Women Helping Women Reach for the Stars
Every Sister is a V.I.P. (Very Important P.E.O.)
V. I. P. Campaign
Monthly Suggestions
Ideas for April 2024
• Start a chapter community garden. Share the fruits of your labor with the chapter or a local food bank. Some schools may even offer space to help teach younger generations about gardening and working together for a common purpose.
• Plan a Chapter Dinner Book gathering. Reading is a multi-generational activity. Everyone shares a book they have read. Choose your own format that works for your chapter. Invite daughters, granddaughters, inactives and friends.
• Make friendship bracelets for your chapter members. Enjoy creating them in small groups or at a chapter meeting (in-person or virtual) and deliver them to inactive and nonparticipating members to let them know they are remembered.
Ideas for March 2024
• Spring forward! Take advantage of daylight savings time to call each sister in your chapter and remind her. This will also be an opportunity to connect with her and help her start participating in the new year right away.
• Visit an art gallery or museum local to your chapter and meet afterwards to discuss the piece that made a lasting impression on you.
• Hold a virtual bingo game. Distribute bingo cards before the gathering, appoint someone to be the caller, and award prizes, bragging rights, or donations in their name to the winner of each round.
Ideas for February 2024
• It is cold outside, so climb into your car and go bowling with your sisters. It is relatively inexpensive, and you get to wear silly shoes.
• February 4 is National Homemade Soup Day. Encourage current sisters and prospective sisters to each bring an ingredient to make up a big batch of soup together. Then, you can enjoy yourself afterwards and start to connect about P.E.O. with these potential new members.
• It is Groundhog Day, again! Connect virtually with your sisters to share what you enjoy about winter and what you are looking forward to in spring. What would you rather not do again and again? How will you make the most of the last bits of winter and what preparations are you making for spring?
Ideas for January 2024
• Connect with your sisters. Start the year off on a positive note by calling or sending a card to a sister who may need an uplift after the holiday season.
• Hold a virtual Founder’s Day celebration! Share with your sisters what you value most about your chapter sisters and P.E.O. Ask a sister to share the uplifting comments with sisters not in attendance.
• Put the phones away and head outside with your sisters for some stargazing. Admire the night sky with any sister that is able to join you and reflect on the awesomeness of our skies and our sisterhood.
Ideas for December 2023
• Have a cookie exchange! Everyone brings a dozen (or desired amount) of cookies. Divide them up into assortments, package in holiday tins or bags, and then share with sisters who are not able to attend meetings.
• Share your singing talents with your sisters and other residents living in senior housing.
• Host an in-person or virtual “Beat the Holiday Blues” get-together. Invite the entire chapter, including inactive or nonparticipating members, and get creative with the theme!
• Do you have a sister who does not have family nearby? Invite her to share your holiday meal with your family. After all, she is your sister!
Ideas for November 2023
• Thoughts of Thanksgiving and gratitude are typically a theme this month. Celebrate gratitude for your sisters with a phone call, a card, or during “for the good of the chapter.” Hold a virtual gratitude social with sisters who don’t regularly attend meetings. Share favorite family recipes and memories.
• Supporting the community is a way to be a visible P.E.O. presence. Plan to help with a food drive or serve at a shelter and include your nonparticipating and inactive sisters. Give them the opportunity to participate or donate so they feel they are helping too.
• Are your collegiate P.E.O.s coming home for a holiday? Make sure to welcome them at any socials you might be holding during their school break or try to meet them for a quick informal coffee to catch up.
Ideas for October 2023
• Fall is a wonderful time to take a walk with your chapter sisters. Walking leads to talking and is a good bonding experience.
• Discuss how your chapter can make senior members feel included. Stress that their dues help support the mission of our Sisterhood. Send a fun Halloween card to show the chapter is thinking of them. Try conducting preacceptance or postinitiation counseling virtually or at their home so they are a part of the chapter’s growth.
• Plan a social around local fall activities in your area. Invite your families. Be sure to include your nonparticipating members and guests.
Ideas for September 2023
* Culture through puzzles. Find a puzzle that is a picture of fine art or historical architecture. The host can research the subject. She can lead a discussion that will make it interesting for everyone as they put the puzzle together. You can also google the subject as you build your puzzle. Invite guests.
* Send your favorite students back to school in style! Plan a backpack packing party and stuff backpacks with fresh new pencils, pens, highlighters, and notepads for students of all ages in your community.
* September is Classical Music Month. Attend a symphony concert or ask a local musician to present a program on classical music or a composer about how other musical genres have been influenced by the classics. Invite your inactive members.
Ideas for August 2023
* Meet up for ice cream or make your own ice cream. Summertime is ice cream time! Invite guests, unaffiliates, nonparticipating members and inactives. Do not forget the toppings.
* Submit entries for your local fair as a way to show off your sisters’ talents. Whether it’s a homemade pickle recipe or a quilt, it’s an opportunity to win a ribbon and who doesn’t love a good competition? Plan to attend the fair as a chapter or small group to see the items on display and be sure to sample the food! This event could be open to friends and family as you are thinking of inviting new members to join your chapter.
* Paint river rocks with kindness quotes or floral designs virtually. Use paints or Sharpie pens. Decorate your garden, neighborhood, or deliver to non-participating sisters.
Ideas for July 2023
* Invite your sisters to an outdoor social to prepare homemade cards to send to nonparticipating members. They will have fun tracing their hands on pieces of construction paper, cutting out the shapes, and writing “thinking of you” messages on them before mailing.
* Going to the movies with your sisters during the summer can be COOL. Add lunch or dinner. Talk, laugh or even cry about the movie together. Invite nonparticipating members, unaffiliates, and guests to this COOL event. Everyone loves a good movie.
* Host a pool party for everyone including nonparticipating and inactive sisters. Make sure to take pictures and share them on social media or via email for those that cannot attend.
Ideas for June 2023
* June 20th is the first day of summer and falls on a Tuesday this year. Take advantage of the warmer weather with a cocktail al fresco, a fresh summer salad, or a fun outdoor activity with your chapter sisters and guests.
* Grab three sisters (or teams of 4) and hit the pickle ball court! Equipment is minimal (paddles and a ball) and many communities have designated pickle ball courts in public parks. Make sure to reach out to sisters who you haven’t seen in a while and those that are inactive. They might be interested in getting involved in chapter life again!
* On a bright Saturday morning visit the farmer's market to buy fresh vegetables such as spinach, sugar snap peas, asparagus and more. Make it a chapter family event. There is something for everyone at the local farmer’s market.
Ideas for May 2023
* Get together with some of your other active sisters and celebrate May Day on May 1st by taking a small bouquet of flowers to nonparticipating or inactive sisters.
* If you live in an area where the snow is finally melting, organize a chapter litter pickup. It is a good way to have a walk with your sisters, get some fresh air and clean up the neighborhood.
* Spring is the perfect time to plant seeds. For those of us who are most definitely not green thumbs, consider planting metaphorical seeds. Start a round-robin email to all members of your chapter including non-participating and inactives and share your personal goals for the year. Ask each member to reply-all to see their responses. Maybe there are ways you can help your sisters – or they can help you!
Ideas for April 2023
*April 7 is National Beer Day. Plan a social at a local brewery and invite inactive, nonparticipating and potential sisters.
*Calling all basketball fans! Host a Final Four party (in person or virtual) to watch the college basketball finals. Invite everyone including those who have gone inactive or who might not be participating much right now. You can start a pool if you wish or download a game bracket app on your phone to add a competitive edge.
*Spring is the perfect time to meet your chapter sisters and guests for a cup of coffee at an outside café. Include inactive, nonparticipating, and potential sisters.
Ideas for March 2023
*Enjoy a chapter movie marathon with some wizard’s fire in the fireplace. Simply burn your left-over paper from the holidays or birthdays for a special effect.
*There’s no better way to shake off the winter blues than by dancing! Find inspiration on YouTube and learn a short new dance routine as a chapter activity. Consider “performing” your new dance at your next social!
*Everyone is Irish in March! Waken those hibernating minds and write special limericks for your sisters on shamrock shaped paper. Dress all in green and deliver the Sham-ogram limericks with some homemade soda bread muffins and a jig to beloved sisters.
Ideas for February 2023
*Get out your fuzzy winter slippers and wear them to your chapter meeting. Have fun and take lots of pictures to post on social media.
*February 4th is National Homemade Soup Day. Mix up a pot of your favorite tummywarming soup and bring it to a social event where everyone is invited (nonparticipating sisters, inactive sisters, friends, and family). Make small cups available to all in attendance to taste samples of each homemade soup. If you’re a competitive group, make it a contest and vote for a winner! *Mail valentine cards to your nonparticipating and inactive sisters. Don’t forget those sisters who might live far away or who are attending college in another area.
Ideas for January 2023
*It is football time! Host a football party. Everyone brings a snack to share and their own drink. Cheer for your team. Include family members, unaffiliates, inactives and guests.
*Stargaze on a dark winter night. Invite non-participating members, family, friends, inactives, neighbors, and more! Ask one sister or guest to be the “constellation expert” and see how many constellations you all can identify.
*Pick a fun winter read and make plans to discuss it with as many sisters, friends, and family that are interested. This can be done virtually or a hybrid of in-person and virtual so everyone can be included! Sip a mug of hot chocolate while you discuss your winter read. (Bonus: if your chapter has a book club, they can select the book and lead the discussion!)
Ideas for November 2022:
*November 1st is National Author’s Day. Invite a local author to your next chapter meeting (in-person or virtual) to present a program on their latest book. Maybe the author is a member of your own chapter!
*Volunteer at your local food pantry or meal distribution center. What better way to support our local communities than helping those who are food insecure. Invite all the sisters in your yearbook and aim for full participation.
*Host an Apple Pie Bake Off. Everyone brings a homemade apple pie to share for tasting. Each person will vote for the best pie. Do not forget the vanilla ice cream!! Make sure to include unaffiliates, nonparticipating, inactive sisters and guests.
Ideas for October 2022
*Get lost! In a corn maze, that is. Plan an outing with all of your sisters (unaffiliates in the area, participating, nonparticipating, active, and inactive alike) to visit a local corn maze and pumpkin patch. Sip some cider, bring a picnic lunch, and bring friends and family who could become new members, as well!
*Hold a scary movie night and share your favorite scary story with your sisters. This can be done in person as well as virtually since many streaming services offer watch parties. Make sure everyone is included and bring/invite friends!
*With October being traditionally our Let’s Go Find the Others month, plan a program with a twist on Franc’s List for your meeting (either in person or virtually). Each sister writes on one side of a paper all the organizations to which she belongs (choir, water aerobics, book club, bridge group, etc.). On the other side of the paper, write the name of one person in each of those groups who is not a P.E.O. but might be interested. Ask everyone to invite at least one of those women identified to the next chapter social.
Ideas for September 2022
* Plan an easy walk/hike to observe the Fall colors and the change of seasons. Because September is Women’s Friendship Month, invite nonparticipating and inactive sisters, as well as friends and family.
* Have a crafting meeting to create handmade cards to send to sisters throughout the year. Use watercolors, photographs, stickers on card stock. Include inspirational sentiments to let her know she is remembered.
* Time to start thinking about Fall. Make some pumpkin bread, wrap it up in decorative paper or in a seasonal basket. Drop it off at a sister’s home that does not attend meetings often with a note that you are thinking of her and miss her. A little tender loving care can go a long way.
Ideas for August 2022
* Prepare back to school care packages for college-aged sisters, Cottey students, project recipients, or teacher sisters. Include gift cards, coffee cup, snacks, tea bags, travel-sized lotion, first aid supplies, and a special note of encouragement.
* Hold a block party in a member’s neighborhood. Invite all on the street/in the area. Make it a potluck, play some good music, and have a watermelon or pie-eating contest. Give out small prizes along with P.E.O. brochures. Don’t forget the kids and grandkids!
* The first Sunday in August is Sisters Day. Think of the women you consider sisters in your life. Are they already P.E.O.s or could they be? Invite them to your next social or share these very important women with another chapter by completing the online Introduction of a Woman Not a P.E.O. form.
Ideas for July 2022
* Join the ‘boys of summer’ at a summer baseball game. Invite guests and nonparticipating sisters to a pregame picnic. Wear daisy or star clothing to advertise P.E.O. to other game attendees.
* Use chalk drawings and dollar-store pinwheels to decorate the front walks of the homes of sisters who have not been able to participate lately. “A P.E.O. sister lives here!” or “We love our Chapter __ sister!” are fun messages to accompany drawings or stars or daisies.
* When life gives you lemons and you can’t meet in person, make ice cold lemonade! Gather virtually with a glass of lemonade or your favorite beverage and share a special summer vacation memory. All are welcome – don't forget to include your inactive sisters.
Ideas for June 2022
* Plan a trip with chapter members plus non-participating members to a local ice cream parlor for a sweet treat.
* Brighten the day for a sister that hasn’t attended meetings in a while with a handful of freshpicked flowers and a jar of sun tea. Leave it at her house with a container of sugar she can add to sweeten the tea to her taste.
* Get ready for summer reading and visit a used bookstore to load up on those books you love to read. The entire chapter is invited. Arrange a book reveal after a chapter meeting. Each sister can review one of her books. Exchange books and even have more to read. Spread the fun with invited guests, family, inactive and non-participating sisters.
Ideas for May 2022
* Volunteer with a veteran’s organization to place flags or poppies on headstones in a local cemetery. This outdoor event can include family and friends, as well as non-participating members.
* Bake a festive pie and deliver to one your non-participating or homebound members to kick off the berry season.
* Whether you’re looking for a breath of spring air or inspiration and fun with sisters, a trip to the local nursery is fun. Plan ahead, call the local nursery and make arrangements for your visit. Often an employee will give you a tour and offer ideas about spring planting. Group visits are best taken during the week. Invite guests, non-participating and inactive sisters.
Ideas for April 2022
* Create a “goody bag” for your chapter’s convention delegate(s). This can contain small items like mints, travel-size sanitizing wipes or hand sanitizer, her favorite snack/candy, and a card signed by your chapter thanking her for attending and bringing back to the chapter such important news.
* Shower your collegiate sisters with items they could use as they begin studying for finals – snacks, pencils and pens, stickers, door decorations and a stress reliever item. If you have a sister who is a Cottey student, order a finals week care package before April 20, 2022, on the Cottey website https://cottey.edu/peo/support-students/
* Have a spring potluck picnic with sisters, family and friends. Have a bouncy house for kids, hire a local band, hold an auction to raise funds for the projects.
Ideas for March 2022
* Spring is springing! Have a secret sister flower/plant exchange. Choose a sister you haven’t seen in a while and bring her a small plant, flower or herb seed packet to remind her that you are thinking of her.
* Have a tea party! With so many tea varieties, try something new. Everyone brings her own teacup with tea to share. This would be a good social to invite a guest or inactive member. Don’t forget the crumpets!
* Hold a St. Patrick’s Day party during a chapter meeting. Whether in person, virtual or hybrid, wear your green. Ask each member to write on a Shamrock cutout what they love most about their chapter or chapter sisters.
Ideas for February 2022
* Have a random drawing to present the New Member Welcome Kit to a sister who has lovingly paid her dues or those of another sister.
* Send Valentine’s Day cards to nonresident and nonparticipating sisters or a quick video email to let them know they are loved and missed.
* Make a chapter scrapbook to include a page for each member. Hand out white scrapbook paper and ask each sister to create her page including her “P.E.O. Why”. At the next chapter meeting, everyone shares her page and places it in the scrapbook binder – a treasure for the chapter to share with new members. Ongoing, ask new sisters to create their own page
Ideas for January 2022
* Beat the winter blues by delivering mini hot cocoa/hot tea care packages to nonparticipating sisters to let them know you miss seeing them in person and virtually. Include butterscotch candies and “The Butterscotch Affair” story to honor our Founders.
* Plan a fun indoor social activity with critical thinking and challenging puzzles at a nearly Escape Room following local health guidelines. Invite prospective sisters, inactives, unaffiliates and guests. \
* Create luminaries and light up the new year by placing them at home-bound sisters’ yards, porches or front walks
Ideas for December 2021
« Make a date to see the light displays in your area as a chapter or in small groups. Invite your inactive and nonparticipating members to join you.
« Buy a single flower for each member of your chapter. Attach a ribbon to each one. At the end of your meeting, give one to each sister as she leaves, and ask her to take one to drop off at the home of a sister who wasn’t able to attend the meeting.
« Gather in-person or virtually and get out your thread and needle. Pop some popcorn and include a bowl of fresh cranberries. Create a string full of old-fashioned splendor. Decorate your house with cheer. Invite guests, inactives and nonparticipating members. Your chapter could pair this activity with watching a movie or listening to music.
Ideas for November 2021
« Contact two members of your chapter by phone, mail, email and/or text and catch up with them.
« Have a “Mixology by Zoomology” social. Contact an accomplished sister or mixologist who would be willing to do a short demonstration. Make sure to invite your nonresident members on the call.
« Mail a card to all inactive and non-participating members of your chapter sharing your gratefulness for their friendship and sisterhood.
« As a chapter, collect nonperishable food items. Decorate a box or basket to take your food items to a local food bank. Take pictures and share on social media. Your community will learn about P.E.O. and your chapter will feel good, too.
Ideas for September 2021
« Get to know your sisters a little better by taking turns at a virtual meeting/social naming the city and state or province where you were living when you became a P.E.O. Gather in person or virtually with your chapter sisters and invite your inactive members and guests.
« Have each participant bring a clear water or wine glass and get ready to have some fun painting marguerites on your glass Paint brushes, primer and acrylic paint are all you need to create these sunny flowers. Did you know marguerite is the French word for daisy? Learn more about the marguerite and share your facts with your sisters as you paint.
Ideas for August 2021
« Gather together in person or virtually and create an indoor herb garden. If meeting as a group, bring your own pot, dirt, and herb seeds. Many herbs grow well inside such as basil, bay, chives, and oregano. Share your seeds with your sisters and watch your garden grow.
« If your chapter starts the P.E.O. year in September, August is the time to plan a yearbook unveiling party. Weather permitting, meet outside and have grab bags with the yearbook and some star or daisy stickers for the calendar to mark P.E.O. meetings. Talk about the theme for the year and have some fun.
Ideas for July 2021
« Invite a Master Gardener to a virtual social to share tips and answer questions. Invite area unaffiliates and inactive members along with a special invite to nonresident members and prospective members.
« Plan a social outing in a park and invite unaffiliates living in your area along with inactive members and women you want to introduce to your chapter. Make a special effort to involve your nonparticipating members. Provide rides for those who need assistance getting to meetings.
Ideas for June 2021
« Late spring evenings are magical and beautiful. The air is sweet, cool, and quiet as the flowers twinkle under the light of the night sky. It is a perfect time to take an evening stroll with your sisters. Ask a sister to join you who does not participate in meetings often. Wear your springtime masks and walking shoes. Note: this is a pet friendly activity too.
« Summer is the perfect time to have socials and programs designed especially to include nonparticipating and unaffiliate members. Make an effort to meet at varied times of day or different days to capture those sisters who have work or family commitments during your usual meeting times.
« So many of our members have been isolated during the pandemic. Take your own lawn chair and sit at a distance in their front yard for a visit.
Ideas for May 2021
« Since spring is the season when flowers bloom, it would be nice for you and your sisters to visit the nearest flower farm or meadow to look at the blossoming flowers. Bring a guest; invite another chapter. You can simply roam around the area to look, or consider taking photos to post on your social media or keep as mementos. Wear your masks and social distance as you enjoy the spring weather.
« If you have a collegiate sister in your chapter send her a gift card, or take it to her personally if she is now learning from home. She might also appreciate a “good luck with finals” card from the chapter.
« Are your nonresident sisters aware of P.E.O. chapters in their community? Help them find a new P.E.O. home by using the Chapter Map Tool and send them the contact information for chapters which meet in their area.
Ideas for April 2021
« Have a virtual cocktail party with a focus on the new members in your chapter. While enjoying your favorite beverage, direct the conversation to aspects of P.E.O. Check out the nine highlighted topics in the New Member Resources on the International Chapter website for ideas. Share one of these topics on your screen and allow time for questions.
« Recognize chapter members’ P.E.O. initiation anniversaries during For the Good of the Chapter at your meeting this month. The corresponding secretary has everyone's initiation date in her Chapter Membership Summary (CMS), or maybe you have it listed in your yearbook. Consider doing this every month at your meeting.
« Extend sisterly concern by contacting a sister who has recently gone inactive and listen to her story. Offer heartfelt interest and express loving concern in concrete, helpful ways. Perhaps reinstatement is a possibility if she knows how much you care.
Ideas for March 2021
« Take an online Class or Tutorial: Learn something new for a few hours by taking an easy online class or tutorial as a chapter. Search online for free or inexpensive options such as a cooking class, do it yourself project or crafts. Don’t forget to include your nonresidents.
« Conduct a book review: If your chapter has a book club as a small interest group, consider inviting the whole chapter to an online book review. Possibly you could have the author attend virtually and answer questions. Remember to include your collegiate members on this virtual call.
« Changing of the Guard: Acknowledge your new officers with a communication letting them know how much you appreciate their saying “yes,” and acknowledge the sisters who just completed their terms of service by saying “thank you for a job well done.”
Ideas for February 2021
« Valentine greeting: Be creative and send a valentine to each member of your chapter by email, text or mail. Don’t forget to include nonresidents and collegiate members. Consider including the unaffiliates and inactives you have in your area.
« Pajama Day: Turn your social into the ultimate time to do nothing but relax. Get your comfortable pajamas on and join your sisters by video conference. Blankets and a warm drink are welcome.
« Virtual Coffee: Text a sister and see if she has time to have a virtual coffee or lunch.
Ideas for January 2021
« Homemade Hot Chocolate: Make a delicious hot cocoa mix recipe. Change it up by adding cinnamon, nutmeg, or mint. For diehard chocolate lovers, add different types of chocolate. Share your final recipe with your chapter at a video call - invite a guest! Share your “Homemade Hot Chocolate” recipes with your chapter by email and consider delivering some mix and marshmallows to a sister you haven’t seen in a while. Do not forget to drink your mug of hot chocolate at your social!
« Keep in touch: In honor of Founders’ Day send seven sisters in your chapter a text or a card on January 21 to let them know you are thinking of them.
« Celebrate our 152 years. Contact 1 inactive member, 5 actively participating members and 2 nonparticipating members. Mark your calendar to contact these sisters on a monthly basis. Consider a seasonal question each month that requires a response.
Ideas for December 2020
« Everyone is a Star Using a wooden star shape from a craft store, create a special ornament for your VIP sisters. Share what you've made at your virtual socials and have sisters bid on them as a little fundraiser. The highest bidder will have the star ornament delivered to her home by the one who made it.
« Special Holiday Card Visit a sister who is in a retirement or care center through the window. Bring signs to show how much she is loved
Ideas for November 2020
« Fall Party in a Bag Each sister make up a fall party in a bag (drink, snack, etc.) Use your imagination. Deliver it on the doorstep of an assigned sister and open the bags on a scheduled video conferencing party. Display your bag items with the others and party down!
« Host a fall flower arranging party At your local food market look for fall blooms, grab some easy snacks, and you are pretty much good to go. Arrange the fall flowers at home or on a video conference. Keep your favorite football team in mind when showing off your arrangement.
Ideas for October 2020
« Pumpkin Carving Get into the Halloween spirit by hosting a pumpkin-carving party competition. Bring carved pumpkins to a fall gathering or share your final pumpkin during video conferencing. Winner receives a pumpkin pie at the gathering or delivered to winner’s door.
« Murder Mystery Party Who does not love a good whodunnit story? For a memorable party theme, serve up a little mystery along with a potluck dinner. It is a great way to keep BILs and sisters engaged and entertained. There are mystery games that can be purchased and many can be done by video conferencing.
Ideas for September 2020
« Ask your nonparticipating members to attend this unusual year’s Summer Staycation Auction social. Each chapter member brings an item in a gift bag from her staycation. Sight unseen, the auctioneer then auctions them off to the highest bidder. This makes a fundraiser a fun raiser.
« Invite a nonresident sister to give a brief virtual program on the city she lives in. What does she like best? Does she have a new favorite local food?
Ideas for August 2020
« Gather little items to create a back-to-school basket for your collegiate member. These could be a bottle of hand sanitizer, a book of stamps, a package of thank you cards, a package of microwave popcorn, gift card, or many other things.
« Set up a telephone game with your local chapter. Have someone start the call with the first name following hers in your yearbook. Pass on the phrase “We’re making history together.” Each sister then calls the next one on the list and passes on the phrase. If you get an answering machine, leave a nice message and move on to the next name. See how quickly the message gets back to the one who started it. Was the message still the same?
« Check on your nonresident sisters with a phone call to see what is happening in their lives. Share what you learn with the rest of your chapter at your next meeting – whether virtual or in-person. As you check on them, make sure all their contact information is correct. Pass on any changes to your corresponding secretary.
Ideas for July 2020
« Use this time to really connect with your chapter sisters. Here are a couple of suggestions.
«Write a chalk message on her driveway or sidewalk
«Leave a teacup with a teabag and friendly note in her door – call to make sure she received it.
« Use videoconferencing to introduce prospective members to your chapter. If everyone cannot attend the first one, plan several at different days and times. Make a special effort to accommodate your nonparticipating members.
« Don’t forget about your unaffiliates! Invite those who live in your area to a video meeting with your chapter sisters. What a great opportunity to get to know each other and invite them to a meeting when in-person meetings are resumed. «
« Have your regularly scheduled program for your chapter during a video call. This is a great opportunity to include your inactive members.
Ideas for June 2020
« Make a popcorn gift basket for a sister, and attach a card saying “Just popping in to say hi!” Include a recommendation of a movie you could watch at the same time. Give her a call afterward for a quick movie review.
« Have a virtual get-together and make a special effort to include your nonresidents. Schedule the day and time to make sure they can attend.
« If you’ve missed a program and it can be done virtually, get it scheduled via Zoom.
« Have a face mask fashion show.
Ideas for May 2020
« Ask a nonparticipating member to join you for a virtual lunch. Pick a time that will work for both of you and enjoy catching up.
« Prepare May baskets for delivery any time this month and leave it at a sister’s doorstep. Give her a follow up call later.
« If you have a collegiate sister in your chapter, consider having a card shower to send “good luck with finals” cards from individual chapter sisters.
Ideas for April 2020
« Start a new tradition! As a first act of sisterly love, consider giving each new member a bouquet of daisies at her initiation.
« When you are planning your yearbook programs for the upcoming year, choose a month when your chapter historian will bring your scrapbooks. Invite nonparticipating members that are featured in your scrapbooks to be a part of the reminiscences. By looking at your history, you may find a social, fundraiser, or program that you want to recycle.
« Spring into action with a yoga workout. Invite a yoga instructor to do a short, simple class after a meeting. Have everyone bring a fresh healthy snack to share. Members will feel fit, healthy and happy, ready for Spring.
Ideas for March 2020
«Bring a paperback book or a favorite magazine to trade at your next chapter meeting. Put your name and phone number inside the front cover. Call the sister whose book/magazine you took and discuss an article or thank them for sharing.
.«Send a St. Patrick’s Day card to your nonparticipating sisters. Tell them they are missedand you feel lucky you are their sister! Offer them a ride to the next meeting.
«Find an old photo of you and a sister that will bring a smile to your faces, and text, email or mail it to her with a little note of gratitude for the P.E.O. legacy you share.
«Is there a new movie opening soon? Invite a nonparticipating sister to go with you.
Ideas for February 2020
«Send a Valentine card to three sisters with whom you have not had an opportunity to chat recently(include a nonresident).Take 5 minutes out of your day to send a little tangible love through the postal system telling your sisters why you admire them.
«Contact an inactive member and tell her how much you treasure her and miss her.
«Start a book club or other small interest group! Ask sisters to join whom you don’t see often due to their schedules and other commitments. Perhaps your group’s meeting time will be more convenient for them.
«Sign up for an art class with a sister you don’t know as well and enjoy painting, ceramics, or other crafts while learning more about each other.
Ideas for January 2020
«To beat the January blues, invite two or three sisters to come to your home to watch a movie, eat popcorn, and enjoy each other’s company. Be sure to include your nonparticipating and inactive sisters.
«Set a goal for the new year regarding connecting with your sisters. Make it as easy as 1-2-3...1 in-person, 2 phone calls, 3 notes.
«When something happens in your life that matters consider planning an impromptu party to share the joy with yoursisters! Text a quick invitation, “Oh my word! I did it! I just (typed the last word on my new business proposal) (made it through the 5K) (fill in with YOUR achievement)! And I want to celebrate reaching this milestone with the friends who encouraged me to take this step. Any of you up for take-out on me tonight?”
«Remember your collegiate sister as she starts a new semester. Send a card signed by chapter members along with a “thinking of you” care package.
Ideas for Decenber 2019
« Have a cookie exchange! Everyone brings a dozen (or desired amount) of cookies. Divide them up into assortments, package in holiday tins or bags and then share with sisters who are not able to attend meetings.
« Share your singing talents with your sisters and other residents living in senior housing.
« Have a sister who doesn’t have family near? Invite her to share your holiday meal with your family. After all, she is your sister!
Ideas for Novenber 2019
« Acknowledge what a blessing a sister has been to you, e.g., a phone call, a card, or during “for the good of the chapter”.
« There are lots of opportunities to support the community. Plan to help with a food drive or serve at a shelter and include your nonparticipating and inactive sisters. Give them the opportunity to participate or donate, which makes them feel like they are helping too.
« Are your collegiate P.E.O.s coming home for a holiday? Prepare a care package to send back to school with them.
Ideas for October, 2019
« Enjoy the fall weather and invite your sisters to take a walk with you. Taking a walk can be a great bonding experience.
« Discuss how your chapter can make older members feel included. Stress that their dues help support the mission of our Sisterhood. Send a fun Halloween card to show the chapter is thinking of them. Consider conducting a preacceptance or postinitiation counseling at their home so they are a part of the chapter’s growth.
« Plan a social around local fall activities in your area. Invite your BILs and children. Be sure to include your nonparticipating members and guests.
Ideas for September, 2019
« Benevolence box: Have a small attractive box or tin available each month for sisters to help other sisters pay their dues.
« Welcome Home (Back) to P.E.O. events and meetings. Send an evite, postcard or “flyer” announcing the first gathering using the “Welcome Home” idea for all members to feel the fresh start and expectation of a new P.E.O. season.
« Do a WELCOME HOME event to view Projects Night together on the live stream from Convention of International Chapter. Celebrate with fall type theme, sunflowers, popcorn, comfy clothes and amazing speakers! Announce this early enough to snag those nonparticipating members who might just be able to come on a Thursday night to a relaxed event.
« Mid-September is usually a beautiful time in the garden. Invite an inactive/nonparticipating member to go on a garden tour or just bring her a few flowers from your own garden.
Ideas for August, 2019
« College age members are often returning to school. Set up a small basket at a meeting or your summer get-together for members to help stock her dorm room or closet. Toothpaste, paper towels, popcorn are all welcome and an easy purchase.
« Celebrate your active/attending members at a meeting especially if your chapter takes the summer months off. Have a special dessert.
Ideas for July, 2019:
« Summer is a great time to contact your P.E.O. sisters near and far, especially consider your nonresident members who haven’t found a new P.E.O. home yet. Drop them a note to let them know they are thought of, no matter where they are. If you are traveling in their area, let them know, maybe even meet for a quick visit!
« Plan a trip to a museum that has an interesting, perhaps female oriented, program that will provide a fun way to connect with non-participating sisters and keep you inside the cool. Very often they have a place to eat, enjoy that as well.
« Mentor an older member of the importance continued membership is even though they may not be able to participate as freely. Make them feel included and appreciated.
Ideas for June, 2019:
« Now that the summer has come, contact those newly inactive P.E.O.s and determine if they actually intended to go inactive, or if it was just a missed deadline. Be prepared to discuss how simple it is to reinstate.
« Reach out to inactive and nonparticipating sisters to include them in fun small group activities. Head to the movies, grab some ice cream, or attend a concert in the park – and give these sisters a chance to connect with sisters in an informal way.
« Contact the unaffiliates in your area early in the summer and invite them to a social activity. Even if they aren’t ready to transfer, this would give them an opportunity to meet other unaffiliates in the area as well as members of your chapter.
Ideas for October 2021
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Have a virtual cooking demonstration as a social with your chapter. Send out the recipe ahead of time. Make your own scrumptious fall dish or just watch and socialize.
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How about an early morning walk with a sister you haven’t seen in a while? Find a park or location with a nearby shop where you can enjoy donuts and coffee afterwards.
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Deliver a seasonal card and a goody bag to a sister you have not connected with recently and invite her to go for pumpkin spice latte with you.
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Plan a walking tour of a neighborhood that goes “all-out” with festive decorations. Make this an event open to all sisters; active, nonparticipating, unaffiliates and inactive.