The Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley has set its goals for the 2023-2024 fiscal year: visibility, membership engagement, sustainability and growth, and outlined programs and activities to help achieve those aspirations.

In September the club held a successful golf tournament fundraiser (9/9). Profits were added to the club”s Service Fund, 1/3 of which is earmarked for the Zonta Foundation for Women and 2/3 used for Service Grants, scholarships, and projects benefitting women and girls in our communities. At its 9/11 business meeting the club honored Cadence Loven with its Women in STEM Scholarship Award.

On October 9th, the club welcomed two speakers at a Zoom meeting. In honor of United Nations month, Past District Governor Elizabeth Hart, Zonta District 1’s UN Chair, explained how Zonta works in consultative status with the UN in building a better world for women and girls. We then heard from Nina Nedrebo (Mt. Holyoke graduate and current teacher in Holyoke) about Western Sahara, Africa’s last colony where conflict has festered for decades, and the women she interviewed in Saharawi refugee camps.

Click on the picture below to open a recording of the presentation.

The biannual District 1 Fall Conference will take place in Halifax, Nova Scotia on October 27-29 in hybrid format.
It will be proceeded on 10/23 with a Zoom meeting introducing the slate of officers for 2024-2026 and proposals submitted by the District Board. Details and registration at 2023fc.ZontaDistrict1.org.

On November 13th we meet at the Ludlow Country Club to hear key findings from the Women’s Fund of Western MA’s latest report on Gender Equity in Western Massachusetts: The Status of Women, Girls, Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender-Diverse Adults and Youth, from Amihan Jennifer Matias, Sr. Director of Community Partnerships, and Sarah Monson, Senior Director of Philanthropy. The extensive data synthesized in this report tell a story of both positive change and ongoing injustice. Although numerous gender inequities in Western Massachusetts continue to exist, there has been progress. *
Also in November, a campaign known as Zonta Says No! coincides with the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence – November 25th – December 10. Advocacy Chair Pam Albertson and her committee have plans underway to raise awareness.
And, in honor of Zonta’s birthday (11/8/1919) is the Every Member, Every November fundraising effort, where all Zontians give whatever they can to the Foundation for Women.
Please be on the lookout also for our Poinsettia fundraiser. You won’t find a more beautiful plant to brighten the holidays.

December is all about Zonta Spirit and fun! We will meet on 12/11 at the Keough-Huff home in Belchertown for a holiday potluck, board games, and music.

Thank you for choosing to donate to Girls Inc. of the Valley’s toy drive!  On or before 12/15 , please visit the wish list registry at Walmart. Gifts will be shipped to Girls Inc.headquarters to distribute in time for the holidays.

 

January is Amelia Earhart month and  on 1/15 we were delighted to welcome Grace Gerhardt, an Aerospace Engineer graduate who works as a manager at Pratt & Whitney in a mostly male-dominated department. Like Amelia, Grace has learned to overcome adversity and show a tenacious spirit.

On February 12th, at the Ludlow Country Club,* Andrea Bordenca, founder and community engagement organizer of Lead Yourself Youth, facilitatea a panel discussion on foster children who are falling through the cracks and why we should care.   We learned about needs and opportunities. All are encouraged to take part in supporting this effort.  See www.zontaqv.org/foster to start!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Assembly of Period Project kits will be in Hadley on Saturday, February 24 at 10 am at the Venture Way Collaborative. Kudos to Andrea Bordenca!

In addition to Period related items, this year we are also collecting other toiletries for children and young adults in Foster Care – especially items targeted for people of color – to be handed out at our 2/12 event at the Ludlow Country Club.

 

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March 11th at the Ludlow Country Club we celebrated Women Making a Difference in honor of International Women’s Day.*

Details at www.zontaqv.org/women

 

* Guests are welcome. Please be sure to RSVP at info@zontaqv.org.