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Features

Forward-Facing Reflections

By Barbara Clausen, 2022 International Achievement Award Winner

Each year, The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International recognizes one
member for distinguished service to the Society. From recommendations
submitted by members, chapters, or state organizations, the international
executive board selects a member for this honor, symbolized by a gold medallion

presented to the recipient. We invited 2022 winner Barbara Clausen to share
thoughts on DKG.

As I reflect on my 40-plus years with DKG women educators, I am deeply appreciative
and humbled by the International Achievement Award. When I look in my DKG
rearview mirror, I value the many friends in far places, and I treasure the friendships,
experiences, and support I have received. Through these times, the personal growth
opportunities I have had at all levels of the organization have enriched my life. I
have learned to step up and speak extemporaneously from a
microphone, how to teach a class of tired teachers and
keep them engaged, ways to confidently engage
in difficult conversations, and much more. Then
there is the outpouring of support I received from
my DKG colleagues when my son unexpectedly
died at the age of 40. Words cannot express how
much DKG has given to me!
After serving as the Northwest Regional
Director this past term and listening to state
organization leaders share their concerns, two
issues emerged: the need for younger, diverse
members and the lack of members who are willing
to serve as future leaders. These issues are partially
due to the changing times, but they are also a result of
our very slow rate of change in DKG. As much as I love
our heritage, I have seen very slow DKG progress
to transform our organization for the
future that is ahead in our “windshield.”
I am hopeful we will not be like an
auto driver that tries to navigate
the road ahead by looking in
the rearview mirror. Instead,
we will look ahead and
streamline changes, make
our governing documents (on
which I have worked at every
level) less burdensome, and

Collegial Exchange · 5