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Mar/Apr 2022 | Vol. 79 No. 3

Creating Your DKG Story

By Becky Sadowski

2020-2022 International President

ll of us in DKG have a to change your story?” The responses to this question
Astory. It might be as a are helpful because members soon realize that they are
member of a chapter, state or- actually describing what they believe will be a picture
ganization, or even the interna- of their revitalized state organization. Taking time to
tional organization. Our story reflect on this vision is a valuable step in the process
chronicles our past and present and provides a sense of possibility for members. They

as well as our hopes for the fu- know how they want to change their story!
ture. As members, we make individual decisions about
our level of involvement in our organization.
What kind of membership experience do you want?
Will you regularly attend chapter meetings, participate
in chapter projects and activities, serve as a chapter
officer, attend DKG events at the state organization or

international level, support and encourage new mem-
bers, or invite other educators to join us? Any or all of
these opportunities will help to shape your DKG story.

Our story chronicles our past
and present as well as our hopes In his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
for the future. (1989, Free Press), Stephen Covey encourages readers
to “begin with the end in mind.” What does this mean?
... In the case of revitalization, it is important for members

to be able to answer another question as a follow-up to
What kind of membership the first question that initiated the process: “How will

experience do you want? you know that your story is changing?”
DKG’s story has certainly changed since it was
During the last 5 years, several state organizations founded in 1929. While we have remained strong by
have requested revitalization assistance from the inter- adhering to our Purposes and focusing on our Vision
national level. A member of the revitalization team fa- and our Mission, leaders in our organization have been

cilitates a 1-day event focused on the health of the state willing to dream and imagine new and different oppor-
organization. Participants are led through large- and tunities for its members.
small-group discussions as they develop their plan to What about your own DKG story? What makes DKG
re-energize members and refocus their efforts. Follow- relevant for you? Please remember that you are the
ing an initial conversation in which members describe author of your story, and you are surrounded by other
current aspects of the state organization, the facilitator members who are ready to encourage and support you.
asks a critical question: “Specifically, how do you want

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