We believe that the UN reform process is an opportunity for a stronger role for the UN on development issues and to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Gender equality and the empowerment of women are seen as critical to the achievement of these goals and UNIFEM’s role here is vital.
We are concerned that the centrality of gender issues and women’s rights to the development agenda is not being fully acknowledged in the UN reform deliberations.
Although UNIFEM is the smallest fund at the United Nations, its work has changed the lives of millions of women worldwide. In 2004, the consultative committee of UNIFEM undertook an independent organizational assessment which concluded that UNIFEM was under-resourced, and although it "punched well above its weight", UNIFEM needed to expand to fulfill its mandate.
At this historic time, rather than disbanding or merging UNIFEM, as is being discussed, the Governments of the UN should be looking at ways to increase its authority, status and resources.
In addressing the UN reform process, the Group of 77, the Caucus of Developing Country Governments at the UN, stated that the mandate of UNIFEM should be strengthened so that it can be even more active in its role of catalyzing and mainstreaming gender concerns in the UN system.
UNIFEM is the women’S fund at the UN, advocating for the empowerment of women and gender equality. What message would it send to the world if the women’s agency was subsumed into another part of the UN?
There is a huge job to do to achieve equality for women, when so many do not want, either consciously or subconsciously, to change the status of women, and wish to keep women as second class citizens.
Survey after survey has revealed the evaporation of gender equality commitments in gender mainstreaming which, although an essential strategy, shows its weakness, and demonstrates the need for a driver, such as UNIFEM, to keep the issue of gender and to affect real change towards equality.
The outcome document from the 2005 World Summit is firm in its recognition of gender equality and women’s empowerment as key to all development goals. A strong women’s agency, an enhanced UNIFEM, is therefore essential to the future success of the UN.
We must remember the words of Eleanor Roosevelt that seem so appropriate today:
"Too often the great decisions are originated and given form in bodies made up wholly of men, or so completely dominated by them that whatever of special value women have to offer is shunted aside without expression."
The Board and the Executive Team have continued to make membership and increased awareness and support of UNIFEM our key objectives. This year they have (1) achieved their annual commitment to UNIFEM by donating $50,000; (2) increased membership to over 900 members and continued to work with local leaders to develop new chapters; (3) implemented a highly successful program with Neale Godfrey in three cities to support UNIFEM/USA’s visibility and financial security; and (4) completed the transition of their management and oversight activities in the Washington, DC headquarters.
Membership Development
Unforgettable Butterfly Campaign
In late November, UNIFEM/USA embarked on a membership campaign asking all current, former, and prospect UNIFEM/USA members to recruit their friends, co-workers and family to join the U.S. Committee. Each UNIFEM/USA member received a campaign packet with a letter from the president, membership recruiter forms, response envelopes and numerous "UNIFEM Projects Around the Globe" fact sheets to encourage others to join UNIFEM/USA.
The membership campaign theme, "Unforgettable Butterfly," was inspired by the three Mirabel sisters from the Dominican Republic who were violently assassinated for their political activism in 1960. The sisters, known as the "Unforgettable Butterflies" became a symbol of the crisis of violence against women in Latin America. The timing of the mailing also corresponded to the UN’s November 25th International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. November 25th is the date that commemorates their lives and promotes global recognition of the wide-spread pandemic of gender violence.
UNIFEM/USA’s "Unforgettable Butterfly" campaign goal was 500 new members by December 31, 2005. At the December Board meeting, the Board agreed to extend the membership campaign until May 31, 2006 to enable the continuation of the campaign and to give more time to reach this ambitious goal. With the help of the Board and members, UNIFEM/USA had recruited 161 new members by the end of the campaign. The top recruiters (as of February 10, 2006) were listed in our Winter Update and the final top ten recruiters will be highlighted in our Summer Update.
New Chapter Updates & Development
California is on the verge of having its second chapter established. After the successful start up of the Southern California Chapter, a new chapter is being formed in Los Angeles. In addition, a group of interested members are in the process of forming a chapter in Chicago. Once LA and Chicago have 25 members and have signed the Policies and Procedures document, they will be eligible to become full-fledged chapters of UNIFEM/USA.
A template for a college club campaign has been developed by Adrea Selighsohn to assist those Board members who are interested in creating a college club at their alma maters. A similar template was developed by Shari Gruber to attract Young Professionals. Accompanying information packets include a 2004-2005 UNIFEM Annual Report, a UNIFEM/USA brochure, a UNIFEM brochure and a promotional DVD that provides testimonials given by six women who have received UNIFEM funding.
The UNIFEM/USA Boston Chapter dissolved in October 2005 and in January 2006, the Boston Chapter closed its books and sent $1500 to UNIFEM/USA.
Spring Walks
UNIFEM/USA launched its fifth annual Spring Walk to support the work of the UN Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence Against Women. At the suggestion of Board members and other parties, this year’s walks were extended through October 1, 2006. Due to this change, the walks are now called "UNIFEM/USA’s Annual Walk." This year’s brochure addressed violence on many levels and included new supporting organizations, such as Luna: The Whole Nutrition Bar for Women, Ms. Magazine and Technology Research Consultants, Inc. The Annual Walk mailing included a transmittal letter with a photo and quote from UNIFEM Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman, a brochure and an additional pledge/sponsorship form. The mailing was sent to all UNIFEM/USA current, former and prospect members in May.
Re-design UNIFEM/USA website
With the assistance of PR Director, Diane Olson, UNIFEM/USA has contracted a new website development and design firm, Genvy Media, LLC, to redesign the current UNIFEM/USA website, www.unifemusa.org. The new design will include rich graphic imagery linking UNIFEM/USA to UNIFEM and will provide compelling information about UNIFEM’s programs and projects that will help promote UNIFEM/USA membership. It is designed to include a section for each UNIFEM/USA Chapter. The website will also provide security and ease for online financial transactions, and create a separate password encoded section for Board Members to access organizational and legal documents.
In addition, the new site will help to identify perspective members and connect interested parties and researchers to UNIFEM. The site will be operational in early September.
"UNIFEM In Action" Poster Series
This past year, UNIFEM/USA created a series of five posters illustrating "UNIFEM in Action." Each poster focused on one of UNIFEM’s four strategic areas (Reducing Feminized Poverty, Halting the Spread of HIV/AIDS, Achieving Gender Equality and Ending Violence Against Women). The fifth poster highlighted the story of 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Dr. Wangari Maathai, who received one of her first grants from the nascent UNIFEM.
The posters, developed by Diane Olson and Kaytee O’Neill, are intended to generate interest and inform others about UNIFEM, UNIFEM/USA and its mission of "working toward a world where women live free from violence, poverty and inequality." The posters were presented at the June 2005 Annual meeting and since have been prominently displayed at numerous events. A set of posters was mailed to each Chapter President in July. Additional sets are available upon request.
UNIFEM/USA Award of Excellence
UNIFEM/USA President Sheryl J. Swed presented Nane Annan with UNIFEM/USA’s Award of Excellence on March 2, 2006 at the Annual United Nations Luncheon in New York hosted by UNIFEM/USA’s New York Chapter. The Award of Excellence was UNIFEM/USA’s public recognition of gratitude and appreciation for Nane Annan’s dedication to improving the lives of women and girls worldwide. Over the years, this award has been given to Jane Fonda, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Tipper Gore, Dr. Dorothy Height and Bella Abzug.
UN 60th Anniversary Luncheon
UNIFEM/USA partnered with the U.S. Committee for United Nations Association (UNA-USA) for the "UN at 60" luncheon, celebrating 60 years of the UN. As one of the co-sponsors, UNIFEM/USA was recognized in various promotional materials. In addition, the luncheon afforded time to meet with Senator Paul Sarbanes and Gillian Sorensen to update them on the work of the U.S. Committee and UNIFEM. Subsequently, UNIFEM/USA’s Program Director met with UNA-USA to discuss how the organizations could be more active within the UN network in the US and collaborate on UN issues, including the Trust Fund. The standard UNA-USA membership dues for Associate Organizations are $500; however, they negotiated a mutual exchange of memberships. As of May 1, 2006, UNA-USA is an honorary member of UNIFEM/USA and UNIFEM/USA is an Associate Organization of UNA-USA.
Millennium Development Goals
UNIFEM/USA co-sponsored "Making the MDGs a Reality" Event with 17 other organizations including UNDP-USA, UN Population Fund and UN Environment at PAHO on February 24 in Washington, DC. The focus of the event was "Networking to make the MDGs a Reality for Young Professionals." Members of UNIFEM/USA’s National Capital Chapter volunteered at the event to speak and distributed information about UNIFEM/USA. UNIFEM/USA received all of the participants’ contact information and several new members have been recruited from this event.
UNIFEM’s 30th Anniversary Celebration
UNIFEM Goodwill Ambassador and host of the evening, Nicole Kidman welcomed a room full of guests from over 80 countries. "UNIFEM’s 30th anniversary is a special opportunity for me to bring UNIFEM’s accomplishments to the attention of a larger audience of concerned citizens. So many people have come together this evening, not just to look back on UNIFEM’s 30 very impressive years but to look ahead – "when you’ve been blessed with a fortunate life, it is very much your duty to find the places where you can give back. I’m so proud to be part of UNIFEM’s present and future."
In honor of thirty years of commitment to women and girls around the world, UNIFEM presented its first Global Leadership Award to Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and its Global Champion Award to Terry J. Lundgren. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first woman President of Liberia and also the first democratically elected female head of state in Africa, received the honor for her commitment to promote education for women and girls, to enforce legislation to prevent sexual violence and provide training to support women’s economic empowerment. Terry J. Lundgren, Chairman, President and CEO of Federated Department Stores was recognized for the Macy’s/Rwanda Path to Peace partnership. To date, the partnership has supported more than 2,000 Rwandan women artisans, many of whom were widowed in the 1994 genocide.
Media Coverage
Every year, UNIFEM, UNIFEM/USA and its Chapters receive media attention for their ongoing programs and events. This past year, a few Chapter highlights include the Gulf Coast Chapter’s Learners to Leaders program in the Herald-Tribune and the National Capital Chapter’s UNIFEM at 30 event posted on the Women’s Calendar.
In addition, the "Ladies’ Home Journal" did a cover story on UNIFEM Goodwill Ambassador Kidman, which included a reference to UNIFEM/USA that has resulted in inquiries about membership and over $3300 to support the UN Trust Fund.
Furthermore, UNIFEM/USA developed two press releases for distribution in May. The first press release focused on the current UN Reform process, urging that Women be included as a strategic pillar. The second press release highlighted UNIFEM’s 30th Anniversary Celebration. Both press releases are available on our website.
Updates and Print Materials
UNIFEM/USA has continued to develop their print UPDATES on a quarterly basis to keep their members informed of the work of UNIFEM and the U.S. Committee. UPDATES are mailed to all UNIFEM/USA members, posted on the website and are also available for distribution at events or in mailings to potential new members.
UNIFEM/USA also created a "UNIFEM Projects Around the Globe" fact sheet for the "Unforgettable Butterfly" membership campaign. This fact sheet highlights four specific UNIFEM projects focusing on each of UNIFEM’s strategic areas. Additional fact sheets were sent to each Chapter President for distribution at their Chapter events.
For the "Making the MDGs a Reality" event, UNIFEM/USA created a fact sheet on what UNIFEM is doing to help implement the Millennium Development Goals.
United Nations Representation
UNIFEM/USA’s team of representatives has continued to attend meetings and conferences throughout the year on issues concerning the work of UNIFEM. Ruth Zeller leads the team consisting of Ruth Clay Bowman, Sybil Evans, Shari Gruber and Margaret Howard.
Alliance and Coalition Building
UNIFEM/USA has been asked to host and coordinate an afternoon meeting of the Global Coalition in New York at UNIFEM headquarters in March 2007 during the first week of the meetings on the Commission on the Status of Women. The next meeting of the Coalition after this NY meeting will be hosted by the UK in May 2007.
Public Speaking Engagements
On the local level, chapter representatives and members of the Board in areas not affiliated with a chapter are often invited to speak at local events and meetings – generally about the US Committee, UNIFEM or about issues affecting women worldwide. Both the "UNIFEM in Action" poster series and The UNIFEM/USA PowerPoint presentation facilitate these types of activities. UNIFEM/USA is working on updating its PowerPoint presentation for future speaking engagements.
Support to UNIFEM: $50,000.
In November, the U.S. Committee sent $35,000 to UNIFEM. The money was directed to support UNIFEM’s Women’s Centres in Afghanistan, The UN Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence Against Women and UNIFEM’s programs in Sudan. At the UN Luncheon on March 2, 2006, UNIFEM/USA presented a second check to UNIFEM in the amount of $15,000 for the UN Trust Fund. These contributions meet their goal as outlined in the Recognition Agreement to raise at least $50,000 annually in support of UNIFEM.
Neale Godfrey Is Tap Dancing Through the Boardroom Fundraiser
Board member, Neale Godfrey, continued to perform her one-woman off-Broadway comedy to benefit UNIFEM/USA’s advocacy, outreach and education efforts in 2005-2006. On December 5, Neale performed at McCurdy’s Comedy Club in Sarasota, Florida with the theme "High Tea and High Jinx." The performance was hosted by the Gulf Coast Chapter and raised $5,000 for UNIFEM/USA.
On March 4, 2006 Neale donated the proceeds of her show at the Triad in New York City to UNIFEM/USA in honor of UNIFEM’s 30th Anniversary. Furthermore, Neale has agreed to perform in Atlanta, GA on March 8, 2007. She is currently working with the Atlanta, GA chapter to finalize the details.
We are indebted to Neale for her generosity and work in support of UNIFEM/USA’s financial security.
Classy Acts Benefit CD for UNIFEM/USA
UNIFEM/USA Vice President Judy Ramey presented the opportunity to receive 25% of the proceeds from a CD by jazz artists, Classy Acts, to benefit UNIFEM/USA’s advocacy, outreach and education efforts. A motion was passed at the December Board meeting for Judy to pursue this opportunity. As of January 31, 2006, UNIFEM/USA had signed an agreement with Classy Acts and created a UNIFEM/USA label to place on all CDs that states, "Proceeds from the sale of this CD benefit UNIFEM/USA."
Contract for full-time staff
In response to local Chapters for more coverage at the U.S. Committee office and as a result of returning the membership activities to the office, on January 1, 2006, UNIFEM/USA expanded Kaytee O’Neill’s employment to 32 hours per week at UNIFEM/USA’s office at 1200 18th St. NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC. Prior to this year, Ms. O’Neill worked 8 hours for the U.S. Committee. As Program Director, Ms. O’Neill’s responsibilities include telephone and email coverage, membership questions, preparing materials for board members and chapters, helping to organize Board meetings and representing UNIFEM/USA at various events. She reports directly to the President and corresponds with members of the Executive Committee and Board on a daily basis. UNIFEM/USA is fortunate to have the services of this talented young professional. In addition to having a degree in Women’s Studies and having competencies in design and printing, Kaytee has expertise with ACCESS and many other computer programs.
Lock box
Under the direction of UNIFEM/USA’s new Treasurer, Pam Albertson, UNIFEM/USA secured a lock box with Bank of America to assist in the accounting and recording of our financial transactions. All checks for donations and membership dues are directly deposited into our checking account. Bank of America provides UNIFEM/USA with an itemized deposit slip, copies of the checks and the original supporting documentation as they are received at the bank. The records are forwarded to the national office and input into the national database by the Program Director. The lock box address is: U.S. Committee for UNIFEM, P.O. Box 630502, Baltimore, MD 21263-0502.
UNIFEM/USA Non-profit Mailing Permit
As part of UNIFEM/USA’s continuing efforts to reduce costs, they have secured a non-profit mailing permit to reduce postage expenses for volume mailings. This was the direct result of Program Director, Kaytee O’Neill and PR Director, Diane Olson attending a seminar on the rules and regulations of mailing at the Non-profit and Business Mail rate. UNIFEM/USA utilized its permit for the "Unforgettable Butterfly" membership campaign and will continue to use the permit for future membership campaigns and mailings.
Insurance
In October UNIFEM/USA renewed its D&O insurance policy with Hartford Insurance through Walterry Insurance Brokers. The $1,000,000 policy covers "any individual who has been, now is or shall become a director, officer, governor, trustee, equivalent executive, employee (whether salaried or not), volunteer, leased or temporary employee, or committee member of the Organization." UNIFEM/USA also signed a general liability insurance policy to cover "typical" events and activities organized by UNIFEM/USA and its chapters. Both policies are in effect until October 14, 2006.
2005 Audit
Renner & Associates performed UNIFEM/USA’s 2005 audit. Renner & Associates worked with Pam Albertson, Kaytee O’Neill and previous auditing firm, Smart & Associates to assist in the transfer of financial information for UNIFEM/USA. Renner & Associates will also perform the 2006 Audit. The audit was sent to all Board members on June 20, 2006.
As this report demonstrates, UNIFEM/USA has achieved a great deal and met many challenges this year. However, the meeting in Helsinki was an excellent reminder that the trials and struggles that UNIFEM/USA confronts here within their Committee are small and inconsequential when compared to the fate of women around the world and how the UN will deliver on its commitments. UNIFEM/USA asks all of us to keep this greater goal in the forefront of our minds and at the center of our activities in the coming year.