About the United Nations Association – Marin County Chapter
We are dedicated to educating, inspiring and mobilizing people in Marin County to support the principles and vital work of the United Nations, strengthening the United Nations system, promoting constructive United States leadership in that system, and achieving the goals of the United Nations Charter.
When you join the UNA – Marin Chapter, you are joining a nationwide network of over 100 chapters doing this important work. Contact us with any questions.
About the UNA
You can learn more about our national organization here.
History
For the history of the United Nations Association and precursors (including information about the involvement of Eleanor Roosevelt) visit this informative blog page.
Check out these related resources from Rotary, a long-time supporter of the United Nations, including this digital book.
About the UN
Learn about the 1945 conference in San Francisco where the United Nations was established, and more about the history of the United Nations here.
Download the 2019 edition of The US and the UN by clicking on the image below.
Your Local Board of Directors
Paul Clarke, President, UNA Marin Chapter
Paul Clarke grew in Mill Valley and currently leads institution building, security sector reform, and combating terrorism projects for US government programs with partner nations in Africa. Previously he organized seminars to combat violent extremism overseas. He is a retired Air Force officer who served on the National Security Council staff under administrations of both major parties. He has been a member of the board of the Marin UNA chapter since 2009.
Ro Rigney, Advocacy Chair
Ro has a degree in music and two teaching credentials from Sonoma State University. She led watershed restoration trips and organized environmental activities with students for many years under the wing of scientists and teachers from Point Blue (previously Point Reyes Bird Institute). She first learned about the UN from her father who had attended the signing of the UN Charter in San Francisco in 1945. After retiring from teaching, she joined the local UNA chapter to learn more deeply about the UN and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Bonnie Hunter, Secretary
Involved with the United Nations Associations since 2000 and was secretary and membership chair for several years. Grew up in Mill Valley and presently living in Novato. Formed Earth Charter Marin 2000 – 2009. Lived in the Sausalito houseboat community for 9 fantastic years and learned to deeply respect Mother Nature. Enjoy singing in a capella choir and taking jazz singing lessons. 90% vegan and getting closer – a believer in climate action. Her husband, Skip, has been a supporter (except for being vegan) of just about every radical and less-radical view and action she has taken.
Skip Hunter, Treasurer
Skip has a Fine Arts Degree in painting from Layton School of Art, Milwaukee, WI. In addition to being the treasurer of the UNA Marin Board since 2009, in the past Skip was a Planning Board member of Earth Charter Marin (9 years), and promoted and hosted events on concepts from the Earth Charter sustainability principles. He has also been an Environmental Committee leader of the Floating Homes Association of Sausalito, a member of the Marin Chapter of the San Francisco Opera Guild, and is currently singing in four local choruses as a bass. He finds pleasure in travel, music, and movies.
Juweria Mehtar, Board Member
Juweria graduated from the College of Marin Spring 2019 with an Associate’s Degree in Psychology and Sociology. Presently at UCLA studying law. During her time at College of Marin, Juweria was the Vice President and then President of the Model UN club which is how she got involved with the UNA and then joined the board in August 2018. Apart from all the extracurricular activities Juweria participated in at CoM, she is also a Domestic Violence Advocate for the Center for Domestic Peace assisting and advocating for victims of domestic violence. She is always looking for avenues to further social justice causes. She has found the UNA as a great platform to meet others working towards the same goals as her while raising awareness and furthering the goals of the UN as a whole.
P.J. Nave, Young Professionals Chair, Interim Advocacy Chair, Parliamentarian
PJ is currently a student at College of Marin. While a Archi Williams High he has served three years in the Youth and Government Program. Not only has PJ lived his whole life in Marin, but his great-great-grandfather arrived in Marin in 1888 as an immigrant from Italy. (You may recognize the name “Nave” from Nave Drive and Nave Shopping Center.) PJ is active in the Marin community, and not only with the UNA chapter, where he leads our Youth Committee. He is also the Publicist for the Museum of International Propaganda in San Rafael. In particular, he is focused on the international peacekeeping efforts of the U.N.
Marsha Torkelson, Board Member
My interest in the work of the United Nations began when I represented my university at a week long UN session for students in New York. Much later in 1995, I was thrilled to go to the Women’s International Conference in Beijing. Currently, I am glad to be a part of the UN-USA which is able to influence our representatives in Washington to fund the unique peacekeeping efforts of the UN.