Our 2024 -2026 Leadership Team
President: Cynthia Melcher
Vice Presidents: Karen and Chris Keough Huff
Treasurer: Joanne Turner-Chiacchia, Pam Albertson
Secretary: Mary Knight
Directors:
Patricia Pupek
Andreea Rotarau
Mission: Zonta International is a leading global organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy.
Vision: Zonta International envisions a world in which women’s rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential. In such a world, women have access to all resources and are represented in decision-making positions on an equal basis with men. In such a world, no woman lives in fear of violence.
Members of the Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley include health care professionals, business owners, accountants, real estate agents, postmasters, marketing specialists, human resources executives, horticulturists, systems analysts, volunteer workers, and homemakers.
The Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley is part of Area II (MA), which is part of District 1 (CT, MA, RI, NH, VT, ME USA and Nova Scotia, CA), which is part of Zonta International (65 countries). Members are invited to other club meetings, intercity meetings, district conferences and seminars, retreats, workshops and the biannual International Conference.
Quaboag Valley is comprised of Western Massachusetts towns in Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester counties. Quaboag Valley towns include Belchertown, Brimfield, Brookfield, East Brookfield, Hardwick, Holland, Monson, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Palmer, Spencer, Wales, Ware, Warren, West Brookfield. In addition, the Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley has members from Chicopee, Hampden, Ludlow, Westfield and Wilbraham.
Membership in Zonta International is open to all – women and men – volunteers who are committed to upholding the mission and vision of Zonta International and commit time to service and advocacy projects in the community; and are willing – as able – to contribute financially to and raise money for local and international projects that benefit women and girls.
Examples of Club Activities
Legislative Awareness, Advocacy initiatives
Letter writing, calls and visits to legislators to advocate for issues important to women and girls – e.g., stopping child marriage, making menstrual products available in schools and homeless shelters.
Sponsored Speakers (money and awareness raised) for the following: ACT NOW! – building confidence and character in young girls, Dress for Success in Springfield – supporting women victims of DV returning to the workforce, Link to Libraries – providing donations of new books to schools in areas of poverty, Breaking the Silence – sharing the plight of immigrants in our area who are victims of female genital mutilation, and Resolving Conflicts/Reaching Solutions – how to move on after things blow up, Opportunities for Communities – working in Haiti to improve lives of impoverished,
Participation in 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence by forwarding DAILY information and links to 300+ individuals
“Domestic Violence: Through the Eyes of a Child“ was an event organized by the District 1 Area 2 Zonta Clubs recognizing Domestic Violence month. It was attended by over 80 people from local education and service organizations who work with children.
Support for Local Initiatives
• Service Grants – We have conducted fundraising each year and given THOUSANDS of dollars to local nonprofits working with women and girls. More information.
• Library Literacy projects
• Local Food Pantries
• Christmas for Kids projects
Scholarships awarded
We award scholarships to local high school students and to women pursuing degrees in business and STEM fields. More information
Zonta International has four programs awarding funds to students from high school to doctorate programs in aeronautic fields. More information
Other projects:
• Donated non-perishable food items to local food pantries
• Donated toiletries to local shelters
• Donated and packaged sweatsuits for rape victims brought to local hospital
• Donated raffle gift baskets to local library in support of literacy
• Participated in local CleanUp projects
• Donated hundreds of holiday presents for children in the Quaboag Area
• Donated several items to Eritrean refugee (North Eastern Africa) currently living in Western MA with her three small children and provided monetary support to young man dying of Aids
• Collected and donated over 20 dresses/gowns for Prom Season for children who needed support
• Supported Stepping out Against Domestic Abuse (local domestic task forces project), Habitat for Humanity project in Monson, and Relay for Life walk
• International Women’s Day – Yellow roses with note of appreciation and information on Zonta were hand delivered to over 30 business women in our area.
• Donated and assembled 22 Yarn Doll kits for women and children in local shelters
Support for International Initiatives
All of our members have made individual donations to the Zonta International Foundation, and at least one-third of donations from Golf Tournaments, Poinsettia sales and Raffles were sent to:
• International Service Fund
• Amelia Earhart Fellowship
Prospective Member Resources:
Membership FAQs – information about what is involved
Member Questionnaire – form for applying for membership