Z Clubs and Golden Z Clubs

Z Clubs (for high school) and Golden Z Clubs (for college) are student clubs. These clubs help students develop leadership skills, promote career exploration, and encourage members to participate in school, community, and international service projects.  

Z Clubs are actively mentored by Zonta Clubs.  Zonta members assist Z Clubs with its projects, and Z Clubbers help with Zonta projects. This gives Z Clubbers a chance to work with professionals and business owners in our community.

The clubs choose their own fundraising and service projects each year, although each club has its own unique “signature” projects which they have repeated annually. 

Established in 1948, the Z Club program is one of Zonta International’s longest-running programs.  There are Z Clubs and Golden Z Clubs all around the world – US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Bahamas, and numerous countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia.  25 different countries in total have Z Clubs, including one in Lebanon.  There are Golden Z Clubs in 22 countries.

North Bend High School Z Club

North Bend High School’s Z Club was created in 2017. As a service club of both boys and girls, they work on fundraising and service project in our area. Z Club members create their own projects and school advisors assist with details. Frequently the Z Club partners with other school clubs or community organizations.

Some of the highlights in recent years include:

  • Food drive for the Salvation Army
  • Participating in the Coos Waffle Project at the Nancy Devereux Center
  • Beach cleanups
  • Assisting Zonta during the holidays with Salvation Army bell ringing
  • Greeting guests at the Zonta Afternoon Tea Fundraiser at NBHS
  • Conducting tours for incoming freshman during school registration

In 2022 the NBHS Z Club partnered with the NBHS Culinary Arts Program to raise over $7,500 with a successful “Pizza Party for a Cause!” Fundraiser for Ukrainian refugees. 

Marshfield High School Z Club

Marshfield High School’s Z Club was established in 2008 and has become know as a “Community ACTION Club.”

Since the 2021-2022 school year, the club has been selected by the MHS school administration to manage the Community 101 Program which is funded by the Oregon Community Foundation. The Z Club receives $5,000 for distribution to charitable organizations in our community. The Z Club students identify issues they care most about, research nonprofits who are addressing these causes. They solicit and review grant applications, conduct site visits and select grant recipients. For the 2023-2024 grant cycle the club focused on the environment and climate change. Accordingly, recipients  in 2024 included Coos Watershed, Friends of South South, Rogue Climate, Wild Rivers Land Trust, Millicoma March and Madison School Gardens. A great learning and caring activity!

Zonta Coos Bay Area Z Club
Judge Paula Bechtold has been the MHS Z Club liaison since its chartering in 2008 and an active Zontian since 1979.