Z and Golden Z Clubs in District 12 District12 Conference – Boulder, CO September 25 – 27, 2015 “Future Leaders Building a Better World Today”

Z Clubs are formed on the secondary school campuses or in the community. Golden Z Clubs are established on college and university campuses.

What are Z and Golden Z Clubs? The Z Club program is one of Zonta International’s service projects. Z and Golden Z Clubs are organizations that provide opportunities to develop leadership skills, explore career alternatives, and to improve international understanding through service projects and advocacy.

A Bit of Z and Golden Z Club History Started in 1948 in Burbank, CA as a service club for girls. Objectives: To explore professional careers other than teaching and secretarial & to engage girls in community service The 1 st four Z Clubs were organized in southern California then spread to: *Tampa, FL *Boise, ID *Paterson, NJ *Yuma, AZ and *Billings, MT

Z Club History, continued There are currently five Z Clubs in D12 –Laramie HS Z Club – Laramie, WY –Triumph HS Z Club - Cheyenne, WY –Pantherz Z Club - Boulder/Foothills, CO –Dawson County HS Z Club – Glendive, MT –Poudre HS Z Club - Ft. Collins, CO

Golden Z Clubs The first three Golden Z Clubs, formed between 1948 and 1958 were organized at junior colleges in Boise, ID; Santa Barbara, CA and in Riverside, CA. In 2015, there are now 280 Z and Golden Z Clubs in 21 countries, with Ft. Collins being among the most recently chartered. There are no active Golden Z Clubs in District 12 at this time.

Organizing a Z or Golden Z Club Z and/or Golden Z Clubs are sponsored by a Zonta Club. The Zonta Club identifies a “champion” for a Z Club from within their membership. The club identifies a school to “partner” with. The “champion” arranges to meet with a representative of the secondary school or college to determine if a partnership is a good fit.

Organizing a Z or Golden Z Club The champion or sponsoring club will also: –Provide a venue for the students to become Z or Golden Z members, –Provide a place to meet, –Select a teacher or provide an advisor for the club, –Complete the “New Z/Golden Z Club Authorization Form, and –Pay the charter registration fee and the yearly renewal fee.

Emma L. Conlon Service Award Service by Z Clubs and Golden Z clubs at the school, community and international levels is recognized annually by Zonta International through the Emma L. Conlon Service Awards. Established in 1961, the Emma L. Conlon Service Awards were conceived and funded by Past International President Emma L. Conlon (1956 – 1958) as a way to encourage and recognize exemplary service by young people. The first Emma L. Conlon Service Award was presented at the 1962 convention in New Orleans LA, USA in the amount of $50. It was presented to the Antelope Valley High School Z Club, which was sponsored by the Zonta Club of Lancaster, CA, USA. At the 1978 ZI Convention in Denver, CO, the international bylaws were amended to make it optional to also include male students in Z Club membership. The purpose was to inspire the youth to work together in a world fellowship of service and understanding.

Emma L. Conlon Service Award Application forms are posted on the ZI website in January. Completed forms are submitted to ZI by April 30 th. Winners are announced by mid-July. A follow up report must be submitted by February 15 of the following year.

Emma L. Conlon Service Award Completed forms include a description of: –3 school service projects –3 community service projects, and –3 international service projects

An Incentive for Service Prizes are awarded to the top three Z Clubs and Golden Z Clubs 1 st Prize -- $1,000 each 2 nd Prize -- $ 500 each 3 rd Prize -- $250 each

Laramie HS Z Club and advisors Tamara Bretting and Jennica Fournier st Prize nd Prize Congratulations

Emma L. Conlon Award Winning Projects 2015 – School Service Clockwise from above: Power Hour Self Defense Class Amelia Earhart Presentation

Emma L. Conlon Award Winning Projects 2015 – Community Service Clockwise from above: Silent Witness Event SAFE Project Baby Shower Safe Treat Event

Emma L. Conlon Award Winning Projects 2015 – International Service Clockwise from above: Days for Girls Project Cupcakes for Cambodia and Heart Mothers Rose Day

Resources on Internet Zonta International Website Z and Golden Z Club Manual Emma L. Conlon Award application form Z and Golden Z Club logos Z and Golden Z Club newsletters Facebook Zonta International Z Club Zonta International Golden Z Club