Monthly Update

Join the Envoy Facebook group

We have launched the Envoy Facebook Group!! This group is for envoys of any age. Envoys can use this space to ask questions, highlight discoveries, explore successes, or simply chat with fellow UU-UNO Envoys! Click HERE to join!

Envoy Highlights during Women's History Month 

Here are some Envoy Highligts in honor of Women’s History Month!

On Sunday, March 25th, the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship held their UN Sunday Service “What Women Really Want” led by UU-UNO Envoy Shari Loe and Rev. Alison B. Miller. Shari’s daughter, Sarah Matsushima, shared her experience learning about empowering women during last year’s Spring Seminar. Next, Shari and UU-UNO intern Anunay Swaroop updated the congregation on current UU-UNO initiatives. Rev. Alison concluded the service with a moving sermon encouraging congregants to be the small group that makes a difference in fighting global gender inequality.

UU-UNO Envoy Virginia Allen of Staten Island, NY was honored on the floor of the New York State Assembly Chamber in Albany for her work as a “black angel” – one of the black nurses who risked her life working at Sea View Hospital to take care of patients with tuberculosis from 1913 to 1960. Virginia is one of the last surviving black angels. Many Black Angels left safer nursing positions from around the country to come to Sea View. In addition to patient care, they also assisted researchers working on a successful treatment for TB. Without them, the cure would have been long delayed, and many more lives lost.  Read more HERE

March Envoy Training Minutes 

Our Envoy training webinars went quite well this month!      

Our first training was held on March 13th. Click HERE to download the Experienced Envoy Training Minutes 

Our second training was held on March 28th. Click HERE to download the New Envoy Training Minutes 

Next month, we are facilitating a Spring Seminar Follow-up Meeting where we will be asking envoys to volunteer to share their about their Spring Seminar experiences.  This call will take place on Wednesday, April 18th, 2012 from 5pm-6pm Eastern Time.

Action Alert 

 

 OUR CALL TO GOVERNMENTS: NO MORE ARMS FOR ATROCITIES – TIME FOR A BULLET PROOF ARMS TRADE TREATY

“The irresponsible and poorly regulated arms trade fuels serious human rights abuses, armed violence, poverty and conflict around the world. We could change that now with an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).

2012 brings an opportunity to better regulate the deadly trade in conventional weapons. In July, United Nations' member states will seek to finalize a binding international Arms Trade Treaty.

Sign this Appeal and demand that in July 2012 governments agree to an ATT that protects human rights, lives and livelihoods. Millions of people are being killed, injured, raped, repressed and forced to flee their homes every year. Health, education and other services are being denied and livelihoods destroyed.

The world needs a strong Arms Trade Treaty that will prevent arms transfers if they are likely to contribute directly to serious human rights abuses, war crimes or poverty. The Treaty must cover all conventional arms including ammunition.”

http://speakout.controlarms.org/speakout/index.php

News You Can Use 

You can use the following bullet points in your congregation's newsletter, website or announcements!

UU-UNO Updates: 

·   2012 marks the UU-UNO's 50th anniversary. We are planning a grand celebration in New York City during the fall. We will also encouraging envoys to hold parities in their congregations. Stay tuned for more information. 

United Nations Updates:

·   Israel cuts ties to UN Human Rights Council. Last week, the U.N. council voted to send a fact-finding team to investigate Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank and east Jerusalem. To read more click HERE

·   Syria President Bashar al-Assad can end the detentions and stop the killing of civilians by issuing an order. Six-point plan requests that authorities release those detained in the uprising, but does not pose deadline. For more click HERE

·   India eradicates wild polio! Read more HERE

·   For more UN headlines visit: http://www.un.org/news/.

Alice DeVaney-Curtis, LCPC, NCC
Baltimore County Public Schools
6th and 7th Grade School Counselor
Sparrows Point Middle school
7400 North Point Road
Baltimore, MD 21219
410-887-7510