Principles of
Governance
&
Membership
Dialogues
Keeping Zonta Relevant
Zonta Pillars of Governance
• Convention
• Articles of
Incorporation
• Bylaws of Zonta
International
• Rules of Procedure of
Zonta International
• Elected Leaders
• Policies
• Operations Manuals
Zonta Pillars of Governance:
Our Convention
The Zonta
Convention is
the highest
decision-making
level of Zonta
Zonta Pillars of Governance:
Our Documents
Zonta in Legal Terms
• Articles of
Incorporation
The Essence of Zonta
What Zonta Does and
How We Do It
• Bylaws of Zonta
International
• Rules of Procedure of
Zonta International
• Policies
• Operations Manuals
Zonta Pillars of Governance:
Our Bylaws
Zonta
composes its
own bylaws and
decides what
shall be in them
Zonta Pillars of Governance:
Our Bylaws
Bylaws are Reviewed
Each Biennium
Zonta Pillars of Governance:
Our Bylaws
What is so Important it Should
be in Zonta Bylaws?
Keeping Zonta Relevant
Does it Belong in
Policies or Manuals?
Does it Belong in
Bylaws?
Steps Leading to Convention
• The Bylaws and Resolution Committee will
receive and consider proposals resulting in a
report to the Zonta International Board of Directors
• The Zonta International Board of Directors reviews
the report and makes recommendations on each
proposal
• Members will receive a final report, including all
proposals and ZI Board recommendations
• At Convention, Delegates discuss and vote on
proposals
Membership Dialogues
Potential Change: All members
were invited to express
opinions about where they see
the future of membership
going…
Membership Dialogues
Highlights – Results of the Membership Survey
o 4,621 members took the survey
o 70% of which have already held an elected office
o A majority of 70% would accept new members who have
no profession of any kind as long as they are passionate
about our mission
o A large majority favors accepting former Golden Z Club
members and JMK/AE recipients right away as full
members
o A large majority favors some kind of classification system
o 1,500 respondents answered to the open-ended question
and mainly addressed having a flexible classification
system and a flexible invitation policy
In which country do you live?
How many years have you
been a Zontian?
If this is applicable: At which level(s)
have you held an elected office?
To become a member, you should not need an invitation.
A simple sign-up should be sufficient.
People should be able to join Zonta without an invitation as
long as they meet the membership criteria.
Zonta should offer some type of associated
membership that does not require meeting attendance.
There should not be a requirement for a prospective member to have a
profession of any kind as long as he/she is passionate about our
mission and willing to actively pursue the mission.
You can be a decision maker without being a manager or recognized professional.
You can only call yourself a decision maker if you are a
manager at the executive level.
Having decision making experience should continue to be
a requirement to become a member.
The classification system that makes sure we have members from
different professions is essential to Zonta.
The current requirement for clubs to have a one fourth (1/4)
diversity of classifications of professions ensures we
have an interesting mix of professions.
A former Golden Z Club member or JMK/AE recipient should be
eligible to become a club member even if he/she has not yet
attained a decision making position
Are there any final thoughts on membership or is there
another specific topic or question you would like to discuss
with members and the Zonta International Board?
Focus on Membership Dialogues
Next Steps
o Continue to follow the Membership Dialogues
conversation on LinkedIn and Twitter
o Watch for comprehensive results to be released
with more detail
o ZI Board will discuss this information at their Board
Meeting in November 2013