The Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley
Successful Executives Serving the World from Western Massachusetts, USA

Zonta International seeks to:
 

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

How does Zonta International work to advance the status of women?
 

Zonta International works to advance the status of women by:
 

		leading advocacy efforts and acting to improve the lives of women
		promoting strategies to prevent violence against women
		funding scholarships and awards for women of exceptional ability and talent through the Zonta International Foundation
		supporting programs aimed at improving women’s health, safety, and economic and political status through funding by the Zonta International Foundation
		encouraging mentorship, friendship and networking among members

Where is Zonta International located?
Zonta International is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, USA. More than 1,200 Zonta Clubs operate in 68 countries and geographic areas worldwide.

How is Zonta International structured?

An individual, a Zontian, is a member of a Zonta Club. Zonta Clubs are members of Zonta International. To ease administration, Zonta International is divided into Districts. Clubs are assigned to Districts based on their geographical location.

Zonta International is governed on a biennial (two-year) basis. Democratically elected directors lead the organization at the Club, District and International levels.

What is the origin of the word Zonta?

“Zonta” is derived from a Lakhota (Teton Dakota), a language of the Native-American Sioux peoples, word meaning honest and trustworthy. It was adopted in 1919 to symbolize the combined qualities of honesty and trust, inspiration and the ability to work together for service and world understanding.

What is the history of Zonta International’s Headquarters building?

In 1932, Zonta International moved its headquarters from Buffalo, NY, USA to Chicago, IL, USA. In 1986, the Zonta International Convention Body voted to purchase the building at 557 West Randolph in Chicago’s downtown West Loop neighborhood that now houses Zonta's Headquarters.

The building was erected in 1855 by Henry Horner and served as his home and place of business, “Henry Horner & Co., Wholesale Grocers and Flour Dealers.” The building is one of only two structures in the area to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Since then, it has served only one other business, the Pentecost Brothers fish purveyors. During the 1987 renovation, construction workers discovered traces of a fresco on the third floor, suggesting that the area now serving as the International Board Room may have been a ballroom at one time.

Zonta International dedicated the building on 12 October 1987 and discharged the mortgage in 1996. Tour the Zonta International Headquarters building.

 

Who is eligible for membership in a Zonta Club?

Members of Zonta Clubs are executives or professionals in a recognized business, institution or profession working at least 50 percent of a normal week and willing to support the objects of Zonta.   Currently, Zonta has 33,000 members in more than 1,200 Zonta Clubs in 68 countries and geographic areas.

What if I didn’t receive my copy of The Zontian?
If you have not received your copy of The Zontian, be sure we have your most current address. To view your address, go to Update My Profile. You must be logged in with your unique User Name and Password to view ‘Update My Profile.’  If you have trouble, E-mail questions to Communications Coordinator.

 

What are the programs of Zonta International?

Zonta International’s service and advocacy programs focus on improving the educational, health, economic, professional and political status of women. They include:

The Amelia Earhart Fellowship Program supports graduate study by women in aerospace-related sciences and engineering. For more information, visit Amelia Earhart Fellowship Program.
 

The Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship Program supports women preparing for careers in business management. For more information, visit Women in Business Scholarship Program.

The Young Women in Public Affairs Program recognizes young women committed to leadership in public policy, government, and volunteer organizations. For more information, visit Young Women in Public Affairs Program.
 

The Zonta International Strategies to Prevent Violence Against Women (ZISVAW) Program focuses on prevention, awareness, education and the development of innovative approaches to preventing violence against women. For more information visit Preventing Violence Against Women.
 

The International Service Program addresses critical women’s issues in developing countries. For more information, visit International Service.

Where do I find scholarship and award information?
For information and application materials for the Amelia Earhart Fellowships, Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarships and Young Women in Public Affairs Awards, go to Fellowships, Scholarships and Awards, click on each program and see the heading ‘Applicants’ for application information.

Do you have a video or brochure on the International Service Projects?
All of the materials available can be found here. Materials may vary from project to project.

Where can I find an application for a ZISVAW grant?  
The Zonta International Foundation will provide grants directly to UN agencies or recognized non-governmental organizations for projects that seek to change personal and/or political knowledge, attitudes and behavior contributing to gender-based violence. Zonta does not accept unsolicited proposals. More information about ZISVAW funding can be found here.

Where can I find information about Zonta's involvement with the United Nations?
Information about Zonta’s relationship with the UN and links to UN organizations are available here.

Does Zonta International have any programs that focus on youth?

Yes. The Z Clubs and Golden Z Clubs develop leadership skills in high school, college and university student members, promote career exploration and encourage members to participate in community, school and international service projects. For more information, visit Z Clubs and Golden Z Clubs.

The Young Women in Public Affairs Program recognizes young women committed to leadership in public policy, government, and volunteer organizations. For more information, visit Young Women in Public Affairs Program.

What are Z Clubs and Golden Z Clubs?
Established in 1948, Z Club and Golden Z Clubs is one of Zonta International’s longest-running activities. Z Clubs and Golden Z Clubs help high school, college and university students develop leadership skills, promote career exploration and encourage members to participate in community, school and international service projects. For more information, visit Z Clubs and Golden Z Clubs.

How are these programs funded?

The Zonta International Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Zonta International, raises and distributes support for the charitable programs of Zonta International.

Who oversees Zonta International’s programs?

Zonta International programs are developed and administered by Committees and Subcommittees of the Status of Women Service Committee. Committee Chairmen report to the Zonta International Board. Program Committees are also monitored by the Zonta International Foundation Board.

Who oversees the funding of these programs?

The Zonta International Foundation Board oversees the program funds and works closely with the Zonta International Board to ensure coordination of program budgets and plans. 

What are the application deadlines? What is the award amount? What is the length of the funding?

Zonta International programs funded by the Zonta International Foundation have various deadlines, fund amounts and lengths of funding. For information on a specific program, visit Issues and Programs.

How can I apply for a grant from the Zonta International Foundation?
For scholarship and award applications visit Fellowships, Scholarships and Awards. Zonta International and the Zonta International Foundation do not accept unsolicited proposals for funding of programs and projects.

 

		On the mailing label of your copy of The Zontian magazine,
		On your New Member certificate,
		By contacting your Club Treasurer,
		Or by contacting Zonta International Headquarters zontaintl@zonta.org.

What if I forget my User Name or Password?
If you cannot remember your User Name or Password, visit Login Help.

How/Where do I update my contact information?
To update your personal information online, you must be registered with the Zonta International Web site. When logged in as a member, visit Update my Profile.

When you access your Member Profile for the first time, you will find that fields have already been filled in for you with the information we have on record. Use this page to make sure we have the most current information for you. Be sure to save your changes after each section. To make changes to restricted fields, E-mail your request to Member Services.

NOTE: Be cautious when making changes to your contact information online. If you delete valid information, we lose that information in our database files. If you enter invalid information, our database becomes inaccurate.