Our 2022 spring workshop was a morning full of learning, fun, and fellowship. If you arrived with curiosity, you left inspired.

Here is what you can find on this website 

  • A summary of the workshop below.
  • Information on the speakers at the Speakers Tab
  • Resources and media suggestions at the Climate Tab
  • Coming soon: Notes from each of the Workshop Breakout groups 
  • Coming soon: Feedback from workshop participants
  • If you need help with anything, email info@zontadistrict1.org

District 1 Spring Workshop – Saturday April 23, 2022  8:30 EST   Summary Report

Governor Beatrice Schori opened the workshop. We had over 70 people register – each of the 10 clubs was represented – and we were pleased to have some first-timers join us!  Also present were 2 Independent members!

The first workshop session got us grounded.  We were guided by Stephanie Allen www.stephaniejallen.com through a few breathing exercises and visualizations.  If you want to learn more about living an inspired life, check her out!!

The keynote speaker was Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin elizabethsmithmccrossin.ca, an entrepreneur and elected official. Her talk on being “Fearless” was inspirational and from the heart. She challenged each of us to step up when witnessing an unjust action and to support and mentor other women.  

Lynn Stanley, incoming president of the Concord NH club, introduced and shared a video she helped create: Ending Child Marriage – No Exceptions. Please watch and share this powerful message covering any possible objection to the fact that child marriage is a human rights abuse.

Climate Change and its impact on women was the main topic of the workshop.  We started with an insightful video about Why climate change is harder on women, then Donna Raycraft of Concord NH, US Advocacy Chair, shared info about Zonta’s Statement on Climate Change and a call to action for all Zontians. We were put into 5 break-out rooms to talk about how to take action – based on the movement called Zonta Says NOW to gender equality and climate action:

  1. We gather facts – Carol Dobson, Halifax club
  2. We lead by example – Regina Caines, Medford club
  3. We add our voice – Sandy Carroll, Berkshire Area club
  4. We advocate – Donna Raycraft, Concord NH club
  5. We collaborate – Donna Sroka, Northampton Area club
    Numerous ideas were generated during the discussions and notes will be posted – along with a press release on this activity, and social media resources – on the workshop website: https://spring2022.zontadistrict1.org/climate-action/.
    Each club was encouraged to identify at least one climate action goal to work on during the next few months and to share their work in a future District newsletter.

After a short break, we had a little trivia fun with Kahoot.it!  Donna Clifford, Medford club, was the winner!  The Wheel of Names was used to award prizes to two registered attendees.  Sandy Carroll, Berkshire Area and Sue Seaver, Quaboag Valley were the picks!  Finally, the committee awarded a prize for the ‘newest’ registered Zontian – Dana Fraser, Amherst Area (less than one year), and the most seasoned – Audrey Millgate, Northampton Area, who is celebrating 50 years of service! Each of these five individuals will receive a $25 Amazon gift certificate.


Ute Scholz, our ZI Liaison and the incoming president of Zonta International, was our next speaker – on the topic of the Future of Zonta District 1. We are at a critical place in our history. We need to create and execute a plan to add a substantial number of new members to replace departing and aging Zontians. Unless we can achieve the minimum number of 300 members, we will be merged with another district or become a region. Governor Beatrice is charged with responding to the Zonta International Board about how we intend to move forward by May 12th.  Ute was very clear. She thinks we can make great strides in growing our district in the next biennium with the help of a dedicated team focused on creating new clubs and energizing member recruitment, with help from ZI.  One more feedback session is planned on Tuesday May 3rd, with Sharon Langenbeck, ZI President and Allison Summers, Executive Director.

 

Our final session was about Zonta Connect – a new phone app tied to our Zonta membership username and password. Lt. Governor Donna Sroka shared some of her insights about using the app and encouraged us to download it and play around. It is all still new but tutorials and FAQs will be coming! 

 

Spring Workshop Committee Chair, Angela Ryan Bourgeois wrapped up the 2022 event with a thank you to her committee: Carol Dobson, Lisa Emery, Dana Fraser, Mary Knight, Kathryn Patterson, Beatrice Schori.  She also thanked the speakers and Zontian participants who were instrumental in the day’s success:  Stephanie Allen, Regina Caines,

Sandra Carroll, Donna Raycraft, Ute Scholz, Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin, Donna Sroka, Lynn Stanley.