The Board and the Executive Team have continued to make membership and increased awareness and support of UNIFEM our key objectives. This year, UNIFEM/USA (1) achieved the annual commitment to UNIFEM by donating $50,000; (2) worked with local leaders to develop a new Chapter in Chicago and to encourage forming chapters in Nashville, Houston, Connecticut and in Northern California (3) conducted a major a fundraiser in honor of UNIFEM’s 30th Anniversary to support the U.S. National Committee for UNIFEM’s visibility and financial security (4) Revamped and redesigned our website to create a high-level communication vehicle for our members and an effective management tool for our Board and Executive Team (5) Retained an accounting firm to manage our financial affairs in a professional and efficient manner. (6) Raised the level of the UNIFEM/USA Endowment Fund to $100,000 and moved the funds to be professionally managed in support of Committee operations.
Membership/Chapter Development
New Chapter Updates & Development
This fall, the Chicago, IL Chapter became an official Chapter of the U.S. National Committee for UNIFEM. In November, the Chicago Chapter held its first event at the Chicago Club with featured speaker M. Cherif Bassiouni, who has served the UN in a number of capacities, including as UNHCHR’s Independent Expert on the Situation of Human Rights in Afghanistan. U.S. National Committee for UNIFEM Program Director Kaytee O’Neill spoke at the event and met with the Chicago Board to discuss and review our Policies and Procedures and By-laws with the Chapter. Since the luncheon, the Chicago Chapter has continued to increase its membership and is planning to host a film festival in the near future.
The Committee also is working with four entities in various phases of formation: Connecticut, Nashville, TN, South Central Texas and Northern California. All of the forming Chapters are working to recruit members in their areas. Vice President for Membership Ruth Zeller is continuing to work with the Connecticut group that currently has 18 members. Program Director Kaytee O’Neill has been working with the Nashville and South Central Texas Chapters and Chapter Development Chair Heather Milkiewicz is in conversation with Northern California.
The Berkshire Chapter has been dissolved. The Committee determined that the Berkshire Chapter sent $8,269 of dues and donations directly to UNIFEM through the UN Foundation instead of reporting through the Committee as is required by our governing documents. While the leaders of the chapter were asked for a final report and an accounting of funds, a response was not received.
Program Development
U.S. NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR UNIFEM Celebrate the Arts Fundraiser
On July 27, 2006, the Committee hosted its 2006 annual fundraiser "Celebrate the Arts" at Hemphill Fine Arts Gallery in Washington, DC. The evening showcased an art exhibition by Benjamin Abramowitz and the music of Lynn Revo-Cohen sung by jazz vocalist Danielle Westphal. In addition, the UNIFEM/USA quilt created by Lisa Ellis was unveiled during a silent auction. The event raised over $10,000 to benefit the U.S. National Committee for UNIFEM. Special thanks to Judy Ramey for her dedication and effort to make this event a success.
"Give the Gift of Peace" Holiday Campaign
In December, the U.S. National Committee for UNIFEM launched a Holiday Campaign focusing on UNIFEM’s Trust Fund efforts. The US National Committee incorporated Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman into the piece since she is working with UNIFEM to raise the profile of the issue of violence against women and girls. The goal for this mailing was to increase the knowledge of the Trust Fund, raise funds for the Trust Fund and to encourage individuals to become members of the U.S. National Committee for UNIFEM. During the Holiday Season, this piece was also featured on our website.
Annual Walk to End Violence Against Women and Girls
The U.S. National Committee for UNIFEM launched its sixth Annual Walk series to support the work of the UN Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence Against Women. To promote the walks, the Committee created and distributed a colorful postcard to the membership referring them to the website to download registration and pledge forms. Modeled after last year’s walks, this year’s walks have also been extended through October 1, 2007. To date, the Committee’s National Capital Chapter, Metropolitan New York Chapter and Atlanta, GA Chapter have held walks.
U.S. NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR UNIFEM Intern
This summer, the U.S. National Committee for UNIFEM had the support of an intern from June to August. Rachel Gutterman, a women’s and gender studies major at the University of Indiana, worked two days a week at the office under the supervision of Kaytee O’Neill. Rachel worked with Kaytee to compile information for the website and also assisted in the preparation of the July 27th fundraiser.