How Do I Become a Member?

Eligible for classified membership are executives and professionals or others in a decision-making capacity willing to support and implement the Objects of Zonta International. Membership candidates should be sought among the community leaders in a variety of activities. Membership is open to women or men.

Step 1: Contact the Membership Chair and express your interest in attending a meeting.  

Step 2: Receive a new member proposal form from a current member (aka “sponsor”).

Step 3: The Membership Chair begins “checklist” of the steps necessary to fulfill a membership.

Step 4: Distribute the new member proposal form to the membership committee at regular business meeting. The membership committee votes for recommended approval or disapproval.

Step 5: After approval from the committee, the Membership Chair forwards the proposal form to the Board for approval. If the membership chair cannot attend Board meetings, she will email the new member proposal form to the President who can make copies and distribute at the Board meeting.

Step 6: Inform membership of new member invitation at the next business meeting. If the sponsor is not available to be a “mentor,” ask Club for a mentor to be designated.

Step 7: Notify prospective member of approval by letter. Included with the letter is a biography request form, a directory/nametag form and a membership directory and Zonta Club fact sheet.

Step 8: If the perspective member does not respond within one month of sending the letter, the sponsor to follow up with the member to verify if she is still interested.

Step 9: Return information and pay dues. The fiscal year runs from June 1 to May 31. Dues for the year are $166 (of which $65 goes to International, $38 to District, $3 to Insurance, and the Club receives $68 for operating expenses), plus a one-time $25 initiation fee.

Step 10: Verify with the treasurer that dues payments are received. Follow up with biography request form and directory/nametag form.

Step 11: Introduce new member to the Club at the next meeting when the member is present.

Step 12: New member participates in “Installation” meeting in May.

Step 13: New member participates in “Orientation” meeting in June.

The process to obtain full membership takes 2-3 months. In the meantime, the new member is encouraged and welcomed to continue attending meetings and events.

Membership Dues Scholarship Policy

The Zonta Club of Billings offers 2 scholarships per year to potential incoming members with financial need. Under the scholarship program, Zonta pays International and District dues for the first year and the new member pays the remaining balance (includes local dues and initiation fee).

The Zonta Club of Billings Membership Dues Scholarship was created to continue to promote the status of women and help with on-going generational diversity. The terms are as follows:

• The scholarship committee will include at least one member from the Service Committee and one member from the Membership Committee.
• The funding for the scholarship will come out of the Service budget.
• Women who are granted the scholarship are expected to offer service time for the club in their first year as a member as the Zonta Club of Billings.
• Recipients of the dues scholarship are required to make quarterly payments in advance of the following year's dues.
• A Zonta member may only qualify for the Dues Scholarship one time.

The Zonta Club of Billings also offers a Hardship Scholarship to current members who are experiencing financial hardship (due to layoff, illness, etc.). Terms of the Hardship Scholarship provide for International and District Dues to be paid by Zonta Club of Billings and the remaining balance to be paid by the club member. Payment arrangements can be made by the club member to pay off their portion of the dues.

This policy will be evaluated and updated by the Board as needed.

Payment Arrangements for Yearly Dues

The Zonta Club of Billings is able to offer quarterly payment arrangements to club members who find it easier to pay dues on a quarterly basis versus one large sum. The arrangements and terms will be made with the Club's Treasurer. Members will make payments toward the next year's dues.

New Members - 2009-2010

The Zonta Club of Billings extends congratulations to Kim Garcia and Julie Dial as two of our new members this year!

2010-2011 Slate of Officers, Directors & Nominating Committee Announced

The nominating committee presented its 2010-2011 slate of officers, directors and nominating committee for the Zonta Club of Billings on April 7, 2010. The nomination slate was accepted by the club, with a final vote on May 5.

President: Jolene Rieck

Vice-President: Nancy Curriden

Recording Secretary: Maribeth Haynes

Corresponding Secretary: Connie Sanders

Treasurer: Lynette Kerbel

Past President/Director: Anne-Marie Wade

Director (term expires 5/11): Bev Ross

Director (term expires 5/11): Joan Hughes

Director (term expires 5/11): Julie Dial

Director (term expires 5/12): Marcelle Jones

Director (term expires 5/12): Kim Garcia

Nominating Committee: Donna Meehan, Renee Coppock, Anne-Marie Wade