P.E.O. SistersChapter AN, White Rock, British Columbia, was successfully reorganized on Monday, October 19, 2009, making it the first chapter in British Columbia to go through the reorganization process and bring it to fruition.
Chapter AN faced disbandment in 2002, but was rejuvenated when three P.E.O. sisters dimitted in. However, by 2008, deaths, dimits out, aging and failing health again caused the chapter to consider disbandment.
President (2008) Maren Readings and Organizer (2008) Mary Ann Carter of the British Columbia (B.C.) Provincial Board visited the chapter and encouraged it to go through the reorganization process. Chapter AN signed the Covenant in January of 2009, and held ten meetings in the following months. Mary Ann Carter, now the second vice president of the B.C. Executive Board and appointed mentor, Pat Morrison, AX, past provincial president, also attended the meetings. Three prospective new members were found, greatly bolstering the chapter's numbers and spirits.
In June, Mary Ann and Pat designed a Chapter Health questionnaire to help pinpoint the true needs of this chapter. The findings guided the chapter to choose a different meeting day, to hold one business meeting a month all year ‘round, and most importantly, to focus on positive actions and attitudes, and work hard for the good of the chapter.
Spirits were high and the prospective members were eager to reorganize the chapter. Since some sisters would be holidaying in the south during the winter, it was decided that the reorganization be held in October.
The officers conducting the Ceremony of Initiation of Chapter AN, including 92-year-old Reine Wood who recited her lines perfectly, conducted a beautiful ceremony which saw the initiation of the three new members and reaffirmation of the vows of the AN sisters.
Three members from Chapter J, Blaine, Washington, attended, making this an international event. There were three past provincial presidents in attendance including Pat Morrison, who will continue to mentor Chapter AN throughout the coming year. Good wishes were received from the five attending British Columbia Provincial Board members and from all local chapters that were represented. Many remarks reflected an air of hope and optimism, and the realization that other challenged chapters might also benefit from reorganization. Lunch and much P.E.O. camaraderie concluded this historical occasion.
