Mentoring Goals Setting & Analysis – (Final entry of a 3 part Series)

Within mentoring relationships, mentees learn best by applying what they are learning. With the guidance of a mentor, DKG members are supported as they practice different roles and test their skills and readiness to find solutions to different problems. In this process it is helpful to set and prioritize goals, and outline activities that are needed to achieve those goals. SMART goals are specific and accomplishable. They are:

Specific

Measureable

Achievable

Realistic

Timely

As part of setting goals, mentees work with their mentor to assess strengths and weaknesses and prioritize action as needed. Some questions could be:

• What makes you think there is a problem?
• Where is it happening?
• How is it happening?
• When is it happening?
• Who is it happening with?
• Why is it happening?

And finally the strategy is created: ‘A problem is happening because. …… and what we can do is ………’

Through this analysis mentees improve confidence as they overcome challenges and obstacles. Mentors and mentees develop analytical skills, sharpen problem-solving skills, become better leaders, and contribute to the success of DKG.

Setting up a Mentoring Program – (Part 2 of a 3 part Series)

As you begin, here are some things to consider to help align the objectives of the mentee with the knowledge, experience and expertise of the mentor.

1.      Specify short term and long term objectives

2.      Clarify the preliminary developmental goals

3.      Discuss the reciprocal expectation

4.      Discuss pros and cons of a strategic plan

5.      Decide how, where and when to meet

6.      Discuss how each person likes to communicate

7.      Schedule feedback sessions

8.      Agree on the duration of the program

As in teaching, mentoring is most effective when learning is modeled or shared. It’s important that mentees feel safe and are not judged when asking questions. This encourages them to be open to receive new ideas and strategies as they learn what others are doing in the organization.

The benefits of mentoring extend beyond the mentee and the mentor. A one-on-one meeting in a confidential environment attracts, motivates and retains talent. This interaction creates opportunities to share DKG values and experience. 

Watch for our next blog: Mentoring Goal Setting & Analysis

In the comments below tell us about someone who has been a special mentor. 

Mentoring Roles (Part 1 of a 3 Part Series)

In today’s fast paced world DKG state organizations need to help their members learn – and be able to apply that learning – more quickly. There is a wealth of knowledge and talent in any chapter. The challenge is to ‘tap into’ that knowledge and make it available to other members that need it.

Who could be that ‘magician’? She is a wise and trusted counsellor who has experience and knowledge of DKG, and who is willing and able to share this information with others. She is a mentor. She is caring, balanced, and an effective communicator.

Mentoring is not about offering expert ready-made advice or serving as a role model. It is a voluntary relationship between an experienced member and a less experienced member. It is about asking the right question, staying curious, listening empathically, reframing and analyzing situations, giving feedback and helping the chapter/organization move forward to reach development goals.

Through mentoring members can achieve greater clarity about personal development and become more confident in their own potential and ability. Mentees gain security in their roles and duties as they get feedback in key areas such as communication, interpersonal relationships, and leadership skills.

Who is a good mentee? A mentor can counsel a person who is ready, willing and able to grow. In other words - a mentee should be a FAT person!       

F – faithful       

A – available         

T – teachable

Watch for our next blog: Setting Up a Mentoring Program

In the comments below tell us about a time mentoring helped you or a time you mentored someone else. 

A Season to Celebrate Diversity!

One of the greatest successes within Delta Kappa Gamma is the organization’s diversity. This is an organization that thrives on diversity within its members in a multitude of forms. We all come from different continents, different religions, and different nationalities. We have new, experienced, and retired educators all working together to for the success of education all around the globe. We thrive on sharing our ideas, collaborating with new friends, and supporting our old friends as they embark on new adventures.

As we move into a season of celebration, find the beauty of diversity within your DKG chapter. Focus on how this diversity can help impact education globally. Encourage diversity. Embrace diversity. Celebrate Diversity. Let us all be a part of what this amazing organization embodies. We are truly a global organization of leading women educators! 

Are You In Yet?

Although you don’t have to set up a member profile to gain access to the international website’s member only documents you are missing out on some great features! Visit the My Account area under the MyDKG tab for a  personalized member experience at www.dkg.org. 

By logging into your member account area you have easy access to:

• Receipts for regional conferences/international conventions you have/will be attending 
• Donations you have made to the Society
• Transaction records for orders you have made with the DKG Store
• Your member profile with capability to edit your personal contact information in the international database, "opt in" to the Member Directory (allowing other members to connect with you) and choose your communication preferences (such as choosing to receive emails or text messages from DKG) 
• The DKG Communities for an interactive experience

In the My Account area, state and chapter leaders have a dashboard set up specifically for them granting them access to their state or chapter members’ information. Currently presidents and treasurers have access with more officers gaining access soon.

The DKG Communities is a member only social network where members can discuss common issues whether they are related to DKG, educational issues or common interests. More information on the Communities and how to access them can be found in the September/October 2016 issue of Get Connected (Communications & Publicity Committee Page).

In the Communication Preferences, members have the option of being included in a Member Directory. Recently, the committee tried to email several members from other states and the emails were returned undeliverable. By using the Member Directory, we were able to access their current email addresses because they had agreed to be included in the directory.

Set up your Member Profile now by going to the MyDKG tab at www.dkg.org. Members who wish to connect with you can get to know you through the details you share in your DKG Profile. Remember to include your favorite photo! You will need to sign into the website with your membership number and the initial password which your chapter president can give you.

We look forward to connecting with you soon!

The International Membership Committee welcomes you to 2016-2018!

We are excited to share our objectives for the coming biennium. They reflect the goals of the International Strategic Plan and consideration of our vision as Leading Women Educators Impacting Education Worldwide.

Develop a Communication Strategy

We are actively pursuing both old and new avenues of communications to share the value of DKG and to support members. We will be highlighting DKG, sharing best practices, and offering help. Watch for announcements coming soon!

Cultivate a Plan for Content Development

2016-2018 International Membership Committee

We will collaborate with other committees to offer webinars and videos about the society and to further professional development.

Implement a Member Engagement Plan

We continue to promote the membership plan, and will be developing resources to mentor new and veteran members.

Create Meaningful Connections

We invite you to actively participate with us in DKG Communities. We hope to strengthen leadership networks to foster internal support. We embrace diversity to cultivate an inclusive organization. 

We look forward to hearing your ideas and feedback! 

Ready, Set, Initiate!

Have you made plans for your chapter to grow this year?  If you have not already considered using the new Membership Recruitment Plan, you might check it out!  Find an overview and sample documents under the Resources tab at www.dkg.org.

The plan preserves the integrity of the invitation to membership (honor) and the initiation ceremony (tradition), but allows for a more effective way to present the Society to prospective members.  By changing the order of the process, prospective members are oriented to the organization before being invited to join.  And the chapter has already approved the list of prospects, so initiation plans can be made easily and quickly.

And one really exciting part is that the plan also engages chapter members as mentors to the new members - a simple, effective and purposeful way to keep new members active in DKG for life. In fact, mentors can be a great way to engage transferred and reinstated members in chapter activities as well.

For assistance or more information, contact us at mem@dkg.org.