Past President's Annual Report 2024 -2025

Dear Members of the Austin Woman’s Club,


When I joined the leadership team of this organization as President Elect and worked with the President, we took an organization that was two or months from going bankrupt and transformed it into the healthy Austin Women’s Club we have today.  To get there took hundreds of volunteer hours, benchmarking with other like organizations, restructuring our budget, reducing or eliminating expenses, increasing our venue rental fees, etc. 


This year was, indeed, filled with exciting things for AWC!  We were able to celebrate our 150th Anniversary of our Grand Chateau in November with a Gilded Age Gala which included period costumes, distinguished guests, honoring long-time supporter and Architect John Volz with an award, and getting recognition from Austin Mayor Watson with a Chateau Bellevue Day Proclamation and Key to the City.  We were also honored to have Gay Gaddis, representing the Governor’s Office, present us with an award to mark our momentous milestone. 


We have a beautiful venue, perfectly suited to help us with our mission (community outreach, education, preservation of the historic site…).   It’s also our home and place to gather for community outreach, fellowship, and Club social events.


This position, as President of AWC, is unique in that there are two very distinct types of activities to support: we are a non-profit business entity which is the financial life-blood of our ability to maintain the structure and pay our ever-increasing overhead, and on the other hand, we are a social club providing an avenue for women to gather, commune and volunteer for a common purpose.  Sometimes the two are in lock step, and sometimes they represent competing priorities. In both cases, volunteers primarily do the heavy lifting.  However, the rental of our venue also requires paid staff and a business plan with goals to ensure our costs do not become overburdensome to our members.


Like a lot of jobs nowadays you cannot let any grass grow.  That leaders must anticipate, react and proactively adjust are the mantras in today’s world in order to remain a competitive viable, business.


This year was not without challenges: staff overturn, collapse of our contracted catering company, and unexpected maintenance expenses.  Each time the AWC Board was challenged we solved the issue by adjusting and restarting.  A few examples of adaptive leadership demonstrated by this year’s Board are:


  • Rearranging the job responsibilities to improve our competitiveness in the event business, including assessing and restructuring the pricing, staffing, etc.
  • Developing and adhering to budgeted values to the greatest extent possible
  • Aligning our budget with critical needs of the members and sustainment of the Chateau as an historic site 
  • Establishing a pathway with seed money for an endowment 
  • Assigning an ad-hoc team to provide a viable, real time, temporary fix to a safety issue with the wall located on the west side of the Chateau property 


Meanwhile, Board Officers worked to build bridges into the preservation organizations, City and State leaders, in order to further the goal of obtaining large grants for major renovations needed in the Chateau. All in all, it was a productive year for the Austin Woman’s Club. 

 

The BOD members deserve ALL the credit.  For staying the course, and for keeping ME on course. There are no words to describe the effort they made and the love they have for AWC.  Seriously, I stay AWC Proud as your soon to be Past President. We have a prospering organization now and I look forward to supporting it’s growth any way I can in the future.


With Gratitude,

Dot Swanson Club Past President


2025 -2026 Board of Directors

Officers

Standing Committees Chairs

Sub-Committees Chairs

Club Committees Chairs

Committee Members

  • Advisory

    Dot Swanson, Chair

    Sidney Jones

    Mary Ann Golden

    Connie Hudson

    Lisa Holzgrafe

  • Archives

    Susan Gatlin, Chair

    Leslie Thomas

  • Book of Remembrances

    Mary Jean Tritle, Chair

  • Building

    Karen Pope, Chair


    Mary Ann Golden

    Sylvia Imhoff

    Nancy Naylor

    Penny Powell

    Anna Speir (AWC President/Ex-Officio)


  • Bylaws

    Melissa Goodrich, Chair


    Nancy Naylor

    Ellen Lee

    Jo Green

    Catherine Jennings

    Anna Speir

    Mary Ann Golden

  • Cashiers

    Co-Chairs: Theresa Lay, Sue Wilson


    Committee

     Sarah Galey

     Melissa Goodrich

     Jo Green

     Patti Hirsh

     Barbara Padgett

     Jara Smith

     Marijean Tritle

     Cindy Willis

    Substitutes

     Catherine Comillone

     Paula Coopwood

     Martha Griffin

     Judi Mettlen

     Marion More

     Genie Nyer

     Dot Swanson

     Ann Wilhelm


  • Club Activities/Social

    Meredith Wood, Chair

  • Communication

    Noel Roberts, Chair

  • Corresponding Secretary

    Rene Fitzgerald, Chair

  • Courtesy

    Rene Fitzgerald, Chair

  • Development

    Gayle Hight, Chair


    Mary Ann Golden

    Sylvia Imhoff

    Mary Ellen Borgelt

    Penny Powell

    Karen Pope

    Joy Stoddard

    Sarah Jane Cantwell


    Guests: Anna Marie Spear, Dot Swanson and Sandy Cangelosi


  • Docents and Tours

    Anita Edwards, Chair


    Sandy Cangelosi

    Kathy Clark

    Catherine Jennings

    Jo Green

    Marijean Tritle

    Cindy Willis


  • Finance

    Jill Klucher, Chair


    Mary Ellen Borgelt

    Catherine Camilone

    Margaret Danforth

    Miranda Darr

    Susan Douglas


    President - Anna Speir

    President Elect - Mary Ann Golden

    House - Sandy Cangelosi

    Building - Karen Pope

    Treasurer - Lisa Alverson

    Development - Gayle Hight

    Strategic & Long Range Planning - Mary Gay Grigg

    Insurance - Lorraine Maslin

  • Fine Arts and Furnishings

    Peggy Purcell, Chair

  • Grants

    Syliva Imhoff, Chair


    Helen Young

    Genie Neyer

  • Grounds

    Anne Yeakel, Chair

    Susan Ashworth 

    Paula Coopwood

    Sarah Galey

    Dorothy Layne

    Susie Soderquist

    Ann Roe

    Kathy Clark

    Bunny Neible

    Lisa Holzgrafe

    Kathy Puckett

    Nancy Naylor

    Wendy King Fredell

    Karen Chitwood 

  • House

    Sandy Cangelosi, Chair


    Sandy Blevins

    Diann Boehm

    Anita Edwards

    Ruth Ann Eledge

    Mary Ann Golden

    Lorraine Maslin

    Nancy Naylor

    Anna Speir

    Dot Swanson

    Adrienne Watt

    Meredith Wood



  • In-House Fundraising

    Cammy Jones, Chair


    Sandra Conlan

    Patti Hirsh

    Jill Klucher

    Ann Wilhelm

  • Insurance

    Lorraine Maslin, Chair


    Lisa Holzgrafe

    Jill Klucher

  • Legacy Society

    2025-2026 Chair - Mary Allice Feeney 

  • Membership

    Deborah (Debbie) Cochran, Chair


    Genie Nyer

    Miranda Darr

    Sarah Galey

    Lillian Montgomery

    Teresa Doggett

    Jane Stein

  • Membership Treasurer

    Genie Nyer, Chair

  • Name Tags

    Catherine Camillone

  • New Member Orientation

    Ruth Ann Eledge Chair

  • Newsletter

    Noel Roberts, Chair

  • Nominating

    Karen Watford, Chair


    Karen Haschke, Advisory

    Sandy Cangelosi

    Sara Jane Cantwell

    Mary Gay Grigg

  • Program Coordinating

    Clair Wendlandt, Chair


    Sandra Blevins - 1st Thursday

    Susan Ashworth - 2nd Thursday

    Karen Haschke - 3rd Thursday

    Patti Greene - 4th Thursday

    Andrea Stone - 5th Thursday

  • Reciprocal Relations

    Mary Gay Grigg Chair

  • Strategic and Long Range Planning (SLRP)

    Mary Gay Grigg, Chair

    Barbara Benson-Padgett

    Mary Ellen Borgelt

    Susan Gatlin

    Mary Ann Golden, President-Elect

    Sidney Jones

    Nancy Naylor

    Penny Powell

    Anna Marie Speir, President

    Dot Swanson

    Sue Wilson

  • Scholarship

    Cyrilla Ivey, Chair

  • Treasurer Elect

    Stacey Brewer, Chair

  • Yearbook

    Noel Roberts, Chair

Committee Descriptions

  • Advisory

    1. Formulate job descriptions.
    2. Review and revise job descriptions on an annual basis.
    3. Distribute revised job descriptions to all incoming Officers and Chairs, immediately following the general meeting in April.
    4. Provide the incoming Nominating Chair with updated copies of all job descriptions.
    5. During February of each year, shall present to the Board of Directors a list of members who are qualified to serve on the new Nominating Committee

  • Archives

    Preserve the historical papers of the Austin Woman’s Club

  • Book of Remembrances

    Keep a record of deaths of members and memorials and send letters

    of sympathy to Club members

  • Building

    1. Shall be responsible for the preservation/maintenance of Club facilities (Chateau Bellevue and the Carriage House).


    2. Shall work with the Club Manager to assure that all repairs are done in a timely fashion and in a professional manner.

  • Bylaws

    Shall have prior knowledge of Robert’s Rules latest edition as well as Club procedures. Ability to work as a team and previous board service are helpful.


    Shall have a thorough knowledge of the AWC Bylaws and Standing Rules.


    Shall be responsible for  implementing all additions and changes to the Bylaws.

  • Cashiers

    Receive and record luncheon attendance and payments

  • Club Activities/Social

    1. Plan and present social functions and entertainment for the Club.
    2. Submit budgets to the Finance Chair.
    3. Report to and work with the Finance Chair.

  • Communication

    1. Maintains and updates all AWC websites
    2. Drafts and distributes weekly club eblast newsletters and monthly public newsletters
    3. Designs and distributes all event invitations and publicity via eblasts
    4. Designs and creates graphics for various AWC needs and events.

  • Corresponding Secretary

    1. Conduct correspondence of the Club as directed by the Board of Directors.
    2. Have custody of all correspondence not otherwise designated.
    3. Report to and work with the Recording Secretary.

  • Courtesy

    Sends get well wishes to Club members

  • Development

    1. Will consist of Board and non-Board members.


    2. Has primary responsibility for raising non-grant funds to support the organization's mission.

  • Docents and Tours

    Act as a guide for tours of the Chateau

  • Finance

    1. Prior to formation of the budget proposal, shall request from Chairs of all committees funded therein an estimate of their anticipated needs for the ensuing fiscal year.
    2. Present a proposed budget for the next year to the Board of Directors and membership at the April general meeting, at the June annual meeting, and in September, if necessary.
    3. Shall meet quarterly, or as needed, for review and budget preparation.

  • Fine Arts and Furnishings

    1. Responsible for the décor and furnishings of the Club.
    2. In planning a change of décor or approving acceptance of furnishings the Committee must consult with an approved Interior Designer familiar with Victorian decor.
    3. Donations of fine arts and furnishings must be approved by the Fine Arts and Furnishings Committee and then submitted to the Board of Directors.
    4. Work with House and Building Committees to protect furnishings and maintain functionality of the building.
    5. Report to the Chair of the House or Building Committees or may report directly to the Board of Directors.

  • Fundraising

    1. Plan Fall and Spring fundraisers and other fundraising events with Board approval.
    2. Report to and work with the Finance Chair.

  • Grants

    1. Responsible for building relationships with potential grantors and applying for grants.
    2. Chair serves on the Finance Committee.
    3. Work with all committees, especially the President, and Building, Finance, and Strategic and Long Range Planning Committees.

  • Grounds

    1. Responsible for upkeep of the grounds, planning, execution, and maintenance of the gardens and lawn, and supervision of the landscaping crew.
    2. Report to and work with the Building Chair.

  • House

    1. Shall be responsible for the operations of the Club, which shall include operation of food services, supervision of the Club Manager, and maintenance of and adherence to building cleanliness and safety standards.



  • Insurance

    1. Chair shall be responsible for obtaining all necessary bonds as determined by the Board of Directors.
    2. Chair serves on the Finance Committee.

  • Membership

    1. Consider proposals for membership and present those approved to the Board of Directors for approval.
    2. Provide to the Membership Treasurer semi-monthly reports, which include names of new, resigned, and deceased members.

  • Membership Treasurer

    Report to and work with the Treasurer.

  • Name Tags

    Keep members’ name tags current, in order and available at meetings

  • New Member Orientation

    Acquaint new members with the Club’s general rules and opportunities for involvement


  • Newsletter

    Works with the Program Chair and Communications Chair to compile and publish digital bimonthly newsletter.

  • Nominating

    1. Will consist of five (5) members, including no more than two (2) Board members, and with the outgoing Chair as the fifth member.
    2. Be well acquainted with the Club membership and have been active participants in Club affairs during the preceding five (5) years.
    3. Prepare and submit to the Club the nominees for Officers, Chairs of all Standing Committees, and Chairs of all Sub-Committees, including Program Sub-Committee Chairs, as designated in Art.VII.4.L.1.
    4. Shall perform duties pertaining to the committee as outlined in the Standing Rules and job description.

  • Program Coordinating

    1) The subject matter for programs shall be:

    • 1st Thursday-Literature
    • 2nd Thursday-Art
    • 3rd Thursday-Music & Performing Arts
    • 4th Thursday-Travel and Lecture
    • 5th Thursday-Special Studies

    2) If a Program Sub-Committee desires to schedule a program on a date that is not during her assigned week, she must have prior approval of the Program Coordinating Committee Chair.


    3) The Club shall not pay speaker or entertainer fees for regular programs. For special functions, required fees shall be covered by the event charge and shall have prior Board approval.


    4)No more than four (4) individual guests who contribute to the program will receive

    complimentary lunches.

  • Reciprocal Relations

    Keep updated list of other clubs with which we have courtesy privileges


  • Strategic and Long Range Planning (SLRP)

    1. Act as intermediary between AWC and the Community Advisory Board (“CAB”) regarding talents
    2. and expertise that the CAB may provide.
    3. Chair shall serve on the Finance Committee.

  • Scholarship

    1. Work with the Austin Community Foundation to find qualified recipients for the Emilie Wheelock Howson Scholarship and the Helen Mohrmann Scholarship.
    2. Report to and work with the Finance Chair.

  • Treasurer Elect

    1. Serve as Treasurer following her term as Treasurer Elect. If the Treasurer is elected to serve a second year, the Treasurer Elect may be elected to serve a second consecutive year, or may end her service at one (1) year.
    2. Report to and work with the Treasurer.

  • Yearbook

    1. Prepare and distribute the annual Yearbook to members.
    2. Report to the Communication Chair.