Zonta+ Rose

At the 2008 International Convention in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, the Zonta+ Rose was baptized by the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, Maria van der Hoeven, on Friday, June 27, 2008.  From Rotterdam, the new rose will be introduced all over the world and will be available to the public worldwide under the name Zonta+ Rose.  The breeder of the new rose is the compnay LEX+.  The Zonta+ Rose differs from the Zonta Rose in that it is a cut, long stem variety bred for longevity in arrangements and boquets. 

THE ZONTA ROSE

By Any Other Name, It's Still a Zonta Rose to Us

The beauty of a single yellow rose has been a favorite Zonta symbol for nearly 20 years.

The "Zonta Rose" was introduced at the 1984 Sydney Convention, thanks to the dedication and support of District 16 Zontians. In 1983, then Lieutenant Governor of District 16 (New Zealand), Valerie Webster, proposed that a breed of roses be developed as a living symbol of Zonta International. The renowned England-based nursery Harkness Roses worked to cultivate the flower, while Zontian Maureen Ross of Ross Roses in Adelaide, Australia enabled it to be introduced at the Convention.

The emblem is not simply a decorative design. It is an adaptation and composite of several Sioux Indian symbols which when superimposed take on a special significance for Zontians.
 

	What appears to be the letter "Z" is actually the Sioux symbol for "ray of light," "sunshine" or "flash of radiance"--and so by extension, "inspiration
	This Sioux symbol means "to band together for a purpose" or "to stand together"--in a word, "loyalty". With loyalty, individual members band together into clubs, clubs into districts, and districts into Zonta International. So loyalty surrounds the radiance and the inspiration as a familiar pattern begins to emerge.
	This is the Sioux way of saying "to carry together". Carrying together is a most important ingredient for the accomplishment of Zonta's purpose: to work for the advancement of understanding, good will and peace through a world fellowship of business executives and professionals. This symbol has been conventionalized to lend itself to the total pattern and slips over the inspiration and the loyalty to draw members closer together.
	This is the Sioux symbol for "shelter". Zonta's many service projects are in a real and broad sense shelter for someone or something. And service is synonymous with Zonta. This symbol therefore lends itself importantly in significance and design, embodying Zonta's aims and aspirations.
	The symbolism of the square is not exclusively Sioux, nor indeed is it exclusively Native American. It perhaps dates back even further than all of these other symbols in its representation of "honesty" and "trust"--strong and vital qualities with which to bind together the parts of the whole.
	This symbol--composed of many symbols--became Zonta's emblem signifying a radiant group of successful business executives and professionals who are loyal to the same inspired goals of service and world understanding with none but the most honest and trustworthy motives.
	During the 1996-1998 biennium the Zonta International Board voted to have the words "Zonta International" incorporated into the emblem to standardize its appearance and enhance recognition of Zonta International throughout the world