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Viewpoint

At the international level (and perhaps the state organization level), DKG has
limited data about members relative to their specific job titles, involvement in
other organizations, and cultural identity or interests. If we want to be a strong
educational and multicultural organization for women across the globe, we need
deeper data and data analysis that could allow us to collaborate with others
to promote social, scholastic, and professional interests. Each chapter or state
organization could research organizations nearby to partner with in shared or
closely related missions and visions.
In order to promote our mission and vision, we could assist other educational
organizations in promoting theirs. For example, in order to have books in the hands
of children across the globe, we could research and partner with book groups.
Partnering with members in other organizations to write journal articles would be
another way to cross-promote and market. While collaborating, we could share
the ideas on our websites and potentially engage and promote social, scholastic,
multicultural, and professional interests. We desire to promote the professional
and personal growth of women educators and, in helping other organizations in
exchange, we could potentially obtain free advertising for DKG International.

Action is required now!
In conclusion, DKG must strive quickly
in the next 7 years to move our Society into a
true sense of belonging for members in the next
100 years. Volunteering will be required, and
potentially donating to a cause will result in the
future promotion of our organization through
women being valued and recognized worldwide
in educational arenas. Active participation is
required, whether it is physical attendance or
assisting virtually in a Zoom session. We all can
do something to make an effort and be forward
moving ever.
These seven possibilities are a result of my
brainstorming about what we might do differently in the next 7 years. Please feel
free to tweak, twist, rearrange, turn around, or alter these suggestions, but I really
feel in my heart that something has to be done differently … and soon. My hope is
that this article makes readers realize our numbers are dwindling and consider the
endless possibilities for a rebirth of sorts. My concern for the organization is that,
if we do nothing, we may falter beyond being able to recover. Our organization
is an important one that needs to continue to show women educators as a leading
force worldwide. What if we strive and fight for change? Could modernization
help us turn that graph to a steep slope upward? On the other hand, will continuing
to do things as we are now allow further stagnation and lead us further down
that slippery slope reflected in the Figure, ending in a point of no return? Only
our members can decide the path we will take—by choosing to create their own
possibilities and “what if” situations. Taking action or failing to do so are both
choices.

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