12 January 2012 No. 06 / 2012

Dear President's, dear Zontians of District 28,

I wish you all a very happy Year 2012 in perfect health, good spirit and peace!

Thank you very much for your good wishes I received from all over our District during these days. It was such a pleasure to read all the Christmas mail and the best wishes for the New Year. Thanks a lot.
After the quiet days over the Christmas Holidays, which brought relaxing time for all of us, the new year has already took up speed and we find ourselves in the "business-as-usual-mode" again.
For Club-, Area and District officers this even year will bring changes in the club presidencies and - boards as well as in the Area- and District boards. In the next four months clubs will elect their new club officers to take over office on 1 June 2012. Area- and District officers will hand over after the Int. Convention in Torino. In the time left we have to focus as strongly as ever on our goals, our projects and on the transition to our successors to make sure they take over a well prepared field.

1. News from the ZI Board

- Dues process: A task force is installed for re-writing membership letters in various languages to make the dues process more plausible and to make Zontians better understand how this process works and what kind of information is requested by ZI Headquaters.
- With the loss of Mexico ZI is now established in 63 countries
- YWPA: 31 out of 32 Districts submitted YWPA applicants for the award in 2011

2. Zonta Numbers of around the World

It is always good to have numbers on hand to paint a clear picture of our organization if asked by our members, potential members or the interested public.

a.) Zonta International in Total (as of 31 December 2011)

• Members: 30.144
• Active Clubs: 1.200
• Countries: 63

b). Regional Data by Geographical Regions (as of 31 October 2011)

Europe is strongest in membership, followed by North America, Asia and Australia/New Zealand. Districts are biggest by numbers in Europe, followed by Asia, Australia/New Zealand and North America. Average members per club are closely related in all regions between 20 and 26 members.

3. International Convention in Torino 7-12 July 2012

You might have noticed it: Online registration is now open at www.zonta.org.
Please note that there is an early registration fee before 1 April of Euro 325. After this it raises continuously! Please make sure you start in your club early enough to determine your club delegate and enlist in the program. It is the first time that a one-day registration is also offered at convention for those who want to accompany the club delegate for a day and breathe convention air. Before making any travel arrangements take a close look at the convention program. There are two program points worth to consider on Saturday: Our short District Meeting in the morning, which I would be very pleased to welcome you at, and the "Open Forum" in the afternoon, one of the best sessions at convention. There the most important issues like changes in the bylaws and all about finances are being discussed, questions can be asked without time limit. Very recommendable for all Zontians.

4. ZI Foundation

As of 30 November 2011 42 clubs out of the 60 clubs in our District have contributed to the Foundation. Imagine all of our 60 clubs support the ZIF! Wouldn't that be a tremendous success. Please consider: It is our District which benefits from the international awards like the JMK-Scholarship in 2011, YWPA or Amelia Earhart-Fellowship in previous years. In my point of view it is no more than fair to contribute to these funds and to make sure that more and more young women will benefit from these important programs. Additionally, we have seen at the District Conference seminar in the video on Obstetric Fistula how essential our contributions to the International Service Funds are to help underprivileged women to gain back health, dignity and self-esteem.
Note: You are kindly asked to send your club donations by 30 April 2012 to ensure that they are included in the District statistics for the Convention.

5. Centennial Anniversary Zonta International

In 2019 ZI gets 100 years old. A good reason to celebrate the birthday of our organization, to promote Zonta in public and to present the history of ZI in a publication.
Therefore the ZI Board has installed a Centennial Anniversary Committee, which already has provided a timeline for gathering publication material from clubs and Districts which will be used for writing the ZI History.
Please note: All clubs are asked to archive all club material and to appoint a club archivist an/or club historian who will take care of the material and will later summarize the history of the club for the international documentation.

6. Frequently asked questions

I am very often asked: When shall we pay the dues and new member fee for the new member? My answer: Immediately after the new member was admitted and officially welcomed in your club. Don't wait until next May when you pay the dues for the club members. Pay the dues and the new member fee right away. Fill out the Member Report Form and the Int. Dues Payment Transmittal Form and send both forms together with a bank copy to HQ. Only then HQ is able to process the new member, only then the new member will be officially welcomed by ZI, will get her member number and all information from HQ , and only then she will be able to benefit all privileges. It is very frustrating for a new member to have the feeling not to being cared for properly and not to being an official member of Zonta and her club. Attending Area-Meetings it occurred to me when clubs were reporting their membership numbers, that there is a substantial discrepancy between the official membership numbers which are provided by HQ on a monthly base and the "internal" numbers given by the presidents.
Please make sure to make your new member feel right at home in your club by paying all necessary dues and fees and by submitting the contact data to HQ to make her an official member of ZI.

7. Zonta Calendar 2012

On a glance - The most important dates for activities and events:

8. Important Deadlines

YWPA Award :
Application of club winner in English language received by Governor------1 April 2012
District winner received by ZI HQ------1 May 2012

JMK Scholarship:
Application of club winner in English language received by Governor-----1 July 2012
District winner received by ZI HQ-------1 September 2012

Intl. Dues due-------- 1 June 2012 the latest!

Club Officers Contact Information Form (1June-31 May 2013) due
to HQ, Governor and AD---------1 May 2012
Please note: To fill out this form is absolutely necessary. Only with this form you can make sure that HQ, District and Area is informed about the change in your club board and that the new president and treasurer will get all information from HQ, District and Area from their time in office on. It is the duty of the outgoing club president to fill out and send this form.

9. District Diary

Dear Friends, this was in short the most important dates, information and facts for your convenience and to make your work as club officer easier. As always please feel free to contact me, your AD or the Committee Chairs for any questions which occur, we are here to help in any way.
One more thing you might not be aware of: The president's message in the "The Zontian" is translated into German, Italian and some other languages. Please take the advantage to read President Dianne's message in your own language!
www.zonta.org
I am looking forward to serving Zonta together with you for the next few months to foster our mission to advance the status of women.

Warm Zontian regards