DOES P.E.O. LIVE FOR YOU?

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1 7 DOES P.E.O. LIVE FOR YOU? Given by Helen K. Monroe New Mexico State Convention Farmington, April 1965 I think I have never felt more humble than I do tonight as I have the distinct honor of appearing in the convention of my own state chapter as the representative from Supreme Chapter. I am will aware that I stand in the shadow of many wise and gracious ladies, who have come to New Mexico conventions throughout the years. Who could have foreseen that Irene Van Brunt, who was the representative from Supreme Chapter in the convention over which I presided in Carlsbad, would eight years later extend to me that same privilege? I am grateful to her for the honor and am prayerful that I will be able to bring some measure of challenge and inspiration to each of you my New Mexico P.E.O. sisters. Just a couple of other references to the convention in Carlsbad--Presenting the convention theme that year was Noreen s mother, Madge Newcomb. She is one of those gifted persons who can make ordinary prose sound like poetry. I am happy to see her here tonight. My personal page in Carlsbad was the one who in choosing the charter list for Chapter W extended to me the privilege of P.E.O. She is now your First Vice President, Frances Krehbiel. Those of you who attended that convention no doubt remember how the delegation sat up and listened when the newest member of the executive board gave the report of the treasurer. The usually dull statistics came to life when Mary Bowen's quick wit interpreted them. Throughout Mary's years on the executive board many of us felt that greater things were surely in store for her. Representatives from Supreme Chapter who have visited our conventions became aware of her abilities and last fall when a vacancy arose on the very important Finance Committee, of Supreme Chapter, our Mary Bowen was the logical choice of the entire Sisterhood. They could not have made a better choice. My nearly six years of service on the Board of Trustees of the Supply Department have been interesting and enlightening. It has enabled me to view our Sisterhood on a much larger scale. The association with the Canadian member of our board has afforded me an international view. All of these experiences have been made possible because New Mexico P.E.O.'s were kind enough to choose me to serve on the state board and that in turn was made possible because my own Chapter W saw fit to have me serve as chapter president and delegate to state convention. All of this points up to the fact that the real focal point of P.E.O. is found in the local chapter. How well or how poorly it functions determines how the state and Supreme chapters function. Hence I would like to explore with you this evening the question: DOES P.E.O. LIVE FOR YOU? Perhaps one of the best opportunities we have to make P.E.O. live is through our projects. There is but one policy we must have toward them and that is loyalty to all---the Educational Loan Fund, Cottey College, the International Peace Scholarship, the Program for Continuing 1

2 Education and the Scholarship Awards. Promote them and support them in your chapter work. Remembering always that only P.E.O.'s support P.E.O. projects. P.E.O. was born in a college, hence is logical that P.E.O. projects are primarily educational in scope. Education is a necessity now more than ever before and what P.E.O. is doing along that line is outstanding. The possibilities are limited only by our own vision. The Educational Fund since its establishment in 1907 has assisted nearly young women to continue their education. Think of the influence for good engendered by these women through their professional services and their family life. Does the Educational Fund really live in your chapter or is it just a once a year required program? The gift of Cottey College in 1927 brought new and vital interests to the Sisterhood and P.E.O. has gained in many ways by this gift. The responsibility of a college owned and operated by a woman's group has been a challenge to P.E.O. The continued growth and improvement of the college is a credit to the Sisterhood and to the field of education. Does this phase of P.E.O. live in your chapter? The scope of influence of our International Peace Scholarship program is world wide. Since its first scholarship was granter in 49 more than scholarships have been granted. Over in Greece there is a young trained physiotherapist working among the crippled children of that country. She is your representative spreading the message of goodwill she received while she studied in this country under your I.P.S. program. A teaching post is occupied in the Department of Architecture and City Planning in the Technical University of the Middle East by a former I.P.S. recipient. When you realize that you have sent forth these emissaries and scores more like them through the I.P.S. program do you doubt the value of this newest P.E.O. project. Aren't you proud and grateful to be a part of such a far-reaching program? P.E.O. lives for you in the lives of these dedicated young women of many lands, truly INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP IS THE WAY TO PEACE AND UNDERSTANDING and the women of P.E.O. are leading the way through their projects. The basic aim behind all three of these projects is to help build a better world. In order to help build a better world, perhaps we need to build better chapters and reflect on living P.E.O. in our own individual lives. Your task - to build a better world", God said. I answered "How?" The world is such a large vast place, So complicated now. And I, so small and useless am, There's nothing I can do. But God in all His wisdom said Just build a better you. Dorothy R. Jones 2

3 We cannot tell others what the letters P.E.O. mean, but we can show them its' ideals as we apply them to ourselves, to one another, to our families, our churches, our communities and our world. The seriousness of this responsibility cannot be too greatly emphasized. Membership in P.E.O. is a precious gift so guard it well. We know that there are certain basic qualities, which set P.E.O. apart from other groups. It is our duty to see that these qualities are not neglected in our chapters, but lived by us and understood by new members. We have a right to expect loyalty, attendance and cooperation from a new member, but we also have the obligation to show her the way, example is better than precept. It has been said that when you are initiated into P.E.O. you do not join something rather you become something. And it is what we become that makes us different from other organizations. One grows into P.E.O. and grows in P.E.O., for P.E.O. is a way of life. It might be well to ask ourselves a question "Have I grown in P.E.O. since my initiation?" After all it seems a bit presumptive to reserve all of our scrutiny for another member, or a candidate we are considering-, before we take stock of ourselves. If P.E.O. really lives for us, in time it creates within us, all of us, certain attitudes that live with us to our last day. Does your chapter show wise, thoughtful growth? Chapter growth is a necessity, but it is the way we grow that determines the strength of the chapter. Nearly every chapter has an example of mistakes in choice of membership at some time or other. Many of these mistakes could have been avoided if more consideration would be given to what the voucher blank states a woman of refinement and culture, be congenial to this chapter a desirable addition to the Sisterhood Think about this long and thoughtfully, so often these become mere words and we do not stop to weigh their meaning. Remember always that the real responsibility lies with the five women who sign their names to the voucher form. P.E.O. seeks QUALITY not Quantity. Each member of the local chapter has responsibilities in holding office and working in whatever capacity assigned. The argument that others are better qualified should never be employed; for the result may well be that a few loyal workers have to carry the responsibilities for the entire chapter (this happens all too often). If P.E.O. lives for you, you will learn to use and improve the abilities you have. The most menial chore can serve to glorify the Sisterhood when there is brought into that service such desirable qualities as thoughtfulness and loving-kindness. Let us remember to tell our sister officers or committee work's of the fine work they have done. Endeavor to make each member of your chapter feel that she is especially needed for the assigned task. This will lend joy and success to her work. Loyalty at all times is of prime importance if P.E.O. lives for you. It takes the finest of Christian character to be loyal at all times. It requires honesty, uprightness, integrity and kindred virtues. Loyalty to the vows we have taken in reality should be no burden, no hardship if P.E.O. really lives for us. We know what it is to exercise faith and truth and love. You know, becoming a P.E.O. is not entirely a private affair; it involves every member of the Sisterhood. Should one member fail in any of her responsibilities to the Sisterhood, just to that degree will the Sisterhood 3

4 be hurt. Think about that the next time you are tempted to refuse to accept some added responsibility in your chapter. We frequently hear it said now days that our chapters lack the closeness, the real friendship which was the primary reason for P.E.O.'s founding. There may be certain reasons for this lack; we may be growing too fast, and not too carefully, we may belong to too many groups so that our interests and efforts are too widely spread to be effective anywhere, and so P.E.O. becomes just something else we must fit into our hectic schedule. We dash to meetings and we dash away, sometimes before the program is given. We never really take time to know the members, we do not share their joys or their sorrows---how could there be a closeness in this relationship? Whatever the cause it behooves us to make a real effort to bring back into our chapters that deeper, closer relationship of true sisterhood, make P.E.O. live for you and your sisters. Through the years our close association deepens our appreciation and understanding of one another. P.E.O. affords a unique and wonderful opportunity to share and enjoy the companionship of so many worthwhile women; much of its beauty is lost unless each gives of herself to the best of her ability. P.E.O. cannot be strong unless the charters are strong; dissension, discord and contention within a chapter weaken and make ineffective the whole fabric of P.E.O., for P.E.O. is a tapestry woven of the golden threads from many beautiful lives. Will that portion of the tapestry woven of the threads from your chapter life be less lovely because the golden threads of love and faith have become tarnished? I wonder what it would mean if every one here tonight were to go back to her chapter resolved to bring alive in her own group real affection, real faith, a deep understanding and sincere interest in each other's problems, each other's well-being? Don't you think it is worth trying? Think of the service you may render, Not of serving self alone; Think of the happiness of others And in this you'll find your own. Make P.E.O. live in your chapter! As we approach the 100th anniversary of P.E.O. (1969) we need to give serious thought about the future of P.E.O. Many organizations are losing membership and finding it increasingly difficult to elect officers of even to have a quoin present. What about P.E.O.? When H.G. Wells was in America, on one of his tours, he made a study of the work done by American women through various agencies. In speaking of them he is credited with having said this: "I think I can see the P.E.O. Sisterhood imbued with and impelled by its spiritual and educational ideals coming on, leading the van ahead of all other women's organizations, upward toward the great world climax of putting soul in education." If we are to judge the future by the past it seems reasonable to expect that the achievements of the first 100 years will be a challenge and an inspiration to those who follow us --- a challenge we must not ignore. With all its educational interests, which will of course increase with the years, P.E.O. will no doubt be a power in the educational world. Education has long been P.E.O.'s business and recognition of its accomplishments in this field is sure to come. I believe that P.E.O. will not only continue to support the fine programs which are now our pride but as 4

5 new opportunities arise will be found ready with the same spirit and enthusiasm which have marked our progress through these first 96 years. The ideals for which we stand today will be the unchanged and unchanging ideals of P.E.O. in its second century. The answer to what P.E.O. will become in the future is right here in this room tonight. You are all officers and members of P.E.O. chapters. What you make of your chapter; how you strengthen the bonds of sisterhood that unite us, how you keep your vows; the standards you maintain in the selection of members; the way you live P.E.O. in your everyday lives--- all these will determine what P.E.O. will become, for as you interpret our ideals today, the world will evaluate them tomorrow. Those who know P.E.O. only through contact with its members must judge P.E.O. by those members. If you wish P.E.O. to be respected by the world tomorrow, make sure that it is respected in your hometown today. We must not be content to merely point with pride to the past, we must make P.E.O. live today, so that it will endure tomorrow. I do not believe it just happened that seven girls back in 1869 decided to found a Sisterhood. I believe that means for doing well is meant t o be. I believe that because this Sisterhood was to be founded in the belief in God that it would come into being. If we value our membership in P.E.O. we must protect it by loving and serving it. We need to dedicate ourselves anew to the principles for which it stands and we need to re-assess our gratitude to our Founders that we might more fully and lovingly support the organization, which they founded. A real P.E.O. is loving and, loved. She lives not to herself but for others. She is making the world a better place in which to live and work and plan, not only for now but for all time t o come. She upholds the principles of our Sisterhood and honors God of all mankind. What a privilege it is to be counted as a member of this Sisterhood and to say with all humility and joy---- YES, P.E.O. LIVES FOR ME! Retyped, Updated, and put on disk by Beth Ann Satterfield 2/16/2003 5