Thank you, Missouri P.E.O.s! We extend our congratulations and appreciation for the time and effort by the more than 700 hostess chapter members who welcomed over 3,000 registered P.E.O. delegates, visitors and BILs from across the United States and Canada to the 70th Convention of International Chapter.
The “Show Me” experience was filled with wonderful hospitality, activities, special presentations, workshops and seminars and outstanding entertainment. The general business of convention was accomplished and collectively we resolved to Invest in the Future of P.E.O.
In this issue of The Record, enhance your understanding of the delegate’s report to your chapter and the events of convention. Read the special reports, understand the amendments adopted by your delegates, know about the state of our sisterhood and look for a familiar, smiling face of a friend and sister. You can learn and see more by logging on to our website at peointernational.org.
A warm welcome is offered to those who have accepted appointments to serve on the leadership team and a particular thank you for their investment of time and talent in the future of P.E.O. The members of the leadership team and special appointments are listed on the inside cover of every issue of The P.E.O. Record. Special gratitude is expressed to outgoing President Elizabeth Garrels for her years of service and devotion to our sisterhood. Her leadership together with her motto of “Forward” has expanded the vision for P.E.O. Our appreciation also goes to those who have completed their terms of service on boards of trustees and committees of International Chapter. To each and every one—thank you!
On the threshold of this new biennium, our new leaders are joining established boards of trustees and committees. They “bring to the table” new energy, new ideas and new resolve that will enhance the continuity of our P.E.O. leadership and purpose. Their ongoing strengths and capabilities are characteristic of those who have served before us.
It is an exciting and challenging time for our sisterhood. At the biennial meeting of leadership team members, we took into consideration the past in order to look toward the future. We examined the opportunity to improve on past accomplishments, evaluated the issues facing our organization and looked at ways to invest in the future of P.E.O.
Leadership for P.E.O. is not just at the level of International Chapter, however. A group of leaders at every level of our organization is working together to promote and keep our sisterhood vital and strong.
The elected officers for each state, province and district are committed volunteers who carry forward the purposes of P.E.O. through established goals—both short term and long term in duration. Based on strengths and weaknesses, your board has determined goals that are focused, planned and measured and specific to the success of P.E.O. where you live.
The officers at the local level also build on established goals and initiatives determined by the members of their chapter. Have you decided to strengthen your membership? Are you looking at fundraising optionsm to increase your project giving? Are you interested in sponsoring a woman for P.E.O. educational aid or identifying a potential student for our own Cottey College? Maybe you want to increase ways to get to know chapter sisters better and have fun doing it. The leadership in your local chapter will make a difference for all of us.
How strong is your resolve? Each of us must commit to do her part at whatever level we serve. Invest in the future of P.E.O. and make it your objective to make our sisterhood even better tomorrow than it is today.
Remember … U.R.P.E.O.,
At this busy holiday season, when the fingers, however swiftly they ply, find a task for every hour, letter writing and reading seems almost a superfluity. Yet if there is a time when we would commune with one another and feel closer bound by the fair chain which links us together it is now, when our hearts are most open to tender influences and “peace on earth, to men good will” echoes from fireside to fireside around the world.
