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 Our Local Club Do?

The Zonta Club of the Lakes Region was chartered in May 1988 and current membership is approximately 20. We have a diverse membership, in age and occupations. Our fundraising dollars are used for local, district and international service projects. We are currently embarking on a new fundrasing project to be called "Spring and Spirits". Scheduled for May 1 and 2 of 2010, it is a wine tasting event in collaboration with a local restaurant and will feature a silent auction, raffles, entertainment and more, in addition to the wine and beer tastings and hors d'euvres provided by the restaurant.

What are some of the Zonta Club of the Lakes Region, NH's local service projects?

The Zonta Club of the Lakes Region supports many Lakes Region area charities, including Life Bridge, a teen mentoring program, the Circle Camp Program for at risk girls, the elder hospice program of Community Health and Hospice, Inc., and literacy efforts through local libraries. The club also participates in Laconia's Multi-Cultural Market Day.

In October, we participate in the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. Our club is a bronze level sponsor, as well as a team sponsor. Our team raises over $2000 per year in donations. Ten members and 3 "friends of Zonta" participated this year.

We provide support for the Athletic/Academic Awards to NH High School girls. In addition to all this, we also give generously to Zonta International Service Projects.

We award educational scholarships to Lakes Region college students, non-traditional students and have had numerous local Young Women in Public Affairs and Jane M. Klausman Business Scholarship Award winners. Young high school age women can apply for our college scholarships through the Lakes Region Scholarship Foundation. The club deadline for the Young Women in Public Affairs award is normally the first Friday in February. Applications are forwarded in the fall to the Guidance Departments of Lakes Region High Schools.

Non-traditional scholarships requests and applications for the Jane Klausman Scholarship should be sent to the club. Non-traditional scholarship applications should include the following information:

	*	What is your education history (high school graduate, some college, etc.)?
	*	When do you intend to graduate?
	*	What is the cost of your tuition?
	*	How much money are you requesting from Zonta?
	*	What is your yearly family income?
	*	Include any other pertinent information related to your situation.
	*	Please provide two or three references.
	*	If awarded a scholarship, we send the money directly to the school. Please provide your student number and the school's address and phone number for where we should send the scholarship.

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When and where does the the Lakes Region, NH club meet?

Club meetings are held at the Woodside Building of the Taylor Community, Union Ave. Laconia, NH, September through June. Meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. The meetings begin at 5:30 PM with a social half hour, followed by dinner and guest speaker as well as a business meeting.

Am I eligible for Zonta membership?

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

How much time does Zonta membership take?

Zonta clubs are service clubs and each club votes on local service projects and fund raising activities. Zonta members are asked to attend monthly club and committee meetings, participate in club projects. In addition opportunities exist to attend one-day annual workshops, a two-day annual conference and a week long biennial international convention.

Regular club meetings and program generally last about 2 hours. Dinner is served first and is optional. The Board meets the 1st Tuesday of each month and committees meet at times convenient to their members. Some committees meet prior to the dinner hour or after the regular meetings.

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Events

The new "Spring and Spirits" wine tasting event is scheduled for May 1 & 2, 2010.

Club members participate each October in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in downtown Laconia, NH.

The club has a booth in the annual Laconia MultiCultural/Diversity Day.
We sell woven products from the Sharing Foundation to benefit a Cambodian orphanage which teaches girls the weaving process so that they will have a skill to take into their post-orphanage years and be able to get a related job.

The club will present its Women of Achievement Award to a deserving community leader in March 2010.

Officers and Directors

Co-Presidents:	Gracie Cilley and Cheryl Dorfman
Vice President:	Hazel Zimmer
Secretary:	Glenda Reynolds
Treasurer:	Linda MacGuffie
Board Members:	Kerri Coons, Gail Menard, Kathleen Higgins
Past Presidemt:	Glenda Reynolds

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How do I find out more?

To find our more about the Zonta Club of the Lakes Region, NH:

Email: ZontaLakesNH@yahoo.com

Mail:
Zonta Club of the Lakes Region
PO Box 1498
Laconia, NH 03247