Zonta finalizes plans for event

At the April 4 meeting Zonta Club of Jamestown finalized its plans for Chocolate Fantasia, the annual chocolate extravaganza which will be held for those 21 and over, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. April 22, at the Gladstone Inn & Suites.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) was the program topic presented by Deb Fischer, RN, coordinator for Jamestown’s SART program. Sexual assault is a silent epidemic that does occur in North Dakota communities, she said.

“It is impossible to effectively solve a problem if you don’t know or acknowledge it exists,” Fisher said.

The role of SART is to respond with a multi-disciplinary team approach that coordinates immediate medical, advocacy and criminal justice services for the victim. This process is patient centered, and provides safe, efficient care while ensuring correct and accurate collection of evidence. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners are specially trained nurses who collect, document and preserve forensic evidence.

Jamestown’s SART concept was born in 2005. STOP Violence Against Women Formula Funds were applied for and awarded in 2007. By January 2008, 24-hour on-call services were fully functional. Federal grant funds have fallen by 80 percent for 2012, Fisher said. She said community members and clubs are needed now, more than ever, to invest in being a part of the “SART attitude.” Ongoing support from associations such as Zonta is vital for providing resources to keep communities safe.

Kim Kapp presented 120 seconds on women’s issues. On International Women’s Day, March 8, the president of Pakistan signed the National Commission on the Status of Women Bill 2012 into law. This law explicitly recognizes practices from acid violence and forced marriage to so-called “honor killings” as criminal acts, and affords protection and legal action for victims.

Laurel Haroldson reported the club is seeking applicants from women in college for the 2012 Zonta International Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarships. The Jamestown Zonta Club scholarship is $400. The winner’s application is then forwarded to the District 7 scholarship competition and the district winner is eligible for Zonta International scholarships of $5000. Applications are due by April 30 and are open to women in at least the second year of an undergraduate program in business.

New member Krysten Edwards was inducted. She is the director of student activities and conference services at James town College.

In other business, a report on the Help for Hope and Healing brunch, held March 24, deemed it a success with 68 people served. Pam Phillips distributed the handbook “A to Zonta,” an orientation guide for District 7. Jane Austin reported on the plans to refurbish the cupola in Zonta park. Funding and a contractor have been procured and work should begin this spring.

Future projects include assisting with and participating in Running of the Pink June 2, Area 1 and 3 meeting in Aberdeen, S.D., April 21 and Zonta 60th anniversary planning. Zonta International is a club dedicated to advancing the status of women worldwide. Zonta Jamestown supports projects such as GED scholarships, university scholarships, Safe Shelter, SART and EvenStart. The next meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. May 2 at the Gladstone Inn & Suites. The program will be “Women Firefighters.”

For more information, contact Christine Burchill by phone at 701-721-2328, leave a message or text, or

email cnburchill@ gmail.com.

Tags: club news, zonta, life