What is an e-Club?

What is an e-Club?  – Cindy Phillips
How many of you have been hearing the term e-Club for several years now but are still scratching your head trying to figure out how they function and fit in the Zonta world?  A few years ago, that was me trying to understand the difference between a traditional club and an e-Club.  Now that I have it figured out I would like to help others understand and support e-Clubs.

The main difference between a traditional club and an e-Club is that e-Clubs hold their meetings electronically.  Holding electronic meetings is a huge benefit for many busy members.  It allows them time flexibility, while they can still participate in meetings in the comfort of their own chosen location. Zoom.us is a great tool where members can see each other, share documents, participate with Q&A with a speaker and learn new ideas during electronic meetings. Meetings can be recorded which allows those not able to attend to watch at a later time so they do not miss out on club activities.

Members can learn about new technology that may help in their chosen professions.   Closed Facebook Groups are another popular tool for e-Club communication.  Another difference is that e-Clubs are required to have one face-to-face meeting a year, this is usually held at a District or Area meeting.
e-Clubs and traditional clubs are alike in many ways, they both support the mission of Zonta International, they pay the same ZI and District dues and perform local service and advocacy projects.  They also support the Zonta International Foundation projects and have fundraising events. Fellowship events like book clubs or movie night allow members to build friendships and networks.  Members can be from within the same geographic area, state, district, country or be international.  Like traditional clubs, e-Club members accept leadership roles that promote service and advocacy.
Service and Advocacy projects for e-Clubs are similar to traditional projects.  Delivering personal care items to local domestic violence shelters in each member’s community, or sponsoring a clothing drive for homeless or low-income women.  Advocating for stricter human-trafficking laws in the states we live in or providing rack cards at local businesses on how to detect domestic violence and get help, are examples of how e-Club members can impact a community’s needs.
There are currently seven e-Clubs: Uruguay1, USA1, Silicon Valley, Mississauga, Finland1, Phillippines1, USA2.  Four e-Clubs are in formation: Canada1 (Sponsored by District 8) USA4, USA5 (Sponsored by District 8) and Bavaria.
You now have a better idea of how e-Clubs function and impact women’s lives. If you know of someone that shares Zonta’s mission but unable to attend traditional club meetings, find out if they have an interest in learning more about an e-Club.  Both myself and Lt. Governor Jeanie Martin would like to hear from you.

Submitted by:
Cindy Phillips
Zonta International Membership Committee, Coordinator for e-Clubs District 8 e-Club Chair