UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION of the United States of America Northern Colorado Chapter
NCUNA Newsletter Volume 3, #1. Jan. - Feb. 2006
ANNUAL MEETING: Our chapter's annual business meeting took place on Dec. 9th at First United Methodist Church, with about 35 people in attendance. Eleanor Dwight was elected President for the next two years. Ken Tharp was re-elected Vice-President. Lisa Lundgren, Nominating Chair, reported on new nominees for the Board, and they were elected. Other officers and committee chairs will be announced after the January Board meeting. The proposed budget was approved. You should have received a copy of the budget and of the nominees either in your invitation to the meeting or at the meeting. If you need a copy, let Eleanor know.
We heard brief reports from committee chairs: Ken Tharp - Program; Sam Rachid - Advocacy; Sidna Rachid - U.N. Day; and Dick Rush - Youth and Education. Margaret Smith gave a few farewell comments and transferred a UNA pin to Eleanor. (We don't have a gavel.)
After all that business, we were ready for a nourishing lunch. Thanks to Eleanor and her team of helpers: Jane Wallower, Mary Wolfe, Mary Jane Ward, Emily Krause, and Eleanor's daughter, Deanne Lembitz.
Our lunch speaker was Dr. James Cooney, Director of International Programs at CSU. His title was "Why the U.S. Misunderstands the U.N.: Pilgrims on the Plains; and Why I Wouldn't Want Ban Ki-Moon's Job." This was an informed and entertaining presentation on U.S. thinking regarding foreign policy and challenges facing incoming U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.
Those attending the meeting had the opportunity to sign a letter of thanks and farewell to outgoing Secretary General Kofi Annan, which has been mailed; and a note of welcome to Ban Ki-Moon, which will be hand-delivered in March at the national convention of UNA-USA.
We gained new members and contributions at this successful Annual Meeting. If you were there, thanks for coming. If you weren't, we hope you can make it next year!
MATCHING CONTRIBUTION OPPORTUNITY! The Northern Colorado Chapter Board has established a $500 challenge grant to members and friends of UNA-USA.
The Board invites YOU to make a contribution to UNA-USA to support chapter activities, which include monthly programs, newsletter, advocacy visits to our legislators, and an up-to-date information stream on international events. Your contribution will be matched dollar for dollar from this fund, so a contribution of $25 becomes $50.
Our total annual budget is just $1734, so your contribution really makes a difference. Supporting the UNA is a great way to ensure that accurate information about the UN and international events is available in Fort Collins.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS: Richard and Jane Thompson, Carole Lundgren, Joyce Campbell and Jo Quinn. We enjoyed meeting those who were at the annual meeting and look forward to meeting the rest of you soon. Eleanor Dwight, Membership
JANUARY MEETING: JAN. 20th, 3PM Captain Richard Life, our speaker for January 20th,(3 p.m. at Fort Collins Main Library) will lead our discussion, "How Can the United Nations Be Reformed?" He will highlight the reforms proposed by the High Level Commission in 2006 and ask what YOU think about UN Reform.
Captain Life enjoyed a highly successful 27-year career in intelligence in the U.S. Navy. He is currently a recognized specialist on foreign affairs and national security issues.
FEBRUARY MEETING: FEB. 10th, 3PM On February 10th Mr. Lynn Hammond will discuss Rotary Club's international service in health and education, and its cooperation with UN programs. (More information, including location, to follow)
FAREWELL COMMENTS FROM PRESIDENT MARGARET SMITH: It's been an interesting two and a half years serving as the very first president of this brand-new chapter. A filing system had to be set up to deal with a variety of topics. Valerie Baker-Easley and I "invented" our Newsletter. I've tried to be careful in setting precedents or procedures for relationships with other chapters and levels of UNA-USA (including reports) and with other community organizations. Because we are new and small (but growing!) I believe that looking outward in this way is important to our growth.
There was always good support from the Board, with people taking responsibility for different aspects of our work. Thanks to you all for that, and for the white poinsettia in a U.N. mug, a great "going out of office" gift!
Through it all, I took great comfort in knowing that Eleanor Dwight was waiting in the wings as President Elect. Not just waiting, though; she did a large share of the actual work and is always a good adviser. Eleanor will have her own style and her own priorities, and under her leadership we will have a terrific couple of years! Thanks to you all for entrusting me with this special position! At Eleanor's request, I will remain on the Board; we'll see what duties she has for me. Margaret S. Smith, retiring President
UNICEF AT 60 EVENT: The Colorado Division hosted an event on December 2 at the Governor's Residence, in observance of "UNICEF at 60" and Human Rights Day. Junior high student Jesse East, who won our chapter's essay contest on UNICEF, was invited to read his essay at this event. Lauren Richardson, President of CSU's UNICEF chapter, also attended. We hear from Gloria Dogan, the Division's chapter liaison, that they were "absolutely delightful both in contribution and in presence." We're proud to have them represent our Chapter!
AID CONFERENCE: On November 4th, members of our UNA chapter attended a multi-state student conference at CSU, sponsored by Americans for Informed Democracy. The topic was "Oil, Climate Change, and Security." We heard a number of excellent speakers, and were impressed with the organizational methods of this group at both the national and local levels. We plan to keep communication channels open with this group, and will try to notify you of other programs of theirs to which we may be invited.
BRIDGES TO THE FUTURE PROGRAM Thursday, February 1st, 7PM Speaker: Ambassador Jendayi E. Frazer, Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, US Department of State Location: Gates Concert Hall, in the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, University of Denver Campus.
About the Series: The University of Denver’s Bridges to the Future program is a year-long lecture series for the University and external communities. Its purpose is to stimulate a community dialogue on issues of importance. The theme for the 2006-07 academic year is "The Pursuit of Peace" – a concept that has both enticed and eluded global society. For millennia, wars have been fought over land, religion, people and politics. Movements for peace surface sporadically, some as a response to the latest conflict; others in an effort to chart a new course for human interaction.
The lectures are free and open to the public. An RSVP line will be in effect by January 4, 2007. Phone for Bridges Program: 303-871-2357, Website: http://www.du.edu/bridges/ . If you are interested in carpooling, contact Ken Tharp at (970) 484-7033.
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY: Stan Kidder, UNA Northern Colorado chapter member, had his annual opinion piece on Human Rights published in the Coloradoan on Dec. 9th. In response, on Dec. 12th, a letter to the editor was printed, titled "U.N. a Significant Problem." UNA Chapter member Sam Rachid's excellent and positive response to that letter was printed on Dec. 15th, titled "Get to Know Value of U.N." Sam appears to have the last word in this round. You are all encouraged to write letters to the editor in support of the U.N.
On December 10th, Human Rights Day, Strength Through Peace sponsored two street theatre performances in Old Town Square about the Military Commissions Act. It featured "President Bush," "Dick Cheney," and "Ken Salazar" characters, seizing a presumably innocent man and showing him what forms of punishment he could get as a terrorist. Our chapter had a table there; Eleanor, Ken, Paul and Margaret handed out copies of the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights." The Bush character referred to us in the play as "Them UN people with their Human Rights papers."
INTERNATIONAL HOUR FOR PEACE: Fort Collins' 21st Annual Celebration of this event was held Sunday, December 31st at 4:45 a.m. (The early hour coincides with 12:00 noon Greenwich Mean Time; it's a world-wide simultaneous observance.) As a part of the program, brief statements were heard from representatives of groups working for peace.
Margaret Smith represented the UNA, with hope that this could be a large new audience for us to reach. The Coloradoan described her comments thus:
"On [her] mind was the humanitarian crisis in Sudan and fighting in Somalia between the Somali interim government backed by Ethiopia and Islamic militia fighters.
‘There is not a lot of peace where it needs to be,’ Smith said, as she addressed the crowd on the importance of finding political solutions to conflicts. It was her last morning as president of the Northern Colorado chapter of the United Nations Association-USA."
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: THE UNITED NATIONS IN 2006 In 2006, countless individuals were positively affected by the good work of the United Nations. Below are just a few examples of the UN's continuous efforts to promote peace, provide humanitarian assistance, strengthen the rule of law, address global health challenges, and increase environmental sustainability.
Aiding millions displaced by conflict in Darfur
Facilitating the first free elections in the Congo in over 46 years
Educating women in Afghanistan
Guarding against Avian Flu
Protecting World Heritage Sites for future generations
More information about these efforts is available at: http://www.betterworldcampaign.org/resources/2006_stories.asp#1
WEBSITES OF INTEREST: UNA, Northern Colorado Chapter: http://www.essayz.com/unausa-noco [Past issues of the Newsletter of the Northern Colorado Chapter are archived on this website.] GO To Key-Links on the webside.
Additional UNA websites of interest:
Colorado Division: http://www.una-colorado.org
National level: http://http://www.unausa.org
UNICEF: http://www.unicefusa.org
United Nations information: http://www.un.org
Questions? Contact our Membership Director at 970-377-0863
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION: JOIN UNA-USA!
Please mail this form, along with your payment to:
UNA-NC Membership Director
907 Sailors Reef
Fort Collins CO 80525
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