World Bulletin
The President’s Corner 
Tom Miller |
Dear UNA-USA Members:
I want to let you know that March 15, 2010, will be my last day at UNA-USA as I relinquish my position as president and chief executive and take up a new post with a different organization in Washington. Over the time that I have worked at UNA, I met hundreds of leaders of our chapters and divisions around the country, all of whom I will greatly miss. It has been a genuine privilege serving each one of you, including the UNA staff members in New York and Washington, and establishing such strong bonds across the USA. Edward Elmendorf, whom many of you know, will succeed me and continue UNA’s mission as the nation’s oldest grassroots organization, connecting the American people with the work of the United Nations. Ed’s distinguished career as a national and international civil servant suits him well as the next navigator of UNA. He started young, working at the US Mission to the UN under Adlai Stevenson, and has been deeply engaged with international institutions ever since, as he went on to become a staff member at the United Nations and then a 30-year stint at the World Bank. Equally important, Ed knows our organization intimately, having served four years as president of the largest local unit of UNA-USA, in Washington, D.C. He was also elected in June 2009 by all of you to become the chair of the UNA-USA Council of Chapters and Divisions (CCD). I came on board UNA-USA shortly after the Obama administration took office, when it quickly signaled its desire to engage more fully with the UN -- surely a propitious moment for UNA to be involved in such spheres of international affairs. Within months, the US joined the UN Human Rights Council, persuaded Congress to pay our bills to the UN on a timely basis and pledged to increase support for peacekeeping. In addition, the US decision to devote its Security Council presidency in September to disarmament and nonproliferation emphasized the administration’s goal of using the UN as a pivotal forum for tackling such difficult security challenges. While all this was going on, UNA-USA worked tirelessly to mobilize public support behind the idea of the US leading by example. UNA’s AccomplishmentsI was truly honored to serve the organization’s thousands of dedicated supporters during this momentous period and was gratified to see UNA so energized in its advocacy role. From California to Illinois, from Colorado to New York, my most memorable impressions were made during my meetings with you -- Americans who care deeply about the world’s problems enough to want to find the best solutions possible. I am encouraged that so many Americans still believe in the vitality and utility of the United Nations to take on and try to resolve the endless list of scourges inflicting millions of people around the world. In my tenure at UNA-USA, we have accomplished a great deal within our own ranks. We jump-started relations with some -- though not enough -- key donors, rebuilt the bridge between headquarters and the chapters, focused our policy efforts to have more impact and kept our excellent Global Classrooms programs moving forward. We laid the groundwork to ensure that UNA-USA remains as relevant in the 21st century as it was when its predecessor organization was founded more than 60 years ago -- when the UN itself came into being, too. I leave knowing that our relationships with crucial UN officials, the US government, the international diplomatic community, other UNAs around the world and nongovernmental organizations are stronger than they’ve been in years. I am proud of these accomplishments but also aware of the challenges ahead. While I am sorry that I will not be part of UNA’s future, I am certain that the organization will carry on in excellent hands, thanks to our highly capable, loyal staff and superb new president, Ed Elmendorf. As the board and I continue to say, our members are the backbone of UNA, so we trust you to forge ahead with your plans and ambitions. The board’s Executive Committee has reaffirmed its commitment to the UNA-USA CCD annual meeting, to be held in Washington June 6-8, and the Planning Committee for the conference expects to open registration on the UNA-USA Web site very soon. I am deeply grateful for everyone’s hard work and spirited participation. I thank you for your unwavering support and for giving me the opportunity to take on the challenges confronting UNA-USA in the last year and for believing in it as an institution. Stay in touch, and I wish you well. Sincerely,
Tom To share your views, send your e-mail to yourviewsmatter@unausa.org. Keywords: UNA-USA, Tom Miller, Ed Elmendorf
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