P.E.O. Record
On the Record
We have just completed our 69th Convention of International Chapter and now many of you who were there to enjoy the sights and sounds of this very special gathering of P.E.O.s are back home. After all the anticipation, it's like a special holiday, a wedding or a longed-for vacation. All of a sudden, the special day itself has come to an end! But never fear! It's not really over. You can have a very special souvenir of convention… the Convention DVD! For $15 you can relive your convention experience. Listen again to the inspiring speeches by our project recipients on Projects Night. Let your chapter hear them, too! Visit the display booths again. Hear candid comments from attendees….It's all on the DVD!
If you are reporting to chapters, this will be a helpful memory refresher. And pick out some of the portions for a great chapter program later in the year!
Be sure to check out the website when you get home… you find the seminar handouts and the Daily Diary, written onsite during each day of convention.
And most important of all, you will find all of the amendments and the voting results right on the web.
Special thanks and good wishes to our immediate past International president, Barbara Andes, who let us know that “Together We Can.” That was evidenced at this convention. Her biennium set the stage for progressive change within the Sisterhood.
And a warm welcome to the newly installed president of International Chapter, Elizabeth Garrels! It was a special moment when she accepted the gavel from Barbara Andes at the conclusion of Convention. Her theme for this next biennium, “Expanding Our Vision,” sets a tone of forward movement for our sisterhood.
In this issue, the first of a “two-parter” on convention coverage, you will read Elizabeth's acceptance speech and her biography. Then, in our next issue, you'll find Barbara Andes' State of the Sisterhood, accounts of convention and tons of photos.
Turn to page 57 to see how chapters have made wonderful use of P.E.O. recognition signs! In To the Point this month, you will find the available sizes and prices for the recognition signs.
Again this year letters were sent to over 7,000 members who have gone inactive. The responses continue to tell us that we, in our local chapters, need to pay much more attention to our non-resident and non-participating members. We MUST send dues notices! And we MUST keep in touch with those members and their families. All too often, for instance, an elderly member's family simply does not know when we pay dues, what the amount is or where they are to go. It is heart-wrenching to receive a reply from a family whose favorite aunt is suffering from dementia. “We didn't know about the dues.. …She would be devastated to know that she is no longer considered a member of P.E.O. or not in good standing. It was so important to her.” Did you catch that? “no longer a member of P.E.O.??” This of course is not true, but that is what they are hearing from us! Both terms… “no longer a member” and “not in good standing” have such negative connotations. Let's not say that. They are still members…they are inactive members…a situation we hope we can change! Drop them a note. Perhaps you can write the family and let them know that you notice that this chapter sister has not yet paid her dues for the year and wonder if she meant to go inactive. Explain to the family that sometimes there is confusion about this so you just wanted to check. Make the effort to let them know you care and that YOU have not forgotten HER. Send a note of thanks when they do send in the dues.
And when a sister does make the choice to go inactive be sure to write her or call her. Let her know that she will be missed and invite her to reinstate as soon as she feels that she can. Loving concern….let's not just think it. Let's do it!
Thanks for reading The Record…and the website!
Anne Seiler Pettygrove,
Chief Executive Officer