I am privileged to report on the state of the Sisterhood. There are many descriptive words to modify the collective work and focus of the 2009–2011 biennium.
The first word is implementation.
During the previous 2009 Convention of International Chapter, aspects of governance policy and many changes for streamlined and simplified procedures and process were adopted. Much of the work of this biennium, from volunteer leadership and executive office staff, has been to implement and refine these changes. Certainly there has been intensive, careful application made in processes and materials. Revising in P.E.O. is quite overlapping and interrelated in our three layer system of organization. Involving technology for its obvious cost and time savings has been critiqued and realized as much as possible.
I encourage you to study the biennial reports of all officers, boards and committees contained in the program. Therein lay the more complete summaries for the implementation phase of our organizational status in action. Indeed, implementation has required excellent thinking, creative and ambitious solutions, willing attitudes, and acceptance to learn new ways from every sister. Several major changes particularly impact state/provincial/district governance, most notably the change from seven to five officers. In true P.E.O. style, officers are rethinking and reprogramming responsibilities with productive evaluation and ingenuity. Thank you. Such far-reaching change doesn’t come without some glitches…yet, basically all has been accomplished with graciousness and insight. P.E.O. has never lived in status quo or taken the easy route. P.E.O. has always been forward-thinking and taken the better route. These adopted changes were about sustainability for our meaningful organization in a transitional world.
I feel a kinship to Margaret Emily Stoner from Indiana State Chapter who presided 50 years ago as president of Supreme Chapter. In our revolving plan for sharing emblems for presidents of International Chapter, I am privileged to wear the emblem Margaret Emily also wore (and then Mabel Otis after her). In Margaret Emily’s final President’s Page newsletter October 1961, commenting upon the biennial report she had just drafted for that upcoming convention, Margaret Emily wrote that lots of the work of that biennium could be classified as “details.” I can readily identify with that. Implementation requires multitudinous concentration on all facets that make revised systems work smoothly. May I take this opportunity to profusely thank the officers of International Chapter, our dynamic leadership team and dedicated office staff who truly “put shoulder to the wheel” in accomplishing the adopted changes with process, materials, guidance and information. Also, the entire sisterhood is to be highlym commended for positive attitudes and the willingness to understand implementation.
The biennial reports also include the specifics of remarkable financial support for our philanthropies in tight economic times. In general business operations, please note carefully managed expenditures.
This biennium launched a membership initiative that adds another level of membership support and assistance for state/ provincial/district chapters. As you know P.E.O. now has an employed Coordinator for Membership Development and four volunteer regional membership representatives who work directly with assigned areas. All indications point to this strong, intentional plan as being very beneficial and valuable to state/provincial/district boards and their membership committees. This new membership assistance strategy was one of the products recommended in the previous biennium by the Special Committee for Membership Advancement. They have continued to advise and consult with this developing potential. May I offer appreciation to this special committee who again served this biennium. We’ll hold applause until all are introduced; please come forward to receive recognition.
Carolyn Gilstrap, Utah
Judy Haar, Iowa
Pamela Kregg, Nebraska
Jane Attaway, Illinois
Ellen Knox, Texas
Thank you.
Standing in their places, may I introduce the first pioneer team of Regional
Membership Representatives: Jane Attaway and Ellen Knox as well as Theresa Petty, now from Arizona, and Debbie Rogers, Tennessee. This membership team is ably led by Coordinator Debbie Clason. Join me in appreciating their innovative,
collaborative and pragmatic service.
Thank you.
Pursuant to the adopted resolution at the 2009 Convention of International Chapter, the Special Committee to Study P.E.O. Ceremonies and Meeting Procedure was appointed. These very capable sisters have been researching and reporting in The Record these two years. Their oral convention report will be presented by the chairman this afternoon. Please come to receive written recognition and we’ll applaud when all have been introduced:
Susan Reese Sellers, chairman, first vice president
Janet Litterer, Connecticut
Pamela Jean Estes, Arkansas
Deborah Taylor, British Columbia
Fran Becque, Illinois
Donita Mitchell, Oklahoma
Jill Brink-Lemnah, California
Thank you.
The status of the Sisterhood isn’t just about us—it is also about external elements and characteristics of the world around us. As thinking women, we all have viewpoints and opinions about today’s culture and society. We all need to “thoughtfully consider” those features and facets and how they will relate to tomorrow’s women and the world ahead. These are not aspects that we dismiss with lip service or frustration, but rather that require everyone’s full attention now in order to not only manage our future, but expand the vision!
For me, our positive, vigorous, growing status of sisterhood is well affirmed as I travel and engage with sisters across our two countries. I see and hear from members who are preserving and guarding our heritage of a meaningful sisterhood, of members who are thinking “big picture” and trying new options
designed to sustain and refine P.E.O.’s “edge.” I am encouraged by sisters who are working hard at keeping our friendship society relevant and lively. I meet sisters who are unselfishly giving back with the true meaning of philanthropy, who are creating educational opportunities for women that will indeed impact our world. I meet sisters who are not gatekeepers, but gate openers.
Yes, what do I see and hear when I’m traveling for P.E.O.?
I see members living up to our mutual installation promise: members who are indeed pledging “their cheerful and ready support and cooperation” and then doing it!
Thank YOU for your part, for intensifying P.E.O.’s momentum, for taking calculated risks, for casting long shadows. May we all continue to have
- clear eyes to see expanding visions,
- warm hearts to share caring,supportive love,
- steady, firm hands to draft goals,
- discerning minds to evaluate and choose wisely,
- willing feet to move forward, climb higher and reach for stars.
May the status of our dear sisterhood be all that we individually and collectively desire it to be.
