Zonta Club of the Pikes Peak Area June 2002 Newsletter Volume II, Issue 6

PONDERINGS FROM THE PREZ!

ZONTA IS BECOMING WELL KNOWN IN COLORADO SPRINGS ! ! ! ! !

Not that we ever doubted it. . BUT . . .

In April, Patty, Susie, Kate, Rita and I worked for a Christmas in April program "Rebuilding Together." We painted the trim of a house rented by a single mom with four boys. Our work looked great, and the family was very pleased. We each got a T-shirt, breakfast, lunch and a certificate for our effort! Well done, ladies. Also in April and May, Susie, Pam, Shannon, Helen and I worked over 45 hours altogether on behalf of Zonta at the Marion House Soup Kitchen. Shannon and Susie also delivered sanitary products, toiletries and even underwear to the women there.

See Scrapbook for more pictures!

Because of all the publicity for our fashion show, our name was on the radio and in the Independent newspaper. Thanks to the new member committee of Patty, Helen, Janet and Teri who met the challenge to get our name to the media. Another job well done! And speaking of jobs well done, the fashion show was spectacular, thanks especially to the work of Kate Brewster. And guess what? She agreed to do it again next year. BRAVO!

Then on May 23 Rita represented us at the Southern Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce meeting at the newly remodeled City Hall. This a new coalition of women's groups - business and service - who will share ideas in an effort to join forces as a disseminator of information common to women. Rita said many people there were interested in our international projects and CEDAW. Rita will provide updates on their work.

On June 4 Betty and I are invited to a Mayor's briefing on international groups in Colorado Springs. Then we'll have yet another chance to toot our horns!

I'm tooting my horn now for Pat and Betty! Pat did a beautiful job with the installation of Karen Becker, and Betty performed the induction ceremony for the new board. She compared us to a fruit salad, with every different fruit adding her special flavors, just like we all contribute our talents to Zonta. Thanks, Betty!

Remember our general meetings on June 17 and on July 15 and our annual ice cream social is August 25 at the home of Teri Hermans. Plan to attend the June meeting especially to help decide emphasis and programs for the year. We'll hear about committee responsibilities and then sign up for pet projects. The new Board is in place and ready to work. If you're not at the June meeting, you'll get an assignment, and it may not be your favorite. Call Kris before she calls you!

Keep spreading the good news about Zonta. The ice cream social is the perfect time to invite potential members to come see what we're all about. It shouldn't be a secret - tell everyone about Zonta.

Enjoy some lazy summer days. I will.

Zonta hugs,
Kris

P.S. - Rita wants everyone to bring greeting card fronts to the June meeting to send to the St. Jude Ranch for children. Gracias.

BITS FROM BETTY

Zontians from all four Area Meetings in April showed great insight when they tackled the challenges determined by the clubs to be the ones most needing their attention. The discussions were lively and necessarily short, but the participation was impressive. There were sticky notes all over the place and each one held a gem of an idea.

Here are just a few of the top challenges/top suggestions from the Area Meetings.

Three areas had selected this challenge as a topic:

Succession, members don't accept leadership - no commitment
Suggestions:
Identify members' strengths, select 'able' members, ones with other commitments who are interested in leadership, recruit the right members.
Emphasize responsibility to serve from the beginning.
Have training manuals with steps, job description, responsibilities.

Here are a couple that at least two areas used as a challenge:

Motivate members to attend meetings
Suggestions:
Mentoring program - assign a mentor for each member, someone other than their best friend.
Have organized professional meetings with time to socialize

Members submit unqualified prospects
Suggestions:
Define and communicate qualifications, have 4 or 5 simple guidelines re what "qualified' means
Better training of members as to qualification criteria

Message from Adrian Davis

Date: Wed, 08 May 2002 06:39:23
From: ald00@netscape.net
Dear Friends,
I am at the end of my semester abroad with the Associated Colleges of the Midwest London and Florence program. I depart London at the end of May. I will be home for a month then will be going abroad again to India with ACM! This is a very busy year. This experience abroad has been an invaluable learning and growth experience. I hope you all are having a wonderful year and I thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Adrian Lauren Davis

Dates to Remember . . .