zonta district 11 area meeting module

Zonta District 11Area Meeting Module

Mission Oriented Service & Advocacy

PartnershipsSpring 2012

Service & Advocacy is our Heart & Soul

Source: ZI Governing Documents 2010http://www.zonta.org/MemberResources/Governance.aspxArticles of Incorporation as amended at ZI conventions through June 2010

ZI is a global organization of executives &

professionals working together to advance the

status of women worldwide through service

& advocacy

Service & Advocacy Are Our Objectives

OBJECTIVES(a) To improve the legal, political, economic,

educational, health, & professional status of women at the global & local level through service & advocacy

(b) To work for the advancement of understanding, goodwill, & peace through a world fellowship of executives in business & the professions

(c) To promote justice & universal respect for human rights & fundamental freedoms

(d) To be united internationally to foster high ethical standards, to implement service programs, & to provide mutual support & fellowship for members who serve their communities, their nations, & the world

Source: ZI Governing Documents 2010Articles of Incorporation as amended at ZI conventions through June 2010

Service & Advocacy are the Primary Focus

A Course for the Future—2010 & BeyondService & Advocacy—the Primary Focus of ZontaThis is ZI’s strategic planMore specific goals are included in the Biennial

Goals adopted at each convention.

Districts & clubs should prepare their own strategic plans in line with this plan & the Biennial Goals, adapted to local conditions.

Source: ZI Governing Documents 2010A Course for the Future—2010 & Beyond; Service & Advocacy—the Primary Focus of Zonta

Mission

ZI is a global organization of executives & professionals working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service & advocacy.


Our Vision• ZI envisions a world in which women’s rights

are recognized as human rights & every woman is able to achieve her full potential.

• In such a world, every woman is literate & has access to education, health care, legal & economic resources on an equal basis with men.

• In such a world, no woman lives in fear of violence.


Guiding Principles

• Women’s rights are human rights, essential for the development of all peoples.

• By advancing the status of women, society as a whole is improved.

• The key to change is the combination of service & advocacy

• Worldwide & local action is our strength. • International friendship encourages understanding &

peace in the world. • Zontians are united through purpose, values &

democratic principles.


Service

Goal 1: Zonta’s service programs reflect & enhance its mission

Objective:1. Service programs are established in order to: • Improve women’s legal rights • Improve women’s health • Improve women’s education • Improve women’s economic status • End violence against women• Enhance women’s self esteem


Advocacy

Goal 2: ZI is a leading advocate for the rights of women & the girl child

Objectives:1. Use ZI’s consultative status with the UN to effectively

advocate for the rights of women & girls.2. Zonta advocates advancing the rights of women &

girls either on an independent basis or in cooperation with other like-minded organizations to influence organizations, authorities, governments & the general public.


We Achieve Our ObjectivesThrough Service & Advocacy

Meetings, fellowship, & fundraising should be the means to our mission

ZI Goals: Legislative Awareness & Advocacy (LAA)

• Ensure that all service projects promote advocacy by linking to one or more of Zonta’s Objects.

• Report on successful advocacy activities through the ZI website.

Source: ZI Governing Documents 2010Articles of Incorporation as amended at ZI conventions through June 2010)

ZI Resolutions: Advocacy Against Human Trafficking

At the 2002 ZI Convention, a resolution was adopted against trafficking in persons, especially women & children

A ZI service project (later a ZISVAW project) was established to prevent trafficking in women in the Balkans

Source: ZI Governing Documents 2010Articles of Incorporation as amended at ZI conventions through June 2010)

Focus on our Mission: Advancing the Status of Women Worldwide

• The interdistrict seminars in North America “Building a Better Zonta” focused through several workshops, among other issues, on advocacy... Information about the seminars can be found on the website.

• The Zonta website has tools for both service & advocacy activities.

Source: 2010-2101 Achievements Task Force, Zonta Mid-Biennial report, August 2011

Best of ClassLocal Examples from

2010 2011 Governor’s Cup Nominees

The ABCs of Advocacy – See HandoutThe ABCs of Advocacy – See Handout

Presented by Kevin Lewis, CEO of Southwest Florida Addiction Services Inc. at Zonta District 11 Conference September 2011

Alignmentif you are looking at an issue or cause, be sure there is alignment between the cause and your organization. If the mission and actions of the partner organizations are a “good fit”, then advocacy on their behalf will be a much easier task.

All about relationships if you wish to influence policy/decision-makers, it is best to work on developing a relationship with them before you need them. What’s important to them that you can pitch in with? Consider working on their campaign for office if an elected official. That way when you want to seek their assistance you will be a known (and valued) person.

Become an “expert” Know all you can in the area you wish to advocate for. Pick the brains of your partners who work at agencies. They can supply targeted reading and can help identify key talking points to assist your efforts.

Be a clear communicator You may be the person that can translate professional jargon into plain terms that can help key decision-makers see the merit of what you are advocating for them to do.

Community assetKey decision-makers need your input and support, and partner organizations need your voice. As an advocate, you can assist both ends of the spectrum at succeeding in their efforts by working with both entities to better understand the needs of your community.

Credibility is keyWhen advocating you must be credible and legitimate. Be sure to use facts you can support, and be willing to explain both sides of the issue, even if one is critical of your goal. People you are trying to influence will grow to trust and rely on you if you are credible, and often this will assist in future efforts too.

Governor’s Cup Winner 2011Highlighted Service Project

This club supports 2 Teenage Parenting Programs. The highlight is the selection of 10 students, based on school performance, attitude & attendance, to be models at the fund raising fashion show

• The girls have professional hair & makeup sessions, and clothing & shoes fittings. At the conclusion each girl receives a yellow rose & special acknowledgment.

• School leaders state how much this day contributes to their self-esteem. The club contributed $4,000 to each school from funds raised

• The club is pleased to support these teenage mothers in the goal of completing their high school education

Governor’s Cup Winner 2011Additional Local Service

Members also provided time and monetary support to:

1. American Cancer Society – ‘Best Team’!2. Bosom Buddies Breast Cancer Support, Inc. 3. Susan G. Komen, Race For The Cure 4. Girls in the Youth Leadership Collier program5. Literacy support for women in need of this6. PACE Center for Girls7. Miracles in Action8. Shelter for Abused Women & Children

Governor’s Cup Winner 2011International Support

Reports on current ZI/UN, ZISVAW at each meeting including: • UN Women & its first director• Obstetric fistula project in Liberia• Ending Burns Violence • Haiti: Security & Empowerment for Women• Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS in

Rwanda– Member & presenter, a psychotherapist, has been

volunteering in Haiti & Rwanda for years, providing counseling to victims of violence

– Work in Haiti & Rwanda is supported by members on an individual basis. Both projects mirror work by ZI

Governor’s Cup Runner Up 2011Highlighted Service Project

The partner is the Pridmore Center for homeless women• The Club’s focus is to provide support necessary for

professional advancement and a stable home to complement the center’s services including:

– Household basics to graduates– Professional clothing & accessories– Nutrition & cooking classes – Holiday party

Each year the club tries to add services such as a food pantry or nutrition class, and in doing so learns more about themselves & the community; thus becoming more passionate about Zonta & the commitment to advance the status of women

Governor’s Cup Runner Up 2011The ABCs of their Advocacy

ALIGNMENT & ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS• Increased media interaction, requested to write articles

– Editor is now ‘hooked’ on Zonta and our mission• Networking a At Women in Power luncheon included presenting Morgan

Fairchild with a letter highlighting Zonta works, and securing new event sponsor

BECOME AN EXPERT, BE A CLEAR COMMUNICATOR• Created awareness about Human Trafficking including passing city

resolution• Planning for law enforcement training seminarCOMMUNITY ASSET; CREDIBILITY IS KEY• Serve on Chamber of Commerce Committee incl. as a guest speaker;

Zontian Sandra Michelson was nominated for WE Award• Participate in community partner events including a “Sexual Assault

Awareness Month” walk, and Human Trafficking awareness luncheon sponsored by ABWA and featuring FL Department of Law Enforcement Agent in Charge

Governor’s Cup Runner Up 2011Advocacy Activities

Club advocacy chair monitors legislative activity related to Zonta advocacy including human trafficking and ERA legislation and attends relevant committee hearings in Tallahassee when possible

• Calls to action and updates are provided to members throughout the legislative session

• Members support advocacy with phone calls & email

• ERA and Human Trafficking awareness information are distributed at Zonta community events

Presenter notes and details

Presenter Notes

• Play in slide show view so you know what to expect, there are no builds, but there are some unique transitions

• Print Handout: the ABCs of advocacy & ZI Resources & Excerpts (back to back printing will save resources)

• Consider supplementing the ‘best of class’ section with your Area Governor Cup Nominees activities

• Consider bringing in service partners based on location of meeting location

• Feel free to add your personal touch, striving to make the presentation more interactive, more visual, verbal, and/or creative

Governor’s Cup Winner 2011Highlighted Service Project

This club supports 2 Teenage Parenting Programs; the annual highlight is the selection of 10 model students, based on school performance, attitude & attendance, to be models at the fund raising fashion show. The girls have professional hair & makeup sessions, and clothing & shoes fittings; club members provide many additional services. At the conclusion each girl receives a yellow rose & special acknowledgment. School leaders state how much this day contributes to their self-esteem. The club contributed $4,000 to each school from funds raised

• Funds are used for urgent support purchases • Holiday gifts are given to each student’s baby at a party attended by

members• A member savvy in computer & internet security made a presentation on

such• Members further participate by assisting in baby care at programs• One program made a ZIF contribution after learning of the obstetric

fistula projectThe schools repeatedly state how the money & work make a difference in

the lives of these girlsThe club is pleased to support these teenage mothers in the goal of

completing their high school education

Governor’s Cup Winner 2011Additional Local Service

The club was recognized as the best team for the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

Members also provided time and monetary support to:• Bosom Buddies Breast Cancer Support, Inc. • Susan G. Komen, Race For The Cure • Girls in the Youth Leadership Collier program• Literacy support for women in need of this• PACE Center for Girls, including recruiting a Zonta member for

the Board • Miracles in Action, a local group supporting women in

Guatemala. Members sell goods and raise money for ‘Miracle’ projects both by working a booth at a local farmer's market and hosting jewelry parties at their home or clubs. The products sold are made by the Guatemalan women as a cottage industry

• Shelter for Abused Women & Children

Governor’s Cup Winner 2011International Support

Presentations by Service Committee on ZISVAW projects: Ending Burns Violence in Cambodia, Nepal & Uganda & the Security & Empowerment for Women & their families in Haiti

Report on current ZI/UN issues at each meeting by the committee chairs. One presentation was on the new agency UN Women & its first director who serves at the level of Under-Secretary

Includes presentation on • Obstetric fistula project in Liberia• Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS in Rwanda

– This member & presenter has been going to Haiti for over 10 years, providing counseling to victims of violence. She reported on the work & accomplishments of ZIF

– The same member, a psychotherapist, has also traveled to Haiti & worked with medical teams to provide services to women in need, including private/trauma work with rape victims

Work in Haiti & Rwanda is supported by members on an individual basis. Both projects mirror work by ZI

Governor’s Cup Runner Up 2011Highlighted Service Project

The partner is the Pridmore Center, which seeks to serve homeless womenClub contributions focus on providing the pieces necessary for professional

advancement and a stable home designed to complement the services provided by the center, including:

• Household items to graduating residents, basics needed to set up their home• Monthly contributions of professional clothing, shoes, purses, etc. to allow

residents to make a positive impression on the job or during interview– A favorite event is “shopping night” , when residents get a chance to ‘shop’

• Nutrition classes - these are very popular as many lack basic knowledge in nutrition & cooking. The classes include how to: purchase economically, prepare the meal, including storing (freezing) for later, and, enjoying the food prepared

• An annual holiday party, a night of food, fun and camaraderie

Each year the club tries to add services such as a food pantry or nutrition class, and in doing so learns more about themselves & the community; thus becoming more passionate about Zonta & the commitment to advance the status of women.

Governor’s Cup Runner Up 2011The ABCs of their Advocacy

ALIGNMENT & ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS• The club has increased their sophistication with the media, including being asked to

write 2 feature magazine articles: WINC (Women Inc)– The WINC Editor is now ‘hooked’ on Zonta and our mission

• At Tech Women in Power luncheon Club President networked with the 250 attendees, presented actress Morgan Fairchild with a letter highlighting Zonta locally and internationally, and secured a new event sponsor

BECOME AN EXPERT, BE A CLEAR COMMUNICATOR• The club has been effective in creating awareness to prevent Human Trafficking

including passage of a city resolution proclaiming January as “Human Trafficking Awareness Month”

• The club is also planning for their next law enforcement training seminarCOMMUNITY ASSET; CREDIBILITY IS KEY• The club serves on the Women of Excellence Committee at the Chamber of

Commerce; club president has been a guest speaker; and Zontian Sandra Michelson was nominated for the WE Award

• Members participate in community partner events including a “Sexual Assault Awareness Month” walk, and a Human Trafficking awareness luncheon sponsored by ABWA and featuring FL Department of Law Enforcement Agent in Charge, who presented on FDLE’s anti-human trafficking initiatives.

Governor’s Cup Runner Up 2011Advocacy Activities

Club advocacy chair monitors legislative activity related to Zonta advocacy including human trafficking and ERA legislation and attends relevant committee hearings in Tallahassee when possible

• Calls to action and updates are provided to members throughout the legislative session

• Members support advocacy with phone calls & email

• ERA and Human Trafficking awareness information are distributed at Zonta community events