GFWC Ohio's chapter (Alpha Delta) of ESO is part of a structured reading program designed to provide clubwomen with encouragement and direction to assist in self-fulfillment and personal growth. It is a non-social educational sorority, open to any per capita member of GFWC Ohio. Meetings are held annually at the General Federation of Women’s Clubs and GFWC Ohio Conventions and are open to members, pledges and guests.
JOIN by submitting $3.00 (per administration) and enrollment information to the chapter Secretary/Treasurer.
Click here to get the ESO Enrollment Form
LEARN through several forms of communication such as books, audio and video materials, continuing education classes, college courses, spiritual study courses, computer-generated courses, educational television and on-line study (distance learning). Suggested reading lists are available from GFWC, but materials not on the list are accepted. Lists from other chapters and previous years may be used, as may lists from other sources such as a local library or book store or website such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Books-A-Million. The only limitation is that the material be of some educational value and not solely for entertainment. Novels are acceptable if they demonstrate research by the author into geography, a profession or skill, social behavior or culture.
REPORT on the completed materials to the Reading Chairman via postal mail or email using the report found on the GFWC/Ohio website or in The Directory. The brief report should contain the following information: Name, address, club name, district, title of the material, author(s), year reporting and which of the six GFWC Community Service Programs (“CSP” - formerly known as “Departments”) or Committees in which the book belongs. The body of the report should include the kind of material (fiction, biography, etc.), a brief statement of what the material is about and the participant’s personal opinion of the material.
Click here to get the ESO Book Review Form
MEMBER level is obtained after reading 16 books, 4 in each of 4 CSPs. Please report all books in a CSP together until full membership is obtained. Until that time the person is considered a Pledge. Once the Membership level is obtained, reports may be submitted individually. The number of reports accrue year to year and count to future levels of achievement: Star, Torch and the Century awards. ESO jewelry and certificates are available through the Reading Chairman. Membership is achieved at the individual’s own pace, using materials of interest to achieve self-improvement and life-long learning. GFWC/Ohio clubs benefit not only from a better educated member, but can report the hours spent in the initiation and administration of ESO activities, hours spent in discussion groups and hours spent in organizing ESO publicity. Clubs may NOT report the hours spent in coursework or reporting.
ESO Reading Groups may be formed within a club and can be a wonderful membership recruitment and retention tool. These groups meet outside of regular meeting time and either discuss a study done as a group or share the latest study the members have completed individually.