P.E.O. Record
Expanding Our Vision
In P.E.O., the month of March begins a new year for each local chapter. Thank you to all who are completing responsibilities and to those accepting leadership positions as officers and committee members. This March 2010 also marks the implementation of procedural changes and the use of revised and updated materials.
Like any new time, starting points offer the opportunity to plan and access where and how we want to advance. How will this P.E.O. year unfold? What new and exciting, productive and meaningful directions will your chapter undertake? What valued programming and activities will be renewed and strengthened? How will P.E.O.'s vision be expanded in your chapter?
Now is the time to chart your chapter's upcoming course. One way to jump start thinking is to fast forward in your mind's eye to 2015. Given your current statistics and patterns, what will your chapter look like then? Realistically discuss together how your current actions are affecting your future. What do we need to be and do now that will maximize P.E.O.'s impact and potential in the years ahead? For some insight into the goal setting and challenge solving processes, please reference the article written by Coordinator of Membership Development Debbie Clason on page 22.
Everything worthwhile needs periodic evaluation for renewal and growth. Goal setting and action plans build on fact collection, group opinions and consensus. It is also important to ask these same strategic planning questions coupled with sisterly investment. For both project outreach and for our members (current and potential), ask "who needs our chapter to stand with her against life's challenges?” or "to whom can we offer the helping hand of courage?” or "how can our members personally gain in knowledge and in culture?” When members collaborate together, the connected chapter grows with promise and progress.
Like Alice in Debbie's article, it is vital for each level of P.E.O. structure to determine "how to get where it wants to go.” The Executive Board of International Chapter is doing exactly what we recommend local, state/provincial/district chapters do—engage in regular strategic planning and evaluation. Believing in the sustainability of our future, I am pleased to share our goals for the 2009-2011 biennium with you. This course of action was determined as the board and CEO Anne Pettygrove met in retreat last fall.
In addition to our full commitment to facilitate service to local chapters in subordinate territories, to state/provincial/district chapters, and to our vital philanthropies, we specifically are holding ourselves accountable to:
- Expediently provide the materials, tools and resources to implement newly adopted governance
- Redouble our efforts to reconnect with and reclaim inactive members showing them the many benefits of belonging
- Mobilize the new membership initiative that includes staff and regional volunteers offering practical assistance
- Explore ways to create new, and improve existing, avenues of communication to inform and motivate our membership
- Refine concentrated strategies of growth for chapters in subordinate territory
- Measure all decisions with costs to benefits perspectives
As stakeholders in P.E.O.'s future, we all must look beyond the present. Remember that success grows success. Dare to dream! And then—invest in these potential achievements with concrete goals and plans.
Yes, we walk together as a team, expanding the vision. We all must plan for tomorrow. Do you agree?
Forward!
Elizabeth E. Garrels, President
International Chapter