proceedings - nedchapters.com . the empowered woman by sonny carroll the empowered woman, she moves...
TRANSCRIPT
PROCEEDINGS
The Empowered Woman
By Sonny Carroll
The Empowered Woman, she moves through the world
with a sense of confidence and grace.
Her once reckless spirit now tempered by wisdom.
Quietly, yet firmly, she speaks her truth without doubt or hesitation
and the life she leads is of her own creation.
She now understands what it means to live and let live.
How much to ask for herself and how much to give.
She has a strong, yet generous heart
and the inner beauty she emanates truly sets her apart.
Like the mythical Phoenix,
she has risen from the ashes and soared to a new plane of existence,
unfettered by the things that once posed such resistance.
Her senses now heightened, she sees everything so clearly.
She hears the wind rustling through the trees;
beckoning her to live the dreams she holds so dearly.
She feels the softness of her hands
and muses at the strength that they possess.
Her needs and desires she has learned to express.
She has tasted the bitter and savored the sweet fruits of life,
overcome adversity and pushed past heartache and strife.
And the one thing she never understood,
she now knows to be true,
it all begins and ends with you.
NORTHEAST DISTRICT CHAPTER P.E.O. SISTERHOOD
Organized November 3, 1990
Twenty-Fourth Annual Convention
Doubletree by Hilton, South Portland, Maine
May 2 & 3, 2015
Hostess Chapters
Maine Seacoast Chapters – D, E, G, J, L Maine
Representative of International Chapter
Patricia Brolin-Ribi, AM-ID, PSP ID, Recording Secretary of International Chapter
District Officers
President Ann Dederer K-ME
Vice President Linda Lussier A-RI
Organizer Tamara Le C-NH
Treasurer Marcy Weeks L-ME
Secretary Katrina Maloney H-NH
Past District Presidents
Shirley C. Hall I-ME 1990-1992 *
Mary Beth Smith D-RI 1992-1993
Margaret M. Robinson C-OH 1993-1994
Doreen C. Burbank J-NH 1994-1995
Janet S. Wentworth C-ME 1995-1996
Grace U. Layman H-NH 1996-1997
Prudence L. Ross K-NH 1997-1998 *
Karen M. Donaghay C-RI 1998-1999
Carol J. Weingart G-VT 1999-2000
Jean Grout C-NH 2000-2001
Roberta Holt O-NH 2001-2002
Betsy Silcox A-VT 2002-2003
Anne Foraker B-NH 2003-2004
Ellen Moore F-RI 2004-2005
Carol Kramer P-NH 2005-2006
Linda Powell J-ME 2006-2007
Marlo Bradford B-ME 2007-2008
Rosemary Baldwin C-ME 2008-2009
Karla Driscoll C-RI 2009-2010
Lou McLaren A-VT 2010-2011
Helen Draper H-NH 2011-2012 *
Linda Brackett A-NH 2012-2013
Joan Galloway G-RI 2014-2015
*Chapter Eternal
1
2014-2015 DISTRICT COMMITTEES Amendments & Recommendations
Sae-Im Smith, I-NH, Chairman
Betsy Dake, F-RI
Susan Sielke, H-NH
Finance
Elaine Hubert, A-VT, Chairman
Mary Beth L’Esperance, G-RI
Dot Kasik, J-ME
Membership
Susan Holak, C-NH, Chairman
Jayne Tessitore, F-VT
Sandra Rivard, G-ME
Noella Peacos, G-RI
Nominating
Joan Galloway, G-RI, PDP, Chairman
Judy Jones, F-ME
Cindy White, N-NH
Susan Gordon, D-RI
Lou McLaren, H-VT PDP
Cottey College
Charlotte Signor, K-NH, Chairman
Helen MacDonald, E-RI
Molly Lovell-Keely, L-ME
Susan Bond, A-VT
Paid Assistant Treasurer
Stephanie Giese, G-VT
FORUM Editor
Lola Orcutt, B-ME
NEDC Website
Lou McLaren, H-VT, Editor
Lisa Ambrosio, O-NH, Webmaster
Historian
Barbara Rainville, H-VT
Grouping
Linda Lussier, A-RI
2014-2015 CONVENTION APPOINTMENTS Parliamentarian
Patricia Brolin-Ribi
Representative of International Chapter
Credentials
Lou McLaren, H-VT, PDP, Chairman
Mary Beth Smith, D-RI, PDP
Angela Yardy, K-ME
Audit Committee
Amy Bell, G-VT, Chairman
Susan Taylor, G-VT
Barbara Rainville, H-VT
Committee to Approve the Minutes
Marlene Baldwin, H-NH
Marian Daley, H-NH
Susan Sielke, H-NH
Guards
Linda Weinmann, A-ME, Head Guard
Jennifer Coughlin, A-ME
Susan Brooks, A-ME
Robyn Ball, K-ME
Linda Powell, J-ME, PDP, Adviser
Tellers
Cathy Sell, F-ME
Vivian Hodgkins, F-ME
Mary Berger, F-ME
June Pounder, E-NH
Linda Powell, J-ME, PDP, Adviser
Music Technician
Molly Lovell-Keely, L-ME
Song Leader
Dot Kasik, J-ME
2
SEACOAST GROUP HOSTESS CHAPTER COMMITTEES
Co-Chairmen
Mary Kay Colbath, L-ME and Barbara Daggett, L-ME
Celebration Banquet Officer Baskets/Name Tags Hospitality Room Chapter D-ME Chapter G-ME Chapter J-ME
Sunday Luncheon Meeting Room Set-Up Delegate Bags Chapter L-ME Chapter L-ME Chapter E-ME
Celebration of Life BIL/Guest Activities
Chapter J-ME Chapter E-ME
Art Gallery
Brigid DiDonna & Terri Todd, D-ME, Mary Ann Kennedy & Priscilla Campbell-Wyman, E-ME
Co-Chairmen: Susan Nolde, L-ME & Carrie Yakola, J-ME
RULES OF CONVENTION Music preceding each meeting is for your listening pleasure.
Please be seated so that all may enjoy it and be ready for the Call to Order.
ADMISSION:
1. Delegates and visitors must register before attending convention business meetings or workshops. Visitors
must sit in the visitor’s section.
2. Admission to convention will be by password or official badge.
GENERAL:
3. Remain seated during the processional and recessional.
4. Those appearing on the program are to be seated in the front row before the opening of the meeting in which
they are to appear.
5. If unable to hear, please signify by raising your hand.
6. Convention assistants and guards will carry necessary messages except during speeches or devotions.
7. Enter and leave the meeting only between programs. No one will be seated during the report of the guards or
during a program.
SPEAKING & VOTING
8. A member of convention addressing the chair shall come to the microphone and announce her name, chapter
letter, city and state before being recognized.
9. When speaking to an amendment, no member shall speak more than once or longer than two minutes on the
same question. Total consideration on a proposed amendment shall be limited to seven (7) minutes.
10. Two copies of a motion from the floor, including amendments to an amendment, must be submitted in writing
(using the official NED form), and sent to the dais.
11. Amendments adopted at convention will take effect at the close of convention unless otherwise indicated by
proviso.
QUESTION BOX & MINUTES
12. A question box will be available on Saturday. Submit questions prior to the close of the Saturday afternoon
meeting. Questions will be answered during the Sunday business meeting. Include name, address or email
since time may not allow for all questions.
13. Addresses, remarks and answers to questions given by the representative of International Chapter or the
Organizer, shall not be taped, duplicated or distributed.
14. Minutes of this convention shall be approved by a special committee appointed for this purpose.
TECHNOLOGY:
15. No pictures may be taken nor may phones, electronic devices or laptops (with the exception of a laptop for the
secretary) be used during the business meeting. Place phones on silent mode.
CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE:
16. The Celebration of Life is a time for loving reverence. Please honor this with silence upon entering the
meeting room and during the service. (No food or drink in meeting room).
17. Turn off phones and electronic devices.
3
2015 NORTHEAST DISTRICT CONVENTION
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
May 1 – 4, 2015
Friday, May1, 2015
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. NEDC Executive Board Meeting, Suite #718
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. NEDC Board Meeting with Patricia Brolin-Ribi, Ste #718
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Pizza Party & Game Night (All are welcome), Sebago Rm
Saturday, May 2, 2015
6:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Breakfast Buffet Included (for hotel guests) Breakfast Area
9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Registration, Scavenger Hunt Begins, West Foyer
10:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m. Hospitality Room Open, Monhegan Rm
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Rehearsal: Period of Instruction, Lighthouse A
9:45 a.m.– 10:30 a.m. Rehearsal: Celebration of Life, Lighthouse A
10:30 a.m.- 11:15 a.m. Rehearsal: Guards/Tellers, Lighthouse A
11:15 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Rehearsal: 2016 Invitation to Convention, Lighthouse A
12:00 p.m.–12:45 p.m. Lunch – On your own
12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. NEDC P.E.O. Gallery of Art Open, Cumberland Rm
11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m. PDP and International Rep. Luncheon, Whaleback Rm
12:45 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Delegate Orientation (attendance required), Lighthouse A
1:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Musical Prelude, Lighthouse A
2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Convention Business Meeting, Lighthouse A
4:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. International Convention Delegates Meeting, Whaleback Rm
4:45 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. Special Work with the Organizer & Proxies, Sebago Rm
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Reception & Cash Bar, Lighthouse A
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. P.E.O. Celebration Banquet, Lighthouse A
Sunday, May 3, 2015
6:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Breakfast Buffet Included (for hotel guests), Sebago Rm
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Hospitality Room Open, Monhegan Rm
8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Registration, West Foyer
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. NEDC P.E.O. Gallery of Art Open, Cumberland Rm
8:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Musical Prelude for Celebration of Life, Lighthouse A
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Celebration of Life, Scavenger Hunt ends, Lighthouse A
9:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Convention Business Meeting, Lighthouse A
12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. Lunch, Sebago Rm
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Convention Business Meeting, Lighthouse A
3:30 p.m. Convention Adjourns
Monday, May 4, 2015
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. NEDC Executive Board Meeting, Oxford Room
4
Choose Your Attitude
2015 CONVENTION AGENDA
Saturday, May 2, 2015
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Musical Prelude – (Please stand & put your hands together) ................................... Molly Lovell-Keely, L-ME
Processional– (Please remain seated) .................................................................................. Mary Berger, F-ME
Convention Call to Order: ................................................................................... Ann Dederer, K-ME, President
Invocation .............................................................................................................................. Lola Orcutt, B-ME
Pledge of Allegiance ............................................................................................... Linda Brackett, A-NH, PDP
Canadian National Anthem ...................................................................................................... Dot Kasik, J-ME
United States National Anthem............................................................................................................ Dot Kasik
Welcome to Convention .................................................................................................................. Ann Dederer
Report & Introduction of the Guards ........................................................................... Linda Weinmann, A-ME
First Report & Introduction of the Credentials Committee ....................................... Lou McLaren, H-VT, PDP
OFFICIAL OPENING OF CONVENTION .................................................................................... Ann Dederer
Singing of the Opening Ode ................................................................................................................ Dot Kasik
Objects & Aims ............................................................................................................................ Linda Brackett
Introductions .................................................................................................................................... Ann Dederer
Representative of International Chapter, Patricia Brolin-Ribi, AM-ID, PSP ID,
Recording Secretary of International Chapter.
PDP’s
NEDC Executive Board
Convention Assistants
NEDC Standing Committee Chairmen, Nominating Committee, Paid Assistant Treasurer, FORUM
Editor, Webmaster
Convention Co-Chairmen & Hostess Chapters
Tellers
Song Leader
Past President’s other S/P/Ds
District Visitors
Mistress of Ceremonies
Music Technician
Song “Remember my Name” .............................................................................................. Molly Lovell-Keely
NEDC Delegates Introduction .................................................................... Katrina Maloney, H-NH, Secretary
Adoption of Convention Rules & Program ............................................................................... Katrina Maloney
Introductions to the Committee to Approve the Minutes................................................................. Ann Dederer
Appointment of the Parliamentarian ................................................................................................ Ann Dederer
Granting of Charter to New Chapter .................................................................... Tamara Le, C-NH, Organizer
Star Story ...................................................................................................................... Members Chapter R-NH
Correspondence......................................................................................................................... Katrina Maloney
Keynote Address ................................................................................................................... Patricia Brolin-Ribi
Playtime “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles” ........................................................................... Molly Lovell-Keely
State of the District Report .............................................................................................................. Ann Dederer
Report of the Nominating Committee ..................................................... Joan Galloway, G-RI, PDP, Chairman
Election of Officers .......................................................................................................................... Ann Dederer
Election of Delegates to Convention of International Chapter ........................................................ Ann Dederer
Philanthropy Chapter Awards ........................................................................... Marcy Weeks, L-ME, Treasurer
Period of Instruction ........................................................................................................................... Tamara Le
Announcements .......................................................................................................... Mary Kay Colbath, L-ME
Song “Celebration” .............................................................................................................. Molly Lovell-Keely
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Celebration Banquet - Lighthouse A & B .......... Delegates, Visitors, Friends & Family
5
2015 CONVENTION AGENDA Sunday, May 3, 2015
8:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Celebration of Life .......................... Linda Lussier, A-RI, NEDC Vice President & Members of Chapter J-ME
9:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Musical Prelude .................................................................................................................... Molly Lovell-Keely
Call to Order ................................................................................................................................... Ann Dederer
Report of the Guards ................................................................................................................ Linda Weinmann
Second Report of the Credentials Committee ................................................................................ Lou McLaren
Introduction of PDPs & Out-of-District Visitors (previously absent)............................................. Ann Dederer
Devotions ................................................................................................................................ Betsy Dake, F-RI
District Officer Reports & Paid Assistant Treasurer ....................................................................... Ann Dederer
Report of Disbanded Chapters ....................................................................................................... Ann Dederer
Philanthropy Speaker ..................................Mary Berger, F-ME (For Terry Haynes, State of Maine Treasurer)
Playtime “I’m Coming Out” ................................................................................................ Molly Lovell-Keely
Report of Amendments & Recommendations Committee ..................... Sae-Im “Sam” Smith, I-NH, Chairman
Playtime “Footloose” .......................................................................................................... Molly Lovell-Keely
Remainder of Amendments & Recommendations Report ..................... Sae-Im “Sam” Smith, I-NH, Chairman
Playtime “Icky Sticky Bubble Gum” .................................................................................... Molly Lovell-Keely
Report of Finance Committee ........................................................................... Elaine Hubert, A-VT, Chairman
Reports of Other Standing Committees .......................................................................................... Ann Dederer
Announcements ........................................................................................................... Mary Kay Colbath, L-ME
12:00 p.m. Adjournment for Lunch
12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.: Lunch ...................................................................................................... Sebago Room
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Musical Prelude .................................................................................................................... Molly Lovell-Keely
Call to Order ................................................................................................................................... Ann Dederer
Final Report of the Guards ....................................................................................................... Linda Weinmann
Final Report of the Credentials Committee .................................................................................... Lou McLaren
Scavenger Hunt Drawing ................................................................................................................ Ann Dederer
Recognition of 50+ Year Members & Golden Girls Song ........................................ Marcy Weeks & Dot Kasik
Chapter Anniversaries & Happy Birthday Song ....................................................... Marcy Weeks & Dot Kasik
Recognition of Chapters with Initiates ...................................................................................... Katrina Maloney
Report of Winning P.E.O. Philanthropy Display ........................................................................... Marcy Weeks
Report of Visitor Registration ........................................................................................ Barbara Daggett, L-ME
Question Box .................................................................................................. Tamara Le & Patricia Brolin-Ribi
News from International ....................................................................................................... Patricia Brolin-Ribi
President’s Final Remarks ............................................................................................................... Ann Dederer
Song to Executive Board ...................................................................................................... Molly Lovell-Keely
Installation of Officers .......................................................................................................... Patricia Brolin-Ribi
Presentation of the Past President’s Credential ..................................................................... Patricia Brolin-Ribi
Presentation of the Past President’s Pin ....................................................................................... Joan Galloway
Incoming President’s Remarks............................................................................ Linda Lussier, A-RI, President
Invitation to 2016 Convention: Merrimack Valley Group ............................................. NH – C, D, F, J, M & Q
Final Remarks of Representative of International Chapter ................................................... Patricia Brolin-Ribi
Announcement of NEDC Committee Appointments ..................................................................... Linda Lussier
Final Announcements .................................................................................................. Mary Kay Colbath, L-ME
Benediction & Adjournment .......................................................................................................... Linda Lussier
Recessional “Both Sides Now” ............................................................................................. Molly Lovell-Keely
6
REPORT OF THE CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
The Credentials Committee has examined the credentials for the members of convention and
submits the following report:
Members of Convention:
Chapters in district 43
Chapters necessary to establish quorum 22
Chapters represented at convention 42
Chapter delegates 84
District chapter officers 5
Past district presidents 13
Chairmen of Standing Committees 4
Total Members of Convention 106
District Chapter Officers
Ann Dederer K-ME President
Linda Lussier A-RI Vice President
Tamara Le C-NH Organizer
Marcia Weeks L-ME Treasurer
Katrina Maloney H-NH Secretary
Past District Presidents
Mary Beth Smith D-RI
Margaret Robinson C-OH
Janet Wentworth C-ME
Grace Layman H-NH
Jean Grout C-NH
Ellen Moore F-RI
Linda Powell J-ME
Marlo Bradford B-ME
Rosemary Baldwin C-ME
Karla Driscoll C-RI
Lou McLaren H-VT
Linda Brackett A-NH
Joan Galloway G-RI
Chairmen (or Acting Chairmen) of Standing Committees
Sae “Sam” Smith I-NH Amendments & Recommendations Committee
Elaine Hubert A-VT Finance Committee
Charlotte Signor K-NH Cottey College Committee
Susan Holak C-NH Membership Committee
Barbara Rainville H-NH History
Lou McLaren, H-VT, PDP, Chairman
Mary Beth Smith, D-RI, PDP
Angela Yardy, K-ME
7
Delegates to Convention 2015
Maine First Second
A Bangor Susan Carlisle Rhonda Hess
B Bangor Margrette Fenderson Lola Orcutt
C Belfast Gail Smith Frances Torresen
D Portland Kathleen Grossman Betty Yock
E Kennebunk Patricia Musser Brenda Loucks
F Rockland Carol Ransom Caroline Harris
G Brunswick Sandra Terry Rebecca Macus
I Camden Norma Kay Wendt Sue Hopkins
J Kittery Ade Monareh Carrie Yakola
K Ellsworth Kathleen Salkaln Margaret Delehanty
L Portland Laura Abbott Dianne Rodrigue
New Hampshire
A Hanover Jane Darby Vesta Smith
B Concord Christine Sokol Jenifer Evans
C Dover Konni Atwood Susan Holak
D Hampstead Ann Evangelista Judith Cantone
E Claremont Viola Lunderville Joan Bleau
F Amherst Sally Hooper Barbara Fletcher
G Meredith Nancy Barth Jane Flynn
H Keene Jane Pearre Susan Sielke
I Hanover Sarah Robson Ginger Boitnott
J Derry Jean Williams Barbara Johnson
K New London Leigh Clayton Jane Taylor
M Nashua Karen Potter Mae Herron
N Concord Tamar Cerafici Sara Lutz-Blackburn
O Plymouth Susan Berry Lynn Decker
P Wolfeboro Carol Carilli Irene Kimball
Q Kingston Janet Geremia Deb Albee
R Portsmouth Marcia McLaughlin Kathy Beacon
Rhode Island
A Providence Barbara Bicknell Susan Erinakes
B Kingston Phyllis Richards Marcia Tenney
C North Kingston Helen Rinaldi Joyce Tomecko
D Newport Susan McCoy Jill Kelly
E Barrington Helen MacDonald Priscilla Gill
F Providence Bonita Sauer Betsy Dake
G Lincoln Margaret Mathias Rebecca Schulte
Vermont
A Burlington Rebecca Brayden Susan Hood
B Burlington Jeanine Hoyenski Caroline Edmunds
C Burlington Katharine Stockman Susan Davis
E Richmond
F Burlington Sharon Beebe Diane Goulet
G Montpelier Theresa Conant Patricia Janssen
H Middlebury Nancy Merolle Louise Crawford
I Manchester Sarah Brown Luanne Hardy
8
M I N U T E S
NORTHEAST DISTRICT CHAPTER, P.E.O. SISTERHOOD
MAY 1, 2, 3, 2015
PROCEEDINGS
Friday, May 1, 2015
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. The Northeast District Executive Board meeting was held in the President’s
Suite at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, South Portland, ME.
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. The Northeast District Executive Board met with the visitor from
International Chapter’s Executive Board, Patricia Brolin-Ribi, recording secretary, in the
President’s Suite.
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. A “Pizza and Games Party” was held in the Sebago Room.
Saturday, May 2, 2015
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. The PDP and International Representative Luncheon was held in the
Whaleback Room.
12:45 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Delegate Orientation was held in the Lighthouse Ballroom. Proposed
amendments to the Northeast District Bylaws, to be voted upon during convention, were reviewed.
The proposed budget was reviewed and explained.
12:00 p.m. – 6:00 The NEDC P.E.O Gallery of Art was open in the Cumberland Room.
MINUTES
Saturday, May 2, 2015
The 24th Annual Convention of The Northeast District Chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood convened
at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 2, 2015 at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel, South Portland, ME. The
Seacoast Group, Maine Chapters D, E, G, J and L served as hostesses.
“We are Family” by Sister Sledge was played during the processional for the executive board,
Representative of International Chapter, standing committees and past district presidents.
The meeting was called to order by President Ann Dederer at 2:05 p.m.
Lola Orcutt, Chapter B-ME, delivered the invocation.
Linda Brackett, Chapter A-VT, PDP, led the Pledge of Allegiance, after which Dot Kasik, Chapter
J-ME, led the singing of “O Canada” and Heather Thompson, J-ME, led the “Star Spangled
Banner”.
M-1
The president welcomed all on behalf of the Executive Board of The Northeast District Chapter.
Head Guard Linda Weinmann, Chapter A-ME, gave the report of the guards. The president
introduced the guards Jennifer Coughlin, Chapter A-ME, Susan Brooks, Chapter A-ME and Robyn
Ball, Chapter K-ME and their adviser, Linda Powell, J-ME, PDP.
The first credentials report was given by Chairman Lou McLaren, H-VT, PDP, who first presented
and thanked the other members of the committee: Mary Beth Smith, D-RI, PDP and Angela Yardy,
K-ME.
Chairman Lou McLaren reported 107 members of convention entitled to vote. On behalf of the
committee, Lou McLaren moved the report be adopted. There being a majority in the affirmative,
the report was adopted.
A quorum being present, the president declared the 24th convention of Northeast District Chapter
opened in due form and ready for the transaction of business.
Dot Kasik, Chapter J-ME, led the singing of the Opening Ode, followed by the reciting of the
Objects and Aims, led by Linda Brackett.
Ann Dederer, president, introduced and welcomed Patricia Brolin-Ribi, as the Representative of
International Chapter. Patricia Brolin-Ribi is a member of Chapter AM-Idaho, Past President of
Idaho State Chapter, and currently serves as Recording Secretary of International Chapter. She is a
past Trustee and Chair of the P.E.O. Foundation.
The president introduced the 13 past district presidents in attendance and instructed the district
secretary to send greetings and love to the seven past presidents unable to attend.
The president introduced the members of the executive board: Linda Lussier, A-RI vice president,
Tamara Le, C-NH organizer, Marcy Weeks, L-ME treasurer and Katrina Maloney, H-NH secretary.
The president introduced convention assistants: Jennifer Chohan, Chapter K-ME, and Laura
DeCarlo, Chapter K-ME, the president’s daughter and step-daughter. The president then introduced
standing committee chairmen, the Nominating Committee Chairman, the Paid Assistant Treasurer,
the FORUM Editor and the webmaster.
In addition, Convention Co-Chairs, Mary Kay Colbath and Barbara Daggett from Chapter L-ME
were introduced and noted that other convention appointments were listed in the convention
program and will be included in the proceedings.
Hostess chapters, tellers and the song leader, Dot Kasik, J-ME were introduced
Three past presidents from other state chapters who are now members of Northeast District Chapter
were welcomed. Marcia McLaughlin, Chapter R-NH, PSP, NJSC (2008-2009), Lynn Reinhard,
Chapter R-NH, PSP, PASC (2002-2003), and Rosalind Whalon, Chapter E-ME, PSP, PASC (1990-
1991).
The president also recognized out-of-district visitors Mary Watson, Chapter AL-Portland, Oregon,
and Linda Scopaz, Chapter P-Pelham, New York and warmly welcomed and encouraged visitors to
M-2
attend all business meetings and convention activities.
The president introduced and thanked, Mary Berger, F-ME, who provided introductions during the
processional, and Music Technician, Molly Lovell-Kelly, L-ME.
The song, “Remember My Name” by Irene Cara was played.
Katrina Maloney, secretary, welcomed the delegates and encouraged them to enjoy the experience
of convention, to go away refreshed with the spirit of P.E.O. and to be ready to “pass it along” to
others. Those delegates attending their first district convention were asked to stand.
The secretary moved the adoption of the rules of convention, as printed on page 3 in the program.
The motion was seconded and adopted.
The secretary moved the adoption of the printed program with necessary changes. The motion was
seconded and adopted.
The members of the Committee to Approve Minutes of Convention, Marlene Baldwin, H-NH,
Marion Daley, H-NH and Susan Sielke, H-NH, were introduced and thanked for assisting the
secretary with the minutes.
The president announced that Patricia Brolin-Ribi, Representative of International Chapter, would
serve as convention parliamentarian.
The president recognized Tamara Le, organizer, and members of Chapter R Portsmouth, NH,
organized October 12, 2014. Tamara Le moved that a charter be granted to Chapter R-NH. The
motion was seconded and adopted.
Tamara Le presented the charter and Patricia Brolin-Ribi brought greetings from International
Chapter. Members of the new chapter presented a Star Story of their beginnings. The new chapter’s
delegates were escorted to their seats in convention.
The secretary read the correspondence from Maria Baseggio, President of International Chapter of
the P.E.O. Sisterhood.
Following the introduction by the president, the Representative of International Chapter Patricia
Brolin-Ribi presented the keynote address. The president thanked her for her inspiring message.
Following the keynote address, the song, “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles” by Doris Day was played.
Convention assistants and tellers blew bubbles for the enjoyment of members of convention.
The president presented the State of the District Address.
The president announced that references to requirements for nomination and election of officers
were posted on the district website with the convention registration materials and introduced the
chairman of the nominating committee.
Nominating Committee Chairman Joan Galloway, Chapter G-RI, PDP, introduced the other
M-3
committee members Judy Jones, Chapter F-ME, Cindy White, Chapter N-NH, Susan Gordon,
Chapter D-RI and Lou McLaren, Chapter H-VT, PDP and gave the report of the Nominating
Committee. The president thanked the committee for its work.
The next order of business was election of officers.
There being no further nominations from the floor, the nominations were declared closed. There
being no objection, the written ballot was dispensed with and a voice vote was taken. The entire
slate as presented was elected as officers of Northeast District Chapter for the ensuing year.
President: Linda Lussier, A-RI
Vice President: Tamara Le, C-NH
Organizer: Marcy Weeks, L-ME
Treasurer: Lola Orcutt, B-ME
Secretary: Betsy Dake, F-RI
The president announced the installation of new officers would take place during the third business
meeting of convention, Sunday afternoon, May 3, 2015.
The next order of business was the election of delegates to 2015 Convention of International
Chapter.
President, Ann Dederer, announced that local chapters were duly notified of Article III, Sections 1 –
5 of Northeast District Chapter Bylaws and Standing Rules pertaining to the elections of delegates
to Convention of International Chapter.
The secretary read the list of nominees: Sue Winters, I-ME, Bonnie Sauer, F-RI, Ade Monareh, J-
ME, Judith Harwood, I-VT, Ann Heimarck, A-NH, and, Lynn Decker, O-NH. It was moved and
seconded the nominees be elected delegates to Convention of International Chapter from Northeast
District Chapter.
There being no objection, the written ballot was dispensed with and a voice vote was taken. The
delegates were elected.
The president announced that three past district presidents are entitled, according to the constitution,
to attend Convention of International Chapter. The secretary read the names of past district
presidents entitled to meals and housing at Convention of International Chapter: Ann Dederer, K-
ME, Margaret Robinson, C-OH and Ellen Moore, F-RI.
The treasurer recognized those chapters that successfully sponsored recipients for the following
philanthropies:
ELF – P & Q-NH, B-RI and E, G, H-VT;
PCE – A, B, C, E, J, K, L-ME, H, I, Q – NH, C (2), E, F (2)-RI, E, G-VT;
IPS (Partner in Peace) K-ME, D, F-NH, A-RI;
PSA (Laureate Chapters) B, K-ME, B, Q-NH, A-RI;
PSA RECIPIENT – Q-NH;
STAR – G-ME, G-NH, C & F- RI, C & H- VT;
Scholarship Fund established in P.E.O. Foundation: D-RI
M-4
The organizer presented the Period of Instruction titled “The Bouquet.” She was assisted by
President, Ann Dederer, Marlo Bradford, B-ME, PDP and Ellen Moore, F-RI, PDP. The president
thanked the organizer and participants for the informative presentation and informed members of
convention it would be available on the district website following convention.
The president announced that the Question Box was located at the back of convention hall and
would be removed at 5:00 p.m. Saturday. She thanked the Audit Committee, Amy Bell, G-VT,
Susan Taylor, G-VT, and Barbara Rainville, H-VT, for their work and stated that the Audit Report
was posted on the door to convention hall. In addition she announced that the proposed budget was
to be voted upon Sunday morning and encouraged members of convention to review it prior to
voting. The Celebration of Life Service was to be held in the convention hall with the musical
prelude beginning at 8:45 a.m.
Convention Co-Chair, Mary Kay Colbath, gave announcements.
The president declared the convention adjourned until Sunday, May 3, at 9:45 a.m. with a musical
prelude beginning at 9:30 a.m.
The song “Celebration” by Kool & the Gang was played.
RECESS
4:49 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – The Scavenger Hunt continued.
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – The Reception & Celebration Banquet took place in Lighthouse Ballrooms
A & B. Ann Dederer served as the Mistress of Ceremonies. The program included entertainment
by the Deering-Portland String Ensemble during the Reception; a presentation by Robyn Ball,
Chapter K-ME, Scholar Award Recipient, and dinner entertainment by The Dance Company who
performed The Best of Broadway.
Sunday Morning, May 3, 2015
8:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. – The Celebration of Life Service took place in Lighthouse Ballroom A. The
service was presented by members of Chapter J-ME and Linda Lussier, NEDC Vice President.
SECOND MEETING
Sunday Morning, May 3, 2015
President Ann Dederer called the second meeting of the 24th Convention of the Northeast District
Chapter to order at 9:50 a.m.
Head Guard Linda Weinmann gave the report of the guards.
Lou McLaren gave the second credentials report: 106 voting members of convention were reported.
On motion of the chair, the second report was adopted.
Betsy Dake, F-RI, delivered the Devotions.
M-5
The president noted that the annual reports of the district officers, and the annual report of the paid
assistant treasurer, were to be found on pages 8 through 12 of the convention program. She
announced that these reports would be included in the proceedings of convention.
By general consent, the Annual Report of Membership of Disbanded Chapters was not read but will
be included in the proceedings of convention.
Mary Berger, F-ME, read a presentation from Terry Hayes, the Treasurer of the State of Maine,
who was the recipient of a Program for Continuing Education grant, and an Educational Loan Fund
loan and was unable to be present at convention due to a prior commitment.
The song “I’m Coming Out” by Diana Ross was played.
The president recognized Sam Smith, I-NH, Chairman of the Amendments and Recommendations
Committee who introduced the members of the committee: Betsy Dake, F-RI, Susan Sielke, H-NH
and the adviser, Karla Driscoll, C-RI, PDP.
Chairman Sam Smith announced editorial changes to the proposed amendments: Page 2,
amendment # 7, strike the letter “s” from the word “Foundations” in the proposed wording; page 6,
amendment #21, strike the letter “t” on the first line of the explanation; page 7, amendment # 27,
strike the word “the” preceding the word “local” on the first line of the explanation.
Ann Dederer, president, instructed the members of convention in the procedure for presentation of
amendments, discussion and voting. She requested that all members of convention be in their
assigned seats and asked visitors to leave one vacant row behind the delegates.
The president announced that adopted amendments would take effect at the close of convention.
Patricia Brolin-Ribi, international representative, gave news from International Chapter.
A & R Chairman, Sam Smith presented the 2015 proposed amendments to the Bylaws and Standing
Rules of Northeast District Chapter.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS AND STANDING RULES
OF NORTHEAST DISTRICT CHAPTER
(Page numbers refer to the 2014 printing of
The Bylaws and Standing Rules of Northeast District Chapter)
1. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-1) Amend Article II, Section 4, by striking out the words “housing and” so that if adopted
the section would read:
Hostess chapters, grouped geographically, shall arrange meals for members of convention.
The amendment was adopted.
The following nine amendments were considered as a block.
M-6
2. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-2) Amend Article II, Section 8, by striking out sentence 2.
3. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-2) Amend Article III, Section 2, subsection C, by inserting the words “including the
convention at which the delegates are elected,” following the word “Chapter,” so that if adopted the
subsection would read:
C. Only those nominees who are or have been members of a Convention of Northeast District
Chapter, including the convention at which the delegates are elected, shall be eligible.
4. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-5) Amend Article V, Section 3, subsection B by striking out the word “biennially” and
inserting the words “every four (4) years” so that if adopted the subsection would read:
B. To visit or direct her proxy to visit local chapters every four (4) years, giving the chapters at
least thirty (30) days notice;
5. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-6) Amend Article VI, Section 2, subsection D by striking out the word “secretary” and
inserting the word “president” so that if adopted the subsection would read:
D. To file with the president an electronic copy of her report given in district chapter convention;
6. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-8) Amend Article VII, Section 4, subsection B, paragraph 3 by striking out the words
“through state reciprocities” so that if adopted the subsection would read:
3. To coordinate local chapter gifts to the Wheatlake Suite;
7. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-9) Amend Article VII, Section 4, subsection B, paragraph 5 by adding the words “(see also
Article IX, Section 1E of NEDC Bylaws)” following the word “approval” so that if adopted the
subsection would read:
5. To select and submit applications for the Northeast District Cottey College Scholarship Fund to
the Trustees of the P.E.O. Foundation for final approval (see also Article IX, Section 1E of the
NEDC Bylaws);
M-7
8. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-9) Amend Article VII, Section 4, subsection B, paragraph 7 by inserting the words “submit
to the paid assistant treasurer any requests to” following the word “To” so that if adopted the
subsection would read:
7. To submit to the paid assistant treasurer any requests to distribute funds from the Cottey Travel
Fund after obtaining executive board approval; and
9. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-10) Amend Article VIII, Section 2, subsection B, paragraph 1, by inserting the word
“service” following the word “Life” so that if adopted the subsection would read:
1. The hostess chapters shall pay for the Celebration of Life service, any decorations, favors, and
entertainment they wish to provide for convention.
10. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-11) Amend Article VIII, Section 4, subsection D by adding the words “ to the executive
board, which will send approved expenses to the paid assistant treasurer” following the word
“incurred” so that if adopted the subsection would read:
D. Reimbursement of expenses must be substantiated with receipts or other documentation and
submitted within three (3) months of being incurred to the executive board, which will send
approved expenses to the paid assistant treasurer.
The block of amendments (numbers 2-10) was adopted.
The following two amendments were considered seriatim.
11. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-4) Amend Article V, Section 1, by inserting a new subsection B as follows:
B. To oversee and guide the work of the paid assistant treasurer;
NOTE: If adopted, the subsequent subsections will be re-lettered to conform.
12. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-5) Amend Article V, Section 4, by striking out subsection C and inserting a new subsection
C as follows:
C. To work with the paid assistant treasurer as necessary;
The amendments were adopted.
M-8
13. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-5) Amend Article V, Section 2, striking out subsections F and G and inserting a new
subsection F as follows:
F. To oversee the review of local chapter yearbooks, bylaws and standing rules and ensure that the
appropriate comments are forwarded to the presidents of local chapters;
The amendment was adopted.
14. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-5) Amend Article V, Section 2, subsection H by striking out the word “arrange” and
inserting the word “oversee” so that if adopted the subsection would read:
H. To oversee the Celebration of Life service for Convention of Northeast District Chapter; and
The amendment was adopted.
The following two amendments were considered seriatim.
15. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-5) Amend Article V, Section 3, by striking out subsection A.
16. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-5) Amend Article V, Section 4, by inserting a new subsection E as follows:
E. To prepare the schedule of the official visits for the following year.
The amendments were adopted.
17. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-5) Amend Article V, Section 3, striking out subsection D and inserting a new subsection D
as follows:
D. To confirm that displays of the P.E.O. Philanthropies and the local chapter yearbooks are
prepared for Convention of Northeast District Chapter;
The amendment was adopted.
The following two amendments were considered seriatim.
18. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-5) Amend Article V, Section 4, by striking out subsection B.
M-9
19. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-6) Amend Article VI, Section 2, by adding a new subsection C as follows:
C. To provide the Finance Committee with the information necessary for its work;
The amendments were adopted.
The following two amendments were considered seriatim.
20. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-5) Amend Article V, Section 4, by striking out subsection D.
21. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-6) Amend Article VI, Section 2, by inserting a new subsection D as follows:
D. To have the treasurer’s books audited at the end of the fiscal year by an accountant, or an
auditing committee, appointed by the district president.
The amendments were adopted.
22. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-10) Amend Article VIII, Section 2, subsection A, by inserting a new paragraph 3 as
follows:
3. Audio/Visual needs during the convention;
The amendment was adopted.
23. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-10) Amend Article VIII, Section 2, subsection A, paragraph 4 by inserting the words
“NEDC webmaster” following the word “treasurer” so that if adopted the paragraph would read:
4. Housing for one night, Saturday banquet dinner, and Sunday lunch for chair of Nominating
Committee, editor of the FORUM, paid assistant treasurer, NEDC webmaster, not otherwise
members of convention;
The amendment was adopted.
The president asked the members to stand at ease. The song “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins was
played while members batted balloons.
The president called the meeting back to order. The chairman read the explanations for the
following proposed amendments.
M-10
24. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-10) Amend Article VIII, Section 2, subsection A, by striking out paragraph 7.
The amendment was adopted.
25. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-11) Amend Article VIII, Section 4, by inserting a new subsection D to read as follows:
D. The district chapter shall pay all expenses of maintaining the district website.
The amendment was adopted.
26. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-11) Amend Article IX, Section 2, subsection A, by striking out sentence 2 and inserting a
new sentence 2 as follows:
The Fund shall be used to help offset the travel costs for a prospective student and one (1) adult
chaperone (if necessary) for one (1) round trip to Cottey College.
The amendment was adopted.
27. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-13) Amend Article XI, Section 1, subsection A, sentence 3, by striking out the words “and
historian” following the word “organizer” so that if adopted the sentence would read:
A copy of this letter and/or report shall be retained in the local chapter president’s box and copies
sent to the following: nonresident members, resident members who are unable to attend meetings
regularly, and to the organizer of the district chapter.
The amendment was adopted.
28. Submitted by Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-15) Amend Article XIV, by striking out Section 2.
The amendment was adopted.
29. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-15) Amend Standing Rules by striking out Rule 1 and inserting a new Rule 1 as follows:
A copy of the requirements for local chapter yearbooks shall be posted on the district website and a
copy shall be kept in the local chapter president’s box.
The amendment was adopted.
M-11
30. Submitted by the Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter
(page B-15) Amend Standing Rule 5, by striking out subsection B.
The amendment was adopted.
At the direction of the A&R Committee, the A&R chairman moved the adoption of the following
resolution:
Resolved, That the 2015-2016 Executive Board of Northeast District Chapter be authorized to
correct article and section designations, punctuation and cross-references, and to make such other
technical and conforming changes as may be necessary to reflect the intent of Northeast District
Chapter.
The resolution was adopted.
The president thanked the members of the committee and the Study & Research Adviser, Jeanette
Mooney, for their work.
The president introduced the Finance Committee chairman Elaine Hubert, A-VT, who introduced
and thanked the other members of the committee: Mary Beth L’Esperance, G-RI, Dot Kasik, J-ME,
and adviser Rosemary Baldwin, C-ME, PDP.
The chairman presented the committee’s report (Reports page 21), including information regarding
review of accounts, study of audit, preparation of budget and recommendation for surplus funds,
allocation of dues, and payment of required expenses for NEDC representatives to the 2015
Convention of International Chapter.
The chairman moved the adoption of the report. By general consent, the vote was divided into three
parts:
(1) adoption of the budget,
(2) transfer of surplus funds,
(3) the remainder of the report.
Each part was voted upon favorably by a majority and the report was adopted.
The president stated that the adoption of the report approved the report of the treasurer.
The president thanked the members of the Finance Committee for their careful attention to the
financial details of Northeast District Chapter this past year.
The president announced that the Reports of the Historian, the Cottey College Committee and the
Membership Committee are included in the convention program on pages 16-18 and will be
included in the proceedings of convention.
The international representative gave additional news from International Chapter.
Marcy Weeks, treasurer, recognized “Golden Girls,” those sisters with 50, 55, 60 and 65 years of
membership and thanked them for being such an inspiration. (For list, see Program page 28.)
Dot Kasik, song leader, lead the members in singing the theme song from “The Golden Girls”
television show.
M-12
Mary Kay Colbath, co-chair of the convention, gave announcements.
The president declared convention adjourned until 1:30 pm.
RECESS
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – The Scavenger Hunt was completed.
12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Luncheon in Sebago Room and Lighthouse Ballroom B.
THIRD MEETING
Sunday, May 3, 2015
The president called the third meeting of the 24th Convention of the Northeast District Chapter to
order at 1:30 p.m.
Head Guard Linda Weinmann gave the report of the guards.
Lou McLaren, Credentials Committee Chairman, reported no change in total members of
convention. There were 106 members of convention.
The president thanked Lou McLaren and the committee for its work during convention.
Marlo Bradford, B-ME, PDP presented a speech titled “P.E.O. The Bigger Picture.”
The president thanked Barbara Daggett, Registrar, and the registration committee for keeping
excellent records during the registration process.
The president asked Cottey College graduates to stand and be recognized.
The winner of the Scavenger Hunt was announced.
The president thanked Molly Lovell-Keely for serving as music technician.
The treasurer recognized chapters with birthdays of 10, 20, 30, 60, 65 and 80 years. Chapters
celebrating 10 years were K-ME & G-RI; 20 years was I-VT; 30 years were E-RI & E-VT; 60 years
was C-ME, 65 years was B-VT and 80 years was A-ME.
The song leader led the members in singing “Happy Birthday” to the chapters.
Katrina Maloney, secretary, recognized chapters that initiated new members this year:
A-ME: 4, B-ME: 1, F-ME: 5, K-ME: 1 total ME: 11
B-NH: 2, D-NH: 2, F-NH: 4, H-NH: 1, I-NH: 2, K-NH: 2, O-NH: 4, P-NH: 6, Q-NH: 1, R-NH: 7
total NH: 31
A-RI: 1, B-RI: 1, C-RI: 1, D-RI: 1, F-RI: 1, G-RI: 2 total RI: 7
A-VT: 2, B-VT: 2, C-VT1, G-VT: 1, H-VT: 1, I-VT: 2 total VT: 9
The organizer announced the winning philanthropy display and that $263 would be sent by the paid
assistant treasurer to the STAR Scholarship.
M-13
The president thanked the 2017 hostess chapters of the Ocean State Group for their creative and
colorful displays.
Barbara Daggett, L-ME, convention registrar, presented the Report of Visitors to Convention:
Maine, 75; New Hampshire, 33, Rhode Island10, Vermont 4; out of district visitors: 3; BILs: 43; for
a total of 168 visitors to convention.
Representative of International Chapter Patricia Brolin-Ribi and Organizer Tamara Le answered
questions from the question box.
In her outgoing president’s remarks, Ann Dederer thanked convention co-chairmen and hostess
chapters for their hard work and dedication in the planning and organizing of convention. She also
expressed her gratitude to International Representative Patricia Brolin-Ribi, past district presidents,
executive board members, committee chairmen, the FORUM Editor and the webmaster.
The song “How do I say Goodbye” by Michael Smith was played.
With great regret, the president announced the departure of Katrina Maloney from the executive
board, and wished her well in her future endeavors. The newly elected treasurer and secretary were
escorted to the dais.
By general consent, guests were admitted into convention hall for the installation ceremony, the
presentation of the past president’s credentials and pin, and remarks by the incoming president.
The president welcomed and introduced the guests, Ed Dederer BIL to the president, Jeff Quimby,
son of the president, and Jillian Baker, granddaughter of the president.
The next order of business was the installation of officers. Katrina Maloney, secretary, called the
roll of the newly elected officers of Northeast District Chapter. Patricia Brolin-Ribi installed the
officers:
President: Linda Lussier
Vice President: Tamara Le
Organizer: Marcy Weeks
Treasurer: Lola Orcutt
Secretary: Betsy Dake
Linda Lussier, newly elected Northeast District Chapter President, accepted the gavel and asked the
Representative of International Chapter to present the past president credentials to Ann Dederer.
Members of Chapter B-ME made a presentation to Ann Dederer and thanked her for her service.
Members of Chapter K- ME made a presentation to Ann Dederer. Ann Dederer thanked the
members of her chapter.
Emma Remick, K-ME, presented Ann Dederer with a quilt made by the members of Chapter AZ-
CA, which is the southwestern-most chapter in the United States.
M-14
Jillian Baker, the president’s granddaughter presented her with a bouquet of flowers.
Joan Galloway, past president, presented the past president’s pin to Ann Dederer and escorted her to
her seat with the other past presidents while the song “At Last” by Etta James was played.
The newly installed president gave her incoming remarks and announced her theme, “P.E.O.: A
Voice of Inspiration”.
Guests were escorted from convention hall by the guards.
By unanimous consent, convention rule #15 was suspended to allow photographs during the next
item of business. An invitation to the 25th Convention of Northeast District Chapter to be held at
Doubletree by Hilton in South Portland, Maine on April 30th and May 1st, 2016 was extended by the
Merrimack Valley Group Hostess Chapters C, D, F, J, M & Q, New Hampshire.
President Linda Lussier accepted the invitation to the 25th district convention on behalf of the
Northeast District Chapter.
The president announced that convention rule #15 was back in effect and photographs were not
allowed.
Representative of International Chapter, Patricia Brolin-Ribi gave closing remarks. President Linda
Lussier thanked her for coming and wished her “safe travels” home.
The president announced that members of convention would be notified when proceedings of
convention would be available on the district website and reminded them that they must print out a
complete copy of the Northeast District Bylaws and Standing Rules to be retained in the local
chapter president’s box, but it was not necessary to print out a complete copy of the proceedings.
There was no unfinished business.
President Linda Lussier announced committee appointments for the 2015-2016 year, which had
been approved by the newly elected executive board. She explained the committee list would be
available at the end of the receiving line and would also be posted on the district website.
The convention co-chairman reminded convention participants to complete their evaluation forms
so future hostess chapters could use them in planning conventions.
The president gave the Benediction and closed the 24th Northeast District Convention of the P.E.O.
Sisterhood at 3:10 p.m.
Katrina Maloney,
Secretary
Convention delegates and visitors were dismissed following the recessional of the executive board,
Representative of International Chapter, and past presidents. A receiving line for newly elected
officers, immediate past president and the Representative of International Chapter was formed in
the lobby.
M-15
M-16
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT
The duties and responsibilities of this office have been fulfilled in accordance with the P.E.O.
Constitution and Bylaws and Standing Rules of Northeast District Chapter. Committees were
appointed with ratification by the executive board. A 2014 post-convention executive board
meeting was held to complete the transfer of officer’s supplies to their successors and to sign
necessary documents.
This year the board changed its meeting schedule to video conference meetings once each month.
This officer presided over each monthly meeting. The board evaluated, prioritized and executed the
needs of the District throughout the year. The board also worked closely with the Past District
Presidents to facilitate a new spirit of cooperation. This was never more apparent than when
working with the Amendments & Recommendations Committee to propose many needed changes
to the district bylaws. Memos from International Chapter were shared with PDPs and their opinions
and knowledge were sought after and valued by this officer.
In July, this officer attended the LEAD Conference in Des Moines, Iowa which focused on
addressing issues facing executive board leaders. Cottey College President Dr. Judy Rogers
presented paradigms of leadership, concluding that executive board members must be a
combination of managers and visionaries.
This officer worked with board members to review our strategic goals and set new goals that will
continue to set a clear course for the future of the district. While performing official visits, this
officer has shared and learned valuable ideas. This officer attended ME, NH, VT Reciprocity
meetings as well as RI Founder’s Day Luncheon.
Local Chapter Officer Training Sessions (LOTS) were developed by this officer and training took
place for corresponding secretaries and treasurers in 2014. In 2015 training sessions for presidents,
vice presidents and recording secretaries will complete the rotation of officer training sessions.
With the advent of the Board Buddies Program, this officer has seen a willingness of local chapter
members to reach out to board members with their questions. This officer experienced a
tremendous increase in direct communication with district chapters.
In October, the board was pleased to welcome a new chapter to the district, Chapter R-NH. This
officer thanks Marcia McLaughlin, PSP, NJSC, R-NH for having the vision to select the charter list
and Tamara Le, Organizer for creating such a special organization day.
The FORUM was reinvented to become the new FORUM
Chapter News where chapters may share ideas and celebrate
each other’s successes. Through this officer’s President’s
Messages, incorporating the FISH philosophy into chapter
life was stressed. Two steps were particularly important, 1.)
choosing your attitude and 2.) play. Through local chapter
president’s letters, this officer read first-hand how chapters
focused on fun and love. In turn this strengthened the bonds
of sisterhood and chapter membership grew.
9
This officer met with convention hostess chapters to discuss her vision for the 24th annual district
convention. Fulfilling this vision has been the mission of these chapters and the convention co-
chairmen, Mary Kay Colbath and Barbara Daggett, L-ME. After presiding at the 24th Annual
Convention of the Northeast District Chapter, and reviewing the Proceedings and bylaws, this
officer’s duties will be complete.
Serving on the district board has been an empowering experience. A few years ago, this officer
never believed that she would ever become President of Northeast District Chapter. However,
through the love and support of her family, her executive board sisters and her chapter sisters, she
has been privileged to take this enriching journey. Working together to empower women through
positivity and creativity has been a fulfilling experience.
Ann Dederer
REPORT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
The duties and responsibilities of this office were performed as prescribed by the P.E.O.
Constitution and the Bylaws of the Northeast District Chapter.
This officer attended the 23rd Convention of Northeast District Chapter, executive board meetings,
three New Hampshire Reciprocity meetings, and visited one chapter as proxy organizer. This
officer also gave two Local Chapter Officer Workshops for Corresponding Secretaries, one in New
Hampshire and one in Rhode Island.
This officer received and answered or referred inquiries from the Northeast District website Contact
Us form. She reviewed yearbooks and bylaws/standing rules of all local chapters and sent
recommendations as needed. She also updated the vice president’s operating manual. She
answered questions and concerns from local chapters in a timely manner. All assignments for the
2015-2016 NEDC Committees have been completed.
As adviser to the Cottey College Committee, this officer attended the Cottey College Seminar in
Nevada, Missouri. She also reviewed the committee’s guidelines and received quarterly reports
from the committee chairman. She answered questions from the committee and saw that the duties
of the committee were fulfilled as specified in their guidelines.
This officer updated unaffiliated lists for all four states in the district. She provided these lists to
Unaffiliate Contacts, reciprocity officers and those organizing new chapters upon request. The vice
president provided Unaffiliate lists to the NEDC Membership Committee for the “Phone Everyone”
Initiative and posted the resulting data in the unaffiliated notes on the Membership Portal. She
oversaw the Reciprocity Groups, reviewed their bylaws and recommended changes accordingly,
kept in contact with those organizing reciprocity meetings and received minutes of reciprocity
meetings. A Grouping Report was compiled and appears in this program.
10
The most down to earth people are the most uplifting. ~ John Andrew Remick
In preparation for the Celebration of Life at NEDC Convention, Chapter Eternal forms and
International’s Memorial List were reviewed. Appropriate entries were made in the book of
Remembrance and on the Memorial Tablecloth.
The activities of the 2016 Convention Committee, comprised of the Merrimack Valley Chapters,
were monitored and advised. This officer’s Board Buddy Chapters were occasionally contacted by
telephone and email to promote a closer sisterly relationship between chapter and executive board
officer.
This officer wishes to thank the P.E.O. sisters in her own chapter, in other district chapters and her
sisters on the executive board for all of their help and support during this year.
Linda Lussier
REPORT OF THE ORGANIZER
The duties and responsibilities of this office have been fulfilled in accordance with the P.E.O.
Constitution and the bylaws of the Northeast District chapter. This officer attended executive board
e-meetings, NH Reciprocity and served as Advisor to the Membership Committee. Unfortunately,
poor winter weather prohibited travel to the RI Founder’s Day celebration.
In July, 2014, this officer along with NEDC President Ann Dederer, attend the LEAD (Leadership,
Education and Development) conference in Des Moines, Iowa. This conference allowed the S/P/D
presidents and organizers to meet and share ideas in the setting of the P.E.O. International
headquarters as well as tour Iowa Wesleyan College, the birthplace of P.E.O.
In August, emails were sent to all chapters scheduled for Official Visits in the autumn of 2014.
Visits were completed in September and October with the assistance of executive board members
and PDPs as Proxy organizers. Reports of visits were compiled and discussed at the November
board e-meeting. 2015 Official Visit packets were created and distributed.
From June to October, 2014 this officer continued to communicate, meet with and provide support
for the eventual, successful organization of R-NH of Portsmouth, NH.
In January/February, 2015 with NEDC State Reciprocities, district Membership Committee, PDPs
and local chapters, the Phone Everyone Initiative identified 182 unaffiliates. Attempts were made to
contact 82% wherein 49% were reached and 37% of those responded favorably resulting in a 76%
positive re-engagement return. This officer received and filed local chapter president’s letters.
In March/April of 2015, this officer in collaboration with NEDC
Executive officers and the Membership Committee developed and
created a Sister Spark Guide for use with visits to local chapters
seeing support on Membership issues. This officer conducted the first of many forthcoming training
sessions for the committee.
Throughout this officer’s term I have received Local chapter Self-Assessments, Introduction of
Woman Who is Not a P.E.O. and Notice of Member Moving forms. Hostess chapters for the 2017
11
NEDC Convention were advised to prepare displays for the 2015 Convention. Routine phone calls,
emails and correspondence from chapters were handled in a timely manner. New chapter
organization in the Bangor, Maine area is in development for organization in 2016. Sister Sparks for
an Augusta, ME and Manchester, NH area chapters remain in need.
With the implementation of the Four-Year Official Visit Plan, this officer, along with the Northeast
District Executive Board, helped facilitate the first year of Board Buddy relationships which has
enhanced communication between chapters and the five executive officers.
This officer’s service for 2014-15 has brought new challenges and new opportunities. The support
and assistance of the entire NEDC Executive Board, Membership Committee, sisters of the
Northeast District and those of my own beloved C-NH, B.I.L. Quang and daughters Chelon &
Colette, have been invaluable. Thank you for your belief in me.
Tamara Le
REPORT OF THE TREASURER
The duties and responsibilities of this office were performed as prescribed by the P.E.O.
Constitution and the Bylaws of the Northeast District Chapter. This officer attended all but one
executive board meeting, worked with the Paid Assistant Treasurer and served as the Chairman of
the P.E.O. Philanthropies. In addition, this officer acknowledged local chapter gifts to P.E.O.
International Philanthropies, Love Gifts, and gifts to the NEDC Cottey College Travel Fund.
Regarding NEDC participation in the P.E.O. philanthropies for 2014-2015, this officer reports NED
Chapters and individuals donated a total of $87,267:
ELF – NEDC chapters successfully sponsored six ELF recipients. The total amount
awarded through that sponsorship was $136,000. There were four loans repaid. NEDC
sisters have donated $7,310 to ELF this fiscal year.
COTTEY – NEDC sisters and chapters donated $8,668 to Cottey College, $1,850 to the
Cottey Travel Fund and $6,275 to the NEDC Cottey Scholarship fund.
IPS – NEDC Chapters K-ME, D-NH, F-NH, and A-RI have extended the hand of peace by
becoming Designated Award Chapters for the 2015-2016 academic year. Total gifts to IPS
from NEDC chapters this fiscal year was $9,340.
PCE – In the past year, NEDC chapters have sponsored seventeen recipients for grants
totaling $25,100. Total donations by local chapters this year was $23,494.
PSA – P.E.O. Scholar Awards are highly competitive. This year Chapter Q-NH had a
successful candidate selected as a Scholar for the 2015-2016 academic year. In addition, we
had five chapters that were Laureate Chapters. Total donations given by local chapters and
sisters this year was $9,245.
STAR – Six NEDC chapters successfully sponsored candidates for 2015-2016. Donations
from local chapters totaled $10,258.
P.E.O. Foundation – NEDC donations totaled $10,827. This year Chapter D-RI
established a fund.
NEDC Love gifts – Approximately $300 was donated this fiscal year. Thank you chapters!
12
This officer provided instructions to the finance and audit committees for the purpose of fulfilling
their fiscal responsibilities. As Proxy Organizer, one official visit was conducted with one chapter.
The time spent with the officers and members of this chapter was productive and the hospitality was
amazing. This officer prepared an official visit schedule for 2015-2016 with generous support from
the executive board and past district presidents of NED. This officer’s duties will be completed by
overseeing Credentials and Registration at 2015 NEDC Convention.
This officer concludes this report with appreciation for those she serves with on the Northeast
District executive board, and her sisters, mother and sister-in-law in Chapter L-ME for all their
encouragement and loving support.
Marcy Weeks
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY
The duties and responsibilities of this office were performed as prescribed by the P.E.O.
Constitution and the Bylaws of the Northeast District Chapter. Current officer was elected to the
position in April of 2014.
Executive Board meetings were attended in July, September, November and December, 2014, and
March, 2015. A record of all e-votes were prepared, distributed and filed for each executive board
meeting. Minutes were taken, approved and filed for each meeting attended. Minutes were received
and filed from the secretary pro tem of meetings not attended.
The previous secretary provided transition support to help this officer perform her duties. The
entire executive board provided excellent support and guidance during this officer’s first year on the
board.
The 24th Northeast Annual Convention draft minutes were prepared and submitted to the president.
As final duties, this officer will record the minutes of the 24th Annual Convention of the Northeast
District Chapter. Post-convention duties will be fulfilled as requested.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as secretary. It has been an honor.
Katrina Maloney
REPORT OF THE PAID ASSISTANT TREASURER
The paid assistant treasurer performed the duties and responsibilities of this office as prescribed by
the P.E.O. Constitution, the Northeast District Chapter Bylaws, and the Northeast District Chapter
contract. Local chapter gifts to the philanthropies were received, recorded, and distributed to the
proper accounts within International, Cottey College, and the Northeast District. Honorarium and
memorial donation information for NEDC Cottey College Travel Fund and Love Gifts was sent to
the treasurer for acknowledgement.
With the approval of the president, operation expenses were paid. Monthly financial reports were
sent to members of the executive board and the finance committee.
13
Responsibilities of the paid assistant treasurer were transitioned from Lou McLaren, H-VT, PDP at
the midpoint of the fiscal year. Training was provided and on-going documentation is being
maintained.
Local chapter annual reports, dues and fees were received by 43 chapters and 11 members of
disbanded chapters. The paid assistant treasurer worked closely with the president to compare
chapter enrollment, initiation and reinstatement numbers, working with local chapter officers to
resolve any discrepancies. Additional attention was spent reviewing local chapter IRS-LC forms
and collaborating with local chapter treasurers to make corrections.
For the district, the Annual Report of the Treasurer was prepared and submitted to International,
along with the district’s dues and fees. The district’s IRS-SC form was completed online.
Various financial reports and records were provided to the Audit Committee. Year-end financial
reports were provided to the Finance Committee. The annual reports for the district convention
were completed.
Thank you to Amy Bell, G-VT, Barbara Rainville, H-VT and Susan Taylor, G-VT, for serving as
the Audit Committee. Thank you also to the Finance Committee comprised of Elaine Hubert, A-
VT, Chairman, Mary Beth L’Esperance, G-RI, Dot Kasik, J-ME and Rosemary Baldwin, C-ME,
PDP, adviser.
Thank you also to Lou McLaren and Ann Dederer, K-ME, NEDC President, for providing
invaluable knowledge and time during the transition.
Stephanie Giese
REPORT OF THE AMENDMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
COMMITTEE
In accordance with the duties defined in the Constitution, Bylaws and Standing Rules of the P.E.O.
Sisterhood and the Bylaws of the Northeast District Chapter, the Amendments and
Recommendations Committee submits the following report.
In August 2014 all folders and files were transferred from the previous committee to the 2015
Amendments and Recommendations Committee. Instructions and schedules were received from the
Study and Research Committee in October and the Committee Information form returned to the
S&R Adviser. In November 2014 the new A&R Manual provided directions for the committee’s
duties of preparing and presenting the Proposed Amendments for the 2015 NEDC Convention.
There are thirty proposed amendments to the Bylaws of the Northeast District Chapter that will be
presented at the 2015 NED Convention. The explanations of the proposed amendments follow:
Amendment 1 would remove from the hostess chapters for district convention the duty to arrange
housing for members of convention.
Amendment 2 would remove the direction to reference the Constitution, Part II, Article III, Section
5 in case of an emergency in determining quorum at district convention.
14
Amendment 3 would clarify the eligibility of delegates to attend Convention of International
Chapter include those who are attending the district convention at which they are elected.
Amendment 4 would change the reference of time between visits by the district organizer or her
proxy to the local chapters from every two years to every four years.
Amendment 5 would remove the requirement of the paid assistant treasurer to send an electronic
copy of her report to the district secretary and would direct her to send the report to the district
president.
Amendment 6 would remove from the Cottey College Committee the duty to coordinate local
chapter gifts to the Wheatlake Suite through state reciprocities.
Amendment 7 would add Article IX, Section 1E of the NEDC Bylaws as a reference for the Cottey
College committee.
Amendment 8 would direct the Cottey College Committee to submit to the paid assistant treasurer
any requests for funds from the Cottey College Travel Fund.
Amendment 9 would clarify that hostess chapters are responsible for paying for any decorations,
favors or entertainment they deem necessary for the Celebration of Life service during convention.
Amendment 10 would direct the executive board and committees to submit all receipts or other
documentation of expenses within three months to the executive board.
Amendment 11 would add the duty of overseeing and guiding the work of the paid assistant
treasurer to the district president.
Amendment 12 would remove from the district treasurer the duty to oversee and guide the work of
the paid assistant treasurer and direct the treasurer to work with the paid assistant treasurer as
necessary.
Amendment 13 would remove from the district vice president the duty of examining and forwarding
appropriate comments concerning the local chapter yearbooks, bylaws and standing rules to the
local chapters and direct the district vice president to oversee the process.
Amendment 14 would remove from the district vice president the duty to arrange the Celebration of
Life service and direct the vice president to oversee the process.
Amendment 15 would remove from the district organizer the duty of preparing the schedule of
official visits.
Amendment 16 would add to the district treasurer the duty of preparing the schedule of official
visits for the following year.
Amendment 17 would remove from the district organizer the duty to oversee the preparation of the
P.E.O. Philanthropies’ displays and that of the local chapter yearbooks and would direct the
organizer to confirm the readiness of such displays at Convention of Northeast District Chapter.
Amendment 18 would remove from the district treasurer the duty to provide the Finance Committee
with information necessary for its work.
15
Amendment 19 would add to the paid assistant treasurer the duty to provide information to the
Finance Committee necessary for its work.
Amendment 20 would remove from the treasurer the duty to have the district books audited at the
end of the fiscal year.
Amendment 21 would add to the paid assistant treasurer the duty to have the district books audited
by an accountant or auditing committee, appointed by the president, at the end of the fiscal year.
Amendment 22 would add to the Northeast District Chapter the responsibility to pay from the
General Fund the Audio/Visual expenses incurred during convention.
Amendment 23 would add to the Northeast District Chapter the responsibility to pay from the
General Fund the housing for one (1) night, the Saturday night banquet dinner, and Sunday lunch
for the NEDC webmaster.
Amendment 24 would remove the immediate past district president as being entitled to housing and
meals at Convention of Northeast District Chapter.
Amendment 25 would add the responsibility to pay maintenance of the district website to the
district chapter.
Amendment 26 would add the ability for one (1) adult chaperone to receive travel costs from the
Cottey Travel Fund, if necessary.
Amendment 27 would remove from the local chapter president the duty to send a copy of the
president’s letter to the district historian.
Amendment 28 would remove the provision which allows the Northeast District Chapter bylaws to
be amended without previous notice.
Amendment 29 would remove from the district vice president the duty to provide copies of
requirements for local chapter bylaws, standing rules and yearbooks, and direct the local chapters to
the district website for the yearbook requirements.
Amendment 30 would remove the provision which allows the Northeast District Chapter standing
rules to be amended without previous notice.
The Resolution must be presented each year to authorize the executive board to make editorial
corrections, as they deem necessary, to the bylaws and standing rules.
The proposed amendments were studied, compiled in parliamentary form in accordance with the
P.E.O. Manual for A & R Committees (November 2014 Revision) and approved by the Study and
Research Committee of International Chapter.
In March, copies of the proposed amendments were sent by the NED Executive Board by email to
each chapter in the district, members of the executive board, past district presidents, NED standing
committee chairs, chair of the Study and Research Committee and the representative of
International Chapter. Printed copies were mailed to anyone not confirming receipt of the email
communication.
16
Presentation and voting at convention, followed by final disposition filed with the International
Study and Research committee will complete the work of this committee.
Chairman Sae-Im “Sam” Smith, I-NH
Betsy Dake, F-RI
Susan Sielke, H-NH
Adviser, Karla Driscoll, C-RI, PDP
REPORT OF THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
The NED Membership Committee is established to foster chapter health, to nurture chapter member
committees and provide resources and encouragement to local chapters. It is comprised of a
membership chair for each state in the NED, a committee membership chair person, and an NED
board advisor, and a membership representative from P.E.O International.
Noteworthy achievements for the committee this year:
Invaluable frequent communication with committee Adviser, Tamara Le, Organizer
Monthly communications with chapter membership chairs and/or chapter presidents via
email distribution of copies of the The P.E.O Hot Spot publication
Monthly communications with NED state membership chairs via email distribution of The
Connection, published by P.E.O. International
Participation in the initiative from P.E.O. International: Phone Every One that involved
contacting unaffiliates in all of NED. Each membership chair was given a list of the
unaffiliates in her state with a request to contact lost sisters by telephone and/or by note and
to record their findings on an Excel Spread Sheet that was forwarded to the NED Organizer.
Final results of this ambitious initiative: 76 percent of attempts to contact unafilliates, 49
percent of unaffiliates successfully contacted - resulting in 37 percent of them taking
positive action.
Committee chair participation in a webinar with
membership chairmen from other northeast states and
P.E.O. International Northeast Regional Membership
Representative regarding information for planning a
successful campaign to ‘Let’s Go Find the Others’. Copies of the power point presentation
were distributed to state membership committee chairs.
17
Sometimes our purpose is to
Inspire, ignite and spark the flame.
~ C. Nordyke
A first training conference call among committee members and NED board adviser to
review plans for upcoming NED membership activities next year: a new program called
Sister Sparks
A realization and consensus among committee members for the value in having regularly
scheduled conference calls and/or virtual face to face conferences with each other.
The NED Membership Committee wishes to extend a special thank you to Linda Powell, J-ME for
her gracious help and support to the committee during the Phone Every One initiative.
This Chairperson expresses heartfelt thanks for each of the committee members who worked so
diligently to reach out to chapter membership chairs and presidents. Their loving concern, support,
understanding and flexibility during this year are truly valued and appreciated.
Committee Chairman, Susan Holak, C-NH
Noella Peacos, G-RI
Sandra Rivard, G-ME
Jayne Tessitore, F-VT
REPORT OF THE COTTEY COMMITTEE
The duties and responsibilities of this office were performed as prescribed by the Bylaws of the
Northeast District Chapter of P.E.O. The NEDC Cottey Committee is comprised of four members,
one from each of the four states representing the Northeast
District, and the NEDC Vice President as Adviser. Each
member serves four years. Duties and accomplishments the
members of the Cottey Committee completed in 2014-15:
Met quarterly by teleconference using a set agenda followed by meeting minutes, and
monitored closely by the Cottey Committee Guidelines, a valuable source and barometer for
Committee responsibilities, actions and progress.
Three members of the Cottey Committee attended the College Seminar in August, 2014. A
resulting PowerPoint presentation was circulated to P.E.O. chapters internationally by the
Cottey College Advisory Committee for use in all chapters.
Communicated with state chapters to:
-- Encourage 100 percent participation in the Cottey Referral Challenge.
-- Emphasize need for chapter contributions to Cottey travel fund as well as the scholarship
fund.
-- Promote distribution of Cottey marketing materials to local schools, clubs and community
associations.
-- Attend reciprocity meetings, and give a short report on “What’s new at Cottey” --
Encourage all chapters to have a separate Cottey representative, if possible.
-- Share college fair list and guidelines to enable local chapter attendance.
Used potential student updates from Cottey Enrollment Office to follow up with local
chapters. Clarified and defined report terminology of status categories.
Revised the Wheatlake Suite rotation schedule to 2028, and published schedule on NEDC
website. (This was done twice to communicate September deletion.)
18
Completed process of Northeast District Cottey College Scholarship Fund application,
selection and submission to the Trustees of the P.E.O. Foundation for final approval. A
$3,000 scholarship was awarded a first year student from Maine.
Obtained executive board approval for a prospective student’s travel reimbursement. Other
travel weekends will now be considered for coverage.
Revised Cottey Committee Guidelines to reflect a change of due dates for scholarship
applications and deadlines for approvals, as well as improvements to communicating
scholarship recipients to Cottey in a timely manner.
Ordered materials and planned Cottey booth for NEDC Annual Convention in partnership
with Chapter D–RI.
The Cottey Committee extends thanks for the able assistance and support received from the NEDC
Cottey Committee Adviser, and the NEDC President.
Chairman Charlotte Signor, K-NH
Helen Macdonald, E-RI
Molly Lovell-Keeley, E-ME
Susan Robey-Bond, A-VT
Adviser Linda Lussier, A-RI
REPORT OF THE HISTORIAN
What a year for the new historian and NEDC! The welcoming of a
new chapter is a great thing. Chapter R – NH was organized on a
lovely day in October. 19 transfers and new sisters make up this
vibrant chapter that hit the ground running by recommending a
wonderful candidate for the STAR award. The P.E.O. Record
published the new chapter photo and member names in its March-
April 2015 edition. Check out the 2014 scrapbook for pictures and
information on the new chapter during convention.
Vermont Reciprocity Luncheon in early November at the Best
Western in Waterbury, Vermont was well attended by over 50 sisters
from all over the state. A wonderful program about our founding
sisters, written by Judy Harwood, was presented by her chapter, I-VT helped round out the
luncheon.
NED Chapter presidents shared challenges, adventures, triumphs, and achievements in their
President’s Letters. Tidbits will be shared by the historian in upcoming issues of the FORUM
Chapter News.
Barbara Rainville
19
REPORT OF THE FORUM CHAPTER NEWS EDITOR This was a new year for The FORUM! The newsletter took on a whole new look and name – The
FORUM Chapter News.
The Executive Board decided that the newsletter should go out each month and that it would contain
chapter news only. When the newsletter is finished it is sent out to each chapter president and
technology contact so that they can forward it to all their sisters. The newsletter is also posted in the
FORUM Chapter News section of the www.nedchapters.com website.
I have enjoyed working with Ann Dederer and the rest of the Executive Board and look forward to
working with the incoming President Linda Lussier.
Lola Orcutt
REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
In accordance with the duties defined in the P.E.O. Constitution and the Bylaws of the Northeast
District Chapter, the Finance Committee submits the following report:
Reports of the district chapter officers and committees containing accounts of receipts and
expenditures of district chapter funds have been examined.
Audits of the books of the paid assistant treasurer of the Northeast District Chapter have been
studied by this committee and found in agreement with reports of the respective officers. The
financial report on other district chapter funds was examined in this study.
The budget for the current P.E.O. year 2015-2016, retroactive to April 1, 2015, has been prepared
after careful study of the receipts and expenditures for the past year and is submitted to the
convention for adoption. A copy of the proposed budget has been distributed to delegates and
discussed during delegate orientation.
Our district board and committee members have done well keeping within budget, resulting in a
financially healthy Northeast District Chapter.
The committee recommends that the surplus from the 2014-2015 P.E.O. year be transferred to the
District Reserve Fund.
The committee recommends the following allocation of the Northeast District Chapter dues for the
2015-2016 year:
Northeast District Chapter General Fund $14.50
International Convention Fund $3.00
Total Northeast District Chapter Dues $17.50
20
The committee recommends that $7,724 be used from the International Convention Fund to pay
required expenses for NEDC representatives to Convention of International Chapter in Indianapolis,
Indiana.
Members of the committee would like to thank past district president Rosemary Baldwin and paid
assistant treasurer Stephanie Giese, and her predecessor Lou McLaren, for their dedication to our
sisterhood and knowledge of the finances of our district. They have provided constructive guidance
to the committee. The committee also thanks Ann Dederer and Linda Lussier for their thoughtful
inputs during budget preparation.
Chairman Elaine Hubert, A-VT
Mary Beth L’Esperance, G-RI
Dorothy Kasik, J-ME
Adviser Rosemary Baldwin, C-ME, PDP
21
“The importance of things can be measured by how much time we are willing to invest in them. The more time you give to something, the more you reveal its importance and value to you. If you want to know a
eir time. Time is your most precious gift because you only have a set amount of it. You can make more
give someone your time, you are giving them a
time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can
~Rick Warren The Purpose Driven Life
22
Northeast District Chapter-P.E.O. Sisterhood
Proposed Convention of International Chapter Budget
April 1, 2015 through March 31, 2016
Beginning Balance of International Convention Travel Fund 9,034.38
Proposed budget income @ $3/member 4,122.00
Proposed Balance as of April 1, 2015 13,156.38
Less Expected Expenses:
Airfare and baggage fees for 6 delegates and 2 officers 3,604.00
Expenses for 2 officers @ $150 300.00
Stipend for 6 delegates @ $150. 900.00
Stipend for 3 entitled PDPs @ $75 225.00
District dinner for 11 @ $45 495.00
Rooms for 11 Wednesday night @ $130. 1430.00
Registration for 11 @ $50 550.00
Airport shuttle for 11 @ $20 220.00
Total Expenses 7724.00
Ending Balance in International Convention Fund 5432.38
23
SUMMARY OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES BY FUND
FY 2014-2015
Beginning
Balance
4/1/14
Receipts Expenses
Ending
Balance
3/31/15
GENERAL FUND 26,516.36 26,171.32 (23,200.70) 29,486.98
Cottey College 0.00 8,817.17 (8,817.17) 0.00
ELF 0.00 8,510.00 (8,510.00) 0.00
IPS 0.00 8,565.00 (8,565.00) 0.00
NEDC Cottey College
Scholarship 0.00 6,175.00 (6,175.00) 0.00
PCE 0.00 15,162.16 (15,162.16) 0.00
P.E.O. Foundation 0.00 8,300.00 (8,300.00) 0.00
Scholar Awards 0.00 9,470.00 (9,470.00) 0.00
Star Scholarship 0.00 10,043.17 (10,043.17) 0.00
MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT 22,079.87 6,515.32 (808.19) 27,787.00
District Reserve Fund 10,925.00 634.32 (64.19) 11,495.13
Cottey College Travel Fund 6,251.49 1,750.00 (744.00) 7,257.49
Int’l Convention Travel Fund 4,903.38 4,131.00 0.00 9,034.38
24
25
26
2014 – 2015 HONORARIUM & MEMORIAL GIFTS
Cottey College
A-RI In Memory of Myrtle Goodrich
E-ME In Memory of Earlene Clough
E-ME In Honor of Dean Lovell
F-VT In Memory of Allyson Ledoux
G-ME In Memory of Elinor T. Virden
G-ME In Memory of Louise W. Sheppard
H-NH In Memory of Jaye Aldrich
H-VT In Honor of Alex Wolff
H-VT In Honor of John Elder
M-NH In Memory of Harriet Gardent and
Joyce Younberg
Cottey College Scholarship
C-RI In Memory of Judy Davenport
G-VT In Honor of Joanne Hardy
Educational Loan Fund
A-NH In Memory of Louise Kremzner
B-VT In Memory of Robin Girr
C-VT In Memory of Reva Spengler
E-VT In Memory of Betty Bahrenburg
G-ME In Memory of Gwen Schone
G-NH In Memory of Doris Stone
I-VT In Honor of Ginny Daring
International Peace Scholarship
D-ME In Memory of Martha Irvine
D-NH In Memory of Elizabeth Cantone
D-NH In Memory of Thomas Cantone
D-NH In Memory of Karen Baker
E-VT In Memory of George Little
P.E.O. Foundation
A-ME In Memory of Barbara Giddings
A-VT In Honor of Susan Bond
B-ME In Memory of Pauline Carlisle
C-ME In Memory of Cynthia Glass
C-VT In Memory of Carolyn Melcher
D-ME In Memory of Joanne Cederna
D-ME In Memory of Helena Woodruff
D-ME In Memory of Priscilla Talley
H-VT In Memory of Barbara Douglas
R-NH In Memory of Winnie Pheteplace
Program for Continuing Education
A-ME In Memory of Helen Draper
A-NH In Memory of Helen Draper
A-NH In Memory of Charlene Hale
A-RI In Memory of Helen Draper
A-VT In Memory of Helen Draper
B-ME In Honor of Joan Galloway
B-RI In Memory of Helen Draper
B-VT In Memory of Helen Draper
Program for Continuing Education (cont’d)
C-ME In Memory of Helen Draper
C-NH In Memory of Helen Draper
C-RI In Memory of Helen Draper
D-ME In Honor of Diane Smith
D-NH In Memory of Kenneth Libby
D-NH In Memory of Maudie Libby
D-NH In Memory of William Craven
D-RI In Memory of Katherine O'Brien
E-NH In Memory of Helen Draper
E-VT In Memory of Helen Draper
E-VT In Memory of Marge White-Wilson
F-ME In Memory of Elaine Laird
F-NH In Memory of Helen Draper
F-NH In Honor of Leslie Platto
F-RI In Memory of David Galloway
G-ME In Memory of Richard Gelwick
G-NH In Memory of Eleanor Keller
G-NH In Memory of Eleanor Keller
H-ME In Memory of Helen Draper
H-NH In Memory of Helen Draper
H-VT In Memory of Alex Charlamb
I-VT In Memory of Helen Draper
J-ME In Memory of Helen Draper
J-ME In Honor of Chapter J-ME 20th
Anniversary
J-NH In Memory of Helen Draper
K-ME In Memory of Helen Draper
L-ME In Memory of Helen Draper
M-NH In Memory of Helen Draper
O-NH In Memory of John Carter Evans
Q-NH In Honor of Bernice Chavers
Q-NH In Memory of Helen Draper
Q-NH In Honor of Maureen Ferguson
Q-NH In Memory of Helen Draper
Q-NH In Memory of Winnie Pheteplace
Scholar Awards
E-RI In Memory of Betty Ann Hooker
A-NH In Memory of Allyson Ledoux
F-ME In Memory of Elizabeth Atwood
H-VT In Honor of Tim Parsons
STAR Scholarship
Q-NH In Memory of Harriet Brubacher
C-RI In Honor of Jenn Spira
K-NH In Memory of Margaret Kerr Miller
G-NH In Memory of Helen Bonardi
27
GROUPING REPORT 2015
The Northeast District is comprised of 43 chapters.
HOSTESS CHAPTERS FOR NED CONVENTION
2015 Seacoast Group ME-D, E, G, J, L (5)
2016 Merrimack Valley Group NH-C*, D, F, J, M, Q, (R**) (6)
2017 Ocean State Group RI-A, B, C, D, E, F, G (7)
2018 Green Mountain Group VT-A, B, C, E, F, G, H, I (8)
2019 Down East Group ME-A, B, C, F, I, K (6)
2020 North Central Group NH-B, G, N, O, P (5)
2021 Connecticut Valley Group NH-A, E, H, I , K (5)
*Chapter C-NH will leave the Merrimack Valley Group and join the Seacoast Group after 2016
NEDC Convention.
**Chapter R-NH will be added to the Merrimack Valley Group after 2016 NEDC Convention.
Hostess chapters are responsible for preparing the P.E.O. Philanthropy displays at the convention
two (2) years prior to the one they will hostess.
REPRESENTATION AT CONVENTION OF INTERNATIONAL CHAPTER
The Northeast District is permitted one (1) delegate for every seven (7) chapters, or major fraction
thereof. Therefore, six (6) delegates will attend and report to the other chapters in their group. The
six (6) groups and delegates are as follows.
Group 1: ME – A, B, C, F, G, I, K (7)
Group 2: RI – A, B, C, D, E, F, G (7)
Group 3: NH – C, D, J, Q, R & ME – D, E, J, L (9)
Group 4: VT – A, B, C, E, F, H, I (7)
Group 5: NH – A, E, H, I, K & VT – G (6)
Group 6: NH – B, F, G, M, N, O, P (7)
REPRESENTATION BY YEAR AND LOCATION
Year: 2015 (72nd) 2017 (73rd) 2019 (74th) 2021 (75th) 2023 (76th)
Location: Indianapolis Charlotte Des Moines
Dates: Oct 15 - 17 * 150 Years *
Group 1: I-ME K-ME A-ME B-ME C-ME
Group 2: F-RI G-RI A-RI B-RI C-RI
Group 3: J-ME L-ME C-NH D-NH J-NH
Group 4: I-VT A-VT B-VT C-VT E-VT
Group 5: A-NH E-NH H-NH I-NH K-NH
Group 6: O-NH P-NH B-NH F-NH G-NH
28
29
2014 GOLDEN GIRLS RECOGNITION LIST (25)
50 YEARS (5) 55 YEARS (6)
A-NH Vesta E. Smith D-ME Diane Smith
B-NH Geraldine M. Hall G-ME Dorothy B. Ault
Q-NH Georgette Comstock G-NH Saundra L. Bicknell
F-RI Joyce A. McGinn Q-NH Nancy Jo Johnson
I-VT Virginia M. Daring R-NH Ann Lamb
E-RI Emily Kiekhofer
60 YEARS (6) 65 YEARS (8)
A-ME Julie Ann Reeves A-ME Elizabeth H. Speirs
C-ME Mary V. Snyder F-ME Joan Nicholson
J-NH Sally Foulks H-ME Margaret M. Logan
A-VT Anne Kreisel A-NH Paula J. Barthel
C-VT Gretchen R. Willits H-NH Anne C. Nash
E-VT Mary M. Stuart E-VT Nancy Ross
E-VT Elizabeth B. Little
H-VT Mary Jane Washburn
30
International Chapter P.E.O. Sisterhood P.E.O. Membership
Northeast District Chapter
ANNUAL REPORT OF MEMBERSHIP OF DISBANDED CHAPTERS
March 1, 2015
Secretary Northeast District Chapter
1. Number active members March 1, 2014 (see last year's report) 19 Increase since March 1, 2014 2. By Initiation 0 3. By Transfer (members not previously enrolled in chapter) 0 4. By Reinstatement 1
5. Total Active membership during year 20 Decrease Since March 1, 2014 6. By Transfer 1 7. By Death of active member 0 8. By expulsion of active member 0 9. By becoming inactive March 1, 2015 0 10. Total decrease in active membership during year 1
11. Number active members March 1, 2015 19
12a. Number classified lost contact or 12b. Inactive members lost by death since March 1, 2014 2
Summary 13. Total number initiated from date of organization 93 14. Total enrollment from date of organization 138 15. Total number of inactive March 1, 2015 42
DISBANDED CHAPTERS
Chapter Date of Origination Date Disbanded D-VT Essex Jct-Burlington 06/16/1977 03/01/2006 H-ME Harpswell 02/06/1993 03/01/2014 L-NH Nashua 04/20/1991 03/01/2004
31
32
33
REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE
The committee communicated by email and telephone this year due to an unavoidable personal
situation.
Letters requesting nominees to the Northeast District Executive Board were sent in January, 2015.
They were sent by email to all Northeast District Chapter presidents to be shared with their
respective chapters. Current Northeast District officers were asked for permission to place their
names in nomination for their successive office in 2015-2016. All but one consented; therefore,
nominees were needed for treasurer and secretary of the district.
The Nominating Committee places in nomination the following slate of officers of the Northeast
District Chapter for the 2015-2016 year.
President Linda Lussier
Vice President Tamara Le
Organizer Marcia Weeks
Treasurer Lola Orcutt
Secretary Betsy Dake
Joan Galloway, G-RI, PDP, Chairman
Judy Jones, F-ME
Cindy White, N-NH
Susan Gordon, D-RI
Lou McLaren, H-VT
INVOCATION
By Lola Orcutt, B-ME
Incoming NEDC Treasurer
Almighty God,
Thank you for bringing us safely together. We ask your blessing on this gathering of Sisters.
May each of us be fully present throughout these meetings, grateful for the shared strength that
binds us close. (BE THERE)
Inspire each of us to become a leader in the work of our Sisterhood. Help us to strengthen
relationships within our Chapters and beyond in our larger communities, that we may continue to
share P.E.O.'s message and empower women everywhere to achieve their goals. (EMPOWERING
WOMEN)
34
Bring us together in Joy - to work and to play - that Joy may inform, inspire, and brightly color the
choices we make here. (PLAY)
Fill our hearts with kindness, each Sister for the other, and enable us to recognize in every gesture
of thoughtfulness the great gift of Sisterly love that we share. (MAKE THEIR DAY)
Bestow on each of us an alert and open mind as we engage in the work of Convention. Enable each
Sister to become more aware, more thoughtful, and more intentional in-the-moment as she
undertakes the work of P.E.O. (CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE)
Empower each Sister that she may return to her Chapter inspired, renewed in enthusiasm and
sparked with creativity for the work we have pledged to undertake. (EMPOWERING WOMEN)
We ask these things in your name...
Devotions on The Art of Empowering Women
By Betsy Dake, Incoming Secretary
If I were a carpenter, I'd find a way to empower using that skill. I'm using as much as
God has given - my mind, my voice, my heart, my art forms. This is the highest form of
expression on the planet from God, to me, to you.
Avery Brooks – American Actor
While I stand before you today as your newly elected Northeast District Secretary, I also stand
before you as a woman who has many other sides. Among other things, I am an
environmental planner, a daughter, a fiber artist, a sister, and a singer. These titles are some
of the small ways in which I define myself – both to myself and to others.
I've sung professionally for many years – in national tours of musicals, in church choirs, in
bands, on recordings and most recently at a conference, where I was asked to sing the
National Anthem. When I'm onstage singing, I know that I'm expressing myself to the
absolute utmost of my gifts and talents. When I'm singing, I have no fear – no worries, no
problems. There is nothing else going on in my life but that very moment. It is not myself or
even my voice that sings – it's my very soul.
I truly believe that every single person possesses a special talent within them – something
that they do that makes their heart and soul sing. Mind you, not every one of us is a
Michelangelo or a Beverly Sills, or an Emily Bronte. We don't have to be great sculptors or
painters or singers, or authors – frankly that's not how I define “talent” and it's not how I define
“art.” Your art and your talent is whatever that thing is for YOU – that makes you ridiculously
happy and fulfilled. It's the thing that you do that leaves you feeling so creative and so
engrossed that you've completely lost track of time - that point at which I believe that we
touch the hand of God.
As PEOs, we're called to do this every single time we recite the Objects and Aims - “to
radiate all light possible by conversation, by writing, and by the right exercise of any
talent we possess.”
35
What better way can we empower ourselves, both as women and as PEOs than by finding
that thing that makes our souls sing, and radiates all light possible by doing it? We've been
treated to a huge demonstration of some of the art of our sisters in our stunning gallery
outside. But I know that every single one of you has some talent that you could demonstrate
that would show your sisters not only something wonderful about yourself, and what you can
do, but that would allow them a peek inside of you to that thing that defines YOU to yourself –
the way being a singer and a fiber artist defines me.
When you identify that art that is yours and yours alone, you will find that both the knowledge
of it and the practice of it is something that empowers you to grow as a PEO, as a person and
as a woman.
Today, I ask each and every one of you to look inside yourselves to identify that talent – that
art – that makes you YOU. That thing that defines you and empowers you to be the very best
YOU – the best woman – that you can be. And as sisters, I challenge each and every one of
us to support each other in the seeking, the growth and the celebration of those talents in
each of our sisters. To empower each other as PEO sisters to be the very best we can be.
It's something that we've been asked to do all this year by Ann's theme – and it's something
that as a PEO we're asked to do in our Objects and Aims.
I’ll close with a quote from author Scott Edmund Miller:
”Whether you dance, draw, make music, shoot field goals, build houses, tune engines,
or sit around all day watching television, you are an artist. Your single greatest work of
art is yourself. As with any art form, the more you understand and develop your
talents, the more empowered and masterful you become as an artist. "
Thank you.
STATE OF THE DISTRICT REPORT
I have long believed that the executive board members are your elected representatives and you are
our constituents. With that relationship comes accountability and so you should be well informed
regarding our accomplishments during the year and the state of the district.
Let’s start with technological advancements. The board has begun the use of “cloud storage” for
several reasons. It provides another method of back-up, preventing catastrophic losses. From
tablets to smart phones, notebooks to desktops, we’re using more devices than ever before. With
the advantage of syncing to all our devices, it allows us to have information at the ready when we
travel as well as fostering online collaboration allowing all officers to work on the same document
at the same time.
The NEDC website received some updates as well. Thanks to our webmaster, it is now accessible
to mobile devices such as iPads, and Apple and Android phones. We have added a Membership
Page with links to initiatives involving chapter participation, the Hot Spot newsletter, and the
36
Membership Tool Box for local chapters. Under the Leadership Tab we have added local chapter
Board Buddy assignments. Finally, registering for convention was made easy and efficient through
the website.
The FORUM Newsletter was reinvented from a vehicle used expressly by the board to
communicate information to chapters to a wonderfully inspiring chapter newsletter sharing ideas
and celebrating each other’s successes called the FORUM Chapter Newsletter. It connects chapters
from Burlington, VT to Newport, RI with just the stroke of a key by our capable FORUM Editor,
Lola Orcutt. Along with the FORUM we have stayed connected with the NEDC Facebook page.
Participation has continued to grow closing the geographical distance between chapters.
Without the FORUM Newsletter, the board moved to direct communication via email. This
allowed us to deliver information in a more timely fashion. Direct communication proved to be
affective as well between the board and PDPs. By including the PDPs more in what is going on,
they become a precious resource. Through these communications, they have offered valuable
insights into not only the history of the district, but its future. We are, after all, a team!
The board moved from meeting four times per year to meeting monthly via video conferencing.
This has saved the district a considerable sum allowing us to use those funds to develop local
chapter officer training sessions or as we like to call them – LOTS! That’s because they are packed
with lots of information. Used with the newly created officer calendars, your jobs should be a
breeze. A lot of time and energy went into making serving as an officer effortless. To that end, we
instituted the Board Buddy system. I am so proud to tell you that this has been a great success. The
board has always desired to be readily accessible to chapter members, but there seemed to be this
mystique which prevented two-way communication – a perception that the board was somehow
intimidating. We hope we have since dispelled that perception. With board buddies, chapters
easily email, call or text for fast, convenient and courteous service. (SMILE & CURTSY)
Board members also received training by the Paid Assistant Treasurer, and viewed videos on
International’s website. By focusing on creating a stronger foundation for the Membership
Committee through training, in large part thanks to Tamara Le, our organizer, we can look to the
future benefits that this committee will provide for the district and those benefits are limitless
including a new concept called Sister Sparks which you will be hearing more about. The work our
committees do is integral to the success of the district and this is never more apparent than the
passion and dedication exhibited by the Cottey College Committee. This committee has been
recognized for its excellence, not once, not twice, but three times in the last two years.
This year chapters completed the Chapter Health Self-Assessment for the first time. Self-
examination requires brutal honesty and I am proud to say that chapters faced this task with a
positive attitude and quickly realized its value in helping chapters not only survive, but thrive well
into the future. We have made some needed revisions and incorporated information from other
forms to reduce paperwork. The information we gather from the assessments is invaluable and
helps us to see a snapshot of your chapter life. We thank you for embracing this new endeavor, and
for developing Action Plans filled with attainable goals that will provide opportunities to celebrate
your successes.
We enjoyed a smooth transition to our new Paid Assistant Treasurer, Stephanie Giese, of G-VT who
is doing a fabulous job. She has already offered suggestions to improve and streamline the process
37
of managing the district’s finances which I am proud to say are in excellent shape in large part
thanks to the negotiation of multiple year convention contracts through a professional convention
planner who as a P.E.O. sister offers her services to the district free of charge. We have just
finalized the contract for 2017 convention in RI and are presently working on 2018 convention in
VT.
The board has acted upon suggestions presented at the Leadership Education & Development
Conference to find ways to streamline our duties. You will see some of this at work in the proposed
amendments tomorrow. The proposed amendments were a team effort between the board, PDPs
and the Amendments and Recommendations Committee.
I cannot speak to the state of the district without mentioning our membership health. As you know,
I believe that our membership health is not measured by the quantity of members, but rather by the
quality of members. However, we cannot ignore the large number of sisters that are becoming
inactive – mostly because we and they are uninformed. By reading your chapter’s bylaws where
you will see provisions to prevent inactives, by discussing that a member may choose to stay active
but become a nonparticipant, we can stay the course. Thankfully, we have sisters with vision and so
we welcomed Chapter R-NH in October. We made considerable progress in updating our
Unaffiliate Lists through participation in the Phone Everyone initiative with the help of Linda
Lussier, Tamara Le and The Membership Committee. Here’s an interesting statistic – when calls
were made to unafilliate sisters by NEDC sisters, there was a positive outcome 76% of the time. So
reach out to unaffiliated sisters, it is worth your time!
The success of the Northeast District Chapter depends on each one of us and on all of us
collectively. I want to quote Doreen Burbank, “We must remember, we are not four distinctly
different sates, we are one united district; one entity and if we want to be successful, we need to
forget about geographical boundaries and join together for the good of the district.”
OUTGOING PRESIDENT’S REMARKS
I am surprised to be standing here today as your president. Yes, surprised! If it weren’t for Marlo
Bradford who wouldn’t take no for an answer – well, actually four NOs, I wouldn’t be standing here
now! Thank you, Marlo for your persistence.
When I was first asked to serve, six years seemed like forever, but it has gone by very quickly.
Each year has been a learning experience. It has been an amazing journey of personal growth and
empowerment. I made new friends, shared dreams and disappointments, experienced personal
highs and lows and during all this time I was supported by the gracious loving care and concern of
my sisters on the board, in my chapter and throughout the district.
My fondest wish is that my board service would inspire others to serve. Others who like me
believed they could never do it. Well I did and so can you! Try something you never thought you
could do and you will be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams; rewarded with friendship,
kindness, knowledge and self-confidence. You challenged me to do the best that I could and I hope
that I have met that challenge.
38
In P.E.O. there is the opportunity for each of us to accomplish something great because we dare; we
dare to dream, we dare to create, we dare to change. Our dreams become realities because we
support each other in bringing them to fruition. This sisterhood to which we belong is a precious
gift that we must continue to nurture. If you haven’t guessed it by now, I am passionate about
P.E.O.
Thank you to all committee members who have offered their time and talents to serve the district.
Thank you to local chapter officers and sisters for your faithful service to the Sisterhood. Thank
you to our Past District Presidents for your love and support and knowing when I needed a friendly
ear to bend, or a brain to pick. Thank you to my Chapter K sisters who have been there for me
every step of the way. Thank you to the hostess chapters D, E, G, J & L Maine who have worked so
hard and a great big thank you to the two best co-chairs ever, Mary Kay Colbath and Barbara
Daggett of L-ME – has this not been a fantastic convention?? Heartfelt thanks to my fellow board
members through the years with whom I have served; for your patience, your understanding, your
assurances and most importantly your faith in me. There is one very special P.E.O. whom I still
need to thank and that is Emma Remick, the woman who gave me the gift of P.E.O. – thank you!
I wish Linda and the incoming board the greatest success in the coming year.
I humbly thank you for the honor of serving the district as your president. I love P.E.O. and I love
all of you.
INCOMING PRESIDENT’S REMARKS P.E.O.: A Voice of Inspiration
As a third generation P.E.O., I am honored to be your elected president for the next year. I have
been extremely fortunate to follow Ann, who has served on the executive board for the last 6 years.
She has modeled the love of our sisterhood and its heritage for all of us, but I am especially
fortunate to have her as a mentor.
As many of you know that I am a retired public school music teacher. Singing has always been an
important part of my life. This experience prompted me to choose my theme: P.E.O.: A Voice of
Inspiration. Some of my greatest memories surround the beginning lessons I prepared for my
kindergarten and first grade students each year titled “How to recognize your singing voice”. These
young children had four voices that they needed to produce; a speaking voice, a yelling voice, a
whispering voice and a singing voice. Of course, I wanted them to find their singing voice.
The singing voice is a tool that many of us use unconsciously, but if we were to take a moment to
step-back from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it is plain to see that we live in a musical
world. We have music everywhere and it affects our lives, though sometimes we are too distracted
to recognize this fact. Singing surrounds us in our homes, in our cars, and from a wide range of
portable devices we use in between. In gatherings and celebrations singing goes hand-in-hand with
birthday parties, holidays, and ceremonies of worship and praise. Our own P.E.O. meetings include
the singing of our “Opening Ode”.
Many of us may enjoy singing when there is no audience only to return to our speaking voice when
others are around. We believe that our singing voice may not have a professional or pleasing sound
39
– this should not stop us -sing anyway! Why? Studies show that singing provides physical and
mental benefits. Singing clears the mind of clutter and negativity and helps promote lung
development and provide oxygen to the blood system and the brain. Singing strengthens the
memory and the power of concentration. When you sing, you are exercising your brain
We use our speaking voice every day. The human voice is a remarkably powerful tool. Melinda
Gates says: “A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman. But the search to find that
voice can be remarkably difficult.”
How can we find our P.E.O. voice? A fifth voice? A voice for advocacy – philanthropy – service?
A voice of inspiration.
Our Opening Ode inspires us to look to the message of the Star. Our Objects and Aims inspire us to
be the best person we can be and inspire to greater good. Our P.E.O. Record inspires us with
messages from our International officers and news from our Philanthropies.
We are able to inspire others every day; family, friends, co-workers. When we nominate a woman
as a possible project recipient, we inspire her to go for her dream. We tell her what a wonderful
organization we belong to and how we can help. Additionally, we inspire our sisters to take an
officer position or committee/project chair, (or they inspire us)! In P.E.O. we have so many
opportunities to grow, to learn new skills, to come out of our comfort zone (like singing?) and do
something we have never done before. In our meetings we have programs which inspire us as
P.E.O.s to increase our knowledge. We have social meetings which allow us opportunities to
experience new things, some of which have been outings to museums, theater productions,
restaurants and shopping. As we spend time together, work together
and inspire each other, we bond closer as sisters. Our International
President, Maria Baseggio, as part of her President’s Message in the
September-October P.E.O. Record states: “This is one of the
strongest distinguishing factors about P.E.O. Many organizations
provide an environment that enable friendships to form. In P.E.O.
we take friendship to the next level by adding heartfelt, caring
concern that develops tighter bonds of fellowship among our
members. We enable women of all walks of life to achieve their
educational dreams by offering our financial assistance and
emotional support. We inspire our members and we inspire women
we hardly know as we learn of their educational pursuits.”
In the early days of our Sisterhood, our founders charted a course for the future to follow, and we
never cease to marvel that seven girls so young and inexperienced could have given us something
so enduring and worthwhile. They were inspired to set before us high ideals and a worthy
philosophy of life. They have left a heritage of which we can be justly inspired.
I am forever grateful to the P.E.O.s who saw potential in me and took the time to embrace the
opportunity to mentor, encourage, teach, inspire and nourish me. Through P.E.O. we can become
more aware of the opportunities in our lives – those everyday opportunities we have to encourage
others, show support, and to assist and inspire others in reaching their goals.
40
2015 Northeast District Memorial List
MAINE
A Barbara W Brookings 01/19/2015
A Barbara W Giddings 08/16/2014
A Geneva C Rohn 01/25/2015
B Pauline C Carlisle 08/02 2014
C Betty Breslin 02/17/2015
C Cynthia E Glass 01/25/2015
D Martha Irvine 12/17/2014
F Elizabeth B Atwood 05/31/2014
F Elaine Laird 08/29/2014
F Nancy Dalrymple 11/24/2013
G Gwen Schone 07/09/2014
G Elinor Virden 11/26/2014
K Diana S Gordon 02/21/2015
NEW HAMPSHIRE
A Verna R Alexander 06/28/2014
A Charlene A Hale 11/10/2014
A Louise R Kremzner 12/26/2014
A Allyson D Ledoux 10/10/2014
B Eunice Van Wyck 07/30/2014
E Erma Sanders 02/18/2015
G Helen Brady Bonardi 05/16/2014
G Eleanor P Keller 09/28/2014
G Martha Lou Wood 02/08/2015
K Marion M Biron 12/08/2014
Q Harriet W Brubacher 10/05/2014
Q Winifred Pheteplace 10/29/2014
RHODE ISLAND
A Myrtle Goodrich 08/23/2014
A Jean S Martin 11/20/2014
VERMONT
A Marilyn Williams 09/19/2014
B Robin Girr 11/20/2014
C Janet C Page 03/05/2015
C Reva M. Spengler 09/18/2014
D Dorothy Fox 02/06/2009*
D Beatrice Lester 09/09/2010*
E Betty Bahrenburg 08/09/2014
E Elizabeth Little 03/27/2015
E Marjorie White-Wilson 09/19/2014
G Mavis L Hart 03/30/2014*
H Thelma Mac Collum 12/01/2014
* Sisters not previously memorialized, deaths only recently reported
41
PHILANTHROPY CERTIFICATES 2015 NEDC CONVENTION
March 1, 2014 to February 28, 2015
ELF: Name University
P-NH Laura Chamberlain University of South Carolina Columbia
Q-NH Carolyn Kokko Cornell University
B-RI Sarah Nelson Elon University
E-VT Grace Morse University of North Florida
G-VT Ame Solomon Vermont Technical College
H-VT Laura Sisco American University of Beirut
PCE: Name Degree Field of Study
A-ME Audrey Laura Hanley BAS Nursing
B-ME Carol Ann Blethen AS Medical Office Management
C-ME Karen Eve Reynolds AS Health Information Management
E-ME Daphne W. Innes BAS Public Administration
J-ME Laurie Ann Jongsma AS Nursing
K-ME Viktoria Volodymyrivna Staples BAS Nursing
L-ME Melissa A. Hoffman BAS English Language and Literature
H-NH Tracy Dowd BAS Biology
I-NH Nicole Danielle Loughnane MAS Special Ed-Moderate Disabilities
Q-NH Christine Buco AS Physical Therapist Assistant
C-RI Diana Helen McLaughlin CT Education
C-RI Lizabeth A. Reocrds Leonard AS Veterinary Practice Mgmt.
E-RI Jessica Dansereau BAS Web Design and Development
F-RI Jennifer M. Irwin AS Physical Therapy Assistant
F-RI Tiffany M. Blackwood AS Nursing
E-VT Karen Nelson MAS Communications Management
G-VT Anne Soloman AS Nursing
STAR (For 2015 to 2016 Academic Year) IPS
G-ME Annie Rose Healion K-ME 2015-2016 Partner in Peace Chapter
G-NH Erin Helen Cashman D-NH 2015-2016 Partner in Peace Chapter (2)
C-RI Emily Beck F-NH 2015-2016 Partner in Peace Chapter
F-RI Wei Li A-RI 2015-2016 Partner in Peach Chapter
C-VT Emily Coffin
H-VT Hannah Hatch PSA Laureate Chapters
B-ME
Scholar Award K-ME
Q-NH Carolyn Kokko B-NH
Q-NH
A-RI
42
If it is to be, it is up to me! ~ Doug Conant, CEO
Campbell Soup Company
O’ CANADA
O, Canada! Our home and native land!
True Patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER
Oh, Say! Can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming:
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say, does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
GOLDEN GIRLS (To TV show theme song)
Thank you for being our stars.
Travel down the road and back again.
Your heart is true,
you're a pal and a good egg too!
And if you threw a party, invited everyone you knew.
You would see the biggest gift would be from us
and the card attached would say,
thank you for being our stars.
43
OPENING ODE (Lindly Tune)
We who are sisters in heart and spirit
give thanks to the star and its message,
May purity, justice, faith, truth and love
Make glad and holy the secret places of our hearts
Amen.
OBJECTS & AIMS
The objects and aims of this Sisterhood shall be general improvement, which shall
comprehend more especially the following points:
To seek growth in charity toward all with whom we associate, and a just
comprehension of, and adherence to, the qualities of Faith, Love, Purity, Justice and
Truth.
To seek growth in knowledge and in culture, and to obtain all possible wisdom from
nature, art, books, study, and society and to radiate all light possible by
conversation, by writing and by the right exercise of any talent we
possess. To aim at self-control, equipoise and symmetry of character, and
temperance in opinions, speech and habits.
It shall be the chief duty of each member to consider thoughtfully the full import of
P.E.O. This will include a sincere regard for our influence in the community, a careful
consideration of feeling when speaking, and a determination to do all we can at all
times and under all circumstances to express a loving concern for each sister.
44
SECTION 11
BY LAWS AND
STANDING RULES
OF THE
NORTHEAST DISTRICT CHAPTER
BL-0
BYLAWS OF THE NORTHEAST DISTRICT CHAPTER
P.E.O. Sisterhood
ARTICLE I
NAME AND MEMBERS
Section 1. NAME. The Northeast District Chapter shall consist of the chartered local chapters
of sovereign states of Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Section 2. MEMBERS. The members of the Northeast District Chapter shall be the members
of the local chapters within these states.
Section 3. LOCAL CHAPTER LETTERS. Each local chapter in the Northeast District Chapter
shall be designated by its respective P.E.O. letter or letters and the state in which it
was organized.
ARTICLE II
CONVENTION OF NORTHEAST DISTRICT CHAPTER
Section 1. MEMBERS. The Convention of Northeast District Chapter shall consist of the
following active members, when present and registered:
A. Executive board,
B. Past presidents of the district chapter,
C. Resident past presidents of International Chapter,
D. Two (2) delegates from each local chapter within the district, the president
being a delegate when feasible, and
E. Chairmen or acting chairmen of all standing committees.
Section 2. DELEGATES. Each chapter shall send two (2) delegates to the Convention of
the Northeast District.
Section 3. TIME AND PLACE. The convention shall be held annually in the month of April,
May, or June at a place determined by the executive board.
Section 4. HOSTESS CHAPTERS. Hostess chapters, grouped geographically, shall arrange
meals for members of convention.
Section 5. REPORTS. Within one month following convention, delegates shall give a report of
convention business to their respective chapters.
Section 6. FORMAL ACTION. Any item passed by Convention of Northeast District Chapter
that must be implemented by local chapters shall become effective as ordered by
convention and must be implemented upon receipt of an official notice from the
district secretary.
Section 7. VOTING. Voting at Convention of Northeast District Chapter shall be governed by
the Constitution, Part II, Article IV.
BL-1
Section 8. QUORUM. Delegates from a majority of all chapters entitled to representation in
Convention of Northeast District Chapter shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATION IN CONVENTION OF INTERNATIONAL CHAPTER
Section 1. DELEGATES. Delegates from Northeast District Chapter to Convention of
International Chapter shall be chosen in rotation from groups of seven (7) local
chapters or major fraction thereof. These groups shall be designated with
consideration for geographical location, and printed annually in the proceedings of
Convention of Northeast District Chapter.
Section 2. NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF DELEGATES.
A. In the year of Convention of International Chapter, local chapters entitled to
representation shall nominate a delegate and an alternate at the time of their
annual election. The nominee for delegate shall be the local chapter president
when feasible.
B. Names of nominees for delegates and alternates shall be submitted as
required by International Chapter.
C. Only those nominees who are or have been members of a Convention of
Northeast District Chapter, including the convention at which the delegates
are elected, shall be eligible.
Section 3. PAST PRESIDENTS OF NORTHEAST DISTRICT CHAPTER. The past
presidents' group shall determine the designation of past presidents of district
chapter, and their alternates, entitled to housing and meals at Convention of
International Chapter. The immediate past president shall be one of those
designated, when feasible.
Section 4. VACANCY IN DELEGATION.
A. A vacancy in the delegation shall be filled by the president of the district
chapter who shall appoint in the following order:
1. that same chapter’s elected alternate,
2. a member of the chapter entitled to representation,
3. a member of another chapter in the group, and
4. a member from the district chapter at large.
B. A chapter failing to have representation in its regular turn is ineligible to
nominate a delegate until its next regular turn.
C. A vacancy in the representation of past presidents entitled to housing and
meals shall be filled by the president of district chapter by the appointment of
an alternate designated by the past presidents' group.
Section 5. REPORTS
A. Each delegate shall give a report of the business and other highlights of the
convention to the chapters represented by her (or to chapters assigned by the
president of district chapter). The report shall be given in person, when
possible, and within six (6) weeks after the close of convention. A written
report may be authorized by the president of the district chapter in case of an
emergency.
BL-2
B. Past district presidents and district officers who attend Convention of
International Chapter may be called upon to make reports when needed.
C. The president shall be notified when each representative has completed her
assigned report.
ARTICLE IV
NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS OF NORTHEAST DISTRICT CHAPTER
Section 1. ELIGIBILITY. Any member of convention who has been an active member of the
P.E.O. Sisterhood for six (6) years and who has been duly elected and installed, and
served at least one (1) year as president of any local chapter shall be eligible for
election to an office in the district chapter, except as noted below:
A. No officer shall be elected to the executive board from a chapter already
represented on the board, if possible. Each state in the district shall be
represented on the executive board, if possible.
B. New chapters shall be represented in Convention of Northeast District
Chapter once before their members are eligible to hold district office.
C. To be elected to office, if not a member of the current executive board, a
nominee must be present at the time of the election.
Section 2. TENURE. No officer shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same
office.
Section 3. SEQUENCE OF OFFICERS. The sequence of officers shall be: president, vice
president, organizer, treasurer, and secretary.
Section 4. NOMINATION OF OFFICERS.
A. Nomination of officers shall be by a Nominating Committee of five (5)
members. They shall be the chairman and four (4) members. The immediate
past president shall be the chairman and one (1) member shall be appointed
from each of the four (4) states within the district, with the approval of the
executive board. All members shall serve for a term of one (1) year. The
current president shall not serve in any capacity on the committee.
B. A local chapter or member of the executive board wishing to recommend an
eligible member shall submit, with the candidate’s consent, her name and
qualifications to the chairman of the Nominating Committee by February 1.
The chosen nominee must be a member of the convention at which her name
is presented.
C. At convention, the committee shall present the name of one (1) nominee for
each office.
D. Further nominations may be made from the floor for each office preceding
the elective ballot for that office.
E. Each nominee shall be a member of the convention at which her name is
presented and shall have consented to serve, if elected.
Section 5. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Election shall be by written ballot. If there is but one
(1) nominee for each office called in sequence, by general consent the ballot may be
dispensed with and a voice vote taken for the entire ticket. If there are nominations
BL-3
from the floor for one (1) or more offices, a separate elective ballot for each such
office shall be taken. A majority of votes cast shall elect, and voting shall not be
limited to the nominees.
Section 6. VACANCY. A vacancy occurring during the year in any office, except that of
president, shall be filled by appointment made by the president and approved by a
majority of the executive board. The appointee shall have served as president of a
local chapter for one (1) term.
ARTICLE V
SPECIAL DUTIES OF DISTRICT OFFICERS
The executive board shall consult and advise during the annual interval and shall transact necessary
business. Appointments for the new term may be made and approved after election.
The following duties are in addition to those listed in the Constitution, Part II, Article VIII, and in
the Instructions to Officers of State, Provincial and District Chapters of the P.E.O. Sisterhood.
Section 1. PRESIDENT. The duties of the president shall be:
A. To appoint at the beginning of her term of office, with the approval of the
executive board, the paid assistant treasurer and the necessary members to
committees;
B. To oversee and guide the work of the paid assistant treasurer;
C. To appoint such special committees as may be authorized by the executive
board or by the Convention of Northeast District Chapter;
D. To serve as an ex-officio member on all standing Committees without vote;
except the Nominating Committee;
E. To appoint, when necessary, a proxy for organization of, or official visits to,
chapters;
F. To notify local chapters entitled to representation in Convention of
International Chapter by February 1 of the year the convention is held;
G. To send to each local chapter, within ninety (90) days after convention, a
letter setting forth information and plans for the year; and
H. To proofread the minutes of proceedings of convention and the bylaws and
standing rules of the district chapter within sixty (60) days following the
expiration of her term of office.
Section 2. VICE PRESIDENT. The duties of the vice president shall be:
A. To serve as an ex-officio member on the Finance Committee without vote;
B. To serve as adviser to the hostess chapters coordinating Convention of
Northeast District Chapter the following year;
C. To serve as adviser to the Cottey College Committee;
D. To present a grouping report for convention;
E. To supervise any Reciprocity Group within the district and keep an up-to-
date file on all unaffiliates in the district;
F. To oversee the review of local chapter yearbooks, bylaws and standing rules
and ensure that the appropriate comments are forwarded to the presidents of
local chapters;
BL-4
G. To oversee the Celebration of Life service for Convention of Northeast
District Chapter; and
H. To be responsible for the safekeeping of the Book of Remembrance, for
lettering in it, and for displaying it at Convention of the Northeast District
Chapter.
Section 3. ORGANIZER. The duties of the organizer shall be:
A. To visit or direct her proxy to visit local chapters every four (4) years, giving
the chapters at least thirty (30) days notice;
B. To visit or direct her proxy to visit new chapters for three (3) years following
their organization;
C. To confirm that displays of the P.E.O. Philanthropies and the local chapter
yearbooks are prepared for Convention of the Northeast District Chapter;
D. To serve as adviser to the hostess chapters for Convention of Northeast
District Chapter to be held two (2) years later; and
E. To serve as adviser to the Membership Committee.
Section 4. TREASURER. The duties of the treasurer shall be:
A. To serve as an ex-officio member on the Finance Committee without vote;
B. To work with the paid assistant treasurer as necessary;
C. To serve as the district chairman of the P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund,
P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund, P.E.O. Program for Continuing
Education, P.E.O. Scholar Awards, and the P.E.O. STAR Scholarship;
D. To prepare the schedule of official visits for the following year; and
E. Acknowledge in writing receipt of Love Gifts to the district chapter and
donations to the Cottey Travel Fund and to the Cottey College Scholarship
Fund
Section 5. SECRETARY. The duties of the secretary shall be:
A. To have the minutes of Convention of Northeast District Chapter approved
by the president who presided at the convention within sixty (60) days of the
close of convention and before the minutes are printed in the proceedings;
B. To have the proceedings of convention and the current bylaws and standing
rules of the district chapter compiled and printed within ninety (90) days
following convention;
C. To furnish copies of the proceedings and current bylaws and standing rules to
those named in the Constitution and to all members of standing committees
of the district chapter;
D. To provide proceedings electronically on the NEDC website; and
E. To notify local chapters of amendments and resolutions passed by
Convention of Northeast District Chapter that need immediate
implementation by the chapters.
ARTICLE VI
PAID ASSISTANT TREASURER
Section 1. APPOINTMENT. A paid assistant treasurer will be appointed annually by the
president with the approval of the executive board immediately following
BL-5
Convention of the Northeast District Chapter. She shall be an active member of the
P.E.O. Sisterhood. Appointment shall be made only after evidence of qualifications
has been submitted. Removal from office may be made by the same authorities for
sufficient cause.
Section 2. DUTIES. The duties of the paid assistant treasurer shall be to perform the following:
A. To pay all items on the warrant list as ordered by the executive board and
signed by the president, and shall send annual report forms to the local
chapter treasurers before February 1;
B. To perform all financial functions of the district treasurer;
C. To provide the Finance Committee with the information necessary for its
work;
D. To have the treasurer’s books audited at the end of the fiscal year by an
accountant, or an auditing committee, appointed by the district president;
E. To perform clerical duties for the executive board as required;
F. To file with the president an electronic copy of her report given in district
chapter convention;
G. To complete all required gift lists, as defined in the Instructions to Officers of
State, Provincial, and District Chapters of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, to be
included in the program and proceedings of Convention of the Northeast
District; and
H. To serve as an ex-officio member on the Finance Committee without vote.
Section 3. REMUNERATION. Expenses as authorized by the executive board shall be paid
from the general fund of the district chapter and outlined in the paid assistant’s
contract. Duties and remuneration shall be specified in an annual written contract as
determined by the executive board and Finance Committee.
Section 4. BOND. The paid assistant treasurer shall be named and covered by the Fidelity
Bond for the district chapter that is paid to International annually.
ARTICLE VII
STANDING COMMITTEES
Section 1. AMENDMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
A. APPOINTMENT. The Amendments and Recommendations Committee shall
consist of three (3) members, each of whom shall serve three (3) years. One
member shall be appointed each year by the incoming president with the
approval of the executive board. The senior member in point of service shall
be chairman. If an entirely new committee must be appointed, the president
shall designate the chairman, second, and third members.
B. DUTIES.
1. To review the bylaws and standing rules of the district chapter;
2. To receive and consider proposed amendments and/or
recommendations as authorized in Article XIV, Section 1 of these
bylaws;
BL-6
3. To prepare, in proper parliamentary form, those proposed
amendments and/or recommendations together with any additional
ones deemed advisable by the committee and refer them to the
executive board for consideration;
4. To send at least thirty (30) days prior to Convention of Northeast
District Chapter, a copy of all proposed amendments and/or
recommendations to the following: each local chapter, members of
the executive board, members of all standing committees, past
presidents of district chapter, and representative of International
Chapter; and
5. To present all proposed amendments and recommendations at
Convention of Northeast District Chapter.
Section 2. FINANCE.
A. APPOINTMENT. The Finance Committee shall consist of three (3)
members, each of whom shall serve three (3) years. One member shall be
appointed each year by the incoming president with the approval of the
executive board. The senior member in point of service shall be chairman. If
an entirely new committee must be appointed, the president shall designate
the chairman, second, and third members. The vice president, treasurer and
paid assistant treasurer of the district chapter shall serve as ex-officio
members on this committee without vote.
B. DUTIES.
1. To become familiar with the finances of the district chapter and to
consult with and advise the executive board on financial matters;
2. To prepare and present to Convention of Northeast District Chapter a
proposed budget and allocation of dues for the ensuing year for
consideration and adoption;
3. To recommend any necessary transfer of funds, investments, and
depositories to the executive board; and
4. To investigate travel costs and times of arrival and departure each
way for Northeast District Chapter delegation to Convention of
International Chapter; to recommend the most economical mode of
travel to the executive board; and to compute the amount required to
cover the travel expenses for those named in Article III of these
bylaws.
Section 3. HISTORY
A. APPOINTMENT. The History Committee shall consist of one (1)
member appointed annually by the incoming president with approval of the
executive board.
B. DUTIES.
1. To organize documents and photographs received from local
chapters concerning events taking place throughout the district
chapter;
2. To maintain scrapbooks for the district chapter;
3. To be responsible for pre- and post-convention publicity for the
district chapter;
BL-7
4. To maintain a file of programs for use by local chapters; and
5. To report at Convention of Northeast District Chapter.
Section 4. COTTEY COLLEGE COMMITTEE
A. APPOINTMENT. The Cottey College Committee shall consist of four (4)
members, each of whom shall serve four (4) years. There will be one (1)
member from each state within the district. One (1) member shall be
appointed each year by the incoming president, with the approval of the
executive board. The senior member in point of service shall be chairman of
the committee. The vice president shall serve as adviser to this committee.
B. DUTIES
1. To attend the seminar at Cottey College and to advise local chapter
Cottey College chairmen;
2. To promote fundraising and recruitment for Cottey College and to
advise local chapter Cottey College chairmen;
3. To coordinate local chapter gifts to the Wheatlake Suite;
4. To distribute, receive, and review applications for Northeast District
Cottey College Scholarship Fund from residents of the Northeast
District who have been accepted to Cottey College or are currently
enrolled in Cottey College;
5. To select and submit applications for the Northeast District Cottey
College Scholarship Fund to the Trustees of the P.E.O. Foundation for
final approval (See also Article IX, Section 1E of the NEDC Bylaws);
6. To attend the appropriate state reciprocity meeting(s);
7. To submit to the paid assistant treasurer any requests to distribute
funds from the Cottey Travel Fund after obtaining executive board
approval; and
8. To report at Convention of Northeast District Chapter.
Section 5. MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
A. APPOINTMENT. The Membership Committee shall consist of four (4)
members, each of whom shall serve four (4) years. There shall be one (1)
member from each state within the district. One member shall be appointed
each year by the incoming president with the approval of the executive board.
The senior member in point of service shall be chairman. If an entirely new
committee must be appointed, the president shall designate the chairman,
second, third and fourth members. The organizer shall serve as adviser to
this committee.
B. DUTIES.
1. To promote membership growth and to focus on membership needs;
2. To serve as adviser to local chapter membership committees;
3. To assist the executive board with membership development; and
4. To report at Convention of Northeast District Chapter.
BL-8
ARTICLE VIII
FINANCE
Section 1. DUES AND FEES.
A. DUES.
1. The annual dues of each active member shall be forty-three dollars
and fifty cents ($43.50), which shall be allocated as follows:
Twenty-six dollars ($26.00) for International Chapter dues (which
shall include six dollars ($6.00) for Cottey College) and seventeen
dollars and fifty cents ($17.50) for district chapter dues.
2. The district chapter dues shall be allocated annually as recommended
by the Finance Committee with the approval of the executive board
and presented to and approved by Convention of Northeast District
Chapter.
B. FEES. Each chapter shall pay twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per year to help
cover costs of official visits by the organizer and her proxies.
Section 2. CONVENTION OF NORTHEAST DISTRICT CHAPTER.
A. NORTHEAST DISTRICT CHAPTER. District chapter shall pay from the
General Fund and the convention registration fees the following expenses of
convention:
1. Rental of convention hall;
2. Printing of convention program and proceedings;
3. Audio/Visual needs during the convention;
4. Housing and meals for executive board, as defined in Northeast
District Chapter Policies;
5. Housing for one (1) night, Saturday banquet dinner, and Sunday lunch
for chairman of Nominating Committee, editor of the FORUM, paid
assistant treasurer, NEDC webmaster, not otherwise members of
convention;
6. Housing for two (2) nights, Saturday banquet dinner, and Sunday
lunch for convention co-chairs, not otherwise members of convention;
7. Housing for one (1) night, Saturday banquet dinner, and Sunday lunch
for local chapter delegates, and chairmen of standing committees;
8. Expenses of the organizer’s Period of Instruction and the P.E.O.
Philanthropies Program; and
9. Other necessary expenses, upon approval of the executive board and
Finance Committee.
B. HOSTESS CHAPTERS.
1. The hostess chapters shall pay for the Celebration of Life service, any
decorations, favors, and entertainment they wish to provide for
convention.
2. The executive board will provide guidelines to the hostess chapters
for meal expenses.
C. LOCAL CHAPTERS. Each local chapter shall pay for the travel and other
necessary expenses of its delegates to Convention of Northeast District
Chapter.
BL-9
D. VISITORS. Each visitor to convention, except members of the district
chapter, shall pay a registration fee of seven dollars and fifty cents ($7.50).
These registration fees shall be forwarded to the district paid assistant
treasurer.
Section 3. CONVENTION OF INTERNATIONAL CHAPTER.
A. The district chapter shall maintain an International Chapter Convention Fund.
The Finance Committee shall recommend an annual allocation from the
district chapter dues for this fund.
B. The district chapter shall pay from the International Chapter Convention
Fund the necessary expenses to Convention of International Chapter for its
president, vice-president (or alternate), and the local chapter delegates. This
would include hotel expenses for the night preceding the opening of
Convention of International Chapter. Reimbursement of expenses must be
substantiated with receipts or other documentation and submitted within three
(3) months of being incurred.
Section 4. EXECUTIVE BOARD AND COMMITTEES.
A. The district chapter shall pay all expenses incurred by the executive board in
transacting official business.
B. The district chapter shall pay all necessary expenses of standing committees,
as authorized by the executive board.
C. The district chapter shall pay all necessary expenses of the Nominating
Committee.
D. The district chapter shall pay all expenses of maintaining the district website.
E. Reimbursement of expenses must be substantiated with receipts or other
documentation and submitted within three (3) months of being incurred to the
executive board which will send accepted expenses to the paid assistant
treasurer.
ARTICLE IX
NORTHEAST DISTRICT COTTEY COLLEGE FUNDS
Section 1. NORTHEAST DISTRICT COTTEY COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP FUND.
A. PURPOSE. The Northeast District Cottey College Scholarship Fund shall
grant scholarships to attend Cottey College, when funds and applicants are
available, to qualified women who are residents of the Northeast District.
B. ADMINISTRATION. The Fund shall be administered by the P.E.O.
Foundation.
C. MAINTENANCE. The Fund shall be maintained by voluntary gifts from
individuals, chapters, gifts in honor and in memory of individuals or groups,
bequests and accrued interest that shall be deposited with the P.E.O.
Foundation.
D. FUNDING. Scholarships shall be funded entirely by the interest available
from the fund, as determined by the P.E.O. Foundation, to qualified enrolled
Cottey College students whose work has met the requirements of Cottey
College.
BL-10
E. AMOUNT. The amount of the scholarship shall be designated for each
semester by the committee, based on information provided by the P.E.O.
Foundation and approved by the executive board.
F. RECEIPT OF MONIES. The paid assistant treasurer shall receive monies for
the Fund and forward said monies to the P.E.O. Foundation.
Section 2. COTTEY TRAVEL FUND
A. PURPOSE. The Cottey Travel Fund shall benefit prospective Cottey College
students. The Fund shall be used to help offset the travel costs for a
prospective student and one (1) adult chaperone (if necessary) for one (1)
round trip to Cottey College. The Fund shall consist of all monies heretofore
set aside to said Fund, and shall be increased by voluntary contributions. The
paid assistant treasurer shall receive monies for the Fund and keep a Cottey
Travel Fund account.
B. ADMINISTRATION. The Cottey College Committee shall administer the
Fund, with the approval of the executive board.
C. APPLICATION. An applicant for assistance shall be a resident of the
Northeast District who is sponsored by a local chapter. The application shall
be obtained from the committee or the Northeast District Chapter website.
ARTICLE X
ORGANIZATION AND OFFICIAL VISITS
Section 1. ORGANIZATION OF NEW CHAPTERS.
A. REQUIREMENTS. The following requirements are in addition to those in
the Constitution, Part III, Article I:
1. Any person desiring to select a charter list shall write to the organizer
of the district chapter before any action is taken. After a request for a
chapter has been received and approved by the organizer, the group
shall meet regularly until organization. The period of time shall be
determined by the organizer with the approval of the president of the
district chapter.
2. Minutes of each meeting shall be kept and a copy sent to the
organizer.
3. In a community where one (1) or more chapters exist, there shall be at
least two (2) P.E.O. members on the charter list of a new chapter.
4. New chapters shall submit bylaws to the organizer for approval before
adoption.
5. No new chapter shall be organized within thirty (30) days preceding
Convention of Northeast District Chapter.
6. The new chapter shall make provision for housing and meals of the
organizer or her proxy at the time of organization.
B. CHARTER INITIATES. Each charter initiate shall be recommended by a
letter to the organizer of the district chapter from three (3) active members of
the P.E.O. Sisterhood.
BL-11
Section 2. OFFICIAL VISITS TO LOCAL CHAPTERS.
A. Each local chapter shall have an official visit by the organizer or her proxy
every four (4) years. A local chapter may be visited more frequently at the
discretion of the executive board.
B. A new chapter shall be visited annually by the organizer or her proxy for
three (3) years and shall then be placed in its proper group.
C. Any chapter may request an official visit.
D. The local chapter shall make provision for housing and meals of the
organizer or her proxy at the time of an official visit.
ARTICLE XI
SPECIAL DUTIES OF LOCAL CHAPTER OFFICERS
The following duties are in addition to those listed in the Constitution, Part III, Article V and in the
Instructions to Officers of the Local Chapter.
Section 1. PRESIDENT. The duties of the president shall be:
A. To write an annual letter and/or report to the president of the district chapter
informing her of the activities and status of the chapter. The letter and/or
report shall be read and approved at a chapter meeting in February (or prior
to) and mailed before March 1. A copy of this letter and/or report shall be
retained in the local chapter president’s box and copies sent to the following:
nonresident members, resident members who are unable to attend meetings
regularly, and to the organizer of the district chapter.
B. To oversee the production of the chapter yearbook. The yearbook must be
produced for a twelve (12) month cycle starting in March, April or May of
each year.
C. To send to the vice president of the district chapter a completed NEDC
Chapter Eternal Form immediately following the death of a member.
D. To print in its entirety a copy of the Bylaws and Standing Rules of the
Northeast District Chapter and place the copy in the President’s Book. The
proceedings of the Northeast District Chapter may be accessed online from
the NEDC website.
Section 2. RECORDING SECRETARY. The duties of the recording secretary shall be:
To send in March to the vice president of the district chapter a copy of the chapter
bylaws and standing rules, if they have been amended during the fiscal year. If the
bylaws have not been amended during the fiscal year, then the vice president will be
notified of this.
Section 3. CORRESPONDING SECRETARY. The duties of the corresponding secretary shall
be:
To provide annually at Convention of Northeast District Chapter seven (7) chapter
yearbooks, one (1) copy to each of the five (5) district officers, the FORUM editor,
and the chairman of the Membership Committee of the district chapter.
BL-12
Section 4. TREASURER. The duties of the treasurer shall be:
A. To send chapter contributions made to the P.E.O. Philanthropies to the
paid assistant treasurer of the district chapter to be received by February
28/29.
B. To send dues and assessments to the paid assistant treasurer of the district
chapter to be received by March 10.
ARTICLE XII
RECIPROCITY GROUPS
Section 1. PURPOSE.
Reciprocity groups may be formed as stated in the Constitution, Part III, Article XIII.
Section 2. SUPERVISION.
Each reciprocity group so formed shall be under the supervision of the vice president
of the district chapter.
Section 3. BYLAWS.
Each reciprocity group shall adopt bylaws consistent with the laws of the P.E.O.
Sisterhood and subject to approval of the executive board of the district chapter.
Section 4. REPORTS.
A. By April 1, each reciprocity group shall send to the vice president of the
district chapter the following:
1. A report of the activities of the group during the year,
2. A copy of the bylaws if amended during the fiscal year. If the bylaws
were not amended during the fiscal year, the vice president shall be
notified of this.
B. By March 10 of each year, the financial report required by International
Chapter for the period March 1 through the last day of February, which shall
include receipts, disbursements, and balance on hand March 1, shall be sent
to the vice president of the district chapter; and
C. The names, addresses and telephone numbers of the president, secretary and
contact person shall be submitted as required by International Chapter
immediately after election.
ARTICLE XIII
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern
all meetings in matters not covered by these bylaws, or the Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing
Rules of the P.E.O. Sisterhood.
BL-13
ARTICLE XIV
AMENDMENTS
Section 1. AMENDMENTS PROPOSED PRIOR TO CONVENTION.
A. Amendments to the Bylaws of Northeast District Chapter shall be proposed
only by local chapters, the executive board, or standing committees of the
district chapter, and shall be submitted in writing by February 1 to the
chairman of the Amendments and Recommendations Committee.
B. Such proposed amendments may be adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of
members present and voting in Convention of Northeast District Chapter,
provided that copies of the proposed amendments have been sent at least
thirty (30) days before convention to each local chapter, members of the
executive board, members of all standing committees, and past presidents of
the district chapter.
STANDING RULES OF NORTHEAST DISTRICT CHAPTER
1. A copy of the requirements for local chapter yearbooks shall be posted on the district
website and a copy shall be kept in the local chapter president’s box.
2. With the exception of a past district president, only names received at least thirty (30) days
prior to convention shall appear on the Memorial Roll at convention. Additional members
shall be honored at the following Convention of Northeast District Chapter.
3. All committees shall obtain approval from the president of the district chapter before
sending any form letters.
4. The local chapter president’s annual letter and/or report may contain such information as:
increase or decrease in membership, average attendance, contributions to and promotion of
P.E.O. Philanthropies, other charitable work, program features, social activities, spirit of
cooperation, interest in chapter life, and special recognition and honors awarded chapter
members.
5. Amendments to the standing rules of Northeast District Chapter shall be proposed
only by local chapters, the executive board, or standing committees of the district
chapter, and shall be submitted in writing by February 1 to the chairman of the
Amendments and Recommendations Committee. Such proposed amendments may
be adopted by a majority vote of members present and voting in Convention of
Northeast District Chapter, provided that copies of the proposed amendments have
been sent at least thirty (30) days before convention to each local chapter, members
of the executive board, chairmen of all standing committees, and past presidents of
the district chapter.
BL-14
INDEX
SECTION I Page #
Annual Report of Membership of Disbanded Chapters 31
Annual Report of Treasurer to International Chapter 32
Annual Report to International Chapter of Membership 03/01/2015 30
Balance Sheet 25
Certification of Minutes and Approval of Proceedings M-16
Convention Agenda 5-6
Convention Schedule 4
Convention Songs 43
Delegates to Convention 8
Devotions 35-36
District Committees and Convention Appointments 2
Golden Girls Recognition List 29
Grouping Report 28
Honorarium and Memorial Gifts 27
Incoming President’s Remarks 39-40
Invocation 34-35
Local Chapter Gifts to P.E.O. Philanthropies 26
Memorial List 41
Minutes of Convention M-1 to M-15
NEDC Officers 2014-2015 1
NEDC Past District Presidents 1
Opening Ode and Object and Aims 44
Outgoing President’s Remarks 38-39
Philanthropy Certificates 03/01/2014 to 02/28/2015 42
Proposed Convention of International Chapter Budget 23
Proposed General Fund Budget 22
Report of Credentials Committee 7
Report of the Amendments and Recommendations Committee 14-17
Report of the Audit Committee 33
Report of the Cottey Committee 18-19
Report of the Finance Committee 20-21
Report of The FORUM Chapter News Editor 20
Report of the Historian 19
Report of the Membership Committee 17-18
Report of the Nominating Committee 34
Report of the Organizer 11-12
Report of the Paid Assistant Treasurer 13-14
Report of the President 9-10
Report of the Secretary 13
Report of the Treasurer 12-13
Report of the Vice President 10-11
Representation at Convention of International Chapter 28
Representation at Convention of International Chapter by Year and Location 28
Rules of Convention 3
Schedule of Official Visits 29
Seacoast Group Hostess Chapter Committees 3
State of the District Report 36-38
Summary of Receipts and Expenditures by Fund 24
The Empowered Woman by Sonny Carroll Inside Front Cover
SECTION II Page #
Bylaws and Standing Rules of the Northeast District Chapter BL-0 to BL-14
Proceedings of the 24th Annual Convention of the Northeast District Chapter and the Bylaws and
Standing Rules of the Northeast District Chapter may also be found at: www.nedchapters.com