Model UN Conference Question

Pre-College Issues High School Life
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<p>Hi, I am a longtime lurker on CC and I am very impressed by the advice that people get on all of the forums. I am a HS Sophmore with a passion for International Relations/Political Science (probably going to major in one of the two), so I'm trying to start a Model UN club at my school, and I have a few quick questions that some more experienced MUN participants might be able to answer. Thanks in advance for any advice or information. </p>

<p>How many conferences do you typically go to in a year? I was reading AMUN's "simulation in a box", and the prep work seems to be so intense that I don't know if it is even possible to go to more than a few conferences.</p>

<p>How do you pick a good conference for a school with little/no MUN experience? What are some guidelines you would reccommend using to select a conference?</p>

<p>Thanks to anyone who made it through this rambling novel ;-) and wants to take the time to help out a confused newbie.</p>

<p>~Kitty_291</p>

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<p>We go to about 4 conferences a year. Honestly, the research and prep that goes into a conference isn't all that bad. Also, I would just pick local conferences for a beginning club. They are less intense and more forgiving.
Starting up a MUN club isn't all too bad. I went from new member to VP of my club in one year, and we are a very small club, but we kick but at conferences. Always watch out for the little guy at MUN! (Especially Israel lol)</p>

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<p>I agree -- local conferences are best when you're just starting out. Basically, you want to get used to talking in a parliamentary procedure-d setting.</p>

<p>My school, in its MUN glory days, went to 4 conferences a year.</p>

<p>I totally enjoyed the larger conferences more (UNA-USA is my favourite). Um, and I didn't do the prep work until generally a day or two before the conference. Really, just know your country's general position on the issue -- if it's not stated, then make it up based on data you've collected on your country. I was really proud of myself that one time I got my position paper done 4 days ahead of time. =]</p>

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<p>^ I usually prep about 2 weeks ahead, just to think of what I will say, and usually it works (I have won several awards).
Honestly, be a good "BSer", but also be able to generalize as to stick to your country's position.</p>

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<p>Yeah, that and, if you want an award, you better talk a lot. Have a strong position, even if your country doesn't. It's all BS anyway, but make it logical BS, so someone doesn't reply to your demand for water with a "isn't ___ an island nation?"</p>

<p>But good times at MUN. =] I think it may have been the only impressive extracurricular I had.</p>

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<p>Aaah, that is when you reply "We are surrounded by salt water and sea levels are rising on a global scale. KYOTO NOW!!!"
lol</p>

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<p>Too bad the girl got flustered and the person asking was the chair. =]</p>

<p>But oh man. So many memories. Can't live without them Model UN pick-up lines.</p>

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<p>Most of the people who seem impressive in MUN haven't done as much research as you and just talk a lot. And they're confident. :) That's the pep talk my MUN director gives us before a conference, and now that I'm more experienced, I know it's true. I don't write resolutions or speeches until the night before.</p>

<p>My school hosts one conference and goes to between four and six a year. MUN has been a LOT of fun over the past couple of years. Can't imagine what life would've been like without it!</p>

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<p>I agree with Taggart. Try to get a good country, but it's sometimes fine to make up a policy if your country doesn't have one. It makes the debate a lot more fun.</p>

<p>We typically only go to one conference a year, but we also run our own conference. We may go to two next year.</p>

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<p>


</p>

<p>What would we do without them? lol</p>

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<p>How many conferences do you typically go to in a year? This year, 3-4. Previous years: 2.</p>

<p>How do you pick a good conference for a school with little/no MUN experience? You pick one that has a very structured/nurturing environment. Find out which ones are run meticulously. Those are best for newbies because they really get you into what a real conference is like. If you go to a lesser-organized one, you really don't get the proper feel for them. </p>

<p>Local conferences are great. But, if you can't, there's always the big ones. ^</p>

<p>This is committee wise.... for choosing country/committees. Make sure your country is in good committees (and that you sign up on time so you get your pick of countries!).</p>

<p>Committee wise: What are your interests...generally. I discovered my intended major thanks to MUN actually. Otherwise, whatever seems moderately interesting. Think to yourself--can I stand reading 20 pages of research about this without falling asleep?</p>

<p>Country wise: Good countries are #1. Make sure they're in interesting committees! But even if you have a terrible one, you can do some pretty awesome things with them. I mean, it's better to get those countries with strong policies. But realize, you'll be held to a higher/stricter standard if you have a strong country (like the US).</p>

<p>And, yes, I don't know what I would have done without MUN in hs. Never gotten into college..haha. But, pick up line wise, as a chair and a delegate, I have to say, they make or break the conferences. My best conferences have centered around being awesome--and getting awesome notes. :]</p>

<p>Random tips: Award wise, it's more about coming off strong to people. Though, it's always a plus to show that you have a human side and you're not a robot. You get more votes from the back that way. The majority of most committees are slackers (regardless of how smart they are normally). If you can get them to vote with your resolution, you're gold. "You're cute" or "I'll meet you at the Delegate Dance" votes are 100% legal--and effective ways of gaining votes. ;]</p>

<p>If you want more mun tips/rambling, just PM me. Also, I can give you a list of conferences known for being run smoothly. PM. :]</p>

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<p>Can you recommend a website for my daughter to research to start a MUN at her school?</p>

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<p>Thanks for the advice everyone. It seems like the consensus (sp???) is between 2 and 4 conferences per year and pick a well run confernce and an interesting country. </p>

<p>BarristerDad118, here are the websites I used:</p>

<p>American Model United Nations Homepage--> American</a> Model United Nations - Home </p>

<p>Model United Nations Cyber Schoolbus--> Model</a> United Nations: Prepare - UN Cyberschoolbus</p>

<p>United Nations Association of the USA --> Model</a> UN | UNAUSA.org</p>

<p>I also bought some stuff from the UNA-USA Store--> UNA-USA</a> Store | UNAUSA.org</p>

<p>and I bought the Model UN "in a Box" Simulation Kit-->
American</a> Model United Nations - Model UN in a Box Simulation guides</p>

<p>Hope this helps, maybe more people will have ideas too. Good luck to your daughter.</p>

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<p>we usually go to at least one a month, so this year i think the total was eight. each year we also do two college conferences. there isn't that much prep work, especially when you get the hang of it. its a really structured process, but once you have it down its not a big deal at all. try to go to at least one college one. they're so different from high school and a lot more fun.</p>

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<p>We have about 6-7, and 2-3 college conferences (next year I believe are William and Mary, McGill in Canada and Harvard). I used to do a ton of reading, but now I just read stuff the night before for a semi-decent position paper, and go in the next day and pretend I know what I'm talking about XD. Generally conferences with a longer history are better organised, because the people doing them have already made and corrected the 'newbie mistakes'.</p>