Zonta Club of Halifax
District 1
Charter 0267

What is Zonta?

Zonta International is a worldwide organization of executives in business and the professions working together to advance the status of women.

What does the Zonta Club of Halifax do?

The Zonta Club of Halifax learns, advocates, and serves.

We learn about the status of women at home and abroad through a series of talks and films presented at our General Meetings.

We advocate by joining other professional organizations, participating in conferences and workshops, and writing letters to help advance the status of women.

We serve the needs of women and children in our local community by applying our skills and experience.

What are some of the local service projects in Halifax?

Our service projects have included preschool classes for hard-of-hearing children, shut-in library service, and Meals-on-Wheels. Currently, our efforts are directed mainly toward three projects: second-stage housing for women and children fleeing violence; a self-managed resource centre for women in a public housing complex; and a scholarship encouraging young women to enter careers of influence.

Alice Housing: For the children living in this second-stage housing we provide school supplies at the beginning of the school year, gifts of books at Christmas, as well as bags of goodies for them to give to their mothers on Mother's Day.

Bayers-Westwood Family Resource Centre: We support the women who make use of the centre by providing services (beauty treatments, computer system installation, etc.); goods (clothing, furniture, dry goods for their "Collective Kitchen", etc.); and financial assistance (travel expenses, tuition fees, etc.). One of our members sits on the Resource  Centre Board.

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Young Women in Public Affairs Award (YWPA): Each year we invite applicants from all local high schools (13) to compete for this prestigious award. The winner of our Local Award is considered for the District Award, and possibly for the International Award. The winner of our Local Award and the runner-up are honoured at an Awards Banquet at the club's June meeting.  The June 2003 YWPA Event was hosted by Her Honour, Myra A. Freeman, O.N.S., Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, at Government House, who is shown presenting the award to Anika Lewton-Brain, Queen Elizabeth High School.

The Marguerite Centre:  We support The Marguerite Centre,  a long-term facility providing residential holistic program for women recovering from addictions and abuse.   This 12-bed facility is the only such facility for worm in the Maritime Provinces.

Zonta International supports and administers several international service projects and programs. Every two years, Zonta International sponsors international programs in association with United Nations agencies that are working to advance the status of women. Most of these programs are in developing nations. They are selected by the Zonta International Board and approved by the Zonta International membership. To learn more about the International Service Projects, visit the Zonta International Web Site for at http://www.zonta.org/.

Zonta International also administers several international scholarship programs including:

The Amelia Earhart Fellowship program which provides post-graduate fellowships to women in the fields of aeronautics and aeronautical engineering

The Jane M. Klausman Scholarship program which provides college scholarships to women in business.  The Zonta Club of Halifax Jane M. Klausman 2003 Scholarship winner, Alison Snowball, went on to win at the District level.

The Young Women in Public Affairs award program which offers recognition and scholarships at district and international level for outstanding young women who are making a difference in their world through service.

In addition, many Zonta clubs sponsor Z and Golden Z Club Programs that mentor and support young high school and college-aged women. Additional information on these and other Zonta International Programs can be found on the Zonta International web site at http://www.zonta.org/.

When and where does the Zonta Club of Halifax club meet?

We hold our General Meetings on the second Tuesday of every month, from September to June, at the Halifax Club, 1682 Hollis Street, Halifax. We begin informally over a drink at 5:30 pm, take a light buffet supper at 6:00 pm, and start our business meeting around 7:00 pm. Meetings with high-profile speakers are "open" to friends and members of other women's groups in the area.

Am I eligible for Zonta membership?

Membership in Zonta International is by invitation to individuals working in a decision-making capacity at least 50% of a normal workweek.

How much time does Zonta membership take?

Zonta International is a service organization. Each individual club selects its own local service projects and fund-raising activities. Club members are expected to attend monthly meetings, participate in club projects, and play a role in committees — no matter how minor. In addition, there are opportunities to attend one-day annual workshops, a two-day biannual conference or seminar and a week-long biannual international convention.

At the Zonta Club of Halifax, the monthly General Meeting usually lasts somewhere between two and three hours, depending on whether there is a speaker. Committee meetings last a similar amount of time.

Who's Who in the Zonta Club of Halifax?

President:

Dora Stinson

Vice President:

Kathryn Patterson

Treasurer:

Shirley Hooper

Secretary:

Kathryn Patterson

Board Members:

Anne Fraser, Joan Parsons-Doehler

How do I find out more?

To find our more about the Zonta Club of Halifax, contact Dora Stinson (dora.stinson@dal.ca)