Dear Members,

I would like to share with all members two important issues which were discussed at the Board meeting in May.

The first one is regarding membership. The board members agreed that the membership provision (Section 2.2.1. Category 1, Points 1 and 2) should be reconsidered. At present former UN employees and spouses who are now settled in Bangladesh are classified as associate members. We would like to change this categorization so they would be designated as full members. In this way UNWA would maintain its essential character, while still allowing more associate members.

The other issue regards the position of the Honorary President of UNWA. Article 6.8 of the Constitution states that the Honorary President is the Resident Coordinator of UNDP (if female) or the wife of the Resident Representative of UNDP. However, Article 4.2 states that honorary members remain members upon approval of the Executive Board each year. The board approved the decision that the Resident Representative (if female) or his wife should remain Honorary President for as long as their tenure in Bangladesh. The Honorary President can also be a paying member, and thereby have a right to vote.

Since these two sections require a change in the Constitution, we will follow the prescribed procedure. Our secretary, Hitomi Glemarec, has drafted a formal proposal, which will be put to a vote at the June Executive Board Meeting. There will also be a general vote on this proposal in the September General Meeting after the summer (July- August) break to fulfill the requirement of a quorum. Please look at these proposals in this issue of the UNWA newsletter, and come prepared to vote on these in September.

I would also urge everyone to inform any of the Board members if they have any problems regarding membership, receipt of the UNWA newsletter or any other issue that needs attention.

And let us remember that UNWA has a meaningful role for everyone. If we all decide to do our bit we can surely make a difference however small it may be.

As we will meet again after the summer break, I would like to wish all of you a safe and happy summer.

Tazeen Rehman