World Bulletin
A “Jobs” Approach for 2012
by Patrick Madden
It’s that time of year when we review our priorities personally and professionally, make lists, and reflect on the year ahead. I’m kicking off the year by reading the Steve Jobs biography and I’m struck by how two guys in a garage with very different personalities and abilities launched Apple into a global brand. Ultimately, it came down to one guy with engineering brilliance and one guy with marketing genius. All of this got me thinking about UNA-USA in 2012.
 UNA-USA spent the last year re-engineering itself. We are now ready for UNA members to lend their chops locally to help launch our ‘new and improved’ UNA-USA – let’s look at the year ahead.
This year UNA-USA is asking Chapters to draw up firm schedules and plan programs for the year. We are proposing that all Chapters host events that align with key dates designated by the UN to highlight important global issues. UNA Chapters and members need to help foster a dialogue locally about the UN. These local events will take the shape of panels and lectures, but could also include a parade or a Twitter party. What will your Chapter do on or around:
- International Women’s Day – March 8
- Rio+20 – June 20-22
- UN General Assembly Week – September 24-28
- UN Day – October 24
- Human Rights Day – December 10
Be sure to add your event to our calendar so UNA-USA can promote your efforts nationally. If there are other key UN days your Chapter celebrates (eg. World Water Day, World Malaria Day, etc.), continue that tradition, but we hope you will add the days listed above to your event plans.
What else can UNA members and Chapters do in 2012? Resolve to advocate on behalf of the UN. With election season ramping up it will be vital for UNA members voice their opinions and learn the positions of the candidates on “our issues." Additionally, in February, June, and October we will ask all members to reach out to their elected officials on the federal level to emphasize the importance of the UN.
With a renewed sense of direction, UNA-USA will provide more support for Chapters and members through new and refreshed resources, such as:
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- 50% of all membership revenue going to Chapters for membership activities locally
- No-cost, customized Chapter brochures (Call UNA-USA and we will send free UNA membership brochures to your Chapter!)
- Free monthly conference calls with UN officials and experts
- Original Reporting on the UN at www.TheInterDependent.com
- Global Classrooms Model UN Resources
- Online Toolkits for Membership Recruitment/Retention, PR, and social media
- UN Speakers for Chapter programs (at no cost to chapters)
- Fundraising events based on UN Foundation campaigns, such as Nothing But Nets, Shot@Life, and Girl Up. Host a Chapter event around malaria, vaccinations or girls and UNA staff can provide content and speakers
Finally, I challenge you to think about your UNA peers around the country. Many Chapters face the same challenges in their communities as you do, such as recruiting members, fundraising, or drawing audiences for events. One of the best ways to bring new ideas to your Chapter work is to meet with other UNA members at one of our regional or national meetings. (View
other chapter, regional, and national events at www.unausa.org/calendar). I hope you’ll think about attending
one of these events to trade best practices, gain insight on the latest work of
the UN, and re-energize your UNA spirit through networking.
- Members’ Day at the UN (New York, NY) – February 10
- Mid-East Regional Meeting (Washington, DC) – March 11-12
- North Central Regional Meeting (Des Moines, IA) – April 21-22
- UNA-USA Annual Meeting (Washington, DC) – June 10-12
- More in the works for the Fall (including Southern and Northern California)
Information on these resources are available on a one-pager of the look ahead for 2012.
That’s where you come in. I look forward to a terrific year for the UNA-USA membership and network. We will grow our membership base. We will make sure our voice is heard. Most importantly, UNA-USA members and Chapters will help the UN continue make a difference around the world.
Time to get started. Who has the garage door opener?
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The InterDependent:
UNA-USA’s online news magazine.
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