Period of Instruction

Daisyville Period of Instruction Wisconsin State Chapter—2002 Revised March 2005

As we have all taken time from our busy lives to be together at this convention, it is evident how important P.E.O. is to each one of us. While here at convention we have the opportunity to meet new sisters, gather new information, and gain a renewed sense of enthusiasm to our P.E.O. commitment. The vitality and growth of our sisterhood will be in proportion to the commitment each of us has to our organization. It is the responsibility of every P.E.O. to help our chapters grow. Equally important is that we continue to share our loving concern for each sister, reinforcing her commitment to P.E.O. Each sister needs to know that her continued involvement is valued. Her active involvement will deter her from becoming inactive and encourage her to dimit to another chapter should she move to another community. Maintaining the stability and growth of our chapters needs to be an ongoing goal for each one of us.

Let’s take a look at Chapter WI. Daisyville, USA

Molly: Once upon a time in Daisyville, USA there was a healthy P.EO. chapter and its initials were WI. Now Chapter WI had 22 members and it was a happy chapter. Everyone was comfortable with each other. They gave generously to projects, had two B.I.L. socials a year, had at least 50% attendance and absent members were accounted for, they showed sisterly love and support and when asked to be an officer everyone gladly volunteered.

Cast: Raises hands

1 At a recent meeting, Carol Green announced that her husband had been transferred out of state and she was sad to leave, but would keep in touch. Carol also promised to dimit as soon as asked.

Cast: “Bye Carol…we will miss you!” (Carol exits with suitcase)

Polly: Once upon a time this chapter had 22 members. Now they are a happy chapter with 21 members. A few months later Jennifer Jobs announced she was undertaking a full-time career. She was sorry not to be able to attend day meetings, but would try to help out in any way she could. At the same time Marguerite Collins informed Chapter WI that her husband was retiring and they would be spending seven winter months in the south. We will miss Jennifer and Marguerite at our meetings.

Cast: “Bye Jennifer and Marguerite...we will miss you!” (Jennifer exits with briefcase, Marguerite with map/sunglasses)

Molly: Once upon a time Chapter WI in Daisyville had 22 members with 50% attendance at meetings. Now Chapter WI has 19 members with less than 45% attendance at meetings. They were stunned to learn that Prudence Star had suffered complications from pneumonia and passed away peacefully in her sleep.

Cast: (Kleenex)

On a happy note, at the same meeting Cathy announced the twins she is expecting will be born early. Good luck Cathy…please try to attend meetings when you can. We will not ask you to take any responsibilities as you will be very busy!

Cast: “Bye Cathy…we will miss you!” (Cathy exits and Prudence dies)

2 Polly: Unfortunately at the same time, Joanne found attending meetings impossible while taking car of her ailing husband and Helen received a P.E.O. Scholar Award to complete her doctorate in Physical Science. It has been a tough year for Chapter WI. In March at annual report time they were disappointed when Wendy White did not pay her dues and became inactive. So once upon a time Chapter WI had 22 members. Now with 16 members and attendance declining… Chapter WI is concerned about getting officers. They have wonderful P.E.O. spirit and still express loving concerns for each other, but they are getting tired.

Cast: “What to do? What to do?”

President: “Let’s call the state organizer or our state membership committee for some HELP!!”

Molly: As you can see, Chapter WI recognized they have some red flags popping up warning them of signs of trouble ahead and MUST do something.

Polly: Chapter WI recalled that they could contact their state organizer or the state membership committee for some advice and a variety of ideas to try. Did they call you, Molly, or the state organizer?

Molly: Yes, they called me and explained what has been happening this past year or so. Chapter WI has become painfully aware of their warning signs: a negative change in membership, less than 50% attendance at meetings, a small core group, a growing number of non-participating members, and trouble getting officers.

3 Polly: Each of these warning signs are a ‘red flag’ and chapters must continually be on the alert for them. Chapters must annually access their chapter’s membership health and set some goals. Some chapters have a membership committee to do this very thing. It can be beneficial for the chapter to have a membership meeting and discuss membership concerns, set some goals, and outline a plan to achieve them. This takes the cooperation and the commitment of the whole chapter.

Molly: The frustrating part for Chapter WI, Daisyville, is that it happened so quickly without much warning. They realized that if they had continually offset their losses as they occurred it would be easier for them now.

Polly: International Chapter recommends continual growth by initiating one or two members each and every year. Chapter WI has some making up to do! P.E.O. is so meaningful to them; I bet they were very receptive to our ideas and were very willing to put forth the efforts necessary to keep their chapter healthy. What did you tell them?

Molly: I suggested something that other chapters have had success with—that they plan a special event such as an outing to a museum, a special program or a party and encourage EVERY member to bring a guest. Some chapters call these “Periodic Extra Occasions.” Chapter growth is the responsibility of each member so everyone needs to introduce possible members to the chapter in some way. Some sisters are in a quandary as to where to find possible new members. We like to suggest that each member pretend that they are having an imaginary luncheon for 6-8 friends. Let’s ALL take a moment and think about whom you would invite to a luncheon in your home and picture them around your table. From this imaginary guest list would there be one that might be congenial to your chapter? You could invite her as a guest to whatever event your chapter has planned. But remember, you are inviting her to the event, not P.E.O. membership.

4 Cast: Gets out punch bowl, cloth on table, cups/napkins, centerpiece, etc.

Polly: Chapter WI brainstormed about possible guest events. They considered a summer salad luncheon, a Saturday morning brunch, a guest meeting with a special speaker, making one of their B.I.L. parties guest friendly, a golf outing, a soup supper, a cookie exchange, and a museum tour. They finally decided to have an afternoon social with a garden party theme on the lovely patio at Jean’s home. Let’s look in…

Cast: Gets guest off front row…mingles and introduces guest to each other

Molly: Jean brought her neighbor, Jane asked a friend from work, Grace’s guest was a good friend from church, Marilyn invited her daughter-in-law, and Merry Ann was so thankful that a far-away P.E.O. had introduced a possible member to Chapter WE through the FR form that she invited her. Susan brought a gal she volunteers with at the hospital. Joanne invited a gal from her investment club and Gail asked a friend from her aerobics class. What a fun party!! It was a successful occasion because everyone brought a friend and no one felt awkward.

Cast: Regroups in a chapter meeting including some new ones (about 12)

Polly: After the garden party and an appropriate amount of time for the chapter to get to know several of the guests, they reported 3 initiations on their next year’s annual report. One was the gal introduced by the FR Form…this is an underused source of potential new members for the Sisterhood. Chapter WI has recognized the need to continually initiate new members each and every year and have set a goal to do so no matter how large they become for they know there will be losses some years. As you can see…Once upon a time in Daisyville, USA, there was a happy, healthy chapter with 22 members and THERE STILL IS!

5 Molly: We hope you have enjoyed our tale, but more importantly we hope you remember two things from our story:

First: it is essential for chapters to initiate new members each and every year. Slow, thoughtful, considerate growth should be our goal. Each of us has been given this wonderful gift of P.E.O. and we must take advantage of opportunities to pass this gift to others.

Second…chapters need to recognize the importance for each chapter to assess their membership health yearly, to address their “red flags,” and to set membership goals. A membership meeting can help facilitate his process.

Members of Chapter WI will distribute to the delegates a copy of “P.E.O. Membership—A Chapter’s Lifesaver.” This guide will serve as a tool for your chapter to identify “red flags,” to form strategies to build a healthy chapter, and includes sample chapter assessments for an annual chapter check up.

This Period of Instruction has been adapted from “Once Upon a Time in Daisyville, USA “as presented at the 2001 International Convention by Becky Henderson and Joan Lawrence, Past State Presidents, Ohio State Chapter.

Cast members for this Period of Instruction are members of the 2001 Membership and Research Committee and delegates from the hostess chapters of the 2005 Wisconsin State Convention.