We are getting excited about the upcoming Fall Conference. Assembled in this briefing and on the Conference Website (zontadistrict1.org/fall-conference-2025) are the following:

• Invitation from Governor Donna Raycraft
• The draft Schedule of Activities for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
• Business Voting information and form for submitting the club's delegate credentials
• Action Items to discuss at the September meeting and submit by 10/1
• An overview of Speakers and Interactive Workshops planned
• Registration form and link for the hotel
• Anticipated questions and some answers.

Dear District 1 Zontians and Supporters:

It is my pleasure to invite you to the Zonta International District Conference that will take place in Boston, Massachusetts, the last weekend in October. The theme of the 2025 District Conference is “STRONGER TOGETHER: Leading with Strength, Positivity and Resilience” as we build a better world for women and girls, and the program planned for this weekend promises to fulfill expectations for that goal.

Participation in the biennual District Conference is a great opportunity to meet Zontians from other clubs and countries and enjoy a stimulating and rewarding time together; learn more about the objectives and programs of Zonta International and how we conduct the business of the District; and make sure your voice and the voice of your club is heard.

The venue of the Conference is the Embassy Suites by Hilton, Boston Logan Airport. We have a block of suites with a special rate reserved for Friday, October 24, through Sunday, October 26. Each 2-Room Suite is $279/night and includes 2 queen beds + sofa bed (3-6 people), two TVs, wet bar, desk and chair, Wi-Fi, free made-to-order breakfast, restaurant, pool, gym. Free shuttle to and from airport; $30/day parking. The registration fee is US $125 before 10/1 and $150 after; 1^st timers will receive a $25 rebate by mail after the conference. Guests are welcome to join us for the Saturday banquet. Details at www.zontadistrict1.org/fall-conference-2025

Questions and requests for any accommodations, including dietary requirements, to fully participate in the Conference can be directed to:

• Conference Chair Tonya Ozone  tonya.ozone@gmail.com 1-802-310-9335
• District 1 Governor Donna Raycraft draycraft@comcast.net 1-603-369-9249
• District 1 Secretary Mary Knight info@zontadistrict1.org 1-413-219-8260

Please review the highlights included in this communication to get a sense of what we have planned for this event.

On behalf of the District 1 Board 2024-2026, I welcome you all to the District Conference in Boston MA October 24 – October 26, 2025

Donna Raycraft

District 1 Governor   

Friday, October 24  

12:00—2:00 District Board Meeting and Luncheon  

2:00 Store Setup available

4:30 – 6:00 Registration ZC of South County, RI and Board

4:30—6:00 Service Project—Go Bags  ZC of Quaboag Valley

Dinner and drinks available at onsite at Porter Bar & Grill

6:00—8:00 Welcome to Fall Conference     

Ice Breaker—ZC of Northampton Area

Welcome from ZI President, ZI Liaison, and District 1 Board

Exploring the "magic" of Zonta: a collective strength that surpasses individual capabilities. 

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Saturday, October 25, 2025

Free made-to-order breakfast on own for hotel guests

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8:00 - 8:45 Registration and Marketplace Open

9:00 Opening Ceremony

Board procession, Posting of colors, National Anthems,

Welcome Remarks from Boston Mayor, District Governor

and ZI Representative

9:45  Climate Interactive Workshop    

10:45 ZI Foundation Ambassador Mary Ann Rubis

11:15 Sherri Simmons—Strength through Activism

12:00 Luncheon Marketplace and Foundation Booth Open

1:15  Zonta Business and Election Results

2:00 Deb Shannon—Mental Fitness for Resiliency

3:00 Keryn Kriegl-Roberts—Zontians as Ambassadors: Turning Passion into Impact

3:45 Panel Discussion—Strength in Numbers: How Membership Growth Fuels Zonta’s Impact

Innovative Strategies for Recruitment, Inclusion & Collaboration

4:30 Director Vivienne Shen—Report from the ZI Board

END OF SATURDAY BUSINESS

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6:30 Banquet, Online Auction

Entertainment: Live Music with Sleeveless Tease  

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Sunday, October 26, 2025

Free made-to-order breakfast on own for hotel guests

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8:45 Memorial Service—ZC of Berkshire County 

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Business Session resumes

9:30 Nourishing & Sustaining Our World—Lexi Cole

10:00 Pulling it all Together—Conference highlights & Action plan



11:00 Celebrating District 1

Online Auction Fundraiser Results

 Foundation Update

 Award Presentations 

Acknowledgements

11:15 Looking to the Future

Invitation to 2026 ZI Convention - Vancouver, British Columbia

11:45 Closing Ceremony

 END OF OFFICIAL DISTRICT CONFERENCE

Current Board and incoming Leaders meet with International Representative 

* This is a draft only - we are still finalizing

Zonta District 1 Business Voting  

Voting is a crucial aspect of the Zonta District Fall Conference. It's the mechanism through which delegates from member clubs make decisions on important matters, such as bylaws, budget proposals, and the election of the next district board. Voting will be held online in 2025, over three days: October 21 – 23.

Who Votes?

The voting members of the district conference are the governor, lieutenant governor, area directors, treasurer, and delegates from each club in good standing. ‘Good standing’ eligibility will be based on the club’s position and membership as of 8/1/2025.

When Do We Pick Delegates?

Delegates to Fall Conference need to be selected at the September business meeting. Conference Credentials for Delegates (link below) must be received by October 1st. Each club in good standing is entitled to one delegate and one alternate. Clubs with more than 30 members are entitled to two delegates and two alternates, per Article 12 of the District 1 Bylaws. Electronic voting will be held the week before Fall Conference. No proxies are allowed for online electronic voting.                 

What is on the Ballot?

There are three parts to the ballot:

• 2026-2028 officers and nominating committee;
• Amend District 1 Rules of Procedure;
• Proposed District 1 Budget for 2026 - 2028

Where Do We Get the Details?

All details will be posted on the Conference webpage in the next couple of weeks, so they can be reviewed and discussed with club members before delegate voting begins. A Zoom meeting on October 20th will give delegates and members a chance to:

Meet candidates nominated for 2026-2028;

Review/answer questions on all the items for voting.

Get instructions on the online voting procedure.

Form for Club Action Items – 10/1/2025 Deadline for submission

Each club is asked to have one designated person collect information and complete this form by October 1st. There are four sections: Service Project “Go Bags”, Memorial Service, Marketplace, and Online Silent Auction. Thank you!

Use Form for Club Action Items for the writeup. If you have a picture, please email to:  ZontaBerkshire@gmail.com.

Speakers and Interactive Workshops

Keryn Kriegl-Roberts. Project and Relationship Manager, NH Center for Nonprofits

Keryn, Membership Chair for the Zonta Club of Concord, will share ideas on how each of us can serve as Zonta ambassadors by sharing personal stories, making introductions, and building relationships that lead to increased engagement and support. We will also learn how to implement an ambassador training approach within our clubs.

Keryn will then moderate a panel discussion on Innovative Strategies for Recruitment, Inclusion & Collaboration

The En-ROADS Climate Workshop, co-developed with the MIT Sustainability Initiative.

Zonta’s focus on climate justice is about putting gender equity and human rights at the core of decision-making and action on climate change.

Working with experienced facilitators familiar with Zonta's focus, conference attendees will have an interactive experience that helps build support for strategies to address climate change through the testing of the En-ROADS Climate Simulator. The resulting experience is hopeful, scientifically grounded, action-oriented, and eye-opening.  

Click on the picture above to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions (so far)

What are the key dates I need to be aware of?

10/1 - Credentials for Delegates due

10/1 - Service Project - notify us how your club chooses to participate.

10/1 - Online Auction - submit form and picture

10/1 - Memorial – submit form

10/1 – Marketplace – submit form

10/1 - Conference Registration ends

10/20 - Important Zoom call to meet the Candidates, Q&A about voting, and Delegate instruction

Can I get reimbursed for the registration fee if I cannot attend?

Cancellation Policy - Cancellations directed to info@zontadistrict1.org

before 9/15, will receive a full refund, minus the Square fee, if paid online.

Between 9/15 and 10/23, refunds will be subject to a 50% cancellation fee.

After 10/23, the registration fee will not be refundable.

What meals are included with Registration?

Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday is included with hotel reservations

Saturday lunch 

Saturday evening banquet

Beverages and snacks will be available.

If I am on the fence about attending, what else should I consider?

You will learn more about Zonta’s mission and programs: the passion of speakers, Zonta International Director Vivienne Shen, former Zonta International President Mary Ellen Bittner, and other attendees will inspire and motivate you to take action on issues of gender equality. You will learn and grow as an individual and as a Zontian.

In-person events deepen connections within our diverse but like-minded community and help you to see beyond your club. The informal chats that occur between sessions often lead to ideas that can be used to infuse the Zonta Spirit in your club.

We will celebrate first-timers who attend by keeping the cost to $99, making it even more affordable.

Fall Conference is fun! Social events, networking, celebrating the power of women, sharing stories, visiting a great city on the sea and enjoying all it has to offer. You deserve some fun.

What questions do YOU have? Submit to info@zontadistrict1.org.

We will answer them and add to the Conference website, if appropriate.