About World Affairs Council of Hilton HeadWACHH provides a forum to learn more about world events and their impact on the United State of America. We offer a variety of programs for our members, the general public, and the next generation – students in our area who participate in our outreach activities.The active and vibrant World Affairs Council of Hilton Head as we know it today has its origins in the Foreign Affairs Seminar, when a small group of like-minded islanders began meeting at the Hilton Head Public Library in 1981. The organization drew on its own members to present topics of interest and lead discussions regarding current events and media coverage of foreign policy issues. Since then the organization has flourished, bringing national and international speakers to Hilton Head, expanding to over 1100 members, and offering a wide range of programs for its membership and the wider community.World Affairs Council of Hilton HeadWACHH_d2da20ae-3380-11e2-8f10-6da1dc04475cWe are a vibrant community of thoughtful, highly educated people who are fascinated with international affairs. Our 1100+ members include academics, diplomats, business executives, authors, government service personnel, and people from all walks of life. Most live in Hilton Head and surrounding Beaufort County, South Carolina...World Affairs Council of Hilton Head is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. WACHH is a non-partisan organization and takes no political positions.AcademicsDiplomats Business ExecutivesAuthors Government Service PersonnelMaureen KorzikExecutive Director -- The organization has a lot of moving parts and the person who makes sure it all runs smoothly is our Executive Director, Maureen Korzik. She comes to us with a wealth of nonprofit leadership experience, having worked with many organizations over the course of her career. She has been with us since November 2016 when our previous executive director, Joan Apple Lemoine, retired.As Executive Director of WACHH, Maureen is responsible for the overall administration of the organization, under the direction of the President and Board of Directors. She facilitates the affairs of the council (speaker programs, discussion groups and outreach) and membership at large.Maureen is a graduate of Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI with a Bachelors in Biology. She has worked for Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Pharmaceuticals in sales and marketing, Matthews Free Health Clinic as Executive Director and most recently served as Executive Director for Second Helpings, a local non-profit organization. Maureen hails from New Jersey, but moved to Charlotte, NC in 1992 where she and her husband, Tom, worked and raised their two sons. She and her family frequently visited the island and moved here permanently in January 2013.Maureen enjoys working for such a well-respected organization and continuing the mission of keeping members abreast of developments in international affairs.WACHH Board of DirectorsThe Board of Directors of World Affairs Council of Hilton Head is chosen from the membership. The Board consists of a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 15 directors who serve a three-year term, with a limit of two consecutive terms. The president, vice-president, treasurer and program committee chair comprise the Executive Committee, elected from within the Board. The Executive Committee serves as the nominating committee, and recommends candidates to the Board for their approval as directors.This is a working board. Each director is assigned a portfolio to manage and reports to the full Board quarterly on the status of their work. The directors give generously of their time, talent, and expertise to assure the smooth operation of the organization.The Board approves the budget, determines fees, and manages the work of the Executive Director.Lee J. WilwerdingPresident -- Board of Directors President Lee Wilwerding graduated from college with a B.A. in History and a commission as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. His four years of active military service included serving in/commanding Postal units in Germany followed by a tour in Vietnam as a General Staff Officer in the 101st Airborne Division.Released from active duty, he spent the next 40 years as a Practitioner and/or Consultant in Logistics/Supply Chain Management with Dayton-Hudson Corp (now Target), Ernst & Young Consulting, Fingerhut, Wal-Mart Logistics and i2 Technologies a Supply Chain Software provider. His experiences ranged from managing truck fleets, building 1M square foot Fulfillment Centers and a 300,000 square foot Data Center, managing a corporate facilities portfolio of 7+M square feet, designing fulfillment networks for .com companies and designing/implementing inventory management software systems in the U.S. and Europe across diverse industries ranging from semi-conductors, tires, general retail, industrial threads and cell phones.Concurrent with work in the real world Lee continued his military career in the Army Reserve an additional 24 years, with 17 years in various troop units in Minnesota, culminating with assignment as Chief of Staff of a 4500 soldier Infantry Brigade and then moving to the Pentagon for 7 years on the Army’s General Staff retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.Lee & Ruth started on HHI as time-share owners in 1985, progressed to property owners in 1998, and after retiring, in 2009 to residents in 2010.Margaret McManusVice President -- Director Margaret McManus moved to Hilton Head Island in 2006 from McLean Virginia. She was born in North Carolina and grew up in south Texas. She is a graduate of The American University School of International Service in Washington D.C. with a degree in International Relations. She spent her career with the Central Intelligence Agency as an Analyst focusing on transnational and economic issues. Her work involved extensive travel world-wide, fueling a lifelong love of travel and exploration of different cultures. Prior to her career, she lived in the Philippines for two years.The speakers and programs of the World Affairs Council have expanded her interest in foreign relations and the study of global issues. She has served as a WACHH volunteer and participated in the study groups the Council offers. Additionally, she has been involved in her neighborhood community, serving as Secretary of the Homeowners association. She has volunteered as a docent for the Coastal Discovery Museum and is serving on the Board of Women in Philanthropy. She enjoys the cultural activities the community offers as well as travel, reading and sailing.David BorghesiSecretary/Treasurer -- Dave and his wife Nancy purchased their current residence and moved from Chicago in 2004. Prior to that, they owned property on Hilton Head Island since 1992 and visited the island each year. Dave is a 1970 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a BBA degree, majoring in accounting. His professional career includes over 30 years with Arthur Andersen, last serving as a partner and national practice director of its forensic accounting practice area. In 2002, Dave was a founding managing director of Huron Consulting Group, retiring in 2009. He is a member of Sea Pines Country Club and in 2013 was elected to serve a three year term on the boards of Association of Sea Pines Plantation Property Owners and Sea Pines Plantation Community Service Administration, where he also serves as its Treasurer. He was re-elected to both boards in 2016 and continues to serve as Treasurer. His term expires in January, 2019.Dave has served on many not-for-profit boards in Chicago including a local United Way chapter, a mental health rehabilitation center, and a meals program for the homeless. He has also served on the boards of Wisdom Bridge Theater and Music of the Baroque, also located in Chicago. He is currently board president of Peninsula Players Theater, a residential summer stock theater in Door County, Wisconsin, and a Trustee of the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina.Dave’s interests include golf, tennis, performing arts, competitive bridge, cycling, and world travel.Carlton B. DallasDirector Carlton B. Dallas is a native of North Carolina and attended UNC-Chapel Hill. He graduated from the University of Maryland, with a degree in Management and completed further study at Cornell University, the University of Chicago, The Young Executive Institute at the UNC Kenan Flagler School of Business and obtained certification in 360 Degree Leadership Feedback/Development at the Center for Creative Leadership Research Institute.His career spanned 34 years in the petroleum industry, in various functions, Marketing, Management Systems, Sales, Human Resources including the achieving the position of Managing Director/CEO of Chevron Texaco Eastern Caribbean, SRL in the Caribbean and South America. This Business Unit had responsibility for 17 islands/countries, including management of four ships for petroleum transport, Marine Operations, Petroleum/Lubricants/Store Sales, the Manufacturing, Marketing and Sales of Lubricants and the operation/ownership of Joint Ventures.His next assignment was as Regional Director-Africa/Europe/Pakistan for the Chevron Corporation, working out of the Regional office located in Cape Town South Africa, with support responsibilities for 33 countries in Africa, Middle East, Pakistan and Europe.Carlton retired in August 2010 after 34 years, 19 moves and with responsibility at various times for more than 50 countries during the span of that career.He and his wife live on Hilton Head Island and started a very small international club in Hilton Head Plantation, which introduced them to the thriving World Affairs Council of Hilton Head.Mike FinnertyDirector Mike Finnerty and his wife Ethlyn moved to Hilton Head Island in 2003. Mike was born and raised in Mahopac, New York. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Manhattan College and a Master’s from NYU.After serving as a Helicopter Pilot in the USMC, Mike began his career in local government public health work, before moving on to State government. He held several senior executive positions in the administrations of New York Governors Hugh Carey and Mario Cuomo. He then moved on to become the Vice President of Finance and Administration at Yale University. He left Yale for the private sector, becoming a Founding Partner of Edison Schools Inc., an education reform company operating schools on behalf of public school districts. He then completed his career as President and Chief Operating Officer of Teachscape Inc. Teachscape was also an education reform company, providing Professional Development for public school teachers enhanced through the use of internet technology.Mike has been a member of the World Affairs Council since 2010. He has been active in the Great Decisions Program and the Fall Forums.John GilbertJohn Gilbert is a retired U.S. Air Force officer with over 40 years of experience in strategic operations, intelligence, and arms control. While on active duty, he travelled widely in Europe and Asia, including numerous visits to the former Soviet Union as an inspector at long-range missile facilities. He also has served on U.S. delegations negotiating arms control agreements in Geneva, The Hague, and Moscow. Since retirement from active duty, he has been an advisor and consultant to several U.S. government and industry organizations and foreign governments on arms control issues, appeared on a CNN segment regarding an al Qaeda chemical weapon program in Afghanistan, and presented several papers on arms control at international conferences. He has also served as a Senior Science Fellow with the Center for Arms Control and Nonproliferation’s Scientists Working Group for over a decade.He has been interviewed on issues relating to the chemical assassination of Kim Jong Un’s brother in Malaysia, the recent attempted assassinations in the U.K, and chemical attacks in Syria. His interviews were broadcast on NPR, Turkish radio and TV, Al Jazeera Digital, Canadian Public Broadcasting, and a South American regional news network. Print interviews were cited in Fox News, the Telegraph, and several national magazines.For the past several years, he has taught courses on arms control and intelligence at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and Lifelong Learning of Hilton Head.Benjamin KinnasBenjamin Kinnas is the former Chief Executive Officer of Wells Fargo China. He served concurrently as manager for branch marketing in the Asia/Pacific region. Ben and his family arrived in Shanghai in June 2005, but he began traveling to China in 1992 while serving as general manager of the bank’s Tokyo branch. After a nine-year assignment in Japan, Ben was reassigned to Hong Kong in 1996 at which time he assumed his regional responsibilities.Ben is past chair of Shanghai American Chamber of Commerce’s financial services committee. He led bank-working groups that authored the commercial banking portion of the Chamber’s white paper since 2005 and led the Chamber’s "Shanghai IFC 2020" project in cooperation with the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C, a document that provided a road map for Shanghai to meet its realization of becoming an international financial center by the year 2020.He has been an active advocate in Washington, DC for programs and policies that enhance the United States’ export competitiveness and active in educating lawmakers and other policy makers and opinion leaders on the role of American businesses in China. Ben continues as an active observer of the Shanghai Bankers Association.In Hilton Head, Ben is a active member of the World Affairs Council, a member of the Palmetto Dunes POA board, and is an active member of the American Legion. Ben has a double undergraduate major from University of Maryland, a master of Public Policy degree from Northwestern University, and spent two additional years at Sophia University.Joan LemoineDr. Joan Apple Lemoine has been a resident of Hilton Head Island since 2003, moving here to accept the position of Vice Chancellor for Student Development at the University of South Carolina Beaufort. Prior to her position, Joan had been the chief student affairs officer at Douglass College at Rutgers, Western Connecticut State University, and Indiana University East. She’s a graduate of Indiana University, holding her BS, MS, and doctorate from the School of Education at Indiana University. She grew up in Paoli, Indiana.Since her retirement from USCB, Joan's been active in a variety of HHI-based organizations. She has served on the board of the World Affairs Council of Hilton Head and then as the Executive Director . She retired from that position in December 2016. She is currently serving on the board of the World Affairs Council of America and oversees their national Academic WorldQuest competition.Joan is a member of Kickin' Asphalt and served as President of the organization from 2011 to 2013. An active bicyclist, she leads rides for KABC, has ridden in Viet Nam and throughout the US. She’s a volunteer for Pedal Hilton Head. You’ll see her at the Heritage of Golf parking bicycles.Joan is active in her Indiana University alumni chapter, having served as its President from 2005 to 2010. She's also founding leader of the Hilton Head Big10 Coalition. The group sponsors an annual picnic and golf outing for Big 10 graduates and their friends.Joan and her husband John live in Port Royal Plantation.Jeanie SillettiJeanie Silletti is a retired faculty member of Owens Community College (Toledo, Ohio) where she taught courses in Cultural Anthropology and Multicultural Diversity. During her twelve years of European residence in Spain, England, and Italy, she served as academic dean at an international high school and as adjunct faculty with the University of Maryland. In Toledo, she chaired the Annual Multifaith Banquet which brought the community together in fellowship and in the sharing of faith traditions.Joining the World Affairs Council in 2015, she was a co-presenter of the Summer Forum "Perspectives on Cuba" in June, 2016, where she discussed her recent travels to Cuba on an educational tour. She also is a facilitator with Great Decisions.Jeanie is a member of the Island Writers' Network and she is an art docent at the Telfair Museum in Savannah.Her role on the Board is to facilitate World Affairs Council support of the Model United Nations program in Beaufort County Schools.Arthur K. SmithDirector Arthur Smith graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1959 and subsequently served six years on active duty with the navy. He qualified as officer of the deck in destroyers and then earned his wings as a naval aviator, achieving patrol plane commander status in both P5M and P3A anti-submarine aircraft. After leaving the navy, he earned a MA degree in comparative and International politics from the University of New Hampshire, followed by a Ph.D. from Cornell University in 1970.From 1970 through 2008, Dr. Smith made his career in academe. He began as an assistant professor of political science at Binghamton University, becoming chairman of the department in 1974 followed by promotions to the ranks of associate and then full professor. After serving Binghamton as provost for graduate studies and research and then as vice president for administration, he left in 1988 to become executive vice president and provost at the University of South Carolina (USC). He also served as interim president of USC from 1990-91, before becoming president of the University of Utah in 1991 and then chancellor/president of the University of Houston in 1997. He retired from university administration in 2003, and from 2003-08 he held the title of university professor at the UH main campus, teaching courses in his primary field of interest, Latin American politics.Dr. Smith has served on the boards of directors of American Stores Company, Albertson’s, and First Security Bank of Utah, in addition to several non-profit organization boards. He and his wife June have been married for nearly 54 years and are avid duplicate bridge players. The couple has three children, eleven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.Jeff StokesJeff Stokes graduated from the State University of New York at Albany in 1972 and then went on to receive a MAT from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1975. He spent the next 37 years in Education, first as a history and social studies teacher and then as an administrator. He served as a History Department Chair, Dean of Students and Director of Studies at Phoenix Country Day School before being appointed Headmaster of Southfield School in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1990, a position he held for 23 years.Jeff retired to Indigo Run on Hilton Head in 2013, where he and his wife Kathleen have had family connections for almost 40 years. In addition to membership on the Program Committee he is active in our Great Decisions program and now serves as one of the group discussion facilitators. He has also taught in the Osher Institute and is currently assisting the Heritage Library in their fundraising efforts.WACHH Program CommitteeThe WACHH Program Committee is charged by the Board of Directors to identify and recruit speakers that will provide lectures and presentations that are relevant to today’s issues in world affairs, intellectually stimulating, and of interest to our membership. The committee is comprised of individuals that mirror the diverse background of our membership and include former senior business leaders, retired government officials and military officers, and lifelong educators. Committee members bring with them a wealth of information, knowledge, and contacts of potential speakers in academia, business, journalism, and other esteemed scholars, not just from the United States, but from around the globe.The committee itself approaches its recruiting efforts with no political agendas or biases, but recognize that speakers may have their own points of view on any given subject. Our aim, over the course of a speaker season, is to present a series of speakers that will represent many different points of view from both an academic and practical perspective.The committee meets once monthly to discuss future programs. Discussions usually begin one year in advance of the traditional speaker season that runs from October through May. Based upon particular skills, previous knowledge, or current acquaintance with a potential speaker, a committee member will be assigned as “recruiter” and become responsible to send out an invitation and follow up with the invitee. If and when our invitation is accepted, the recruiter in partnership with the Executive Director will follow establish protocol for all subsequent communications and arrangements.Beyond the committee’s own outreach to potential speakers, we invite proposals for speakers from our members. Because all proposals are reviewed by the Program Committee, the process for making decisions leading to an invitation is best facilitated by the committee.If you have an idea for a speaker that would be of interest to the membership, please enter a topic and/or speaker suggestion in the subject line of an email to wachhi@gmail.com. In the body of your email, please be as detailed as possible about your proposed speaker along with your contact information.Benjamin KinnasChairBob BurtBob Burt spent most of his business career in manufacturing with his last 10 years as Chairman and CEO of FMC Corporation, a five billion dollar company making chemicals and oil field and flood processing equipment. Over 50% of FMC sales were overseas. Before his stint as CEO he ran the Corporate Planning Department, the Agricultural Chemicals (pesticides), and the Defense (Bradley fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, and naval guns) Group. He spent five years with both Mobil Oil and Chemetron Corporation before joining FMC where he stayed for 28 years, retiring in 2002. He lived in Japan for two years when he was with Mobil. He served on the Boards of Pfizer, Phelps Dodge, and Janus.He graduated from Princeton with a Chemical Engineering degree in 1959, spent three years as a lieutenant in the Marine Corps, and attended Harvard Business School where he graduated with honors in 1964. During his business career he was Chairman of the Business Roundtable for two years and head of its Environmental Committee for six years as well as being active in several industry associations. He is a lifetime trustee of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.He and Lynn (his wife for 47 years) split their time between Colleton River in Bluffton for eight months in the winter and the remainder of the time in Chicago. He is an active member of the "No Labels" organization. Lynn and Bob have three children and five grandchildren who live in Chicago and San Francisco.Joan DeeryJoan Deery moved to Hilton Head Island 12 years ago and has been a member of WACHH for about 10 years. She has served as Treasurer for the League of Women Voters, Chair of SCORE, a national volunteer organization that advises small businesses, and served on the Beaufort County Board of Education for four years.Joan is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History. She joined the CIA as an analyst upon graduation but moved to IBM where she held various jobs in systems engineering, marketing, product development and corporate strategy. During the 5 years that she lived in Japan working for IBM, she analyzed Japanese computer manufacturers’ products and worked on a joint product development project with a major Japanese printer manufacturer. During these 5 years, she traveled extensively in both the Far East and Soviet Union. Joan has had a long term curiosity about the affairs of the world which WACHH continues to satisfy.Linda DevillierLinda Devillier and her husband Ron Devillier moved to Hilton Head in 2012 having pursued professional careers in Washington, D.C., Dallas, Boston and New York City.A graduate of the University of Wisconsin with a dual degree in International Affairs and Spanish, Ms. Devillier began her professional life at the Institute for International Education in New York City. She subsequently held executive communications positions at PBS, WGBH-TV (Boston), WMCA Radio (NYC) and NPR.In 1984, Ms. Devillier established Devillier Communications, Inc., (DCI) a full service public relations and marketing firm. Over the next 25 years DCI became a highly respected agency with a diverse array of clients including The National Science Foundation, The Smithsonian Institution, Lockheed Martin, Discovery Communications, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Washington Post, Congressional Quarterly, National Geographic Magazine, PBS, Comcast and the National Space & Aeronautics Administration (NASA), among many others. DCI also provided strategic counsel to more than a dozen prestigious law firms including Arnold & Porter LLP, Holland and Knight LLP and Steptoe & Johnson, LLP.Ms. Devillier, who is particularly interested in education, healthcare and international affairs, has worked closely with Nobel Laureates and CEO’s, world-famous astronauts John Glenn & Sally Ride, best-selling authors, award-winning filmmakers, successful entrepreneurs and high-profile policy makers.For more than a decade Ms. Devillier served on the Board of Pinnacle, a world-wide network of independent public relations firms. Her professional efforts have been honored by the Broadcast Promotion Association, the National Film and Television Association and PBS. Neil FunnellA past president of the World Affairs Council of Hilton Head, Neil worked for IBM in the International Division in general management, finance and marketing. He managed operations in the Far East and Latin America. In the U. S., Neil was the program director responsible for grant programs with major American universities. Neil received is B.S.I.E. from Lehigh University and his M.B.A. in corporate finance from New York University. Neil has written technical papers in his area of expertise, Monte Carlo methods for business case analysis.Ed KeeleyEd is a retired Managing Director of Smith Barney. During his professional career, he managed substantial institutional investment portfolios for major corporate and non-profit sector clients, including AT&T, Emerson Electric, Eastman Kodak and Monsanto. Additionally, he managed the Smith Barney Equity Fund, a public, growth-oriented mutual fund. As capital markets became progressively more globalized, international political and financial developments emerged as increasingly consequential in the formulation of investment policy and as a matter of personal interest. Ed received his B.A. in Economics from Cornell University and his M.B.A. in Finance from Columbia University.Nancy Smith NissleyNancy Smith Nissley moved to Hilton Head Island in 2014 and immediately joined World Affairs Council of Hilton Head.Ms. Nissley's government tenure includes 20 years of service in the State Department and a decade of service with the U.S. Small Business Administration, including the Office of International Trade, where she focused on binational commissions and partnerships with Russia, Mexico, Argentina, South Africa, Egypt, the Republic of Ireland and Canada.At the US Department of State, she served as Senior Advisor for Business Outreach for the Under Secretary of State and as Senior Coordinator for Economic Policy and Public Diplomacy with the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs, where she coordinated policy analysis and public outreach. Her portfolio included commercial diplomacy, private sector outreach and advocacy, and strategic planning in the Western Hemisphere, Europe and Asia. During her State Department service, she managed several State Department advisory boards, including the Secretary of State's International Council on Women's Business Leadership and the bureau's Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy.Following her tenure with the State Department, Ms. Nissley became President of N2 International Solutions where she provided consulting services and expertise in developing and implementing international programs and policies. Her focus was on business advocacy; public-private partnerships; governance and corporate responsibility; women's economic empowerment; conflict resolution; and U.S. innovation and competitiveness.She has been a frequent guest speaker, including at George Washington University, American University, Cornell University, Syracuse University and at numerous international forums including the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and American Chambers of Commerce worldwide.In 2004 Ms. Nissley was awarded the Secretary of State's Award for Public Outreach by Secretary Colin Powell. She received numerous Superior, Meritorious, and Franklin awards from the State Department for outstanding leadership and program management.She earned her M.A. in Public Communications/International Business Emphasis, from The American University, Washington, DC, and a B.S. in Education from the University of Central Missouri.She continues her interest in international relations, program management and public policy.Joan LemoineBill PendleyBill Pendley is a retired Rear Admiral who served as Director of Strategy, Plans and Policy for both the Chief of Naval Operations and the Commander of U.S. Pacific Command. He also served as Commander U.S. Naval Forces, Korea and Senior Member of the United Nations Military Armistice Commission at Panmunjom. After retirement from the U.S. Navy, he was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia and Pacific Affairs and from January-July 1993 he served as Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs. From July 1993 until June 1998 he was Professor of International Relations and Asian Studies at the Air War College.Bill is a former member of the WACHH Board of Directors and continues to speak and write on national security policy and strategy.Arthur K. SmithJeff StokesBeaufort County, SCJasper County, SCWorld Affairs Council of America_d2da2770-3380-11e2-8f10-6da1dc04475cTo provide a forum to learn more about world events and their impact on the United State of America._d2da284c-3380-11e2-8f10-6da1dc04475cPrograms & EventsKeep members abreast of developments in international affairs, including U.S. national interests, through educational programming and participation in Council-sponsored events._d2da28ce-3380-11e2-8f10-6da1dc04475c1WACHH strives to keep members abreast of developments in national interests and international affairs through extensive educational programming and participation in Council-sponsored events. We use a variety of avenues to accomplish this. Each has a slightly different approach but all focus on World Affairs...We invite you to investigate all the programs we offer. Each program is unique in its approach to informing our members, but all are engaging and entertaining.Friday Speaker SeriesSchedule speakers from around the globe who are known for their international experience in government, business, military affairs and academia._d2da2964-3380-11e2-8f10-6da1dc04475c1.1Our principal program is the Friday Speaker Series, which usually takes place on the first and third Fridays of each month -- October through May. Speakers come from around the globe who are known for their international experience in government, business, military affairs and academia. Please check the program calendar for exact dates and topics. Friday Speaker meetings are held at the First Presbyterian Church. Attendance at the Friday Speaker Series is a primary benefit of joining WACHH. Guests are invited to attend as well (see Guest Policy).Evening Speaker SeriesSchedule local speakers known for their international expertise in government, business, military affairs and academia._b6dd7888-7c3f-11e9-93d2-7a92c560e75b1.2Country Club of Hilton HeadOur Evening Speaker Series runs from January through April and is held at the Country Club of Hilton Head. Speakers are residents of the Lowcountry and are known for their international expertise in government, business, military affairs and academia.Great Decisions & Fall ForumGive members the opportunity to discuss the most critical global issues facing America._b6dd7ca2-7c3f-11e9-93d2-7a92c560e75b1.3Great Decisions and Fall Forum use a discussion group platform and give our members the opportunity to discuss the most critical global issues facing America today.Summer ForumCover timely national topics with an accent on local talent._b6dd7eaa-7c3f-11e9-93d2-7a92c560e75b1.4Summer Forum covers timely national topics with an accent on local talent. This program is held once a month in June, July and August at TidePointe Retirement Community and is open to the public.OutreachReach beyond the Council's membership to the wider community to provide information on international affairs and its effect on global policies._d2da2ad6-3380-11e2-8f10-6da1dc04475c2Harold Hauer ProgramsInvolve the students of the Beaufort County School System._d2da2b58-3380-11e2-8f10-6da1dc04475c2.1Harold HauerHarold Hauer was a longtime member of the World Affairs Council and a staunch supporter of our Outreach Programs involving the students of the Beaufort County School System. Harold looked at these programs as WACHH’s investment in the future. Many of you share this same vision by your willing financial support of these two programs, Academic WorldQuest (AWQ) and Model United Nations (MUN).Beaufort County StudentsAcademic WorldQuestIncrease the awareness and importance of Global issues in our high school students._b6dd8062-7c3f-11e9-93d2-7a92c560e75b2.1.1World Affairs Council of AmericaBeaufort County High SchoolsAcademic WorldQuest is a program sponsored by the World Affairs Council of America. While it is an optional program for the various World Affairs Councils to participate in, WACHH opted to join in 2012 and today this program is operating in all six of the Beaufort County High Schools. We have been pleased with the participation by the schools and it is particularly rewarding to watch these young students invest the time necessary to compete locally and nationally. May River High SchoolMay River HS, the newest Beaufort County HS, won the 2018 local competition. In talking with the May River Coach, a former Battery Creek basketball coach, he was looking forward to teasing the various athletic coaches at May River that the first trophy in the new trophy cases was won by the "Nerds" and not the "Jocks." A competition designed to increase the awareness and importance of Global issues in our high school students -- Academic WorldQuest (AWQ) is the World Affairs Councils of America’s (WACA) flagship education program which engages more than 4,000 high school students annually across the U.S. to test their knowledge of global issues and foreign policy. The program offers young people a fun and interactive way to learn about critical challenges facing the U.S. and the world.Model UN_b6dd8242-7c3f-11e9-93d2-7a92c560e75b2.1.2Beaufort County SchoolsThe Model UN program is a Beaufort County Schools program that we support. Over the past few years this has been purely financial support to defray expenses at the Statesboro Regional Competition for Bluffton HS. In 2017 we added the Beaufort HS program and in 2018 we will be supporting the three high schools running this program. For 2018 we are taking our support up a few notches thanks to your willingness to mentor these young students on the nuances of the countries that they have been assigned as their focus. This is clearly a new venture that we are excited about and are thankful to all of you who have volunteered to be Mentors...Five schools, 118 students and 26 volunteers currently participate in the WACHH Model UN program. The schools are:Beaufort High SchoolBluffton High SchoolHilton Head Island High SchoolMay River High SchoolHilton Head PrepBeaufort County StudentsThe students, known as delegates, explore a range of topics with the perspective of their assigned country or organization. Through these experiences - during preparation, in committee sessions, and even in hallway caucuses - students develop an appreciation of differing viewpoints, experience the challenges of negotiation, see the rewards of cooperation, broaden their world view, and discover the human side of international relations and diplomacy. The World Affairs Council of Hilton Head is working in cooperation with Beaufort County School District to expand MUN to all local high schools.Video: Model United Nations Conference at Georgia Southern University (February, 2019)Model United Nations students from Beaufort, Bluffton, Hilton Head Island and May River high schools took part in the annual Model UN Conference at Georgia Southern University.Delegates attend a regional conference as delegations sent by their respective schools. They are presented with their assignments in advance, along with a topic or topics that their committee will discuss. Delegates conduct research before conferences and formulate positions that they will then debate with their fellow delegates in the committee, staying true to the actual position of the member they represent.Model United Nations, also known as Model UN (MUN) is a cooperative, hands-on, learning experience that allows students the opportunity to learn about diplomacy, international relations, and the United Nations. This program’s origins can be traced back to the first Model League of Nations conferences which were held in the 1920s, before transitioning to Model UN after the formation of the League's successor organization, the United Nations, in 1945.2019-05-20http://wachh.org/about-us/OwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net