Pam Brady, who has recently been elected to her second term as president of the PEO Sisterhood, poses with her alpaca, Riona. (Courtesy photo)

Sisterly support

Lodi's PEO Sisterhood chapter aid women's educational goals

Learning how to join the PEO Sisterhood may be a secret, but it is no secret that Pam Brady enjoys the group for its camaraderie.

"I enjoy the social aspect of seeing people and talking with them," she said. "It's a really nice comfortable organization of women."

Brady, who is in her 10th year with the organization, was recently elected for her second term as president.

Q: How and when did you get involved with the group?

A: I joined the group in 1998 in Pleasanton. That's where I lived at the time. A friend of mine invited me to join. The organization has a couple of secrets — you have to be invited to join. They don't go advertising for new members.

Q: What if someone hears about the group or reads this article and wants to join?

A: They can contact a PEO member and once we meet somebody and get to know them, we invite them to some of our social events. If we feel they are a match, we invite them to join.

Q: What is your role while serving as president?

A: Coordinating all meetings and making sure our chapter follows the guidelines set by the state and oversee the committees such as the social committee, the welfare committee and the scholarship committee. We give two scholarships every year to graduating high school seniors in Lodi.

Q: What is the overall goal of the club?

A: It's philanthropic so we mostly have educational scholarships. There are five different projects that are different educational scholarships we raise money for.

Q: What is the biggest scholarship you support?

A: Our chapter usually gives $600 per year to send back to the international chapter for these projects. Each year we pick which one we want to support. And, there's the $1,000 we give to local schools.

Q: What goals do you hope to accomplish as president?

A: Just to get through the year. (Laughs) This is something that is rotated among members.

Q: What are the activities that you do?

A: Our major fund-raiser is a garage sale. We are also going to go to Jessie's Grove Winery for its concerts in August. We're all going to be there together and sit together and have a good time. Our spouses will be invited and this will also be a time we can invite people we think will make good members.

Q: What are your future personal goals?

A: We live in Valley Springs and have an alpaca ranch. We have 42 of them. So, just to be better known.

Q: What do you enjoy about the alpacas?

A: The peace and quiet. The animals are easy to take care of. It's a lot of joy.

Q: What is the best decision you have ever made?

A: Probably to move out of the Bay Area and into the country. It's more relaxing and peaceful.

Q: Which celebrity would you most like to meet?

A: Oh gee, there's a couple of them. Kevin Costner is one of them. Also Harrison Ford and Patrick Swayze. I tell you, Dirty Dancing is one of my favorite movies. That one and Dancing with Wolves.

Q: Describe you ideal vacation?

A: Oh, I like going to Hawaii — somewhere with a beach and sand is what I really enjoy.

Q: What is the last book you read?

A: Well, I'm reading a book right now by David Guterson, "The Other." I read constantly. I read a book about every other week.