From June 12 to June 14, UNA-SNY Division members joined with hundreds of UNA-USA members from more than 30 states in Washington, DC for the 2016 Leadership Summit and Annual Meeting.

During the first two days of speeches, conferences, and breakout sessions, we heard from UN, UN Foundation, Better World Campaign, and UNA-USA speakers on the Global Goals and their 172 targets. Division Board members were well represented on Breakout Sessions and Issues Panels. Marcia Brewster, Peter DeBartolo, Aaron Etra, George Garland, Ann Nicol, Donna Rosa, David Stillman, and Ginger Stillman facilitated sessions on the Global Goals, chapter effectiveness, and networking. Ilgu Osler moderated the "Nobody Left Outside: Refugee Issues Panel."

 

These two days were not only informational, but training for members to do advocacy with their representatives in Congress. Specifically, our core advocacy message included asking our representatives to: fully fund our peacekeeping and regular budget dues; address more than sixty million refugees around the world, including children who may be subject to being trafficked or radicalized; and work with the UN to achieve the 17 Global Goals, and especially good health and well-being, gender equality, and climate action.

 

Members Day on the Hill

On Tuesday, June 14, UNA-USA members paid a record 200 visits with members of Congress. Our Southern New York Division members met in the morning with staff in the offices of Representatives Elliot Engel (ranking minority member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee), Steve Israel (House Appropriations Committee), Nita Lowey (ranking minority member of the House Appropriations Committee), and Kathleen Rice (House Homeland Security Committee). In the afternoon, we met with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's staff. The Senator's committee assignments include the environment and public works.

 

We were delighted to have UN Foundation/UNA-USA staff member Peter Yeo, Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy and President of the Better World Campaign, lead the group from Westchester County and Long Island on their visits with Eliott Engel and Nita Lowey.

 

Each Hill office was left with a copy of the Better World Campaign's Congressional Briefing Book (click here for the PDF).

 

The Southern New York State Division was well represented at the Leadership Summit.  Board delegates included: President George Garland, VP for Advocacy Peg Shannon, VP for Chapter Development Jeanne (Ginger) Stillman, and Secretary Corinne Whitaker; e x-officio members : Aaron Etra , S. Ilgu Osler , Peter DeBartolo , Sultan Maruf , and Marcia Brewster ; at large members: Donna Rosa , James Wolff , and David Stillman. Other delegates included:  Dorma Aprin , Robert Klein , and Mignon Smith.

 

2016 UNA-USA Annual Meeting

The Leadership Summit is also the 2016 UNA-USA Annual Meeting. On Monday, June 13, The Council of Chapters and Regions (CCR)--- newly named the National Council--- held a swearing-in ceremony for representatives. The National Council consists of delegates from the 120 Chapters and Divisions in eleven regions around the country and is the democratic voice of the UNA membership in making decisions for UNA-USA. Our Division is now represented by George Garland, Jeanne Bettsock Stillman, and Melinda Richardson.