District Committee Roles

Advocacy Committee

Committee Membership

The chair and members of the committee must be knowledgeable about the Objects of Zonta International and projects, purpose, and activities of Zonta International.

The chair and members must be familiar with the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and its Optional Protocol, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in particular goal #5 and other resolutions pertinent to women.

Main Responsibilities

The committee coordinates at the district-level activities to implement legislative awareness, advocacy, and equal rights, following the guidelines established by the Zonta International Board in agreement with the International Advocacy Committee.

The chair serves as district representative on the USA Caucus, and a second member serves as alternate.

• The committee communicates with:

o club advocacy committee chairs, acting as a resource on legislative awareness, advocacy, and equal rights issues,

o the International Advocacy Committee chair, and

o the governor, sending the governor a copy of all correspondence sent to clubs or the international chair.

• The Committee cooperates with the District Service Committee and the United Nations Committee.

Service Committee

Committee Membership

The chair and members of the committee should be knowledgeable about Zonta International service programs and projects and the purpose and activities of Zonta International and the Zonta Foundation for Women.

The chair and members of the committee should be knowledgeable about how clubs can implement effective local service projects that further the Objects of Zonta International.

Main Responsibilities

The committee coordinates, at the district level, activities to implement service programs authorized by the international convention. The committee also:

  • Promotes awareness of and support for Zonta International service programs, the international service projects adopted by international convention and supported with funds from the Zonta Foundation for Women.
  • Cooperates with the District Advocacy Committee and the United Nations Committee.
  • Assists the foundation ambassador, when requested, in soliciting funds for the service and education programs supported with funds from the Zonta Foundation for Women and adopted by the international convention.
  • Assists in promoting awareness and support of the district Amelia Earhart Fellowship, Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship and the Young Women in Public Affairs Award Committees.
  • Encourages and supports awareness of local service projects focusing on the Objects of Zonta International and undertaken by clubs in the district.
  • Communicates with:

o club service committee chairs, acting as a resource on service,

o the International Service Committee chair, and

o the governor, sending the governor a copy of all correspondence sent to clubs or to the international chair.

Public Relations and Communications Committee

Committee Membership

The governor appoints the chair, a district webmaster, and such other members of the committee as the governor deems appropriate.

The chair and members of the committee should be knowledgeable about how to achieve effective public relations.

The district webmaster should be knowledgeable about website technology and design and communications principles.

The chair and members of the committee should be knowledgeable about Zonta International programs and policies on public relations, external and internal communications, and international relations, and should also be knowledgeable about the Zonta International website, Zonta publications including The Zontian magazine and the brochures, PowerPoint presentations, DVDs, and other promotional materials, and be familiar with the Zonta International Directories available online and with the Zonta Club Manual.

Main Responsibilities

  • The committee promotes:
    • the Objects of Zonta International, its projects and programs,
    • awareness of Zonta clubs and their projects and programs throughout the district,
    • awareness of international and district websites, the resources available thereon and the need for clubs to establish and maintain websites,
    • the programs and materials developed by the International Public Relations and Communications Committee, and
    • appropriate communications that adhere to the Zonta International, district, and club lines of communication.
  • The committee communicates with:
    • club public relations and communications committee chairs,
    • the international Public Relations and Communications Committee chair,
    • the governor, sending a copy of all correspondence sent to clubs and to the international chair,
    • chairs of other committees in the district as appropriate, and
    • district committee chairs of the Amelia Earhart Fellowship, Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship, and Young Women in Public Affairs Committees about presentations to recipients.
  • The committee arranges meetings, and prepares press releases and other forms of communication about award presentations, etc.

District Webmaster

The district webmaster is responsible for the technical development and maintenance of the district website’s database of content and applications. The district webmaster is appointed by the governor as a member of the District Public Relations and Communications Committee.

The webmaster also:

  • Maintains district website/pages as appropriate, including timely and accurate corrections and updates.
  • Conducts routine district website maintenance to ensure navigation, interactive content, links and cross-promotions with other sites and other features are working at all times.
  • Submits district website to search engines.
  • Works to improve search engine placement.
  • Develops and maintains an accurate and detailed site directory/map and search engine for internal use and as a reference for website visitors.
  • Establishes links to new information on the Zonta International website.
  • Establishes links to new club websites.
  • Advises clubs within the district re developing websites as requested.
  • Monitors the district website and club websites for compliance with guidelines adopted by the International Board.
  • Leads a webmaster forum with representatives from clubs to share best practices for club websites.
  • Responds to (or forwards appropriately) questions/comments to the webmaster from website visitors.
  • Makes observations and presents concerns and recommendations for enhancements to the district website to the District Public Relations and Communications Committee chair.
  • Works cooperatively within the District Public

Scholarship & Awards Committee

Committee Membership

The committee chair and members must be familiar with Zonta’s scholarship programs: Jane M. Klausman Women in Business, Young Women in Public Affairs, Women in STEM, and Amelia Earhart Fellowship.   [Note: Only YWPA will have annual submissions to ZI in 2024-2026]

Main Responsibilities

  • Disseminates and receives pertinent information from the Zonta International’s scholarship Committees.
  • Actively promotes awareness of the scholarships to relevant institutions and candidates in the district.
  • Contributes to the mailing list inviting applications for the scholarships.
  • Arranges for a presentation ceremony to give the district certificates to those recipients who live or attend school in the district.
  • If appropriate, arranges for a presentation ceremony to give the international certificates to those recipients who live or attend school in the district. If possible, the governor or a member of the Zonta International Board may present the certificate, at no cost to Zonta International.
  • Cooperates with the district foundation ambassador to solicit funds for the scholarships.

District Secretary

The district secretary is appointed by and reports to the governor, is a district officer and a

member of the district board without a vote

General Responsibilities of the District Secretary

• Record the minutes of district board meetings and, after approval by the governor,

distribute them to the board.

• Produce and distribute the district directory, if requested by the governor.

• Prepare official list of voting members of the district conference and alternate delegates.

• Maintain the records of the district securely and pass them on to the successor when

leaving office.

Responsibilities at the District Conference

Prepare and present to the district conference for approval by voting:

• Biennial budget for the next biennium.

• Audited financial report for the previous biennium.

• Independently prepared audit, review, or compilation report if preparer is not present.

The district secretary is often also the district conference secretary. Within 30 days of the end

of the conference, the district secretary shall, in such case, submit to the Zonta International

Bylaws and Resolutions committee:

• Proposed resolutions pertaining to Zonta International adopted by the district

conference.

• Proposed amendments to the Bylaws of Zonta International and the Rules of Procedure

of Zonta International, adopted by the district conference