Epsilon sigma omicron

Epsilon Sigma Omicron (ESO) is an honorary educational society open to all per-capita dues paying GFWC federated clubs. More than 60 years ago, the ESO program became a permanent part of the GFWC Education Community Service Program. Through ESO, clubwomen are given direction in planned reading for self-enrichment and personal growth. Over the years, many GFWC clubwomen have profited from this unique self-improvement program, seen as vital by the members it directly benefits. The purpose of ESO is to provide clubwomen with a structural reading program, which is educational and stimulates a desire for self-improvement. 

 Following are the goals of the ESO

1. To encourage clubwomen’s pursuit of higher education
2. To create an additional means to unite women in volunteerism
3. To develop a support network for women returning to school
4. To improve current and develop new study skills
5. To stimulate systematic home reading and study with minimum supervision
6. To encourage the establishment of home libraries
7. To encourage the formation of reading/study/discussion groups

Mail a check for $10.00 payable to OFWC to Glenda Peters, 8448 SW Chevy Place, Beaverton, OR 97008. Include a completed Pledge Application (see forms below.)

• You will be sent e-mails during the year for suggestions for "All Club Reads" selections or requesting your current list of of books read/in progress to share with other ESO members.
• Watch for opportunities for reading discussions, sharing events, and "read-ins" once we reach at least ten members. 

There are many opportunities for ESO members to work their way up through the ESO levels. Clubwomen move to a new ESO level by completing a set of reading list requirements. The reading list is divided into subject categories. To complete a category, a member must read and report on four (4) books from that category. State ESO chapters may have different requirements; please consult your state guidelines.

ESO Levels

• Pledge: A Pledge has obtained an enrollment application and has started to fulfill the reading requirements.
• Member: A Member has completed four books from four different categories, for a total of 16 books. She is then eligible to wear the ESO pin and receive a membership certificate.
• Star Level: A Star level member has completed four books from ten different categories, for a total of 40 books. She will then receive a Star level membership certificate.
• Torch Level: A Torch level member has completed four books from 16 different categories for a total of 64 books read. She is then eligible to wear the ESO Torch Guard and receive the Torch level membership certificate.
• Century Award: A Century Award member has completed 100 books. She can continue to the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Century Award levels and will be eligible to receive the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and/or sixth century membership certificates.
• Diamond Award: A Diamond Award member has completed 1,000 books. She will be eligible to receive a Diamond Award certificate.

RECOMMENDED BOOKS ARE DIVIDED INTO CATEGORIES. SEE THE FULL LIST OF BOOKS TO READ AT THE LINK AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.
  

•  American History
• The Art
•  Biography and Memoir
•  Business and Finance
• Conservation and Ecology
• Drama
•  Education
• Fiction, Classic
• Fiction, General
• Fiction, Genre
• Mystery, Thriller
• Science Fiction
• Health and Medicine
• Home and Garden
• Parenting and Families
• Poetry
• Reading to Children
• Picture Books and Story Books 
• Chapter Books and Books for Youth
• Religion and Inspirational
• Science
• Social Science
• Sports and Recreation
• Travel and Geography
• Volunteerism
• Women’s Studies
• World History
• Addendum for 2020-2022 only: STEM books for adults and children 

Reading is, of course, the main responsibility of an ESO member. Once books are completed, the member is required to complete a “book report”. The book report form (see below) is used by members to express their opinions of the books they read. The report form must be completed by each member once she has completed one category (four books) and sent to state ESO chairman.

 Report forms will not be returned. State ESO chairmen will issue certificates and awards based on report forms received.  

See the link under forms below for suggested titles in each category. 

Check a book out from your local library.

 Library | City of Oregon City (orcity.org) 

Clackamas County residents are also eligible for a Multnomah County library card. Check their website for current requirements to apply for a card. They also offer online e-books.

https://multcolib.org/get-library-card

Looking for a classic that may be in the public domain? Archive.org, HathiTrust.org, and Google Books have free access to  many books printed before 1922.

Visit the Friends of the Oregon City Public Library Used Book Store, 814 Seventh Street. They have a wide variety of new and older books in all of the ESO categories. Check their website for hours. 

https://www.oclibraryfriends.org/

Laurie's Paperback Exchange

358 Warmer-Milne Rd, Ste 106

(Hilltop Mall) 

Call for hours/pick-up availability

 (503) 655-6586