Insurance Benefits for Members

Your DKG membership provides insurance for all your troubles whether it be yourself, your chapter, your credit cards, or your pet. 

•    Life and health from Boon-Chapman

•    Professional liability, general liability, accident medical insurance, directors and officers liability, bonding and property insurance from AIM

•    Pet insurance from VPI/Nationwide

•    Identity recovery from ID Theft Assist

•    Longterm care and care for the senior market from LTCR

•    Discounted hearing assessments and prescription hearing aids from TruHearing

•    Dental care from DentalInsurance.com

You can take advantage of the group rates available through your DKG membership.

To find the listings, sign in to DKG.org as a member and then go to About Us - Membership - Benefits - Discounts. You can follow that up with a web search for the companies. Be sure to identify yourself as a DKG member when you contact the companies. Best wishes as you explore these insurance benefits.

Viewpoints Around the World

Do you have a leadership viewpoint burning inside you? Do you have thoughts to share about your leadership experiences as a woman leader? Please submit your thoughts to the Leadership Discovery Centre Ad Hoc Committee. Entries provided in this section of the Centre are informal opinions that do not require full research or elaboration. We ask that members consider including their email address to encourage dialogue with the author.

Currently, we have a few entries in Viewpoints Around the World in English as well as in the native language, but that is not a requirement!  As an international organization, it is wonderful to see contributions and ideas from a variety of different cultures. Whether you have two languages or one, your opinions and reflections are welcome!

To submit, sign in on the website (dkg.org), go to the Centre on the right, click on “Submit” and fill out the form. Then you can attach your entry. The windows for submission are August 16-Dec. 15; Dec. 16-April 15; and April 16-August 15. The committee will score during the two weeks after the window, and the chair will confer with you on any suggested revisions, etc. So gear up, and share your thoughts and reflections with us!!

“KEY ACTIONS OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO STRENGTHEN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS"

The U.S. Forum Steering Committee is delighted to announce that Gwen Graham,

Assistant Secretary for Legislation and Congressional Affairs, United States Department of Education will be an honored guest on Monday afternoon March 11, 2024, from 4-5 p.m. at the National Legislative Seminar. She will speak on the topic:

“KEY ACTIONS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO STRENGTHEN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS"

Gwen Graham is a former member of the US House of Representatives, (Florida), 2018 candidate for governor of Florida, daughter of a public school teacher (Adele Khoury), and daughter of former governor of Florida, Bob Graham.

She is a respected former member of Congress with a reputation for fairness, compassion, and problem-solving. Graham served as the Congressional representative from Florida's 2nd District during the 114th Congress and was known as one of the House's most bipartisan members. She is an attorney and prior to her service in Congress, Graham focused her practice on public education as Chief of Labor and Employee Relations for the Leon County School District. She was involved in every aspect of the educational process and was recognized for her integrity and fairness. She also served as a board member of the statewide Florida Educational Negotiators. Graham is a proud product of public K-12 education as are her children, and she served as PTA President and School Advisory Council Chair while they were young. She currently serves as a board director of the Bob Graham Center for Public Service at the University of Florida, the Florida State Parks Foundation, Ruth's List, and as Vice Chair of the City of Tallahassee Independent Ethics Board.

The National Legislative Seminar is on March 10-13, 2024. Register here. 

Women & Educational Issues in the Upcoming Legislative Landscape

Come join us to kick off the official beginning of the 2024 National legislative Seminar. Back by popular demand, Lisa Maatz will motivate us to get involved in the legislative process. You don’t want to miss her session on Sunday afternoon from 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Women and Educational Issues in the Upcoming Legislative Landscape

Lisa Maatz, former AAUW Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy, spearheaded the campaign that led to the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and other crucial women’s rights and civil rights legislation during her 15 years with the organization. After working on Capitol Hill for Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Lisa represented women’s equity groups on Capitol Hill for almost 25 years. She is a savvy advocate and engaging speaker, with a reputation for her strategic and creative approach to all things including government affairs, grassroots advocacy, and nonprofit management.

 

After moving back to Northeast Ohio, Lisa became the senior advisor at Ohio Citizen Action, a nonprofit organization that mobilizes people to protect public health, improve environmental quality, benefit consumers, and strengthen our democracy. She is now an independent consultant working nationwide, specializing in gender equity issues, grassroots advocacy, and nonprofit management. She works primarily with membership organizations and continues her public speaking on a variety of invited topics.

 

Lisa is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Ohio University, has two masters’ degrees from the Ohio State University, and has held an adjunct appointment with the Women and Politics Institute at OSU and American University.

The National Legislative Seminar is on March 10-13, 2024. Register here.

ENGAGING AND RETAINING MEMBERS: THE IMPORTANCE OF BONDING

Think back to science classes and discussions on chemical bonding.  We learned that a chemical bond is a lasting attraction between atoms or ions that holds them together. A lasting attraction and bonding together is something we want for all of our members.  We need to do all we can to get members to have a strong relationship with one another and with the Society as a whole.  Why?  Because member bonding:

•        Fosters a sense of belonging.  For new members, it helps them feel more connected and included.  We tend to retain those that feel connected.
• Nurtures strong relationships that make people feel respected, valued, heard, and seen.
• Builds trust and a sense of community. Understanding more about each other’s backgrounds and experiences helps create an environment of inclusivity.
• Strengthens the engagement of members in chapter activities.
• Creates a more comfortable atmosphere.
• Leads to collaboration and cohesion.

We can help members create strong bonds through activities that have them getting to know each other on a more personal level, activities such as:

•        Fun get-to-know you exercises (such as ice breakers).
• Programs such as “Our Talented Friends” where skills and talents of members are shared or a “Nibble and Network” event where over appetizers, members teach each other about something or share information on topics of interest.
• Shake-it-up seating at meetings (where members sit together based on month of birthday or favorite food or favorite movie/book genre or favorite area of the world to travel, etc.).
• Rose Buddies or mentors.
• Acts of appreciation (recognizing birthdays, DKG anniversaries, accomplishments, etc.).
• Carpool conversations.
• Community volunteering projects.
• Coffee chats.
• Book clubs.
• Board game gatherings.
• Potlucks where members share the recipe of the item they brought.
• Picnics.

Bonding activities are numerous.  Consider the list here a starter.  Please add, in the comment section, what fun, creative activities your chapter is doing that make connection or bond members. 

The importance of creating lasting relationships and connections between our members cannot be overstated.  The more comfortable members feel, the more likely they are to be engaged in chapter activities. And, when members are comfortable and engaged, we are more likely to retain them.