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

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District I Newsletter
Spotlight on Area 2

Officers  2008 - 2009

Chris Gerl 
Past President                                                

Mary Knight
President

Janet DaSilva
Vice President

JulieBowder            
Treasurer

Carol Bardon
Secretary

Joanne Turner-Chiacchia
and  Louise Laroque  Directors

 

 

 

If you are a victim of abuse, you are NOT alone, you are not to blame and you cannot control the actions of your abuser. There is more help available to you (and your children) than ever before. You, and only you, can make the decision to change or permanently end the abusive relationship you endure on a daily basis. No one deserves to be abused. Listed below are numerous domestic violence programs available across Massachusetts.

Current Zonta Bog             Back Issues  PDF

President's Corner We meet at Johnsens Catering 1432A Main St. Palmer, MA 01069 This meeting is ANYTHING but usual!   Monday, May 11, 2009   Silent "no more!" Auction 5;30 -7:30 followed by short business meeting  Contact info@zontaqv.org for more information.  Guests welcome!  Please RSVP Notify Mary F. Knight at mfknight@crocker.com 413 219-8260 of the number of new and/or returning guests. Member reservations for the dinner meeting are assumed and payment expected unless Mary is notified by the first of the month IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS   Annual Membership Dues for the period June 1, 209—May 31 2010  is $124.00 Please make check payable to Zonta of Quaboag Valley and bring to  May 11th meting.  If you are unable to attend you can mail checks to Julie Bowder 53 Old Poor Farm Rd. Ware, MA  01082   Annual Golf tournament June 13 at Quaboag Country Club in Monson MA.  Shotgun start at 8am followed by picnic lunch and great prizes!  Everyone is a winner at this tournament.  PLEASE talk it up with friends and colleagues!  Print out the registration form from our website—www.zontaqv.org and see the detailed write up in this newsletter from the hardworking committee!   Relay for Life— June 26 6pm—June 27 noon  Belchertown High School—to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Relay teams are made up of members of our club, friends and extended family. Our team will hopefully have a tent and we’ll take turns walking around for the duration of the event. A myriad of fun and educational activities helps keep up the momentum throughout the night while luminarias (candle lanterns) are lit in honor or memory of loved ones who have had cancer.      ZQV members—please get pledges AND be prepared to sign up to walk I hour intervals. We have 18 hours to cover!     A Sampling of items for the Silent Auction ~~ something for everyone and every wallet   Vermont Breakfast basket Jewelry English Country Garden Geraniums & Ivy  Pot Pink Flowers Lenox Teapot Handbag                  Mikasa Bowl   Mikasa Platter  Dip and Chip Set          Indoor Grill Gift Certificates            Breakfast Basket   Barbeque Basket           Snow Baby Doll   Framed /Signed Ruth Sanderson Picnic bag / wine and cheese     Cancer Stamps, Notepaper Garden Stone by Laurie Fay     Clay Patio Pot w/Hibiscus Tree Italian dinner basket        Christmas Onieda dishes Red Sox items                   Monthly Pies from Johnsens Avon Beauty Product package      Pampered Chef items Photo display items           JUST TO NAME A FEW!!!!   Domestic Violence Counts: 2008   On September 17, 2008, 47 out of  52, or 90%, of identified domestic violence programs in Massachusetts participated in the 2008 National Census of Domestic Violence Services. The following figures represent information provided by 47 participating programs about services provided during the 24-hour survey period   1553 Victims Served in One Day  695 domestic violence victims found refuge in emergency shelters or transitional housing provided by local domestic violence programs. 858 adults and children received non-residential services, including individual counseling, legal advocacy, and children’s support groups.   550 Hotline  Calls Answered Domestic violence hotlines are a life line for victims in danger, providing support, information, safety planning, and resources. In the 24-hour survey period, domestic violence programs answered more than 23 hotline calls every hour.   669 Education in Prevention and Education Trainings On the survey day, 669 individuals in communities across Massachusetts attended 32 training sessions provided by local domestic violence programs, gaining much needed information on domestic violence prevention and early intervention.   292 Unmet Requests for Services in One Day Many programs reported a critical shortage of funds and staff to assist victims in need of services such as transportation, childcare, language translation mental health and substance abuse counseling, and legal representation. Of these unmet requests, 213 were from victims seeking emergency shelter or transitional housing.   Programs reported that lack of staffing was a reason that they could not meet domestic violence victims’ request for services.  62% of programs have less than 20 paid staff, including 38% of programs that have less than 10 paid staff. The average starting salary of a full-time, salaried front-line advocate is $28, 910.   Attorneys Victims of domestic violence often need legal assistance with restraining orders and civil and family court matters. Of programs that participated in the Census, only 18% of programs reported being able to regularly connect a victim requesting legal assistance with an attorney

President's Corner

Dear Sister Zontians   We have a very busy and exciting Spring—be prepared to have fun!    Our ‘usual’ dinner meeting on May 11 will be  anything but.  We are holding a Silent “no more!” Auction  - our first of a possible annual event—to raise money for  the local domestic violence task forces serving the greater Quaboag Valley AND to raise awareness about the mission of Zonta.  A wide array of finger food and a cash bar  will be available to sustain our guests as they bid on over 40 different items during the night.  There will also be door prizes and a few surprises.  PLEASE follow up with guests you’ve invited to get a commitment—we need a count by Thursday morning before the event.      Immediately following the final auction we will be inducting two new members:  Catherine Chamberlin and Wendy Sergeant. And, we have our YWPA winner  - Marissa Dos Santos joining us to receive her award and be recognized.    Because time is tight, we ask that you be sure to read this newsletter to get caught up on items that would normally be discussed at the meeting.    We have several people going to Wells ME for the District Workshop, so we will be well represented!    In June, we will be holding our last dinner meeting of the fiscal year, sponsoring  our golf tournament fundraiser at a new venue and participating in the Relay for Life—in  memory of Kathy Hood and in honor of so many of us who are survivors of cancer.    Thanks to all of you for the work you have done and continue to do in the name of Zonta.  You should be very proud.  I know I am !   Best, Mary Knight

ZONTA of Quaboag Valley Business Meeting April 13, 2009 Johnsen’s Catering, Palmer, MA    Members: Carol Bardon, Julie Bowder, Marge Cavanaugh, Ann Cormier, Chris Gerl, Dot LaFratta, Dianne Kid, Mary Knight, Liz Reeves, Mary Ann Rubis, Joanne Turner-Chiacchia, and Deb Woods. Absent: BJ Bourdon, Janet DaSilva, Kris Goold  Guests: Susan Jay-Kaplan, Wendy Sergeant, Pam Albertson, and Joyce Merriman.   Networking 5:30 – 6:00 pm. Dinner began at 6:15 pm Mary Knight called the business meeting to order.   Minutes: Voted to approve  Treasurer’s Report:  Julie reported that the CD for $6,000 was renewed with Country Bank for 5 months at a rate of 2.23%.  She also explained the Treasurer’s Report. There was a discussion about annual dues, service dollars available and clubs contribution to ZIF.  Joanne recommended that we give our usual 1/3 to ZIF. Voted to file for audit.  Committee Reports:  Finance: Need to obtain the Westfield funds and put into a CD, need to talk with BJ about the funds.  Golf Fundraiser: Deb Woods – Raffle tickets were given to each member, 10 packets for a total of $50.00.  Sponsor and registration forms are on the web site.  We are looking for give-aways, bags, and zipper bags, visors. This year will be able to give pastries and snacks, due to the new location.  The golf club will give coffee.  Relay for Life: Joanne and Dianne discussed the Relay for Life in Belchertown on June 26th.  Last year we had many luminaries.  They passed out application fees and luminary applications.  Scholarship: Carol reported that Marissa Dos Santos from Ludlow High School is this year’s recipient.  We are waiting for applications for the Klausman award.  Membership: Janet and Kris absent, Catherine Chamberlin will be a new inductee next month.  Dianne proposed that our May meeting be a marketing meeting, inviting potential members, having finger food instead of a dinner meeting; and a silent auction.  Members will pay the usual $18.00 and guest will be free.  Let Dianne, Liz, or Joanne know what is to be auctioned.   Service:  Need to look at available funds. Marge showed the golf basket for the literacy raffle. Motion made and approved to add $40 for the raffle for the Palmer Library. ZISVAW: At this time, there is a profit of $293.64; this is the final call for any receipts for the October event.   Nominating:  There is an opening on the board, Louise Larocque is no longer a member.  Need volunteers for the nominating committee.  Mary will double check on the nominating committee.  There are 7 members going to the District Workshop in Maine on May 16th.  Mary Ann discussed Canadian retreat.  Mary received an e-mail about “Equal Pay Day” 4/28/09 and shared the information with the club.  Mary read the certificate that our club received from Dress for Success for our clothing donations at the last meeting.  There was a discussion to put together items for a domestic violence tool kit: book items, etc.  There is some information in the Boston area.  Mary will get the information and e-mail it to the members.  Guest Speaker: Susan Jay-Kaplan from Link to Libraries gave a presentation about its mission and how books are collected and distributed to public elementary schools and non-profit organizations in Western Massachusetts.   Raffle: Mary Ann Rubis was the winner of two dinners. Meeting Adjourned at 7:55pm. Respectfully submitted, Carol Bardon, Secretary    ZISVAW - Community Event: Through The Eyes of a Child   The October 23, 2008 at MassMutual Learning Center in Chicopee, MA was a great success.  Thanks to all! Habitat for Humanity Work Day 4 Zontians, Debbie W., Marge, Chris G., and Judy V. reported for assignments on Sat., April 26th to work on a home in Monson for a family of 3 . The family, parents and a son were on hand to help with all tasks and expressed their gratitude to all the crew members. A bit of education regarding the Zonta organization was provided during the breaks. Marge and I worked with 2 very patient men, one very experienced and clearly the leader on constructing stair treads and walls supports for the basement stairs. A few tips on hammering helped us make quick work to assemble the frames. It was a meaningful experience for all of us and I encourage others to take a turn at the site. I understand that on Sat., May 10th just before Mother’s Day they are trying to assemble a crew of 75% women for the day. We need to communicate with Tom Shea in advance as they carefully plan to assure they have adequate food and crews for the various tasks that are planned for the day. Submitted by Debbie W.   Massachusetts Women’s Resource and Referral Network www.mcswnetwork.com Part of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women's (MCSW) mission is to serve as a resource of information on issues pertaining to women. To this end, the MCSW is pleased to provide this interactive, online resource and referral network for access to information, services, agencies and organizations for Massachusetts’ women and their families. Please note that the Zonta Clubs of Western Massachusetts are included in the network as a resource!

Zonta of Quaboag Valley   ~  Zonta International  ~  District I ~ Area II    ~ Charter 1317

Contact us by email: info@zontaqv.org
or by mail: Zonta QV   P.O. Box 1034, Belchertown MA 01007-1034                                                

Updated:  06/07/09                                                                    

                                                                                              REMINDER!
2010 Convention
San Antonio, Texas, USA
June 25-30, 2010

Zonta International Convention 2008 Highlights