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.