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 conference and their school’s delegation. The head delegate will be responsible for registration, hotel room assignments, payments, and ensuring that all delegates of the school are aware of conference policies and activities.
The faculty advisor will act as the chaperone accompanying the school delegation to CAHSMUN and assists the conference in enforcing rules and regulations set out by the conference, the venue, and school/school district. Typically, the faculty advisor is the sponsor teacher of the Model UN club or debate team.
What do I do if there is no MUN or debate club at my high school? Back to top
If this is the case, you have a variety of options. You may formally create your school's MUN or debate club with the help and support of a teacher or you may organize a group of students, again with the involvement of a teacher, just to attend CAHSMUN. Of course, we recommend the former option as it creates logevity for MUN at your school and facilitates preparation. If neither option is suitable for your school, please contact the Secretariat to facilitate your participation at CAHSMUN.
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 your school has a higher chance of receiving preferable country and committee assignments.
What is the dress code of the conference? Back to top
All delegates, faculty advisors, committee staff, Secretariat officers and members of the Board must dress in Western business attire during formal sittings of the conference. This includes all committee sessions and any ceremonies.
For Men: full suit (blazer and dress pants), dress shirt, tie and dress shoes. School uniforms are acceptable as long as they adhere to the guidelines. Unless instructed otherwise, blazers must be worn in committee sessions in order to be recognized by the committee staff.
For Women: blouse and dress pants or skirt. Blazer is optional and a sweater of professiontal tailoring and design may be worn in place of a blazer. At no time can a delegate wear a top that bares the shoulders or a skirt that does not surpass the knees.
Jeans and sneakers are not permitted during formal sittings of the conference.
How will countries and committee positions be assigned? Back to top
During priority registraion, the Secretariat will, to the best of its abilities, assign all schools on equal footing. After priority registraion, positions are assigned on a first-come-first-serve basis. Please not that for all stages of registration, payment must be received before the Secretariat will assign positions.
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. Furthermore, laptops are not to be used in committee rooms as a sign of respect to any delegate speaking.
Will there be wireless internet access during the conference? Back to top
For 2009, there will be complementary wireless internet access available to all participants at the hotel.
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 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. 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 positions and actions that a Member State holds toward a specific topic as dictated by its national policies. All delegates, as representatives of Member States, are required to write 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 committee staff 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 Model UN at its fullest. School delegations often develop a sense of comaraderie by staying at the hotel, and students from different schools often make lifelong friendships. All delegate fees currently include two nights’ stay at the hotel. If you do not wish to stay at the hotel, please contact the Secretariat 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 committee staff. During the committee sessions, the committee staff takes note of delegates who have not only actively participated in debate, but also those who create viable solutions in response to the topics at hand, as well as those who exercise tact and diplomacy throughout the conference.
What positions are on the committee staff at this conference? Back to top
Committee staff positions include the director and the chair and if necessary, a crisis liaison. Committee staff are post-secondary and senior high students who have extensive MUN experience or wish to further their staff experience.
How are the hotel rooms assigned? Back to top
The process of hotel room assignments is the responsibility of the head delegate and/or the faculty advisor of each school. Prior to the conference, the Secretariat will be sending a hotel room assignment sheet to the individual in charge. There is a maximum of 4 delegates per room.. 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.