We had a busy day of lobbying on The Hill. Ten New Jersey members met with the following offices:
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D) Rep. Donald Payne (D) Rep. Frank Pallone (D) Rep. Scott Garrett (R) Sen. Robert Menendez (D) Sen. Cory Booker (D) We also dropped off Briefing Books with Rep. Tom McArthur (R), Rep. Leonard Lance (R) and Rep. Chris Smith (R). Our objectives were: 1. Ask for full funding of UN peacekeeping and payment of our dues to support the UN's work. 2. Active support for UNHCR and refugees in this time of crisis. We currently have 60 million refugees, more than any other time in history. 3. Ensure that our elected officials work with the UN to support the 17 Global Goals. Jeremy Zullow, Advocacy VP for the Princeton-Trenton Area chapter, joined the UNA-USA National Council as a Mid-Atlantic Regional Representative at the leadership summit, taking the place of Northern New Jersey's unrivaled Donna Rosa. |
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A Message from Chris Whatley on the Leadership Summit
Dear Chapter Leaders:
I want to thank all of you who took time from your busy schedules to join us for UNA’s 2016 Leadership Summit in DC last week. We had record turnout with over 300 participants representing 38 states, 70 chapters, and 118 high schools and universities. UNA leaders were on the Hill in force meeting with over 200 House and Senate offices. One of the issues that our members advocated passionately for was the need for US leadership in addressing the refugee crisis. It was a fitting messaging for UNA to deliver just days before World Refugee Day.
However, chapter leaders did more than just lend their voice to the cause, with support from our amazing sponsor, Yoobi, UNA leaders packed 1,000 backpacks with school supplies (see below) for resettled refugee families. In addition, the summit marked the launch of UNA’s new humanitarian campaign, Adopt-A-Future, focused on educating refugee children. The initiative is dedicated to 1.) raising funds to support UNHCR schools in 64 specific camps and communities in nine countries; and 2.) welcoming refugees in our own communities through back-to-school events providing donated school supplies.
I was truly touched by the outpouring of support we have received for the new initiative. In the days since the launch, an astounding 25 chapters have indicated their willingness to participate in one or both elements of the campaign (see below). Given that the UN announced today that the global population of refugees and displaced persons has grown 10% in the past year alone (from 59 million to over 65 million), and that fully half of this population consists of children, our support is needed more than ever before. If you, or any other organizations that you work with, are interested in playing a part in this new initiative please don’t hesitate to contact me. Also, if you have already signed up for Adopt-A-Future and are eager to get started, stay tuned, we will be in touch later this week to get your preferences on schools your chapter would like to support and to coordinate next steps.
Thank you as always for all you do to help the UN help the world.
I want to thank all of you who took time from your busy schedules to join us for UNA’s 2016 Leadership Summit in DC last week. We had record turnout with over 300 participants representing 38 states, 70 chapters, and 118 high schools and universities. UNA leaders were on the Hill in force meeting with over 200 House and Senate offices. One of the issues that our members advocated passionately for was the need for US leadership in addressing the refugee crisis. It was a fitting messaging for UNA to deliver just days before World Refugee Day.
However, chapter leaders did more than just lend their voice to the cause, with support from our amazing sponsor, Yoobi, UNA leaders packed 1,000 backpacks with school supplies (see below) for resettled refugee families. In addition, the summit marked the launch of UNA’s new humanitarian campaign, Adopt-A-Future, focused on educating refugee children. The initiative is dedicated to 1.) raising funds to support UNHCR schools in 64 specific camps and communities in nine countries; and 2.) welcoming refugees in our own communities through back-to-school events providing donated school supplies.
I was truly touched by the outpouring of support we have received for the new initiative. In the days since the launch, an astounding 25 chapters have indicated their willingness to participate in one or both elements of the campaign (see below). Given that the UN announced today that the global population of refugees and displaced persons has grown 10% in the past year alone (from 59 million to over 65 million), and that fully half of this population consists of children, our support is needed more than ever before. If you, or any other organizations that you work with, are interested in playing a part in this new initiative please don’t hesitate to contact me. Also, if you have already signed up for Adopt-A-Future and are eager to get started, stay tuned, we will be in touch later this week to get your preferences on schools your chapter would like to support and to coordinate next steps.
Thank you as always for all you do to help the UN help the world.