History

Canton Area Zonta Club was founded in 1986 and welcomed members of the Potsdam Zonta Club when their club ceased to exist. The Club is administered by a President who collaborates with and reports to the Area 4 Director of District II. The CAZC is a local service organization devoted to advancing the status of women. All members support this concept. The initial club consisted of 33 dedicated members and its president Sheila Nezezon who was a member of the Potsdam Zonta Club at the time she was instrumental in founding the Canton Zonta Club. The first Treasurer was Teddy Molnar followed by Shirley Norton. Some early members were Marilyn Mintener, Ruth Calnon, Sharon Lawrence, Roxy Barcum, Gwen Putnam, Helen Phalan, Laura Patterson, Carol Lauber, Maggie Stone, Grace Jennack, Joan Narrow, Eileen Paine, Bea Woodard, Deb White and Debra Fisher. In 1990 the club received a district award for increased membership and by 1994 over 40 active members met under the presidency of Marion Smith. The club met almost exclusively at Best Western University Inn.

Past programs sponsored by the CAZC include the sale of geraniums for many years under the direction of Joan Narrow, business cards under Penny Pitts, Easter hams, jewelry, breakfast with Roxy (a Zonta member) & Santa with Roxy as chef events, providing refreshments and children’s activities at the Canton Canoe Weekend, contributing to the Remington Arts Festival : Student Competition and Exhibit, jam making taught by Deb White, spring dinner raffle, publishing a community birthday calendar for 10 years (1988-1998), and the organization of talent shows under Valerie Larraway. The club has always and continues to support Zonta International Service Projects such as those dealing with human trafficking of women and girls, preventing neonatal and maternal death in Nepal by initiating a tetanus immunization campaign, fighting the transition of HIV/AIDS in Rwanda, providing safe houses in Afghanistan and safer living conditions in El Salvador and Guatemala, and educating communities regarding violence against women in Egypt and India.

Currently, the CAZC is a group of women, and occasionally men, having fun working together to improve the quality of life for women in the north country. The club advocates for women and provides service where we perceive there is a need. Funding educational scholarships (Potsdam Scholarships were continued by the Canton Club ie Millie Post and the Canton College Scholarship was endowed in 2014 thanks to Sigie Barr and Linda Fay) and grants, supporting programs created to prevent violence and abuse against women and girls, disseminating relevant information, and funding projects that promote health, safety, human rights, and fundamental freedoms are priorities of the Canton Area Zonta Club. The Canton Area Zonta Club participates in many activities and is currently assimilating for dissemination resource information for women in need throughout this area as well as investigating how the Zonta International campaign “Just Say No to Violence Against Women and Girls” can be utilized here in the Canton area. Ongoing programs support 5 scholarships, Renewal House, Zidisha, Heifer International, International Women’s Day, and grants to fulfill local requests. Fundraising events , among others, are hosting a bowling tournament, Kentucky Derby party, Winterfest Wine Tasting, Dairy Princess Weekend pie sale, annual garage sale and Christmas auction initially started by Ruth Calnon who was a prolific baker for the event and her tea cakes, cookies and home made candies brought in much revenue for the CAZC coffers. By contributing to Zonta International Foundation’s Service Projects members of the CAZC currently support programs to eliminate obstetrical fistulas and reduce maternal mortality in Liberia and provide integrated educational programs for adolescent girls in Madagascar.

The organization meets at 5:30 pm the 3rd Tuesday of every month and attendance is not required but encouraged. Members can bring a prospective member(s) to a dinner which will be paid for by the club without needing the approval of the entire club. We meet at various restaurants in the area for meals and interesting programs on wide ranging topics and alternate with bring your own dinner meetings held at the VFW in Canton. Exceptions are July, August, and January when no meeting is scheduled due to weather. . Dues for membership in the local club, District II, and Zonta International combined are approximately $105/year and grants are available to cover that cost if needed. A member will be dropped for non-payment of dues but re-instated after payment of back dues. A leave of absence may be requested in writing and participation in club activities and projects will not be expected however dues must be paid. A quorum of 25% is needed to conduct business.

Additional information for this Canton Area Zonta Club history is always welcome and may be given to the club president.