Internship Manual
Welcome!
We are excited to have you on staff with us during this semester. The semester is full of events,
so let’s get the ball rolling! We will use our time to first introduce you to how things in the
office are done and get you familiar with our humanitarian campaigns. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit
organization, we operate on a strict operating budget and always try to make the most out of
what resources are available to us. We advise you to recognize this as well and hope you will be
conscientious of using your time and resources wisely. We hope you enjoy the flexibility that
lies within this internship as you seek to learn more about the UN and what issues resonate
most with you. With that being said, we look forward to working with you. Below you will find a
brief list of policy’s we have for our office, nothing to be scared of, only to be aware of.
Thank you!
Yashar Vasef
Executive Director
Emily Harmon
Associate Director
Policies and Procedures
1) Sign in whenever you are in the office and log your hours in the network.
2) Dress: Business casual
3) Use professional e-mail etiquette when corresponding with fellow co-workers and contacts.
4) If the phone rings, Yashar will answer it first, then Emily, then the next available Intern.
5) All information regarding our members is confidential and should not be shared with anyone.
6) If you are not going to make it in to the office on any particular day because of a scheduling conflict
you need to e-mail Emily at least 24 hours in advance. If you are getting transcript credit these hours
will need to be made up at a later time. Emergencies happen – if so, try and let us know as soon as
possible.
Vision
A globally engaged Iowa
Mission
To educate and motivate toward the values and goals of the United Nations
Core Values
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International Cooperation
Respect for Human Rights
Nonviolent Conflict Resolution
Responsible Social and Economic Development
Goals
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To effect constructive United States involvement in the United Nations through education and
advocacy.
To support responsible development through programs that reach locally, nationally and
globally.
To promote peace, understanding and respect by utilizing the capabilities of the United Nations.
The Basics
A. Organizational Listing
1.
2.
3.
4.
Board of Directors
Advocacy Director – Yashar Vasef
Associate Director– Emily Harmon
Interns
1. Program Assistant – Jacqueline Carrillo
2. Hike to Help Refugees – Kayla Stevenson
3. Hike to Help Refugees-Ha Young Jeong
4. Shot @ Life and Nothing but Nets Coordinator– Keelie Johnson
5. Shot @ Life and Nothing but Nets Coordinator – Elle Pope
6. UNICEF Campaign Coordinator – Chen Cui
7. Advocacy & Media Director— Cora Chen
8. Volunteer Coordinator— Leah Baack
9. UI Student Organization President – Steve Mather
5. Volunteers
1. Office Assistants
2. Advocacy/Event Assistants
3. Blogging Assistants
B. Important Documents & Resources
1. Go to My ComputerNetwork Drivesshare on ‘srv001’(Z:)
2. Look around the drive-there are plenty of great resources to use; if you
cannot find what you are looking for just ask
History
The Iowa United Nations Association’s history began when Eleanor Roosevelt visited Des Moines in 1953
to speak for the American Association for the United Nations. The University Christian Church feared
controversy and cancelled the venue. But a place was located, and Eleanor Roosevelt delivered her
message to an overflowing crowd. Under the leadership of Dorothy Schramm, the Iowa United Nations
Association was then established to carry on what has proven to be decades of dedication to, promotion
of, and education about the United Nations.
In 1953, Elizabeth Kruidenier of Des Moines was chosen the first president of the Iowa UNA, a new
organization without money, budget, or program, but a cadre of dedicated members and volunteers.
In 1954, Dorothy Schramm of Burlington was chosen as the second president and served for the next
four years (1954-1957). The first Iowa Governor’s UN Day was observed on October 24, 1954 at the Iowa
State Capitol. Iowa State’s collection of UN flags was created together with the Iowa High School Essay
Contest. The first Annual Meeting (later know as the Annual Assembly) was held on June 4, 1955.
By 1957, eight chapters were active in Iowa. Over 135 schools were participating in the high school UN
Essay Contest. The Iowa UNA and the Iowa Chapters provided over 287 Community Programs on the
UN. The budget of $100 the first year increased to $4,000.
William Kerstetter and J.W. Maucker, Presidents of Simpson College and the University of Northern Iowa
respectively, were elected as the third and fourth presidents. Cecil G. Douglass, an Associated Press
journalist, was the Executive Director from 1964-1977. He was also the editor of the Iowa UNA Forum
and A Quest for World Peace: The Story of the Iowa UNA.
Following other executive directors who served for brief periods of time, Dorothy Paul was hired as
Executive Director in 1979. She had already served as a board officer. She began working part-time and
eventually became full-time due to the increased demands of the position. The Iowa UNA office was
opened in a small upstairs room in the Old Brick former church building in Iowa City in January 1981. The
move to the present larger location in Room 200 occurred in the mid-1980s. In 2000, Dorothy resigned
her UNA position to help launch the University of Iowa Center for Human Rights under the leadership of
UI law professor, Burns H. Weston, who also served on the Iowa UNA Board of Directors. Dorothy
continues to serve on the Iowa UNA Board of Directors and play an important role in the organization.
Katy Hansen has worked as Co-Director since 1996. She became the Executive Director in 2000. Andrea
Niehaus worked as Co-Director beginning in 2009, and became Executive Director in 2010. Since
November 2010, Yashar Vasef has served as the Executive Director. Stefanie Bowers of the Iowa City
Human Rights Commission currently serves as the President of the Board of Directors.
The Iowa UNA continues to provide educational programming and coordinates humanitarian fundraisers
in Iowa through UN programs like UNICEF, Nothing but Nets (to help end malaria), and many more!
Check out more on our campaigns here: http://iowauna.org/campaigns/
General Information
The Iowa United Nations Association (Iowa UNA) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. 501C3 status
organizations have been approved by the US government for tax exempt status.
Our operations are managed by funds secured through membership dues, and individual donations. We
apply for grants to implement special programs.
The Iowa UNA and the UNA-USA are part of a larger, worldwide network of United Nations Associations:
the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA).
WFUNA
World Federation of United Nations Associations
WFUNA has over 100 members worldwide. Its members are United Nations Associations like the UNAUSA. The United Nations Association of the United States of America is one of those members.
http://www.wfuna.org/
UNA-USA
United Nations Association of the United State of America
The UNA-USA is our national organization. UNA-USA headquarters is located in New York with an
advocacy office located in Washington, D.C. All members of the National UNA-USA are also members of
a local Division and a Chapter if a chapter is located in their area. Chapters and Divisions are further
grouped into Regions which have representatives on the national Board of Directors. There are over 135
Chapters and Divisions in the United States.
http://www.unausa.org/
Iowa UNA
Iowa United Nations Association
The Iowa UNA is the Iowa Division which is responsible for the entire state of Iowa. The Division plans
local and state-wide programs and events and also provides coordination and support to Iowa Chapters
which are located in communities across Iowa.
http://www.unaiowa.org
Chapters in Iowa
In addition to the Iowa Division, there are 5 chapters in Iowa. To become a Chapter, a group must hold
regular meetings and/or programming, have a set of bylaws, elect officers and have 25 members or
more.
Chapters: Ames, Des Moines, Johnson County, Cedar Valley, and Linn County.
Student Alliance and YPIC (Young Professionals for International Cooperation)
The UNA-USA encourages Student Alliance groups and YPIC groups to be active within Chapters and
Divisions.
Student alliance groups pay $50 for group recognition and $10 membership fees per member. This fee
includes a student alliance and UNA-USA membership.
The UNA Linn County Chapter has a very active student alliance group through Kirkwood Community
College in Cedar Rapids.
Iowa United Nations Association: Membership
The Iowa United Nations Association is a membership organization. Though our programs are free and
open to the public, Iowa UNA members financially support our programs. Without our members, private
donors, and volunteers, Iowa UNA programming would not be possible.
Members of the Iowa United Nations Association are also members of their local chapter and of the
UNA-USA. If there is no local chapter, members are still members of the Iowa Division (the Iowa UNA)
and the national organization (UNA-USA). Members receive regular mailings (newsletters, event invites,
etc.). By joining the Iowa UNA, members are joining global discussions on important world issues.
Members pay annual dues.
Introductory rate: $25
Renewals (after the first year): $40
Students: Free
Dues can be paid to the Iowa Division or to the UNA-USA by sending a check, money order, or credit
card information along with the information listed below:
First and Last Name
Address
City, State Zip
Phone Number
E-mail Address
To:
Iowa Division (Iowa UNA)
20 East Market Street
Iowa City, IA 52244
OR
UNA-USA
801 Second Avenue Second Floor
New York, NY 10017
OR
Online at http://www.unausa.org/join
Membership dues are split between the local chapter and the UNA-USA
Board
In all nonprofit organizations, the board of directors sees that the organization is moving toward its
vision, mission, and goals. The board presides over the executive director. The executive director
presides over all other paid staff and volunteers.
The Iowa UNA’s board of directors has officers elected to two year terms: President, General Chairman
of the Division, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Third Vice-President, Secretary, and
Treasurer. The rest of the board is comprised of directors elected to 3 or 1 year terms. Each chapter has
its own board of directors. Each chapter’s board president also serves on the Iowa Division’s (Iowa
UNA’s) board.
The Iowa UNA board has 4 board meetings per year. These meetings are used to discuss business and to
plan for the future. The annual spring meeting, called the Annual Assembly, is open to the entire
membership and all members are encouraged to attend.
UNA-USA History
The American Association for the United Nations, UNA-USA's predecessor organization, grew from the
League of Nations Association in 1943. A group of prominent citizens, including the first executive
director, Clark M. Eichelberger, activated the association to promote acceptance of the Dumbarton Oaks
proposals in the late years of World War II. Among the association's early actions was a national tour by
a number of US representatives to spread the word and gain support for American adherence to the
Dumbarton proposals. This led to the creation of the UN.
When First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, a member of the association’s board of directors, completed her
term as a US representative to the UN General Assembly in late 1951, she walked into the association’s
offices and asked for something to do. Her offer was gratefully accepted, and in early 1953, she
established an office at the association’s headquarters.
This was the quiet beginning of a major campaign in which Eleanor Roosevelt carried the message of the
American Association for the United Nations across the country through personal appearances,
recruitment speeches and fund-raising efforts that continued until her death in November 1962. She
was elected chairwoman of the board in 1961.
In 1964, the association merged with the US Committee for the United Nations, a group of 138 national
organizations supporting the work of the UN, thereby creating the United Nations Association of the
United States of America. The UNA-USA’s main office is located in New York. There is also an advocacy
office located in Washington, D.C.
The United Nations
Objectives:
Maintain peace and international security
Develop friendly relations among nations
Implement international cooperation in the economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian fields
Promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms
Establish a center where Member States can work together to achieve those common objectives
Purpose:
Promote international action
Maintain peace
Provide humanitarian assistance
Promote economic and social development
Protect human rights
Overview:
The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51
countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations
among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights. Due to its
unique international character, and the powers vested in its founding Charter, the Organization can take
action on a wide range of issues, and provide a forum for its 193 Member States (latest – South Sudan in
2011) to express their views, through the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and
Social Council and other bodies and committees.
The work of the United Nations reaches every corner of the globe. Although best known for
peacekeeping, peacebuilding, conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance, there are many other
ways the United Nations and its System (specialized agencies, funds and programmes) affect our lives
and make the world a better place. The Organization works on a broad range of fundamental issues,
from sustainable development, environment and refugees protection, disaster relief, counter terrorism,
disarmament and non-proliferation, to promoting democracy, human rights, governance, economic and
social development and international health, clearing landmines, expanding food production, and more,
in order to achieve its goals and coordinate efforts for a safer world for this and future generations.
UN History
The name "United Nations", coined by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was first used in
the "Declaration by United Nations" of 1 January 1942, during the Second World War, when
representatives of 26 nations pledged their governments to continue fighting together against the Axis
Powers.
States first established international organizations to cooperate on specific matters. The International
Telecommunication Union was founded in 1865 as the International Telegraph Union, and the Universal
Postal Union was established in 1874. Both are now United Nations specialized agencies.
In 1899, the first International Peace Conference was held in The Hague to elaborate instruments for
settling crises peacefully, preventing wars and codifying rules of warfare. It adopted the Convention for
the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes and established the Permanent Court of Arbitration,
which began work in 1902.
The forerunner of the United Nations was the League of Nations, an organization conceived in similar
circumstances during the First World War, and established in 1919 under the Treaty of Versailles "to
promote international cooperation and to achieve peace and security."
The International Labour Organization was also created under the Treaty of Versailles as an affiliated
agency of the League. The League of Nations ceased its activities after failing to prevent the Second
World War.
In 1945, representatives of 50 countries met in San Francisco at the United Nations Conference on
International Organization to draw up the United Nations Charter. Those delegates deliberated on the
basis of proposals worked out by the representatives of China, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom
and the United States at Dumbarton Oaks, United States in August-October 1944. The Charter was
signed on 26 June 1945 by the representatives of the 50 countries. Poland, which was not represented
at the Conference, signed it later and became one of the original 51 Member States.
The United Nations officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, when the Charter had been
ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and a majority of
other signatories. United Nations Day is celebrated on 24 October each year.
UN Main Bodies
General Assembly:
The General Assembly is the main deliberative organ of the UN and is composed of representatives of all
Member States. The work of the United Nations year-round derives largely from the mandates given by
the General Assembly. The General Assembly has 193 Member States.
Economic and Social Council:
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), established by the UN Charter, is the principal organ to
coordinate the economic, social and related work of the United Nations and the specialized agencies
and institutions. Voting in the Council is by simple majority; each member has one vote. There are 54
ECOSOC Members. The UNA-USA has general consultative status with ECOSOC.
International Court of Justice:
The International Court of Justice, located at The Hague in the Netherlands, is the principal judicial organ
of the United Nations. It settles legal disputes between states and gives advisory opinions to the UN and
its specialized agencies. Its Statute is an integral part of the United Nations Charter. There are 15
International Court of Justice judges.
Security Council:
The Security Council has primary responsibility, under the UN Charter, for the maintenance of
international peace and security. A reform of the Security Council, including its membership is under
consideration. The Security Council has 5 permanent members: China, France, Russian Federation, the
United Kingdom and the United States.
The Security Council also has 10 non-permanent members that serve on a rotating basis.
Trusteeship Council:
The Trusteeship Council was established in 1945 by the UN Charter to provide international supervision
for 11 Trust Territories placed under the administration of 7 Member States, and ensure that adequate
steps were taken to prepare the Territories for self-government and independence. By 1994, all Trust
Territories had attained self-government or independence. Its work completed, the Council has
amended its rules of procedure to meet as and where occasion may require.
Secretariat:
The Secretariat carries out the day-to-day work of the Organization. It services the other principal
organs and carries out tasks as varied as the issues dealt with by the UN: administering peacekeeping
operations, surveying economic and social trends, preparing studies on human rights, among others.
Repertory of Practice of United Nations Organs:
The Repertory of Practice of United Nations Organs is a legal publication containing analytical studies of
the decisions of the principal organs of the United Nations. It is a comprehensive summary of the
decisions of United Nations Organs and serves to throw light on questions of application and
interpretation of the UN Charter in practice.
Thank you for familiarizing yourself with the UN. You are well on your way to having a stronger voice in
world affairs. Cheers!
Spring 2014 Programming Calendar
January
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STUFF Ect. Fundraising Drive(ongoing)
Act it Rap it Recite it: Monday, January 20, 6-8 PM
University of Iowa Volunteer Fair: Wednesday, 22nd, 11 AM -3 PM
Crisis in Syria Fundraiser: Thursday, 23rd, 6:30 PM
February
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Human Rights Week: Monday-Friday, 10th-14th
Shot @ Life Dessert Party: Saturday, 15th, 7-8:30 PM
March
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Night of 1,000 Dinners: Thursday, 6th, 6 PM- 9PM
World Water Day: Friday, 21st
April
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Annual Assembly: Saturday , 5th
Hike to Help Refugees: Saturday , 5th , Des Moines
World Immunizations Week, 21st – 25th
Earth Day, Tuesday, 22nd
World Malaria Day, Friday, 25th
May
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N/A
June