LAGUNA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL
MODEL UNITED NATIONS
PARENT HANDBOOK
2015-2016
CONTENTS
Welcome…………………………………………………………………………….3
2015-2016 Secretariat……..……..……………………………………………4
2015-2016 Conference Schedule…………………………………………….5
LHHS MUN Parent Delegation Board………………………………………..6
Questions & Answers for MUN Parents…………………………………….7
Information on LHHS February Conference………………………………9
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Welcome to LHHS Model United Nations
Laguna Hills High School is proud to offer a Model United Nations program. Over
120 students are involved in this dynamic program. In the students’ freshman
year MUN is part of Global Connect at UCI--an exciting new elective that
examines the theme of globalization. As sophomores MUN is combined with an
AP European history class. During their Junior and Senior years, MUN is offered
as an honors history elective focusing on debate skills and contemporary issues.
MUN is an international program and is recognized by most Universities.
Following the Model United Nations guidelines students step into the shoes of
ambassadors from UN member states and discuss current issues on the
organization’s vast agenda. At each conference, students represent a UN
member nation and discuss topics in committee such as child labor and land
mines. Preparation for the conference requires students to research and absorb
facts about the history, geography, culture, economy and political make-up of
their country in order to fairly and accurately represent that country’s interest
and alignment in the international community.
In addition to attending at least ten high school and collegiate conferences (each
student is required to attend four per year), LHHS hosts our own conference in
February. Planning for the LHHS conference is very much a student driven
activity, calling upon the experience and resources of all students in the MUN
program, particularly those 11th and 12th graders who compose the LHHS MUN
Secretariat. The Secretariat has the primary responsibility of coordinating all
phases of the conference from registration to individual sessions, plus the job of
feeding lunch to 500 hungry delegates.
This is one of the most rewarding programs at LHHS. The skills acquired will last
well beyond high school and prepare students to succeed in the real world and
besides, MUN is FUN!!!
Carri Geiger
MUN Advisor
Geigerc@svusd.org
LHHSMUN student site
http://lhhsmunstudent.weebly.com
Parent website tab
http://lhhsmunstudent.weebly.com/parent-tab.html
Link to sign-up to help with conference
https://tinyurl.com/nhd2frb
Remind 101
Text (669) 231-2106 with message @mun14
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2015-2016 SECRETARIAT
Secretary General
Calista Shang
DMT
Vivian Nguyen
Tessie Miraki
Shannon Wasley
USG of Docs:
Shayla Look
Chuck Hua
USG Page Coordination:
Bridget Gramling
Jenny Bommarito
Rachel Gramling
CIA
Amanda Kaeni
Julie Nguyen
Alex Huynh
President:
Eileen Adbollahi
Advanced Trainers
Kaden Kotinek
DJ Uno
Delaney Horchover
Michael Klister
Communication:
Angeline Tran
Sherwin Afshar
Conference Coordination
Cassandra Kays
Naveen Sheik
Kirsten Nguyen
Party Planning
Maryam Alhassani
International Week:
President: Stephen Grant
VP: Tristan Tran
Director of Novice Training
Cynthia Ho
Novice trainers
Kam Look
Evan Kosmos
Owen Fellows
Tara Naghibbi
McKenna Folks
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FIRST SEMESTER
Date
Level
Overnight
Estimated Cost
Santa Margarita
26 September
Advanced/novice
no
$25 (including
transportation)
UC Los Angeles
14-15 Nov 2015
advanced
yes
$200
Tustin High School
21-22 Nov 2015
novice /advanced
no
$25/50
Conference
(Sat. only for
novice)
Capistrano High
Mission Viejo High School
12 December
9th and 10th
graders only
no
$20
16-17 Jan 2016
novice/advanced
no
$40
SECOND SEMESTER
Conference
LHHSMUN 2016 *
UC Berkeley
Laguna Beach
Date
Level
Overnight
Estimated Cost
20 Feb 2016
novice/advanced
no
0
Feb 26-Feb 28, 2016
advanced
yes
$400
March 12
Novice and
advanced
no
$20
ETHS
March 19, 2016
Novice and
advanced
no
UC Irvine
28-29 May 2016
novice/advanced
no
Banquet
26 May 2016
LHHS ICC/SC
10 May 2016
Students and
family
Novice/night
debate 6-8 PM
$20
$50
0
no
0
Transportation fee (approx. $10) will be added to SM,
Tustin, Laguna Beach and UCI conference.
Please talk with Mrs. Geiger (at least 1 day before sign-ups) if payment is going to
be difficult. We have scholarship money and payment plan options.
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LHHS MUN PARENT DELEGATION BOARD MEMBERS
2015-2016 Parent Board Members:
President: Josephine Afshar
Conference Coordinators: Gabrielle Grant and Denise Ho
Secretary: OPENING AVAILABLE
Beverage Coordinator: Linda Bommarito
Banquet Coordinator: Tiffany Fellows
LHHS Conference 2016 Parent Coordinators
Conference Chairpersons: Denise Ho and Gabrielle Grant
Snack Bar: Kari Bennett
Advisor Breakfast: Susan DeGrassi
Advisor Lunch: Celeste Hall
Beverage Coordinator: Linda Bommarito
Chair Breakfast: Denise Ho
Delegate Lunch: OPENING AVAILABLE
Page Coordinator: Kerri Hatfield
Registration: Anahita Marquetant
Security: Kimo Look
Parent Booster group important dates for 2015-2016
Parent Booster meetings are the second Tuesday (most of the time) of
every month from 7:00-8:00 PM in room 404.
Everyone is welcome!
Dates: 9/8, 10/13, 11/17 (third Tuesday), none in December, 1/12
2/9 (conference prep), none in March, 4/12, 5/10
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR MUN
PARENTS
WHAT IS M.U.N.?
Model United Nations (aka M.U.N.) is a simulation education activity focusing on
civics, communications, globalization and multilateral diplomacy. M.U.N. began
in the 1920s as collegiate simulations of the League of Nations. Following the
end of WW II and establishment of the United Nations, the group was
transformed into the Model United Nations. The M.U.N. program exists in all
states and around the world. Over 400,000 students in high school and
universities participate annually in M.U.N. classes, clubs and conferences.
HOW DO STUDENTS PREPARE FOR CONFERENCES?
Before attending conferences, students research an assigned country,
committee and topic. The student must acquire knowledge of the economics,
geography, government, history, politics and current affairs of the country
assigned. Students are required to write position papers, become familiar with
their committee and topic, learn parliamentary procedure and prepare for
extemporaneous speeches. They must begin to grasp foreign policy and cultural
norms, practice listening skills, decision making and strategic thinking.
WHAT HAPPENS AT CONFERENCES?
During conferences, students take on roles as ambassadors, diplomats and
chairman and participate in simulated sessions of various UN committees such as
UNICEF, WHO and Security Council.
As part of the role playing experience, students will dress in business clothes and
bring along laptops or briefcases. At the end of the conference, awards are
handed out to delegates who have best represented their country. Students are
chaperoned at every conference by advisors.
WHAT CONTRIBUTIONS ARE INVOLVED?
In addition to the basic contribution at the beginning of each year in M.U.N.,
every conference has a nominal fee which includes lunch and snacks. For
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conferences outside the SVUSD, contributions vary depending upon distance and
mode of transportation. For overnight conferences, hotel fees are requested.
WHAT ARE THE CONFERENCE REQUIREMENTS?
Students must attend 2 conferences per semester for a total of 4
conferences per year. During the 4 year M.U.N. experience, students will be
given the opportunity to attend at least one out of town conference.
● Advanced delegates (2nd year and beyond):
o LHHS 2016 is mandatory for one day conference credit.
o At least three other conferences are mandatory, for a total
of at least four conferences.
● Novice (1st year only):
o Santa Margarita is mandatory but does count for conference credit.
o LHHS 2016 is mandatory but will count for conference credit.
o At least one other conference is mandatory, for a total of at
least three conferences. (one conference must be a two
day conference/or you can attend two additional 1 day
conferences)
WHAT ABOUT PARENT PARTICIPATION?
Parent participation is vital to the success of our LHHS program, especially for
our annual M.U.N. Conference in February. Please sign up to help!!!
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MUN FOR MY STUDENT?
1. They really do learn a great deal about geography, both cultural and
physical AND about current events around the world.
2. At least 4 times a year they dress up.
3. MUN is the most effective and intensive research experience they will
have in High School --- very valuable for college! And M.U.N. is
recognized by most universities.
4. As Juniors and Seniors, M.U.N. students acquire many diverse skills as
they plan, coordinate and conduct conferences. Our conferences are
primarily student managed and become very empowering experiences.
5. M.U.N. helps prevent GLOSSOPHOBIA! What’s that you ask? It is FEAR
OF PUBLIC SPEAKING, the most commonly reported phobia amongst
Americans. MUN gives students the opportunity to learn to speak clearly,
concisely and persuasively both to peers and others. A very valuable life
skill!
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LAGUNA HILLS MUN CONFERENCE
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2016
PARENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
SNACK BAR
SECURITY
REGISTRATION
FIRST AID
PAGE GREETERS
AND LOTS OF PARENTS READY AND
WILLING TO COOK AND BRING FOOD!
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