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Sunday, June 5, 2016

girls-gone-wild weekend at Philanthropy Con!





I got back today from lovely Loveland, Colorado and the annual State P.E.O. Convention.  I was our chapter delegate, and Running Sue accompanied me as she explained that she's a "convention junkie!",  and we had a great time.

At final count, there were about 600 total participants in the shindig.

Chaco asked me last week, "Just what do you DO at a P.E.O. convention??"

I explained to him, that aside form taking care of some organizational business, it's really like a big pep rally.  So I've just returned and am all P.E.O. pepped!







I've been to state P.E.O. conventions before, and one thing that's really nice about them is that representative recipients of our various philanthropies come and speak and tell us their stories.  Plus, there are various displays throughout the convention talking about how much money we've given with more examples.


We own our own college!


Award recipient at 
Harvard Med school!
High schoolers off to college!








... and lots more.

And some of those speeches - real tear-jerkers, I tellya.   So it was a good weekend.  

P.E.O. is a women's organization with only women members.  The Saturday night banquet is really the only gathering where men are present if invited.  It is there that the recipients give their speeches, and the spouse of the state president also gives a speech.  
I noted, when the president's husband got up to speak, how strange it seemed to hear a man's voice coming from the speakers after being with all these ladies for so long.  



While Sue and I traveled and roomed together, we each had separate "delegatory" duties at times.  I met lots of wonderful P.E.Os from all over Colorado. And of course, Sue is always fun.  She has bundles of energy and tends to talk a lot.  Sometimes, I wished she didn't talk quite so much so I could get to know the other Colorado P.E.Os better!




The organizational business side of things isn't quite as fun, but a necessary thing for such a large philanthropic organization.  So thank goodness for Happy Hour! (where I learned that Sue likes scotch!)

So, good times!  Good charity, good results, good getaway.  






16 comments:

ShadowRun300 said...

I figured your get-away was related to P.E.O. Sounds like it was a lot of fun! We often have groups like you stay with us at the hotel, and honestly, it's a lot of fun. The ones I don't like are the pyramid schemes. They're only nice because they want you to buy something or sell for them.
Not sure I've seen you wear anything other than running or biking clothes! At least not on your blog. You clean up well! ;)

Rock Chef said...

Sounds great! Nice to get some sort of reward for your efforts!

Ms. CrankyPants said...

Yay! Girls gone wild! Nice to see you raising your...glasses. ;)

LL Cool Joe said...

Any event that serves wine is a good one. Well maybe not a funeral.

And this is the first time I've seen you in a skirt. Great photo of you and Sue.

Tee said...

Well that sounds pretty amazing! Nice that it all went so successfully. Seems like a very fulfilling way to spend a weekend. And don't you look good, all spiffed up! Great photo!

Abby said...

The pyramid schemers even hit up the hotel staff? Relentless, those.
Come to think of it, I don't often clean up for the blog. Keeps the expectations low?

Abby said...

Yeah, it was a rewarding weekend!

Abby said...

I was pleasantly surprised with how much these ladies like to party!

Abby said...

This may actually be the first time I blogged a skirt. Your turn!

Abby said...

These conventions are a lot to pull off, but they did it without a hitch. Fun, satisfying weekend!

Riot Kitty said...

Good on you for the volunteer commitment, Abby!

Abby said...

Thanks, RK! But really, it's not all charity on my part. I get a lot back from the 'hood.

Sparkling Red said...

What a wonderful organization! That's all very good news. :-)

lotta joy said...

You, my dear child, are a killer in a skirt!! All that bike riding has made you an everlasting memorial to yowza. I know this post wasn't about YOU, but we rarely get to see the you that you are when you're not wet with sweat. LOL

Abby said...

It's a nice feeling to be a small cog in the machine.

Abby said...

Haha, maybe I should layoff on the sweaty pics :). You have such a way with words - "everlasting memorial to yowza"!