Delegate Reports on 58th Convention

By Lorraine Bishop

With nearly 2000 registered attendees and 1276 delegate voters and/or proxies, at the 58th Zonta International Convention, a gala time was held by all. 650 first timers were in attendance and over 1,000 professions were represented. The top 5 countries represented were Australia, United States, New Zealand, Japan and Germany.

Following the traditional posting of the flags, the Opening Ceremony attendees were welcomed to the Land of the Wirundjeri People, the traditional aboriginal owners of the land with the haunting sounds of the digeridoo. Guest speaker was Dame Silvia Cartwright, New Zealand’s 18th Governor-General. Dame Silvia is a charter member of the Hamilton Waikato Zonta Club and is now an International Honorary Member of Zonta International. She discussed the social, legal and economic constraints on women and how historical events have impacted women’s lives.

During the business meetings, reports were given, candidates had an opportunity to speak, bylaw changes were discussed and delegates voted on changes. A new mission statement was adopted including the word ‘advocacy’ with 1139 votes cast in favor and 18 votes cast against the proposed amendment. ZI’s new mission statement is as follows: “Zonta International is a global service organization of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women through service and advocacy”. All bylaw changes are available on the Zonta International web site. No glitches in the electronic voting this convention!

On Tuesday, delegates voted for officers for the 2006-2008 biennium and the results are Beryl Sten, President Elect, Dianne Curtis, Vice President, and Gloria Wristen, Treasurer/Secretary. Bonny Schumacher was elected as one of the international directors. Again, a complete list of all elected officers are on the ZI website.

As service projects, ZI is continuing Mata Masu Dubara “Women on the Move,” in Southern Niger, and Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) – Developing Community-based Efforts to Educate Afghan Women and Girls. Our new project is Education and Leadership for Girls and Young Women in Bolivia.

The convention concluded with a gala affair. Friendships, once again were renewed, new friendships made and Zontians left with visions in a world in which women’s rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential. And in such a world, no woman lives in fear of violence.

Writer’s note: I am always moved following an International convention realizing how powerful and what 33,000 women can do to change the world!

From Left to Right: District 9 Governor Barbara White,  Zonta International Director Bonny Schumacher,  Foundation Ambassador Joy Orlich, Zonta International Vice President Dianne Curtis, District 9 Nominating Committee Chairman Julie Tulang.

The 58^th International Convention "International Understanding, Justice & Peace"

Below is a summary of convention action on ZI bylaws and related documents. As stated it provides selected summaries and highlights only. Not all changes are listed here.  For complete revision and wording Zontians should consult the 2006 Bylaws Booklet which will be sent in the October 2006 Club Mailing and available on the ZI Web site in October.

Janet Halstead
Executive Director, Zonta International

Convention 2006 Action on Bylaws – Highlights as of 27 July 06

The following provides selected summaries and highlights only. Not all changes are listed here.  For complete revision and wording consult the 2006 Bylaws Booklet sent in the October 2006 Club Mailing and available on the ZI Web site in October.   

Articles of Incorporation – Mission Statement reworded to read as follows:

Zonta International is a global organization of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy.

Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws Article II – Objects (a) and (b) reworded to read as follows:

2. The objects for which it is formed are: (a) To improve the legal, political, economic, educational, health, and professional status of women through service and advocacy;

Bylaws Article II – Objects (a) and (b) reworded to read as follows:

(a) To improve the legal, political, economic, educational, health, and professional status of women at the global and local level through service and advocacy.

Article IV Section 2 – Amended to clarify that all clubs shall adopt club bylaws in accordance with ZI bylaws, to read as follows:

(a) Bylaws. Upon being chartered each Zonta club shall adopt club bylaws in accordance with the Zonta International bylaws. The initial adoption of the club bylaws shall be by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the club members present and voting at any regular or special meeting called for that purpose, provided that notice of the proposed bylaws shall have been given to each member at least ten (10) days before the meeting. Each Zonta club shall be bound by the bylaws of Zonta International except that, if any provision of the bylaws is contrary to the laws of the country, state, or province in which a club is organized, that club shall notify the Zonta International Board in writing of the need to conform to such laws.

Article XII – Revised descriptions for three international committees.

Article XIII Section 5 (and Section new 11) – Added section on area dues, allowing this practice if the district conference authorizes it and under certain conditions as follows:

(i) If the district authorizes area dues, the district shall specify in the district’s rules of procedure, the date on which area dues are payable, the purposes for which such area dues may be used, and the appropriate accountability procedures.
(ii) Area dues shall be determined by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the delegates at an area meeting.

Article XIII Section 8 (new) – Added section clarifying that the district office of Vice Area Director is optional, but if the office is established in a district, vice area directors must be elected. A vacancy in the office of area director must be filled by the vice area director, in those districts that have elected vice area directors.

Article XIII (new) Section 11 – Clarified that at District Conference a club delegate may carry more than one of the total votes to which the club is entitled.

Article XIII (new) Section 15 – Each district shall adopt District Rules of Procedures and the adoption shall be by a 2/3 vote of the district conference voting members.

Article XIV Section 12 – Clarified that each club shall adopt a recognized parliamentary authority to guide the conduct of club business in matters where specific guidance is not provided by the ZI Bylaws, the Rules of Procedure of ZI, the district bylaws, or the club bylaws.

Article XIX Section 1 – Bylaw amendment proposals from the ZI Board must be received 30 days prior to the pre-convention meeting of the ZI Bylaws and Resolutions Committee. ( Note: this does not change the requirement for bylaws amendment proposals from district conferences, which must still be sent by the district to the Bylaws and Resolutions Committee within 30 days after the conference.)

Glossary – Good Standing – Club clarified to read as follows:

Good Standing.

A club that has paid international dues and fees, has provided to Zonta International Headquarters a current and complete official club member list with the information requested by Zonta International Headquarters, has paid district dues and area dues (if applicable), and whose organizational activity is in accordance with bylaws provisions is a club in good standing.