Hello Zontians of District 9,

Here we go! It will be 2008 by the time that you receive this, and the biennium is drawing to a close. To me, that seems to be impossible. However, there is still lots to be planned and accomplished during the remainder of this biennium. We have several new clubs, which are in various stages of organization, local club fundraising and service events, Spring seminars, board meetings and of course we should all be currently making plans to attend the Zonta International Convention in Rotterdam. To me, the next six months will feel like a whirlwind, and I know that it is going to go just that quickly!

The District 9 Conference at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel in Hawaii, September 20-23, was wonderful! We did have our challenges with time, but looking back at it, those problems were brief and everything eventually worked out as planned! The resort was wonderful, the water was gorgeous, as was the beach, and I personally got to briefly enjoy the beach and pool on Monday morning, following the close of the Conference. I want to thank Conference Chairman Lily Inouye, Co-Chairman Julie Tulang and the entire conference committee for all of their hard work and attention to details. Over the course of two years, they planned an event that was so successful that I have not heard of any complaint. The food was great, the Hoike, tours, store, opening ceremonies and workshops and the closing banquet were a total success (I had one request for an additional day of workshops!) and none of the attendees will be able to ever say that the History of Hula put on by the Halau O Ke ‘Anuenue and Kumu Hula Glenn Vasconcellos was anything but the highest of quality. We were all honored to have Zonta International President Elect Beryl Sten serving as our International Liason. Thanks Beryl – it was a very difficult weekend for you because of health and family tragedy, but you gave your full attention to us and carried on wonderfully!

At the conference, we approved the (amended) budget for the next biennium, accepted the new Rules of Procedure (to replace the previous Standing Rules), approved three resolutions which concern the ERA Amendment, Trafficking, and CEDAW, and elected and installed the 2008-2010 board of Directors and Nominating Committee. Our keynote speaker was Ellen Carson, JD, and her topic was “Changing the World, One Woman at a time.” We also enjoyed listening to Kimberly Shimabukuro, Jane M. Klausman International Scholarship recipient 2002. And of course, we all enjoyed listening to the reports of the Status of Women committee, Zonta International Foundation, the International President (presented by Beryl Sten), and the Area Directors. We honored 30 and 50-year district members, and the memory of those who have passed from our midst since the Burbank conference of 2005. For me, and hopefully for you, Hawaii 2007 will remain a wonderful memory for many years to come! Thank you to all who presented reports and to Karen Foissotte for the memorial service.

Upcoming events for 2008 will include the charter luncheon of the Zonta Club of Long Beach on January 12. Congratulations to this club!!! If you would like to attend the charter luncheon, please contact Area Director Laura Peters ASAP.

I hope to see you all at the Spring Seminars. Please set aside the date of your seminar now! It is also my hope that I will see many of you in Rotterdam, June 27-July 2, 2008.

Area Spring Seminars: Dates and location may be subject to change.

March 1: Area 6 Casa Grande
March 15: Area 7 Kauai
March 29: Area 2 Bakersfield
April 4: Area 4 Newport Harbor Clubhouse
April 12: Area 1 Monterey
April 19: Area 5 San Bernardino
April 26: Area 3 Santa Clarita

Wishing you and your clubs a wonderful and successful year!

Barbara