President's Message
Greetings Zontians and Friends!
Welcome to February. We had an amazing January meeting! Two amazing speakers. Susan Adams spoke with the club regarding spurring the interest of young students (mainly women and minorities) to become pilots and aviation mechanics. She owns Cargill which focuses on this. We also heard from PA Senator Maria Collett regarding the pay gap between women and men in Pennsylvania and the bills that are currently in the pipeline to help reduce the gap through different measures such as requiring the salary to be listed on job postings, etc. I would encourage you to watch the recording of the January membership meeting.
Please join us as we meet via Zoom on Thursday, February 8th for our Membership Meeting.
I always think of February as women’s health month because there are so many “National Health” themed days. For example, February is American Heart Month as well as National Cancer Prevention Month; a month focusing on staying in tip-top shape! Remember to take preventative measures and partake in annual physical exams.
We have a busy calendar for the Spring, including out annual BINGO event, IFP Luncheon, Food Bank day, etc. Please plan to join us in all activities.
There will be a special Membership Meeting on February 21st at 7:00PM focusing on Advocacy efforts. This hour-long meeting is meant to educate members on simple ways to make a big impact regarding advocacy. We are asking that all members attend because we need to gear up for when the PA Legislators are back in session on March 18th. The goal of the Advocacy meeting is to show you how to effectively advocate in 2 minutes by making a simple phone call. Scripts will be provided as well as the phone number members would need to call to encourage our lawmakers to “get moving” on bills.
Please feel free to Voxer or email me with any ideas you may have for the upcoming year or future.
Looking forward to seeing you all at both of our February meetings.
Cheers! Amy
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Membership Corner
On Monday, January 22nd, Nancy Fodor, Kathy Gates, Lisa Smith and Stacey Clark attended a Human Trafficking Community Workshop hosted by Rep. Thomas Kutz and the Upper Allen Woman's Club. Jordan Pine from Greenlight Operation was the first to give some background and statistics on the problems with human trafficking in our communities. We are hoping that they will offer another workshop in the future. It was well attended.
We are planning a Game Day on Tuesday, February 20 at 3:00 pm. Kathleen O’Malley has agreed to host again at her home at Harmony at West Shore, Apartment #2022, 1910 Technology Parkway, Mechanicsburg. We will plan to have pizza for dinner afterwards. If you cannot attend the games, please consider joining us for pizza around 5:30 pm. It was great fun last year. For planning purposes, please let Kathy Gates know if you are available for games and/or pizza by February 19th.
We enjoyed the presentations of two speakers at our January Zoom meeting. Jim Gates separated the recorded presentations, and they were sent to the membership on January 20th via e-mail. I hope you had the chance to view them and forward them to interested colleagues and friends. Anyone with the link can view the presentations. We had 13 Zontians and 10 guests in January who learn about Amelia Earhart and the role of women in aviation and heard from Sen. Maria Collett with excellent information about effective advocacy.
If you know of someone who would like to learn more about the Zonta Club mission and service opportunities, invite them to attend the February 8th Zoom meeting. The membership dues for the 2nd half of the year (December-May) are 1⁄2 price.
Kathy Gates, Membership Committee Chair
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Nominating Committee
The Committee has reached out to several members to fill the open positions in the Zonta Club leadership. If you are interested in filling a leadership position for 2024-2026, please contact Kathy Gates, Chair, Cathy Paul or Eileen Baylor. We thank those members who have volunteered to serve in a leadership role and support the sustainability of the Zonta Club of Harrisburg and Hershey.
Kathy Gates, Nominating Committee Chair
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February Meeting Speakers
Join us via Zoom on Febuary 8 to hear from 2 'representatives' - one from The Salvation Army Harrisburg Capital City Region and one from the PA House of Representatives, Rep. Tarik Khan, Ph.D.
February includes many holidays and we're going to focus on 'World Day of Social Justice', recognizing the need to promote social justice, which includes efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, gender inequality, human rights and more. Carly Stubesky, the Volunteer and Seasonal Programs Coordinator for the Salvation Army in the capital region will speak to the services, role and needs of the Salvation Army.
Also joining us will be PA Representative Tarik Khan, representing part of Philadelphia County. Rep. Khan is the first Pakistani-American lawmaker and the first advanced practice nurse ever elected to the Pennsylvania legislature. Recent headlines from his website include: "Khan Fights to Improve Access to Women's Healthcare"; "Khan: Nurse Practitioners Need our Support"; "Abortion is legal, but burdened, in Pa. As a nurse and legislator, I’m trying to change that"; "Khan Working to Provide a Safe, Accepting School Environment". Rep. Khan is a member of the following committees: Aging & Older Adult Services, Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Health, Housing & Community Development and Human Services.
These presentations are another step for our club to understand the full breadth of social justice issues and opportunities within PA to make a difference.
Please plan to attend and feel comfortable asking questions of both of our speakers.
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2024 International Fellows Program and Zonta
Plan now to be part of our 2024 IFP Program at Carlisle Barracks, Carlisle PA on March 5, 2024.
Every year the U. S. Army invites senior military officers from foreign countries to study at the U. S. Army War College (USAWC) in Carlisle PA in what is known as the International Fellows Program (IFP). For the past several years, our club members have enjoyed a potluck luncheon visit with the spouses of the IFP from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In order to participate in this fun day you will need to obtain a Visitor Pass to enter Carlisle Barracks. Unlike previous years when Karen Shirey picked up the passes, you must apply for and pick up your own pass at the Visitors Center at Carlisle Barracks this year. The GPS address for the Visitors’ Center is 870 Jim Thorpe Road, Carlisle PA 17013.
Claudia Barry and Karen Shirey are coordinating the details for our IFP event this year.
Visit: https://pass.aie.army.mil/steps/branch_selection to request your visitor pass. The first 3 selections you should make are: Army, Carlisle Barracks, Visitors Pass. Have your driver's license or Passport available when you sign up.
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Workday at Central Pennsylvania Food Bank - Saturday, March 23, 9 am-noon
From the Food Bank:
“While volunteering at our Central Packing Operation, you will be packing boxes full of food for one of our many programs. You will be on your feet during the shift so please wear work boots or closed toe shoes, gloves are recommended.
All of our volunteer packing takes place at our Central Packing Operation located at 1530-B Bobali Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17104 (located off of South 19th Street). This location is a packing operation only with no distributions. All volunteers need to be 14 or older to help until further notice.
Please park in designated spaces in front of facility, no street parking.
Thank you once again for expressing an interest in volunteering with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank – we truly appreciate your support as we work to fight hunger, improve lives, and strengthen communities in central Pennsylvania.”
The Food Bank will provide a link to sign up for the workday which we'll circulate.
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IT'S HERE ON DISPLAY, ONCE AGAIN - so, come and visit it with your family and friends!
The above headline references our Zonta library display at the Cleve J. Fredricksen Library located at 100 North 19th Street, Camp Hill which will begin on March 1st and run until the end of the month. It's a very large multi-tiered, glass enclosed exhibit showcase that everyone sees as they enter the main floor of the building from the large parking lot. So, it's a marvelous way to get our name out there, once again, and share with the community our mission and our love of service and helping women and girls locally and globally. We will have brochures on display where the public can learn additional information about us. We want YOU to please check us out and share with your friends.
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Read more about the many upcoming activities of the Golden Z Club Penn State Harrisburg. They include projects with several health care organizations to make a difference for women and children. | |
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Zonta Anniversary
Amy Peffley - February 9, 2017 (rejoined)
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Birthday
Everyone enjoy Leap Day!!!!
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Foundation Fundraising 2023-2024
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 mid-February.
SAVE THE DATE; April 13, 2024 – Annual BINGO fundraiser. Details to follow!
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!
Finance Committee
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Advocacy Update
Please mark your calendars for upcoming events:
Wednesday, February 21, 2024 - Special Advocacy Club Meeting 7pm. - The Zonta Club of Harrisburg-Hershey knows of multiple ways to provide service, locally and globally. We’ve been doing that since 1980. But we’re relatively new to doing advocacy activities. Our first Rally at the Harrisburg Capital was held in 2012.
Your Advocacy Committee has spent a lot of time learning how the legislative process works in PA. Attending a rally at the Capitol is just one of several ways Zonta club members can advocate for legislation that impacts women. The committee is putting together a short program to share this information with you. It is scheduled for February 21 at 7 pm. Please mark your calendars now to attend what is sure to be an important and interesting meeting.
Monday March 25, 2024 Press Conference Sponsored by State Interagency Groups focused on Human Trafficking featuring the Pennsylvania Attorney General, and several State Interagency Groups, will be held at 11:00am in the Main Rotunda. A panel discussion with survivors and experts will be held at 1:00pm. Additional details will be provided soon.
Monday, April 22, 2024 – National Crime Victims’ Rights Rally 2024 (Club members attended the last two years). This event is sponsored by the Crime Victims’ Alliance of Pennsylvania.
Details available at Advocacy - Zonta Harrisburg-Hershey (zontaharrisburghershey.org)
We will have a table with information and Zonta Club members at both events.
Legislative Update: Senate Bill 44 (Senator Cris Dush) – Act #39 of 2023 (SB 44) was signed by the Governor on December 14, 2023. This legislation ensures sexually exploited children who are human trafficking victims have full access to appropriate services and support without identifying his/her offender. Additional information can be obtained by visiting the General Assembly website and entering SB 44 under Legislation Quick Search. PA General Assembly (state.pa.us)
Advocacy Committee
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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. With a single application, the applicant we select will be competing for an additional $5,000 ZI/District Award. Details are available here.
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Zonta International Program Information
Ending Child Marriage
Globally, 21% of girls are married while they are still children, robbing them of their childhood.
In the last decade, about 25 million child marriages have been prevented. However, due to COVID-19, an additional 10 million girls are at risk of becoming child brides by 2030. The pandemic is fueling increased risk for child marriages by interrupting education, creating food and economic insecurity, disrupting programs and services, increasing adolescent pregnancy, and causing deaths of parents and caregivers.
The program’s priority is engaging adolescent girls as key agents of change in the following 12 countries with high prevalence of child marriage: Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia.
HOW ZONTA HELPS
Zonta has supported ending child marriage since 2014, contributing US$2 million to delay early marriage in Niger from 2014-2018. From 2018-2022, Zonta contributed US$3.5 million to the UNFPA-UNICEF Global Programme to End Child Marriage – the first private-sector donor to the Global Programme. For the next two years, Zonta International has committed US$1.2 million to UNICEF USA to support Phase II of the project.
In Phase I, almost 8 million adolescent girls were reached with life skills and school support, 39 million individuals engaged in community-based behavior change, and 26,000 schools strengthened their adolescent girl-friendly education. Zonta International’s continued support will help advance the Global Programme’s realization of its vision in which girls everywhere experience healthier, safer and more empowered life transitions while they maintain control of their own destiny by making informed choices and decisions about their education, sexuality, marriage and childbearing. These positive changes hold the potential to transform the lives of millions of girls and families all around the world, helping girls enjoy their childhoods and reach a brighter future.
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Out and about supporting our causes | |
Members and friends of Zonta attended the Human Trafficking Community Program on January 22 (l-r) Nancy, Kathy, Lisa, Stacey | | |
Click here for the calendar of all upcoming meetings, events and special days. | |
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