January 2025 Board Meetings Liaison Points

▶January is Amelia Earhart Month. Members are encouraged to listen to the recording of the AE webinar if they were unable to attend.

▶President Tuominen referred to the plans for the 40th anniversary of the Foundation (covered later in the meeting by Development Manager Mikos) and encouraged the Board members to join the Zonta 1919 Legacy Circle. All Zontians are encouraged to join the Zonta 1919 Legacy Circle and ensure Zonta International’s ability to meet its mission for generations to come.

▶Executive Director Radavich noted that contributions are strong for this time of the biennium, and thanked Development Manager Mikos and the Foundation Development Committee for their efforts. Other updates were provided later in the agenda by Development Manager Mikos and Executive Director Radavich.

▶Treasurer/Secretary Cumming provided an update on the Foundation’s financial position as of 31 December 2024. Contributions are in line with budget; investment income is above budget; and costs are tracking in line with budget at this stage of the fiscal year.

▶Treasurer/Secretary Cumming acknowledged that the financial statements include investment gains and losses from month to month, but investments and returns are aligned with the Foundation's long-term investment strategy and Investment Policy Statement.

▶The audited financial statements have been uploaded onto the Zonta International website for member information. The annual report is being finalized and will be distributed to members and made available on the Zonta website, once completed.

▶The Board reviewed the updated 10-Year Forecast, which shows a widening gap between revenue and expenses for the Foundation and discussed potential actions to address the gap. More exploration of these options will be done in the coming months.

▶Zonta’s external investment advisors, CAPSTRAT, joined the meeting and presented a report on Zonta's investments and answered questions from the Board.

▶Development Manager Mikos presented the contribution reports as of 31 December 2024. Donations are at 22% of goal and tracking ahead of the 2022-2024 Biennium but behind the 2020-2022 Biennium.

▶The Every Member Every November Campaign raised US$229,372 and brought in 474 first-time donors to the Foundation.

▶The 40th Anniversary Fundraising Campaign for the Foundation will run from 17 March to 18 April. More information will be shared in the foundation ambassador trainings in February. Governors are also encouraged to attend.

▶Risk Manager Anne Walker joined the meeting via Zoom to present her risk report to the Board. The report identified three main risks for the Foundation.

1.While donation rates and value are similar to past biennia, economic factors, including foreign currency exchange rates, could impact donors.

2.The current investment market is still quite volatile and is a challenge for funding Foundation operations.

3.Headquarters continues to receive cash donations via postal mail. No cash should be sent to the Foundation.

▶President Tuominen shared her reflections on the site visit to Bangladesh in December 2024 with the Global Programme to End Child Marriage. She noted that Zonta International's partnership with UNFPA and UNICEF is well-managed. More than half of girls in Bangladesh are married before the age of 18, but there appears to be good momentum on a national action plan to end child marriage. The next Steering Committee meeting will be held in conjunction with CSW in March.

▶President Tuominen acknowledged the recent phishing scam that targeted Zontians via email and telephone. All Zontians should be diligent and carefully check details of emails.

▶The 2024 Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign was a success. President Salla, the Zonta Says NO Working Group chair and Headquarters met in early February for a debriefing call and to begin planning for 2025.

▶President Tuominen received a lot of positive feedback on the open letter to Gisèle Pelicot. Zonta will do more to speak out on issues affecting women and girls.

▶Member journey mapping for year one for new club and supporting members is completed and will be implemented in second quarter. Next focus group will be education recipients with the new complimentary one-year membership.

▶District affiliation process began as scheduled, and responses are already being received. Districts have until the end of February to return their district affiliation agreements. The club affiliation agreement process will begin in March.

▶Treasurer/Secretary Cumming provided an update on Zonta International’s financial position as of 31 December 2024. Revenue is tracking in line with the budget, and expenses are tracking below budget for this point in the biennium.

▶The Board reviewed the updated 10-Year Forecast for Zonta International. The original forecast, developed in the 2020-2022 Biennium, showed the gap between revenue and expenses emerging from the 2022–2024 Biennium onwards; however, cost management and strong investment returns resulted in a significant surplus in the 2022-2024 Biennium. The 2024-2026 budget is based on a breakeven position. While the gap has decreased and takes longer to arise, it will emerge and increase assuming membership numbers continue to decline. Treasurer/Secretary Cumming outlined potential actions to address the gap. Further exploration of these options will be done in the coming months.

▶Risk Walker Anne Walker joined the meeting virtually to present the risk report for Zonta International. Risk Manager Walker identified four main risks for Zonta International.

1.Successful implementation of the strategic plan.

2.Compliance of clubs regarding essential processes and timeframes.

3.Financial risk due to revenue constraints and rising operational costs due to inflationary (and other) factors.

4.Phishing attacks. Since the last report, a phishing attack using Zonta International data sourced from outside the Zonta International system occurred. There was no material loss to Zonta International; however, it is recommended that further member training/communications be considered to enhance awareness of this growing risk.

▶Membership Manager Callis Goodwin presented the membership statistics and trends as of 31 December 2024. Membership numbers have surpassed the budgetary goals for the fiscal year; however, more work needs to be done given membership losses over the last 20 years.

▶Guinea (District 18) was approved as a new Zonta country.

▶The Board received the list of new supporting members from 2 December 2024 to 17 January 2025.

▶Vice President Venn-Brown provided an update on the work of Core Values and Code of Conduct Working Group. The core values will be brought to the Board for approval at the June Board meeting. Once the core values are approved, the working group will develop the code of conduct.

▶Executive Director Radavich presented an update on the strategic plan tactics and key performance indicators.

▶The Board engaged in a strategic governance workshop and discussion. Further work is being done and will be shared with members when complete.

▶Revisions to the Convention Manual, Club Naming Policy and Convention Site Selection Policy were approved by the Board. Updated versions are posted on the website.

▶Share your stories submissions for the Zonta Says NO campaign increased by 80% over the previous year; however, there is still a lot of work to be done to get more clubs to share their Zonta Says NO actions. It is not too late for clubs to share their 2024 Zonta Says NO actions.

▶One hundred Zontians are registered to participate in CSW69 either in person or virtually. There will be two Zonta youth observers to the CSW - one from Australia and one from Germany.

▶Earth Day is 22 April. A plan around the theme of "Elevating Equality on Earth Day" will be shared with members soon.

▶Communications Manager Edrinn joined the Board meeting to provide a report on social media, email and website communications, audiences and analytics. She gave the Board members examples of how they can support and amplify Zonta International's communication efforts. All members can contribute to these efforts.

 

The next Zonta International and Zonta Foundation for Women Board meetings will be 19-20 March 2025 and will be held virtually.