Hello to all UNA-OC members and friends,

It has been a busy and fruitful year, full of amazing activity. We began with a congenial gathering of UNA-OC friends and supporters at our annual brunch in January, when we heard Tim Canova, professor of Law at Chapman University, speak on “Lawless Finance, Failing States, and the Unfinished Agenda of the United Nations.” In April, we participated in the Great American Write-In, petitioning our representatives in Congress to support the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Law of the Sea Treaty, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In May, we joined hundreds of organizations in a celebration of our diversity at Soka University’s International Festival. In June, many of you attended a delightful coffee talk at Irvine Heritage Park Library to hear Jim Stanbery, professor of Political Science and History at Los Angeles Harbor College, speak on “The UN—Now More than Ever!” September found UNA OC attending the Orange County Progressive Summit for the second year in a row, joining other organizations in OC in our unabashed support of progressive causes. Later in the month, we sponsored and participated in the FANA Beach Walk for “Children's Wellness Worldwide: Transforming Hunger and Obesity” at Huntington Beach, where hundreds of children and their parents took part in a lively program of walking, running, dancing, and yoga. On the same day, Golden West College hosted Bands & Bellies, a celebration in honor of the International Day of Peace, and UNA-OC was there! October represented the height of our activities, with UNA-OC spreading the word about the work of the UN at the Irvine Global Village Festival. The next weekend, we hosted our 2nd International Human Rights Film Festival at Chapman University, with the focus on women’s issues. We had an impressive show of support from the community, with over 100 people attending. We’re still receiving notes of appreciation for the important issues taken up in the five films featured at that event. And finally, on Nov. 5, we honored our phenomenal Film Festival Chair, Jaclene Roshan, at the annual SoCal UNA Division Meeting & Tribute Luncheon in Pasadena. What a year!

Into this mix of events and activities, we have also launched several new programs. Joy Adams, our Chair of Council of Organizations, has initiated cocktail gatherings to reach out to other organizations as we partner with them to create a forum for progressive groups in OC to network around UN initiatives. Jaclene Roshan, our Chair for Young Professionals, has launched a new chapter of YP for OC, with the purpose of engaging young professionals in networking opportunities as they relate to international and domestic affairs connected to UN issues. And finally, our intern program is stronger than ever, with nine new interns from local universities serving on the various chapter committees. It looks as if 2012 will get off to a great start, and I hope members of our chapter will become more active with us in the year ahead.

Gerri McNenny

President, UNA-USA Orange County Chapter