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Advocacy Goals

 

Formation of D12 Advocacy Goals for 2015-2016
BACKGROUND

ADVOCACY COMMITTEE— IN ZI DISTRICT MANUAL(p.32)

The district advocacy committee shall be appointed
as mandated by the Zonta International Bylaws, Article XIII, Districts, Section 7. Duties of Officers. (a) Governor.

Responsibilities:
-Coordinates-
At the district level, activities to implement legislative awareness, advocacy and equal rights, following the guidelines established by the Zonta International Board (see Advocacy Definition and Policies and Affiliation Policy on the Zonta International website under Member Resources/Policies) in agreement with the International Advocacy Committee.
-Communicates-
With club advocacy committee chairmen, acting as a resource on legislative awareness, advocacy and equal rights issues.
With the International Advocacy Committee Chair
With the Governor, sending the governor a copy of all correspondence sent to the club or the international chairman.
-Cooperates-
With the district service and UN committees.

Committee Membership:
-The governor appoints the chairman and such other members of the committee as the governor deems appropriate.
-The chairman & members of the committee should be knowledgeable about the Zonta International Objects & projects and the purpose & activities of Zonta International.
-The chairman & members should be familiar with [e.g.] the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and its Optional Protocol, as well as the UN Millennium Development Goals.

UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE IN ZI DISTRICT MANUAL (p.35)

The district UN Committee may be appointed
as mandated by the Zonta International Bylaws, Article XIII, Section 7. Duties of Officer. (a) Governor.

Responsibilities:
-Promotes-
Awareness of the United Nations, its agencies & programs, and understanding of the relationship to the programs & activities of Zonta International & Zonta clubs.
Recognition of United Nations Day (24 October), International Women’s Day (8 March) & other international days to commemorate, including themes, years & world decades.
Activities developed by the International United Nations Committee.
Implementation of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention(see the Zonta International website under What We Do/International Advocacy for further information).
-Communicates-
With club United Nations committee chairmen, acting as a resource for United Nations related issues.
With the International United Nations Committee chairman.
With the governor, sending the governor a copy of all correspondence sent to the club and the international committee chairman.
-Cooperates-
With the district service and advocacy committees.

Committee Membership:
-The governor appoints the chairman and such other members of the committee as the governor deems appropriate.
-The chairman & members of the committee should be knowledgeable about the United Nations, about Zonta International’s relationship with the United Nations, and about how clubs can develop informational programs and activities related to Zonta’s mission-related relationships with the United Nations & its agencies.

Current ZI Advocacy Goals/Roles
[relevant in US & District12]
ZI BIENNIAL PLAN GOAL 2 – Advocacy

* All advocacy actions shall be in line with the strategic plan and shall have measurable impact.

Measures:

  • ZI Board, districts & clubs report advocacy actions in line with Zonta’s strategic plan.
  • Mission focused statements are sent to governments.
  • The campaign ‘ZSN to VAW’ is further developed to achieve local & national govt’l & community commitment.

* Districts & clubs initiate advocacy actions in cooperation with like-minded organizations when relevant.
Measures:

  • Training about the UN is conducted in all districts & regions.
  • Governors report that more clubs participate in effective advocacy actions that have measurable impact than the previous biennium.
  • Priority is given to actions related to Beijing + 20, the Post-2015 Agenda, and the ratification of CEDAW where relevant.
  • A list of like-minded organizations is updated continuously throughout the biennium.

ZI STRATEGIC PLAN (2014-16)
GOAL 2 — ADVOCACY

  • Zonta Intrnt’l, its districts, areas & clubs initiate mission-focused advocacy actions based on Zonta’s objects & adopted resolutions.
  • Zonta strongly advocates for: -Women’s rights -Gender sensitivity in drafting & implementing laws -Increased women’s representation in decision-making positions -Prevention of violence against women
  • Zonta will seek cooperation with governments, UN Agencies and like-minded NGOs when beneficial.
  • No action shall jeopardize the credibility of Zonta.

FINALIZED D12 Advocacy/UN Committee Goals for 2015-16

* Provide up-to-date information regarding issues and legislation relating to women’s rights, health, safety, and opportunity.
  • Include an Advocacy article in each D12 Outreach Newsletter.
  • Provide information on relevant legislation (proposed & passed) occurring in each of 4 states to the clubs in relevant state.
  • Update the Advocacy & UN sections of the District 12 website with pictures, new information, letter templates, etc.

* Provide up-to-date information regarding the UN, Beijing+20, Post-2015 Agenda, and CEDAW within the District & for all clubs
  • Provide an Advocacy/UN related presentation at all Area Meetings in 2016.
  • Provide info to enable each club to have a least 1 program per year on Zonta’s role with the UN.
  • Committee members act as advocacy resource persons within their own states.

* Encourage each club to take action (that has measureable impact) on at least one advocacy issue, promote such action in the local media, and report on the results to the Governor and to Zonta International.
  • Participate in the Zonta says No to Violence Against Women’ initiative in some manner.
  • Initiate advocacy actions in cooperation with like-minded organizations when possible/relevant.

* Select Club winner of District Advocacy Award, using defined selection criteria & club reports, to be awarded at the 2015 District Conference.