P.E.O. Record
To the Point
SUMMARY OF AMENDMENTS RELATIVE TO STATE, PROVINCIAL, DISTRICT AND LOCAL CHAPTERS
Please review proposed legislation for consideration at the 2009 Convention of International Chapter as printed in the Marchen dashApril issue of The P.E.O. Record or as posted on the International Chapter website.
Study carefully the proposed amendments for the Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules of International Chapter and Procedure for P.E.O. Chapter Meeting. In addition to the summaries listed below, state, provincial, district chapters, the P.E.O. Foundation, Cottey College and the Executive Board of International Chapter have other important proposals to be voted upon.
While the International delegates go to Convention uninstructed, please remember that it is important for everyone to openly discuss these proposed changes.
Related to state/provincial/district chapters:
- Reduction in the number of state, provincial, district officers from 7 to 5 thereby offering more women an opportunity to serve due to a shorter time commitment (with the proposed plan, all officers elected in 2009 will complete seven years of service; however, offices will need to be repeated when the secretaries and vice presidents are combined in the upcoming two elections.)
- Reassignment of duties and responsibilities for structured implementation of this reduction
Related to local chapters:
- Reduction in the number of local chapter officers from 7 to 6 (Office of guard is eliminated for regular business meetings with those duties assigned to the vice president; for the Ceremony of Initiation, the guard will be appointed in the same way proxy officers are.)
- Official visit flexibility and options that effectively meet chapter needs
- Ceremony of Initiation exemplified at official visit at the discretion of the organizer
- Addition of an annual chapter goal setting program so all members may have an intentional say in the future of the chapter
Related to local chapter meeting procedures in the President's Book:
- Roll call taken using a sign-in sheet thereby providing more time for fellowship, same as is used for social meetings
- Having options for devotions that best fit each chapter's needs (in addition to the P.E.O. prayer, chapter may choose two of the following: scripture, inspirational reading, reciting the Lord's Prayer)
- Corresponding secretary gives report(s) and reads correspondence in the same category of the meeting
- Treasurer announces attendance, gives report(s), and moves to allow bills in the same category of the meeting
- Reports of committees and any necessary action combined in one category
- Elimination of the ballot box and a new process for balloting (remains in the same order of the business meeting; the vice president will pass the paper ballots to and collect from each member where they are seateden dashmember's privacy is maintained)
Related to increasing community visibility emphasizing philanthropy:
- Resolution to establish the sixth philanthropy
- Implementation of STAR Scholarship
Related to changing membership process:
- Reduction in the number of necessary vouchers from 5 to 3, and renaming "vouch for" to "sponsor," a word better understood today
- Reduction in the length of time for a member to be eligible to present or vouch for a friend she thinks would be a congenial addition to the Sisterhood
- Presentation of/vouching for a name at a special meeting
- Option to initiate 1, 2, or 3 new members in one ceremony
- Elimination of steps in the reinstatement process for inactive members
- Elimination of steps in the dimit process for both active and inactive members and renaming "dimit" to "transfer," a word better understood today (would remove from the duties of state, provincial, district officers the duty to maintain membership records. Change of membership form sent directly to International Chapter by local chapter corresponding secretary of inviting chapter only.)