February 1998
*Visit of the President of the UN General Assembly (1997-98)
A breakfast-meeting was organized on Saturday, 14 February 1998, by the UNA Sarasota- Manatee Chapter, at the Café of the Arts (Sarasota), in the honor of the President of the United Nations General Assembly, Mr. Hennadiy Udovenko, who also is the Foreign Minister of Ukraine. Around fifty members and distinguished guests attended this meeting.
*Luncheon-Meeting
A luncheon-meeting was held on 19 February 1998 at the Palm Aire Country Club (Sarasota). About sixty members and guests attended this gathering. The guest speaker was Ambassador Jack Vaughn. The title of his talk is: "Can Madeline save Our Government And The United Nations From A Cantankerous Congress".
*Board of Directors Meeting
Because of the conflicting schedule, there was no Board of Directors Meeting in this month.
March 1998
*The Firenze Trio
A musical concert was performed on Tuesday, March 3rd, by a superlative group of internationally renowned musicians at the Unity Church, 800 Cocoanut Avenue, Sarasota. The concert was organized by the Chapter as a fund raising activity.
*Luncheon Meeting
The March luncheon meeting was on Tuesday, March 19th , at the Country Club of Sarasota. The guest speaker was Dr.Michael Chege, Director of the Center for African Studies, at the University of Florida at Gainesville. He spoke on current and future happenings in Africa.
*Board of Directors Meeting
The Board met at the Selby Library on Saturday, March 14th at 9:30 am.
April 1998
*Luncheon-Meeting
A luncheon-meeting was held on April 16, 12 pm, at Walt's Restaurant (Sarasota), with featured speaker Dr. Julia Henderson. She spoke on "Post- Apartheid South Africa Today". Dr. Henderson is a renowned expert and a former United Nations senior official, attaining the status of being the highest ranked woman in the United Nations Secretariat. In the 1970's she was Secretary General of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) in London. After retirement, she continued to enjoy a worldwide reputation as an expert and consultant on population problems, living and working extensively in Third World countries. She has just returned from an Elderhostel observation and evaluation mission to South Africa.
* Board of Directors Meeting
The monthly Board of Directors Meeting was held on Saturday, April 11, at 9:30am at the Selby Library. The agenda included reports of diverse Committees on their monthly activities, the preparation of the Annual Meeting and the celebration of the 30th Anniversary.
* Visit of the UN Assistant Secretary General
During his visit to Sarasota, Mr. Frederico Riesco, ASG, Department of General Assembly and Conference Services, at the UN Headquarters, New York, and his wife, Carmen Gloria, have attended a reception, given in their honor, by Dr. Daniel Luu, member of the Chapter Board of Directors, and his wife Mary Jo, on 28 April, at his residence in Bird Key. UNA guests include Mr. Paul Byrnes, President of the Chapter, and his wife, Hope, Mr. Wade Mathews, Vice President of the UNA Florida Divisionand his wife, Betty, Dr. Margaret Bates, Vice President of the Chapter, Dr. Julia Henderson, Mr. Walter Low and his wife, Doris, Ms. Golda Basta, Ms. Rose Walker, Ms. Edith Adams, Ms. Janine Willem, Mr. David Saca and his wife Ina.
May 1998
* Board of Directors Meeting
The monthly Board of Directors Meeting was held on Saturday, May 9, at 9:30am at the Selby Library. The agenda included reports of diverse Committees on their monthly activities, the finalization of the preparation of the Annual Meeting and the celebration of the 30th Anniversary.
* Celebration of the 30th Anniversary and Annual Meeting of the UNA Sarasota- Manatee Chapter
The 30th Anniversary of the UNA Sarasota-Manatee Chapter was celebrated at its Annual Luncheon Meeting on May 23, at the Bird Key Yacht Club, Sarasota. The meeting was attended by 130 guests including: (a) four guests of honor: Rev. Jerome Dupree, Mayor of Sarasota ,Rev. Robert F. Hays Former Minister of Trinity Methodist Church, Sarasota, founder of the UNA Sarasota -Manatee Chapter, Rev. John Thompson, Former Minister of Congregational Church, Sarasota, founder of Sarasota-Manatee Chapter, Rev. Austin Mullen , Former Minister Incarnation Catholic Church, current Minister at St. Mark the Evangelist (Tampa), founder of Sarasota-Manatee Chapter, Ms. Elisabeth Ethal First Vice President of the Sarasota-Manatee Chapter, (b) guests from Supportive Associations, and (c) members of the Board and other members of the Chapter . A report on annual activities and budget was presented for examination and approval of the attending members.
* Participation in the UNA Annual Florida Division Convention
Five members of the Board of Directors of the Saraaote-Manatee Chapter, Rose Walker, Wade & Betty Matthews, and Daniel & Mary Jo Luu, attended the UNA Annual Florida Division Convention which was held at the Club Hotel by DoubleTree, Jacksonville, from 15 to 17 May, 1998. Around 40 persons attended the meeting including delegates from diverse chapters in Florida and the Board of the Florida Division. The meeting was honored by the presence of three Guest Speakers, James Olson, Vice President for National Programs, UNA-USA, William Muller, UNA-USA Board of Governors, and Gary Crocker, Bureau of Intelligence and Research, US State Department. Generally speaking, the meeting was interesting and very well organized by the Florida Division and the Jacksonville Chapter. The next Florida Division Covention will be organized in Sarasota, in collaboration with the Sarasota-Manatee Chapter.(For other details on the Convention, please click above or see this item in Index).
June 1998
*Board of Directors Meeting
The monthly Board of Directors Meeting was held on Saturday, June 13, at 9:30am at the new Selby Library. It was the last meeting before the summer break.
June-August 1998 - Summer Break
September 1998
*The UNA Season Opener
Dr. Margaret Bates gave a seminar at the Music Room, College Hall, New College (West Campus) on Friday September 11 at 3:pm., on her recent adventures in Iran where she found a mix of ancient and modern history, interesting archaeology, current mores, and everconfusing politics. Around 60 members and friends attended this seminar. A light refreshment was served .
* Board of Directors Meeting
The monthly Board of Directors Meeting was held on Saturday, September 12, at 9:30am at the new Selby Library.
October 1998
*UN Day Celebration
The celebration of the annual UN Day was held on October 24 at the El-Conquistador Country Club, with Guest Speaker Jeffrey Laurenti, Executive Director of Policy Studies at the UNA-USA. Topic: America in the United Nations, Leader or Dropout?. Some 80 members and guests attended the luncheon meeting. Ms Pat Arends, Town Clerk Director of Longboat Key,representing Sarasota and Manatee Counties, read the UN Day Proclamation. UN flag has been raised at the Sarasota City Hall.
* Board of Directors Meeting
The monthly Board of Directors Meeting was held on Saturday, October 10, at 9:30am at the new Selby Library.
November 1998
*Seminar
In response to frequent member requests for timely updates, a short presentation will be held at the Auditorium Meeting Room, New Selby Library, on Monday, November 16, from 10:00a.m. to 12:00p.m., on the ABC's of the UN - administrative issues, update on current General Assembly Meeting, United States concerns, and Q & A's etc.
Chapter officers and leaders will clarified and focussed on the issues and questions on everyone's mind. Theyl included Scott Behoteguy, Peggy Bates, Wade Matthews and others. This also is a great opportunity to check out the fabulous new Selby Library, the showplace of downtown Sarasota, and the new Meeting Room facility.
This absorbing and fascinating meeting is at no cost with coffee and delicious doughnuts being served. .
* Board of Directors Meeting
The monthly Board of Directors Meeting was held on Saturday, November 14, at 9:30am at the new Selby Library.
December 1998
* Celebration of the International Human Rights Day (p) A Special Luncheon Meeting Honoring International Human Rights Day , jointly organized by UNIFEM and UNA Sarasota Manatee Chapter ,was held at Country Club of Sarasota, on Saturday, December 5 at 11:00a.m.
Guest Speaker was Dr. Betty Reardon, well-known Director of the Peace Program at Columbia University and a recognized authority through her published works on Human Rights, gender issues, and demilitarization of human security. She was a key, featured speaker at the "Fourth Conference on Women at Beijing " in 1995.
December 10, 1948 marked a milestone in world history and on all mankind when "The Universal Declaration of Human Rights " was signed and adopted by the nations of the world. It is the primary articulation of the fundamental and inalienable rights of all members of the human family. It represents the first comprehensive agreement among nations as to the specific rights and freedoms of all human beings. The Declaration has been a cornerstone of customary international law, binding all governments to its principles.
* Annual Meeting
The Sarasota Manatee Chapter of UNA was hold on Thursday, December 10 at 9:30 at the Selby Library its Annual Meeting and elected its officers and Board members for the 1999 calender year. This is in line with the recent By-Laws amendment at the last Annual Meeting (fiscal) in May 1998 which changes the fiscal year, from June to May, to the calender year, in conformity with UNA national policy.The report of the Chapter actilvities from May to November1998 and the slate selected by the Nominating Committee were presented at the meeting.
* Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights
The 50th Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights, was celebrated at the Selby Library on Thursday, December 10, wirh a variegated program. In honor of this historical event, a number of organizations including UNA, AAUW, UNIFEM and others are working on a series of speakers, exhibit discussions etc..
* Board of Directors Meeting
The monthly Board of Directors Meetingwas held on Saturday, December 12, at 9:30am at the new Selby Library.
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