UNA-USA Champions Program

UNA-USA Champions is targeted to members who need the flexibility of a less structured, time restricted program; but, also want deeper engagement in advocating for the UN but live in areas where there is no chapter. Champions will be key advocates and play a key role in expanding UNA-USA’s reach across the nation, and are already interested or invested in UN issues. This is a great way for members to learn how to independently advocate in their community, be recognized for their efforts, and open themselves up to other opportunities.

Apply Now!

You’re eligible if you…

  • Are at least 18 years of age.
  • Are a UNA-USA member
  • Live in the U.S. in an area where there is no UNA-USA chapter
  • Have no chapter affiliation on record (i.e. be registered as a Member-at-Large, formerly National member, which indicates you are not affiliated with a chapter).
  • Do not serve on a leadership position with a chapter.

 

To apply, please submit the online form. You should also have prepared for the form:

  • At least one social media handle, which should be made public, to track your digital engagement.
  • A response (300-500 words) in the form of a blog post to one of the following prompts.
  • Use your personality! This isn’t academic or technical writing, it’s creative – this should show your voice and style (you can see UNA-USA blog posts here and here for general examples).
      • Why are you passionate about continued U.S. participation and leadership at the U.N.? 
      • Why are community engagement and advocacy important? What do you want to focus on as a UNA-USA Champion?
      • What SDG are you most passionate about and how does it connect to issues happening in your city?

Based on your eligibility and responses, those selected will be invited to watch a training on being a UNA-USA Champion prior to entering the program.

 

Activity Expectations

Champions should complete at least six of any combination of the below activities. Depending on their skills, interest, and capacity there are a variety of actions Champions can take! Actions can be repeated, such as meeting with your Member of Congress’s staff in-district twice a year counts as two activities. UNA-USA provides training, toolkits, and other resources to help Champions in each of these activities.

There are different engagement levels based on the activities you can engage in and the accumulated points, which helps UNA-USA recognize you and all of your efforts:
Star, Pro, and Advocate. The more points you accumulate within 12 months, the more ways UNA-USA can recognize your efforts.

Below are the various activities you can act on through this program.

 

Advocacy

  • Meet in-district with federal elected officials or members of their professional staff to make the federal ask: full UN funding
  • Meet with state or local officials or members of their professional staff
  • Organize a “phone bank” event for members of your community to call members of congress to encourage support of the UN
  • Organize five current or potential UNA-USA members to engage in a volunteer project on behalf of UNA-USA
  • Obtain a mayoral proclamation for UN Day (October 24) or Human Rights Day (December 10)
  • Gather 20 people to submit one of UNA-USA’s digital advocacy actions

 

Build Support

  • Feature a federally elected official as a speaker at a UNA-USA, UN, or SDG event you host
  • Collaborate with organization or business on event related to an SDG or UN recognized day (e.g. International Women’s Day, Earth Day, Human Rights Day)
  • Feature a state or local official as a speaker at your UNA-USA partnership event
  • Register five new UNA-USA members and let us know the names and emails of those you got to join
  • Host a virtual event and obtain at least one speaker from a business, organization, government office, or non-profit
  • Feature a federal, state, or local elected official as a speaker at this UNA-USA partnership event
  • Host a MyDiplomat simulation with at least 6 other individuals

 

Educate

  • Host a casual gathering for those interested in being involved in a UNA-USA chapter and talk about what UNA-USA and its chapters do
  • Host a gathering where you educate college students on the UN, UNA-USA, and/or your motivations for being a Champion
  • Organize a casual “Sit and Chat” at your local library (or other public space) to have group community discussion about the SDGs, issues relevant to the community, and how they are related
  • Write a Letter to the Editor (200-250 words) about a specific issue or topic that is connected to an SDG or the UN’s work
  • Create a blog post (300-500 words) about an issue you’re interested in or interview and write about a member of your community who has done work pertaining to a certain topic (SDGs, human rights, global health, gender equality)

 

Spread Digital Awareness

  • Support/mention of UNA-USA, the UN, and/or the SDGs
  • Acknowledging official UN international day (e.g. International Women’s Day, International Mother Earth Day, Human Rights Day, UN Day, etc.) and UNA-USA event/support/impact.
  • Retweet or share a UNA-USA post.
  • Share a UNA-USA digital advocacy action

 

Participate

  • Attend the Global Engagement Summit
  • Attend the Leadership Summit
  • Participate in Lobby Day during the Leadership Summit
  • Attend a Global Engagement Online Series, PASSPORT Series, UN Day, or other UNA-USA national event/program