1. Model United Nations at the University of Washington

2. What makes an outstanding delegate?
Research
Writing
Public speaking
Leadership
Diplomacy/Manipulation

3. Research
Actually understand the nature of the problem, international community, and the committees powers
Most likely, everyone will stumble upon the same types of solutions
Gain power by being able to add detail and depth to these ideas
AKA the ideas person

4. Writing
Understand how to turn these ideas into a well-written and convincing resolution
Start writing the draft paper and control who gets added as a sponsor, which ideas get put in, etc.
Gain power by controlling the document
AKA the one behind the computer

5. Public Speaking
Give speeches with convincing and well-detailed arguments
Gain power by drawing attention to themself and gaining support for the draft resolution
AKA the one who sells the paper to the rest of the committee

6. Leadership Organize the group of people working on the draft paper
Delegate tasks to those comparatively more competent in each field
Keep people on task and toeing in line
Gain power through managing and commanding respect/obedience
AKA the leader

7. Diplomacy Know how to work the room through psychological manipulation
Direct the discussion and the writing
Very respectful and diplomatic
Gains power through manipulation
AKA the one that was running everything this whole time

8. An outstanding delegate will have mastered the art of all of these: research, writing, public speaking, leadership, and diplomacy.
Be self-aware – understand what your strengths and weaknesses are and work with people who have the skills you lack.

9. Setting the agenda
Fight as much as possible to set the agenda to the topic that your country wants discussed. Focus on how important that topic is to ALL countries, and how germane the resolution of that problem is to all other problems
If you absolutely don’t want to see a topic discussed, talk about how the committee has already discussed it and was unable to reach a consensus, how it’s outside the purview of this committee, or how the other topics are more pressing.
Example: education vs. military

10. Formal Speeches Get on the Speaker’s List ASAP
Don’t wing it but don’t write out your whole speech either: bullet point it
Invite allies or your region to work together with you. Give specific ideas that you would like to incorporate into your paper and the overarching goal you’re trying to achieve.
Posture, gesturing, gaze, projection
DO NOT give fluffy speeches – offer solutions and ideas

11. Caucusing (informal sessions)
If in a small committee such as the SC:
Suggest that everyone stay around the table and have a discussion. Then you can control the conversation and hear everyone’s ideas.
If in a medium to large committee:
Ask the directors of the committee if they would allow for an organized discussion that you would lead.
1. Allies/Region 2. Active 3. Non-active
Use speeches to get noticed and rally people

12. Writing Start a basic draft paper as soon as the topic is chosen
Major writing needs to be done on your computer or else you will not be the primary author
Control who has “editing power” on Google Docs – the fewer the better, best case it’s only you
Work closely with people who have done their research and have similar policies

13. Voting
Make sure that your paper has been approved and that you have enough support for it to pass before entering into Voting Bloc
Try to get your resolution passed by acclamation (everyone supports it)
Otherwise you can vote yes, no, abstain (do not vote), or pass (vote after everyone else has, usually if you’re the decisive vote but you’d rather not)
If you want to clarify why you voted no, say “no with rights” to give an explanation after

14. How to “take” ideas
Offer to collaborate with the author of the idea- offer your skills in writing resolutions, negotiating, doing research, ability to work the room, etc.
Approach them with a few other allies
Take control and begin strategizing – assign tasks to people to write a certain clause, do more research, or caucus
Be subtle and diplomatic

15. How to confront “bad” ideas
Never call anyone or their ideas stupid
Call out off-policy delegates and show evidence
Remind them of precedence, jurisdiction, and powers of the committee
Present your own proposal as a better alternative (if you have one)
Don’t waste too much time criticizing a paper that isn’t a threat to your policy or won’t pass

16. How to jump ship
You find yourself working with a group you don’t work well with, who are idiots, who are not similar to your policy, etc.
Try to realize this EARLY in committee when papers and teams are less established
Avoid this by caucusing well and having a good working relationship with at least one other group
One option out is to rally the outcasts - Find the quiet people who aren’t participating much and make them feel desired. Either start your own paper and make them your allies or use them as leverage to get onto another paper.

17. How to merge papers
Sometimes the director will ask you to merge with another paper if they feel they have similar ideas
As a general rule you want to avoid this, especially true the later into committee you’ve gotten/you’ve got a good team that works well together
If you are forced to merge with a “lesser” paper, make sure they are merging into your paper. Maintain control of the writing and final product.

18. Appearance: life advice
Power suit, power stance
Be well groomed- take a shower, shave, wear deodorant, no food stains
Suits:
Unbutton your suit jacket when sitting and button it when standing
Only button top button on one-button suit, top two buttons or middle button on three- button suits
Wear color to draw attention to yourself