March-April - PEO International

BIL CORNERBILAlbert Leffler is marriedto P.E.O. Kathy Leffler,BA, Scottsdale, ArizonaInternational Convention is coming up in Dallas in September and will be herebefore we know it. I truly can’t believe that more than two years will haveslipped by since the last International Convention was held in Saint Louis.That was my first International Convention and little did I know that I would soonbe entrusted as guest editor with the P.E.O. Record’s BIL Corner. Initialtrepidation has been replaced with eagerness at receiving both email andsnail mail from fellow BILs and delightfully from more than a few P.E.O.s.I strongly encourage BILs to go to Dallas if you can. You will see first-handwhat P.E.O. is all about—and you will depart Dallas energized as you neverhave been before. And while in Dallas, we BILs will have our own corner atConvention—I can’t wait to meet you there!Albert Leffler, Guest Editor, The P.E.O. RecordSend BIL submissions to Albert Leffler at albertleffler@gmail.com or 4251 E Shangri-laRoad, Phoenix, Arizona 85028-2917P.E.O. Day at CotteyMary Ann Arnett is the Cottey Representative for Chapter FE, Leawood, Kansas; she recently attended the annual“P.E.O. Day at Cottey” along with her husband Jim. Jim was kind enough to share his impressions of that day…In October of 2012, Cottey Collegeheld its annual “P.E.O. Day atCottey,” and as Mary Ann’s BIL,I was fortunately able to participatein the day-long event. Just as wearrived on campus and were parking,we were warmly greeted by CotteyPresident, Judy Rogers, who wasalso just arriving at the MissouriRecital Hall where the eventregistration was in progress. Thatdefinitely set the tone for a dayfilled with information, enthusiasmand the re-energizing of the 100 orso P.E.O.s from chapters all aroundthe country who came to tour thecollege and talk with staff andstudents about Cottey.You can imagine my surprise toshortly find out during the kick-offpresentations and introductions thatI was the only BIL in attendance!After an amazing performanceby the College’s Choir, Dr. Rogersupdated the attendees on the“State-of-the-College” and progresson the Defining Moment Campaign.This was followed by a very excitingand informative presentation byadmissions director Judi Steege onthe college’s student recruitmentactivities and plans and especiallythe role of the new four-yearbachelor of arts degree programsas an additional incentive to highschool women to apply to Cottey.That really interested me in gettinginvolved with helping the collegeidentify potential students. Duringthe rest of the day, led by studentvolunteers, we toured many ofthe campus facilities, classrooms,laboratories, art center, gymnasiumand chapel. Over lunch we enjoyedmeeting and eating in the cafeteriawith some of the students. Allattendees then had an opportunityto visit with Dr. Rogers during areception at her home near thecampus. Before the day endedwe were so pleased to have theopportunity to meet and visit at theresidence halls with two studentswho are this year’s “adopted”students for Mary Ann’s P.E.O.chapter and we now are keepingup with both of them as they moveahead with their college careers.Getting to know these dynamicyoung women really got me going onhelping Cottey’s student recruitmentactivities, and since getting homeI have already participated in acollege day event at a Kansas Cityhigh school and am working withthe college counselors to helpinterest young women from theschool in applying to Cottey. Thisis a very rewarding experience andI encourage other BILs to help outwith admissions. I’ll let you knowin future letters to our BIL columnhow it is going!Sincerely,Jim Arnett4THE P.E.O. RECORD March–April 2013 Women helping women reach for the stars