ZONTALINES
 

                                                                                                                          January 2004

 In this issue:

   Page  

Status of Education
in the Commonwealth
 of Virginia

Dr. Belle Wheelan is the featured speaker for the January business meeting.  She is currently the Secretary of Education under Governor Mark Warner.

From 1998 to 2002, Dr. Wheelan served as President of Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC), the second largest community college in the nation.  During her tenure at NVCC, she became an honorary member of our club.             Dr. Wheelan received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity University with a double major in psychology and sociology.  While at Trinity University, she distinguished herself as an Academic Scholar. She was the first African-American at Trinity University to be named to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. In 2002, the University awarded Dr. Wheelan with the Outstanding Alumnus Award.             Dr. Wheelan will be speaking on the status of education and women in the Commonwealth.  We will be able to ask her questions regarding budget concerns and other topics.  (Excerpted from http://www.education.virginia.gov/SecofEdInfo/WheelanBio.cfm

 Articles may be sent to the editor, Laura Sims at 8608 Pappas Way, Annandale, VA 22003 or via email to lnsims@cox.net

 The deadline for submissions is the Friday following the board meeting, held on the third Tuesday of the month. 

Meeting Information

 Social time begins at 6:00 pm,and dinner is served at 6:30 pm.  The address of the meeting location is :

     Marco Polo Restaurant
    245 Maple Ave
    Vienna, VA 

Call (703)281-3922 for directions

 Please call the Zonta Club of Fairfax County Information line at (703) 866-7167 to ensure a reservation for guests.                                           

Consistent with club policy, members must call either Bobbee Cardillo or the reservation line by 12:00 noon on the Monday before the meeting to cancel their standing reservation or be charged for the meal.

 The Zonta club of Fairfax County meets on the first Tuesday of each month except for July and August. 

Old Cell Phones Needed

In support of our domestic violence initiative, we are collecting old cell phones to be re-issued and used at local shelters.   Forward your old cell phones to Cindi Dimetros.  Cindi can be reached at 703-255-1248 or you may turn them in to her at the next meeting.  Please include your charger.

President's Corner

          It’s the New Year and time to make those resolutions again.  Should I lose weight, exercise more or try to get to church more often on Sunday morning?  It’s the same thing every year.  We set these goals only to go back to our old ways by the end of the first week.  Maybe if we looked for small and obtainable goals like trying to drink more water or parking the car in a far away lot to get a bit more exercise, it might be easier.  We naturally want to re-energize and we can do the same in our club.  We are doing great things in the Service Committee with the Shelter and transitional house and the other committees are working equally as hard.  The first meeting this year should be great.  Belle Wheelan is an old friend to our club and always a wonderful speaker.  It’s a good opportunity to bring a friend to the meeting and show them what we are all about.  So drink your water and I’ll see you on the 6^th.

            ---  Connie

Zonta International’s

New Web Site

         Zonta International is pleased to launch its new web site.  Throughout the biennium, the Zonta international Board of Directors has been working with staff to improve services to members and support to Zonta leadership at the club and district levels, while continuing to contain costs.  A key component to these efforts is the enhancements of the Zonta International website.

      On Thursday, November 12, Zonta International /Zonta International Foundation launched a new web site with improved site structure and navigation to make it easier to find the information you are seeking and enhanced technologies to make our communications more efficient and effective.  (Not all technology enhancements will be activated at launch; technologies will be phased in over a period of time.)

      The Zonta International/Zonta International Foundation web site address remains the same –

www.zonta.org.

     To access Members Resources (including the Zonta Store), you need to be a Zonta Club member in good standing.  On your first visit to the new web site, please “Register.”  You will need your Zonta International Member ID number”

            Your Member ID can be found on your New member certificate and on the mailing label of each issue of The Zontian magazine you receive.  Or you may contact your club treasurer for the number from your club roster.  Further details are provided on the First Time Registration page of the web site.

    To verify your active membership, a Member Profile has been created for you from information submitted with your membership dues renewal. 

            Initially, it will not be possible for you to correct your member profile on-line.  However, we anticipate that this service will be available to all members within 90 days.  In the meantime, please continue to notify Headquarters of any changes to your contact information, just as you have always done.

            Should you experience any difficulty accessing the Zonta International/Zonta International Foundation website, please notify webmaster @zonta.org.  See the insert for reservations

(Excerpted from ZontaGram, Zonta Club of Washington, DC (volume XXVII, Issue 6)

A New Year’s Wish

From Lt. Governor Sue Halsey

 . . .to all Zontians of District 3!

      As we start a new year, here’s wishing you all a wonderfully productive and healthy New Year!  In 2004 District 3 will host an International Convention, begin to celebrate Zonta’s 85^th birthday, and, at the end of the Convention, have our own District 3 Zontian, Mary Ellen Bittner as our International President!  Truly a milestone year ahead!

     It is vitally important to keep and strengthen your club at the wrap-up of this biennium in time for the next!  Please all try to ensure that you have:

-  Meaningful service projects,

  - Met or exceeded membership goals,

-  Simulating Programs,                                        

-  Quality Membership ZINGS,  
  
 - Efficient & productive meetings,

-  Timely & accurate communication, 

and lots of fun and fellowship!