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!

Prepare to Vote!

Blog #3 - The supporting information of each proposed amendment is a “must read” in preparing to vote. Understanding these components will offer members a glimpse into the goal behind each submission.  Some components of the rationale include a brief summary of the reasoning for changing/altering the current amendment. Submitted by: Proposed amendments are submitted each biennium online by one or more members of DKG.  A member may be the author of a proposed amendment, or it could be a combination of members with the same interest in changing the Constitution or International Standing Rules. In addition, an international committee could be the authors of a proposed amendment.  All of the above authors/groups can be found listed with each of the proposed amendments. Fiscal Impact: Crucial information for our Society when reviewing the impact of impending finances on DKG if the proposed amendment is adopted. Recommendation: This comes with one of two suggestions “to adopt or not to adopt” the proposed amendments. The Administrative Board reviews the proposed amendments throughout a period of time in which multiple factors are explored with each proposal.  Check out Blog #4 for more information on the collection of the proposed amendments. 

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.