The Z club at John F. Ross is a “service club” for full-time students and is happy to extend an invitation to students who are interested in joining. The Zonta Club of Guelph sponsors the club and is one of over 1,200 Zonta Clubs with approximately 35,000 members in close to 70 countries that make up Zonta International dedicated to community service, improving opportunities for women, and encouraging young people in leadership roles around the world. You can pass on the following information to students who would like to know more and direct them to B.Hansen in room 224:

Z clubs and Golden Z clubs are organizations comprised of students in secondary schools, colleges and universities sponsored and organized by Zonta Clubs like the Zonta Club of Guelph. Zonta offers this service to help the community as well as to give young people a chance to interact with experienced sponsors. The students develop leadership skills, explore career alternatives, volunteer their time to the community locally and internationally through club determined service projects. Z Club and Golden Z club members are responsible for designing service projects that benefit their schools, and beyond. They gain an understanding of the needs around them, develop confidence and make new friends at home, throughout their country and around the world.

Z and Golden Z club members are encouraged to plan projects at the school community and international levels that benefit others. They are encouraged to use their abilities, expand their experience, and set high goals for themselves. They volunteer their time at the school in any number of ways and can even assist other clubs. They can volunteer their time to make announcements, create bulletin boards, give tours, tutor, gift wrap, have an eye glass drive, create holiday gift boxes or raise money by selling candy at Hallowe’en, and roses at commencement or Valentine’s Day. In the community, Z and Golden Z club members can participate or even design projects that raise money for charities and drives like the Terry Fox Run, the Food Bank, Heart and Stroke Walkathons, the Zonta House Tour, Red Cross, environmental awareness projects, or volunteer their efforts at nursing homes, women’s shelters, or any place they choose. These types of service projects encourage the potential of young people and help their communities.

Many Z clubs and Golden Z clubs participate internationally by supporting international projects like UNISEF, or foster children through organizations, or correspond with pen pals from around the world. They even attend conferences and exchanges where they can share ideas, promote cross-cultural communication, discuss international issues and develop skills that will last a lifetime. Z clubs and Golden Z clubs can also participate international service with their sponsoring Zonta club by helping them to support service projects established by Zonta International such as the Amelia Earhart Fellowship Awards program and projects developed in association within the United Nations and its agencies. The Zonta International focus is to assist women specifically, but the Z Clubs and Golden Z clubs can choose the activities they wish to participate in themselves and the clubs are co-ed. “Future Leaders Building A Better World Today” has become the motto for Z clubs and Golden Z clubs.

The Zonta Club of Guelph pays the initial charter registration fee and the yearly renewal fee to Zonta International. They also communicate regularly with the club. A $500.00 scholarship is given to the school annually which can be awarded to any graduating student who shows commitment to giving their time to others. Zonta International sends their information to the sponsoring Zonta club who then shares it with the Z club or Golden Z club and its staff advisor at the high school or university.

The Z club at John F. Ross normally holds a meeting every week on Mondays at senior lunch in room 224 but if juniors are interested, the club will meet with them at common break.