A Brief history of the ZONTA CLUB of Lakewood/Golden District 12, Area 3, Club 817
The Zonta Club of Lakewood/Golden chartered in Oct 1977. The new club was sponsored by the Littleton/Englewood club.
Division: The club divided about 1986 with the goal to form a separate lunch club, and was called Zonta Club of Jefferson County. They folded and members rejoined us about 2008.
Meetings: Monthly membership meetings are held at the Action Center the first Tuesday of each month, with a potluck dinner. Board meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month.
Club board and committees: the board is composed with the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and committee chairs.
Membership: Membership stood at 44 or 45 before the division mentioned above. At one time it lowered to 20 due to attrition, before the branches merged. Membership is at nine currently.
Advocacy projects: “Zonta Says No” is promoted yearly. In the past, a Jefferson County sponsored domestic violence program was supported.
Service Projects: The Action Center’s job training program for women is supported financially, as well as supplies, toiletry bags for teen girls, and a clothing drive. Our Adopt-a-Teacher program aims to support four teachers a year with $500 for special programs based upon their applications, as well as a home for unwed mothers, for which we provided diapers, dinners, winter holiday parties, baby supplies and clothing.
Area activities: This branch served as area conference host in 2014. Judy Riggenbaur was Area 3 Director 1986-88.
District activities: Toni Watkins served as District 12 Governor 1986-88.
Marion King held that position 1988-90. Lenore Rosenblum was District Secretary for both Ms. Watkins and Mrs. King, serving in that role 1986-1990.
District projects:
International activities: Marion King attended ZI conferences in Washington DC, San Diego, St. Louis, Finland, Sidney and Ontario. Toni Watkins also attended ZI conferences.
Fundraising activities: “The beautiful Hat Tea Party” is held in the spring of each year. A raffle is held with numerous baskets donated by members and others, and a silent auction adds to proceeds. The admission plus other proceeds funds local and international projects. Grocery store (King Soopers) gift cards are reloaded yielding a 5% contribution to our club. In addition, iGive.com promotion yields donations from online purchases by those who sign up and designate our club as recipient.
Zonta International Foundation: We donate to Zonta International Foundation yearly.
Prepared by Veronica Hoegler, July 2014, based upon interviews with Marion King. Archived material held by members on flashdrives and members’ computers and available upon request.
