About Us

Our Story

Some Boulder residents recall an early UNA-USA chapter in Boulder which began around 1964 and existed for a few years. John Porritt, who spoke at the chapter’s January 2006 Annual Meeting, as well as Bruce MacKenzie, reminisced about this short-lived chapter.

However, even before a local chapter in Boulder County existed, UN Day celebrations took place in the city of Boulder in the 1960s, 70s, 80s, and 90s, organized by members of the national organization, UNA-USA, the League of Women Voters, and other concerned citizens. Maxine Hitchcock, Cathy Wrenn, and Bruce MacKenzie were among the leaders of these efforts.

At UN’s 40th birthday celebration in 1985 Susan Markham, a New Zealander working in the UN Public Information Agency, spoke on the Decade for Women, the International Youth Year, and other issues. In 1986 the Daily Camera in Boulder reported that the UN Day celebration featured Dr. Francis Bretherton, from NCAR, speaking on “Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.”

​The Boulder County Chapter was most recently reformed in the mid-1990s at the suggestion of Prof. Ved Nanda of the University of Denver, then president of the Colorado Division of UNA-USA. Preparatory meetings in 1995 led to the identification of officers and directors, and the adoption of bylaws.

The first board meeting took place in 1996. In 2003 the chapter acquired financial stability when the group Gatekeepers to the Future, a nonprofit associated with First Congregational Church of Boulder, ceased operations and gave the chapter their remaining funds.

​The Boulder County Chapter, like other levels of UNA-USA, combines broad grass-roots outreach with high-level policy studies involving scholars and government officials from many parts of the world, Chapter members provide information and educational materials to their representatives in the US government, the general public, and to the media.

Our Mission

UNA-BC’’s mission is to support the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals through community grassroots action and leadership. UNA-BC believes in and advocates for the work of the UN through a combination of community education and direct policy advocacy.

A message from

Our President

As a social worker and community activist, justice and equity have always been incredibly important values to me. I am honored and humbled to be able to bring continue promoting those values through my work at UNA-BC.

I began my journey at UNA-BC as an intern in the concentration year of my Masters program. I worked alongside a diverse group of fellow change makers and people passionate about human rights.

The following year, after graduation, I felt compelled by the work I’d been doing in the community to stay on and help guide a brand new class of interns.

I stepped into the role of Vice President and helped with organizational management and developing the vision and mission of the next generation of UNA-BC leaders.

Under the guidance of past UNA-BC Presidents: Kelly McGinnis, long-time President and UNA powerhouse Robert McNown, and UNA-USA Regional Representative Amy Bryant, I helped to further guide and shape the organization.

Today I am proud to have stepped into the President role with the help of the Vice President of Organizational Development, Melody Kreml and the Vice President of Organizational Engagement, Jessie Torres.

Together, along with our incredible board of diverse and talented individuals we represent the values of the United Nations here in Boulder and it’s goal of peace and prosperity for all.


Amy Van Roo
UNA-Boulder President

Executive Leadership Team

  • Amy Van Roo

    President

  • Jessie Torres

    Vice President of Organizational Engagement

  • Melody Kreml

    Vice President of Organizational Development

  • Robert McNown

    Past President and Treasurer

  • Amy Bryant

    UNA-USA

    Rocky Mountain Regional Representative

Testimonials

  • Olivia Carter

    Bachelors of Social Work
    MSU Denver
    Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 Semesters

    As a Bachelor of Social Work student at MSU Denver, interning with UNA-Boulder County has been an incredibly meaningful experience that aligned closely with my passion for global justice and community-based advocacy. During my time with the organization, I helped plan community events, contributed to the chapter’s strategic planning efforts, and worked on outreach initiatives to strengthen local engagement. Being part of UNA-BC gave me the opportunity to apply what I’ve learned in the classroom to real-world advocacy and deepen my understanding of macro social work in action. This internship has strengthened my commitment to pursuing a career in international development and public policy as I look towards graduate school, and it showed me the power of community education as a tool for change.

  • Melody Kreml

    Bachelors of Social Work
    MSU Denver Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 Semesters

    During my senior year, I interned with the United Nations Association of Boulder County (UNA-BC), an organization whose commitment to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) deeply resonated with me. I chose this internship to explore mezzo/macro social work, a new area for me, and I was grateful for the autonomy, mentorship, and supportive leadership that allowed me to shape my own learning experience.
    One of my biggest projects was organizing UNA-BC’s annual UN Day event, where I handled everything from venue coordination and speaker outreach to logistics and community engagement. This experience gave me invaluable skills in event planning, advocacy, and grassroots organizing. A particularly memorable moment was attending the Boulder Peace Faire, which showed me firsthand how local activism ties into global change. Through this internship, I grew my passion for social justice and international collaboration.

  • Max Karpinski

    Bachelors of Social Work MSU Denver Fall 2024 and Spring 2025

    Completing my social work internship with the United Nations Association Boulder Chapter has helped me develop a wide range of skills under thoughtful, skilled, and caring supervision. I was surrounded by a wealth of experience and had the opportunity to participate in events, team-building activities, marketing, and social media efforts. I also attended board meetings and engaged with members, which deepened my understanding of the organization’s concerns and future initiatives aimed at serving the community. This is an experience I highly recommend for anyone interested in working within macro ethical practices, as it offers the autonomy to align your work with your personal values.

Want to join our team?

We offer internships, volunteering options, sponsorship opportunities and more.