Minutes – January 2, 2023

Attendees: Lt. Gov. Donna Raycraft, Mary Knight, Maida Follini
Membership Chairs Missing: Dana Fraser, Bonnie Haghkerdar, Rosanne Frieri, Nicole LaMattina, Diane Lestage, Jayma Hall, Regina Caines, Joan Lanzillo-Hahesy

Donna Raycraft called the meeting to order at 6:05.  As this was a VERY small gathering, the meeting was very informal. Donna shared regrets about timing so close to the holidays.

Highlights to share with members:

• Be sure Membership is on the agenda at every business meeting. We need to impress on members that attracting new members and retaining existing members is critical for the District’s survival.  We need 10% increase in every club.
• Please follow protocol with new members. See the procedure attached “DRAFT Club Membership Procedures”
  Also attached is a Club Membership Application Form that can be used to send info to the District Treasurer (Janice Severance – zdist1treasurer@gmail.com
• All members should be practicing their ‘elevator speech’ to use when they get the question: What is Zonta? Role play!
• At EVERY event (speaker, program), each member is encouraged to invite a guest who would benefit from hearing/participating. Be sure to include a 5 minute intro about Zonta and let guests know we are looking for new members to help us make a difference in the lives of women locally and globally.  The ASK is key!
• NOW is a great time to become a member of Zonta! Between January and April – half-price on the ZI portion of dues ($45):
  Annual dues = $91 for ZI + $22 for ZD1 + $ whatever the club bylaws has for its share
• On Saturday 1/7 @9am EST, Area Director Sandy Carroll will hold a basic training on CANVA – showing templates available for clubs to customize and print, and tips on creating original flyers and other materials. This is a wonderful opportunity for your club to promote events, have materials for tabling, and so much more! Please invite any members who are interested in learning some easy and fun tools!    Flyer attached.

We adjourned at about 7:10

Sincerely, Mary Knight, Notetaker

IMPORTANT  Message from Theresa Harris, Membership Committee Chair, 2022-24

Going forward, each month, Top Performing Districts will be recognized in the following categories:

# of New Members

# of New Clubs Chartered

Greatest % of Net Membership Gain (From May 31, 2022)

We will also note the top countries with greatest # Young Professional Members.

We will update our biennial # of clubs in formation & Chartered for your information.

Please see the attached 46 second video with November results & share with your board & club membership chairs.

Congratulations to our toppers!   Thanks for all you do for Zonta Membership.

PS  Be watching for information emailed by Chief Club Creator Ansmarie VanErp regarding the ‘submit a new club request form’ contest details & award results.

Reminder Canva for Beginners Webinar: Making Eye-Catching Marketing Images.

Saturday, January 7^th from 9 – 10 a.m. – https://us06web.zoom.us/j/7187825735
 This 1 hour class is for beginners who would like to learn how to create marketing images in a free, online program called Canva.  You will learn how to create social media graphics, brochures, notecards, short videos, animated graphics, presentations or any designed element in a simple to use program full of templates.  In this class, follow along while we:

• How to login and create an account.
• Discuss Pro versus Free Account
• Review how to use Zonta Templates
• How to create a design from scratch using Canva
• Quick tips to make your designs look good
• How to choose the dimensions for your design
• How to create a background for your design
• How to add and change text, images and more
• Searching and Using Other Templates to start with a cool design
• How to send for printing
• How to request a free pro account for non-profits
• Discover the Phone App Options!

Feel free to share with any Zontian who is interested!  This will be recorded for future viewing as well.

Taught by Sandy Carroll of the Zonta Club of Berkshire County and District 1 Area 2 Director.