I’m a sophomore and am thinking about starting a Model UN club at my high school. I fell out of love with JSA, a mainly-political debating organization, because the people in my club were extremely conservative, rude, and unwelcoming. However, I still take great interest in politics. Although I do not want to major in anything related to politics, I believe it is important to stay politically active in my community (hoping to get an internship with someone who’s running for governor in my state) and be politically aware of current events on the national and international scale. Because of this, I want to start a Model UN club, but I don’t know if it’s worth it or not and am worried about some aspects of creating it.
I do not have a lot of political knowledge. I am not very knowledgeable about how certain parts of the government operates at the national and state level. I don't really know what goes on in my state, but I will soon because of the aforementioned internship. Would this be an issue?
I don't know if people will join. Personally, I think that people have became much more politically aware this year following the presidential election and the effects of the president's actions. How will I determine if people would want to join or not?
My school does not have a lot of funding for clubs because we have around 30-40 clubs already. Does Model UN cost a lot, or does it only require some online resources and a room to debate in? Are there conferences or competitions to attend? Is it something that I could fund raise for or something that each individual member can pay for themselves?
Is it a lot of work? If I manage to create it, I will naturally assume the role as President and appoint other qualified people to take positions in my executive board. Next semester, I will not have the time and energy to pour my heart and soul out into this club. This should only take maybe 3-4 hours of my week, including weekly meetings.
Is this a club that does not require a lot of time commitment? For example, if I host weekly meetings, can participants come once every other week or during the seasons where they don't have sports? Basically, what I'm trying to ask is, is this club something that does not require knowledge being built up over multiple meetings? Is it more casual, like debating about international affairs or learning more about global issues?
Do people in Model UN only debate in the club, or do they also do volunteer work? I'm pretty sure that the UN has created 20 sustainable goals for this year; could I do something in my club to volunteer or contribute to those 20 goals?
Sorry for all the questions; there is no one I know who is knowledgeable about this topic (after all, Model UN is not even a club at my school and at some other local schools).
Any tips or advice are welcome!! Thank you in advance; this will help me so much!!
I’m in Model UN and founded my own Political Science Club at my high school. Actually, in Model UN you debate topics at a conference and you are assigned to a country and have to debate relevant issues in said country. Yes, Model UN does take a lot of time commitment, especially as the President. Planning and recruiting for the club will definitely go over 4 hours a week. If you are not passionate and you can’t pour your heart and soul into it, do NOT do it. To be honest, if the only reason why you’re starting the club is that the people in JSA are mean and you think politics are important, then I don’t recommend it. Nothing against you, but just don’t waste your time on something you’re not that passionate about. Create a club that relates to what you want to do. It will allow you to explore that subject much more deeply.
@ab2002 Thanks for the advice! If it take a lot of time commitment, I will probably get a co-president to work with me. It’s not that I don’t have the passion to do it and be president/co-president of it, it’s simply because I don’t have the time. I am doing so many other things (all honors and AP, 5 clubs, semester-long internship, other things planned too) that Model UN taking so much time might be an issue. I have yet to read up on Model UN, but I have kinda already fallen in love with it and the idea of it becoming a club at my school. Model UN is nothing related to what I want to do (probably will major in something STEM or business related, not poly sci), but I still think it is an important club that should be offered at my school. I believe that Model UN would help me become more knowledgeable in international affairs and better myself in debating, public speaking, and confidence. Also, can I message you if I need any advice regarding Model UN?
@ab2002 I would create a club involving STEM, but I can’t think of any. At my school, there’s already math team, robotics, a competitive math/science/reading/computer science/engineering club (I know that was a lot), so I’m not sure what else I would start. Also, it takes a long time to start a club. I know a person who started one his freshman year, and it took him 8 months mainly because the teachers at my school don’t want to do work involving starting a club.
To do MUN you will need a faculty advisor. At our local high school MUN is actually a class for course credit since it entails quite a bit of research and writing if done at top level.
I actually created my own club this year and yes, it takes work, but it’s rewarding. STEM is way too broad for a club, you need to think in specific what you want to talk about or do. At my club we have the Environmental Club, where they plant trees locally, it doesn’t have to be anything gigantic. I had to ask 6 teachers but I eventually got my AP Psychology teacher to give in. Find something you’re passionate in, within the STEM field, and go from there.
