Welcome to Santa Barbara & Tri-Counties Chapter of UNA-USA!
The United Nations Association - USA is a membership organization dedicated to building understanding of and support for the work of the UN, founded in 1945. Our mission is to educate the public to strengthen US involvement in the United Nations.
We are your United Nations Association, focused on bringing the work of the United Nations to our community, and our community’s concerns to the United Nations. We welcome you to become a member and join our upcoming meeting to discuss important conversations affecting our world.
For more information, please read about us or contact the chapter by e-mailing info@unasb.org. You can join us directly, too, through our membership page.
2026 Chapter Monthly Meeting Calendar
Our meetings are held each month on the 2nd Tuesdays, 5:30 PM PST on Zoom.
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August 11, 2026 – Chapter Board Meeting | Speaker Series with Jackie Gilbert, Executive Director, One Thread Collective
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September 22, 2026 – 10th Annual Peace Prize Event
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October 22, 2026 – UN Day Celebration (UN Day is Observed on October 24, 2026)
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November 10, 2026 – Chapter Board Meeting
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December 10, 2026 – Human Rights Day Celebration
August Chapter Meeting: Speaker Series
Connecting Global Citizens in Santa Barbara
The United Nations Association - Santa Barbara & Tri-Counties Chapter fosters community engagement and awareness of global issues. Join us for our upcoming meetings and events to make a difference together. Join us to learn more about the upcoming Peace Prize luncheon, and connect with chapter members and community supporters committed to bringing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to life locally. Upcoming Chapter Meeting Details: Tuesday, August 11, 2026 | 5:30–6:30 PM PT Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7766770299 Meeting ID: 776 677 0299 Come meet our board, bring your ideas, and learn how you can be part of meaningful local action!
Nancy Martin
Chapter President's Welcome
Hi! Thank you for coming to see us. We are happy to welcome you. It is my privilege to serve as the Santa Barbara & Tri-Counties ( Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura Counties) Chapter President. The United Nations Association-USA is one of over 200 chapters in cities and universities across the country. There are currently over 100 UNAs across the world.
Many of the members are under 26 years old. Our Chapter is one of the oldest in the country. Our task is to educate, inspire, and encourage you to take action and stand up for what you believe. Our work is to support the United Nations in creating a fairer, more just World.
The United Nations and UNICEF have always been part of my life. I have spent my life as a teacher, beginning in the Peace Corps in Africa, then becoming a Montessori teacher, and later teaching in Santa Barbara, Venezuela, and Singapore. I have had the honor of serving as the Co-Chair of the UNA Human Rights Affinity Group for the last three years. My goal for our local chapter is to focus on Human Rights for all, the Sustainable Development Goals, and peace through dialogue.
I want to encourage you to join us in learning and becoming an active participant.
Why the UN Matters
The United Nations itself is one part of the UN System. Cooperation between the UN and the other entities of the UN system is essential in order to achieve the purposes of the Organization laid out in the UN Charter.
Since its Charter was written, the United Nations has been mandated to do new work which was not envisioned at the time of its creation. The Organization has set goals to build a more sustainable world, and it has agreed to collective action to slow down climate change.
As the problems facing humanity have grown, the work of the United Nations has also grown.
