1. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak to you today
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak to you today. I would like to tell you about the foundation, goals for the current biennium, on Zonta’s accomplishments and how your contributions help Zonta change the lives of women and girls around the world.

2. Herisoa from Madagascar
This is Herisoa, a participant of the Let Us Learn Madagascar project. Herisoa was elected by her peers as president of her school’s club and leads anti-violence initiatives and promotes children’s rights in her village and in her school. President Sonja Hönig Schough describes Herisoa as a young leader that is very proud of her role as Club President, she wants to complete her education and continue to secondary school.
Through the Let Us Learn Madagascar program, she is provided with a school that is safely built and can withstand the regions extreme weather conditions, trained and supportive teachers, general school supplies.
By supporting Zonta International Foundation, we can help girls like Herisoa stay in school and release their full potential to impact their peers, families, and communities.

3. 2016-2018 Fundraising Goal US$5,376,000 Project Agency Title USD ISP
Towards Elimination of Obstetric Fistula and the Reduction of Maternal and Newborn Mortality and Morbidity in Liberia
1,000,000
Let Us Learn Madagascar: An Integrated Program for Adolescent Girls
ZISVAW
Initiative for Adolescent Girls in Niger: Knowledge for Dignity
The Future We Want: Creating Sustainable Foundations for Addressing Human Trafficking and Unsafe Migration of Women and Girls in Nepal
Education Programs
Amelia Earhart Fellowships
700,000
Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarships
232,000
Young Women in Public Affairs Awards
144,000
Rose Fund
300,000
Total
5,376,000
For our fundraising goal is US$ 5,376,000. The goal was set by the President-Elect, accepted by the ZIF Finance Committee and approved by the Zonta International Board to be sent to the Convention for voting.
The projects were adopted by the Convention. By adopting the projects, clubs are committed to funding the programs. We raise funds to support the programs of the current biennium. If we do not raise the full amount, we have to use reserves. It is important that we do not rely on the reserves and raise the money in the current biennium.
The Rose Fund is the unrestricted fund which is used to supplement the funding of the other funds at the end of the biennium. It is always okay to go over this budget amount

4. ZISVAW: Respecting the Rights and Responding to the Needs of Adolescent Girls in Niger
Reduce early marriage and early pregnancy in Niger.
Project Update:
Reached 14,424 adolescent girls in 160 villages of Niger.
16 girls were reported as being newly pregnant at the end of the initiative, compared to 98 at the beginning
57% of married adolescents were using a contraceptive method at the end, compared to 16% when the initiative started
1,189 community dialogue sessions were held, reaching approximately 64,282 people.
Niger has the highest child marriage rate in the world. 30% of adolescent girls are married before 15 years old and 77% before the age of 18, while 42% of them give birth before 17 years old. Girls are exposed to medical and social risks, limiting their potential and their development.
The program is designed to build the health, social, and economic assets of adolescent girls’ for their empowerment, to arm them to protect themselves against early and forced marriage and early pregnancy.
This project is part of a five-year global initiative in which 11,000 girls will be reached over two years, with members of their community benefiting from increased awareness.
Commitment: US$1 million

5. ZISVAW: Addressing Human Trafficking and Unsafe Migration in Nepal
Project centers on both prevention of and response to human trafficking and unsafe migration in Nepal.
Project Update:
Gained a better understanding of underlying risk factors for women in the selected districts.
Engaged in public awareness campaigns to challenge gender-based discrimination.
Enhanced technical skills for job placement for trafficking survivors and returnee women migrant workers.
Commitment: US$1 million
By identifying the barriers, the program will implement strategies that create supportive environments in homes and communities of Nepal, and build pool of trainers to provide quality psychosocial counseling services in select districts.
The program will provide vocational training to enhance technical skills, including financial literacy for trafficking survivors and returnee women migrant workers
During a policy discussion, senior government officials and representatives of civil society organizations reached a common understanding of the issues and challenges of addressing the links between labor migration and human trafficking.

6. ISP: Eliminating Obstetric Fistula in Liberia
The project works towards the elimination of obstetric fistula and the reduction of maternal mortality, morbidity and sexual violence against women while improving the health and socio-economic status of women and girls in Liberia.
Since Zonta began supporting the project:
1,191 women and girls have been surgically treated.
299 survivors have been rehabilitated.
33 skilled health workers were mentored.
More than 4,000 community members were informed about the causes, prevention and availability of fistula treatment.
Significant progress has been made in addressing the plights of Liberian women and girls since the project was established. A total of 1,191 women and girls with various types of fistulae have being surgically managed, and a total of 299 survivors have been rehabilitated and reintegrated into their mainstream communities.
The project is presently conducting skills training and adult literacy programs for 11 fistula survivors as part of its four to six months training cycle. The skills training curriculum includes tailoring, cosmetology (hairdressing/cosmetics), tie-dye, soap making, pastry making, interior decoration and the adult literacy program.
The project also continued to advocate for increased access to quality reproductive health services through community awareness, strategic advocacy meetings with stakeholders and airing of fistula prevention messages through the local radio stations. As a result, more than 4,000 community dwellers in hard-to-reach areas were informed about the causes, prevention and availability of fistula treatment.
During the next phase of the project the following activities are planned:
Increase strategic stakeholders meetings in rural and hard-to-reach communities to promote the prevention of fistula and support the mobilization of women suffering from obstetric fistula.
Provide additional equipment, drugs and medical supplies to increase quality of care at the centers of excellence for fistula repair and training.
Provide knowledge on family planning services for fistula survivors and link survivors with family planning service providers.
Provide psychosocial counseling services for fistula survivors (both obstetric and traumatic) at all levels of care.
Commitment: US$1 million

7. ISP: Let Us Learn Madagascar:
An Integrated Program for Adolescent Girls
The project creates opportunities for vulnerable and excluded girls to have an education in a secure and protective environment.
Since Zonta began supporting the project:
600 households, caring for 1,800 children (out of the 1,000 households targeted with ZI funds) have received their cash transfer (around US$9 per month).
139 social workers and Child Protection Network members were trained.
97 recreational kits have been ordered. to benefit 26,600 pupils representing 100% of lower secondary schools.
420 pedagogical material packs have been ordered.
Commitment: US$1 million
Specific strategies to meet goals:
• Ensure that families and communities are aware of child protection laws, services and harmful practices against children and that they exhibit behaviors that protect adolescent girls from sexual violence, early marriage and exploitation, all factors that reduce girls’ continuing their education.
• Target girls in the 5th grade (last year of primary school) to receive peer support from girls in 7th grade (second year of junior secondary school) to facilitate their transition from primary to junior secondary school.
• Offer Conditional Cash Transfers (CCTs) to vulnerable girls from low-income families in their final year of primary school with conditions that include enrollment, passing grades, and minimum absenteeism from school.
• Construct four junior secondary school classrooms with water points and latrines to ensure healthy habits are taught, practiced and integrated into daily school routines and that appropriate facilities are available to students to ensure the physical and psychosocial health needed to stay in school. The construction of the classrooms will include the provision of school furniture, teaching and instructional materials and a sports field.
• Focus on violence prevention efforts at the individual, school, family and community levels to transform gender norms and attitudes that accept gender-based violence.
• Facilitate access to quality medical and psychosocial support for victims of violence within a reasonable timeframe through a coordinated community response.
Child Protection Network members were trained on issues such as the organization and management of child protection data collection, case management and referral mechanisms. The objective is to increase local capacities to prevent and respond to violence including in schools. Girls who have been identified as victims of violence would be refereed to a Child Protection Network member.
Cash transfers are directly given to mothers to empower women and girls.
Recreational kits promote play, teamwork and socialization to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of students.
All 4 grades in each of the 97 lower secondary schools in Androy and Anosy will receive a pedagogical material pack which includes teaching and learning material.

8. Amelia Earhart Fellowship Fund Dr. Kimberly Ennico Smith
US$700,000
35 US$10,000 Fellowships are awarded each year to recipients from all over the world
Dr. Kimberly Ennico Smith
AE Fellow
Deputy Project Scientist for NASA’s New Horizons Pluto fly-by mission
One of Zonta International’s longest-running programs is the Amelia Earhart Fellowship Program; this program is designed to expand opportunities for women in aerospace-related sciences and aerospace-related engineering.
The AE Fellowship is highly sought by women from all around the world. This year, we received 124 applications. The AE Fellowship Committee wishes it could have awarded more than 35 fellowships to the other very deserving applicants.
Since the program’s inception, Zonta International has awarded 1,543 Amelia Earhart Fellowships, totaling more than US$9.7 million, to 1,114 women from 72 countries.

9. Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship Fund
12 international scholarships of US$7,000 each
32 district/region scholarships of US$1,000 each
“I am so proud to be a JMK International Scholarship alumnus. The award was incredibly helpful in assisting me to complete my MBA program and achieving my ambitions in aerospace business management and leadership. I am also very grateful that the JMK award introduced me to Zonta International. I am honored to be a member of the organization and participate in improving the status of women worldwide.“
The Jane M. Klausman (JMK) Women in Business Scholarship is for women of any age, pursuing a business or business-related program who demonstrate outstanding potential in the field and are living or studying in a Zonta district/region.
In 2016, 30 recipients from 19 countries demonstrated outstanding achievements and potential in business or a business-related field. Since the program's inception in 1998, Zonta has awarded 484 Scholarships, totaling more than US$1.1 million, to 366 women from 54 countries.
To apply, candidates must search for the nearest Zonta club to them for information and deadlines as the application must be sent into a local Zonta club for consideration first.
Here we see one of our many successful scholars, Angela Whiteside. Originally from the United Kingdom, Angela currently lives in Huntington Beach, California with her husband, Zac, and 3-year old son Stellan. They have also just completed the adoption of a 4-year old girl from Sierra Leone and await her visa to be cleared sometime this year to join the family. Angela is Founder and President of her own engineering consultancy company, KickStage Consulting Inc., that specializes in providing agile technical and supply chain management services to the aerospace and hi-tech industries. She is also an active member of the Zonta Club of Newport Harbor.
Angela Whiteside, 2011 JMKWIB International Recipient

10. Young Women in Public Affairs Award
US$144,000
10 international awards of US$4,000 each
32 district/region awards of US$1,000 each
“I thank you, Zontians, for the International Young Women in Public Affairs Award. It means a lot for me. Its significance is not only to focus on what I have done, but to encourage me, a young woman, to go on and achieve more and to work harder for important issues. ”
The Young Women in Public Affairs Award recognizes young women for their commitment to the volunteer sector, evidence of volunteer leadership achievements and dedication to empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy. Since the program's inception, Zonta has given 846 awards (includes international awards), totaling US$836,750, to 724 young women from 56 countries.
This year, 32 exceptional applicants from 19 countries were considered in the final selection for the 10 international awards of US$4,000 each. We can be proud of these very outstanding young women and the commitment of our Zonta clubs to the YWPA Award!
If you attended last year’s convention in Nice, you might remembering hearing Anna Rukko’s story. As a child, Anna had been diagnosed with a cancer and told she had no more than 2 months to live. She beat cancer and believes she has a mission to accomplish – to make our world a slightly better place to live in. During her chemo and treatments she loved making beaded necklaces and has turned her hobby into a fundraising action. She has sold self-made necklaces for over Euros to support a new pediatric hospital in Helsinki.
You’ll hear more inspiring stories from our scholars at our 2018 convention in Yokohama.
Anna Rukko, 2015 YWPA Recipient at the 2016 Zonta International Convention in Nice, France

11. As of 31 July 2017, the Foundation raised US$2,470,761. 39 which is 45
As of 31 July 2017, the Foundation raised US$2,470, which is 45.96% of our goal. The Foundation is tracking to close to where it normally does, but we need you. Without the support of our members and clubs, we will not be able to achieve our biennial goals. We will be able to improve the lives of so many women and girls throughout the world with your generous support.
The Rose Fund is the unrestricted fund which is used to complete the funding of the other funds at the end of the biennium. It is always okay to go over this budget amount.

12. Donate to one or more of the following Funds:
Rose Fund
International Service Fund
ZISVAW Fund
Amelia Earhart Fellowship Fund
Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship Fund
Young Women in Public Affairs Award Fund

13. Remember, every member makes a difference.
On 8 November 2017, Zonta International will celebrate its 98th birthday.  We invite you to join the celebration and help change the lives of women around the world. As a Zontian, you have already made a personal commitment to build a better world for women. During November, the Zonta International Foundation is asking all Zontians to make an individual donation to the Foundation. 
You have just heard about how our projects and programs, supported by the Zonta International Foundation, help women achieve a life free of violence and overcome gender barriers that hinder their access to health, education and professional advancement.
By making your personal donation to the Foundation this November you will join Zonta International in empowering women worldwide.

14. Zonta International Foundation How will you EMPOWER HER?
Thank you for all you do for Zonta and the Zonta International Foundation. Hopefully today’s presentation has helped you understand how your contributions help Zonta change the lives of women and girls around the world.
Zonta International Foundation
How will you EMPOWER HER?