The first rule of thumb is for the Faculty Advisor (FA) to keep control of what is going on among the group (keeping track of individual assignments, deadlines, etc.) and to encourage as much self-direction and self-stimulus on the part of the group as possible. The program really becomes successful when the students start helping each other.
On the other hand, the FA can do a lot to help the group by acquiring materials, ordering books for the library, etc. For those just beginning as FA's, write for the Model UN Survival Kit, copies of Everyone's United Nations and, if appropriate, the Security Council Simulation Kit.
Inquiries should be addressed to Publications Coordinator, UNA-USA, 485 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 100 17.
One could also write for a copy of the Annotated Preliminary Agenda and the Resolutions and Decisions Adopted for each session of the General Assembly. For this material, write: Chief, Public Inquiries Unit, Department of Public Information, United Nations, New York, NY 100 17.
The Public Inquiries Unit also provides a Model United Nations Kit (one per school) upon request. And, of course, it is wise to subscribe to the UN Chronicle.
A suggested preparation for the KSUHSMUN is practice simulations. Assign each member of the delegation a particular country other than the one you shall represent. Debate each point of the agenda for all committees with the person(s) responsible for that point representing your country while everyone else debates from the standpoint of the other countries. The simulation should also include caucusing coalition and bloc information, conspiracy, etc.
Of all things, however, most -important is getting at least four or five serious and articulate students upon whom you can depend. If they are good and get behind the program, the word will spread. You can also use them to lobby administrators for financial support which is very important. Let administrators know how valuable this experience is to the students and how much they appreciate it It really does help.
In short, the role of the FA is to provide essential support for the students in the program, to acquire materials, to find funding, to do some public relations, and to do advance work institutionally. The FA should take the KSUHSMUN seriously and let the students realize it.
The FA should do whatever possible to engender both the discipline and enthusiasm required of the students if the delegation is to do well.
But, the FA should leave
the ultimate responsibility and authority to the students themselves. If
they do well, they take pride in themselves, which makes teaching a lot easier.
If they do not do well, they learn from their mistakes and do better the next
time - which is just as good a learning tool as any other. Above all, even though
the FA should team as much as possible about the topics, the countries involved,
the procedures, and so forth, the FA should
never fear turning to the students for assistance. The FA cannot be the world's
greatest authority on everything and should never pretend (or aspire) otherwise.
The KSUHSMUN is for the students and, if it is left to them, they can
and will do a great job and enjoy themselves on top of it all, and so will the
Faculty Advisor.
Following is a suggested
outline to use in advance preparations for the KSUHSMUN Conference: (A Head
Delegate should be selected to assist with the following tasks.)
1. ADVANCE PREPARATIONS
A. Each delegation
will have the help of the faculty (high school) member to work
with the delegation
in preparing for Kennesaw State University Model United
Nations. This person's
help and credibility can be invaluable.
B. Every delegation
should begin its study by looking at the country it represents as a
whole. What are the
salient features of its geography, its history, and its people?
Remember that at
the Conference specific issues are discussed.
C. The delegation
should carefully review all purposes, structure, and major
activities of the
United Nations. The whole delegation should study carefully the
rules of procedure
which will be used at Kennesaw State Model UN In order to
actively participate
in Conference discussions, knowledge of these rules is
essential. Delegates
adequately prepared concerning your country's views on a
agenda item could
find themselves unable to present these ideas unless they have
an understanding
of parliamentary rules.
D. Consideration
of the agenda items listed in this handbook. You should help
assign delegates
to the different committees and councils and help prepare
background materials
for each of the topics in these bodies.
E. A week before
resolutions are due at the office of the Secretariat, content and
form of the resolutions
should be corrected so that they conform to the standards
the Conference requests.
F. During the weeks
remaining before the Conference, the delegates should spend
their meetings discussing
the procedures used at the Conference and any current
information and reports
on issues pertinent to the Conference.
G. The Head Delegate
has a number of special responsibilities before and during the
KSUHSMUN. Make sure
to perform promptly such administrative duties as returning forms and credential
sheets, and inform the other delegates about information sent to the delegation.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
As you may well be aware, there is a great deal of work required in the area of preparation of your country's materials for the KSUHSMUN. Probably the most farreaching of the other area of work is publicity. It is imperative that students of your high school be informed of the progress of the delegation and of the Kennesaw State University Model United Nations in general. Because of the importance of this work, it is necessary to appoint a member of your delegation as Publicity Chairperson. The Secretariat, upon request, will supply you with copies of press releases and other useful material. The primary responsibility for your Publicity Chairperson will be contacts with the school paper and other influential sources. Please choose your Publicity Chairperson carefully, for his or her job will be an important one.