Open Hearts, Warm Spirits
Chapter VN, Arroyo Grande, California, has started a membership enhancement activity not only for chapter members but also for prospective members. Former chapter president Phyllis Bettencourt suggested that each Friday morning members meet for an hour of coffee and fellowship, getting to know one another better. This has been a huge success with members spending quality time learning about one another and sharing their joys and concerns. It has also been a wonderful way to introduce and meet women who would make a great future P.E.O. Since the inception of the Friday morning coffee and fellowship gatherings, Chapter VN’s membership has grown by leaps and bounds partly due to this warm and welcoming venue. Chapter VN recently initiated four new members and has three prospective women interested in our organization. The group meets at a local coffee house and started with as few as two members participating—now there are as many as 12 to 13 women attending on a weekly basis.
First row, from the left: Vivian Overin,
Jacque Lovelady, Gerry Phillips
Second row: Liz Fritz, Cappi Quigley,
Norma Rampton
Fundraiser Capitalizes on Local Academic Resources
Chapter A, Hanover, New Hampshire, recently sponsored a successful fundraising event—they hosted a lecture given by Dartmouth College assistant professor of geography and women’s and gender studies, Dr. Jennifer Fluri. Her presentation, entitled “Everyday Life and Gender Relations in Afghanistan,” was a fundraiser to benefit the International Peace Scholarship Fund. Dr. Fluri provided her services free of charge and a local church donated the use of their hall for the event.
Chapter A invited other local chapters, friends and the public. In preparation for the event, Chapter A circulated flyers and posted them in public locations. Noted on the flyer was, “This is a fundraiser for the International Peace Scholarship Fund established in 1949 to provide grants to foreign female students pursuing graduate studies in the U.S. and Canada.”
The cost was minimal ($10) and refreshments, prepared by Chapter A, were served. The event was well attended and there was an abundance of positive feedback expressed during the coffee hour that followed. This event was also an opportunity to tell nonmembers about P.E.O. and its philanthropic projects. Some attendees mentioned that they had heard about P.E.O. but had no idea that we were such supporters of women’s scholarships.
Chapter A encourages other local chapters to capitalize on academic resources—look around at local colleges and universities to see if someone would volunteer to speak on a topic of interest to the general public and to women in particular.
City-Wide Book Sale
Chapters, F, AU and BU, Bozeman, Montana, came together in September for the first joint P.E.O. fundraiser in Bozeman history. Members of P.E.O. and the general public browsed through approximately 6,000 used books and audiovisual materials during the four-hour sale. Each chapter set up its own sales area and kept money collections separate but pricing and signage were standardized throughout. Poster boards with the P.E.O. mission and projects were displayed at the sale entrance to raise awareness about our organization. Facility rental and advertising expenses were shared equally. Chapter members took leftover books to local public libraries, senior living facilities and nonprofits, all of whom greatly appreciated the donations. Leftover CDs were sent to overseas service members. In addition to being a lot of fun, the city-wide book sale raised $2,500 for P.E.O. projects.
Book sale in
Bozeman, Montana
Bunco & Baskets
For their annual project fundraiser, Chapter IO, Mexico, Missouri, hosted a new event—“Bunco and Baskets in the Banko Parlor.” The finance committee combined a local favorite, Bunco, with a theme basket silent auction in the lobby of a local bank. Chapter members were divided into groups, with each group submitting a basket. Themes ranged from gardening, University of Missouri tailgating, spa, food mixes and a children’s basket plus others. Sisters donated food for snacks and invited friends and family to attend and play Bunco. A total of 52 women came to play and participate in the silent auction, with $1,127 raised for P.E.O.
projects. Sisters in Mexico are still talking about the fun night of games and fellowship.
Chapter IO sisters at the
Bunco and Baskets fundraiser
Silver & Gold for IPS
Chapter Z, Tullahoma, Tennessee, decided they wanted to be a 
designated chapter by donating $500 to the International Peace Scholarship. The big question was how to raise the $500. After much discussion, the chapter members voted to collect their old gold and silver and sell it for cash. In no time the chapter had their $500 and now they are anxiously waiting to learn who their student will be. Chapter Z looks forward to getting to know her and learning about her, her area of study and her country of origin. Chapter Z’s designated award recipient will be welcomed with open arms!
Grandma’s Gowns of Yesteryear
Chapter XF, Roseville, California, hosted a fundraiser called “A Vintage Bridal Tea—The Way We Were.” The event, featuring wedding dresses from Grandma’s day, was presented at the Sun City Roseville Timber Creek Ballroom in September. Chapter XF has members in Roseville, Lincoln, Loomis and other surrounding communities in California.
Twenty two wedding dresses were modeled by granddaughters, scholarship students and, in a few cases, by the original owners! Vintage gowns, some dating from the Civil War era, were displayed on screens or mannequins and a photographer recorded the show.
An elegant menu including tea sandwiches, cold cucumber soup, quiche and wedding cake was served and there was a DVD slideshow featuring photos of the brides on their wedding days shown during the luncheon. Tickets were $45 each and copies of the original DVD with photos from the live show were available for sale after the event. About 149 guests attended, raising almost $5,400.
Vintage wedding gowns were featured at Chapter XF’s fundraiser
