11/10/2026
ZCCT LEADERS ELEVATE GOVERNANCE STANDARDS THROUGH LEADERSHIP TRAINING
QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES - Under the theme “Stronger Leaders for a Brighter Tomorrow,” officers of the Zonta Club of Central Tuguegarao (ZCCT) joined fellow leaders from Areas 1 to 5 of District 17 for the Officers’ Leadership Training held at the PNP Multi-Purpose Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City, on 10 October 2026.
Grounded in Zonta International’s (ZI) foundation of leadership and service excellence, the intensive session equipped club leaders with Zonta-coded stewardship practices while aligning local initiatives with the strategic goals and objectives of the 2026-2028 biennium.
Championing the empowerment of women and children, the training emphasized that all club initiatives must be anchored in the S.H.A.R.E. leadership philosophy, which stands for Sustainability and Human Rights through Accountability, Respect, and Empowerment. As steadfast advocates for vulnerable women and children, Zonta clubs were challenged to implement transformative programs that generate a rippling and lasting positive impact across their communities.
Addressing evaluation standards, facilitators outlined the core assessment matrix that every club activity must possess. Zonta projects must center on three key pillars: advocacy (serving as a bold voice for the vulnerable), prevention (driving active campaigns against violence targeting women and children), and restoration (empowering survivors with the confidence to thrive as dignified members of society). The sessions also established ethical media and photography protocols, highlighting crucial guidelines on safety and informed consent to protect privacy, particularly of minors. Furthermore, speakers urged clubs to prioritize authentic, action-oriented engagement over staged poses during events and campaigns.
As part of executive governance, the training detailed Zonta International’s four strategic goals for Biennium 2026–2028: (1) maintaining a credible and visible voice, (2) driving local club success, (3) fostering leadership and organizational sustainability, and (4) engaging broader audiences and strategic allies. These goals are designed to position Zonta as an authoritative advocate for gender equality, cultivate welcoming and sustainable chapters, develop long-term leadership capacity, and expand collaborative networks.
To achieve sustainable local success, chapters were urged to excel across five functional areas: membership, advocacy, fundraising, public relations, and leadership development. On membership, clubs must cultivate an empowering atmosphere to which current members are proud to belong and new members eagerly seek to join. On advocacy, focus must shift from basic awareness to driving structural reforms that protect women and girls. On fundraising, every peso must be prudently allocated toward high-impact programs. On public relations, chapters must be known for measurable results rather than mere events, shining a bright spotlight on pressing issues to deliver meaningful solutions. On leadership development, chapters must cultivate a vibrant culture of mentorship and clear succession pipelines.
Unifying Zonta clubs across the Philippines into a cohesive, impactful national block while remaining deeply tied to ZI’s global mission remains the overarching vision. Reflecting on this mission, ZI Nominating Committee Member-at-Large Ofelia C. Bautista left officers with a compelling question to guide their administrative term:
“What kind of Zonta do we want to leave for the next generation? The goal is not change for its own sake. It is Zonta better equipped to build a better world for women and girls.”
‘Documenting Performance and Strengthening Sisterhood’
District 17 Secretary Mila Catabay-Lauigan, a proud member of ZCCT, led a dedicated session titled “Documenting Club Performance Through Standardized Reporting Templates and Submission Protocols.” She stressed that as chapters roll out their projects, rigorous documentation and substantiation are vital to evaluate real-world outcomes, maintain complete financial transparency, and uphold global compliance. She further urged strict adherence to standardized reporting templates and submission deadlines to facilitate accurate project evaluation by ZI leadership.
Following the formal sessions, delegates gathered in true Zontian spirit for an evening of music, dancing, and fellowship, deepening inter-area sisterhood among members from Areas 1 through 5.
ZCCT was officially represented at the milestone event by President Maria Milagros Fernan-Cayosa, Auditor Mary Ann Sugar T. Macarilay, and Advocacy Committee Chairperson Mary Corinne Postrado-Mamba.