We are the Johnson County affiliate of the United Nations Association - USA, a national, non-partisan, non-governmental movement advocating for the life-changing and life-saving work of the United Nations.

Board of Directors: Jerry Anthony, President; Britta Loftus, Vice President; Amy Brewster, Secretary; Meredith Gall, Treasurer; Mercedes Bern-Klug, Stefanie Bowers, Jenna Eastman, Barbara Eckstein,

Farnaz Fatahi, John W. Fuller, Wangui Gathua, Sara Haroun, Donna Hirst, Bijou Maliabo, Lucie Mordecai,

Jean Paul Mugemuzi, Stefanie Munsterman, Blake Rupe, Sanaa Sebaaly, Claudia Suazo, and Sarah Terlouw

E-Newsletter Editor, Jim Olson

Jerry Anthony is the new president of JCUNA, succeeding Barbara Eckstein

President's Message from Jerry Anthony

Planet Earth is facing numerous seemingly insurmountable problems. Human activities worldwide that are insensitive to the Earth’s climate are accelerating global warming and significantly disrupting climate and weather patterns. Authoritarianism is on the rise.  Yet when groups of individuals, peoples, and nations stand together, we can push back against these storm clouds – we have done in the past, and we can do it again.  

The United Nations is the largest formal gathering of nations, committed to improving the quality of life of all people by preserving the environment, promoting economic growth, and fostering fairness. The support of the political leaders to the cause of the United Nations may wax and wane, but what keeps the mission of the United Nations going forward is the goodwill of people everywhere, individuals like you and me. So, I thank you for choosing to be a part of the Johnson County United Nations Association (JCUNA). 

Given all the challenges on the horizon, I solicit more of your time, energy, and experience to bring hope, joy, and peace to people in the U.S. and all over the world through the JCUNA. 

Annual Meeting Wrap-Up

Meeting on November 9, JCUNA members

• Welcomed newly-elected board members Sara Haroun, Jenna Eastman, Stefanie Munsterman, Claudia Suazo, and Sarah Terlouw;

• Thanked retiring chapter president and continuing board member Barbara Eckstein, incoming president Jerry Anthony, and retiring board members Nittaya Burnham and Jim Olson;

• Congratulated Bijou Maliabo for her election to the UNA-USA National Council;

• Approved a balanced budget for 2026; and

• Reviewed 2025 events including our online petition (now 300+ signatures), four information tabling events, multigenerational participation in the UI Homecoming Parade, and a well-attended and informative UN Day event.

At the annual meeting. Seated, left to right, Claudia Suazo, Sara Haroun, Sarah Terlouw, Jenna Eastman, Lulu Rongerude; Standing: Bijou Maliabo, Jerry Anthony, John Fuller, Susan McGuire, Wangui Gathua, Lucie Mordecai, Meredith Gall, Donna Hirst, Barbara Eckstein, Sanaa Sebaaly, and Mercedes Bern-Klug.