Spokane UNA Chapter Officers - Page 2

Julian Powers
Program Committee
Outreach, Advocacy & Networking Committee

Julian is a retired electrical engineer who both served in and worked for the Navy as well as for defense contractors. His beliefs have now shifted towards peace and non-violence. Following retirement, he traveled to over 60 countries as a back-pack tourist. His interest in the environment resulted from those travels and from reading. He and his wife, Jane Cunningham, live on the South Hill and share numerous environmental and political interests and activities.

Julian’s “business” card lists his belief of what the Inter-Related Global Problems, in priority, are: Global Warming, Water Quantity & Quality, Resource Depletion, and Loss of Biodiversity. An important belief is that all environmental issues are linked, complex, and very important as the sustainable people-carrying capacity of the Earth has already been exceeded. His good news is that, at 77, he has had a good life no matter what now happens.

Golie Jansen
Vice President and Strategic Planning Facilitator

Golie is originally from the Netherlands where she was involved in many international human rights campaigns. She worked for the United Nations in Papua New Guinea, implementing the rights of women to be educated.

In Spokane she worked with Southeast Asian Refugee women designing educational programs and adjustment services. Currently she is an associate professor at Eastern Washington University with a focus on women’s rights and prevention of violence against women through advocacy, leadership, organizational and social change.

Janet Eiden
Finance, Budget & Resource Developement; Chair

Janet's introduction to UN was seeing Eleanor Roosevelt on site in l956. Janet is a lifetime resident of Spokane who has traveled in third world countries. With this exposure comes knowledge of the conditions in which too many people must live.

"My belief is the one world philosophy of responsibility for all mankind. Being part of the UNA should be an appropriate vehicle."

Lila Shaw Girvin
Membership & Retention Committee

Lila is an artist. She earned a BFA from the University of Denver. She is represented in permanent collections of Northwest Museum of Arts and Crafts (MAC), Spokane; of the Jundt Art Museum, Gonzaga University, Spokane; and her art is also represented in business and private collections. Lila was a member of the Cheney Cowles Museum Board, 1962-1970; the Spokane Community Development Task Force, 1969-1973; the Spokane Arts Commission 1976-1980; the Spokane County Boundary Review Board, 1976-1982; the Spokane Symphony Board, 1982-1986, and member of the Board of Trustees, The Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA. 1989-1997.

She is married to George W. Girvin, M.D. and has three children Timothy, Robert, Jonathan. Her youngest son, Matthew, died in a helicopter accident in 2001 while on a UN mission to help nomads in northern Mongolia. Matthew was working for UNICEF in Mongolia.

Cheri Catt

Cheri Catt is a lifelong resident of Spokane. She received her B.A. in Sociology/Psychology from Eastern Washington University. She attended Gonzaga Law School and did her graduate work at the Pacific Coast Banking School, University of Washington. In 2003, Cheri left her senior management position in banking to take a stand for peace. She has traveled with peace projects world wide and has worked with individuals from the UNDP to bring Social Artistry to third world countries as well as to our own communities. She currently teaches at Spokane Community College and conducts workshops on achieving 'peace of mind.' Cheri lives on 90 acres of mountain forest land with rescued mustang horses and the hope that each of us can make a positive difference in our world.

Thomas Terrell

Thomas Terrell was born in El Paso, Texas and moved to the Spokane area in the summer of 1997. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs at Eastern Washington University and is the President of the Model United Nations: EWU Chapter. Tom recognizes that the United States, as one of the founding members and largest financial contributor to the United Nations, has a pivotal responsibility in its relevance, effectiveness and focus. However, the recent years there has witnessed a distinct lack of political and civil support for this responsibility within the US. Tom believes that UNA-USA, as an advocacy and support group, is one of the most valuable avenues of action in increasing American knowledge of and respect for the United Nations and its endeavors. Tom will continue to work for increased and positive participation in the UN by the US for a more peaceful and developed future.

Risa Takenaka

I am from Western Japan and came to the U.S. to attend a college in pursuit of an international business degree in 2000. Throughout my lifetime I've always wanted to make this world a better place, where no child is threatened with wars, preventable diseases, or hunger. Inspired by Daisaku Ikeda, a Buddhist scholar and President of Soka Gakkai International, who believes in a human revolution based on changing people's hearts one by one. I have never lost hope in achieving my goals, despite the fact I had no idea where to start. After graduating from SFCC with an AAS in Business, I am now working toward a higher education. By discovering UNA-USA Spokane and beginning to involve myself in it, I became absolutely convinced that educating the public is the first and most significant step toward world peace. Although it will be a long and toilsome road, I believe this motto expresses my feelings best: "Waves grow stronger the more obstacles they encounter." Finally, I am deeply grateful to serve on the board. Now is the time for us to unite in reaching our local goals for this year. We can make it happen.

Judie Thorpe

Judie has lived most of her life in Spokane, graduating from grade school, high school, and college in Spokane. She's worked for Spokane County Engineer's for 27 years, and currently serves in administration. In 1999, she returned to college in the evenings while working full time and received her bachelor of liberal studies in program management from Whitworth College. Her focus was on business and communications. There she became interested in Human Ecology and its sustainability. She is currently first Vice President of Soroptimist International of Spokane, a service organization for executive and professional women and men. Some of the aims of Soroptimist are to strive for human rights for all people, in particular to advance the status of women, and to contribute to international understanding and universal friendship. One of her duties is program director who obtains the speakers for their dinner meetings. She is the United Nations representative for Soroptimist and has put together a program celebrating United Nations Day. Judie belongs to several women's organizations, plays in a hand bell choir, and spends time with her daughter and granddaughter. Her motto is "we're all in the same boat. What affects one affects all."

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