Nominating Committee

The Committee has met to begin planning for the current/upcoming open positions on the Board of the Zonta Club of Harrisburg-Hershey. They are President, Vice President, Club Treasurer, (2) Directors and (3) Nominating Committee members. If anyone would like to talk to the committee about any of the roles or volunteer to fill a position, please contact Kathy Gates, Cathy Paul or Eileen Baylor. We encourage everyone to take this task seriously and think about the sustainability of the Zonta Club of Harrisburg Hershey. We ask you to “step up” and take your turn to fill one of the positions. We will start to make calls in January.  Thank you.

Kathy Gates, Nominating Committee Chair

Join us via Zoom on January 11 to hear from local women engaged in topics of great interest to Zontians as we work toward changing the world for women and girls. 

In January we celebrate the spirit and impact of legendary pilot Amelia Earhart, one of our most famous former members.  Join us to hear from Susan Adams, local businesswoman, founder of multiple startup companies and a private pilot as she highlights the important role women have, and continue to have, in aviation. 

Also joining us will be PA Senator Maria Collett, representing portions of Montgomery County (Twelfth Senatorial District) who is a sponsor of S.B.601 Session of 2023. This proposed legislation is a Pay Range Disclosure for Job Postings requirement, currently referred to the Labor and Industry Committee.  

As of 2022 the Department of Labor (based on U.S. Census Bureau Supplemental data) report that women make $.84 for every dollar men make. In individual subcategories there is a more striking disparity. This is unacceptable when all other factors are equal.

Senator Collett has a wide breadth of experiences beginning as a Deputy Attorney General in Camden County New Jersey. There she represented children victimized by abuse and neglect subsequent to becoming a Registered Nurse practicing clinical care in a Level 1 Trauma Center.

Senator Collett has several objectives as a Senator one of which is an economy that works for all Pennsylvanians.

This presentation is another step for our club in continuing to help women in economic need through active advocacy involvement.

Please plan to attend and feel comfortable asking questions of both of our speakers, representing leadership in issues of both interest and significance. 

2024 International Fellows Program and Zonta

Mark Tuesday, March 5, 2024 on your calendar for our Club’s luncheon meeting at the U S Army War College (USAWC) in Carlisle.  On that date we will have an opportunity to meet with women from around the world whose husbands are students in the International Fellows Program (IFP) in the USAWC Class of 2024. We will be able to share our Zonta story with them as we celebrate March 8, 2024 International  Women’s Day by giving them a Zonta yellow rose.

Foundation Fundraising 2023-2024

Our Wreath sale was definitely a financial success – with a profit greater than $7,000. Year to date net earnings from Fundraising and other miscellaneous giving is $9,800, pacing well ahead of last year levels!

The Finance Committee is working on updating our mailing list for an “Annual Appeal Letter” that will replace the “No Show Gala” for this year. This is due to go out in early February.

                           SAVE THE DATE; April 13, 2024 – Annual BINGO fundraiser. 

A donation in honor of birthdays, anniversaries or other special events is a great way to support the Foundation throughout the year. Donations to the Zonta Club of Harrisburg-Hershey Foundation may be sent anytime to:

Zonta Club of Harrisburg-Hershey Foundation

P.O. Box 590 ~ Hummelstown, Pa 17036

Thank you for helping to build a better world for women and girls!

Advocacy Update

Thank you to Advocacy Committee Members Amy Peffley, Nancy Fodor and Karen Shirey for submitting items for the 16 Days of Activism this year (Nov. 25 through Dec. 10). Special thanks to Kathy Gates for updating the Zonta Club Facebook page and sending an e-mail to the membership each day. A copy of the items was sent to Lisa Burton, District 3 Governor to share with the other District 3 clubs.

Advocacy Committee

Young Women in Public Affairs Award 

Opportunity

Applications are being accepted for the $1,000 Zonta Club of Harrisburg-Hershey Young Women in Public Affairs award through February 26, 2024. The selected applicant will be able to compete for an additional $5,000 District Award. Details are available here. 

Commission on the Status of Women

March 11-22, 2024

Of the 6,494 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with consultative status at the United Nations, only 141 have General Consultative Status, the highest status an NGO can have at the UN. Zonta International was granted General Consultative Status in 1969.

As an NGO with General Consultative Status, Zonta International is invited to participate in the annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York. The Commission on the Status of Women is:

• A functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
• The principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.
• Established by resolution on 21 June 1946 to monitor and promote women’s rights and develop global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women; mandate expanded in 1996 to include monitoring and reviewing progress made in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

CSW68: 11-22 MARCH 2024

• Priority theme: Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective.
• Review theme: Social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls (agreed conclusions of the sixty-third session).

What is CSW?

The CSW is the largest annual gathering on women’s rights worldwide, and is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. The CSW is instrumental in promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women.

What happens at CSW?

During the Commission’s annual two-week session, thousands of representatives of UN Member States, global civil society organizations and UN entities gather at UN headquarters in New York. They discuss progress and gaps in the implementation of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the key global policy document on gender equality, and the 23rd special session of the General Assembly held in 2000 (Beijing+5), as well as emerging issues that affect gender equality and the empowerment of women. Member States agree on further actions to accelerate progress and promote women’s enjoyment of their rights in political, economic and social fields. The outcomes and recommendations of each session are forwarded to ECOSOC for follow-up.

Official representatives from member states and civil society can attend the formal CSW meetings and the accompanying side events on women’s issues which are sponsored by member states. During the two-week session, NGOCSW, the civil society arm of CSW presents the NGOCSW Forum where hundreds of sessions, known as parallel events are open for all interested parties to attend. Where member states and NGOs register official representatives for CSW, registration for the NGOCSW Forum can be found at ngocsw.org.

Why should I attend CSW?

Attendance at CSW is important as it gives participants the opportunity to: have a voice in exploring solutions to myriad problems facing women of the world; receive a phenomenal educational experience regarding critical issues affecting women worldwide by attending side and parallel events; network with like-minded attendees from all over the globe.

Thank you for your support of our December Service Project, benefiting Bethesda Mission Women's Shelter and Greenlight Operation.

We provided 14 bags of 'just for you items' for residents at Bethesda Mission and a cartful of much needed supplies for the Restoration Home being prepped by Greenlight Operation. We announced our grant winner for this year, Days for Girls Camp Hill team, met new friends who learned more about Zonta and how we work to build a better world for women and girls.

Enjoy the memories of a fun evening! 

Click here for the calendar of all upcoming meetings, events and special days. ​