2019 D4 Centennial Conference Schedule

Countdown to this Biennium’s Centennial Conference

Buffalo has many attractions to offer from Canalside, the Outer Harbor, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin Martin House, Shopping, Albright Knox Art Gallery, Burchfield Penney Art Gallery etc. for you to see during Friday afternoon and Saturday.

Visit: Buffalo Business & Architecture and Things to See & Do and Explore Buffalo to locate tours of various sites of interest around the city.

The Conference Committee will be happy to help you find things that are of interest to you.  We hope you will enjoy your time in Buffalo!

The following schedule may be altered to accommodate additional information and necessary changes.  

Check back in prior to Conference to review revised schedule and the schedule listing in registrations bags!

 

Thursday, September 26, 2019

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8:15 AM – 5:30 PM

Depart from Hyatt Hotel Lobby

Seneca Falls Tour – Modified Tour in car caravan for pre-registered participants only.

Tour Guide Gail Willsky

Tour to Seneca Falls and Lunch

Depart the Hotel at 8:30 AM Thursday, Sept 26th. Modified Tour in car caravan for pre-registered participants only.

We will see the film in the Friends of Women’s Rights National Historical Park https://www.nps.gov/wori/index.htm  and the Wesleyen Chapel where the Declaration of Sentiments was signed in 1848  and also visit the National Women’s Hall of Fame https://www.womenofthehall.org  to which Marian de Forest was inducted in 2001.

Includes lunch at the Parkers Grill & Tap House https://www.parkersgrille.com.

After lunch, there is time to shop on the main street of this quaint town or revisit the Museum to see the exhibits. Seneca Falls is the model for Bedford Falls in the film “It’s a Wonderful Life” and there is a museum dedicated to this film  https://www.wonderfullifemuseum.com that can be visited.

Tea and coffee will be available after lunch at Parker’s Grille House until the Bus departs at 4 PM.

Contact Gail Willsky for more information

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6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Sun Garden Room

International Reception

 

Meet our Zonta International Liaison, Judy Gorton, ZC of Perth Inc. Australia

The Thursday night International Reception is an opportunity to mingle with other Zonta members and meet our International Director, Judy Gorton.  The Reception will be held in the Regency’s Sun Garden Room set with low tables/chairs, and high tables to chat and mingle. There will also be a few couches in the room and cash bar to make it just a little more comfortable.  This reception, and not dinner, is scheduled from 6 PM to 9 PM and will offer food such as Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki, Greek Salad, Caprese Salad, Italian Meats Calzone, etc.

Judy Gorton’s Bio 

A committed Zontian for 30 years, Judy has served as governor, lieutenant governor, area director and club president.

Graduating with a Bachelor of Education, Judy has always been a passionate advocate for education and early learning. After a career change, Judy joined the State Public Service where she remained for 28 years until her retirement in 2017. As an experienced senior executive working in both the corporate world and the not-for-profit sector, Judy held positions of chief of staff and principal adviser to four Ministers in the West Australian Government with portfolios in women’s interests, early education, child protection, community services and volunteering.

Judy’s personal interests include spending time with family—particularly her two young grandsons—travel, politics and lifelong learning. 

Friday, September 27, 2019

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9:00 am–12:00 Pm

Depart from the Hyatt Hotel Lobby at 8:45 AM

Friday Morning Buffalo Tour

Tour Guide Gail Willsky

Discover the places of interest to Marian de Forest, the founder of Zonta.

The tour will stop at the Statler Hotel, where it all began, for a photo op at the plaque commemorating the site where Zonta was started.  A specially prepared tour of Forest Lawn Cemetery https://www.forest-lawn.com highlighting important women residents will follow,  before laying a wreath on the grave of Marian de Forest.

The tour returns to the hotel by approximately noon.

Space is limited to 30 people.  Participants need to be registered by August 1st for the tour to be held.  If canceled money will be refunded.

Cost: USD 24 (not included in Conference Fee.)

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1:00 PM-3:00 PM

Regency Room A

Zonta Store & Amelia Earhart Basket Raffle

Zonta Shopping Opportunities

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1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Grand Ballroom Hallway

Registration & Credentials

Credential Information

Credentials Information for Delegates, Alternates & Elected Board Members 

From Credentials Chair Phyllis Dickinson 

It is necessary that all delegates and alternates report to the Credentials Table immediately after registering. You will be given any information and materials needed. There will be a short meeting of all delegates and alternates Friday afternoon from 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm in the Grand Ballroom. 

Each Delegate’s vote represents the best option for her club. Her vote should reflect her discussion of the issues with her members at their September meeting as well as whatever new information is presented at Conference. 

2017 64th D4 Conference Registration

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2:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Grand Ballroom D South

Delegate & Alternate Meeting

Attendance Necessary. General Information

2017 64th D4 Conference Delegates & Alternates

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2:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Grand Ballroom D North

First-Timers’ Meeting

Attendance Necessary. General Information.

2017 64th D4 Conference First-Timer’s Meeting

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2:30 PM – 2:45 PM

Grand Ballroom

Candidates’ Meeting

Attendance Necessary. General Information.
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2:45 PM

Grand Ballroom D - G

Assembly – Conference Attendee Seating & Flag Entry Parade

2017 64th D4 Conference Parade of Flags

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3:00 PM - 5:50 PM

Grand Ballrooms D - G

1st Business Session

2017 64th D4 Conference Business

Hyatt Grand Ballroom

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7:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Grand Ballroom Hallway

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7:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Grand Ballroom D - G

Receiving Line

Dinner & Cash Bar

Hyatt Regency Ballroom

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8:30 PM - 10:00 PM

Grand Ballroom D - G

Evening Entertainment

Eat & Laugh (Diva by Diva)

DIVA by DIVA: A Celebration of Women

Entertainment will be a special performance by  O’Connell and Company of Diva by Diva with 5 Zontians in the cast.

O’Connell & Company’s award-winning original hit celebrates its 18th year (or is it our 19th? … a DIVA never reveals her age!) as WNY’s longest-running theatrical production!

http://oconnellandcompany.com/site/diva-by-diva/  for more information about our entertainers.

Bring a guest to dinner and entertainment for USD 55.

Hyatt Regency Ballroom

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10:30 PM - 11:45 PM

Hospitality Suite

Relax & Converse

Saturday, September 28, 2019

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7:00 AM–8:30 AM

Hyatt Hotel or area restaurants

Breakfast on you own

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7:00 AM–8:30 AM

Mezzanine

Registration & Credentials

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7:00 AM–8:30 AM

Regency Room A

Zonta Store & Basket Raffle

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8:00 AM - 8:10 AM

Niagara Room

District Board Voting

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8:10 AM - 8:20 AM

Niagara Room

Delegate Voting

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8:00 AM–12:00 PM

Grand Ballroom D - G

2nd Business Session

2017 64th D4 Conference Meeting

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12:00 PM–1:00 PM

Grand Ballroom D - G

Buffet Lunch

2017 64th D4 Conference Saturday Lunch

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1:00 PM-2:45 PM

Grand Ballroom Regency B, C, Niagara

3rd Business Session

2017 64th D4 Business Session

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2:45 PM - 3:00 PM

Break

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3:00 PM-4:00 PM

Regency A

Workshops

2017 64th D4 Breakout Meetings

WORKSHOP 1: ACHIEVING GENDER EQUALITY

Presenters & Facilitators: D4 Advocacy Committee of Kyle Patterson, Lee Fogarty, Julie Brown, Connie Deckert, and Margaret Greare. 

How are clubs advocating for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in District 4?  Come prepared to discuss your favorite projects, ideas and ways we can work together across clubs and areas, as a district.

Regency Room B

WORKSHOP 2: INVIGORATING YOUR CLUB!

Presenter: Ann Marie West, Area 6 Director

Is your club working together to its fullest potential?  Do you look forward to meetings? When prospective members walk in the door is the atomosphere welcoming or is there palpable tension? Does everyone sit by the same people at every meeting and are there little cliques? Is your meeting dragging on and on without learning anything?

Each club has their own unique culture.  Before your club is in crisis and members leave for “little things” that add up over time, figure out what works for your club and what doesn’t any longer.  Learn how to assess your club culture and strategies to improve the flow of your meetings.

Regency Room C

WORKSHOP 3: ZONTA CLUB LIFECYCLE - SURVIVING TO THRIVING

Presenter: Janice Durmis, Lt. Governor & D4 Membership Chair

In a time when our membership is declining, we need to strive to thrive.

This workshop will give participants an insight into where their club fits into the Zonta Lifecycle.  Participants will gain information on who will help them and be given tools, communication skills and fundamentals to take their club from Surviving to Thriving.

Niagara Room

WORKSHOP 4: ZONTA WEBSITE NAVIGATION - FRUSTRATED TO CONFIDENT.

Presenters: Sandra Cronk & Sheena Poole, D4 Communication Committee & Kathleen Douglass, ZI Leadership Development Program Chair.

This workshop will adapt to a participant’s website experience. D4 Communications and facilitators will help you navigate ZI & D4 web pages, Leadership Program modules, and guide you to areas of information.

Write down and submit your question(s) or area of concern when registering.

Don’t forget to bring your charged laptop or tablet for an engaging hands-on workshop and leave confident to navigate the ZI and D4 websites. 

Class Learning levels

Level 1 – Working through the login in process, change passwords, basic areas of ZI & D4 websites. Lead by Sandra Cronk.

Level 2 – Refresh and continue; building from Spring Workshop to familiarize with the sites and build confidence. Time permitting, submitting content to ZI & D4. Lead by Sheena Poole.

Level 3 – Accessing Zonta Leadership Program information & modules. Lead by Kathleen Douglass & Lori Robinson. “This session will introduce the Zonta Leadership Development Program to you and how it can enhance your Zonta knowledge, and explain where to find the myriad and plentiful resources available to you and your club. You will leave feeling more confident in accessing personal, professional and Zonta development resources and tools.”

Ballroom D South End

 

 

More information to be released.

WORKSHOP 5: THE MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE FUND...

Presenter: Mary Yunker, D4 Historian/Archivist

An Expanded (and sometimes funny) look at our history.  We go beyond the usual 5 minutes of highlights or one page press release.

Grand Ballroom D North End 

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4:00 PM-5:00 PM

Grand Ballroom Regency B, C, Niagara

3rd Business Session Continued

2017 64th D4 Business Session

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5:00 PM–6:30 PM

Regency Room A

Zonta Store & Amelia Earhart Basket Raffle

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6:30 PM-7:30 PM

Grand Ballroom Foyer

Cocktail Reception

Nellie Brown, Harpist

Nellie Brown, MS, CIH, is the Director of Workplace Health and Safety Programs for the Worker Institute at Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. A certified industrial hygienist, biologist and chemist, Nellie provides on-site training and technical assistance services in a wide range of occupational safety and health matters including workplace exposure to chemicals, biological agents, ergonomics, occupational stress, shift-work and long hours of work, crisis and violence prevention, hazard analysis techniques, and indoor air quality for employers, labor unions, and the public. For further information, see: www.ilr.cornell.edu/healthsafety Nellie studied the harp under Suzanne Thomas, Principal Harpist (now retired) for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. She has played the traditional harp for over 40 years. Nellie is a member of the American Harp Society, the International Society of Folk Harpers and Craftsmen, and the Historical Harp Society. Her traditional harp is an Aberdeen Meadows Concert Harp by William Rees Instruments. Nellie is a past President of the Zonta Club of Buffalo where she has been a member since 1987.

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7:30 PM-9:00 PM

Grand Ballroom D - G

Gala Dinner

Mistress of Ceremony, Jacquie Walker

Jacquie Walker, Channel 4 anchor and reporter, will be the Master of Ceremonies for the Centennial Gala Banquet on Saturday, September 28 at the Hyatt Hotel. She will weave her own experiences and observations during her 40 year career as a woman in the communications field into the story of Zonta and its role for women in business and service. 

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9:00 PM

Grand Ballroom D - G

Gala Evening Entertainment

Entertainment - Ladies First Jazz Big Band

Enjoy an evening with other Zontians and guests, while listening and dancing to this year’s award-winning Big Band.

LADIES FIRST JAZZ BIG BAND AWARDED: Best Jazz Big Band, Best Jazz Large Ensemble Most Memorable Jazz Performance (with the Buffalo Dolls), from the 2019 5th Annual JazzBuffaloPoll. 

The Ladies First Big Band is a 16-pc. all-female group formed by bassist Jennifer May. The band had its roots in a six-piece ensemble started in 1994.

Visit https://www.jmayproductions.com/ladies-first-jazz/ for more information.

Bring a guest for dinner & entertainment for USD65.

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After Gala -11:45 PM

Hospitality Suite

Relax and Converse

Sunday, September 29, 2019

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7:45 AM–8:30 AM

Niagara Room

Memorial Service

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8:15 AM–9:00 AM

Regency Room A

Zonta Store & Amelia Earhart Basket Raffle

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8:30 AM–9:00 AM

Grand Ballroom D - G

Breakfast Buffet

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9:00 AM–12:00 PM

Grand Ballroom D - G

4th Business Session

2017 64th D4 Acknowledging Club Achievements

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11:45 AM

2016 -2018 District 4

Z Club Award

Central Peel Secondary School

Conference Closing Ceremonies

Recalling the 2017 64th D4 Conference.

Will you be in this year’s Conference pictures?

 

2016 -2018 District 4

International Director, Judith Anderson

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12:15 PM-1:15 PM

Niagara Room

D4 Board & Committee Chairs Lunch Meeting