Ha pp y B ir th da y

August 21, 2007 - President's Dinner at Peggy's Cost $20.00

Members are to call Dorothy if they are unable to attend no later than the Friday before the monthly meeting date. If you do not call, it will be assumed that you are attending and you will be billed for that meeting.

If you are unable to attend due to last minute circumstances, you will be billed for that meeting.

Exception: Please contact Dorothy or Peggy for the President's dinner by August 17th. We need a close count so that we have adequate food and refreshments.

October 5-7, 2007 at the Hilton Minneapolis

Hosted by Minneapolis Club of Zonta

“Improving the Status of Women Through Knowledge: “The More We Know, The More We Can Do”

Registration fee $185 (by 9/10/07) $205 after 9/10/07 – Includes Dinner on Friday, all meals on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday; Coffee is included.

Speakers will include Sergeant Jon Bandemer who has been instrumental in investigating and uncovering human trafficking in Minneapolis, St. Paul and other cities throughout the state and Thi Hoa Pham, the regional manager for American Refugee Committee International who will speak on their microfinance programs focused in West Africa. Complete conference details will be available in late August.

At the end of each year our Club reports our activities to District and International. In the area of Community activities, out of a possible 140 points, we scored 15 points last fiscal year. We can do BETTER! Let’s all try to work toward improving our score this upcoming year. I will be putting in each newsletter the different report areas to help us keep in mind things that we can be doing, or should be doing. The answers in purple are simply suggestions that we could implement to try to meet the International goals for our club.

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The Zonta International headquarters building was originally purchased in 1986 and the mortgage paid off in 1996. The Boards of Zonta International Foundation (the building owner) and Zonta International have approved selling the present building and purchasing an office condominium. The new office will be more up-to-date and be more cost effective that keeping the current building, which is too large for ZI current needs. Purchasing an office condominium will allow ZI better control over their financial situation, enable them to better diversity their investments and honor ZI heritage and the confidence shown by Zontians in enabling the purchase of ZI headquarters in 1986. More information is available in the ZI website in the “frequently asked questions” (FAQ) section.

Since 1928, Zonta International has addressed challenges to women’s equality in science, business, public affairs and government by providing critical financial support through programs funded by the Zonta International Foundation. Men outnumber women almost three to one among those planning careers in computer or information sciences, according to a United Nations Statistics division report. Women hold just 10.4 percent of the board seats of global 200 companies, as ranked by Fortune Magazine, according to Corporate Women Directors International. Women hold just 15.4 percent of seats in the world's national parliaments, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

For those members who may have known Dorothy Widman. This is a portion of the obituary.

Dorothy Widman, Vice President of Minnesota Federal and Zonta Club Member, Age 100, of St. Paul passed away on July 27, 2007. Survived by cousins, Robert (Shirley) Widman and Jeanne Byer. Interment Sunset Memorial Park. Memorials to the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library. 678 South Snelling Avenue 651-698-3878.

We know distance is an issue for many of you. However, if you find you would be able to come to our celebration we would be delighted. If you desire, send a monetary gift to Zonta International Foundation in honor of Marlene.

Cards will be given to Marlene that evening.

Romelle, Lauraine and I attended a late afternoon get-together at Joann Hanson’s home Sunday, August 5 to meet a Jackie, a Zontian from the Colombo, Sri Lanka’s chapter.

She was in the Twin cities visiting family. We hope that we can connect when she returns to Minnesota. Her Club in Colombo, Sri Lanka, has been very active in helping to reconstruct their country after the Tsunami. They have helped build 31 homes for families who lost their homes in the disaster. Quite an accomplishment for a group of 40+ women! They also work toward providing literacy assistance in the form of scholarships and service for children whose families cannot afford the books and supplies needed for education.

Jackie works for an NGO (Non Government Organization) in the area of human rights. Meeting and getting to know Jackie brought the international issues which affect all of us in some way closer together. There are social, economic, education, and human rights issues all over the world, and if progress is going to be made in improving the status of those affected by those issues, it will take all of us, working together, one step at a time. We can indeed make a positive difference in the lives of those affected. And, as is often the case, the greatest gift is knowing in our own hearts that we made a difference. Thanks to the Minneapolis Zontians for hosting this get-together!

See you all on August 21^st!