SPECIAL | feature
SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO STUDY A VIRTUAL CEREMONY OF INITIATION by the Executive Board of International Chapter
As in-person meetings were restricted, virtual and hybrid meetings became commonplace throughout our Sisterhood. Even now as chapters continue to balance the health and convenience of our members, many chapters continue to meet exclusively on virtual platforms. While this option has been invaluable to P.E.O. during the last couple of years, we are restricted under the Constitution in how we may grow our membership while using virtual platforms. The Emergency Authority of the Executive Board of International Chapter currently permits Initiation by Affirmation but, to allow greater flexibility for our Sisterhood and in anticipation of the future lifting of the Emergency Authority, the question of conducting our Ceremony of Initiation in a virtual format has arisen. In response, a special committee was appointed by the President of International Chapter in January 2022. The charge of the committee is: In recognition of the potential for local chapters to use hybrid and virtual platforms to conduct chapter meetings, coupled with interest expressed by the membership, the Special Committee to Study a Virtual Ceremony of Initiation is charged with investigating the feasibility of conferring our beloved Ceremony of Initiation using a virtual format. With respect for the traditional, private and unique aspects of our ceremony, and exercising all possible care to maintain the current content and structure of the ceremony insomuch as possible to express the full significance
of membership in P.E.O., the committee will make recommendations to the Executive Board of International Chapter of new and modified instructions and procedures as well as proposed changes to governing documents and the ceremony which would enable local chapters to confer the Ceremony of Initiation in a virtual format. We would like to thank the following members for accepting appointments to the Special Committee to Study a Virtual Ceremony of Initiation: Jennifer G. Mitchell, Recording Secretary of International Chapter; past chair of the P.E.O. Leadership Development Committee; past president of Florida State Chapter; Chapter EM, Melbourne, Florida Susan Penrod, member of the P.E.O. International Chapter Nominating Committee; past chair of the P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education Board of Trustees; past president of Texas State Chapter; Chapter FP, San Antonio, Texas Janet Litterer, past member of the Special Committee to Study P.E.O. Ceremonies and Meeting Procedure; past president of Connecticut State Chapter; Chapter AB, Fairfield, Connecticut Monica Brown, past president of Alberta-Saskatchewan Provincial Chapter; Chapter H, Edmonton, Alberta Denise Rugani, Chapter QC, Walnut Creek, California
COTTEY COLLEGE UPDATES by the Executive Board of International Chapter and the Cottey College Board of Trustees
The Executive Board of International Chapter and the Cottey College Board of Trustees continue to monitor factors that have a potential effect on institutions of higher learning. Specifically, colleges and universities are in flux as they consider the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on enrollment (Zahneis, 2021; West, 2020). There is also demographic research which forecasts a general decline in the number of future students, which has been described as the “enrollment cliff” (Hubbard and Minter, 2021; Kline, 2019; Barshay, 2018). At this time, it is uncertain what impact this changing landscape may have on all higher education. Cottey College follows a best practice of regularly reassessing its plans and projections to move the college forward. That process is at the forefront of strong leadership at any college. In addition, in the summer of 2021 the chair of the board of trustees appointed a Committee on Sustainability. The committee is undertaking a study, in conjunction with campus leaders, to identify measures to assure the financial sustainability of our college, especially ongoing operations. This forward-thinking approach to address challenges in higher education speaks well for Cottey College, as it shows the college’s commitment to prepare for the future.
The Executive Board of International Chapter supports the steps being taken by the board of trustees as responsible stewards of Cottey College. The executive board and the board of trustees realize P.E.O. members have a keen interest in the future of our beloved college and we will endeavor to keep you informed. REFERENCES – Barshay, J. 2018. College students predicted to fall by more than 15% after the year 2025. The Hechinger Report. – Hubbard, D. and J. Minter. 2021. A looming enrollment crisis for Midwest colleges. Trusteeship, 29(6):20-25. Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges. – Kline, M. 2019. The looming Higher Ed enrollment cliff. Higher Ed Magazine, CUPA-HR. – West, C. 2020. Enrollment effects. Trusteeship, 28(6):12-17. Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges. – Zahneis, M. 2021. A Historic Decline in U.S. Births Signals More Enrollment Troubles. The Chronicle of Higher Education, May 7, 2021.
As of this writing, the Cottey College 2021-2022 Revised Operating Budget is posted with the Convention of International Chapter 2021 materials on the P.E.O. International member website at this link: https://members.peointernational.org/cotteybudget
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May–June 2022 | THE P.E.O. RECORD
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