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Jan/Feb 2022 | Vol. 79 No. 1

DKGNext: Relevance, Vitality, Vibrance

ow does an organization founded nearly 100 and Tina Wolfe (Louisiana) — recognized that implement-
Hyears ago stay relevant, vital, and vibrant in to- ing these suggestions does not come without challenges.
day’s society? This question framed the discussion for Some of these challenges include the multi-generational
the 2020 DKGNext Think Tank that met in mid-Novem- and multi-cultural makeup of DKG members and the need
ber and resulted in the following suggestions: to balance all the Society does to honor this diversity,
• Continue to shift the mindset that DKG is a “se- mindsets steeped in tradition and hesitant to change,
cret society” to one that has DKG highly visible, levels of technological expertise that vary in depth and
not only in schools but also in communities the breadth, acceptance of different perspectives and skill
chapters serve. sets, the desire for things to change quickly, and competi-

• Continue to shift the mindset about membership tion with other organizations for members.
eligibility.
• Match chapter activities with community needs
related to education, women, and children.
• Extend visibility of chapter activities beyond tra-
ditional print modes by using a variety of social
media platforms.

• Share best practices. Become more collaborative.
• Provide assistance to state organizations and
chapters on how to market through social media.
• Update DKG swag. At the 2022 convention in New Orleans, DKGNext
• Develop branded, wearable items such as t-shirts. team members will begin to address some of the chal-
• Promote the Society as DKG to eliminate sorority lenges to keeping DKG relevant, vital, and vibrant. They
connections that remain with the Greek words. are planning breakout sessions on What Change Re-
• Simplify, simplify, simplify. Have fewer restric- quires of Us (a look at several requirements that will help
tions. Make it easier to be a member. the Society, state organizations, chapters, and members

• Blend tradition with newer ways of conducting embrace, deal with, and manage change with an empha-
business. sis on effecting a mindset change) and on technology
• Orient and mentor new members. Personalize the (use of Google docs and more). In addition, team mem-
orientation to fit the chapter’s culture. bers are considering creating a resource list for posting
• Ask members what they are looking for in DKG and on the DKG website; creating roundtable discussions
match what and how all levels of the Society per- around best practices for chapters, classrooms, and
form and behave relative to those expectations. Zoom options; and designing training programs that can

• Help members with different levels of expertise become programs for chapter meetings.
through “differentiated implementation” methods. DKGNext is an initiative created by Past Internation-
• Develop the mindset that membership carries a re- al President Lyn Schmid. The first session was held in
sponsibility to be engaged, informed, and involved. 2015, and the team was comprised of seven women rep-
The think tank team — Shannon Cato (California), resenting Generation Y. The current team is comprised of
Heather Dunn (Arkansas), Becky Johnen (Pennsylvania), six women suggested by Administrative Board members
Chastity Ragsdale (Tennessee), Leslie Valentincic (Texas), based on visits to state organizatons.

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