The 119th convention of the Illinois State Chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood was this past weekend in Springfield. It was wonderful to meet in person after cancelling in 2020 and Zooming in 2021.
I thought I took many more photos than it turns out I did.
I was my chapter's delegate.
We had a packed schedule.
There were 328 voting members representing 288 chapters (out of 310), 5 state board, 20 past state presidents, and 15 committee chairs, plus 115 non-voting members.
The Time of Remembrance (sisters who have passed away since the last convention) is very special.
The Honors Luncheon recognized 50-year and longer milestone members -- one for 80 years! (She did not attend, but she's at least 98.) Chapter milestone anniversaries were recognized. Chapter C (Vermont, IL) was organized in 1897!
The Projects Dinner recognized our contributions to women's education through the Educational Loan Fund, Project for Continuing Education, International Peace Scholarship, Scholar Award, Star Scholarship, and Cottey College -- cumulatively $398 million since ELF began in 1907. Illinois chapters gave $664K to the projects this past year. Dinner speakers were recipients of ELF, PCE, and the Cottey scholarship.
Each chapter used a heart-shaped template to summarize its activities for the year. (I used daisy-print fabric for ours--the left wing of the butterfly on the upper right.)
I finished a three-year term on the Illinois P.E.O. Home Fund Advisory Committee. Cathy and Sarah and I had never met in person! This is our booth in the projects room. The lighted tree has paper bird houses, one for each chapter that sponsored a Home Fund applicant this year. [HF grants go to Illinois women over age 65 who need financial assistance with housing (repairs, rent/mortgage/insurance, utilities). Grants are up to $6000.]
Regular blog readers will recall the story of the quilt. It was my One Monthly Goal for March. It was offered for sale to benefit the Home Fund.
People who were interested in purchasing it filled out a form. At the Projects Dinner we (committee members) drew one form.
The winner was very happy!
It was a delight to meet sisters from other areas of my life. Sue is a double sister (we are both Alpha Gamma Deltas). Jeannine is in GFWC. Peggy is a long-time ALA friend. Jane and I met through AAUW (roommates at the 2017 national convention) and are both Rotarians. [And Sue and Jeannine are quilters.]
My roommate was randomly assigned. Carol is a retired teacher who lives in a small town in western Illinois.
State officers move up the ladder--five rungs, five years. Ann is the new state president (rung five). We served on the Lulu Corkhill Williams Friendship Fund Committee.
Fran is the new state treasurer (rung two). We've been friends for more than 30 years and I introduced her to P.E.O.
Ann's theme is Reflect and Celebrate: We are P.E.O. The colors are purple and gold with some silver. I have an idea for a quilt . . .
sounds like you had a grand time...so nice to be together after so long i'm sure
ReplyDeleteIt was so good to see you! Thank you for saying yes to the next task.
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