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Membership & Expansion

Expansion: A DKG Possibility

By Daphne Cagle

Is there a location in your state organization where no DKG chapter exists?
Did you move to a new area after you retired or relocated and can’t find a DKG
chapter? Do you have goals for DKG you would like to see accomplished? These

challenges can be met by starting new chapters.

Background
During the 2015–2017 biennium in the California State Organization, I served as first vice president.
Then-president Janis Barr charged me with the task of chartering new chapters, something that hadn’t
been done in 22 years! We realized the membership committee, in addition to working with at-risk
chapters, should devote some of its efforts
to looking at the changing demographics in
California and establishing chapters in new
areas.
After brainstorming the location of a
possible new chapter, Janis and I selected Elk
Grove, one of the fastest growing districts in
California. Current members from chapters in
the local area met to identify whom to invite
to join DKG. Potential members learned about
DKG and the advantages of membership
through a series of special events. These
activities ultimately led to the chartering of
Iota Omega Chapter on May 16, 2017.
Since then, DKG California has chartered
seven chapters, including several during the
global pandemic. If DKG California can do it,
other state organizations can, too. Here’s how:

Step 1: Pick a location.
Areas to consider include growing school districts and areas with potential for growth in
membership. Ask chapter presidents and state organization leaders for suggestions. Advertise the need
to find sites for future chapters in DKG state organization publications, on the state organization’s
Facebook page, and via other social media platforms. If no members currently live in a given area, do
members who previously lived there have contact with potential members in the desired area?

Step 2: Talk to local leaders.
Call local leaders in the proposed area. These local leaders could be DKG members or nonmembers.
Reach out to school administrators as well as DKG leaders. They may know potential members in the
local school district. Members may know someone with whom they formerly taught in the target area,
or perhaps they previously lived in this area. Assist local area leaders in understanding the help needed
from them to form the new chapter.

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