2018 – 2020 DISTRICT POSITIONS

NOMINATIONS SLATE

Governor: Bonnie Clesse has been a member of the Zonta Club of Hamburg – Orchard Park for 14 years. Before serving as the current Lt. Governor, she also served as Area 4 Director, District Chair or Co-Chair of United Nations (2004 – 2010), Advocacy – UN Liaison, Awards, Membership & Centennial committees. At the Club level, she has held positions as President, Vice President and on the Board of Directors & as Chair of various committees.

Bonnie’s second career was Town Recreation Director where she was responsible for creating & keeping within a budget; designing programs; publicizing them; hiring, training & supervising staff that would support sports, concert series, summer camp and community events. However, her college degree in education & math prepared her to be a teacher, her first career – which she thoroughly enjoyed … just as she appreciates the opportunities to volunteer & serve.

Bonnie appreciates Zonta and her other organizations as valuable sources of opportunities to learn, grow and give back. But she loves, and is proud of her husband and her family of 4 grown children first of all.

As Lt. Governor, Bonnie has learned a lot from Governor’s Lori’s mentoring and help from many others – especially as ZI’s District 4 Membership Chair & Centennial Chair. If elected, she’d like to focus on expanding our membership by supporting members’ direct efforts plus increasing Zonta’s name and mission recognition through media. While celebrating our ZI Centennial will be enjoyable, it also provides us with an excellent platform to enable us to accomplish these goals. In our Centennial Committee, we are already working to give you a fantastic Centennial experience.

In her own words: the best part of Zonta is working with wonderful people to have an impact: to improve conditions & lives both locally & globally. Meeting & making friends with such a variety of fascinating women from all over the world & then, together accomplishing changes has enriched my life.

Lt. Governor: Janice Durmis has been an 8-year member of the Zonta Club of Corry; has most recently served as Area 5 Director from 2016 to the present with experience as Club Secretary, Club President and Club Committees Chair.

With a productive and rewarding career in nursing prior to making the choice to focus on her family, she has also helped to manage her husband’s private practice for over twenty years.

Married with two sons, Joshua 24, and Jacob 16, Janice has served on several boards holding various positions.

Janice would like District 4 to be more visible in all local clubs; with all clubs represented at the District level. Communication is key! She would like membership to increase and encourage club members to experience Zonta on the Area, District and International level. Lead by example. Commitment is key. She would like to improve club visibility in the community we serve.

In her words: Zonta has increased my awareness of my world through our service and advocacy projects. I have broadened my knowledge and skills serving as Area Director. I have enjoyed Zonta for so many reasons. The friendships are special and rewarding. I enjoy meeting and getting to know people from other states and countries. There are many people who have never heard of Zonta. I love to explain who and what we are. But, most importantly I have come to truly believe Zonta’s mission is righteous and necessary, locally and internationally.

Treasurer: Roxanne Rapedius of the Brampton-Caledon club who has been a member of Zonta for 4 years. Currently serving as District 4 Treasurer, Roxanne has served as Vice-President for the Zonta Club of Oakville.

Roxanne is a Clinical Liaison with Indivior Canada Ltd., who actively partners with health care professionals to successfully introduce and promote medical product requiring paradigm shift in treating a serious chronic relapsing medical condition called Opioid Use Disorder. She in on the Hamilton Grant Review Team, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Public Appointment Secretariat. She volunteers with the Bob Kemp Hospice in Hamilton as a Grief Activity Facilitator for Camp Erin and as a Grief and Bereavement Support Worker for the Hospice. Roxanne completed a Bachelor of General Arts at the University of Ottawa, the Basic Accreditation Course at the Council for Continuing Pharmaceutical Education (CCPE), the Addiction Program at McMaster University in Hamilton and Trauma Counselling on the Online Counselling College based in Alberta.

Roxanne would continue instilling the processes and protocols of Treasurer 101 and Risk Management and supporting all club treasurers and presidents in District 4.

In her own words: all members are very passionate in empowering women and young girls through service and advocacy. As the District 4 Treasurer, it has been very rewarding helping clubs with their Risk Management and Treasurer processes and protocols.

Area 1 Director: Brenda Graham is a 16-year member of the Kitchener-Waterloo Club and currently serves as Club President. Previous to this role, she was the D4 Secretary for 2012-2014 with elected Club roles which included two years as Treasurer, four years as a Director, and two years President.

Brenda retired from TD Canada Trust three and a half years ago, after a 37-year career in banking, the last twenty years as bank manager. She enjoyed the leadership role which allowed her to develop business plans, hire and manage her team of sales people and provide optimal service to clients. Since retirement she has keeping busy with Zonta roles, and as a community volunteer including Canadian Cancer Society, Leadership Waterloo Region and of course our Zonta service projects.

Brenda is a very committed individual; she will roll up her sleeves and always dig in to accomplish goals. She is very compassionate, and helpful and tries to make a difference in the lives of people she meets. She would like to see the clubs in Area 1 share more about their successes and struggles, and collaborate and team together to achieve even more than we can do individually. It’s key that we know about the other clubs in the district, but starting out by understanding the clubs in our area is a first step.

In her own words: being a member of Zonta has opened my eyes to issues impacting women around the world. I’m proud that our fundraisers support causes close and far away, and help empower women. Our birthing kit project has created 14,000 kits that help women have healthy births. I am proud to be a Zontian and advocate and promote the good work and projects that we do at our club and around the world.

Area 2 Director: Karen Grant is a 6-year member of the Zonta Club of Oakville and currently serves as President and on the District 4 Leadership Development Committee. She has been the Vice-President and Club Secretary.

Karen is currently a VP of International Solutions where she supports and introduces products in Canada, Europe, UK and Australia. She enjoys working and helping groups improve and meet their goals. Karen has lots of experience doing this in her career and has taken this approach in her current President position. She believes she can use her learnings from work and her Zonta roles to bring best practices across the chapters in this role.

In her own words: I have learned in Zonta that much can be accomplished with a few, as long as the passion is there to achieve the goals.

Area 2 Director: Haydee Kocchiu is a member of the Zonta e-Club of Canada 1 and has been a member of Zonta since 2008 when she joined the Zonta Club of Brampton. Currently serving as District 4 Secretary, Haydee has been President of the Zonta Club of Brampton-Caledon 2014-2016 and also held various positions on the Board: President-Elect, Director, and Interim Treasurer.

Haydee holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Toronto with specialty in Operations Research, Management Science and Environmental Engineering. Before retiring in 2014, she held leadership positions at various private and public organizations for 30 years. Responsibilities were cybersecurity with disaster recovery, business continuity, training, service management and metrics as areas of focus.

Her goal as Area Director is that the clubs in the Area work as a team in advocating on women’s issues, retaining and increasing membership and advancing the status of women through service projects. Particularly, she looks forward to working with the clubs in Area 2 to: Encourage support of Zonta International’s biennium goals Strengthen strategic planning efforts Improve the communication network among district officers and club presidents Broaden collaboration with like-minded organizations in service programs

In her own words: in my years and many roles within my club and my participation in conferences, conventions and workshops I feel I have developed a stronger understanding of the management and administration of Zonta International and of our local club. I also have gained a raised awareness of the many obstacles for advancement women worldwide face daily and of the need for advocating and educating others about women’s issues. As a member I most enjoyed networking with the Zontians I met while participating in events held in cities around the world.

Area 2 Director: Nita McCown has been a member of Zonta Club of Toronto for 11 years serving in the Toronto Club as Club President, Secretary, Treasurer and Committees Chair.

With 13 years as Sales Account Manager with ProSource Wholesale Floors, Nita has previously worked as Marketing & Membership Director of Carpet One Canada, and Executive Director of Floorcovering Institute of Ontario (not-for-profit association). Nita has strong leadership and organizational skills.

Nita would continue to work with the Area Presidents on projects that can be accomplished as an Area. She wants to get more club members out to Area events and bring a great understanding of and sense of belonging to Zonta beyond the club level and create more public awareness of Zonta in Area 2.

In her own words: I have learned that it is not always about me and what I think is right for the club. I really enjoyed working with other Area Presidents on the Zonta Says No Award and working with White Ribbon on their walkathon.

Area 3 Director:

Area 4 Director: Gina Orsini has been a member of the Zonta Club of Cheektowaga - Lancaster since 1998 and has been elected as Club President, Board member and Committees Chair.

Gina works as a Sr. HR Business Partner with Chart Industries, Inc., Amherst, NY which is a global manufacturer of highly engineered equipment servicing end market applications in Energy, Industry, Life Sciences and Respiratory Healthcare. She enjoys cooking and trying new foods as well as traveling. Cruising is her favorite vacation because she loves waking up in a new country each morning and dreams of a world cruise when she retires. As a liaison between the district board and each club, Gina would like to accomplish an increased awareness of Zonta in our communities as well as an increase in membership. In her own words: we each have a different “WHY” we joined Zonta and knowing each other’s why can help us connect to each other and new prospective members. I most enjoy when we travel and gather together at district conference and international conventions. It brings Zonta alive for me. I’ve learned that together we can achieve more than any one of us can accomplish alone.

Area 4 Director: Ann Marie West joined the Zonta Club of Batavia-Genesee County in 2008. She has served the local club on their board as a director, recording secretary, vice-president and president. For the 2016-2018 biennium, Ann Marie is a Foundation Ambassador for District 4. Ann Marie graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Linguistics, worked as an Information Technology Director for a financial institution, owned her own business for several years and is currently an Animal Control Officer for the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, where she, along with her partner, manage the daily operations of the municipal animal shelter. Ann Marie has gone to the International Convention in Orlando and the North American Inter-District Meeting in Washington, DC.

Area 5 Director: Diane A Balaban has been a member of the Zonta Club of Olean for 10 years and has served as President with elected positions as a Board member and appointed as a Committee Chair.

Diane has been employed full time by BOCES for almost 20 years as a classroom aide; employed part time for almost 12 years by Olean General Hospital in Patient Access/registration. She has 2 married sons and 4 grandchildren with one more on the way.

Diane would like to see Area 4 continue its great work.

In her own words: I have enjoyed meeting so many fantastic and diverse women. It has also been wonderful experiences helping those in need.

Area 6 Director:

Nominating Committee: Jill P. Colburn has been a 17-year member of the Zonta Club of Jamestown and currently serves as the club Nominating Committee Chair. Her previous positions are Club President 2015-2017; President-Elect 2013-2015; Vice President 2011-2013; Vice President 2003-2005; District Treasurer 2008-2012; and District Finance Chair 2012-present.

Jill works as the Director of Financial Aid at Jamestown Community College in Jamestown, NY and has worked at JCC in Financial Aid since 2011. She loves working with students to help them with their financial plan to achieve their educational goals. Jill lives in Bemus Point, New York with her husband and two teenaged sons. In her spare-time she enthusiastically supports her boys as they run Cross Country; loves to cycle with her husband, and spend as much time as possible boating on Chautauqua Lake.

In her own words: I would like to work with the nominating committee to find the most qualified candidates to serve on the District 4 board.

Nominating Committee: Nancy L McCulloch has been a member of the Zonta Club of Rochester for 27 years and holds the current position of 2016-2018 District 4 Amelia Earhart Co-Chair and Rochester Club Treasurer. Her previous positions in Zonta (elected or appointed include: District 4 Amelia Earhart Co-Chair 6 years (including 16-18), District 4 Legislative Awareness and Advocacy Co-Chair for 10 years, District 4 Area 4 Director, Past Club President (2x), Vice President, Treasurer (6+yrs), Secretary, Club Officer (16+ yrs), and Club nominating committee 4+years.

Nancy has worked at HCR Home Care in Rochester, NY for 35 years. HCR is the largest home care agency in Upstate NY serving 22 counties. She is currently the contract manager and is responsible for pricing and negotiating contracts with over 200 insurance companies, subcontractors and other home care related vendors. Growing up near Seneca Falls, NY where

the Women’s Rights Movement got its start and now living in Rochester, close to where Susan B Anthony lived, Nancy has always been drawn to women’s issues.

Nancy wants to be instrumental in working with the nominating committee in seeking out qualified candidates to fill District 4 leadership positions knowing how important those positions are for our continued growth and success within Zonta.

In her own words: I certainly have a better understanding of the issues that affect women and how my involvement in Zonta truly has a global impact. I learned early on that Zonta really is where we can learn leadership skills, make mistakes and have the support of its members to help move us forward. I have enjoyed the diversity of members and creating strong friendships.

Nominating Committee: Lori Robinson has served as Governor 2016-2018, Lt. Governor, Area Director, and on the District 4 board as Amelia Earhart Fellowship Committee co-chairman. For two biennia, Lori has been privileged to be the Z and Golden Z Clubs International Committee chairman. 2012-2014, 2014-2016.

Lori is a newly retired Human Resources - Health and Safety Manager and has been responsible for the effective planning, organizing, directing and analyzing of the operations for the companies she has worked with in her career. Working in human resources her function has also encompasses organization design and development recruitment, training and development, performance management and health and safety.

District 4 is a large geographic area and she has currently visited 22 of the 36 clubs on one or more occasions in the last three years. Lori has enjoyed working on area worships for two biennia and has had the privilege to facilitate a few workshops. She feels her knowledge of the district and her skills and passion for Zonta will be of service to District 4. Lori and her husband, Garry, have lived in the Caledon area for 33 years where they raised their two sons. Her family has always supported her community volunteer work and participated in many events.

Nominating Committee: Mary Jane Wajmer has been a member for 10 years of the Zonta Club of Buffalo Club. Her previous roles include: Club VP, Club President, and Area 4 Director.

Mary Jane is a retired Marketing Director for Business First – weekly business newspaper.

Mary Jane would like to select candidates for positions that will carry Zonta’s mission in the future.

In her own words: What she has learned in Zonta or most enjoyed as a member? Working with women with like interests and passion for making the world a better place for women. Forming great friendships.

Nominating Committee: Mary Yunker is a 30-year member of the Zonta Club of Batavia-Genesee County and currently is serving with Vivian Cody for the District 4 Archives and Centennial History Project. Her previous positions in Zonta (elected or appointed): CLUB – Corresponding Secretary, Vice President, President, Treasurer, and Board of Directors. DISTRICT – Amelia Earhart Committee Co-Chair and Director of Area 4.

In the International records Mary is listed as - Managing Supervisors (Sales and Service) nec 3399. She graduated from the NYS College at Brockport and is currently retired after working for 33 years at P.W. Minor and Son, Inc. (a footwear manufacturing company) where she started as a clerk in the shipping dept. and worked up to Executive Secretary and General Office Manager. Until the beginning of summer she was also an active member of the local collectors club (monthly meeting for people who like to collect a variety of items or were interested in learning history) and volunteered at the Genesee County Park as well as at the Holland Land Office Museum (acting as hostess to visitors).

As a member of the Nominating Committee her goal will be to find district members willing to serve in leadership roles on the District Board, those who have the passion to continue to give personal time and to work for the success of the organization.

In her own words: over the years I have seen and learned how deep friendships are formed in individual clubs and throughout the District. I have personally seen how Zontians are willing to give hundreds of service hours to their community and to Zonta. In reading through countless reports and newsletters (international, district, and club level) I have become aware of the importance of being willing to serve at all levels of the organization – that failure was not part of the fabric of the founders personalities, but empowerment of others was and those feelings continue to this day – once inducted as a Zontian, service and successful projects is foremost in thought. I learned that unlike the teamwork in sports to beat/overpower another team, that the teamwork of the group that focused on improving someone else’s life and reaching that objective is very wonderful and a terrific goal to shoot for on a regular basis.