Good afternoon everyone, Hard to believe we are into March already and daylight savings time is fast approaching. Just wanted to send out a friendly reminder that if your Zonta Club is offering a YWPA Scholarship/Award this year, the deadline for submitting your selected applicant's information to District 1 is April 1st, 2024. Please note that when the Club President submits an application/materials to District 1 for consideration of moving on to the ZI level, they should assure all of the required application documents are sent to me as the District 1 YWPA Evaluation Committee Chair, along with the signed/dated Club- Application Cover Sheet. All Forms The email address for submission of YWPA applications from District 1 Clubs is: ywpa@districtI.org or directly to me at 454tequila@gmail.com Thank you for your attention to the above and make the best of the rest of your day. Sincerely, Lorraine Bartlett, Chair District 1 YWPA Evaluation Committee Member, Zonta Club of Concord, NH

 Western MA ~Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well, better manage stress, lower your risk of illness, increase your energy, and improve your overall physical and mental health. Too often, however, women’s self-care takes a back seat to everyone-else care. On April 8th at the Ludlow Country Club, the Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley will host two women entrepreneurs determined to raise awareness about why women need to shift the focus and how even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a big impact. Jen Belanger, Registered Dietitian, our featured speaker, is focused on self-care from a food perspective. Jen appears regularly on WWLP’s Mass Appeal showcasing recipes and healthy-eating tips, and hosts a Podcast - Mom, What’s For Dinner? for parents who need help navigating the muddy waters of feeding their kids. She will dispel the myths of dieting and share how healthy eating can be fun! Attendees are invited to submit questions and be prepared to leave with practical ideas that will improve their outlook on self-care. Shannan Swinton, CEO of Shandoll’s Beauty Lounge, uses natural ingredients to create skin care products that improve both skin health and self-confidence. Attendees will get a chance to learn about her products and services and even purchase a selection of soaps, scrubs, and lotions, starting at 5:30pm. She accepts cash, cards or Venmo.   The public is invited to join us at the Ludlow Country Club on April 8th  5:30 Gathering, 6:00 Dinner, followed by the Program.  Pay at the door for the buffet ($28), but RSVP is required by 4/4 to info@zontaqv.org.   Questions can be directed to Mary Knight, Secretary at 413-219-8260

April 16 @6:00pm EST - Dr. Patricia Tesoreiro, Learning About Women and Climate Change with a spotlight on Fracking. Dr. Tesoriero is a UNITAR Global Diplomacy Research Fellow, holding a Ph.D in International Psychology, and a leading expderienced business professional with demonstrted corportate skills in global markets. As a GDI Fellow, Patricia worked with experienced advisors on a research paper titled "The Impact of Fracking on the Environment and Social Justice", which she presented through a speaker panel at the 78th United Nations General Assembly in September 2023. Dr. Tesoreiro also conducted research for her dissertation on "The Psychosocial Implications of Hydraulic Fracturing on Nearby Communities in North America", which she also presented at the 2023 MEPA conference.

District 1 Membership Chair Donna Raycraft, Zonta Club of Concord NH USA The more members we have, the greater impact we make. That means we need to do two things: Recruit new members and supporters, welcoming diversity and being inclusive. Keep existing members engaged, spreading the Zonta Spirit and developing leaders. Members of each club are invited to a virtual Membership meeting on the first Monday of the month, but membership is EVERY Zontian’s responsibility. Zoom:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82361456453?pwd=S0NWSHZTaHdqMEI5TU9JM21NeG5RZz09  

Thursday, May 9 - Meet the Candidates International Nominating Committee Session Two - 12:00 pm CDT (Note: this may be a different day depending on your timezone - This is CHICAGO time) Thursday, May 9 - Meet the Candidates International Board Session Two - 5:00 pm CDT (Note: this may be a different day depending on your timezone - This is CHICAGO time) Meet the candidates for the 2024-2026 International Board and International Nominating Committee in these virtual sessions. There will not be any formal presentations. Each candidate will be assigned a breakout room where you will have the opportunity to ask individual candidates questions. You can visit as many candidate breakout rooms as time allows or visit only the candidates you have questions for. CLICK HERE to read the bios of the candidates in advance and come prepared with your questions.  *To find a list of all of the Pre-Convention events: Go to the homepage of Whova and scroll down to "Description." You may have to click "read more" to see the entire text.   Shannon Reilly Organizer, Zonta Convention 2024