1. SPONSORING, ORGANIZING, AND MENTORING (SOM) COMMITTEE

2.  The District OMC Chairman or Club President appoints a SOM Chairman and Committee (2 to 6 members) and SOM Club(s)  More than one club can join to SOM a new club  SOM organizers and committees must be knowledgeable about Zonta’s goals and procedures as well as enthusiastic, positive, patient, persistent and optimistic!

3.  Assigns and directs the SOM Committee’s work  Ensures that an organizing timetable is prepared and followed  Oversees classification approval and maintains contact with the District OMC Committee Chair  Keeps area and district officers informed  Ensures the new club has a minimum of 20 members

4.  Locate prospective members  Personally contact prospective members  Arrange meetings with interested prospective members as well as information meetings  Recruit a minimum of 20 members  Coordinate formal organization meeting and charter presentation  Mentor the new club for two years

5.  Expenses associated with starting a new club are to be met by the SOM Club unless the District or Area has agreed to meet these expenses  Districts are encouraged to have a District Organization and Extension fund to be used for starting new clubs

6. SOM Committee is responsible for the organization meeting with members of this committee serving as temporary officers of the meeting. This meeting is to complete the organization process of the new club.

7.  SOM committee should continue supporting the club for at least two years to insure it continues to grow  Support and encouragement will insure member retention and growth  Members of the new club should be encouraged to engage with other clubs

8.  The Villages, FL, is on target for chartering in May to June 2013, with Melbourne as SOM  Orlando is still a target, with Tampa as SOM  Info Nights are being planned for the following sites:  Huntsville  Decatur  Columbus, GA  Auburn, AL  Walton County, FL  Hattiesburg, MS TARGETED LOCATIONS

10. SOM Committee is the first contact with questions from the new club, then the Area Director should be contacted. ZI website is also a good source of information www.zonta.org.www.zonta.org