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Inspirational Piece

membership continues to shrink. However, as the DKG song says, “Firmly shall we stand.” It is up to each
of us to explore ways to recruit new members and reinstate former members in order to sustain DKG.
Our song says, “Work for others is the leaven, That inspires our band!” We need to mentor members and
challenge them to be active participants as committee members, chairs, chapter officers, state organization
leaders, and beyond so that they feel included and have a purpose to continue to contribute to and maintain
the Society.
One final reference stands out in our song: “With the faith in one another, We shall win for aye!” Aye
means forever…continually…always. Each of us was honored to be inducted into Delta Kappa Gamma as
a key woman educator. We believe in one another and in the Purposes set forth by our Founders. And we
will forever, continually, and always work together to be a vital, relevant, and sustainable organization in
our ever-changing world!

Carol Bostian, a retired kindergarten teacher, joined DKG in 2000. She served as president of Nu Chapter of North Carolina State
Organization for two biennia. Bostian is currently the chapter membership chair, newsletter editor, and webmaster. She is serving as
North Carolina State Organization’s recording secretary for 2023–2025 and is a member of the DKGIEF Board of Directors.
cdbostian@gmail.com

Step, Sisters

By Leslie Giraldo

When writing, I am fascinated by the form that words
choose to take. Recently, I prepared to craft a piece
about the facets of leadership, particularly
within DKG. Who are we as leaders?
How do we lead? What is effective
leadership? The topic seemed to demand
a formal structure in a familiar genre. But
the traditional article I intended to write about
a traditional topic did not appear. Instead, a poem
did. (Surprising, but delightful.)
The more I thought about the finished product that
had emerged, the more I was intrigued. After all, in our
organization, we are deeply steeped in tradition, honoring our
Founders and the Purposes on which DKG exists. Yet, at the same
time, we are evolving, progressing, finding new ways to connect, like
harnessing digital platforms as we explore “Sisterhood.” Who are we as
DKG members? How do we sustain our organization? What does our future
hold? We contemplate both the familiar and the new. We weigh the “then,” the
“now,” and the “next” in classic and contemporary ways. We seek answers even as
we pose more questions.
No matter the form that DKG may take as we step into whatever may be next, we can
take comfort in this: Growth does not demand sacrifice of tradition; growth may, however,
appear in unexpected forms. So, let us step, Sisters. Let us be surprised and delighted.

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