Voting on the 6 Proposed Resolutions was spirited. Results are noted below.
1. RESOLUTION regarding a policy on women’s reproductive health YES 65% The Board did not recommend approval due to nonpartisan and nonsectarian concerns, however many delegates felt strongly that this is a woman’s health issue that needed to be preserved. Passionate discussion
Zonta International is an organization pledged to improve the health status of women. Zonta International calls on governments to ensure, on a basis of equality of men and women:
• the elimination of all child marriages and similar unions
• equal rights to decide freely and responsibly on the number and spacing of children and to have access to the information, education and means to exercise these rights
• access to health care services, including those services related to family planning
• the prevention of unwanted pregnancies
• access to safe, legal abortions
2. RESOLUTION on continuing an overall review of Zonta International YES 95%
As reflected in the Resolution 2 Summary Report to the 2022 Convention there are recommendations for the fields of strategy, governance, membership and advocacy that could be implemented in the next biennium (some of which require changes to bylaws) taking into account the feedback from the members and the status of Zonta International in the post-pandemic environment. In addition, further work is required to evaluate Zonta’s programs, fundraising, support operations etc. so that they are fully evaluated and the study completed.
The continued review requires the involvement and support of the membership so that all aspects of Zonta can be considered and potential recommended changes can be prepared and presented latest at the 2024 Zonta International Convention in Brisbane, Australia.
3. RESOLUTION on daily registration fee at Zonta Failed
While this is a good idea to get more participation, it is difficult to budget and plan for.
4. RESOLUTION regarding the “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women” Campaign YES 99%
The campaign “Zonta says NO to violence against women” shall be continued in the biennium 2022 – 2024.
5. RESOLUTION to extend Women In Technology Scholarship for another biennium with a slight modification. YES 73% While no budget was allocated for this scholarship, many delegates felt strongly that it needed to be included in this biennium. We would be losing an opportunity to be in the forefront of advocating for women in STEM now. Passionate discussion
The Women In Technology Scholarship (STEM) will be continued as a third pilot cycle on club, district, and international level for women in all STEM fields. A final comparison and evaluation shall be presented at the 2024 Convention. SEE International Budget – as this scholarship was not funded,it will be paid for out of the Rose Fund for this biennium.
6. RESOLUTION regarding age of young professional YES 58% Pandemic and life issues of this age convinced members to raise the YP status from 30 to 35 to offer the opportunity for more young professionals to take advantage of reduced membership fees and enhance club efforts to increase membership recruitment. Passionate discussion
Zonta International will raise the age of Young Professional status from 30 to 35 to offer the opportunity for more young professionals to take advantage of reduced membership fees, in order to enhance club efforts to increase membership recruitment