District 4
Leadership Development
Kathleen Douglass, Chairperson
ZC of Brampton-Caledon
Club & Personal Development

D4 Program Lead by Zonta International Committee Member
KATHLEEN DOUGLASS, D4 Leadership Development Chair
In the 39 years that Kathleen has been a member of Zonta, she has served as President of the Brampton-Caledon Club (D4, A2) twice; D4 Governor (2008-2010) and ZI & ZIF Director (2010 – 2012), ZI Nominating Committee (2014-2016) and is currently Chair of the ZI Leadership Development Committee as well as D4 Leadership Development Co-ordinator. She has presented workshops on leadership, governance and board development to Zonta groups in Europe, Asia, 10 US states, as well as providing on-going professional development for the ZI Board of Directors.
District 4 members are fortunate to have experienced leaders, such as Kathleen, offering her skills and abilities to assist those of us interested in expanding our own personal leadership style.

Core Competencies Development Plan
As a current club president, area director, or governor, developing your Zonta leadership core competencies began when you a member of a Zonta club. So too, for members of your club, area, or district. This plan is for you, the Zonta leader, to help develop Zonta leadership core competencies in the members of your club, area, or district.

Mentoring & Coaching
In any organization, successful women often reference at least one mentor who has fostered their professional or personal development. In Zonta, mentoring is a voluntary learning partnership between experienced club members (mentors) and new club members (mentees) for the purpose of sharing knowledge and information. Mentoring provides a club member with the opportunity for personal growth, with the focus on the specific needs of the mentee
Zonta International Leadership Development Program Modules
Zonta International > My Zonta > Tools > Leadership Development Tools

Continuing to Improve
The Zonta Leadership Program is designed to provide Zonta members with organizational knowledge, personal and professional development and opportunities to expand their leadership.

Build Your Portfolio
Continuing this year, you will see new opportunities to expand your skills from D4 & ZI e-learning program; please go into the full webinars on the Zonta International site for full content on the topic.
If we can help you as a member or your club, contact us through the D4 website or directly to Kathleen Douglass @ [email protected]

Learn by Doing
Members are encouraged to visit both the e-learning icon on your ZI dashboard for the modules or visit the TOOLS section → Leadership Development for other resources.

Achieve Your Goals
Do You Know What You Want?
Where do I want to be? What am I great at? What is important to learn or get better at? What does the organization need? What do I love doing? What energizes me?

Want to Understand More about the UN Sustainable Goals?
Within this course, you will get a historical overview of how sustainability has been understood, as well as a thorough introduction to the SDGs – what they are, how progress can be measured, and how the SDGs are relevant for the management of the global systems supporting humanity.
Archived Leadership Learning Tools, Techniques & Information
- Communication as a Priority
- Leader vs. Leadership
- Club Leadership
- Build A Better Club
- Personal Development Library
- NAIDM Leadership Session Presentations
Make communication a top priority
How are your communications skills?
Do you listen or are you waiting for the other person to stop talking so you can talk? You have two ears and one mouth as your mother would tell you.
Do you listen with your heart and your head? Body language………….
Do you interrupt, hurry the other person along or are impatient?
Have you confirmed or re-stated what they have said?
Communications
- Communication is built on trusting relationships
- Encourage two way dialogue
- Remain receptive to and listen for underlying issues when someone is expressing concerns
- Be open to other people
- Create a receptive environment for communication
- Remain receptive and listen
Good Communication Contributes to:
- Productive, effective meetings
- Fewer conflicts
- Enhanced leadership
- Stronger culture
- Successful achievement of organizational goals
- Mission and vision are aligned with planning as evaluated
Leader is a reputation you earn, leadership is a skill you learn
Act as a harmonizing influence
Be clear in communicating
Encourage team members to share information
Encourage trust and co-operation
Delegate when possible
Build consensus as you go along Set ground rules for team
Building Loyalty
- Inspire and motive your team
- Acknowledge group contribution
- Identify and build on shared values
- Get commitment to the goals
- Acknowledge and reward excellence
- Demonstrate an appreciation for individuals
Create a motivated environment
- Lead by example
- Be enthusiastic
- Build trust
- Support your team
- Share ownership of the process
- Communicate
- Have fun
- Delegate
Does you club have a culture of leadership?
How do you market and educate members about the benefits of being a board member?
How do you identify newer or younger with potential and encourage them to engage in leadership roles?
How do we help develop competencies?
If the task is too big, can you break it down (chunk it into bite-sized pieces) so it is not too scary
How do we ask? Why would someone say yes?
Growing Leaders
How do you encourage members to:
- Develop leadership skills
- Create a culture where risk (failure) is accepted
- Take a chance
- Say yes?
How to Groom New Leaders
- Know your board members
- Know where your organization is ‘going’
- Growing talent where possible
- Identifying key positions (risk management)
- Talk about succession as part of your strategic plan
- Ensure position descriptions are current
Build a Better Club – Member to Member Resources
Globally, Zonta members have created training materials and presentations to build better clubs. These presentations are available to you for club use.
Build a Better Club
Effective club communicationsYouTube March 2016
Having difficult conversations: Effective conflict resolution in organizations YouTubeMarch 2016
Presiding with presenceYouTubeMarch 20
How-To Tools and Techniques
These tools and techniques help Zonta members improve club effectiveness and efficiency. Please share best practices and successful tips and tricks by emailing them to [email protected]for review by the International Leadership Development Committee.
Communicate Effectively Through Email PDF April 2017
Create a Presentation PDF April 2017
Club Officer Training Template PPT July 2018
Make a PowerPoint Slides into a Video WMV January 2017
Add Speak to PowerPoint WMV April 2017
501(c)3 Organizations mp4 May 2018
Tax Status for U.S. Clubs mp4 May 2017
Personal Development Library
The Personal Development Library is a collection of articles, books and videos recommended by the Leadership Development Committee to inspire you to grow as a leader.
Personal Development Library
Ethics for People on the Move – Catharyn Baird YOUTUBE March 2017
What are the anchors of an ethical life? In this informative talk, ethics maven Catharyn Baird explores the roots of how we think of an ethical life, and how to use them to build strong communities.
Leadership Strategies – The Facilitation Company WEBSITE March 2017