History

The History of District 2

The Confederation of Zonta Clubs was founded on November 8, 1919, in Buffalo, NY, and was comprised of nine clubs. Five of the nine clubs would become part of District 2. The Zonta Clubs of Elmira, Syracuse, and Utica remain to this day inspired “charter” clubs, continuing to serve their local and global communities.

The Confederation’s first convention was held in Syracuse, NY in May of 1921.

Zonta Clubs began forming in many parts of District 2:

The name “Confederation of Zonta Clubs” changed to “Zonta International” in 1930.

There was a lull in club growth until after World War II, when Ogdensburg joined us in 1945.

In the 1950’s we grew by two more clubs: Oswego (‘55) and Herkimer (’57).

The 70’s brought us two more clubs: Cortland (‘72) and Mid-Hudson Valley (’76), known as the Newburgh club until recently.

Montgomery-Fulton Counties joined in 1983, followed by Columbia/Greene Counties in 1984 and Canton Area Club in 1986.

During the 90’s, student clubs also began to form: Zonta Z Clubs (High School) Golden Z Clubs (College.)

No more clubs were added to District 2 until 2016, when the Zonta Club of Skaneateles was chartered. With the addition of the Zonta Club of The Adirondacks in July of 2017, there are approximately 500 total members in the 20 clubs of the district.

Good News: District 2 chartered its first e-Club in 2021, bringing district membership to approximately 525 with 21 clubs in total.

Zonta International presents a stunning world convention at the end of June or early July at the start of each biennium. Thousands of members from all around the world attend. The 2020 event to be held near Zonta Headquarters in Chicago was canceled due to the global pandemic. The next convention is planned for 2022 in Hamburg, Germany.

District 2 presents two “in person” meetings each year – One in October and one April or May. During the first year of a biennium, it’s a ½ day fall seminar and a ½ day spring workshop for all district club members to network and build skills. Because these meetings are so important to the cohesiveness & effectiveness of our work, these meetings are also offered virtually, so that more people can attend. The recordings of the meetings are then distributed for view or review. During the last year of a bienium, the ½ day spring workshop is held, and all district club members are invited to attend a grand weekend district conference in October. Each district is assigned a liaison from the Zonta International Board for a biennium, who attends the district conference as well. To date, a district conference has never been held virturally, but that will change in 2021 due to the pandemic.