Only a handful of the organizers attended the 2024 Convention of International Chapter (CIC), so LEAD was the first time many of them had met face to face and spent quality time together. Mary had a great time getting to know many new sisters. The fellowship and love shared during meals, social hours and riding in the bus to the home office are memories she will hold dear forever. Mary’s head is swirling, but now that she is home, rested, and has decompressed, it’s clear the best thing she took away from LEAD was we are not alone in the work we are doing for our sisterhood and we belong.
For Aidan, LEAD felt like a homecoming. Now in her fifth year of board service, having attended LEAD two years ago with the organizers and CIC in 2023 as a vice president, being with the other S/P/D presidents felt like a weekend getaway with dear, beloved friends. The presidents spent their sessions discussing leadership styles, delegating, breaking out of “we’ve always done it that way”, handling conflict, and the ins and outs of convention requirements. They shared countless ideas, some of which may find their way into Kansas P.E.O.!
The focus of the combined and separate sessions was clear, and it’s a message that applies to local chapter officers, too. We must lead with kindness. We must do what we promise to do. We must be willing to ask for help. We must be good listeners. Mary and Aidan vow to try to do all these things, especially during official visits and in their individual connections with P.E.O. sisters.
We leave you with these thoughts. Our new P.E.O. mission statement is: “P.E.O. Where women, Motivate, Educate and Celebrate Women.”
Cathy Moss, our fearless leader, reminded us of her theme, “The Art of Sisterhood: Believe*Belong.” If we believe we can accomplish our mission and feel we belong, then as Aidan’s logo says: we can go “To The Stars Through P.E.O.”.
L.I.P.E.O.
Aidan Koster and Mary McGehee
