Dear UNA Family,
 
We have so many people to thank for the incredible work over the last year. That is why we have created this special e-Newsletter complete THANK YOU’S to the people who made it happen. The list is very long and we hope that we have included everyone. If we missed a name, we hope that you will forgive us. We could not do it without you!

On January 23, 2008 we held our annual meeting and honored outgoing Board Members and elected our new Board and officers! It was a lively meeting that culminated in a fun new committee sign up process. We now have dynamic teams working on advocacy, education, events, membership and public relations. We hope that you too will join a UNA committee and help the UN to help the world.

We continue to build on the rich foundation laid by the Pasadena-Foothills Chapter over the last 60 years. We are particularly proud that this year, we will celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by working with the City of Pasadena to hold the first annual all city celebration of Human Rights Day. Our Mayor, Bill Bogaard, honored the UNA Pasadena Chapter by presenting our Presidents and Executive Director (Esther Gillies , Judith Harris and Sherry Simpson Dean, respectively) with a Proclamation from the City at City Hall, declaring December 10, 2007 –UN Human Rights Day! We had our first plenary meeting at City Hall on February 5, 2008 to lay the ground work for this special and historic celebration. Please stay tuned as this celebration will include all of us. Our approach will be collaborative, allowing the UNA to be the unifiers of the City on the subject of Human Rights.

For much of the last 60 years, the former UNA store on Green Street here in Pasadena, has been the heart and soul of the UNA. In this fine tradition, we are pleased to share that we will be opening a new UN Store—online! The Millennium Development Goals T-shirt, designed by artist Cindy Bennett, have been produced for distribution by the UNA Pasadena Chapter to inaugurate the reopening of the store. Made with 100% organic cotton, we hope that you will buy one, share the vision and help to change the world! (All proceeds will go toward the UNA Pasadena and its programs including the Model UN and our newest project, Global Friends.)

Overall, it has been a banner year for the expansion of United Nations Association Pasadena Foothills Chapter, its programs and advocacy. We have begun to use the phrase “UN Renaissance” to describe the new level of participation in Chapter campaigns and events.

This year, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon quickly moved environmental sustainability to the forefront of the UN’s global agenda. Here in Pasadena, we did the same. Many of you attended our first environmental awareness event—Going Green last June, where we honored Mayor Bill Bogaard and the City of Pasadena for creating the Green City Action Plan based on the UN Environmental Accords. Our UN Day event featured a keynote address by Gillian Sorensen, Senior Advisor for the UN Foundation and former Under Secretary General of the United Nations. Her message underscored that while the UN is in need of reform, it is still our most valuable ally in the fight to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS, to help the economic stability of third world countries, peacekeeping and eradicating world hunger!

Locally, UN Clubs are now thriving at several area schools including McKinley Elementary School, Mayfield Senior School, Polytechnic High School, Flintridge Prep and Pasadena City College. This year also marks the beginning of a new UNA collaboration with the Pasadena Unified School District in an effort to expand the Model United Nations in area public schools. The UNA and PUSD launched this effort on Februrary 28, 2008 when they co hosted a reception and demonstration of the Model UN for students, parents, teachers and principals. We held a teacher workshop in April on How to Get the Model UN started at your School. Rpresentatives form 5 area schools were present along with Felicity Swerdlow, PUSD Director of Secondary Education. Our next Model UN activity will be a Model UN simulation on the topic of Darfur to be held at Blair high School Thursday June 12, 2008. Led by UNA Board Members Alfredo Matthew and Brice Harris, student willengage in debate on solving the critical issues in the Darfur region of Sudan. It should be noted that the Pasadena City College Model UN has bveen highly successful winning competions nationally including a second place win in New Orleans earlier this year. The PCC Model UN Club is committed to mentoring our high school Model UN Teams next semester.

We continue to engage the US public with global issues through our Advocacy and Human Rights work. Many of us participated in Congressman Adam Schiff’s Darfur Forum held at the Pasadena Jewish Temple earlier last year. Thanks to our Advocacy Committee, our website now provides a conduit to reach elected officials, in-a-click, allowing us to weigh-in on legislation affecting international concerns.
 
Our Chapter also participated in the UNA USA conference this year in New York City. Our Representatives were Carol Chenoweth and Executive Director Sherry Simpson Dean. Ms. Simpson Dean was a panelist for a workshop on coalition building efforts. Carol Chenoweth shared the Pasadena’s Green City Action Plan as an example of solid partnerships to attain environmental sustainability. This year Co-President Carol Chenoweth will represent us in Washington DC at the UNA Conference of Chapters and Divisions.

Communication and outreach is the key to our UNA community’s growth and participation. We hope that you have been enjoying the eNewsletter that announces events, UN news locally and globally and other subjects impacting the UN Millennium Development Goals. Our website encourages visitors to get involved and highlights our partnerships with organizations like 34 Million Friends led by founder Jane Roberts. We are very proud of this affiliation with Jane and her effort to raise 34 million dollars toward maternal health and women's education worldwide.

Our Coffee Talks speaker’s series continued in full force.  This monthly speaker’s event is a social evening that brings the community together to hear expert speakers on the subjects you care most about. We are now at the Armory Center for the Arts! This year guest speakers have included world renouned Kenyan novelist and human rights activist Ngugi Wa Thiongo, Humanitarian Aides and University lecturer, Andrea Capachietti, and a panel of innovators who are leading the way on environmental sustainability. All of our speakers are forwarding efforts toward the UN millennium Development Goals. Stay tuned for our August Coffee Talk on current challenges and opportunities for development in Ethiopia.

We offer thanks to all those who have collaborated to support our work this year, including UNA members, our Board of Directors, local schools and colleges, other non profits, local businesses, churches and synagogues, The City of Pasadena and of course our sister Chapters in the UNA Southern California Division and most of all you for your interest and commitment to a better world.

We hope you enjoy the gallery of photos from the year. We look forward to seeing you this summer.

Sherry Simpson Dean
Executive Director

Thank you for your work with the United Nations Association Pasadena Foothills Chapter!

Congressman Adam Schiff
Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard
Jeanette Ndhlovu, South African Counsel General
Michael D. Antonovich Supervisor Fifth District LA County
The Western Justice Center
Green technology Magazine
Karin Kukurin, Deputy Director Community Liaison Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Ambassador William Luers, President UNA USA
Teresa Lamb Simpson, Office of Congressman Adam Schiff
Alice Sterling
Cynthia Kurtz
Ursula Schmidt
Andrea Capachietti, Humanitarian Aid Consultant
Joanna Ryder, the Hunger Project
Anthony Portantino, Assemblyman
Jacqui Robinson, Councilmember District 1
Margaret McAustin Councilmember District 2
Chris Holden, Councilmember District 3
Steve Haderlein, Councilmember District 4
Victor Gordo, Councilmember District 5
Steve Madison, Councilmember District 6
Sid Tyler, District 7
The Environmental Advisory Commission:
Madhu Kumar, Commissioner
Carolyn Meredith, Commissioner
Jaylene Mosely, Commissioner
Roger Gray, Commissioner
Bryan Reese Commissioner
Michael Hurley, Commissioner
Marc Baum, Commissioner
Lisa Fay Matthiessen
Carol Carmichael
Alice Sterling
Ursula Schmidt
Reverend, Dr. Ed Bacon, All Saints Church
Wilma Jakobsen, All Saints Church
Zelda Kennedy, All Saints Church
Joe and Ruthie Hopkins, Pasadena/San Gabriel Journal
Jane Roberts, Founder 34 Million Friends of the UNFPA
Ellen Snortland
Ken Gruberman
Marvin and Esther Schachter
Gay Parker, Pasadena Playhouse
Mike Wallace, Wallace and Partners
Chris Beaven, Green Technology Magazine
Elizabeth Rohm, Red cross Celebrity Representative
Milo Reice
Annaly Bennett
Lindsay Suter, AIA USGBC
Dr. Lisa Suter
Toby Osos
Sharon Girdner
Rene and Thomas Wilson
Peter and Elaine Adams, California Art Club
Marianne and Matt Wright
Carolyn Seitz
Tim Brick
Inman Moore
Stephanie Vu
Leigh Adams
Guiseppe Bertani
Nagin Cox
Pauline Field
Laila Hussain
Susan Jones
Amjad Khan
Pamela Penson
Joanelle Romero
Norri Sirri
Betty Sirri
Gayle Watts
Horace Williams
Rabbi Grater, Pasadena Jewish Temple
David Lunan, Adcom
Andrew McGregor, Tiziano Project
TV One
Ralph and Kitty McKnight
Gillian Sorensen, Senior Advisor UN Foundation
Rome Friesen, National IMUNA Board
Timothy Bergreen, Washington D.C. Office of Congressman Adam
Paula Boland, UNA, Washington National Capitol Area
Southern California Division, UNA USA
The Regional Council of Organizations
Ardi Rashidi, President Southern California Division of the United Nations Association
Mel Boynton
George Garland
Gerda Govine
Philipe Grandet, UNFPA
Deni Robey- American for the UNFPA
Larry Levine, President, Monterrey Chapter United Nations Association
Felicity Swerdlow, Director of Secondary Education, Pasadena Unified School District
Kathleen and Michael O’Sullivan
Ron Carter, The Ron Carter Agency
Yvette Brooks Platoff, Root 2 the Fruit Catering
Hilary Bradbury Huang Director Sustainable Business Research, USC Center for Sustainable Cities
Lyndia Lowy
Mauricio Mejia, Programs Manager, Pasadena Water and Power
Najeeba Syeed Miller, JD.
Tiffany Persons, Shine on Sierra Leone Foundation
Betty Ho, Office of Mayor Bill Bogaard
Judy Kent, Office of Mayor Bill Bogaard
Karin Davalos, Commission on the Status of Women
Tami Tucker Thomas, Pasadena/Altadena Links
Mildred Dockery. Pasadena Altadena Links
Joyce Sniffen, Pasadena Altadena Links
Rosemary Lonergan
Tim Johnson
Debbie Swanson Patrick, Altadena Above it All.wordpress.com
Daniella Masterson -V100 Radio
Aeliot Boswell-Host Aeliot Live!
The Coffee Gallery, Altadena CA
Jeff Bricmont, Modern Earth
Marcus William and the McKinley UN Club
Marisa Sarian, McKinley School Principal,
Mayfield UN Club- mention names
Fred Tatlyn, Goliath Graffix
Ms. Dragon Print and Copy
Melina Montoya
Elizabeth-fruit and flowers
James Smith, Jacob Maarse
Boston University, African, Presidential Archives and Research Center
Karen Brightly
Christine Grumm President CEO Women’s Funding Network
Karen Solomon, Opportunity Green
Michael Flynn, Opportunity Green
American Women for International Understanding
Jonathan Greenblatt, Co Founder Ethos Water
Jamiah Adams, Brave New Foundation
Kreigh Hampel, Recycling Coordinator, City of Burbank
United Methodist Church, Burbank.
James Castillo, Tongva Tribe
Ken Gruberman
Carl Mariz, President UNA USA Southern California Division
Matthew Rosenthal-Human Rights Liaison UNA USA Southern California Division
Paul Rodriquez, President UN Club Pasadena City College
James Nganga, Millennium Development Goals Ambassador, Pasadena City College
Bishop Charles E. Blake, West Angeles Church of God in Christ, Save Africa’s Children
Alverno High School
Anne Gillick, Head of School Alverno High School
Nicole Landers, Nicole Landers Public Relations
Gary Baddeley, President-Disinformation
Environmental Motors
Brian Brierly, Flintridge Foundation
Marvin and Esther Schachter
Betty Sandford
Thurmon Couch
Robin and Lynne Gillies
Willard and Barbara Hayden Fund
Jane Jaquette
Dorothy Thorman
Stan Taylor
Joan Jackson
Scott Redman
Katherine Moyd
John Gregory
David K Robinson
Julie Parker
Jody Carter
Dorothy Davis Harrington
Madeleine and Morris Birnbaum
Horace Williams
Thomas Hubbard
Laureen McCoy
Governor and First Lady’s Women’s Conference
Jamie Designs
Russell Johnson, Art Thang
Victor Grant
Eden Stein
USC, School of Social Work
Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church of Pasadena
Fuller Theological Seminary
YWCA
Gayle Watts, Women on a Mission
The Africa Channel
Larry Wilson, Editor Pasadena Star News
The Pasadena Weekly
The Interdependent
Theresa Kennedy, It Magazine
Liam Blume, It Magazine
One Campaign
Partnership Walk
Le Pain Quotidien
James Nash Producer CBS news
Edith Grady, YWCA
Denise Jones, YWCA
Teen Futures
Le Flores De Julianne
PALAC
Tumi Ansa
Djirbriil and Mary N’Doye
Asanka Kithmini Wijesinghe
Farah Khan
Jamie Bricmont
Lana Margulis
Amanda Stiemen
Chiraphone Khampouvang, Azusa Pacific Office of World Missions
Megan Sievert
Elisa Schement
Epoxy  Green
Chris Migliano, Golden Bridge
Eliza Thomas, Editor of Whole Life Times
Nancy Allan
Kent Sokoloff
Frank Minero
Steaz Drinks
H20hm
Starbucks
June Gorman, Santa Cruz Chapter United Nations Association
Mark Mastromatteo, President McKinley Parent Teacher Association
Riley McMahon UNA USA
Heather Riney UNA USA
Joanelle Romero, Red Nation
Red Car Wine Company
Casa Barranca Wines
Trader Joes
Peets Coffee
North Hill Gallery
Rasheed Ali, Artist/Musician, Coffee Talks Guest Spear
Diane and Jeffrey Karpel
Lions Gate Films
Armory Center for the Arts
Art Center College of Design
Mariana Amatullo
James Nganga
Naora Ben Dov
K Fitness
Jackson Shrub
Model UN Club PCC
Twin Palms Restaurant
UNICEF
Mr. John Duvall, Advisor UN Club Mayfield Senior School
Jeania Ree Moore
Nora Sassounian
Gabrielle Pacana
Hannah Courtney
Evelyn Cho
Sarah Profumo
Brittany Banis
Megan Fitzpatrick
Robyn Popp
Morgan Shaner
Aria Dean
Max Dean
David Dean
The Khan Family
Monica Brinn, Peace Corps (Tanzania)
Diana Auberg, Save Africa’s Children
Los Angeles World Affairs Council
Betty Harris
Betty Sandford
Carolyn Harris
Dorothea Davis Harrington
Julie Parker
Bruce Gillies
Lynne Gillies
Maureen Charles
Jody Carter
Kim and Jenifer Watson
Rhody Stephenson
Tree People
Steaz Energy
Green Building Resource Center
Joe Evans
Joe Pardee
Joe Salas
Joey’s Green Room
Massimo Ristorante
Opportunitygreen.com
Global Green
Patagonia
McKinley School
Carnivo XO
Judith Harris

And we honor and thank our Board of Directors of the United Nations Association Pasadena Foothills Chapter for their talents, passion and action!
The UNA Board of Directors 2008:
Esther Gillies
Jon Charles
Carol Chenoweth
Robin Gillies
Sherry Simpson Dean, Executive Director
Cindy Bennett
Mabel Obi
Brice Harris
Susan Henderson
Wilma Jakobsen
Diane Karpel
Chiraphone Khampouvong
Cecila Jackson
Gene Masuda
Alfredo Matthew
James Nganga
Heather Ross
Ralph McKnight
Paulo Rodriguez
Azar Seraj
Barry Simon
Margaret Soderberg