PRESENTATION OF THE 2007 GOVERNOR’S TROPHY
This portion of the presentation is truly inspirational—a time to share some of the best success stories of the year right here in our own district. Each year, Area Directors nominate the most impressive clubs in their area based on Annual Reports. District Board Members, with the exception of the District Secretary who is appointed, then narrow the field down to three clubs. Finally, votes from these Board Members are tallied to determine the runner-up and winner of this year’s Governor’s Trophy in recognition of the Most Outstanding Club "which has best exemplified the ideals and objectives of Zonta International during the past year."
Both the winner and runner-up receive a certificate and a traveling trophy that stay with their respective clubs for one year before moving on to next year’s recipients. The winning club receives the coveted Governor’s Trophy, a beautiful sterling silver trophy, on which the club’s name will be permanently engraved.
It is the responsibility of the Lieutenant Governor to coordinate the procedure by which the winner and runner-up of the Governor’s Trophy are selected. Until now, Lieutenant Governor Lynn Salvatore is the only person who has known who will take the coveted Trophies back to their clubs.
But before I announce the runner-up and winning clubs, please help me congratulate all of the clubs that were nominated for their outstanding achievements this year.
District 11 Area Directors nominated 12 clubs to be considered for the Governor’s Award:
Area 1: The Zonta Club of Dothan and
The Zonta Club of Pascagoula
Area 2: The Zonta Club of Columbia Area and
The Zonta Club of Myrtle Beach
Area 3: The Zonta Club of Boca Raton and
The Zonta Club of Marathon
Area 4: The Zonta Club of Melbourne Area,
The Zonta Club of Tallahassee, and
The Zonta Club of Tampa
Area 5: No nominations were received for Area 5
Area 6: The Zonta Club of Bonita Springs,
The Zonta Club of Sanibel/Captiva, and
The Zonta Club of Sarasota
2006-2007 Winner of the Governor’s Trophy
Finally, we come to the winner of the 2006-2007 Governor’s Trophy. While the Sanibel/Captiva club is a hard act to follow, this next club proves that size doesn’t always matter. If energy is channeled properly, a small club can be extremely effective in working to bring about change. This year’s winning club was able to make an impact in their community in almost every area of women’s lives: women’s health, education, economic status, violence, self-esteem, and advocacy. With membership in the low twenties, the club clocked in over 250 service hours and 700 fundraising hours. They contributed $7,000 in money and in-kind donations and secured donations of items from businesses valued at another $7,000. By active participation from all members, they earned another $15,000 for future projects. As strong as their presence was locally, amazingly they contributed nearly 50% of their service dollars to international projects.
In partnership with the Salvation Army, the club established a library for research and self-help literature at a homeless center for women and children in their community. They equipped it with furniture, computers and printers for use by the residents. Members also taught a monthly class to assist women entering the workforce and provided professional clothing and accessories for residents.
Aligning their community efforts with that of International’s initiatives, they joined a Human Trafficking Task Force in their area. They attended training on human trafficking and then hosted training themselves for residents, local officials, and law enforcement. Additionally, they developed and distributed literature to raise community awareness and advocacy of this issue.
Other legislative work included contacting legislators in support of the passage of Equal Rights Amendment and banning of female mutilation.
Supporting education of women was also a focus of this club. In addition to the library established for the homeless center, the club gave awards and scholarships to local young women: $1,500 was given to the winner of their Young Women In Public Affairs Award and another $500 for the Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship.
The club has continued to spread Zonta’s message to residents, local officials, businesses, and prospective members through presentations to groups, community functions, interviews with local media outlets, and newspaper articles. They are also actively involved in efforts to organize a Golden Z Club and another Zonta Club in another city.
This club should serve as an inspiration to other clubs, both large and small, that when we work together, we can accomplish much to improve the lives of women now and in the future.
Therefore, it is with great pleasure that I announce that the
2007 WINNER OF THE DISTRICT 11 GOVERNOR’S AWARD IS
THE ZONTA CLUB OF MELBOURNE!
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MELBOURNE AND SANIBEL/CAPTIVA CLUBS AND ALL OTHER NOMINATED CLUBS FOR ANOTHER OUTSTANDING YEAR!