P.E.O. counsel for membership

1. Course 101 Preacceptance P.E.O. counsel for membership This information is also available in the printed Counsel for Membership booklet, available in the president’s supplies.

2. P.E.O. is a philanthropic educational organization with 50 state, provincial and district chapters in the United States and Canada, • Nearly 250,000 members belong to 6,000 chapters. • P.E.O. has awarded more than $200 million in financial assistance. • Cottey College has graduated more than 8,000 women. What is p.e.o.? P.E.O. Executive Office Des Moines, Iowa

3. “P.E.O. is a philanthropic organization where women celebrate the advancement of women, educate women through scholarships, grants, loans and stewardship of Cottey College, and motivate each other to achieve their highest aspirations.” Our mission statement Old Main Cottey College Nevada, Missouri

4. P.E.O. members are women of all ages (18+), races and religions. Members share a passion for providing educational financial assistance for women, developing close friendships, and state a personal belief in God. Who are p.e.o. members? We call each other sisters to illustrate the love and support we give to each other.

5. The P.E.O. Sisterhood was organized in 1869 in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa by seven young women on the campus of Iowa Wesleyan University. Our history Franc Roads Suela Pearrson Mary Allen Hattie Briggs Ella Stewart Alice Coffin Alice Bird

6. The Founders’ original purpose was to begin a friendship society. The organization expanded quickly into communities outside the college campus and to women of all ages. Our history Old Main on the campus of Iowa Wesleyan, circa 1904.

7. Chapters schedule 15 regular meetings each year; one to three of these may be social meetings. • Chapters may schedule extra meetings, luncheons, or other activities anytime according to the chapter’s wishes or as determined by their bylaws. When do p.e.o. members meet? Two sisters have fun “putting around” during a casual summer get-together for their chapter.

8. The P.E.O. International Chapter convenes a biennial convention in a selected city in odd numbered years. Each state, provincial and district chapter holds an annual convention usually during one or two days in April, May or June. conventions Two delegates pose beside the welcome sign at the 2009 Convention of International Chapter.

9. The P.E.O. Sisterhood is based on the principles of friendship and loyalty. Business meetings use Robert’s Rules of Order) and are conducted consistently throughout the Sisterhood. What do p.e.o. sisters do when they’re together? The president reads from the President’s Book. The chapter’s recording secretary sits with her to record the minutes.

10. Programs and activities take place before and after meetings. These programs and activities vary according to each chapter’s preferences. What do p.e.o. sisters do when they’re together? Chapter members consult a map before embarking on a hike during an early spring social activity.

11. P.E.O. membership is intended to last a lifetime. Membership eligibility extends from chapter to chapter. • Members pay annual dues and are asked to attend chapter meetings regularly. • In addition, members may be asked to present a program, serve as an officer or committee member, or serve as hostess for a meeting. Membership lasts a lifetime Hostesses serve ice cream at a multi-chapter ice cream social.

12. The P.E.O. Sisterhood benefits women worldwide through six International projects. Members have the opportunity to develop leadership skills while forming close friendships with women in their chapter. Why do p.e.o. sisters do what they do? The Projects Program at the 2009 Convention of International Chapter featured speeches from five inspirational women.  From the left:  Eileen Timmins, ELF recipient; Kyla Wall, second year Cottey student; Katherine Block, PSA recipient; Crystal Johnson, PCE recipient; Limbikani Kamiongera, IPS recipient.

13. Educational Loan Fund International Peace Scholarship Fund Program for Continuing Education P.E.O. Scholar Award P.E.O. Star Scholarship Cottey College. P.E.o. supports six philanthropies

14. You have been invited to become a member by the entire chapter. • Please take some time to consider the information that has been shared. • Feel free to call any chapter members that you know to ask questions that have not been answered. Membership is by invitation The P.E.O. Record (our organization’s magazine), the P.E.O. Constitution, and the local chapter’s yearbook will give you a closer look at the life of a P.E.O.

15. Accepting the invitation to become a P.E.O. must be in written form, including an affirmation of belief in God, and be mailed to the corresponding secretary along with a $35 initiation fee. • Prospective members are encouraged to respond to the invitation soon, although you may have as long as six chapter meeting months to reply. Accepting the invitation

16. Each new member enters the Sisterhood by participating in an initiation ceremony. The ceremony is a unique experience and holds great meaning for current members as well as the initiate. It is a special time of celebration as we welcome a new sister into the warmth and friendliness of chapter life. Initiation information P.E.O. friendships extend across the generations.

17. During the ceremony, chapter officers are dressed in white. You will be asked to take vows with a hand on the Bible. A lot of information is given during initiation and it may seem to go by very fast. The president, chapter mentor or membership committee will schedule a meeting to discuss the information included in initiation as well as other important chapter information. Ceremony of initiation

18. New members will continue to be guided by their sisters in learning about P.E.O. traditions and customs. • Each new member will receive a personal copy of the P.E.O. Constitution and a membership pin. • Initiates are encouraged to read more about P.E.O. philanthropic projects and join the search for qualified recipients. Initiation is only the beginning… New members are guided by their sisters in learning about P.E.O. traditions and customs.

19. Thank you for letting us tell more about the P.E.O. Sisterhood. You can read more about P.E.O. online at www.peointernational.org. Do you have any questions? Thank you!