Founded in January 2000, Metropolitan Republican Women (commonly called The Metro Club) is a grassroots political organization with active members from Metairie, Kenner, and the surrounding New Orleans metropolitan area. The mission of the club is to promote the principles, objectives, and policies of the Republican Party; elect Republican candidates; inform the public through political education and activity; and, increase the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government.
Through political, civic, and community programs and projects, The Metro Club promotes the principles of freedom, equality, and justice on which the Constitution and Government of this country were founded. The Metro Club is a member of Louisiana Federation of Republican Women and National Federation of Republican Women.
Meetings are held monthly at noon on the first Wednesday of the month. No meetings are held in June, July and August. Any woman who is a resident of the metropolitan area, a registered Republican, pays dues, and participates in the activities of The Metro Club is eligible for Active Membership. Associate Members are active members of other NFRW/LFRW affiliated clubs and Republican men.
Contact President Linda Vinsanau at metroclub@cox.net to learn more about The Metro Club.
THE METRO CLUB
The first general meeting was held on February 23, 2000 with 100 members in attendance under the leadership of Micki Chehardy, founding president. Specific goals were established, over and above those directly related to the Republican Party, that emphasized health, education, and women's affairs.
The story of THE METRO CLUB can be summarized in three words: vision, organization, and cooperation, and is testimony to the power of women who dedicate themselves to the successful completion of the task.
Our luncheon meetings include remarks by a leader in local, state, or national affairs. Republican candidates for offices ranging from school board races to national congressional elections are invited to present their platforms and to share their views with our membership.
Members participate in Louisiana Federation of Republican Women "Day at the Legislature" event annually. We work to promote the principles, objectives, and policies of the Republican Party, and to inform the public through political education and activity.
The women of THE METRO CLUB are active in community and civic affairs, including tutoring at STAIR (a volunteer based, non-profit children's literacy organization) and supporting the Veterans Transitional Home in New Orleans. Club members are engaged in Cancer Crusaders (a Louisiana-based organization dedicated to supporting the battle against cancer).
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Metropolitan Republican Women awards an annual scholarship to a high school senior in the New Orleans Area that is college-bound. The scholarship award may be used for tuition, books, clothing, gas, or any other college expenses. Students are required to compete for the scholarship by writing an essay. The title of the essay for 2014 is HOW CAN I MAKE MY VOTE COUNT. For more information, contact BRENDA HIGGINS at 504-889-2244 or brenda8@bellsouth.net.
A "DINE AROUND RAFFLE" was held to fund the scholarship for 2014. There were 17 participating restaurants and the value is over $650.
STAIR (Start The Adventure in Reading). The purpose of STAIR is to improve reading skills, raise self-esteem and provide a safe environment for children in second grade. The children receive individualized tutoring in reading related areas, such as: comprehension, word attack, phonics, grammar and dictionary skills. Tutoring sessions are held Tuesdays and Thursdays at Grace Presbyterian Church, 6129 W. Esplanade Ave. in Metairie. LINDA BERGERON, 2nd Vice President of METRO and Immediate Past President, is the Site Director. Tutors from METRO are YVETTE RAGAS, PAM CLOWER, and PENNY FRAME. BRENDA HIGGINS is a substitute tutor. The METRO site is one of 30 sites in the New Orleans Metropolitan area. Each year, METRO donates $200 to purchase books for the children to take home to read and enjoy over and over again. If you would like to get involved or observe, or if you have books to donate, please contact Linda Bergeron at 504-888-1224 or lindabergeron@yahoo.com.
COMMUNITY SERVICE The Metro Club's Community Service Project was a huge success in 2013 and continues in 2013. This Metro Club project supports local Veterans, we "adopted" the Volunteers of America Transitional Housing Program located on Napoleon Avenue in New Orleans. We collect men's clothing for the Veterans to wear when interviewing for jobs. We also hold three "showers" to supply the men with kitchen items, linen items and toiletries for their new apartments as they become self-sustaining. Our efforts were recognized by LFRW at the State Awards Banquet as the First Place winner for Community Service for Class A Clubs and by NFRW as the Four-State Regional winner of the Caring For America Award. Most recently, at the LFRW Fall Board Meeting in Monroe, LA., Linda Vinsanau accepted a Certificate of Appreciation from NFRW on behalf of The Metro Club. The biggest reward, however, is the pleasure we have in giving thanks and support to Veterans who have put their lives on the line to preserve our freedom and the American dream. More than half of our Metro members participated in this project. Kudos to all!