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MacMUN 2009

Welcome, delegates!

+What is Model UN? It is a simulation of the

proceedings of UN meetings. It educates students about

the way the UN operates. It teaches negotiation,

consensus, writing resolutions, and finding solutions to global crises.

It highlights different countries, different interests, different policies, and how to strike a balance between them.

+How it works: Mac’s team represents a different

country each year at NMUN. The team conducts general

research on the political, economic, and social structures of the country.

The team tries to understand the culture by gaining a basic understanding of the history of the country.

Individuals select a specific committee that best illustrates the delegates’ interests; for instance Social, Cultural and Humanitarian (3rd Committee).

+How it works (part deux): Using all the facts and data we have

researched on together, YOU will start working on a position paper on the specific issues covered in your committee for the conference.

You’ll work on effective communication through speech-giving, workshopping, and practice conferences.

You’ll learn the technicalities of the conference, like making motions, writing working papers, and working with a team (without driving them crazy or giving up dominance).

+What we’re looking for: People who are punctual. People who take this activity

seriously. Students who can see themselves

having fun during the entire preparation process; this is not simply about show up in NYC and getting an award.

People who want to have a good time, laugh and enjoy themselves in NYC as well as on our journey throughout the entire year.

Progress on writing, speaking, and/or teamwork skills over the course of the year.

+You can expect: To spend two hours of time

commitment each week during the fall, plus any time necessary to complete assigned tasks.

To cover and practice different skill sets required at the conference—speeches, writing resolutions, working in groups, researching—each week during the fall.

To try skills you’ve not used before or build on ones you already have.

To work in different groups on a regular basis.

That each week will count towards our decision for the NMUN delegation.

+You can expect (part deux): To be notified in November whether or

not you have been chosen for the NMUN delegation. To spend March 27-April 2 in NYC if you

are chosen. To sign a binding contract if you are

chosen for the team.

To have MUN-related opportunities even if you aren’t going to NMUN this year. We have connections to local

organizations that operate in the spring that will allow you to organize and run MUN conferences for local middle- and high-schoolers.

NACAC, the group that runs NMUN, searches for some of its interns through MacMUN.

To be welcome at MacMUN all year long, and next year, too.

+Who we are:Joanna Clark

Secretary General

Kaitlin Roh

Director General

Catie Skluzacek

Dir of Correspondence

Helena Swanson-Nystrom

Dir of Outreach

Elias Tezapsidis

Dir of Finance

+Non-NMUN Opportunities: Model UN programs in the

Twin Cities are growing, and we have direct connections to organizations through which you can offer your interest and expertise: Global Classrooms, National Collegiate

Conference Association, YMCA Youth in Government

Don’t need MUN experience to volunteer!

Global Classrooms will visit an upcoming MacMUN meeting, so stay tuned…

+Follow us:

www.macalester.edu/mun