UN Highlights
What is a UU-UNO Envoy?
What is a UU-UNO Envoy?
An Envoy acts to represents the UU United Nations Office within their local congregation. They connect the congregation to the UU United Nations Office and get important information on current UN activities. They receive information on our program initiatives and then plan events in their congregation to promote the program. Envoys are extremely valuable to the UU United Nations Office because they are the link between the office and the global UU community.
If your congregation does not already have an Envoy, consider becoming one. Or better yet, consider forming an Envoy Committee.
To join the team, contact the office, and we will get you started. To contact the Envoy Coordinators directly, see below.
For Americans:
Holly Sarkissian
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For Canadians:
Eryl Court
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How did the UU-UNO and the Envoy system originate, and how is it related to the UUA?
In 1962 the US Ambassador to the UN, Adlai Stevenson in talking to Reverend Dana Greeley suggested that each UU congregation have an Envoy who would inform UU’s about the activities of the UN. Following this, an office was set up by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) to coordinate the efforts of such envoys. Thus, the UU United Nations Office was formed and initially under the Department of Social Justice, UUA. Later, it was spun off as an associate organization with no direct funding from UUA.
UU-UNO is now an associate organization with the UUA, but does not receive direct funding from the UUA. UU-UNO receives and depends upon memberships and donations from individuals and congregations for its work. However, being a member of a congregation that make contributions to UU-UNO does not automatically make individual members of, or donors to, UU-UNO.
Envoy Responsibilities
1. Increasemembership. First, lead by example and make sure your own membership iscurrent. Contrary to popular belief,the UU-UNO does not receive funding from the UUA or from any other centralchurch authority. The UU-UNO depends onindividual and congregational contributions to keep the UU voice alive andstrong at the United Nations. One of the main responsibilities of an Envoy isto gain membership and funding for our Office. Your goal should be to get atleast 10% of your congregation to become members in good standing with theUU-UNO.
2. Plan a UNSunday Service. Since the United Nations Charter entered into force onOctober 24, 1945, it has become a tradition in many UU congregations todesignate a Sunday in October as UN Sunday. We ask that all Envoys sponsor a UNSunday Service or event in support of the UU United Nations Office. UN Sundayis one of the most effective ways to educate your congregation about ouradvocacy at the UN and recruit membership and support for the UU-UNO. The UU-UNOannounces a new UN Sunday Theme on our website each April and publishes anupdated, theme-specific resource packet each May.
3. Advertiseand participate in UU-UNO programs. Discover the best ways to publicize the UU-UNO in yourcongregation. Many envoys posts monthly announcements in their congregation’snewsletter. Others set up a UU-UNO table during coffee hour. Our programs include our IntergenerationalSpring Seminar, Every Child is Your Child Program, advocacy for LGBT humanrights at the UN, and activism against gender-based violence in Darfur. For more information about these initiatives gotto our website or call to speak with Office staff.
4. Hold aninternationally themed events and fundraisers. For ideas go to the Envoysection of our website and check out “Suggestions for Fundraisers” and“Congregational Initiatives”.
5. Coordinatecongregational visits to the UU-UNO and UN. We encourage congregations tovisit our Office and the UN. This gives UUs in your community the opportunityto see what we are working on first-hand.
6. CoordinateOffice visits to your congregation. The UU-UNO Executive Director and otherstaff are available to speak at your congregation on a first-come, first servebasis. Many congregations invite an Office Staff member to speak for their UNSunday Services.
7. Maintaincommunication with the Office. We want to hear from you with feedback fromyour congregations. Let us know what you are working on. If you have anyquestions, suggestions or need for assistance contact the Office.
8. Have fun!
How Can I Become an Envoy?
To become an envoy, contact our Envoy Coordinator, Holly Sarkissian by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone at 212-986-5165. She will add you to the envoy listserv and send you an envoy welcome packet.
Tips for Getting Started:
1. Announceyour position as Envoy to your congregation. Get your position officiallyrecognized by your congregation. This is usually done through your minister,congregation’s board or Social Action Committee. Then announce yourself in your congregation’snewsletter or bulletin.
2. Build anEnvoy Team. Find a co-envoy, youth envoy, or create a UU-UNO committee
3. Create asupport network. Develop congregational contacts with your minister,director of religious education, youth group, Social Action Committee, peaceaction task force, welcoming congregation committee, Interweave group and anyother person or group at your congregation who may be interested in our work.
4. Get educated.Look at our website, talk to UU-UNO staff, and become well versed in whatthe Office is doing. Build your knowledge so you can articulate what the Officeis working on to your congregation.