10 QUESTIONS THAT MAY HELP YOU TO DETERMINE IF YOUR ZONTA CLUB IS 
WORKING FOR YOU 
By Carmen C. Gomez, Zonta Club of Nassau 
Zonta International is a worldwide service organization of executives working to improve the 
legal, political, economic, health and professional status of women through service and 
advocacy. It does this because of the efforts of more than 33,000 women and men in over 1,200 
clubs in 68 countries across the globe. Zonta has been in the forefront of many international 
service projects since 1956. The mission of Zonta at the club (local community) level, as well as 
at the international level, depends on the commitment and active participation of every member. 
If you think your Zonta Club is in trouble and could use some help in maintaining its 
commitment to the ideals of Zonta, then reflecting on these 10 questions and developing a plan 
for the way forward may be a good idea for you and for your club. 
1. Does your president lead? 
Zonta is a complex organization, which changes leadership every two years and yet expects 
great results from its membership. The president of a Zonta Club is the elected leader: she is 
expected to lead, and members expect to follow. Zontians are all business and professional 
people. As such, they are expected to be capable of Leadership, and were in fact invited into 
the fellowship of Zonta because they were perceived as successful or had the potential to be 
successful in business or the professions. 
2. Does your club do anything? 
Ask yourself, “What does my club do?” Do we have projects that support Zonta’s objects 
and its mission? Are we participating in international projects? Are we supporting in 
some way the women of our community? What fundraisers do we have and are they fun? 
If you can’t answer “YES” to each of these questions and give examples to support your 
answer, then your club needs to take a hard look at itself and its existence as a Zonta Club. 
Zonta is after all an organization dedicated to advancing the status of women through Service 
and Advocacy. 
3. How do the Club’s Service Programs measure up to the mission of Zonta 
International? 
Zonta International, through its Foundation, is one of the largest global charitable 
organizations around. ZI expects clubs to support its international service programs through 
gifts of money and to mirror those programs through local projects in the club community. 
Do your club’s service programs relieve hunger, provide clean water, protect women and 
children from domestic violence, prevent trafficking in humans, help to prevent the spread of 
HIV/AIDS, promote education among women and girls, or empower women and girls? If 
your club is not involved in meaningful and sustainable programs that have a positive impact 
on the community, then it is not being true to its mission. That could be the reason for the 
ennui displayed by the membership. Zontians need to be fulfilled. 
4. How do you rate your Meeting Programs? 
Quality programs are essential to maintaining interest and zeal in club members. Does your 
club make the necessary effort to design and build quality programs that can sustain the 
excitement necessary to retain its membership? Are club meetings informative and 
interesting? Does the club go after high quality speakers with interesting subjects? 

Members expect to grow mentally and spiritually, the monthly meetings need to provide 
nourishment for this growth. 
5. How do you rate your club’s attendance record? 
Meeting programs and attendance are closely related, as attendance is motivated by the 
quality of the meetings. If more and more members elect to miss meetings on a regular basis, 
it is time to evaluate the quality of the meetings. Are meeting programs worthy, and timely 
and do they relate to the mission of Zonta? Like everything else, the planning of club 
meetings requires thought and effort. Lack-luster meetings will not attract attendance. 
6. How much do members really know about Zonta? 
An integral part of commitment is interest in and knowledge of the history, goals, and 
mission of the organization. When was Zonta founded? By whom? Why? What is the 
meaning of the name ‘Zonta’? How many are we? What countries are we in? What are 
our International Service Programs? Which is the newest Zonta Club? The more the 
members of your club know about Zonta, the stronger, more positive, more responsive will 
be your membership. 
7. Do the leaders and members of your club attend international events? 
Area workshops, District Conferences, and International Conventions are ways to train 
leaders and members in the Zonta family. When you attend these events you will be better 
prepared to lead when it is your turn to be the club president. 
8. Are members of your club willing to accept leadership roles? 
A sure sign of decay in any organization is the inability to inspire members to accept 
leadership roles. Members will hesitate to lead an organization that is not vibrant, effective, 
or responsive to its mission. If members are not willing to serve, then it is important to take a 
hard look at the club in terms of its effectiveness in carrying out its mission and in satisfying 
the needs of its membership. 
9. How are new members recruited and inducted? 
Membership in Zonta is an honour and a privilege and is by invitation. Is your club 
recruiting members just to increase numbers? Are potential members aware of the ideals of 
Zonta? How are the leadership skills of potential members assessed? How do you assess 
the commitment to service (in both time and money) of potential members? How do you 
induct new members into the club? Is it just “Welcome Jane, here is your pin and dues are 
$250 per year?” Or is it an event that new members will not forget? Are new members 
given a thorough introduction to the ways in which the club operates? First impressions are 
lasting and set the tone for the future. 
10. Why am I in Zonta 
Finally, you need to ask yourself this question. When you do this, write down the reasons, 
and share them with fellow Zontians. Remember that as a member you have obligations to 
the club and are an integral part of its success as an organization. If you neglect to give of 
your time or money, if you fail to participate in fund raising or service projects, if you do not 
attend meetings regularly, if you have never attended an area, district, or international 
meeting, if you refuse to accept leadership roles in the club, and if you know little or nothing 
about Zonta, then you need to examine your motives for joining and your commitment to 
your club. Achieving for Zonta is achieving for yourself.