Membership

Membership

Zonta Membership Assessment Tool

A Zonta Membership Self-assessment  involves examining your alignment with the organization’s mission to empower women and girls, as well as evaluating the personal value you derive from its community.

Part 1: Why I Joined (Initial Motivation)

Use these questions to reflect on the drivers that first brought you to Zonta:

  • Mission Alignment: Was I looking to advocate for gender equality or end gender-based violence?
  • Service & Impact: Did I want a structured way to serve my local community and support international projects?
  • Professional Networking: Was I seeking a network of like-minded professionals or hoping to develop my leadership skills?
  • Personal Connection: Was I invited by a friend or inspired by a specific Zonta event?
  • Other:

 

Part 2: Why I Stay (Retention Factors)

Members often “stay” for different reasons than they “joined.” Assess your current experience against these common retention drivers:

  • Fellowship & Belonging: Have my fellow club members become a meaningful support system or lifelong friends?
  • Active Engagement: Am I given meaningful “work to do” or a clear role that makes me feel like a valued contributor?
  • Growth Opportunities: Does Zonta provide me with unique experiences, such as mentorship or professional development, that I can’t find elsewhere?
  • Visible Impact: Do I feel a sense of accomplishment from the scholarship awards or advocacy campaigns my club supports?
  • Other:

Part 3:  What do you care about?  What specific projects /committees do you want to be focused on in the new Biennium?

  • Membership: Help in attracting new members and supports; engaging in retention strategies.
  • Advocacy: Identifying action associated with one of the Zonta Causes and or the root cause of why advocacy is needed.
  • Education: Help in promoting Zonta Education awards and evaluating candidates
  • Service: Identifying and filling the needs expressed by our partner agencies working with women and girls
  • Social Media/Communication: Help in 

Part 4:  Would you like a mentor to hone your skills or some level of support at this stage in your life?
We have a lot of talent in the Zonta membership and supporter groups. If you can specify what you need, want, desire – we are happy to help identify possible resources.

You also have access to a free, online Leadership Development program covering several core competencies in short videos and readings.

 

Part 5: Why I Might Leave (Risk Factors)

Evaluate if any of these common stressors are affecting your commitment:

  • Time & Finance: Is the time commitment (meetings, committee work) or the cost of dues becoming a burden?
  • Club Culture: Do I feel welcome and comfortable sharing my concerns with club leadership?
  • Misalignment: Has the club’s focus shifted away from the causes I care about most, or do I feel my skills are being underutilized?
  • Leadership Issues: Is the club’s management style causing frustration or a lack of transparency? [

Actionable Next Step:
If you are feeling disconnected, you might try the Zonta Spirit Exercise to share your story with other members and rekindle your passion for the mission.

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Membership

Are We a Secret?

Dropping Zonta into everyday conversation
~ Lynn Stanley, Lt. Governor, Zonta Club of Concord NH ~

“Our club recently 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, 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 and 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?

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Leadersship / Membership

Leadership in Zonta

District 1 Leadership

Current Leaders
Successful leadership in an all-volunteer member organization like Zonta requires prioritizing the greater good over the leader’s own objectives. Key attributes are valuing members and providing opportunities for their growth; knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and open communication; displaying authenticity; and both providing and sharing leadership.

Team Building

Team building is our core mechanism for building a collaborative culture that attracts, retains, and grows our members and leaders.
At our 2026 District 1 Spring Retreat, we were pleased to have a session with Charlie Brown – an experienced coach and trainer – who led us through various activities where we learned the basic tenets of working as a team.

What we learned:

  • Building relationships: Every one of us is a leader at different times. If you have not had the opportunity to step up, Zonta is a safe place to practice those skills.
  • Set Clear Goals: Ensure everyone understands the team’s purpose and direction. We experience too many frustrating false starts, otherwise!
  • Encourage Communication: Promote open dialogue and active listening. 70% listening 30% talking is a good goal for building rapport and understanding.
  • Foster Collaboration: Break down silos and encourage team members to work together and explore ways that similar committees in different clubs can share best practices/brainstorm solutions.
  • Recognize Contributions: Value each individual’s input and ideas.

 

District 1 Goals for the 2024-2026 Biennium
The goals include helping clubs amplify efforts to have a credible and visible voice; supporting club success, promoting leadership and sustainability; and encouraging engagement of audiences and allies. Let Donna Raycraft know how you can contribute to these goals.
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Resources and Links

Club President Orientation (60-minutes video) – Whether it is your first time or a repeat performance, this orientation from the Membership Committee will help you embrace your leadership potential, empower your fellow members, and equip you with communication, decision-making, and conflict-resolution skills to build a thriving, productive club. 

Resolution 2, Strategic Plan & 2024-2026 Biennial Goals (60-minute video)– May 29: The future is bright for Zonta International. Join Zonta International President Ute Scholz, President-Elect Salla Tuominen, Vice President Fernanda Gallo-Freschi and Treasurer/Secretary Souella Cumming for a look back at the path from Resolution 2 to the Strategic Plan and how both Resolution 2 and the Strategic Plan informed the 2024-2026 Biennial Goals.

2023 Zonta Club Manual PDF The Club Manual serves as a guideline for club officers and committee Listing of resources for understanding the club president’s role, leading your club, and shaping a culture that stimulates growth and retention. members and contains information related to basic club operations, resources, and reference materials.

District 1 Club President Resource Guide – List of resources for understanding the club president’s role, leading your club, and shaping a culture that stimulates growth and retention.

District 1 Annual Planning Calendar – Month-by-month highlights of important events and dates to use for planning meetings and programs for the Zonta year.

 

Aspiring Leaders

Whether you want to learn how to be an active Zontian member, committee chair, board member, president, or governor, the best place to start is the PROCESS MAP FOR DEVELOPING CORE COMPETENCIES FOR ZONTA LEADERSHIP

2024 Core Competencies Matrix  This document takes you through specific pages of the Zonta Club Manual and short videos from the Leadership Development program, based on your desired area of growth.… Read the rest

Membership

Ceremonies

Induction + Installation Ceremonies

Installation of club officers and directors
This installation ceremony is often performed by a current or former district officer, but may also be performed by a former club president or a Zonta International representative.
The Zonta Club of <Name> has completed another year [or term] of service to the community and to the world. We are all proud of these accomplishments and turn now to the year [or term] ahead. Will the officers and directors of the club for the coming year [or term] please come forward?
Director of the club. <name>, your duties are many, and they are important. You will actively participate in all club board meetings. It is important that you attend them regularly, and that you be punctual in doing so. All matters presented at these board meetings are to be carefully and seriously considered. Board decisions are to be made according to the merit of the question with consideration of the governing documents of this club and for the benefit of the entire club membership. You have been elected to an honorable and responsible position. Your work will reflect upon this club, this club’s relationship to the community, to the district and to Zonta International. Do you accept this responsibility? If so, please say I do.
<response>
Secretary. Will the secretary, <name> please step forward? It will be your duty as secretary to keep a complete record of the proceedings of all meetings of this club and to keep an up-to-date list of the club membership. You will be expected to furnish pertinent information to committees upon request and will serve as the custodian of all club records, except the treasurer’s. You will also be responsible for such correspondence as may be required for the smooth operation of the club. Do you so pledge?
<response>
If the club has both a recording and a corresponding secretary, install the corresponding secretary first and then the recording secretary. Comment on their specific duties as they are outlined in the Zonta Club Manual.
Zonta International Club Manual under Governance/Manuals on the website
Treasurer. Will the treasurer, <name> please step forward? It is your duty as treasurer to have custody of all funds, to make monthly reports to the club board of directors, and to make an annual financial report to the club at its annual meeting. Additionally, it is your responsibility to make timely payment of dues to Zonta International, the district and the area (if applicable) and to perform such other duties as may pertain to the finances of the club. Do you so pledge?
<response>
Vice President. Will the vice president, <name>, please step forward? Your duties are special, for they are designated by the president. In addition, in case of the inability of the president to perform the responsibilities of office, it is your duty to preside and carry on the administrative obligations of the president. Do you so pledge?
<response>
If a club has both a 1st and a 2nd vice president, install the 1st vice president first and thereafter the 2nd Vice President.

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Membership

Belonging

If you ask 100 Zontians WHY they continue to be volunteers for this organization, the top 3 responses will be: “I joined for the cause, but stayed for the friendships.”
Belonging defined: a feeling of being happy or comfortable as part of a particular group and having a good relationship with the other members of the group because they welcome and accept you.  Doesn’t it make sense to capitalize on this fact as we work on attracting and retaining membership? Especially since this is a Membership-Driven organization!

The Zonta Spirit Working Group has been gathering and sharing ideas. Key takeaways on building a culture of community, fun, and friendship include:

  • People bond from the shared experience of working together on a project – service, fundraising, advocacy, etc.
  • Socializing outside of club meetings is where the magic happens – caring and sharing.
  • Celebrating each other’s achievements and being there for each other’s low points builds the resiliency we need to advocate for others.
  • Shared leadership ensures that we are inclusive, open to new, diverse ideas, and building capacity for succession planning.
  • Being a leader of an all-volunteer group is challenging; it is a team effort. The goal is to ensure each person feels valued and empowered.
  • Sharing our WHY stories with new members and getting them engaged from the start enhances the feeling of belonging

Click on brochure to open PDF

Click here to watch short videos of District 1 members speak about their why. Recorded at Fall Conference 2023.

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