Fostering friendships with Zonta
Excitement fills the air of the club meeting as members add their ideas to a planning board, sharing their hopes for the future with their fellow Zontians. It just so happens that those fellow Zontians are not in the same room – or on the same continent. The members of the Zonta clubs of Bunbury, Inc, and Sanibel-Captiva, USA may not share a time zone, but that doesn’t hold them back from sharing inspiration and a common mission.
Whether through the newly launched Twinning with Zonta Spirit Program or their own initiatives, Zonta clubs are fostering meaningful worldwide connections that are enhance their efforts to empower women and girls. By exchanging ideas and pooling their resources, these clubs are amplifying their impact both locally and globally while building friendships that last a lifetime.
The Zonta Club of Bunbury Inc believes that the Zonta Spirit flourishes through active involvement and that true connection among members comes from recognizing and celebrating participation. They are enthusiastic about sharing their projects and activities with their twin club, the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva, USA, and are excited to learn more through shared initiatives. They are presently staying connected with their twin club on social media and are exchanging newsletters while looking forward to meeting up next July in Vancouver for the 2026 Convention.
Connection through global causes
The connections made through these club partnerships often lead to a deeper understanding of the diverse issues affecting women globally, fostering a spirit of solidarity among Zonta members. Together, by sharing their strengths and experiences, they are creating a brighter future not only for their own communities but for women and girls everywhere.
For more than 25 years, the Zonta Club of Alessandria has embraced the power of friendship with other Zonta clubs. They have worked with clubs like the Zonta Club of Fribourg in Switzerland since 2015, the Zonta Club of Sant'Ambrogio in Italy since 2018 and the Zonta Club of Cremona Area in Italy since 2024. Recently, the club was paired with its first non-European club through Twinning program. With more than 90 years of experience, the Zonta Club of Burbank Area, USA is a new source of inspiration for the Alessandria club. Both clubs plan to work together representing each other within their upcoming Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign to show within their own communities how widespread this issue is.
Inspiring reengagement
Just like the Alessandria club, many other clubs have twins throughout the Zonta community, something that has enriched their Zonta experience. They share stories of collaboration that have sparked innovative projects, inspired new strategies and cultivated lasting friendships across borders and oceans.
Club president Marilyn Curtis was reminded about an experience during Past International President Harriette Yeckel’s biennium when every member was encouraged to reach out across the Zonta community beyond conventions, setting a high standard for engagement, so when the twinning opportunity emerged, the Zonta Club of Kansas City, USA, enthusiastically seized the chance to re-create some Zonta magic. The club has already received a heartfelt letter of outreach from their newly twinned club, the Zonta Club of Helsinki III, Finland, and they look forward to connecting in September when schedules return to their full rhythm of meetings and activities. To connect on a personal level, the clubs plan to exchange bios of members, arrange virtual calls and welcome visits to each other’s meetings and events. They are also inspiring one another through sharing lists of past and present projects to inspire collaboration in improvement and membership strategies.
Golden opportunities
Part of the Zonta experience is knowing that once a friendship has been forged, it can be something that remains forever. Zontians Hsinhsin Yan from the Zonta Club of Taipei II, Taiwan, and Yukiko Toyota from the Zonta Club of Tokyo II, Japan, served as governors from 2014 to 2016, forming a strong bond that continues to grow. Their personal friendship, alongside the enduring ties between their countries, has led to deeper connections through sister-city partnerships and even inspired the next generation.
Hsinhsin and Yukiko know that cross-cultural understanding is essential for growth, which is why Yukiko and Hsinhsin ignited the idea to connect Golden Z club members. The clubs organized online meetings that sparked a whole new level of friendship. Youth members who were studying or who had just begun their careers abroad connected with their Golden Z twin members, finding support and opportunities to participate in club actions. Even though language barriers, the relationship between the clubs remains successful.
Fresh insights
From joint fundraising events to knowledge-sharing workshops, these collaborations enable clubs to learn from one another's successes and challenges, fostering mutual growth and development. The newly chartered Zonta e-Club of Taiwan has eagerly signed up for the Twinning with Zonta Spirit program, recognizing the immense value of this opportunity.
With a vision to gain fresh insight into the diverse operations of Zonta clubs across regions, the e-club is committed to sharing best practices and creating impactful projects together. They aspire to inspire their members, fostering a broader sense of community and purpose while building international friendships, learning from fellow clubs, and collaborating on empowering service projects for women and girls worldwide.
When Zonta connections happen, the hugs and laughter at the next Zonta International Convention will uplift the joy of the experience!
By bringing together their unique strengths and experiences, Zonta clubs are making a positive impact not just in their own communities but also for women and girls all around the world. The lifelong friendships formed within the Zonta community foster supportive environments where everyone can thrive. Together, they are creating inspiring change that benefits countless lives everywhere.
18 JULY 2025