Letter from UNA-USA-SF President Pablo Castro San Francico, California

April 6, 2012

Dear UNA SF Member:

My name is Pablo Castro, and I am your current president of United Nations Association-San Francisco Chapter; I thank you very much for opening this note.

During the past year, our organization has been going through some exciting changes and improvements that I want to share with you, starting with our Board of Directors. I am very pleased to tell you that we now have some new board members who are really working hard at transforming UNA SF to be more vibrant and more connected with the community; involved with students, leaders, educational institutions and other organizations that believe in our UN ideals. Our mission is educating about, advocating for and promoting the important work of the United Nations.

We are working hard with about 50 young volunteers from SFSU, City College and Young Professionals. They are part of our groups focusing on Women's Rights, Advocacy and Social Media to promote causes, events and programs. We now have a UNA SF Art Group that is working on art projects to reflect the UN themes, missions and goals for peace. The art group will be working with the Academy of Art University and some High Schools.

We recently participated in the celebrations of International Women's Day and World Poetry Day; we participated in last year's Aids Walk and we had a great UN Day last October. We enjoyed a visit to the home of the Consul General of Indonesia, where international students from San Francisco City College were honored. We also conducted a volunteers forum several months ago to find out what our volunteers would like to achieve while working together to support this rather small planet of ours.

I will also tell you that I would really like to have your input regarding UNA SF; it would help our Board to do some strategic thinking with regards to the future changes and improvements. Please write to me and/or email. As President, I would like to know from you the member, what you want the organization to be and do.

There is still much to do in UNA SF. We are currently updating our bylaws, protocols, manual of procedures. We are also working on the development of a UNA SF internship program designed to benefit students around the Bay Area. This program will also broaden our ability to promote and support the work of United Nations.

Currently, our Board is getting ready for our Annual Membership Meeting that we are really hoping you will be able to attend. The meeting will happen in May and we will inform you of the details very soon.

In the meantime, we would like to hear from you, your thoughts and ideas. Send us a little note.

Please be well and prosper.

Pablo Castro

President
UNA USA SF