PROGRAMS, TN State Board, 2011

“ASK EMILY P.E.O.ST”—ABOUT CIRCULARIZATION

{First slide: “Ask Emily P.E.O.st”}

EMILY: What alovely summermorning! So breezy and cool.

I, Emily P.E.O.st, have read the newspaper, fed my 16 cats, made a pot of coffee, and am ready to begin my morning of writing my famous advice column, in which I answer letters from conscientious P.E.O.s who want to know the corrrrrrrect way to do things in the best of all possible sisterhoods!

Look at all this mail! Let’s see what the most popular topics are today. [looking in small stack of paper]

DRESS CODE. “Is there really a rule that I can’t wear a hat in a meeting?”

Not anymore. Just make sure it isn’t so large that the sister behind you can’t see.

MEETINGS. “How long should the business meeting last?”

Just long enough!

COMPLAINTS. “Why do we have so many rules?”

To run our large organization efficiently. To maintain the traditions thatmake us special. To stretch toward high standards . . . to

—BUT WHAT IS THIS?[looks intohugestack of paper]

{Second slide: CIRCULARIZATION!}

CIRCULARIZATION! Oh no! The murky cloud over fundraising. The topicWays and Means Committees dread.

Well, enough procrastination. Let’s see what this one says.

[Takes letter reads silently while Mary Ellen comes from the side and reads letter out loud.]

MARY ELLEN: Dear Emily P.E.O.st,

I pride myself on my crackerjack intellect and quick responses, but recently when a sister asked me what Circularization was, I just didn’t know what to tell her. So I said,

[rattle this off:] “Circularization is canvassing via means such as letters, leaflets or brochures, telephone calls, e-mails, texting, twittering, messages on Facebook or any other website or blog, to P.E.O. members, local chapters, and reciprocity groups.”

Emily, did I say everything I should have before she fell asleep and toppled off her chair?

Sincerely, Modest Mary

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PROGRAMS, TN State Board, 2011

EMILY: Dear Modest,

I have heard about your legendary abilities. I am happy to reassure you that, yes indeed, you defined Circularization just right. Some situations require that you apply to the state board for permission to communicate with other P.E.O.s to promote a plan. There is a form on the Tennessee website for just this purpose. Click on “Circularization Permission Form,” fill out the form, and e-mail or send it to your state president.

That wasn’t so hard—let’s try another.

SUE: Dear Emily P.E.O.st,

My chapter has a great idea for a fundraiser for the Projects! We are going to make and sell barbecue aprons for BILs. We’ll embroider clever sayings on them, such as “Kiss me, I’m a BIL,” and “I have to stay out here in the yard cooking till the business meeting’s over.” We want to sell them to P.E.O. sisters all over the state. We’ll send a notice to every chapter, advertise on the state website . . . wait a minute, is this advertising considered Circularization?

Signed, Seamstress Sue

{Third slide: Ask for permission}

EMILY: [writing] Dear Seamstress,

My goodness, what an ambitious project. Before you publicize your sale, you will need to ask your state board for permission as your plan involves advertisingfundraisingstatewide. But I have a feeling you’ll receive their enthusiastic approval. Be sure to pay attention to the Financial Guidelines they have set up for your protection!

By the way, if your needle finger gets sore, there are permanent markers you can use on fabric. Do not use duct tpke to hem, though, as it becomes gooey in the washing machine.

Here’s another letter:

STEPHANIE: Dear Emily P.E.O.st,

I am chapter president, and something happened at our meeting the other night that . . . well, I just don’t know what to do, and I’d like to contact some of the other chapter presidents, maybe all of them, and see what their opinion is about this kind of thing. I’m not breaking any rules, am I?

Your friend, Stymied Stephanie

EMILY: Dear Stymied,

You will need to ask the state board for permission to get opinions on P.E.O. matters from other chapters or members of chapters. Not every application for permission to circularizeis granted, and I have a feeling yours may not be. Gathering opinions can be an example of Improper Circularization.Why not try this instead: confide in your board buddy or another trusted state board officer. Let them help you work out a way to resolve this issue. Your board is there to assist you![picks up another letter]

BECKY: Dear Emily P.E.O.st,

Our chapter would like to sponsor a hay-rack ride on an evening this fall. It’s going to be so much fun, just like when we were kids. We’ll sell cider and popcorn, and sing folksongs, and afterwards we’ll donate the hay to a worthy charity! We’d like to get together with the other chapters in our town and see if they want to join us. Shall I call the state board for permission?

Fondly, Backwoods Becky

EMILY: Dear Backwoods,

Inviting nearby local chapters to scheduled events like Founders’ Day, fundraisers, celebrations, or social occasion is not considered circularization. No need for you to ask for permission. Have fun in the hay!

Oh-oh, what’s this?[picks up another letter]

FRANCIE: Dear Emily P.E.O.st,

I have just become a C.P.A. and I need clients. I’d like to e-mail everyone in our local reciprocity directory and offer to do their income taxes. I’ll donate five percent of every bill to the projects. Does this seem like a good idea?

Counting on you, Financial Francie

EMILY: Oh dear, Financial,

I’m afraid this is an example of Improper Circularization: using P.E.O. contact lists for personal matters, even if P.E.O. might make some money, too. You will have to rely on your reputation for honesty, accuracy, and discretion to build up your client base. Good luck!

Well, it’s time for my coffee break. After that, I’ll start on a really hard subject—learning how to program my I-phone. Good-bye now!

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