Each of the clubs attending the Fall Conference has volunteered member time and effort to make it a successful event. In addition to donating items to the Online Auction to benefit the Zonta International Foundation for Women or to District 1, and bringing items for the Service Project and for the Marketplace, all the participating clubs have stepped up to take a specific role in the weekend event. Heartfelt thanks to all!
Online Auction to benefit ZI Foundation or District 1
The online 32Auctions to benefit the ZI Foundation for Women or District 1 was available to EVERYONE…members (whether they were attending the Fall Conference or not), co-workers, friends and family! Sincere appreciation for the auction items donated by clubs and members – thanks to them 100% of the proceeds will go to either the ZI Foundation or District 1.
Service Project – Emergency Preparedness Bags for Individuals and Families
The Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley will introduce a project to educate women/families about the importance of planning for an emergency evacuation that no one wants to think about. With the help of all clubs in the District – conference attendees will attempt to create 50 ’Go Bags” filled with a few important items and an educational pamphlet that provides insightful tips. Clubs will take home a few bags each as templates to use as appropriate in their communities.
Bags and printed educational pamphlets have already been donated. Each club is asked to collect items to include in the bags. To minimize the expense, the intent is to get donations of items (with or without logos) from local businesses and like-minded organizations, and ask students to help us collect/advertise for donations. All who contribute will be named as PARTNERS for this project..
CALL TO ACTION: We have template solicitation letter and an Amazon Wish List below to help jumpstart collections. Please reach out to your networks and bring items in person or have them sent prior to Conference start date. Be sure to send the names of contributors to info@zontadistric1.org so they can be recognized. WHEN YOU HAVE SECURED DONATIONS – PLEASE NOTIFY SECRETARY MARY KNIGHT. A MESSAGE WILL BE ADDED ON THIS PAGE TO AVOID DUPLICATIONS.
So far we have 50 Educational Pamphlets, 50 KN95 masks, 50 boxes of matches, 50 whistles, 50 8-oz hand sanitizer bottles, 50 can openers, 50 toothbrushes and toothpaste, 100 emergency blankets, 50 Bic lighters, 48 small first aid kits. 50 Fireproof document bags.
Jillian James, EnROADS Climate Ambassador
Title: The Power of Interactive Climate Education: From Global Insight to Local Impact
At first glance, a global model like the En-ROADS Simulator might seem too broad to inform local decisions. In practice, it’s a powerful way to ground conversations in science, reveal insights, and test strategies leaders can act on. You’ll hear insights and tips from Jillian, who is using the simulator to inform local policy discussions, build momentum for regional climate action, and engage leaders.
Jillian became an En-ROADS Climate Ambassador in 2020, sharing insights from a science-based simulator that makes impacts of climate-related policies more accessible. She earned both her undergraduate and master’s degrees in aerospace engineering from MIT, specializing in spacecraft systems. For a decade, she contributed to national security space systems at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, where she led satellite development as Chief Systems Engineer. After initiating a project aimed at supporting hurricane Maria relief efforts in Puerto Rico, she began focusing on ways to positively influence our climate through systems change. Today, as Director of Sustainability at NETSCOUT, she is dedicated to creating a more sustainable and inclusive digital future.
Watch a short demonstration of its operation and features below.
Sherri Y. Simmons-Horton, Associate Professor Title: The World Turned Upside Down: The Urgency of our Activism
These are turbulent and confusing times that call for an urgent and collective response. This presentation will underscore the state of civil and human rights being threatened with erasure. The aim is to inform, inspire, and energize participants on the imperative of persistent, strategic, courageous, and unapologetic activist engagement. Key takeaways:
The importance of collective (not individual) movement building to interrupt and call out injustices.
The danger in participating in “oppression Olympics,” and the importance of fighting for all causes.
The places and spaces of activism, and how we engage in effective activism and collective building.
Sherri Simmons, PhD, MSW, is an Assistant Professor in the Social Work department at the University of New Hampshire (UNH). She also serves as a Core Faculty member in the Women and Gender Studies at UNH. Simmons-Horton has over 25 years of practice experience in the child welfare system in the state of Texas, with a focus on addressing racism and racial disparities present for Black children, youth, and families. Simmons-Horton’s research focuses on crossover youth (adolescents with involvement in the juvenile justice and foster care systems, structural intersectional inequities across both systems and the empowerment of system-involved Black youth and families through an anti-oppressive lens. Simmons-Horton serves as the 2nd Vice President of the Black Administrators in Child Welfare and she is a staunch child, family, and youth advocate, with a strong interest in practice and policy strategies to dismantle oppressive practices in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.
Mary Ann Rubis – Zonta Foundation Ambassador
Mary Ann Rubis is an optometrist, specializing in the treatment of ocular disease and contact lenses. A member of Zonta since 1997, Mary Ann is grateful for the amazing friendships and opportunities that membership has provided.… Read the rest
Most of the clubs attending reserved a table to sell items or chances for a raffle basket in the Zonta Store. Some members sold items as well and donated a portion of the sales to the District.
IMPORTANT NOTE: As the voting will take place online between 10/21-23 AND no voting is required during the Conference, delegates DO NOT have to be registered to attend.… Read the rest
* While Zonta International District 1 is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization and your donation is not deductible as a charitable contribution for federal income tax purposes, it may be tax deductible as ordinary and necessary business expenses. Please consult your tax preparer.… Read the rest
MISSION Zonta International is a leading global organization of individuals working together to build a better world for women and girls.
VISION Zonta International envisions a world in which women's rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential. In such a world, women have access to all resources and are represented in decision-making positions on an equal basis with men. In such a world, no woman lives in fear of violence.
The Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley will introduce a project to educate women/families about the importance of planning for an emergency evacuation that no one wants to think about. With the help of all clubs in the District – conference attendees will attempt to create 50 ’Go Bags” filled with a few important items and an educational pamphlet that provides insightful tips. Clubs will take home a few bags each as templates to use as appropriate in their communities.
Jillian James, EnROADS Climate Ambassador
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