Membership

onta Club of Yakima Valley is a member of Zonta International, a global service organization of executives in business and the professions, who work together to advance the status of women worldwide. The Yakima chapter was founded February 1, 1954. Members volunteer their time, talents and skills to raise funds for local and international service programs, as well as scholarship and award programs aimed at furthering women’s education, leadership and youth development.

Reasons We Belong

Our members choose to belong to Zonta for a variety of reasons, including:

• Provide help and support to other women
• Develop new friendships
• Meet other service-minded women and make connections
• Provide hands-on service to the community
• Belong to an international organization
• Enable business networking

Read the winners' essays from the "I Love Zonta" essay competition held in District 8.

How to Join

Membership is open to all who will support Zonta’s mission and ideals. If you are interested in joining Zonta, please speak to any of our members, or email us to request an invitation to one of our meetings. Official membership is granted after prospective members fulfill Zonta International, District and local requirements and full payment is received.

New member joining fee is $165, which includes the first quarter's dues. Subsequent quarters' dues are $65 (billed quarterly) which covers district and international dues and club administration.

Responsibilities and Expectations of Members

All members of Zonta are expected to attend business and program meetings throughout the year and participate in committees and activities.

Committee Descriptions

Zonta has divided its committees into several different categories. They are listed below. Each Zonta member should participate in at least one or two committees. Each of these committees are open to any member who would like to attend. If you have questions about a committee, feel free to contact the chair.

Service

We help support a variety of activities and programs which are aimed at improving the status of women locally and worldwide. This committee's task is to review funding requests and present the requests that meet the criteria to the club membership for consideration and approval. The service dollars we distribute are earned through our fundraising efforts. For a full listing of giving over the years, please visit the Service Projects page.

This committee is organized to provide service on the local community level as the need arises. Such projects in the past have included: Salvation Army Bell Ringing, Operation Harvest, and gardening work in the Rose Garden at the Arboretum

Advocacy

Involved in advocacy for issues affecting the economical, political, legal, and professional status of women. Dynamic committee members bring a plethora of experiences and resources to this group. Since Fall 2011, the committee has been focused on a wide range of activities to build awareness of domestic minor sex trafficking in our community.

Scholarship

This committee finds candidates for our annual scholarship that is given to a young woman in our community at the Status of Women Luncheon. Committee members review applications, check backgrounds and coordinate the scholarship.

Membership

Submits new member applications to the Board for approval for membership with the club. This committee sends letters to new members upon acceptance by the Board. Upon receipt of the new member’s dues, this committee is then in charge of scheduling the New Member Initiation at the next Business meeting. At the Initiation, new members receive their yearbook, name badge and Zonta pin. This committee also submits member requests for leave of absence and termination of membership to the Board. Letters are sent out to respective members upon approval of said request by the Board.

A person from this committee greets members at each meeting and tracks attendance on the attendance roster. This committee also takes care of the 50/50 raffle ticket sales at each meeting. Notice of any substantial absences will be provided to the entire committee at the monthly meeting. Follow ups will be made to those absent members to inquire as to their status. Also the committee serves as the calling committee if needed by the club to remind members of special events. The committee tracks attendance for club members and gives special awards to members who have perfect attendance at the end of each quarter.

The membership committee also organizes the new member orientation to review committees, projects, meeting schedules, and anything else a new member may want to know about Zonta. It is a lot of fun and everyone shares in telling their commitment to Zonta and how they became a member.

Long Range Planning

The chair of this committee works closely with the President in setting the theme for the meeting. Focus should be on setting club goals for the upcoming year and beyond.

Fellowship

What a FUN committee! Members have the opportunity to plan several monthly programs each year as well as the Club's PARTIES! This committee coordinates the installation of new officers, a summer picnic, a Christmas Party at a local restaurant or winery, and a Member Appreciation Night. If all this isn’t exciting enough, if you join this committee you will be able to promote fellowship among the club’s members by acknowledging birthdays, personal achievements, and send cards/flowers to members needing support.

Program

This committee arranges and completes all planning for program meetings each year. Creative, interesting and educational programs are arranged for our Zonta meetings. The club’s program meetings are scheduled for the First Wednesday of each month. Any speaker suggestions, contacts or information on ideas are always welcome.

Public Relations

The PR chair handles the submission of press releases to the media and assists with the promotion of the annual dinner theater and any special events. This committee writes articles and/or takes pictures of the activities and events that our club is involved in. This committee tries to make Zonta known to the community through the news media.

Yearbook

This Yearbook editor is responsible for new member additions and updates to the existing yearbook. It is responsible for getting new member information and pictures and then providing a yearbook to the new member at the New Member Initiation.

Newsletter

This Newsletter editor is responsible for gathering information and member news for our monthly newsletter “NewsZworthy.” New ideas for articles, features, graphics, etc. are always welcome. The goal is to make the newsletter friendly, informational and timely for our members.

International

This committee learns about and keeps up-to-date on the international aspects of Zonta and keeps the club members informed and corresponds with other international clubs. Every two years our club must make decisions on a donation on the Zonta International level upon the recommendations of this committee.

Finance

This committee meets approximately three times a year. This committee meets two to three times at the beginning of each fiscal year. The function of the committee is to review the prior year’s income and expenses, compare this information to the projections of the coming year and propose a budget for the new fiscal year. They are in charge of finances and getting income tax returns turned in each year. Meetings are determined on need and schedule of the committee members.

Nominating

The chair of this committee is the President-Elect. Four more members are selected at the business meeting in March. It is the responsibility of this committee to contact members and get nominees for the slate of officers and board members that will be voted on at the April business meeting.

Special Events

Honoring Years of Service

What fun it was to celebrate service milestones for Zonta members at the September 2012 business meeting:

Nancy Charron - 30
Pam Schmid - 30
Diane Young - 30
Deby Gunter - 20
Jheri Ketcham - 5
Shonna Stroud - 5 years

In August 2013 - Marilyn Hunter was honored for 20 years of service!

Thank you all for these members for their many years of service to Zonta and our community!! Pictured with our recipients are the membership committee members!

Zonta International Rose Day & Zontian of the Year Honors

Each year on Zonta International Rose Day we honor a special woman for her contributions to the community. The recipient can be either a local Zonta member, or a member of the greater community.

2009 - Zonta Rose Day recipient - read more	Esther Huey
2010 - 1st Annual Fran Sweesy Honorary Zonta Rose Award recipient	Fran Sweesy (l) and her daughter Candy Lee
2012 - 2nd Annual Zonta Rose Award recipient - Kay Pfaff was recognized by Zonta International and the Yakima Zonta Club for her 37 years of committed membership and dedication to advancing the status of women.	Kay Pfaff
2013 - Zontian of the Year - awarded to Danielle Surkatty for her work fighting domestic minor sex trafficking in the Yakima Valley and Central Washington	Danielle Surkatty