Wo-Tan-In

Zonta Club of Mankato - P.O. Box 915 - Mankato, MN 56002-0915

Volume 40, Number 10 - Annual Newsletter

information@zontamankato.org - www.zontamankato.org

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Greetings, Treasured, Zontians!

First and foremost, for Ron and I, God is good

all of the time and all of the time God is good. (A quote from the movie, God Isn't Dead). I

didn't know I would have a new career so shortly after my retirement on December

31. And I had no idea how unskilled I would be in my new

role. That new role is a caregiver for my husband. For the last 21 years, Ron has taken care of me and he has spoiled

me immensely and now it is my turn. This new role has one major drawback. It's a 24 hour a day job. It's so in-

tense at this time that I cannot commit to anything else. I

am hoping that will change in time. We are fortunate that I have the time to commit. We sold the business just in

time and Ron did not get sick until every single detail re-garding the sale of the store was complete.

As I look back over the past few years, I can feel good

about my commitment to Zonta. I had an opportunity to

dig in and get involved in so many worthwhile projects. I

want to be able to have the opportunity to do more of those things again in the future. In the meantime, I am

grateful to Kate for so willingly taking over the reins for Zonta. I am grateful for all of you who have kept in touch

and for your continued prayers.

To all you seasoned members, my chest swells with pride

at all you continue to accomplish. To all you newbies, I guarantee that your commitment to the betterment of all

the women in our community and the world, will be the most rewarding choice you will ever make.

God bless you all and, please, make this day count. You never know what the future holds. I need to add how much I wanted to be with you on Thursday night. For Zon-tians, it's the "end" of an amazing year. For Ron and I, it's a "beginning" as Thursday is the day we start traveling home. Love to all....

Sincerely,

Diane Volden

2013 –2014 ZONTA BOARD

President: Diane Volden

Vice President: Kate Loging

Secretary: Kelly Fleming

Treasurer: Sara Sletten

Director: Shelley Schultz

Director: Vicki Young

LETTER FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT

We end the year with great accomplishment and

incredible momentum. As we celebrate, we need to continue looking forward to the years

ahead and being mindful of our sister Zontians and our impact as a Club. We want to be en-

gaging and strategic in our decision making but also have FUN and build lifelong relationships

along the way. In the coming months we will begin to

hear “Conviction, Commitment and Courage” coming from Zonta International. These words ring true on the local

level as well. It’s what’s needed to ensure the continued success of our club and Zonta International. We need to

continue sharing the information and impact that Zonta

International and our Club is having worldwide and in our community. The Zonta story is worth sharing!

My goal and the goal that has come out of our strategic

planning are to focus our resources to have greater impact. Members emphasized the importance of programming and

efforts related to Health and Safety and Education. We hope to do this through the international and visible, Zonta

Says NO campaign. We will continue to dialogue about

what this means for our club and the decisions we make moving forward.

Ultimately, I want us to ENJOY our time in Zonta, get to

know one another through service, social and program-ming. We are Zontians, making a local, national and inter-

national impact on the lives of women and girls. Celebrate your “Conviction, Commitment & Courage” to impacting

lives worldwide.

Kate Loging

R to L: Directors, Vicki Young & Shelley Schultz, Treasurer, Sara Sletten,

Secretary, Kelly Rosenberg, Vice President, Kate Loging, President, Diane Volden

Membership Committee 2013-2014: Judy Ringler Mountain, Chair, Sue Frost, Shelly

Schultz, Rhonda Drysdale, Deb Ikier

Our goal for membership this year 2013-2014 was 32 members

Installed 5 new members during the year and 6 new members at annual meeting, updated and

assigned mentors to new members.

Said goodbye to Rhonda Drysdale, Deb Ikier 4 years, Diane Volden 7 years, and Loretta Wolthius our friend.

2 Memberships drives held in May ( 11 attended) (3 attended ) 2nd one

Updated Club Roster for “members only” on website.

Created a prospective member list from members and WNO

Updated yellow folders added Zontion magazine and congratulation letter for 40 years of service to Zonta club

of Mankato.

Sent cards for friendship, recognition and birthdays as needed

Sent in classification sheet for new members and worked together with treasurer.

Awarded the yellow Zonta Star to recognize members: Barb Bergman, Kate Loging, Kelli Damlo, Kelly

Rosenberg, Judi Leibbrand, Sara Sletten and Kelli Damlo.

Recognized members who celebrated a Zonta Anniversary Year.

Recognized 4 members with Perfect attendance at annual meeting.

Confirmation of 4 Zonta members who have recruited two or more members between 1 June 2012 and 31 May

2014 and will be announced at International Conference Carol Lee, Shelley Schultz, Judy Ringler Mountain and

Kelli Damlo, our goal was to have 5 members Held a Bridal shower for our beautiful bride Kelly Fleming in August at Shelly Schultz Home.

Believe recognition equals motivation

We received gold award at District 7 conference for Membership

11 new members 2013-2014

3 prospective guests seriously considering joining 2014-2015

Membership Retention Total Membership June 2013-2014 27

New Membership for 2013-2014 +6

Members Ending June 1st 2014 -3 ________________________________________________

Total Membership end of May 2014 33

Total Membership June 1st, 2014 30

Submitted by:

Judy Ringler Mountain Membership Chair woman

Induction of Jana Larson!

President, Diane Volden, Jana Larson & Judy Ringler Mountain

Zonta Star Recipients!

Barb Bergman

Kate Loging

Kelli Damlo & Kelly Rosenberg

Judi Leibbrand

Sara Sletten

Kelli Damlo

Induction of Sara Pierce!

President, Diane Volden, Judy Ringler Mountain, & Sara Pierce

Program Committee 2013-2014: Judy Arzdorf, Chair, Judi Leibbrand, Karen Tetzloff, Pat

Will

First I would like to thank the members of the Program Committee who were so committed to attend-

ing both Committee and Program Meetings; I couldn’t have done it without all of our combined ef-

forts.

June: We began the year with a potluck at the home of Kelly Rosenberg with the committee providing meat and buns

for grilling. The evening began with a social time and then the 2013-2014 Committees met to begin planning for the

new year.

August: On August 8 Becky Zacharias, CADA’s Sexual Assault Program and Training Manager, spoke about trafficking in

Mankato and Minnesota.

October: October is United Nations month, so on October 24, Program Committee gave an overview of who Zonta In-

ternational is involved in the United Nations structure. The program then focused on women and women’s issues in

South Korea as well as UNESCO’s 9th Annual “International Leadership Training Program.” The speaker, Ina Pae, was an

international student from South Korea majoring in Gender and Women’s Studies and in International Relations; she was

also one of 70 students from around the world selected to attend the UNESCO leadership Training. A Korean meal was

served at the meeting.

December: The club chose to begin the Holiday Celebration by attending Merely Players’ “It’s a Wonderful Life – Live

Radio Play.” Following the play, Zontians and friends met at #4 for food and socialization.

January: The original January 16 date was postponed due to snow.

February: A combined Amelia Earhart and Strategic Planning meeting was held February 13 in place of the January

meeting. Zontians wore scarves in honor of Amelia and each shared trivia they had found in doing research on her. Bon-

nie Bennett then led the Strategic Planning portion of the meeting.

February: The originally planning Finishing Touches meeting

on February 20 was postponed and combined with the March

meeting due to snow.

March: “Finishing Touches,” our annual silent auction fund-

raiser to support the member education fund was held March

27 in conjunction with Service Committee. A “Chefs” theme

with a crock pot cookoff set the fun for the evening. Laura

Schultz, MSU’s Sexual Violence Coordinator, shared information

about the Women’s Center and the events that they host, many

of which are United Nations official “days.”

May: May is the annual meeting which will be held at Country

Inn and Suites. This will be a celebration of the past year and

installation of new officers.

June: Preliminary plans are in place Zonta’s annual picnic and

Committee organization meetings. We are currently scheduled

to meet at Riverfront Park with a catered meal by Massad’s.

The 2013-2014 Program Committee, ready for the Finishing Touches Crock Pot Cook-

off: Judi Leibbrand, Judy Arzdorf, Patricia Will, & Karen Tetzoff

Finance Committee 2013-2014

Tricia Stenberg and Carol Lee, Chairs, Sara Sletten, Bonnie Bennett, Julie Vetter

Civic Center volunteering – This past year we earned $510 by volunteering at the Civic Center that will go into the

2014-15 Membership Development Fund. It sounds like there won’t be as many opportunities at the civic center next

year, as they are starting to use their own staff.

Blooming Pretty – The 2013-14 Garden Tour profited $2,323.28 after expenses. Money was raised through sponsor-

ships, garden ticket sales and raffle tickets. This was about $217 less than last year.

Fashion Show – The 2013-14 Fashion Show raised $23,804 and after expenses, ended with a net of $14,250.73.

$10,000 was donated again to Open Door Health Center, $2,138 to operations, $1413 to Service and $700 to ZIF.

Zonta International Foundation – We donated a total of $1,200 to ZIF.

Membership Development – We had a total of $3,456 for membership development in 2013-14. $600 was spent to

send members to the District Conference in St. Louis. Finance committee recommended paying the total $45 registration

fee for all members who wanted to attend the April Area meeting. We had four members attend the Area meeting in

Bismarck, ND. Next year we will be using funds for the International Convention in Florida.

Finishing Touches – raised $648 this year. This was over $100 less than last year. Unfortunately it was rescheduled

from its original date due to weather.

Brag Bag – Last year the brag bag raised $579 for membership development. This year, we only raised $245.26. This

was a large drop.

Kayaking Fundraiser – The Finance committee planned an all-women’s kayaking trip on June 2, 2013 to raise money

for a STEM scholarship through South Center College and to help fund a STEM Girls Camp on June 20th put on by South

Central College. Ten women participated in the kayaking trip and our net total was $1,187. We donated $150 to fund

three girls to participate in the Girls Stem Camp at SCC and five Zontians volunteered at the camp. We also awarded an

$850 scholarship to a woman student at SCC studying in the STEM field. The scholarship recipient was chosen in April;

however she will not be awarded the funds until the fall. The committee has also planned the 2nd Annual Kayaking for a

Cause fundraiser, to be held on Sunday, June 1, 2014.

The finance committee worked very well together this year

and I extend a sincere thank you to Carol, Sara, Julie &

Bonnie.

Treasurer’s Report ~ Sara Sletten,

Treasurer Checking 16,069.31 (includes WNO funds)

Savings 3,219.95 Committees: Starting budget 3,368.79,

Spent: 1,879.69, Remaining: 1,488.60

Brag Bank Raised 245.26 Fashion Show Raised 14,250.73

Blooming Pretty Raised 2,323.28 Finishing Touches Raised 648

Kayaking Raised 1,187 Verizon Wireless Center Raised 510

Moondogs Raised 450

Kiwanis Lights 368.60 Service Donated 4,400

Preview of new year (minus % of remaining overall com-mittee budgets leftover):

Operations/commitee budgets: 3,197.02

Membership Development: 3,774.12 Service: 4,083.72

Operations: $1838.29

Membership: $450.00

Program: $485.00

Service: $250.00

PR: $345.00

Total: $3368.29

Budget requests recommended by finance and approved by membership:

The champagne toast after the Women on Water Kayak Fundraiser for STEM

Camps and a STEM Scholarship at SCC.

Public Relations Committee 2013-2014: Patricia Palm, Chair, Sara Pierce, Debbie Kolstad,

Kelly Rosenberg

This year the PR efforts included events and activities related to the following:

Zonta Garden

Postcard for recruiting

Women’s Kayaking Fundraiser

Blooming Pretty Garden Tour

“Glitz and Glam” Fashion Show

Clothesline Project

16 Days of activism “Change for Change”

Clothes Closet

Kiwanis Holiday Lights

Climb 2 Feed Kids

Pedal Past Poverty: Partners for Affordable Housing

Clothes Closet

Women’s Night Out

Friends of Zonta Newsletter sent out

We received public recognition in the Mankato Free Press, Entertainment Calendar, and via Facebook and mis-

cellaneous sources. Special press releases went out for the YWPA and Jane M. Klausman awards.

Newsletter editor Kelly Rosenberg was diligent in her duties and the newsletters were produced on a monthly basis. Copies were sent to Governor Kannard, Area Director Cheryl Retterath, and the D7 webmaster.

Zonta International Rose Day was celebrated with an announcement on Facebook. During the course of the annum our Website was updated.

We submitted articles to District and International. Our clothesline project and 16 Days of activism activity was

posted by ZI. The media contact file was updated as was our internal communications e-mail roster.

Judy Ringler Mountain, Jana Larson and Patricia Will with their winning Change

for Change jars.

A very chilly Zonta Club of Mankato setting up the Zonta Tree at the Kiwanis

Holiday in Lights

The freshly painted sign at the Zonta Garden, courtesy of Debbie Kolstad.

Service Committee 2013-2014: Barb Bergman, Chair, Kate Loging, Kathy Thielges, Vicki

Young, Kelli Damlo

Service Activities

Clothes Closet – Oct 8, Dec 10, Feb 11, April 8 – invited women served by CADA, Lifeworks, etc to shop at encore! Free of charge. Thanks to new encore owner Kim for continuing Clothes Closet.

Quilt - Craft Collective – We met for 4 Fridays in Nov/Dec, assembling a quilt with craft collective participants. Special

thanks to Judi Leibbrand and Kathy Thielges for their work on this project.

Habitat for Humanity housewarming baskets – 5 baskets were delivered to families moving into their new homes.

We hosted a Zonta Say No walk & luncheon in November (followed by tree decorating for Kiwanis Holiday Lights). Zonta

Says No shirt was donated to MSU clothesline project display against gender violence.

A Zonta team (wearing the Zonta Says No shirts) participated in the Climb 2 Feed Kids (Feeding our communities part-ners Backpack Food program), Pedal Past Poverty (Partners for Affordable Housing fka Theresa House), and several

Zontians ran and/or walked in the YWCA Girls on the Run in April.

We hosted a Service brunch on March 15 where we cut and tied fleece blankets. 12 blankets (and one comforter) were donated to CADA.

Food packing session at Backpack food program in April.

Donated personal care items for Project Community Connect in March.

Service Award Winners Bonnie Bennett for jumping in as a new member and facilitating 2 strategic planning sessions.

Judi Leibbrand for taking charge of the Craft Collective quilt project, representing Zonta on Women’s Night Out plan-

ning committee, and cheerfully helping with just about everything else.

Service money donated

CADA $500 YWPA Scholarship - Kelly Headington - $500

YWCA Girls on the Run $500 YWCA Ready to Learn program $450

YWCA Fall leadership conference scholar-

ships $450 Partners for Affordable Housing – Pedal Past

Poverty - $500 Surge self-confidence program for girls $500

Greater Mankato Diversity Council $200 Feeding our communities partners (FOCP)

Backpack food program – Climb 2 Feed Kids

$250 Harry Meyering Center $50

Zonta International ZIF (Fashion show money) $700

ZISVAW (Change for change) $266

Rose Fund $250 Amelia Earhart fellowship $250

Total donated $4965

Barb B, Pat W, Katy D, Karen T, Kate L, Sue F, Kelli D, & Kelli

R helping at the FOCP BackPack Food Program.

Sara S, Bonnie B, Barb B, Pat W, Kelly R, Kelli D, Julie V, Cathy T, with the help of some future

Zontians tied 12 fleece blankets that were donated to CADA.

Debbie K, Kelli D, Vicki Y, Judy M, Kelly R, Judy A, Pat W, Karen T, Jana L, Tricia S, Rhonda D, Shelley

S, Judi L, and Julie V holding up the quilt made for the Craft Collective.

YOUNG WOMEN IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS AWARD: Kelly Headington, Loyola High School, is the recipient of our $500 Young Woman in Public Affairs

for 2014.

Kelly is involved in many activities. In commenting on the status of women, Kelly wrote, “One of

the greatest areas that I’ve advocated for women’s status is in helping to lead a youth girls volley-ball camp at my school. I’ve come to realize that you don’t need to be in politics or out of college

to help women feel empowered and important. Even through sports girls can realize their poten-tial on and off the court.”

young

wom

en

public

aff

airs

Women’s Night Out – 2014

Are You Girl’s Out There All Alone? Women, Work and Being Wildly You

On April 28, 2014 over 135 women (and a handful of men) gathered at the Mankato City Center Hotel for the 14th Annual Women’s Night Out. This collaborative effort between Zonta, BPW and

WEB, provide those in attendance with the opportunity to connect with old friends and even to meet some new people while browsing the vendor boutique, enjoying some good food and enjoying the entertainment. We were fortunate to

have Chris Heeter and her dog TuuWeh, from The Wild Institute, as our speaker for the evening. Chris shared the paral-lels between working with a team of people and a team of sled dogs and gave us a humorous look at how to make

peace with our inner critic. During the festivities, we also celebrated and honored the contributions of three women

through the Yellow Rose Award. This year’s recipients were our very own Sue Frost, Kelly Hulke from BPW and Pamela Demarce from WEB. This year we anticipate being able to give at least $1000 to the YWCA for their newly expanded

girls programs. This year’s committee was Karen Tetzloff, representing WEB and Zonta; Judi Leibbrand, representing Zonta; Holly Anthony, from WEB; Heather Thielges and Jackie Derner, from BPW and Nancy Goodwin. The entire com-

mittee would like to thank all who helped support the event as a sponsor, vendor or attendee – without you this event

would not be possible. Can’t wait to see you next year.

Congratulations Service Award Winners

Bonnie Bennett for jumping in as a new member and facilitating 2 strategic planning sessions.

Judi Leibbrand for taking charge of the Craft Collective quilt project,

representing Zonta on Women’s Night Out planning committee, and

cheerfully helping with just about everything else.

Year of Sue Frost! Women of Distinction Honoree and

Zonta Yellow Rose Recipient

Congratulations to our Zister, Sue Frost! Susan is an amazing

woman with a free spirit who has been providing health education

for diverse cultures of women, children and infants most of her life.

She is a born leader who has held many leadership positions and

eagerly takes on challenges as they arise.

Her lifelong mission is educating, promoting health and being an

active member of the Zonta Club of Mankato. She has served two

terms as President as well as secretary and board member. In

2005 she received the Zontian of the Year Award in recognition of

her service in the community.

Karen Tetzlof pinning the yellow rose on Honoree Sue Frost at Women’s

Night Out.

Bonnie Bennett, Service Award Winner 2014

Judi Leibbrand, Service Award Winner 2014

Glitz and Glam Fashion Show

~Co-Chairs - Kelli Damlo and Kelly Rosenberg

Glitz and Glam: Being your Best Self was this year’s theme for the fashion show, and it was fun to see every-

one dressed up in their cocktail dresses and suits! The colors were gold and black and the models were peo-

ple in the community that are being their best self. This year we decided to team up to chair the event be-

cause it’s grown to be such a large production. We even got a cute nickname, K2! A new addition to the

show was the Candid Shots Photo Booth. Lots of fun pictures were taken and are available online.

Total money raised from the 2013 Fashion Show was $23,804. After expenses, our net profit was $14,250.73. The club

voted to donate $10,000 to Open Door Heath Center, and we were very excited to deliver that check to the Board of

Directors. The club voted to divide the rest of the money up and give $2,138 to operations, $1,413 to Service and $700

to ZIF.

THANK YOU to EVERYONE that helped out with the show! It’s a lot of work and we heard many comments from the

guests that they couldn't believe such a small group made it happen! Good luck next year to Kate Loging and Karen

Tetzloff, we’ll even let you use K2!

There are a lot of pictures online from Red Shoe, Candid Shots Photo Booth and Sport Pix. The links to the pictures are:

http://redshoe.zenfolio.com/p542085015 - Password is Glitz and Glam

http://www.candidshotsphotobooth.com/event-photo-gallery.html

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/thumbpage.aspx?e=9075542

Bonnie B, Carol L, Judi L, Tricia S, and Deb I at the

Women on Water Kayak Fundraiser.

Diane Volden, Patricia Palm and Shelley Schultz selling Zonta Says

No t-shirts at the District 7 Convention in St. Louis.

Going for the Gold! When the club awards were given out at the District 7 Convention in St. Louis, every committee in the Zonta Club of Mankato was given the Gold

Award! The Zonta Club of Mankato was the only club in the district that achieved Gold for every committee.

Exciting Things in 2013-2014!

A Memorial Day Tricia Stenberg won’t forget!

Evan Andrew Stenberg joined the family on May 27, 2013! Kelly Fleming became Kelly Rosenberg in October 2013! A bridal shower

was held at Shelley Schultz’s home.

In Memoriam

Loretta Mae Wolthuis

Loretta Mae Wolthuis, age 73, of Mankato, died Wednesday, July 3, 2013,

surrounded by her family and friends at Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Man-

kato.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 8, 2013, at Christ

the King Lutheran Church in Mankato with Pastor John Petersen officiating.

Burial will be in Woodland Hills Memorial Park in Mankato. Visitation will be

held from 3 - 5 p.m., Sunday at Northview - North Mankato Mortuary 2060

Commerce Drive, North Mankato and continue one hour before the service at

the church on Monday. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Christ

the King Lutheran Church or the donor's choice.

Loretta was born May 26, 1941 to Lester and Erma (Thorborg) Clausen in

Holstein, IA. After high school Loretta graduated from University of Northern Iowa in 1963 with her Bachelor of Arts de-

gree in Home Economics. She started her teaching career in the Humboldt Community Schools in IA, Blue Earth Schools,

and North Mankato Junior High. She received her Masters Degree from Mankato State University in Home Economics.

She was a Professor Mankato State for 26 years in the Home Economics Department and was also its Department Chair

for many years. Loretta was united in marriage to Marven Wolthuis on August 5, 1967 in Holstein, IA.

Loretta was involved in many community service organizations including Zonta, PEO, HEIH, and Delta Kappa Gamma.

She was an active member of Christ the King Lutheran Church. Loretta was honored to receive the YWCA "Women of

Distinction" in 2000.

Loretta loved to garden, travel, sewing, needlepoint, collecting snowmen, and spending time with family especially her

grandchildren and friends.

She is survived by her daughter, Karla (Roger) Fiori of Grimes, IA; grandchildren, Merideth and Austin; mother, Erma

Clausen of Holstein, IA; sister Rhonda Clausen; brother, James Clausen, nieces and nephews.

Shelley & Diane lit candles for Loretta at a

memorial at the District 7 Convention in St. Louis.

Loretta and Kate at the Fashion Show 2012

Diane, Loretta’s Sister, Rhonda, and Loretta at the

Annual Meeting 2013

Program Committee at Finishing Touches, 2013