Reversing the Trend

1. Reversing the Trend Membership Workshop for inactive prevention.

2. P.E.O. membership involves… Growing our sisterhood. Nurturing our active members. Finding new homes for our unaffiliated sisters. Helping our inactive sisters to reinstate. International Chapter Membership Team 2013

3. Membership trends in the P.E.O. Sisterhood indicate sisters choosing inactive status is the major reason our numbers are declining. International Chapter Membership Team 2013

4. International Chapter Membership Team 2013

5. International Chapter Membership Team 2013

9. Why do our sisters choose inactive status? The following reasons were taken directly from letters written by our newly inactive sisters.

10. Poor Health • This was the primary reason sisters said they chose inactive status. • Some of the letters were written by family members. • Many members felt they were no longer contributing to the Sisterhood. International Chapter Membership Team 2013

11. Provide love and support. • Acknowledge the value of each sister. • Utilize the P.E.O. Wish. Suggestions for chapter members International Chapter Membership Team 2013

12. Dues • No notification received. • Too expensive. International Chapter Membership Team 2013

13. Send dues notifications early. • Print a dues reminder in the yearbook. • Find creative ways to collect dues. • Be sensitive to potential financial issues. Suggestions for chapter members International Chapter Membership Team 2013

14. Chapter Activities • Be welcoming to all members. • Be aware of the perception of cliques. • Promote congenial, positive discussions during meetings. • Stay connected to nonparticipating members. International Chapter Membership Team 2013

15. Be intentional about initiating new members. • Consider sponsoring a new chapter organization. • Create an environment of belonging and acceptance. • Address conflict between members. • Support nonparticipating members. Suggestions for chapter members International Chapter Membership Team 2013

16. Unaffiliates • Members not contacted by chapters when they moved. • Nonresidents must travel too far to attend meetings. • No chapters in their new communities. International Chapter Membership Team 2013

17. Stay connected to unaffiliatemembers. • Consider organizing a new Chapter. • Use membership resources listed on your handout. Suggestions for chapter members International Chapter Membership Team 2013

18. Meeting issues • Chapter work not fulfilling. • Meetings too long. International Chapter Membership Team 2013

19. Conduct thorough preacceptance counseling. • Conduct efficient meetings. • Participate actively in philanthropies. Suggestions for chapter members International Chapter Membership Team 2013

20. Membership Challenge • 1) Nurture your current chapter members!!  • Beth Ledbetter, P.E.O. International 2nd VP, said “a non-participating member is an inactive member waiting to happen.”  This should be a wake-up call for all of us.  Please find fun and interesting ways to keep your chapter members involved and attending meetings.  • 2) Keep your membership at a “Net 1” for the 2013-2014 year.  • This is not only about initiating new members; it is also about keeping the ones you have.  For example, your chapter initiates three women, one member dies and one member moves away and transfers to another chapter.  You will have a Net 1 for membership. International Chapter Membership Team 2013

21. Recognition International Chapter Membership Team 2013

22. Thank You! “P.E.O. membership is a personal commitment, intended to last a lifetime and extend from chapter to chapter.” P.E.O. Counsel For Membership Booklet