society as DKG or Delta Kappa Gamma.  Not using Greek letters does help the Society distance itself from being thought of as a sorority.

DKG members always say YES (or DKG members never say NO).  Keeping members engaged means we are sensitive to their lives outside of the chapter.  We need to be open to members saying “No, I can’t do that at this time.”

You must be a state officer or hold an important position to go to an International Convention or Conference.  All members are welcome and encouraged to attend International Conventions, Conferences and events.

Do you know any other DKG myths?  We would love to hear them and welcome members to write them in the comment section of this blog.