What are my students doing on Monday night of the conference?

We will be hosting the first ever Global Gauntlet! Aimee Ryan, Kelsi Steel, Kedra Arnold and I have worked to create six rounds to the Gauntlet. Each round will feature 15 questions. So what are the rounds and what kind of questions can you expect? Below is a brief overlay of the competition.

Round 1: Parliamentary Procedure
The answers are taken from the quick sheet provided on our website and the United Nations website.

Round 2: Origin of the United Nations and Structure
These questions are found in come from the United Nations Charter.

Round 3: World History
These are basic question about global history from each corner of the globe

Round 4: MMUN Back Ground Guides
Each question is created from the background guides of each committee member. Thus the whole team should read their committee background guides. Beware that Security Council questions will be included. Thus if you don’t have a member you may want to look at these guides.

Round 5: Current Events
These events garnered major headlines between 2007 and today.

Round 6: Geography
These range from basic locations to political geography to physical geography.

Why is participation important in the Global Gauntlet? We will be awarding points to the best team. Points will be given to countries and count towards the individual school awards. These were decided by just a few points last year

My students are having trouble with parliamentary procedure. What can I do to prepare them for the conference?

Parliamentary Procedure (parli pro) is a tough subject. However, a working knowledge of “parli pro” is a big plus early on. The staff will notice a student’s ability and this is reflected in awarding points in the first few rounds.
The best way to help students learn the procedure is simple, a debate. Montana Model United Nations (MMUN) uses an abbreviated or modified parli pro sheet. It can be found on our website, in the “delegate tools” menu.
Some ideas for the debate: Coke versus Pepsi, Griz versus Cats (or Cat versus Griz), Peanut versus Plain M&Ms. The simple topics are the easiest to debate and allow students to have fun. The debates should have the same set-up as MMUN.
Smaller groups will ensure that everyone has a chance to learn parli pro. You and your experienced students can serve as chairs.
The order of debates should go as follows:
Topics
I Pepsi versus Coke
II Griz versus Cat
III Plain versus Peanut M&Ms

Script

1. Provide Students with three topics to debate. This allows students to see how to set the order of debate.
2. Open a speakers list to discuss the order of topics. Students should raise their hands to be added to the list.
3. Entertain a motion to set the speaker’s time. This time is for the discussion of the possible topics.
4. Students would raise their hands, and once recognized by the chair, would say “I move to set the speaking time at ____ seconds/minutes. The chair has the discretion to accept the motions. (i.e. no 30 minutes or 2 seconds motions)
5. Once a few times have been suggested, close the floor and vote on the speaking times. The first with a simple majority wins.
6. Once a speaking time has been set, the chair asks “are there any points or motions on the floor?” This should be asked after every speaker or action on the floor.
7. A student may make a motion to set the order of the agenda right away. However, considering the purpose of the activity, do not accept the motion. Allow a few speakers to suggest an order. After each speaker remember to ask “are there any points or motions on the floor?”
8. After a few students have gone, allow a motion to set the agenda. As many suggestion can be made as possible orders.
9. Setting the order
a. First Student “I motion to set the agenda at II, III, I(2,3,1)”
b. Chair “Is there a second?” [look for a second] “Seeing a second. Are there any other points or motions on the floor?” [Call on a delegate if on rises.]
c. Suggestion can continue for a while or till the chair feels the students have a good grasp.
10. Once the order has been set the number reassign. Assuming the order is set as suggested in 9A the new order would be: I Griz v Cat II Plain v Peanut M&Ms III Pepsi v Coke
11. The old speaker’s list and time are discard and must be reset for the first topic.
a. Ask for a volunteers to be on the speakers list
b. Set a time for speakers
c. Then allow them to discuss the topics.
12. Other Important motions:
a. Un-moderated caucuses will allow time to write resolutions
b. Point of Order to correct a delegates or chair’s error
c. Point of Personal Inquiry allows students to ask question in committee
d. Suspend the Meeting is used to break at conference for breaks, lunch, and the evening
e. Adjourn the Meeting is used to end the simulation and conference
This script is only a partial suggestion. Further information can be found on our Parli Pro quick sheet.
If you would like more help with the script please contact me at mtunhighschool@gmail.com

As an Advisor, where should we start in preparing for MMUN?

The very first thing you should do is check out our website. This is a great source of information that covers everything from the topics of each committee to the rules and regulations for the conference.

You should also register with Kelsi Steele [kelsi.steele@umontana.edu]. She will need the number of students you expect. You can always request additional countries. The countries assigned to a school should be filled before the request for additional countries is made.
Kelsi will provide you with the countries your school has. Each country will have four or five student slots. Assigning your students will allow them to begin researching their country. Students should begin studying the basic information about their country. The CIA World Fact Book is a great way to start.

When you have assigned students their country and committee, the students should begin to look for statements, news articles, and government policies of their country regarding the issues to be discussed in their committee.

The first step to a student’s success at Model United Nations is to have an understanding of the country they represent and how it relates to the global community.

: Does the General Assembly meet whenever a conference meets or just during the first combined session?

The General Assembly meets during each scheduled session. However, the conference is bookended by joint sessions known as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. All delegates attending the conference will attend these meetings. The Opening Ceremony features a keynote Speaker and an introduction by the Secretary General. The Closing Ceremony includes the presentation of awards and other cultural events.

Delegates who are assigned to the General Assembly will attend these meetings, and students who are assigned to other committees will attend those meetings. These meetings are where delegates will work on their assigned topics. Delegates will not need to prepare for these joint sessions. Instructors will want to focus on the topics assigned to each person individual committees. The work done here is how students are scored during the conference.

These scores are how students obtain delegate awards and schools are awarded. This in conjunction with submitted work is also how outstanding senior scholarships are presented.
Answer: The General Assembly meets during each regularly scheduled session. The conference is bookended by joint sessions known as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. All delegates attend these General Assembly meetings. Delegates with other committee assignments will attend those meetings during regular sessions.