NAIDM Meeting 2017
Over the weekend of June 2-4, twelve District 6 Zontians joined over 200 other Zontians from across North America for the North American Inter-District (NAIDM) meeting in McLean Virginia. This was the best-attended NAIDM to date and included the ZI/ZIF Board and all North American Governors.
The weekend started on Friday with a group Advocacy event. Over 160 Zontians braved the Washington DC Metro system to meet with their elected representatives on Capitol Hill. With sore feet but a sense of satisfaction, all returned to the hotel without one lost Zontian! Sally Bean said: “The NAIDM venue near Washington DC allowed an incredible opportunity for Zontians to advocate for Zonta issues on Capitol Hill.”
Friday evening found the attendees at a Zonta “Speed Dating” event. Over 2 hours, they rotated through Round Table discussions on “All things Zonta” including topics on Service/Advocacy, Membership, Awards, and the Centennial Anniversary.
Saturday was opened with an address by ZI President Sonja Honig Schough covering the Biennial Goals and her Project review trip to Madagascar. The rest of Saturday and Sunday was filled with interactive workshops focusing on the areas of Service, Advocacy, Membership and Leadership. These practical workshops were led by fellow Zontian and were very informative. Sally Bean offers: “The NAIDM connected me with over 200 Zontians to advance our mission & re-energize through workshops and inspiring keynote speakers”.
Over meals we heard a keynote speaker discuss Women’s Suffragette Movement and an effort to build a memorial to those women. Carol Braford said: “ Voting is a privilege we enjoy because 5 million of our sisters worked for 72 years to gain the right”
Sophia Kruz, a documentary filmmaker, presented her film, “Little Stone” focusing on 4 women using their art to raise awareness of women’s issues. She is offering the use of this film to Zonta Clubs for free public screening. There is also a tool kit available to help with public education. Investigate this Advocacy opportunity at: https://www.littlestones.org or contact Sophia at sophia@driftseed.org.
Overall, it was a whirlwind weekend filled with Advocacy, Education, Networking and a lot of Zonta fun. I’m looking forward to the next NAIDM in Dallas TX in 2019 and I invite you to join me.
Amy LaFine & Yvonne Chalfant, Zonta Club of Kankakee