Spokane UNA Chapter Officers

Jo Stowell
President

Jo has been interested in the United Nations all her adult life. Dag Hammarskjöld has been her lifelong hero. Although she earned an M.A. in international affairs at George Washington University, she switched from macro relationships to micro relationships by earning a master's in counseling and human services at Boston University.

After 30 years of teaching and counseling, Jo is now retired. Besides being president of the UNA-Spokane, she volunteers for the YWCA preschool program, is a precinct official for the Democratic Party, and takes private voice lessons. She is married to Chuck Kerkering and is the mother of two and grandmother of three.

Rod Stackelberg
Program Committee

As retired professor of European history and international studies at Gonzaga University, Rod has a strong interest in global issues, foreign cultures, and international understanding. The United Nations Association offers the best vehicle to try to strengthen the role of the United Nations in international affairs and to explain to the public its important role in securing peace and justice in the world today. In areas ranging from world health to cultural and environmental preservation the work of the U.N. is indispensable to the welfare of people all around the globe.

Having been recruited by Ruth Lawson, one of the legendary early leaders of the Spokane Chapter, Rod has been a member of the UNA for over twenty years. During that time he has served in various capacities to promote the goals of the organization. He continues to be inspired by the examples of people like Ruth Lawson and John Weaver, who devoted a good part of their lives to this worthy cause.

Fran Degerness
Secretary & Newsletter Editor

Fran is beginning her fifth year on the Spokane Chapter Board and fifth year as editor of the newsletter. She was asked to give the newsletter editorship a try because past president Sheri Barnard knew Fran was retiring from professional life, which happened to be in an advertising and public relations agency. Sheri knew that the agency produced many newsletters for different organizations. What Shari didn't know was the written information was always given to graphic designers to layout. But Fran always worked for a boss who said “Never say no”. So she said yes and is still doing the newsletter today.

“Serving on this board has been a satisfying and pleasing experience. I especially enjoy our monthly programs. They are always informative and give me additional information that gives me a better way to make a difference."

Laura Reber
Outreach, Advocacy & Networking Committee; Chair

Laura is as home-grown as they come, having lived and worked in Spokane all her life. She’s worked for Spokane County Fire District 9 for over 18 years, and currently serves as the office manager. Her long term goal is to work for the United Nations, preferably with the Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, which also fulfills a self-indulgent desire to live in Italy. In August of 2003 she completed her Master of International Management degree at Whitworth College, and had the distinct pleasure of volunteering with the UNA-USA Spokane Chapter to complete her final project.

Her interests are specific to humanitarian efforts and US/global policy. She joined the UNA last year as an avenue to stay informed of US-UN issues, and to encourage others to educate themselves on how instrumental (or detrimental) US efforts can be in relation to the rest of the world. It is her hope that, with the help of the UNA, every man, woman and child in Spokane will have the opportunity to hear about the vast work of the United Nations, which in turn will encourage support and participation.

The challenge she sees is to create an awareness of who our global neighbors are, what extreme and urgent needs they may have, where the efforts of the UN have been successful, why some nations have disagreed with US policies, and how the way we live and do business in the US affects everyone. ~ “May all be blessed.”

Frances Brewer
Outreach, Advocacy & Networking Committee

Frances is a retired college English teacher who taught at SFCC for twenty-five years, teaching research, composition, literature, humanities and film. Her degrees are from the U. of WA, a BA in English, and EWU, an MA in English. She loved teaching and believes it is one of the world's best and most rewarding careers.

She is married with three grown children and six grandchildren, all of whom are exceptional. She was born in Tacoma and grew up in Honolulu, came to Spokane when she married 45 years ago. Since its inception, she has viewed the United Nations Organization as the world's hope for peace.

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