Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions at CAHSMUN

What is the role of the head delegate and faculty advisor?
What do I do if there is no MUN or Debate club at my secondary school?
What are the advantages of priority registration?
What is the dress code of the conference?
How will countries and committee positions be assigned?
How are positions assigned on the Historical Cabinets?
Are laptops required at the conference?
Will there be wireless internet access during the conference?
What is a double delegation?
How large is the conference?
What is a position paper, how do I write it, and is it required?
Is staying at the hotel mandatory for all delegates?
What awards will be given out and who makes the decision?
Who will be the staff members at this conference?
How is hotel rooming assigned/decided?
How should I make my country/committee preferences on the delegate registration?
What is the Foundations Program?

What is the role of the head delegate and faculty advisor? Back to top

The head delegate will act as the main liaison between the Secretariat and their school’s delegation. The head delegate will be responsible for the school registration form, facilitating registration, hotel rooming assignments, payments, and ensuring that all delegates within the delegation know what their country assignments are.

The faculty advisor will act as the chaperone accompanying the delegation that their respective schools are sending to CAHSMUN. Typically, the faculty advisor is the sponsor teacher of the MUN Club of a school or the coach of the school debate team.

What do I do if there is no MUN or Debate club at my secondary school? Back to top

If this is the case, you have a variety of options. You may create your school’s MUN club with the help and support of a sponsor teacher in order to send a delegation to CAHSMUN, or you may come as a single delegate supported by your school and a sponsor teacher. You can also create a delegation to attend CAHSMUN even if your school does not have a MUN club. If the above options are not viable, please contact us so we can facilitate your participation at CAHSMUN this year.

What are the advantages of priority registration? Back to top

Priority registration offers the best rates available to attend the conference; as well, by registering early one has a higher chance of receiving a desired country assignment in a specific committee.

What is the dress code of the conference? Back to top

All participants of the conference – including delegates, staff members, Secretariat, and faculty advisors- are to be in Western business attire during all formal sessions of the conference. This includes all committee sessions and any ceremonies.
For men, this means that one must wear a suit, a tie, dress pants, and dress shoes, and should have a jacket on in order to be recognized. For women- blouses, skirts and dress pants are all acceptable; no sleeveless tops or short skirts are permitted. Jeans and sneakers are not permitted during any formal sessions.

How will countries and committee positions be assigned? Back to top

When country and committee positions are assigned, several factors are taken into consideration. This includes the past MUN experience and any awards won by the delegate, as well as their time of registration. Priority will always be given to delegates who register earlier.

How are positions assigned on the Historical Cabinets? Back to top

When one applies to be on the Historical Cabinets, positions are assigned at the discretion of the Secretariat. One does not choose the specific position on the Cabinet at the time of registration. Factors that influence the positions assigned include any past MUN experience, past awards won, the delegate’s interest in the committee and the history, as well as time of registration.

Are laptops required at the conference? Back to top

Laptops are not required in order for delegates to actively participate in the conference. However, delegates are encouraged to bring laptops in order to facilitate their experience, as well as to assist in writing draft resolutions and working papers throughout the course of the conference. If delegates choose to bring a laptop, please note that it is the delegates’ responsibility to ensure that the laptop is securely in their possession at all times. CAHSMUN is not responsible for any damage or theft involving laptops.

Will there be wireless internet access during the conference? Back to top

There is free wireless internet access available to all participants at the hotel that CAHSMUN will be in this year.

What is a double delegation? Back to top

A double delegation comprises of two delegates representing the same country in the same committee. This option is open to all delegates of the conference; it is catered toward first-time and new MUN delegates who wish to actively participate in committee sessions without feeling overwhelmed as they have the support of their partner. Both partners are required to each pay the full individual delegate fee (and write their own position papers). Only one position paper needs to be written between the two delegates.

How large is the conference? Back to top

Last year, CAHSMUN attracted almost three hundred delegates from over twenty-five schools throughout British Columbia. Currently, CAHSMUN is the largest Model UN conference in Western Canada. This year, we hope to be able to continue expanding the diversity and size of our delegate base as our conference continues to grow and improve.

What is a position paper, how do I write it, and is it required? Back to top

A position paper is a document that outlines the stance, position, and opinions that a nation holds toward a specific topic. All delegates, as representatives of nations, are required to write a one position paper for each topic of their committees in order to actively participate in their committees and be eligible for awards. Position papers are typically two pages and double-spaced. Backgrounder guides written by the Directors of each committee will be available to assist delegates in writing the position paper. Closer to the conference, the Secretariat will be assisting delegates new to writing position papers by producing a package that explains the finer points and provides examples of position papers.

Is staying at the hotel mandatory for all delegates? Back to top

No, staying at the hotel is not mandatory, although it is recommended in order to experience the full CAHSMUN experience of meeting new people from many different places. All delegate fees currently include two nights’ stay at the hotel. If you do not wish to stay at the hotel, please contact the USG Delegate Affairs, Joyce Lee, to make alternative arrangements.

What awards will be given out and who makes the decision? Back to top

The awards that will be given out during the Closing Ceremony at CAHSMUN include: Best Delegate, Outstanding Delegate, Honourable Mention and Best Position Paper. The recipients of these awards are determined by the staff members of each committee. During the committee sessions, the dais takes note of delegates who have not only actively participated in debate, but also those who create viable solutions in response to the crises faced and the topics at hand, as well as those who exercise tact and diplomacy throughout the course of the conference.

Who will be the staff members at this conference? Back to top

Staff members include the Directors, Chairs, and Crisis Directors of each respective committee of the conference. Staff members are post-secondary and senior secondary students who have extensive MUN experience and wish to further the experience to those who are delegates at CAHSMUN.

How is hotel rooming assigned/decided? Back to top

The process of hotel rooming is facilitated by the head delegate of each delegation. Prior to the conference, the Secretariat will be sending a hotel rooming assignments sheet to the head delegate. Delegates may choose who they want to stay with- there is a maximum of 4 delegates per room. Once delegates have determined who they want to stay with, they should inform the head delegate, who will take down their names on the hotel rooming assignments sheet. The Secretariat, once they receive the sheet, will make arrangements for the rooming assignments requested.

How should I make my country/committee preferences on the delegate registration? Back to top

One should thoroughly browse the Committees section of the website in order to determine which committees and their topics that you would be most interested in discussing over the course of the conference. In choosing the country that most appeals to each delegate, one should not only apply for countries that they find interesting and powerful, but take into consideration past MUN experience. Typically, demanding and stressful countries such as the United States are given to more experienced delegates who are able to handle the many demands and crises thrust upon them during the conference. Please refer to the country matrix under the registration section of the website to see which countries are available in each committee.

What is the Foundations Program? Back to top

The Foundations Program is a program unique to CAHSMUN, as we are the only conference that offers the MUN Workshop, whose goal is to better prepare and familiarize delegates, especially those new to MUN, to the Rules and Procedures of a typical MUN conference. Please see the Foundations section of the website for further details.