I am so thankful for this opportunity to serve as President of Zonta BH this next year. 

I appreciate all those who have held this office before me – especially Jessica Larson and Kylie Riggins because I know they have done a lot of hard work on many fronts, some of which were uniquely challenging.  My focus this next year is on fellowship.  The Zonta Code item number 6 states, “Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them,” which in today’s language means: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you (also known as the Golden Rule).

        Lately, my thoughts have been about being aware of that which I am not aware.  We all are going through something at any given time and deserve to be treated as we would want to be treated.  I am going to tell you two stories. The first actually happened to me and the other is a story I have heard.  First, when I was in my early twenties and working at my first “real” job after college, I was in charge of a training program for company executives.  The day of the class, I was greeting all the attendees very professionally and trying to do my very best.  At one point, I greeted a young man very professionally and offered coffee and directions. He replied that he was just there to fix the copier!  I immediately questioned whether I would have treated this person differently had I known he was just there to fix the copier.  Everyone deserves to be treated the same no matter their position, and that goes for all the people we come in contact with in our lives (especially as Zontians).

        The other story, which I heard at a conference for the Knights of Columbus last month.  The motivational speaker for the ladies was Elaine Dunn of Spearfish.  Elaine, who loves history and a good story, related the story of finding a ring in a hotel restroom.  She found the piece and immediately thought it to be a family heirloom and noticed inside the ring an inscription with the name Lea (to her an old family name).  Elaine stated she promptly went to the front desk to see if someone had lost a ring and also left her cell phone number in case she needed to be contacted by the owner.  Elaine decided to wear the ring because she really liked it.  Time passed and no one called about the ring.  One day her son, who was a contractor and builder, came to visit her.  Seeing the ring on his mom’s finger, he asked, “Mom, why are you wearing a Lea bathroom fixture piece?!”  It wasn’t a precious piece of jewelry after all, only an ordinary, functional plumbing attachment.

        Funny story, right?  The lesson is so good!  We all have value, are important, are beautiful and have a purpose.  At the May meeting I placed rings on the tables for all of you.  I hoped that you would take one and remember that you have value, are important and beautiful.  And, you all have a purpose in Zonta! 

Thank you again for this opportunity!