When last biennium’s Executive Board of International Chapter studied the results of the 2007 Noel-Levitz survey of the P.E.O. membership they created four ad hoc and special committees to strategize and develop responses to the concerns and suggestions revealed in the survey.
The Special Committee for Membership Advancement (SCMA) was created to develop strong, creative strategies and action plans that build and invigorate the purpose and values of P.E.O.
The SCMA carefully considered results from the Noel-Levitz survey and found it was evident that chapters wanted more relevant programming. With this in mind, the committee developed a pilot series of 10 programs. Fifty-one local chapters were selected by their states/provinces/districts (s/p/d) for special service to the P.E.O.
Sisterhood to test these 10 chapterbuilding programs. The programs
were designed to strengthen a chapter by providing specific programming for them to use during the year. The selected 51 chapters have recently completed the pilot program and submitted their evaluations to the SCMA for review.
The SCMA thought it was important to test the pilot program in a variety of different types of chapters. Chapters were categorized as follows:
- Metropolitan
- Rural
- Established/Successful
- Mega (large in numbers)
- Struggling
- Older (20 years or older)
- New (1-2 years old)
Each of the 51 chapters was given the same 10 programs to follow, all to be completed in the same order. The programs were:
- Launch—a timeline/overview for the year
- SWOT—recognize strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats
- Goal Setting—identify objectives for the chapter
- Nurture—a number of bonding activities to choose from
- Leadership #1—“Leadership: Vision, Voice and Values” by Dr. Judy Rogers
- Mutual Understanding—activities to strengthen teamwork
- Leadership #2—“Leadership: Women as Leaders” by Dr. Judy Rogers
- Growth and Nurture—activities and strategies to grow P.E.O.
- Inspire—“212 Degrees” DVD
- Wrap-up—review goals, complete evaluations
The 51 chapters dedicated a year to test the 10 programs. In the wrap-up program, they reviewed their goals and completed an evaluation form where they rated each program on a scale of one to 10. The SCMA has completed an initial review of the evaluations—complete results will be provided to all participating chapters when the final review is finished. With the evaluations of these 51 chapters, SCMA will be able to rate the effectiveness of the programs, make suggested adjustments and offer them for use by all chapters. Members of the SCMA state, “We appreciate the suggestions we received to improve the programs and are working to incorporate them.”
Thanks to the team of volunteer members of the SCMA: Judy Haar, Iowa State Chapter membership committee chairman; past state presidents Jane Attaway, Illinois; Carolyn Gilstrap, Utah; Ellen Knox, Texas; Pam Kregg, Nebraska; and President of International Chapter Elizabeth Garrels.
Thanks also to s/p/d chapter liaisons for their work with the participating local chapters. In addition to providing oversight to local chapters, the s/p/d chapters served as an invaluable go-between for the SCMA and the local chapters.
Special gratitude is extended to the participating chapters for testing the programs and thoroughly evaluating them. A congratulatory certificate
was presented to each chapter and they are also being recognized at their state/provincial/ district conventions.
AK, Birmingham, Alabama
M, Calgary, Alberta-Saskatchewan
A, Phoenix, Arizona
BZ, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
BD, Tsawwassen, British Columbia
FH, Hayword, California
DF-JH, San Diego, California
NZ, Long Beach, California
BM, Holyoke, Colorado
K, Simsbury, Connecticut
B, Wilmington, Delaware
AH, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
BN, Cumming, Georgia
U, American Falls, Idaho
AT, Lawrenceville, Illinois
CU, Nashville, Indiana
CY, Charles City, Iowa
BH, Oberlin, Kansas
BJ, Slidell, Louisiana
C, Winnipeg, Manitoba-NWON
Z, Gaithersberg, Maryland
AB, Andover, Massachusetts
CB, Midland, Michigan
FR, Northfield, Minnesota
X, Diamondhead, Mississippi
NF, Four Seasons, Missouri
BD, Great Falls, Montana
IB, Cozad, Nebraska
Y, Las Vegas, Nevada
AB, Madison, New Jersey
BA, Farmington, New Mexico
BE, Brockport, New York
AL, Greensboro, North Carolina
M, LaMoure, North Dakota
D, Portland, Maine, Northeast District
AI, Port Clinton, Ohio
BQ, Okemah, Oklahoma
J, Ottawa, Ontario-Quebec
BV, Eugene, Oregon
CK, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
AA, Sumter, South Carolina
T, Highmore, South Dakota
X, Brentwood, Tennessee
U, Denton, Texas
AR, Dallas, Texas
U, Logan, Utah
AS, Richmond, Virginia
CC, Wenatchee, Washington
A, Buckhannon, West Virginia
EL, Ashland, Wisconsin
AY, Green River, Wyoming
International Chapter underwrote the cost of the investment in this pilot program, which will ultimately benefit all local chapters when the selected programs become available on the International website. The SCMA pilot program was a true labor of love for P.E.O.s by P.E.O.s. The dedication of these sisters has greatly served to strengthen the Sisterhood.
What Participants Had to Say
Good feedback was received from the final evaluations of the SCMA pilot program. Here are a few of the comments from sisters in the test chapters:
“The pilot program enabled members who would not ordinarily give programs to participate and show their strengths.”
“Congratulations to whomever recognized the chapters’ need for meaningful programs—relevant too! This was an idea that was waiting to be found.”
“The leadership program reminded us that we are not just a social luncheon club but a sisterhood dedicated to each other’s needs and the goals of P.E.O. This program helped us pull out some new leaders.”
“This series of programs was upbeat and is steering us into the future.”
“The pilot program provided us the opportunity to take a really good look at our chapter without any hard feelings.”
“We have come to see the value of setting goals for a chapter on a regular basis. All chapters should have this (goal setting) program made available to them.”
“I believe our small and young chapter has measurably strengthened our foundation and look forward to our chapter experiencing the empowerment to follow us as we work to help women ‘reach for the stars’.”
“The exchange of ideas and opinions created a greater understanding between the elderly and younger sisters.”
“The programs helped us realize that as a group we are ready for changes to reflect today’s world.”
