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Sep/Oct 2025 | Vol. 82 No. 5

Membership & Expansion: One Member’s

Perspective

At the request of the International Membership & Expansion Committee and the International President, this piece
offers a younger member’s perspective on ongoing efforts to grow and engage our organization. It is a reflection

of both shared committee goals and the unique insights newer members can bring to the conversation.
ourteen cups of coffee. Seven trips to Chick-fil-A. Three tanks of gas. One visit to the nail salon. What do
Fthey have in common? Each one costs more than a year of DKG dues.
In the business world, many conversations center around return on investment (ROI)- calculating how much
profit or loss an investment generates compared to its costs. Let’s discuss the ROI for being a member in DKG.
As a young working educator, managing money is crucial to lasting success. But for a small investment, I gain
so much more than I could ever put a price tag on. Those dues open the door to leadership opportunities I
never would have imagined, professional development that grows my skills as an educator, and scholarships
and grants that make dreams possible. More than that, they connect me to a network of women who share the

same passion for education and who are committed to lifting one another up. In no other organization is the
camaraderie, fellowship, and sisterhood like it is in DKG.
On a personal level, DKG has given me a front-row seat to leadership in action. I’ve watched women balance
careers, families, and service with a grace that is nothing short of inspiring. I’ve been mentored, encouraged,
and challenged to grow in ways that coffee or a night out could never provide. These women have reminded
me that community matters and that we are stronger together. When I was at a crossroads in my career, ready
to walk away from teaching altogether, it was the influence of a remarkable principal who changed everything.

She cared deeply, led with kindness, and proved time and again that she was trustworthy. Only later did I learn
that she was a member of DKG, and suddenly it all made sense—her values, her leadership, and her ability to lift
others up reflected the very heart of our Society.
Joining DKG gave me the community, encouragement, and purpose I needed to stay in the profession I love,
and it truly changed the course of my life forever.
For less than the price of life’s little extras, I gain a year of leadership opportunities, professional growth,
friendships, and a community of women who inspire me every single day. My International and state dues
combined are an investment—not just in me, but in the future of education and in the legacy of DKG.
When I put it in perspective, the choice is clear. The coffee is gone in minutes, the gas in days, but the value

of DKG lasts a lifetime.
Written by Abby Deming, CA, International Membership & Expansion Committee Member

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