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Inspirational Piece

International Convention and the development of a handbook (the former Go-To-Guide) congruent with
the new governing documents. She also advocated for simplifying and streamlining DKG procedures by
establishing the supportive corporation (now DKGIEF) permitting tax-exempt contributions to eligible
Society funds.
During her biennium, the DKG Vision Statement—“Leading Women Educators Impacting Education
Worldwide”—was approved. As for branding and marketing, the fresh contemporary design of the
traditional rose was created as the Society logo, and the use of the letters “DKG” instead of the Society’s
more formal name was encouraged. These changes often encountered controversary, but Carolyn’s
optimism and common-sense approach allowed these modifications to prevail.
In addition, during her biennium, membership recruitment materials and Society brochures were
updated. She was influential in focusing on and meeting the needs of all members, such as simplifying
DKG procedures, developing new programs to meet the needs of Generation X (Gen Xers) and Millennial
members in particular, as well as promoting ways to bring all Society generations together.

Carolyn Was Creative
She brought the right people to the right positions at the right time to do the right work for the Society.
She had a way of presenting a perspective on matters that might not have been considered previously.
For instance, Carolyn instigated new ways to use electronics to enhance the Society by encouraging the
implementation of an easily accessible international database so membership data could be collected,
analyzed, and made member-to-member user-friendly.

Carolyn Was Committed

Before Carolyn’s presidency, the international president made only periodic visits to Society
headquarters during her biennium. Carolyn saw the advantages of the international president living in
Austin. She stated that this lifestyle commitment allowed
her to be in her office at headquarters when issues arose
and immediate decisions were needed. This practice for
international presidents has been adopted and continues
today.
No matter the level of her involvement in DKG, from
chapter to state to regional to international, Carolyn was
a mentor to countless members and was always willing
to answer questions. If she did not have the answer,
she would reply, “Let me think about that” . . . and she
always responded.

Carolyn Inspired Celebrations

Carolyn presided over many Society celebrations
and special events, notably the 2009 installation of
Panama as the 17th member country. Also, during her
biennium, DKG adopted Schools for Africa/UNICEF as
the international project. At Carolyn’s final international
convention of her biennium in 2010, Our Heritage
Volume III (the CD) was presented to the Society. She
encouraged members to join her in celebrating each of
these endeavors.

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