Meeting Patrick Madden, New UNA-USA Executive Director

On Friday April 8, Patrick Madden joined members of the board of the Southern New York State Division, the chair and board members of the Young Professionals for International Cooperation group, and representatives of several chapters in a lively, informal meeting at the New York office of the UN Foundation.  UNA-USA staff members Liubov Grechen and Tanisha Dyall also participated.

l. to r: David Stillman, David Cockcroft, Kira Brereton, George Garland, Catherine D. White, Michele Clarke-Ceres, Trusha Chockshi, Jeanne Betsock Stillman, Patrick Madden, Pratima Narayan, Liubov Grechen, Tanisha Dyall, Sonya Geder-Diggs, Paula Rice Jackson, Eben Bronfman, Ashis Gupta, Craig Bartlett and, in front, Wade Clarke-Ceres

This was Patrick’s first meeting with chapter members other than a phone call with the Council of Chapters and Divisions Steering Committee.   He had joined UNA-USA in mid-March, was just getting to know the organization, and said he was open to ideas and suggestions.  Patrick described his relevant experience as Executive Director of Sister Cities International which, like UNA-USA, is a grassroots, chapter-based organization, as well as his earlier professional experience and educational background.   Introductions of Division members demonstrated their range of experience, interests and professional contacts.

We talked about the UN Foundation – UNA-USA merger and its implications, the joint efforts to support the UN,  the desire to be supportive of chapters and communicate effectively, expanding the membership, the role of YPIC, advocacy, including an urgent appeal to educate certain members of congress about an upcoming important bill concerning the United Nations, and, mostly, “getting to know you.” 

All considered the meeting very valuable.  Patrick said that he would welcome both formal and informal contacts in the weeks and months ahead, and looked forwad to seeing many at the June Annual Meeting.  It was agreed that Patrick would facilitate a speaker from the UN Foundation for an upcoming Division orientation program for new board members and volunteers.