Transcript www.uhsmun.com

Going hard in
MUN
Advanced training by Lilia Abecassis
Pre-Conference
Position papers, blogging, and whatnot
Position Papers
Position papers are your chairs first
impression of you. You want your chairs to
think of you as a strong, diplomatic and smart
delegate before you walk into committee.
Save your papers as a document.
EX: “Australia, Position papers, SOCHUM.”
Background
This should be about ¼ of your paper. Do not
just regurgitate what the topic synopsis tells
you. Search for further information that you
think will be beneficial- this will also help you
prepare for committee.
UN.org and Wikipedia reference section are
good places to start
UN Involvement
¼ of your paper- same as background-y
Don’t regurgitate everything you read
In addition to UN involvement, talk about
NGO’s and all that, esp if there is nothing
else on the topic
Country Policy/Solutions
½ paper, most important part.
Some committees separate, some don’t
See if country has done something, and
incorporate that into you paper
If your country has
nothing
MAKE SOMETHING UP!
Look at how it handled past situation- did it
sign the resolution?
Come up with a specific plan, you have a lot of
freedom
Submitting the pos. paper
Always be formal. Do not just share a document with your chairs or attach the
papers to the email. Do not put the text in the email body.
Example:
Dear Honorable Chairs,
Attached are Australia’s position papers for SOCHUM. We are looking
forward to committee!
Best,
Australia
Blogging- BMUN
At Berkeley and other major conferences,
there will be on online blog
Chairs post articles, you comment
Chairs take comments into consideration for
awards, so be active! Good way to establish
presence
Blogging
Make insightful comments, but don’t overdo it.
-No 1200 word comments
-300-500 word MAX
Conference
Big committees-not a lot of speaking time, so you need to
really amp it up
- need to establish a presence during caucus
-be proactive. presenting the resolution is key
Big committees
Speeches- you will get 1-3, depending on the
size
Comment as frequently as possible if you
have something to say
Volunteer for motions, not too many
Small committees
You will be able to speak a lot, but make sure
that your speeches have substance
Your chairs will pay special attention to
everyone, so make sure you are always on it
All committees
Get involved as much as possible
Write operatives and present the resolutionbig points
Make insightful speeches and comments
Don’t be “that delegate”
All committees
I always take notes on what every country’s
position is when they make their speeches.
Easier to find people to caucus with
EX: Australia- no nuclear weapons
whatsoever
USA- nuclear weapons in moderation
Caucusing
Can I moderate your caucus ;)
Caucusing
Your goal is to have people flock to you during
unmod and to lead your new group
Let other people talk, but manage to lead the
group.
Caucusing
Bring a notepad! also makes you look
prepared when the chairs come around, have
paper.
If you’ve established yourself as the leader, sit
down if you want. People will still circle
around you.
Crises in Regular Committees
Before we talk about Crisis Committees, we will go over how to respond to a
Crisis in a regular GA or Specialized Committee.
Most committees invariably end up in Crises during the last few hours of
debate. This is usually unplanned and used by chairs simply to
continue/extend debate.
However, dealing with these crises promptly and creatively can show your
chairs how strong of a delegate you are.
Crises in Regular Committees
(cont)
Begin Brainstorming Immediately.
As soon as a crisis is announced, begin brainstorming solutions, responses,
etc. Also begin drafting a speech to respond to a crisis.
It is always good, to have the first speech after a crisis is announced. It is
even better if this speech is coherent and expresses original and creative
solutions.
Crises in Regular Committees
(cont)
After delivering your speech…
Start gathering your caucus group, and begin discussion.
ALWAYS LEAD THIS DISCUSSION. (Tips on this later)
Usually an informal caucus will be highly smiled upon shortly after if not
immediately after a crisis. This is your chance to once again show your
leadership skills and gain more caucus points. Take advantage of the
opportunity.
Crises in Regular Committees
(cont)
Draft a Resolution to solve your Crisis, Pass a Directive,
etc.
The way in which you resolve your Crisis will depend on the conference,
committee, rules, etc. However, be sure that you lead the effort to resolve
the crisis and are on the floor to speak in favor of a resolution. Whatever
form it may take place in.
Congratulations, you have now dealt with a Crisis in a regular committee.
Now on to the real thing!
CRISIS COMMITTEES
How To Win At Everything Crisis - By Thomas Chen
What is Crisis?
Crisis is a very different breed from normal MUN Committees. In some ways
it’s far more informal and in others far more advanced.
Essentially, Crisis is a fast paced continuous informal caucus with short
speeches interspersed as opposed to the other way around. Throughout
this caucus various “events” aka “crises” will occur and it is the job of
delegates to deal with said crises.
So lets get started...
PREPARATION
Preparation is 50% of success in Crisis. (If not more)
It can be divided into several parts.
1. “Position Paper” Research
2. Speech Writing
3. Concept Research
PREP: “Pos. Papers”
Crisis Papers can be very different from conventional
Position Papers.
However, this is usually because delegates have no idea what will occur
during committee. Thus Crisis Papers are shorter and more focused than
regular papers. Commonly only asking for a short page on the background
of an issue or background of the character you are representing.
Occasionally Crisis Committees don’t even assign a position paper.
PREP: “Pos. Papers” (cont)
Writing Crisis Papers is simple. Answer the prompt
provided in the topic synopsis using academic language
and cite sources.
However, there are a few ways to help ensure that
Research Award.
PREP: “Pos. Papers”(cont)
Appearance can trick your
chairs.
Logos, Headers, and small
things can make a passable
paper, into a winning paper.
PREP: Speech Writing
Crisis Speech Setup varies from Conference to
Conference.
You may still see the common First few speeches General Rest of the
speeches Substantive. However, another common speech setup is simply
introducing yourself (the person/country you are representing) and possibly
a short summary of your policy.
Note that in a proper Crisis Committee this first speech should technically
have no time limit. However, some schools still use a time limit out of
ignorance or simply to ensure everyone gets a chance to speak. In any
case do not ramble if there is no limit.
PREP: Speech Writing(Cont)
What speeches to prepare:
You should definitely have a well-polished and well-practiced opening
speech. Assume there will be a time limit.
Bracket your speeches based on time. And Practice your speeches in order
to ensure that you have correct times.
PREP: Speech Writing(Cont)
How To Write A Speech
Plan out the content which you wish to say. (E.g, Country Name/Person
Name, Position, Background, Policy, etc)
Once you have this base, work on the “artistic” and “eloquent” part. Do not do
it the other way around and start with “fancy wording”. CONTENT FIRST.
PREP: Concept Research
Remember, this is a competition. You want to BEAT
everyone else in the room.
How can you do this?
RESEARCH. Research the most obscure and creative solutions to your topic.
Research every facet of every aspect of every possible solution. Be able to
name drop facts, statistics, data. During Caucus if you can call out other
delegates BSing or make yourself genuinely sound like the person you are
representing, you make yourself look miles ahead of everyone else.
DURING THE
CONFERENCE
What actions can you do in Crisis apart from
speeches and caucusing?
Directives
Communiqués
Press Releases
Directives
A Directive is an action which your character/country can
execute. You send a directive by writing what you want
your character/country to do on a sticky note/paper and
sending it to your Chairs.
If the Chair approves it, the action takes place. Always
remember to put your own country name on the paper so
the chair knows who sent the Directive.
Directive (cont)
Remember: You can only send Directives that the
country/person you are representing is actually capable
of doing in reality.
Example: You cannot say: Switzerland Sends 22 Aircraft Carriers and takes
over the United States.
Example: You can say: Switzerland diverts $500,000,000 to military
research.
Communiqués
Communiqués are used to send messages/inquiries to
third parties when a direct order is not relevant,
executed.
For example: If you were dealing with a terrorist group. And would like to
send a communique to the CIA asking for information. You would send a
sticky note with your message to the CIA and your country/person name to
the chair. They would then return you a paper later on with a response to
your communique if it is accepted.
Communiques are an information gathering tool. Use them but do not spam
them.
Press Releases
Press Releases = Shock and Awe
Press Releases are your way of announcing a new development that nobody
or few delegates are aware of. Use them to surprise opponents, manipulate
people, etc.
You send a Press Release by taking a piece of paper writing “PRESS
RELEASE” on it and writing your message and OF COURSE your
country/person name and sending it to the chairs. The Chairs will announce
it as “Press Release from X! blah blah blah”
Press Release (cont)
Something important to note. In some Conferences. You can LIE in your
Press Release. This can be used to your advantage OR backfire.
Press Releases are a way of turning the spotlight back onto yourself. Be
careful when and how you use them. Be judicious and do not use them
excessively.
CAUCUSING
Caucusing Tips:
- Positioning
- Setting Up Groups / Gathering Members
- “Attaining Leadership” tricks
- Dealing with idiots :(
- Dealing with gavel hunters >:(
- Diplomacy at all times
- Last Resort Tactics
- HAVE PRESENCE
SPEECH DELIVERY
- Posture
- Composure
- Tone/Inflection
- Positioning
- Eye Contact
- Content
- Confidence
The End
Congratulations! You now know far more than
the average delegate!