Sept. 2014 Newsletter
September 2014 Newsletter
Zontian of the Year
We are so proud of our Zonta sisters who were nominated this year for Zontian of the Year. Ellen Fitzpatrick, Carol Johnson and Terri Otley were honored at our August meeting. All are worthy of the recognition for their commitment to our club.
The members chose Terri Otley as Zontian of the Year. She has been a member since our club began and has contributed in many ways.
- This year, directly due to her efforts, we achieved 501-C-3 status which will have a big impact on our club’s fund raising. In fiscal year 2012-13, Terri and the board straightened out our tax problems with our 501-C-4 reporting and we applied for C-3 status. This all involved a huge number of hours. In fiscal year 2013-14, she maintained contact with the IRS throughout and, when our patience was wearing thin, she advised the board to stay the course, not to reapply for a different designation, but to wait for an answer. We did and within a couple of months, we finally received that designation.
- As a Certified Public Accountant, Terri has used her professional expertise to benefit the club. She serves as our advisor on all things financial, on bank accounts, bookkeeping, and helping our treasurer set up Quick Books.
- She understands the relationship between our local club and International and never misses an opportunity to advocate for the conference and for giving to the International Foundation. She also brings historical perspective to the club—well, because she’s been here since the beginning! She serves on the Public Relations Committee and faithfully posts the newsletter and other information on our website each month to maintain communication with our members.
Terri is truly a committed Zontian. We are happy to honor her as Zontian of the Year.
Membership Committee
We continue to have potential members contacting us – either through our website or Your Hub/Denver Post. Just a reminder that if you would like to invite a guest, we would be happy to send them an e-mail “officially” inviting them to join us at one of our general meetings. Don’t be shy – just let Jan or Carol J. know.
This just in—Marie Cardinale will be welcomed as our newest member at our September meeting! Marie was introduced to Zonta by her friend and ours, Marie Kriss. She attended the new member orientation and is now ready to join Zonta Club of Denver II. WELCOME MARIE!
Advocacy Events
Zonta Says No Empty Shoes Event
Saturday, November 8, 2014
The Posner Center for International Development
1031 33rd St. (Curtis Park Area)
5-8 p.m.
$25 in advance/$30 door
The goal is to sell 2 tickets per member per club in the Area and bring at least one service partner. The commitment for our service partners is to commit to selling 4 tickets.
All information from ticket purchase to artist information and contract can be found at www.ZontaDistrict12.org/ZontaSaysNo
Contact Sharon Faircloth for any questions
Thanksgiving with Bridging the Gap
Tuesday, November 18
Cooking Lesson 5:00 p.m.
Dinner 6:00 p.m.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church
3549 Navajo St.
At the August meeting, the club committed to serving 80 participants this year with help from Bridging the Gap so put this date on your calendar! More details to follow as we get closer to the event.
Ever hear of the “Cliff Effect?”
If you are interested in why, as women begin to earn more in an effort to move away from poverty, they find themselves worse off – read the research put together by the Colorado Women’s Foundation at www.wfco.org/pages/content/the-cliff-effect. It is a compelling problem for our state with no easy answers. Give me your feedback at snfaircloth@centurylink.net
Finance Matters
Stay tuned for information regarding the annual holiday sales to be rolled-out at the September general meeting.
Carol Leffler and Ellen Fitzpatrick
Co-Chairs, Finance Committee
Taste of Colorado
It was a hot and busy day on August 30 when we worked the Taste of Colorado ticket booth this year. Mary and husband Bill, Jo
Ann, Suzanne, Ellen and Lois all worked a shift and earned a donation for the club. We have sold tickets at the Taste for three years and decided this will be the last since so few of the club members are available over the Labor Day holiday weekend. If you know of other volunteer organizations who would like to take advantage of this opportunity, please refer them to the website www.atasteofcolorado.com or have them contact Lois.
Service News
The Learning Source
Josh Evans, the Executive Director of the The Learning Source, will be our speaker at the September meeting. He and Jim Spoja, one of the directors, attended out 501 (c) (3) event.
The 50th Anniversary Celebration will be Thursday, October 9, at History Colorado, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Ten members have volunteered for check-in and the silent auction: Lois, Jean, Jan, Carol L., Deb, Beth, Sharon, Jeannie, Pat and Ellen. Further information regarding procedures will be emailed shortly. Please try to be there by 5:30 p.m. Contact Mary if you have questions.
SafeHouse Denver
JoAnn delivered 45 welcome bags to SafeHouse on September 10 for the months of September, October and November.
The Gala is Saturday, October 18, at the Ritz Carlton. Five members have volunteered for the event. Members have donated six bottles of wine and wine accessories for the wine basket for the silent auction.
Shannon Boltz represented SafeHouse at our 501 (c) (3) celebration. She is looking forward to participating in the Zonta Says No event in November.
Excelsior Youth Center
On Thursday, September 4th, Suzanne, Jan and Carla (dear friend of Zonta) went to the Sequoia cottage at Excelsior. Suzanne arrived armed with 10 pizzas. My first thought was she was crazy for ordering so much. To my surprise, she could have ordered more. After the pizza, the girls enjoyed watching “The Princess Bride.” Carla once again out did herself treating the girls to homemade brownies and ice cream. While there has been a major turnover with the girls in the cottage, they were still most appreciative of the “Zonta” visit.
The next planned activity is schedule for October 2. The event will be Halloween related with lots of candy and treats. Please contact Barb or Suzanne if you would like to join them at Excelsior.
Karen Rosen, Director of Development, from Excelsior attended the 501 (c) (3) event.
Empowerment
Elizabeth Fisher joined us from Empowerment for the 501 (c) (3) event. She also confirmed that Empowerment will participate in the Zonta Says No event in November.
Mariposa House
A Halloween party is being planned for the October event. Deb needs help so if you are interested in participating, contact her for more details.
Florence Crittenton Services
The 2014 Cycles of Success Luncheon will be on Thursday, October 16 from 11:30 a.m to 1:15 p.m. at the Sewell Grand Ballroom. If you want to attend or to volunteer, contact Jean.
If you want to donate a backpack filled with school supplies, please bring it to the September meeting. Mary will deliver them to Flo Crit. See email previously sent with suggested items.
Suzanne Banning and her guest joined us in celebrating our 501 (c) (3) status.
CWEE
CWEE’s annual luncheon will be Wednesday, October 22. For more information, contact Brandi Miller at 303-892-8444 or bmiller@cwee.org.
If you would like to help sort clothing for the boutique, please contact Lois. She and Sharon are planning to work Saturday morning, September 27.
Laurie Harvey, Executive Director of CWEE, attended our 501 (c)(3) celebration.
Freedom Service Dogs
We will be hosting a graduation reception on Saturday, December 13, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the University of Denver at Craig Hall (note location change.) We need five volunteers to serve cake and punch. The venue was changed because 30 dogs are graduating, and the Englewood location is too small to accommodate the anticipated larger attendance of graduates, dogs, and guests. Contact Barb if you would like to participate.
Letter from Central Visitation Program
Dear friends,
Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for a great evening on Friday, November 7th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Gallery 1261 for Central Visitation Program’s annual fundraiser “One Child at a Time”.
We are celebrating our 21st year serving the children of divided families in the Denver metro area — and this year, we look forward to introducing you to our new Executive Director, Brad Wood.
The evening will feature delicious hors d’oeuvres and wine, wonderful music, a great variety of silent auction items, and an opportunity to enjoy the art on display at the gallery. Brad will provide information on CVP’s program, and he will give us a vision of what CVP can do in the future to support the children we serve.
You will be receiving your invitation in the mail in the coming weeks, and we hope that you’re able to join us for this very special evening!
Becky Demcovitz
for the Board of Directors