email us
GFWC Massachusetts
  • Home
    • MA Leadership >
      • Executive Committee
      • Board of Directors
      • Organizational Chart
    • Contact
    • About the website
  • About GFWC
    • What We Do ~ GFWC Manual
    • GFWC Leaders
    • GFWC Chairmen Updates and Handouts
    • GFWC MA ~ History and Accomplishments
    • GFWC ~ Did You Know?
    • GFWC MA Club Links and More
    • Join a Club >
      • GFWC MA Clubs and Presidents
      • Benefits of Membership
      • Join an Existing Club
      • Start a New Club
  • Women's Clubs
    • Especially For Club Presidents
    • MA Program Information
    • Fliers and Forms
    • Report Writing
    • Fundraising
    • Governing Documents
    • GFWC/GFWC MA emblems/logos
    • Protocol
    • ESO
    • Tax Filing for Clubs
    • GFWC Member Portal
  • Junior Membership
    • Junior Membership ~ Information Please >
      • Presidents ~ What to Know
    • Junior Membership ~ Report Writing
    • Junior Membership ~ Pictures from Past Events >
      • Junior Conferences
      • Junior Events
  • Scholarships
  • Events
    • Calendar of Events
    • Club Events
    • State Meetings >
      • Annual Convention
      • Fall Meeting
      • Midwinter Meeting
    • Federation Day at the Forest
    • Club Leaders Day
    • New England Region Conference
    • GFWC Annual Convention
  • News
    • Federation TOPICS
    • President's NEWS to Clubs
    • GFWC News & Notes/GFWC Blog
    • GFWC App
    • GFWC Clubwoman Magazine
    • Action Alerts
    • Past Events
    • Press Releases

Epsilon Sigma Omicron
(ESO)

ESO is an honorary reading sorority sponsored by the General Federation of Women's Clubs.  Membership is open to every GFWC clubwoman who chooses to participate in a guided reading program or other prescribed avenues of self-improvement and personal growth.  

Membership in ESO is achieved by earning 20 points from the reading lists. Advanced levels of achievement are gained by earning additional points from reading and reporting books or engaging in other educational activities as described below.

Update from the GFWC ESO Chairman, Sandy Hauenstein: 
ESO is now open to any book read as long as it fits into a designated category.  Every book fits into a category.  Every book you have read starting in 2020, that you can remember and want to write up will count toward ESO goals. The ESO lists have been updated and can be used a guide. There is also an ESO group on FaceBook that has some live chats and also a monthly book read.  It is GFWC ESO Book Club and all are welcome to join the group. 

PLEDGE status is awarded for 5 books read from the ESO list, or from any list of previous years. (You can download the lists below)

MEMBER status is awarded for 20 books read (4 from each of 4 different categories, and 4 "free choice" from any of the categories) chosen from this list, or any previous list. (eligible for ESO member pin) 

STAR status is awarded after 50 points from reading lists or other activities. (eligible for Star certificate)

TORCH status is awarded after 80 points from reading lists or other activities. (eligible for Torch pin)

CENTURY status is awarded after 100 points from reading lists or other activities. (eligible for Century certificate)
Once the Century level is achieved, book points are not limited to the reading lists; any book read and reported qualifies for a point.  Each additional 100 points earns the Century member another Century award.

Other ways to earn ESO points:

♥  Complete an extension, correspondence, online, educational TV, DVD or software course - 1 point
♥  Complete a full term, continuing education  course - 5 points
♥  Complete a course in Parliamentary Law - 5 points
♥  Attend an Elderhostel Program (now called Road Scholar, www.roadscholar.org/) -  5 points
♥  Take part in a regular book discussion group (start one in your club!) - 5 points
♥  Take part in a Great Decisions Discussions Group - 10 points (www.FPA.org/great_decisions/)​
Click here for the GFWC ESO Handbook.

​Click here for the GFWC Massachusetts 2017 Reading List.

Click here for the GFWC Massachusetts 2008-2010 Reading List.


Click here for the GFWC 2020-2022 Reading List.

Click here for the GFWC 2018-2020 Reading List.

Click here for the GFWC August 2016 Reading List.

Click here for the GFWC 2012-2014 Reading List.
To receive more information about our organization please contact:
GFWC Massachusetts Headquarters
email: HQsecretary@gfwcma.org

call: 978-443-4569
Write to: GFWC Massachusetts, P.O. Box 679, Sudbury, MA 01776-0679.  

GFWC Massachusetts Headquarters is located at 245 Dutton Road, Sudbury, MA.
GFWC Massachusetts Headquarters is available for club use. 
If your club would like to book an event, contact GFWC Massachusetts Headquarters.