This is a draft and test. Not for official use.

1. Zonta International
District 9
Leadership Training
General Board

2. Introduction
Congratulations and thank you for contributing your time and
talent to Zonta leadership.
Since its founding in 1919, Zonta has grown and flourished
thanks to the passion and skill of dedicated volunteers like you.
The following training module is designed to help you succeed in
your new role. It will familiarize you with the basics of being a
board member and help you locate resources within Zonta to
extend your knowledge and answer your questions.
We know you’re busy, so let’s get started!

3. Your Most Valuable Resource
• Every Zontian should have a copy of the Club Manual.
As a board member, it is essential.
• Download as a pdf from the ZI website,
under Member Resources.
• Covers all aspects of Club operation
and management.
• Includes Zonta history and scripts for installing
new members and club board.

4. Club By-Laws and Rules
• All clubs are governed by By-laws and many also have Rules Of
Procedure. These are in addition to the Zonta International By-
laws and District By-laws that govern our larger organization.
• Make sure you have a copy of your club’s By-laws and Rules
Of Procedure and carry them with you to board meetings.
They are a critical reference documents and all board
decisions must be in compliance.
• It is the board’s responsibility to make sure the By-laws and
Rules Of Procedure are updated regularly and circulated to all
club members.

5. What is the role of the board?
Efficient leadership is crucial for the effective functioning of
Zonta clubs.
The club board must propose goals and activities that
complement and enhance those of the Zonta International
strategic planning framework (i.e., A Course for the Future –
2010 and Beyond [see website
www.zonta.org/MemberResources/Governance]).
Goals and activities should be specific, attainable and effective,
to demonstrate clear direction.

6. What is the role of the board?
• The club board members need to have an in-depth knowledge
of Zonta and sound communication skills.
• The club board needs to take responsibility, uphold ethical
principles, work towards progress for the club and
organization, utilize the strengths of the members, and
encourage self-development.

7. What else does the board do?
• Directs the affairs of the club.
• Develops coordinated goals and monitors progress
towards their achievement.
• Supervises the affairs of the club between meetings,
without conflict with club actions.

8. What else does the board do?
• Recommends, but does not determine, policy, advocacy
actions, service projects and donations for adoption by the
club.
• Disseminates Zonta International program information to all
club members.
• Encourages support of Zonta International and district biennial
goals, including the encouragement of club and individual
contributions to the Zonta International Foundation funds.

9. And there’s more!
• The board has many other responsibilities in areas such as
financial oversight, membership matters, maintenance of
bylaws and many more.
As a board member, it is your duty to review and understand
the complete range of board responsibilities.
You can find that information in the Club Manual on Page 21.

10. Leadership & Succession Planning
• The board is also responsible for club leadership planning and
recruitment.
• The club board members need to have an in-depth knowledge
of Zonta and sound communication skills. Both can be
strengthened if succession planning and leadership training
are a natural part of club leadership preparation.
• Potential leaders should be identified within the membership
and be appointed as committee chairmen and encouraged to
attend training workshops, area meetings, district conferences
and conventions. The stepping stones are then in place for
election to the club board.

11. Club leadership planning and
recruitment
This includes:
• Encouraging new members to join club committees and
aspire to future leadership positions.
• Emphasizing that leadership skills learned in Zonta are
useful everywhere.
• Delegating responsibilities and receiving new ideas
positively.

12. Club leadership planning and
recruitment
It also includes training members to become new leaders:
• Allow potential leaders to function as a complement to
the experience of veteran leaders.
• Large committees may use vice chairmen in order to
train future chairmen.
• Mentoring by current leaders helps develop prospective
leaders.

13. Learn More
As a Zonta club board member, you have a wealth of resources
available to learn more about your duties and responsibilities
and about Zonta.
• The Club Manual is your primary reference document. It can
be downloaded as a pdf from ZI www.zonta.org. Click on
Member Resources and look for Club Manual.
• Your club’s By-laws and Rules Of Procedure.

14. Learn More
Other resources include:
• Zonta International Governing Documents. This includes the
International By-laws and Rules Of Procedure. Download at
www.zonta.org.
• District 9 website www.zontadistrict9.org
• Your Area Director

15. Thank you!
Thank you for taking the time to watch this training module.
Because of dedicated leaders like you, our clubs thrive and grow
stronger. Good luck with your term and thank you for your
service.