October 2024

Dear District 1 Zisters and Allies:

Sustainability is a word that we’ve been using a lot in these first few months of the biennium, and it’s a word that you’ll hear a lot more in the coming months. Sustainability has to do with keeping clubs healthy, inviting in new members, and keeping relevant.

Sustainability needs to be talked about from so many angles. Here is one:

There are usually pecking orders in clubs. One can feel it when visiting for the first time. Quite often it’s the matriarchs who greet you when you first visit. They are deeply invested in the club; some have experienced decades of change. They might do service more quietly than younger or newer members.

Then there are the newer members who have so much energy that they are constantly bringing in new ideas for service or new ways to advocate.

 Creativity is their jam. Sometimes we label the experienced members as the “it’s the way we’ve always done it” zisters. And the newer or younger members get labeled as “always changing things that already work”.

As we cultivate the culture of our clubs, it’s important to be curious about the past and at the same time assess the needs of the present. Usually, they are related. We need to see our clubs through the lens of community needs as they evolve as well as through tradition. We need to stay grounded in the needs of those around us as well as to our international connections.

This might be the first step toward sustainability. More next month. In the meantime, share your ideas with me.

With eyes to the future,

Donna RaycraftDonna Raycraft

District 1 Governor

Mentorship Planning in Zonta District 1

Current situation: We have faced challenges identifying, securing, and sustaining club and district leadership for several years. Club members are reluctant to step up /accept leadership positions. Past leaders are being recycled and getting burned out. Things would be easier if we had an influx of new people with new energy and ideas to generate excitement among our seasoned members... and that will come if we put effort into planning for that intention.

Goal: We would like to introduce Mentorship Planning in each club in an intentional way to aid in identifying, growing, and securing future leaders, as well as for retaining current members and engaging new supporters. Zonta is committed to the ongoing growth and development in knowledge and competencies of members at all levels of the organization, so they can fully participate in shared leadership of our all-volunteer organization.

Proposal: Choose 1 -2 interested club members to attend a training to learn about: 

• How to build a shared mentoring culture in your club that is positive, successful, and welcoming
• Creating a framework for current and future leaders to aid in succession planning
• Accessing a playbook of FREE, doable development opportunities: something for every member
• Using messages in outreach plans for recruiting new members and allies.

Call to Action: Submit name(s) of the club's chosen Mentorship liaison to info@ZontaDistrict1.org 

Governor Donna Raycraft will work with these members to arrange the training.  

Are we a secret? A message from Lt. Governor Lynn Stanley = Membership Chair

"Hi, MacKenzie! Sorry that I missed you on Wednesday. My Zonta club had a purse-stuffing party. We filled over 100 purses with toiletries to give to local shelters. During our party, we were also putting messages on several hundred postcards to be sent to women across the country reminding them to vote – an activity sponsored by MomsRising."

There – I just dropped Zonta into the conversation. How can YOU drop Zonta into the conversation?

We interact with people all the time, so why not give them the opportunity to ask questions about our organization? Why not give them the opportunity to be a member or an ally of our Clubs?

“Sorry, I can’t do Wednesday evening, I have Zonta that night and we have an amazing speaker I don’t want to miss!”

“Yes, the unhoused in our community really is a challenge. Our Zonta Club is doing this great service project…”

“I agree, women are under attack in this political climate. I’m so glad our Zonta Club is doing…”

“Wow, you have an amazing talent. Our Zonta Club could use someone like you with your passion and skills.”

Of course, you better have your elevator speech ready to go! My standard line is: "Zonta is an international organization; fortunately, we have a local club. We are a civic organization and our mission is to build a better world for women and girls." 

If they give me a positive response: "We are always looking to build our membership, so any time you’d like to be my guest at one of our meetings, you could hear about all we are doing (and the dinner is fantastic!)."

Take a few minutes to think of all the places where you could drop Zonta into the conversation – in person or online. You are doing great things, why not let people know?

Girls hear enough about how they should fit in. How about telling them that they are enough?

Let's stop spreading negative messages about what girls should be, what they should wear, how they should behave, why they should change themselves, etc.

 Let’s change the narrative, starting with this International Day of the Girl, 11 October.

Transitioning Prospective Candidates into Enthusiastic Members is a team effort.

Each club should have written procedures for the club leadership, Membership Chair, and Treasurer on who does what to get a new member ready to add his or her voice to our fight for women's rights.

As the new biennium gets underway, please review a DRAFT PROCEDURE FOR NEW MEMBERS created last biennium by the District Treasurer and Membership Chair, and make sure your onboarding process includes communication steps highlighted. Thank you!

ZontaDistrict1.org/news-events

Please send the District Webmaster a short write-up of upcoming events, news about a program, service or advocacy initiative your club is working on, a member who is doing something special that should be recognized, etc. We will share the news and events on the District website for all members and allies to view and share.

What would you like to see included in the monthly District 1 #Shorts? Send comments/suggestions to info@zontadistrict1.org