Young Women in Public Affairs Award
2022 Application
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Young Women in Public Affairs Award
A Zonta International Program, Funded by the Zonta Foundation for Women
General Information
The goal of the Zonta International Young Women in Public Affairs (YWPA) Award Program is to encourage young women
to participate in public affairs by recognizing the candidate’s commitment to the volunteer sector, evidence of volunteer
leadership achievements and a dedication to empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy.
‘Public affairs’ refers to all aspects of community life where decisions have to be made about issues which relate to and
affect those communities in which people work and live.
In order for more women to be represented in key decision-making positions worldwide, we must encourage young women
to pursue careers or seek leadership positions in public policy making, government and volunteer organizations and further
their education with these aims in view.
The Awards
Zonta clubs usually provide awards for club recipients who later may be selected for a district/region award of US$1,500.
Ten international recipients are selected from the district/region recipients to receive additional awards of US$5,000 each.
District/region and international awards are funded by the Zonta Foundation for Women.
Who is Eligible?
Women, aged 16-19 on 1
st
April each year, living in a Zonta district/region, or who are citizens of a Zonta country, who
demonstrate evidence of the following, are eligible to apply.
Active commitment to volunteerism.
Experience in local government, student government, or workplace leadership (paid or unpaid).
Volunteer leadership achievements.
Knowledge of Zonta International and its programs.
Support for Zonta International’s mission of empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy.
Note that applicants from geographic areas within a Zonta district/region where no clubs are located may apply via a Zonta
e-club or directly to the district to be eligible for the district/region and international awards. Z and Golden Z club members
are also eligible to apply. Classified members (club members and individuals with direct membership with Zonta
International) and employees of Zonta International and Zonta Foundation for Women, and their family members (ancestors,
descendants, adoptees, siblings, nieces or cousins, and those of their spouse or co-habiting partner), are not eligible to
apply for the Awards. Previous International Young Women in Public Affairs Award recipients are not eligible to apply.
How Do I Apply?
Complete an official application in English. Please note that only typed applications will be accepted and considered. All
non-English documents must be translated into English. The following documents are to be submitted in the application
package.
Application Requirements
Completion of the official application (may be downloaded from the Zonta International website, www.zonta.org).
Verification of current enrollment by school/institute official (if applicable), or
Letter from employer stating employment (if applicable).
Two recommendations from adults, not related to the applicant, such as teachers, school officials/employee supervisors
or community leaders, which must be sent directly to the Zonta club or district/region and not through the applicant.
Supporting documentation not requested will not be considered. All applications and supporting information become the
property of Zonta International. Zonta International has final authority over any aspect of the Awards.
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Application Process
The application process must start with a Zonta club. All application materials must be received at a Zonta club by the
printed deadline. If you downloaded the application from the Zonta International website, you must contact a Zonta club for
deadline information. Please locate the Zonta club nearest you using the Club Locator at www.zonta.org, or e-mail your
name and contact information to Zonta International Headquarters at programs@zonta.org.
Zonta clubs each select one application to send to the Zonta governor/region representative. A district/region
evaluating committee reviews the applications and selects one applicant per district/region to submit to Zonta
International Headquarters. The Zonta International YWPA Committee recommends 10 international recipients from
the district/region applications to the Zonta International Board. If approved by the Zonta International Board, the
Zonta Foundation for Women provides awards and certificates to the district/region and international recipients.
How May I Use the Award Funds?
1. There are no restrictions on the use of funds.
2. Please note: If the applicant is studying at a secondary school, university or college, Zonta International is offering a
“scholarship” type of payment to be used for tuition and/or living expenses. Please see below under Tax
Considerations.
3. Recipients are not permitted to defer the YWPA Award.
4. Recipients may accept additional grants and awards from other sources.
Tax Considerations
The following considerations will help define which type of payment will fit the applicant’s purposes best.
"Award": with no restrictions for use. As an award, it is taxable income under US tax regulations. To comply with the
law, all awardees will receive tax forms. Also, according to US tax regulations, 30% of the award must be withheld from
awards made to non-US residents. If Zonta International is notified that there is a US tax treaty with the resident's
country, the withholding will be appropriately adjusted.
"Scholarship": to be used for tuition, fees and materials (books, supplies and equipment) required for courses at a
secondary school, college or university only. As a scholarship to be used for tuition, fees and materials, the income is
tax free.
"Scholarship": to be used for living expenses while attending a secondary school, college or university. Although tuition
and related expenses are tax free, income used for living expenses is considered taxable income. Tax forms will be
provided to all awardees, as required. Withholdings range from $ 0 (tax treaty), 14% (appropriate student VISA) to 30%
for non-US residents.
Supplemental awards and scholarships that are directly paid by a club or district will follow the tax regulations of their
taxing authority.
Timetable
Applications received by Zonta clubs...………………………...….…….….............................................(Contact club for deadline)
Club recipients selected and applications received by governor/region representative.................................................by 1 April
District/region recipients selected and applications received by Zonta International Headquarters..................................by 1 May
Announcement of district/region and international recipients……………………...………….……..................................by 1 July
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Application for
Young Women in Public Affairs Award
Application Deadline:
Send applications and direct questions to:
Name:
Last (Family)
Middle
Current Mailing Address:
City:
State:
Postal Code:
Country:
Telephone:
Email Address:
Permanent mailing address:
City:
State:
Postal Code:
Country:
Home email address:
Telephone:
Birthdate:
Birthplace:
Country of Citizenship:
date/month/year
(city/country)
Name and Address of School/Institute currently attending (if applicable):
Current year of study (if applicable):
Name and Address of Employer (if applicable):
Select at least one type of payment that you are applying for (See How May I Use These Award Funds and Tax
Implications) Award with no restrictions Scholarship for tuition Scholarship for living expenses
PERSONAL GOALS
Please describe in short your anticipated course of study and current career interests, including whether and how you plan
to be active in volunteer or community organizations. (150 words) Please provide the word count at the end of your answer.
Zonta Club/e-Club of:
c/o:
Address:
City/State:
Province/Country:
Telephone:
Email Address:
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Please answer all questions below, noting the word limit for each. In evaluating applications, all questions are
rated in equal value.
Question
1. Activities related to your school/workplace. Please include (a) your leadership experience, and (b) what you find most
rewarding or valuable about your participation in these activities (no more than 200 words). Please provide the word count
at the end of your answer.
2. Activities not related to your school/workplace. Describe the activities in which you participate as a volunteer that
benefit other causes and any leadership roles you have had in those activities.
Please include with these activities a description of any experience in local government, international, or other projects
(no more than 200 words). Please provide the word count at the end of your answer.
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3. International Awareness
Describe the activities you participate in which increase your experience, knowledge and understanding of other countries
and their different customs (no more than 150 words). Please provide the word count at the end of your answer.
4. Status of Women in your Country
Describe your experience in empowering women through service and advocacy. Are there any issues which hinder
women’s empowerment in your country? Describe your ideas for resolving them (no more than 300 words). Please provide
the word count at the end of your answer.
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Recommendations
Please list below those referees who will submit recommendations:
Name
Position /Title
Email
1.
2.
Declaration by Applicant
I certify that all of the information contained in my application form is accurate to the best of my knowledge and that I did not receive
assistance in completing the essay portions of this application other than for translation into English if required for advancing
to the district and international levels. I understand that, at the option of the Zonta club sponsoring the competition, I may be
interviewed as a candidate for the Young Women in Public Affairs Award. I consent to the electronic or hard copy publication of material in
my application by Zonta International.
I confirm that I have not applied to more than one Zonta district.
I confirm that I am not a family member (ancestor, descendant, adoptee, sibling, niece or cousin) of a classified member (club
member or individual with direct membership with Zonta International) or a family member of a classified member’s spouse or
cohabiting partner, and/or employee of Zonta International.
Date
Signature (Insert image of your signature or print, sign and scan this page)
Data Protection
Zonta International and Zonta Foundation for Women take the security of your data seriously. We will never sell, trade or rent your
personal information provided in this application to third parties. By submitting this application, you agree to the use of your data in
accordance with the Privacy Policy and Publicity Authorization Form contained in the application documents (see page 11 of the
application).
Checklist must be completed by applicant:
Verification of current enrollment by school/institute official (if applicable), or
Letter from employer stating employment (if applicable)
Completed application materials, typed in English
Two confidential recommendation letters with signatures
Applicant’s signature (required)
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Recommendation for Young Women in Public Affairs Award
Please return this form by:
To Zonta Club or e-Club of:
c/o:
Address:
City/State/Postal code/Country:
Fax:
Email:
Applicant:
Last (Family) Name
First
Middle
Recommendation from:
Name (please print)
Position/Title
Recommendation for Applicant for Zonta International Young Women in Public Affairs Award
The applicant above has applied for a Zonta International Young Women in Public Affairs Award. Please discuss the
applicant’s accomplishments, motivation, potential for public service and awareness of women’s and community issues. You
may write your recommendation letter on letterhead of your choice; however, you must sign and submit this form with your
letter of recommendation to the address above.
Date
Signature (Insert image of your signature or print, sign and scan this page)
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Recommendation for Young Women in Public Affairs Award
Please return this form by:
To Zonta Club or e-Club of:
c/o:
Address:
City/State/Postal code/Country:
Fax:
Email:
Applicant:
Last (Family) Name
First
Middle
Recommendation from:
Name (please print)
Position/Title
Recommendation for Applicant for Zonta International Young Women in Public Affairs Award
The applicant above has applied for a Zonta International Young Women in Public Affairs Award. Please discuss the
applicant’s accomplishments, motivation, potential for public service and awareness of women’s and community issues. You
may write your recommendation letter on letterhead of your choice; however, you must sign and submit this form with your
letter of recommendation to the address above.
Date
Signature (Insert image of your signature or print, sign and scan this page)
10
Verification of Current Enrollment
Young Women in Public Affairs Award
Please return this form by:
To Zonta Club or e-Club of:
c/o:
Address:
City/State/Postal code/Country:
Fax:
Email:
School/Institute:
I certify that
is currently enrolled in
(name)
at
(grade level)
(name of school/institute currently attending)
(address of school/institute currently attending)
Date
Signature of School/Institute Official
(Official School/Institute Stamp)
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Zonta International Young Women in Public Affairs (YWPA) Award
Privacy Policy and Publicity Authorization
Zonta International and the Zonta Foundation for Women are committed to honoring the privacy and wishes of all
of our Young Women in Public Affairs (YWPA) Award recipients at all times. In order to do this, please read the
following information carefully and indicate your agreement as appropriate.
1. Most data collected by Zonta International and the Zonta Foundation for Women is used only to help Zonta
better serve its award recipients. It is our general policy to collect and store only personal information that
our recipients knowingly provide. Zonta does not sell, trade, or rent your personally identifying information
to third parties. Except as described in paragraph two, we take reasonable measures not to disclose
personally identifying information about you.
I have read the above paragraph and agree to the Terms and Conditions therein.
2. From time to time, Zonta International/Zonta Foundation for Women conducts various marketing activities
to promote the YWPA Award Program. In addition, to ensure Zonta’s ability to fund the Awards, the Zonta
Foundation for Women may from time to time provide information to donors to the YWPA Award Fund
about recipients of their donations. Zonta retains the right to use your name, photograph and biographical
information to promote the YWPA Awards in various promotional materials, including the Zonta
International website.
I have read the above paragraph and agree to the Terms and Conditions therein.
Signature (Insert image of your signature or print, sign and scan this page)
Date
Please print your name