Service Projects

The Zonta Club of Billings is a professional service organization dedicated to the promotion and support of women. Below is a list of all of Zonta's recent service projects.

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Grant Opportunity: Billings, Montana, January 20, 2012.Applications for the 2012 Grant Cycle are now available from the Zonta Club of Billings by contacting: Lori Mader at 406-245-6086 or by downloading the application materials.
Zonta Club of Billings is pleased to announce a grant program for local nonprofit organizations that benefit women in our community.
The following criteria is to be considered in each proposal:

Applications are due to: Zonta Club of Billings, Attention: Service Committee, PO Box 1064, Billings, Montana 59103 by March 3, 2012.

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The Zonta Club of Billings awards the Best Woman Writer's Award for the High Plains Book Festival in October. Fifteen Zonta members read and evaluate the books that has been submitted and narrow it down to the top three favorite books. These books then move on to 3 judges who make the final selection.

High Plains Book Awards: All of the books are published for the first time in the year prior and written by a regional author or writing team, or are a literary work which examines and reflects life on the High Plains. Nominations are received from publishers and several individuals in the High Plains region including the states of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas, and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Winners are announced at The High Plains Book Awards Banquet which is the kickoff for the annual High Plains BookFest. The Zonta winner receives a plaque and $500.

The 2011 award went to Susan Resnick for her book entitled, "Goodbye Wifes and Daughters." The book is about one morning in 1943, close to eighty men descended into the Smith coal mine in Bearcreek, Montana. Only three came out alive. The story of that tragic day and its aftermath unfolds in this book through the eyes of those wives and daughters--women who lost their husbands, fathers, and sons, livelihoods, neighbors, and homes, yet managed to fight back and persevere.

The 2010 award went to Linda Hasselstrom for her book entitled, "No Place Like Home: Notes from a Western Life." Linda said, "First, thanks to Zonta for this magnificent award-- not only the money, but the lovely plaque. Though I am not a member of Zonta, I would like to spend this award in some way that advances women's writing, and I need to give that some serious thought. I'm considering a scholarship to my retreat for women who may want to come but lack the funds-- and that will require investment, so I need to consult my investment expert about that."

Applications for the Young Women in Public Affairs Award are now available. The deadline for applications to the Zonta Club of Billings is March 15, 2012. Applicants should be residents of the greater Billings area, and must meet the eligibility requirements:

Age 16-19, pre-college/university
Must display an active commitment to volunteerism
Experience in local or student government
Knowledge of Zonta International and its programs
Advocate ZI mission of advancing the status of women worldwide

To apply: http://www.zonta.org/WhatWeDo/InternationalPrograms/YoungWomeninPublicAffairsAwards.aspx

The Zonta Club of Billings selected Jessica Campbell as recipient of its 2011 “Young Women in Public Affairs” award. Ms. Campbell receives a $1,000 award from the Billings club, and is eligible for further consideration at the District and International levels.

The award recognizes young women who demonstrate a commitment to volunteerism and a dedication to the advancement of the status of women.

The goal of the Young Women in Public Affairs (YWPA) Program is to encourage more young women to participate in public and political life by recognizing a young woman’s (age 16-20) commitment to the volunteer sector, evidence of volunteer leadership achievements and a dedication to the advancement of the status of women.

Applicants are asked to reflect on their voluntary commitment to their school and to their community and the problems limiting the advancement of the status of women in their own country and worldwide. The Zonta International Young Women in Public Affairs program looks to the young women of today for the leaders of tomorrow. Applications are due in March of each year. Applicants must be pre-university or pre-college students (age 16-20), with residence in Yellowstone, Stillwater, Carbon, Big Horn or Musselshell Counties. Contact the service committee for questions about the application.

The Zonta Club of Billings is accepting applications for its Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship. The winner of the $1,000.00 is eligible to compete for additional scholarship monies at the District and International levels of Zonta. Women from the Billings area, or women attending either Montana State University-Billings or Rocky Mountain College are eligible to apply. The Scholarship is available to women who will enter their third or fourth year of an undergraduate degree program this fall. The applicants must demonstrate an intent to complete a program in business and show outstanding achievement in business-related subjects. They must also show high achievement in their first two or three years of studies. The club winner is eligible for further consideration at the Zonta District and International levels. The application for the award may be completed on-line at: http://www.zonta.org/MemberResources/Tools/AwardScholarshipFellowshipTools.aspx

In addition to the application, verification of current school enrollment, two confidential recommendations, and an essay of up to 500 words describing the applicant’s personal and academic goals, relevance of their program to the business field, and how the scholarship would assist the applicants in reaching their goals. Completed application are due to the club by June 25, 2011. Applications can be mailed to: Zonta Club of Billings, P.O. Box 1064, Billings, MT 59103. Please contact Ann Hefenieder if you have questions or would like a copy of the application. Daytime phone: (406) 655-5507; Evening phone (406) 248-4039; Ann.Hefenieder@gmail.com

Cara Lehman, was our 2010 Jane M Klausman Women in Business Scholarship Winner. She received a $1,000 scholarship from the Zonta Club of Billings. Cara has also been chosen as the District 12 winner as well! As a winner of the District scholarship, she receives an additional $1,000 scholarship. From here, Cara will move forward to Zonta International and could be selected as one of the 12 recipients for a $5,000 scholarship.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Zonta Club of Billings announces awards totaling $3,250 for local nonprofit organizations that benefit women in our community.

This project will allow Dress for Success to purchase new work shoes for their clients. This is an ongoing need for their organization. They shoes they receive via donation are typically inappropriate for work.

The 3rd annual Pink Ribbon Bingo “Ladies Night Out” event hosted 141 women at the Shrine Auditorium. This event incorporates many community organizations working together to educate and provide cancer screening services to American Indian women living in Yellowstone County. American Indian women have a higher mortality rate from cancer because they tend to not access cancer screening services early and/or wait longer to seek medical attention when they are experiencing symptoms. The evening is designed to empower women to take the first step to take care of their own healthcare needs in order to be an example for others around them. The funds that from Zonta Club of Billings were spent on the educational speaker. The speaker spoke about corporate tobacco and the ways that corporate tobacco target women as well as the Native American population.

These funds will support the Montana Audubon Conservation Education Center's efforts to create a girls-only summer camp. Their past efforts to include more girls have shown a steady increase. They will recruit upper elementary girls aged 8-12 years old. One of the Audubon Center’s goals is to engage more females in the study of science and math, thereby increasing their confidence and success in these fields.

This project will allow for mental health services for female program participants, including a Healthy Relationships component. Many of the young mothers have underlying mental health issues. They often go without mental health services due to a lack of resources and no available insurance coverage. The young mothers often do not have an understanding of healthy relationships and their importance to success in school and life. Young mothers will learn the dynamics of healthy interpersonal interactions, and strategies that lead to relationship satisfaction, personal growth, and positive outcomes for school and life.

This matching gift will support the Montana Women vote 2011 fundraiser set for December 5, 2011 from 6:00 - 7:30 PM at Prescott Hall on the Rocky Mountain College campus.

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Members of the Zonta Club of Billings recently assisted the Montana Rescue Mission's Womens and Families Shelter by painting their dining room. Attendees spent approximately four hours placing a coat of fresh color on the walls. This room is one of many that Zontians have painted at the Shelter. Members from L to R: Connie Dillon, Lori Mader, Bev Ross, Kelly Christy, Shelley Hayes and Lynette Kerbel.

Zonta Club members work with residents at the Montana Rescue Mission's Women and Families Shelter to make fleece blankets for the Billings Police Department to be given to victims of domestic violence at the time of police response. Zonta members worked along side residents to create a blanket for the police department and one for the resident to keep. "The event is a great way to connect with women and providing an opportunity to mentor," says Anne-Marie Wade. On December 13, 2010, the Zonta Club of Billings presented to the Billings City Council and Police Chief 48 blankets to be placed in squad cars. KULR 8 has a story about our efforts here.

Background: Reno Charette, Director of American Indian Outreach at MSUB, suggested this general idea when she was presenting recently on the state of health care needs of American Indian women in relation to domestic violence. She said it is an American Indian custom to give blankets to honor and comfort and she thought a woman in a domestic violence situation would be comforted by a blanket. I spoke with her further about this idea, suggesting that perhaps Zonta could provide blankets for the Billings Police Department. Reno spoke with the Billings Police Department, who said they would like this potential to be run through Billings Area Family Violence Task Force (BAFVTF).

At Christmas time, Zonta members gather unwrapped gifts for the Young Families Early Head Start Program. This year's gift request includes diapers, clothing and household items for new parents who may be living on their own for the first time (i.e. towels, kitchen supplies, etc.) Bring the unwrapped gift to the Christmas Party, and Zonta members will deliver it to their facility on behalf of Zonta.

This program is a comprehensive child development program serving low-income pregnant women and families with children under age three. Center-based program provides child care and home-based program provides services in the families’ home. The program provides health mentoring and tracking, weekly parent support groups, parent/child enrichment activities, male involvement group, and opportunities for leadership through our governing board and community service projects. The teen program allows high school parents to earn high school credit for attending on-site child development classes taught by a certified instructor funded by the Billings School District.

Zonta sponsors an open house at Global Village, at 2720 3rd Avenue North, and have lots of fun, food & drink to raise money for women artisans and free trade items. Last year, Zontians and friends spent over $1,200 at Global Village. This is a great event to begin your Christmas shopping! Friends and family of Zonta members are welcome!

The Zonta Club of Billings also supports the Zonta International Foundation. For 2011-2012, the local club will financially support the following International objectives:

1. International Service Program: Supports projects that seek to improve the legal, political, economic, educational, and/or health status of women in developing countries or in transition.

2. Zonta International Strategies to End Violence against Women (ZISVAW) Progam: Supports projects that seek to reduce the incidence of violence against women and girls by changing personal and/or political knowledge, attitudes and behaviors.

3. Amelia Earhart Fellowships: Fellowship for women pursuing Ph.D./doctoral degrees in aerospace-related scienes and engineering.

4. Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarships: Scholarship for women pursuing undergraduate and Master's degrees in business management.

5. Young Women in Public Affairs (YWPA) Award: Award established to encourage more young women to participate in public and political life by recognizing them for their volunteer leadership and dedication to the advancement of the status of women.

Each year Family Service gathers the school supply lists from the local elementary, junior high and high schools. They seek donations of school supplies and backpacks or solicit donations to purchase them. A team of volunteers puts together backpacks filled with school supplies required for that grade level. Families who qualify for assistance from Family Service are able to come by and choose a backpack for each child's grade level. Last year, Family Service provided more than 1200 backpacks to make sure these kids were prepared to start school. Last year, Zonta donated $270. This year Zonta members will donate and participate.

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The Zonta Club of Billings has awarded a $1000 book scholarship for eligible women enrolled Montana State University-Billings. The 2011 recipient is Katharine Millner of Billings. Katharine completed teh academic year with a 3.59 cumulative GPA.

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The Zonta Club of Billings provides $1000 to Rocky Mountain College for a female student with preference of the student majoring in the aeronautics program. This year's award recipient was Kimberly Cordova, who is majoring in Flight Operations at RMC. Kimberly thanked the club for the assistance in this letter.

The Zonta Club of Billings has completed the remodeling and redecorating a room at the Montana Rescue Mission's Women and Families Shelter in Billings. The three-day event includes removal of existing carpet, repainting the walls, updating furnishings and replacing the room with new carpet. In addition to volunteer labor and funding from Zonta, Sherwin-Williams and InterfaceFLOR donated paint and carpet to the project. Images Left to Right: Computer rendering of proposed room, Nancy & Ann scrubbing walls & floors, Bev, Anne Marie, Lori & Maribeth cutting carpet tile and The finished product. Zonta members were told that a family of five was moving in the next morning to this small room.

	In June, Zonta organizes the children’s activities for the Festival of Cultures. Zonta club member create and distribute the event's “passports” and maintain the passport booth at the festival.
L to R: Kathie Riggs, Becky Wiehe, Nancy Rice, Lynn Eggebrecht and Lynette Kerbel