State of the Club Address

Prepared by Metris Coley Batts - President of The Miami Woman’s Club

Reporting period: April 2024 - April 2025

I. Opening & Reintroduction

As we close a transformative year for The Miami Woman’s Club, I’d like to reintroduce myself—not just as your President, but as a community advocate who has spent over two decades in service, leadership, and building meaningful partnerships across South Florida.

 Since 1999, I’ve worked in key roles including Director of Outreach and Prevention, with the American Red Cross, the Florida Department of Health, and in direct support of nonprofits and community organizations addressing critical social issues.

 I was recruited to this Club by Noreen Timoney, not because of a title—but because of who I am and what I represent.

The Miami Woman’s Club is positioned to grow—through meaningful relationships, trusted connections, and a shared commitment to service that opens doors to new opportunities.

II. Mission and Strategic Direction

In May 2024, we formally adopted a new Strategic Plan, guiding us through 2026 with a clear focus on:

•  Programs & Partnerships

• Communications & Public Awareness

•  Leadership Development

•  Membership Engagement

•  Financial Sustainability

As we prepare to celebrate 125 years of service and 99 years in our historic home, this moment calls us not just to reflect—but to reposition, realign, and recommit. Our mission has not changed—but the world has. And we’re meeting that moment with vision and action.

 III. Strategic Progress Highlights

Community Engagement: Activated our Omni CRA covenant by hosting two neighborhood events in Edgewood, helping reintroduce the Club to our immediate community.

Partnership Development: Expanded relationships with the Florida Grand Opera, The Lady of Harp Academy, City Year, the University of Miami, and Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

Visibility & Marketing: Reengaged with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB). Their team visited the Club, and a planning session is scheduled for April 17. We now have access to GMCVB’s 5,000-member marketing list.

Communications Development: In response to the need for better internal and external communication, we are now curating member-submitted articles and posts for a new Club newsletter. This will also be integrated into our website to strengthen public presence and inform prospective members and the wider community.

Leadership & Governance: The Bylaws Committee has met and made substantial progress. Recommended updates to our bylaws and standing rules will be presented at the May membership meeting.

Advocacy Development: We recognize the importance of strengthening our understanding of advocacy. In 2025, we will implement advocacy education to help members speak with a unified, informed voice on key community issues.

Financial Growth: We increased revenue through full-price rentals secured through relationships with WINGS, City Year, and Indeed.

Membership Expansion: Participation in the District 11 Membership Rally on November 23, 2024, led to the recruitment of two new members. We continue to improve our onboarding experience and build leadership pipelines.

IV. Membership Overview

• Total Members: 85

•  Dues Collected: $1,955.00

 Our membership is our strength. This year, we’ve focused on ensuring every member is connected, supported, and empowered to lead. New strategies for onboarding, retention, and engagement are already showing results.

V. Financial Contributions and Impact

In 2024, we proudly contributed $1,989.50 to GFWC and GFWC Florida initiatives, including:

 President’s Project (Flight to Honor): $150

GFWC Florida Headquarters Maintenance Fund: $250

Affiliates (UNICEF, St. Jude, Operation Smile, Hope for Justice, and more): $800+

 Total Dues and Contributions Combined: $3,944.50

VI. Community Service Program Impact

By the Numbers:

• Total Projects: 74

• Volunteer Hours: 5,525

• Dollars Donated: $53,650

• In-Kind Donations: $4,100

• Dollars Spent: $55,350

 Key Areas of Focus:

• Civic Engagement & Outreach: $15,500 donated | 950 volunteer hours

•  Health & Wellness: $12,600 donated | 380 volunteer hours

•  Arts & Culture: $1,800 donated + $15,000 in-kind | 660 volunteer hours

•  Education & Libraries: $9,000 donated | 120 volunteer hours

•  Environment: $750 donated | 105 volunteer hours

 VII. Signature Program Spotlight: Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness

As part of the GFWC Signature Program, The Miami Woman’s Club hosted three community service projects and our powerful annual No More Broken Hearts workshop. The program included:

• The Affirmation Station

•  The Clothesline Project

•  The Empty Seat at the Table

 Guest appearance by Denise Brown, national advocate and sister of Nicole Brown Simpson

 This program continues to be a platform for healing, awareness, and meaningful community engagement.

 VIII. Looking Ahead: A Signature Project Opportunity

Abolish the Term “Wife Beater” on Virtual Shopping Platforms

 In 2025, we will launch a Club-led advocacy campaign to abolish the use of the term “wife beater” in product descriptions on online retail platforms.

 The campaign will include:

• A petition to retailers like Amazon and eBay

• Public awareness messaging on language and violence

• Partnerships with survivors and advocacy organizations

 Toolkits for GFWC clubs and community organizations to replicate the campaign and host their own local activations

 This campaign is more than an initiative—it’s a movement, and we are proud to lead it.

 IX. Building & Facilities Update

Facade Lettering: The new signage for our building has arrived and will be installed once final permitting is complete—marking our presence with pride and permanence.

Digital Identity: We’ve identified that our Club is often mistakenly labeled online as The Miami Women’s Club (with an “e”). We’re working to correct this.

Please check in and tag us correctly as The Miami Woman’s Club.

 X. Branding & Milestone Recognition

This year, we proudly unveil a new branding kit to support our communications, programming, and visibility goals. You’ve likely seen our updated imagery and messaging—we’re using these tools to amplify who we are and what we do.

 As we celebrate 125 years of impact and enter “The Golden Era”, we honor our past while shaping the future.

 Our 125th Anniversary Theme: The Golden Era

With a restored clubhouse and bold leadership, we launch four cornerstone initiatives:

•  Historic Preservation & Storytelling

•  Civic Leadership & Advocacy

•  Strategic Community Partnerships

•  Women Leading Forward

 This is not just a rebrand—it’s a reintroduction to Miami and a recommitment to leadership, service, and impact.

 XI. Looking Ahead to 2025

As we enter 2025, we do so with purpose, power, and pride.

 We will:

•  Launch our 125th Anniversary Campaign

•  Advance our signature advocacy initiative

•  Continue improving member experience and succession planning

•  Grow our visibility and public presence through partnerships and branding

•  Be a beacon of service, leadership, and civic engagement in the heart of Miami

 Thank you for walking this journey with us.

❝ Together, we’re not just preserving a legacy—we’re building one.

This is The Miami Woman’s Club. This is our Golden Era.