Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley holds Leadership Retreat for Z and Golden Z clubs

On 19 August, the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley, USA, hosted students from three local Z and Golden Z clubs for a Leadership Retreat event at Canyon High School.

The student participants include nine students from the Z clubs at West Ranch High School, Canyon High School and Golden Valley High School, and one student from the College of the Canyons Golden Z Club. Club advisors enthusiastically spent four hours on a Saturday participating in the retreat. The students and advisors collaborated, brainstormed and planned for the upcoming year of service projects and advocacy spearheaded by the student clubs.

Dr. Cherise Moore, the Z club and Golden Z club committee co-chair welcomed the students with a comprehensive agenda focusing on leadership, collaboration, service, planning and reflection. Club President Nicole Miller, who is also District 9's Z and Golden Z club committee chair, highlighted Zonta's mission and vision. She shared Zonta's global impact, advocacy and structure to inform the students that their Z clubs are an essential part of a larger organization to empower and protect women.

Dr. Carolyn Hoffman, a club member and director of career and college readiness at William S. Hart Union School District, highlighted other Z club projects worldwide, including those in Asia, North America, Australia and Europe. Member and Canyon High School's Z club advisor, Maria Cooper, and member Jessica Edmond, who is College of the Canyons' adjunct instructor, led an interactive discussion about discovering leadership styles and how to implement those specific styles with the focus being on the quote: "Leadership is an action… not a position."

The students also spent time in breakout sessions brainstorming ideas for local Santa Clarita Valley community projects focusing on physical well-being, environmental issues, and donation drives. Dr. Moore and Candace Hartshorn, a member and Canyon High School alumna, orchestrated the day's official closing.

Overall, the retreat was a beautifully powerful day filled with fellowship, leadership and service with the hopeful promise of these future generations improving the lives of women and girls everywhere. The club gives a special thank you to member Rebecca Hindman for providing breakfast, snacks and lunch. They also thank the high school for hosting the retreat and all the Santa Clarita Valley Zontians who contributed their time, knowledge and expertise to make it successful.