What is Zonta?

The Zonta Club of Billings is dedicated to the advancement of women through education, economic stability, legal and legislative equality, health and wellness.

Objects of Zonta

• To provide service at the global and local level;
• To improve the legal, political, economic, educational, health, and professional status of women;
• To work for the advancement of understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of executives in business and the professions;
• To promote justice and universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;
• To be united internationally to foster high ethical standards, to implement service programs, and to provide mutual support and fellowship for members who serve their communities, their nations, and the universe.

Background of the Billings Club

• The Zonta Club of Billings was formed in 1950 and there are approximately 45 members.
• Luncheon meetings are held twice a month on the first and third Wednesday at noon at the McCormick Cafe except for the months of June, July, and August when the club meets on the first Wednesday only.
• We provide multiple opportunities to support our local community through volunteerism, finance and advocacy.

Zonta's Appeal - Why Join?

SERVICE: Opportunity for service with impact locally and internationally.

FELLOWSHIP: The membership comprises a diverse, interesting and stimulating group, locally, nationally and internationally. You are welcome at clubs world-wide.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT: Opportunity to develop leadership, learn new skills and gain self-confidence in a caring and supportive environment.

NETWORKING: Locally, nationally and internationally with members in your own field or any other field in which you may be interested.

What is the time committment to Zonta?

It is hoped Zonta will be given a high priority in your life. We understand that family and business commitments must come first, but we hope that Zonta will be given a priority among your many other activities.

Obligatory Meetings:

Monthly business and program meetings: The Zonta Club of Billings has two meetings per month - one business, one program meeting. Attendance at all business meetings is extremely helpful in getting the most out of your Zonta experience. Program meeting usually have a great speaker about a local activity or cause.

Board meetings: If you accept nomination for a position on the Board and are elected, you will be expected to attend a second meeting per month; usually held the day before the business meeting.

Committee meetings: These may be at breakfast, lunch, after work or in the evening. They are sometimes held before or after the monthly meetings, or whatever suits the Committee members best. Sometimes Committees do not need to meet for several months, then they may need several quick meetings, depending on what the Committee has planned. Some arrangements can be made by phone, fax or email.

Clubs work well where all members have a responsibility of some kind. Allowances are made for particularly busy times for members. Chairmen should delegate and members should volunteer, so that the club responsibilities are spread evenly across the full membership.

Fund-raising and Service Projects: Full participation by all members at all fund-raising functions and service projects is expected. The number of functions per year is at the option of the club. We aim for maximum results from minimum input.

Optional Meetings:

Attendance at other club functions, area meetings, district conferences and international conventions is encouraged. Club activities are interesting and satisfying, but there is a very exciting world of Zonta activities out there waiting for those who are able to take advantage of them. Members are encouraged to attend at least one function outside their own club each year. The local club assists in funding travel to these meetings.

Area Meetings: One day or one weekend every year.

District Conferences: One weekend every two years (odd years).

International Conventions: Five days every two years (even years). Many of our members have traveled to Sidney, Holland, New York City and other exciting places around the globe. The 2010 convention will be held in San Antonio, Texas.

Connection to Zonta International

• ZONTA INTERNATIONAL is a worldwide service organization of executives in business and the professions working to improve the legal, political, economic, health and professional status of women.
• The word "ZONTA" is a Sioux Indian word meaning "Honest and Trustworthy." The emblem is a composite of Sioux Indian symbols with various meanings.
• The theme of Zonta International is "Advancing the Status of Women Worldwide."
• January 1919 - The Zonta Club of Buffalo, New York, USA, was the first Zonta Club.
• The headquarters is now in Chicago, Illinois, USA, where we have an executive director and approximately 17 staff (the only paid staff in Zonta International).

Zonta International Service Projects

As Zonta is committed to international service, it is recommended that clubs contribute one-third of any funds raised, to support the current projects which help implement our Mission Statement to elevate the status of women. If potential members are not comfortable with the concept of funds going out of their country, then Zonta is not the organization for them to join.

• The Amelia Earhart Fellowship Awards (a permanent project since 1938).

Amelia Earhart was a Zontian from 1928 to 1937. She was a member when she disappeared in 1937 while attempting to circle the world by air. These Awards (valued at US$6000 each), were established in her memory and are given for advanced study in aerospace related sciences and engineering. Since 1938, 843 awards totalling US$4.2 million have been given to 547 fellows in 51 countries of the world.

• Safe Cities for Women in Guatemala City, Guatemala and San Salvador, El Salvador with UNIFEM will increase the safety of women in Guatemala City, Guatemala and San Salvador, El Salvador by helping local women collaborate with the local government and urban planners to create practical solutions, public policies, and municipal plans that decrease the risk of violence against women in their cities. The project will build on a larger, ongoing UNIFEM regional effort in four other Latin America urban areas. ($600,000)
• Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV in Rwanda with UNICEF will provide health care, prenatal and obstetrical services, and links to reproductive health programs, nutritional support, psychosocial services and income-generating activities to HIV-positive mothers. ($600,000)
• Reduction of Obstetric Fistula (Within the context of Maternal and Newborn Health) in Liberia with UNFPA will contribute to the elimination of obstetric fistula and the reduction of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity in Liberia. ($450,000)
• Zonta International Service Projects from 1923-2010. Click here for a description of additional projects.

Zonta International United Nations Committee:

The 61st Annual DPI/NGO Conference was held in Paris, France to honor the 60th Anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. A caucus on women and girls produced the following recommendations relating to the theme of the conference, "Recommendations of Caucus on Women and Girls."

1. We urge that women's rights and gender discrimination be addressed using the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women's insistence on substantive equality.

2. We urge strengthening of interconnections between the human rights mechanisms and the Commission on the Status of Women.

3. We urge expanded opportunities and financial resources to promote human rights education for women and girls.

4. We urge that all human rights principles and institutions apply a life span perspective for women and girls.

5. We urge increased awareness and use of human rights complaint processes as well as implementation and monitoring of procedures.