P.E.O. Record
State of the Sisterhood
The 2007 Noel-Levitz survey of our membership focused attention on the essential matters that our organization must consider. With the thoughtful opinion of our membership the direction for the 2007-2009 Biennium was established. As you have heard and can view on the P.E.O. website the result of opinion collected fell into four key themes:
- Friendship outweighs tradition;
- Attract the next generation of members and leaders into P.E.O.;
- Reduce the burden on chapter leaders; and
- Consider new ways of interacting.
These themes became the driving force in the appointment of the special and ad hoc committees. Each committee was charged with answering the concerns expressed in the survey. Twenty-three women were appointed. From the grass roots, a cross-section of our membership, they are local chapter members and leaders; some were current presidents of state, provincial and district chapters; others were past presidents. They are full- and part-time employed women; they are volunteers in their communities; they have responsibilities for parents, children and grandchildren. They are like you— members of P.E.O. who want what is best for our sisterhood. They have responded. The result of their work is articulated in the proposed amendments to the bylaws, which we will consider during this convention. In addition to the proposed amendments many other recommendations were accepted which will streamline our work and compatibly interface with amendments that are adopted. The committees looked at regulations and procedures and worked to reduce the burden on chapter leaders—both state and local. They looked at our membership and provided leadership and guidance to local and state chapters. The pilot STAR Scholarship is in direct response to the survey. Women want to be involved in local philanthropy. The work of the committees has been monumental and deeply appreciated. They listened to what you said and responded. We are indebted to them for their service during this biennium.
P.E.O. is a remarkable story. Just think of it. Seven young women gathered to start a society of their own never guessing that it would have such a world-wide impact on the lives of thousands of women. But it has, and 140 years later the story continues to be a story of a dynamic, living organization making a difference. From seven young women to a current membership of almost a quarter million members our success is undisputed. We have embraced the dream, the values and principles of our Founders and have advanced our mission throughout the generations.
None of us stand here today as the sole reason for P.E.O.’s success; each of us has made an impact on our sisterhood while standing on the shoulders of those who have gone before. But today in this changing society, with greater diversity of thought imposing change in our communities, and technology making an impact on how we live and interact with others, we must seriously consider where we are going. What do we want for the future of P.E.O.?
We are a premier organization; recognized for our philanthropy and endeavor in support of advancing women through education. You’ve read the statistics—you heard them last night: from the four Des Moines-based projects, over $191 million dollars has been distributed since 1907 to more than 81,000 women.
Contributions to Cottey College are not included in that figure nor are the number of students who have graduated but, as you know, we have always generously supported our college. Our philanthropies are thriving, accomplishing their missions with generosity and compassion. Giving was increased this biennium by 14 percent over the 2005-2007 biennium. We asked you to consider a modest increase; you did that and more! In the name of the women who benefited because of your generosity—thank you.
The pilot project STAR Scholarship was enthusiastically supported. At the time of selection of the recipients $505,593 had been received, which included an allocation of $125,000 from the P.E.O. Foundation. Contributions continue to flow in. Reports from chapters have been thrilling. The awarding and presentation of the scholarship has brought recognition not only to the outstanding student but also to P.E.O.
Our generosity is indeed remarkable, but it shouldn’t be the end of the story; it should be the beginning of our challenge to support women’s education with even greater effort. We can not afford to rest on our laurels. There is more to be accomplished and greater goals to be set for our future.
P.E.O. is financially solvent; the economy has modestly reduced our portfolio but we will recover as the market corrects. Good stewardship of the resources and adequate reserves will see us through this decline.
P.E.O. continues to seek the best and most efficient ways to address communication with our membership: technology is an important part of our strength in getting the message out. Refinements to the system occur on a regular basis and providing more online services has increased accessibility regardless of time of day that a member needs information. The P.E.O. Record has shown remarkable strides forward in presenting the mission of our sisterhood in the context of a newly designed colorful format, with interesting articles and updates. We began the biennium with 5,959 chapters. Seventy-six new chapters were organized with a total loss of 50 chapters either from disbandment or a decrease due to merging of two chapters. The total chapters to date are 5,985—an increase of 26 chapters.
This is very positive, exciting growth. A new chapter brings in not only new members but widens the circle of potential women who may be interested in P.E.O. and our outreach for recipients of our philanthropies. I am confident that we will reach 6,000 chapters during this next biennium by continuing to work with chapters to ensure their sustained growth while looking at vital new areas for expansion. Thank you officers of state, provincial and district chapters for focusing on establishing new chapters and helping those chapters who are struggling.
We are associated with exceptional women, leaders in every walk of life from high office to all levels of our communities working for the benefit of society; we have a sphere of influence that touches many lives for good. We are an outstanding organization— one we can be proud to belong to.
In this brief report the most significant item I want to talk with you about, however, is the current status of our membership and how this impacts and will impact the future mission of P.E.O. A few graphs will tell the story perhaps better than mere words.
graph 1: Initiate and Inactive Membership Trends
click to enlarge
The first graph shows trends for initiations and inactive members. Look at the trend line; that’s the dotted line. Do you see what I see—that the trend is rising faster for members going inactive than the trend line for those we are initiating? This biennium, 17,231 women joined us and 15,198 women left us by becoming inactive members.
Now compare the trend line of inactive members to the rate of death on the graph on the next page. Again you’ll see that we are losing more members by going inactive than by death.
These are startling statistics. Would you agree? The question then rises to the top: What is it about this premier 140-year-old organization that we are missing? We are altruistic, we have outstanding purposes and an unparalleled mission, our members admire and support each other and yet we are losing members more rapidly than we are bringing them in.
Is it our counseling before initiation? Was it a dues increase as is often suggested? Is it the current economy? These are often reasons cited as the cause but might there be more to the story? A priority following the Noel- Levitz survey was that letters would be sent by our CEO to members who went inactive each year of this biennium to find out why they went inactive. The answers should make all of us shudder.
Many responded that they didn’t realize that the date for payment of dues was so hard and fast; it was a surprise to many of our new members. The more interesting comment, however, was on our process: that the chapter never contacted them with a notice of dues (especially important for those who do not attend regularly); or that when their check wasn’t received no one cared enough to ask why.
graph 2: P.E.O. Membership 1905-2009
click to enlarge
graph 3: Member Inactives and Deaths 1999-2009
click to enlarge
Could one solution to losing members from going inactive be as simple as better training of our officers, better understanding of the process for members? Would a small effort at better communication on the part of all of us keep our bonds of sisterhood growing with compassion and thoughtfulness?
The graph above shows our membership from 1905 to 2009. There are some important features on this graph that will statistically support our current membership concerns and why the executive board has concentrated such great effort and thrust on membership.
This graph shows the rise of P.E.O. during the last 104 years. It is almost meteoric—a steady upward rise—and this rapid growth occurred during some very significant upheavals during our history. For example: Look at the period between 1913 and 1921. It was during this period that there was a world-wide pandemic and we were involved in World War I.
The next period I’d like to point out is 1929, the Great Depression. Look at the chart—our growth did not decline. And in the 1940’s women went to work in the war effort and have been working outside the home ever since. Other historical events you will recall are the civil unrest of the 1960s and the Vietnam War. But notice—our rapid growth continued.
Now look at the mid-1990s. Our rate of growth leveled off, we hit a plateau and since then we have begun the downward leg of the bell curve. To what can we attribute this change?
Robert Putnam in his book “Bowling Alone” identifies the decline of volunteerism among American, and likely Canadian, society because of their overriding self-interest rather than contributing in significant ways to the well-being of each other and their communities. Interestingly, he graphically demonstrates the growth and decline of several major organizations. But let me advance this premise for P.E.O.: we are not like other organizations, but have we become complacent, self-satisfied, a sleeping giant that needs to be roused from its rest?
As your president I would be remiss if I didn’t call your attention to these issues of great concern. But what I believe is that we can do something about our membership issues if we’re willing to acknowledge that we do have issues with a decreasing membership and then work together to revitalize our sisterhood. This must be our number one priority. Without each of us working together our mission will fail.
So what is it that we need to do to bring about our revitalization? What is the “tipping point” for P.E.O.? History shows us that every generation of P.E.O. has made adjustments to reflect the society in which they lived. Traditions were maintained and honored so long as they served the needs of the membership. We are not the same organization that the seven young women founded; we have evolved for 140 years and now it’s time for us once again to tackle the big issues and adapt for the best interest of all.
This convention will be historic for a variety of reasons. We celebrate a significant anniversary and we will decide the future course of our sisterhood. The question I have to ask is this: Do we take seriously the opinion of our membership? Think about what we learned from the Noel-Levitz Survey. Eight percent of our membership is 40 to 49 years of age while 38 percent is 70 plus. Frankly, this is our wake-up call. If we’re going to continue this marvelous, outstanding, premier organization, support our projects, reverse the downward spiral of the bell curve of membership we have no choice but to take action.
The organizations Robert Putnam cites had great missions and loyal members who supported their philanthropies generously but either didn’t recognize the signs of decline or ignored them and are no longer making a difference in their sphere of influence. We’ve caught our decline at the right time; unfortunately others did not and have disappeared.
P.E.O. cannot only think of our past and our great accomplishments but we must come alive, catch the fire of our great potential and be the leaders of the future we are meant to be. We’ve inherited a great organization and we must be true to that obligation but it is also ours to mold and to create its future.
Founder Franc Roads, in discussing the establishment of a million-dollar trust fund for ELF, said, “We must cease to look back, but keep our faces forward. The time has long since passed when women will give their time to small things. We must achieve great things if our sisterhood shall take its rightful place among other organizations.” She might as well have been speaking to us—her words are as true today as they were in 1922. We must consider chapter life, what appeals to all ages and make decisions to change the course we’re on.
Our destiny can be changed but it’s going to take each one of us to consider what is best for all. We must think in larger terms than our own local chapter—see the bigger picture— and be willing, as other generations have done before us, to judge what we will do to advance, not just sustain P.E.O. and our mission. What will we do to attract younger women who will want to join us? They are the hope of our tomorrows.
I have no concern about our members. Their spirit and faithfulness is as strong as ever. I know this is a true statement, confirmed by my visits to 49 state, provincial and district chapters and local chapters in Hawaii and Alaska. P.E.O.s have time and time again proven that they are dedicated members—that they care for and love each other, that they reach out to those who’ve been devastated by natural disasters, that they embrace those in need and that they would do anything humanly possible for each other.
Indeed this is the greatness of P.E.O. This is our P.E.O. We must not lose this for future generations. Our world is better because we’re a part of this sisterhood. We must stay true to our purposes and meet the needs of our membership.
It’s time for us to awaken, time to recognize what lies before us and answer the call.