2015 Annual Report
Faith-based organization
2015
Volunteers gathering to pray, praise, seek God’s will and commit the days activities to Him so He is glorified.
“A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?” - Proverbs 20:24
January February February March March March April April April May June July August September September October October November December
Website & Social Launch Bonefish Grill Meet-Up Giving Campaign Launch Panelist at Temple University ICTW Interest Meeting 3-Day Weekend Retreat Panelist @ Penn State Abington Workshop @ Queens University Magazine Launch - 1st Issue Volunteer Meet-Up Magazine - 2nd Issue Winning Workshop Winning Workshop4Women Attended WIM Philly Event Workshop @ MBF Virtuous Guest on WURD Radio Show Speaker @ Breast Cancer Expo Magazine - 3rd Issue Video Shoot
Letter from the Founder One year ago, I sought to embark upon a God-given vision I had, by way of a dream. In the vision, women of all ages were captivated with the messaging given for I Choose To Win. Women, who were long-time Christ followers, began believing and trusting the Word again with renewed vigor and trust. The vivid picture showed younger women professing their love for God, understanding their need for Him and utilizing their gifts for His glory.
Melonie Butler
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
In my glimpse into the future, there was a magazine featuring these women and their stories. An online nationwide campaign of young women changing their minds about themselves, recognizing they are childen of God, fearfully and wonderfully made, intentional and capable of so much more than they allowed. I envisioned women saying “yes” to their inner voice. Genuinely loving themselves and others with compassion, I witnessed a movement of personal convictions in favor of victorious living, women who were choosing to win. Knowing the effort would be blessed if I committed to this God-given vision, I chose to be obedient to the call in order to realize it fully. I drafted an email to those I knew and loved, sharing my passion, or calling, and announced my decision to pursue the I Choose To Win vision. I was met with great support. God reminded me of the biblical truth, “I could do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I chose to stand on it, trust God and let Him strengthen me as I took action. One foot in front of the other, I exercised faith and built momentum. Volunteers and supporters showed up. Here we are, celebrating one-year, releasing an annual report, and launching an online campaign for women to speak victory over their lives. In Him, I stay amazed. Thank you to every volunteer, donor, sponsor and participant. May 2016 be more incredible. In all things, “to God be the glory!”
- Jeremiah 29:11
Sincerely,
Melonie Butler
Vision Create a movement of women on fire for God and in love with life. See more women living out what they define a winning life and glorifying God as a result.
Mission We edify, empower and equip women to walk boldly, bravely and brilliantly in their God-given gifts - contributing in unique ways to positively impact the world. This is what we’ve coined as winning!
Goals • • • • •
Edify women in the word of God so they see themselves as God sees them Encourage women to transition in mindset from victim to victor Empower women to walk in their gifts and lift others as they climb Equip women with tools, network and resources to aid in their definition of “winning” Glorify God through the execution of this program
Points of Praise 2015 Recruited and partnered with 15 volunteers to successfully execute several Winning Workshops Published 3 magazines featuring 15 women who are trusting God for victory and on their journey to win in life Launched an online app for women to create a custom victory statement and share with the world Launched social network and campaigns with messages that challenged, motivated and inspired Raised $2,500 through online giving campaign Engaged over 100 individuals at our events, reached nearly 3,000 through our various channels 100% program participants recommend our program to their friends Invitations to speak increased upon exposure to Winning Workshops EDIFY | EMPOWER | EQUIP
App Development Victory Statements Objective: We started a positive, energetic movement of women who choose to win. The idea here was to build momentum and energy around the I Choose to Win organization and mission, while allowing women to create personal victory statements. Plan: By creating this fun, easy-touse, online app, users can upload an image to personalize by adding their name, the areas they will take action and upload a photo. When women participate in this, they would include a hashtag #ichoosetowin, which will begin to showcase a following and our success with expanding our reach. Campaign: Today, let’s own our victory and remind the world who we are, whose we are – and what we choose to do. Let’s flood social media with positive images of women who will NOT give up, nor give in, but women who, in life, choose to win!
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Testimonial What I know for sure, I’m living my best life. A month ago today, I made a decision that no matter what was going on in my life, that I was going to love on myself everyday. I created a vision board, not for material or career goals, but ways to make me a better Dawn. How to balance being a wife and a mother without forgetting about me. Within a month, I have ignited the warrior within me and reached my goals. Losing over 10 lbs. by building my body from the inside out. All because I choose to win!! Thank you Melonie Butler for helping me find me again. . . I cried for 20 minutes because it was hard and I couldn’t believe I achieved it. I’m so thankful that I met you that night. Your spirit changed the direction of my life. - Dawn B.
EDIFY | EMPOWER | EQUIP
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Testimonial The photographer at my graduation today asked me, after conducting what seemed like a whole photo shoot of me and Kyle , “So, how long did it take you to complete this degree program?” That really got me to thinking about this journey that I’ve been on for 19 years. I graduated from Girls’ High in 1996 (240 - Stand up!!) I immediately entered Penn State and was enrolled for 3 years. Little did I know that a not-so-well-known disease called Crohn’s would come in and literally rock my world! But I never gave up. Even though countless bouts of sickness...in and out of hospitals... steroids, experimental drugs, massive weight loss (98 lbs at my lowest), everything I ate making a quick “exodus” someway somehow (y’all get it), depression, major suicidal thoughts, hair loss, having to wear a PICC line, a LOT of needles, being malnourished because my colon literally gave up on me, and ultimately winding up with an ileostomy...these things...THESE things TRIED to take me out of here. (And they almost succeeded countless times.) But, I never gave up. Plenty of sleepless nights, papers, tests, feelings of inadequacy, second guessing this whole school thing....but I never gave up. (The classmates and faculty at LBC wouldn’t let me anyway...) 8 years as a building inspector have been so fulfilling. But I know that there’s something new and different on the horizon. Going through these terrible things made me gain a better appreciation for life but behind my smile lies the truth of the massive hell my life was for 15 years. Now, my mission is to uplift others, be a soldier for justice, give a voice to those who don’t have one...and these things I will do until my last breath. I give God the glory for giving me a new beginning. I’m happy. I’m healthy. And I choose to win. - Ava W.
Igniting the passion that burns within. in life, I choose to win!
2015 Board of Directors Michael Bowman Board Advisor Rittenhouse Strategies, LLC mbowman@rittenhousestrategiesllc.com Melonie Butler Founder & President I Choose To Win melonie@ichoosetowin.org Phil Butler Vice President LREP Investments pbutler@lomaxrealestate.com Candy Manning Board Member Candids By Candy Photography candylmanning@yahoo.com
EDIFY | EMPOWER | EQUIP
Thank you! A special thank you to: Beneficial Bank Maple Glen We also thank 2015 contributors: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
AKB Photo Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza Bank of America Horsham Be Cubed Marketing Group Bonefish Grill Montgomeryville Bridget’s Ambler Brown’s Shop Rite Cheltenham Burn Brae Day Camp Candids by Candy CI Solutions, LLC Corner Bakery Horsham Home Depot Willow Grove Randazzo’s Pizzeria Rittenhouse Strategies, LLC Sam’s Club Willow Grove Virtuous of MBF Willow Grove Park Mall
Programs and Events
Crazy what beautiful things could happen by just leaving pride and judgment at the door - and just being free and open. I learned a lot about myself. What a success!” - Kahlaa K.
Winning Workshop 4 Women (Age 25+)
CAPABLE
MOTIVATED Goal Setting@Bonefish
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Workshop @ Queens Univ.
LOVED
FORGIVEN
Winning Workshop @ Temple Univ. (Age 18+)
Winning Workshop 4 Young Women (Age 16+)
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So much love and positive energy. I left full: full of hope, expectancy, vigor and life. It was truly an amazing time.” - Jen S.
ENOUGH
Winning Workshop @ MBF Virtuous Ministry (Age 12+)
Keynote @ Breast Cancer Expo Unisex Workshop @ Burn Brae
BOLD BRAVE BRILLIANT
Retreat@EdenResorts
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The winning workshop is a time to bond with other ladies without judgment. You are free in your own skin, learning more about yourself and others.” - Keanna P.
VALUED
confidenT
SIGNIFICANT
2015 Financials
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2015 Expenses
I’m so glad I had the chance to experience the Winning Workshop. I feel motivated and inspired. I Choose To Win everyday!” - Janelle W.
2015 Contributions
2016 Strategic Objectives
Believing the vision God gave me. in life, I choose to win!
Secure 501(c)(3) tax exemption status to increase corporate giving and grant award opportunity Identify and target five corporations whose missions align with ours for program sponsorship Expand board of directors to meet organizational needs and deliver on annual fundraising objectives Develop and implement fundraising strategy to generate revenue from diverse streams Identify and partner with key organizations with mass appeal to grow our audience Double our impact in edifying, empowering and equipping young women to win in life
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I’ve mentioned your program and the impact it had on me to my student life and counseling department. Thank you so much for the encouragement. It really means a lot. - Nancy J.
Awakening my insticts to engage life boldly. in life, I choose to win!
ichoosetowin.org P.O. Box 613 Fort Washington, PA 19034 c/o Melonie Butler 856.278.0604
EDIFY | EMPOWER | EQUIP