16 November 2007
Fast Food
Thought You Ought to Know…
This year many fines will be assessed in committee
and the General Assembly so watch out! The officers
are equipped with gavel in hand and are ready to dish
out some hefty fines to those of you who aren’t careful.
Your favorite press staff has decided to give you a list
of all the things you will be fined for this year, so you
can keep yourselves out of trouble. However, please
remember that if you are fined the money it is going to
a good cause. Please do not argue or complain about the
fine because all of the money collected by the officers
will be put toward the YMCA’s Plan Padrino. So,
sometimes a wrong can make a right…at least with the
fines!
1.) Do not call your resolution a “bill”. That is a
term for youth legislature and will cost you $1 every time you say it.
2.) Do not chew gum at any point in the
conference. That piece of orbit isn’t worth your $2 fine.
3.) No cell phones while in session. If you get
caught texting you will be fined $5.
4.) For all the artists out there, beware! The
officers are waiting to catch you doodling so they can fine you $1.
5.) Hey, You in the back, Wake up! If you are
caught slacking off the officers are going to fine you $1.
6.) Watch what you say because if you are out of
order it is going to cost you $1.
...see KNOW p. 4
Caroline Spore
Issue 1
Last year at the conference, delegates had to
wait for up to an hour before getting on the bus to head
for lunch or dinner. This year, two changes have been
made that will hopefully make getting food a lot easier
– the Fast Pass, and having six buses as opposed to two.
The Fast Pass is a LIMITED offer that allows
100 delegates at the conference to be dismissed first
for the buses/elevators. You can buy a Fast Pass
for the bus or for the elevators or both. Hopefully,
the Fast Past will alleviate some of the tension
caused by angry delegates with low blood sugar
– last year, things could get ugly in those rooms!
People who have a fast pass will need to carry it
with them because they’ll need to show it before first
being dismissed. In addition, the fast past costs $10.
Don’t worry about the cost, though. All proceeds are
split between the conference service project, Plan
Padrino, and the Youth in Government scholarship
fund. Your money will be going towards a good cause.
Even though the offer is limited, Fast Passes are still
available at the Information Desk. They should go
quickly, so be sure to get one as quickly as you can!
In addition to the fast pass, the number of
available buses has increased to six from two. Even
though we haven’t yet been to dinner, it is very probable
that this change will also help students get food
faster. The Fast Pass and a greater number of buses
will definitely improve students’ dining experiences.
Inside
European Union, Officer Profiles, and Letter from your President, Anita Mathews
16 November 2007
Issue 1
Editor’s Letter
From Your General Assembly President
Dear Model United Nations
Delegates and Officers,
It is my great pleasure to welcome
you to Conference B of the 2007
Model United Nations. For many of
you this will be your first conference,
and I could not be more excited that
you decided to spend your weekend
with us. For everyone else, I know
that we will make this conference
even better than those in the past.
Let’s work together to make this the
most fun and productive conference
yet. Everyone here has an important
role to play, and I sincerely hope
that no one allows themselves to
sit back and watch everyone else
have all the fun. I encourage you to
step out of your comfort zones and
do things you would not normally
do. You are an individual, and no
one else has the exact thoughts
that you have, so share them. That
is why we are here, to learn from
each other. Winston Churchill once
said, “Success is never final. Failure
is never fatal. It is courage that
counts.” I urge you to not become
comfortable with success, to not
be discouraged by failure, and to
most of all have the courage to get
back up after a failure. If someone
destroys your resolution, don’t be
discouraged. Hold your head high,
and have the courage to keep going.
Although you will find Model
United Nations to be extremely
competitive, there is another side
to it as well. You will make friends
here who will last a lifetime. In all
of the eighteen years of my life,
which to many is not very much, I
have never found a group of people
as lively, caring, and enthusiastic
as the members of the Model
United Nations. The bonds you
Welcome delegates to the 2007 Model United Nations Conference!
You are in for a great weekend. Everyone in this conference, whether
in Security Council, International Court of Justice, or on the floor of
the General Assembly is here to successfully emulate the body of the
real U.N. With that in mind, our goal should be to promote peaceful
relations among nations via thoughtful debate and intelligent ����������
dialogue.
Coming from someone who was in your dress shoes three years ago
(go Armenia!), I urge you to take advantage of the opportunities you will have
to voice your opinions and take the time to learn about current issues facing
the international community. Don’t forget that the positions you take should
reflect attitudes held by the country you represent. Staying “in character” with
your nation makes the conference much more interesting and enjoyable for
all. Getting to know the students around you can also be one of the best parts
of your time here. Even if people speak against your resolution, leave your
feuds in Plenary Session . Have fun with them at the Saturday night dance
or treat them to a nice dinner so they’ll move to reconsider your proposal.
Please do not hesitate to talk to any of the officers if you have
questions-- we’re here to help. We have so much confidence in your
abilities and rely on you to make the sessions as beneficial and productive
as possible. You will have an impact (positive or negative) on what others
get out of this conference; from the delegates who live here in Tennessee to
Carlos visiting us from Guatemala, all the way to the thirty-eight Colombian
students we support through the Plan Padrino Project. So whether you’re
engaging in heated discussion in committee or grabbing a meal at Chile’s,
I hope you will have an unforgettable weekend full of learning and fun.
Thank you,
Anita Mathews, General Assembly President
...see EDITOR, p.4
Producer
Staff
Elizabeth Kidd
Article Editor
Addie Lee
Content Designer
Kasi Schulz
Reporters
Rachel Cairatti
Caroline Eddleman
Lexi Ely
Anna Elizabeth Smith
Caroline Spore
Sarah Stevens
Emily Sullivan
16 November 2007
Issue 1
The European Union
Elizabeth Kidd
The European Union was founded in 1957
as a result of the Treaty of Rome, which involved
six countries within the European continent. This
was an important step towards one of the most
influential global communities the world has ever
seen. Throughout history international groups have
struggled to stay alive politically and economically.
This, however, does not seem to be the case for the
European Union which has grown monumentally over
the past fifty years. It started with six countries and
now has twenty-seven with more working their way
in. Many people see the European Union as a selective
club that only allows its “kind” to join. These thoughts
and views have accumulated from the selectivity of the
European Union. Whether the demanding criteria are
too harsh or are justified, it is an opinion that varies
from one individual to the next. One thing is definite:
the European Union has made extraordinary strides in
international cooperation. The E.U. has a strong central
economy that is arguably the most successful economic
power ever led by a united group of countries. Today,
the European Union’s economy has a Gross Domestic
Product of 31% of the global economy, making it the
world’s largest GDP. It is significantly ahead of the
United States who has a GDP of 20%. It is evident
that the European Union is a significant player in the
global economy and this causes many countries to join
in on the action. The E.U. economy is based on all the
countries within the group operating in a single market.
This market provides regulations on products and the
freedom of movement. The freedom of movement is
applied to the trafficking of land, labor, and capital. For
example, if a man in France wanted to buy a Mercedes
Benz from Germany, because of the European Union,
he would be able to pay the same amount for the car
as would a German resident. This same principle
applies to all land, labor, and capital. The E.U. has
even developed a common currency that is used by
thirteen of the twenty-seven countries and alleviates
the struggle of exchanging currency. Since its creation
it has increased in value by 47% against the U.S.
dollar. As such, it has offered an alternative currency
to the U.S. dollar for international transactions. This
allows the European Union to have greater influence
in worldwide markets. The European Union is now
influencing some current propositions of additional
regional economies around the world. An example
of this evolution is the proposal that North America
begin a similar economic union. This union would
include Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The
E.U. creates equal opportunity for the small countries
and those that are larger economically. For example,
nations such as Cyprus, Estonia, and Malta work
together with Germany, The United Kingdom, France,
and Italy to create one of the most successful economies
in the world. It is not hard to believe that the European
Union has major influence in the global economy.
With 27 successful countries working together as one,
an economic powerhouse is created which benefits
not only the member countries, but also the world.
Seeing how well international, economic communities
work, it is plausible that a worldwide union could be
formed and operate on a single market system, using
a common currency. However, if this were to happen
it would be somewhere in the distant future. Unity is
the future and the prospective success of the world.
16 November 2007
EDITOR from p. 2
make here will last a lifetime. I guarantee it.
This last summer I started working at a day camp in
Nashville, and I realized just how small the world really
is and how M.U.N. somehow manages to make it even
smaller. When I started work I didn’t know a soul and
was meeting new people from colleges all around the
United States. I was co-counseling a group of rowdy
eight-year-olds with a guy who goes to Tennessee
Tech. He looked so familiar and I could have sworn
I’d seen him somewhere before. A couple of weeks
passed and we started talking about high school, at
which point Model U.N. came up. I still remember the
look on his face when I told him I have gone to the
conferences since my freshman year. There was a look
of confusion and curiosity that blended hilariously
all over his face. The next day at work he brought
a delegate handbook from 2004, flipped to the page
where my less than impressive resolution was, and
showed me with his index finger that a couple pages
over was his resolution. It was at this point that I made
the connection. My memory raced back to my nervous
freshman self up in front of a room full of people. This
kid in the back was constantly standing up, asking me
the most outrageous questions that I was sure even
the President of the country wouldn’t know. He kept
it up until finally in the third round my resolution got
knocked off the docket. It was priceless when I reminded
him that he was the scary senior boy that tormented
me, the pitiful freshman girl. That is just one of the
many stories of my running into people I have met at
M.U.N conferences and I am sure it will not be the last.
Model U.N., in my mind, is about changing the
world by challenging one another. It is through
experience that we grow and through relationships
that we transform. If we wish to make this a successful
conference, we need to challenge one another with the
intent of helping each other grow. There should be an
overwhelming desire to treat others the way that you
would wish to be treated. I say this not to discourage
you from debate, because personally it is one of my
favorite things at Model U.N. However, while debating
I urge you to do so respectfully. If everyone could
state their opinions politely there would be a change
in attitudes toward one another, which would make
things go much smoother. It would also avoid someone
running into you four years down the road and have
them remember you as the person who was rude in
assembly. I expect that everyone who attends this
Issue 1
conference will also show respect for everyone who
will be serving us this weekend and those in the Cool
Springs area. There are so many wonderful leaders who
have worked extremely hard to make this conference
a reality year after year and they deserve respect.
Everyone at this conference represents the YMCA
and all it stands for, so I hope that this responsibility
is not taken lightly. Now, I do not just expect this
weekend to be all rules, It’s going to be plenty of fun!
Every year hundreds of high schoolers from
all over Tennessee come together for an unforgettable
weekend. I expect that this year will be the same.
So get your wallets out to start paying your fines.
Get your outfit laid out for the dance. Get a camera
with plenty of memory and battery power. Get your
doodle-filled delegate books and get ready for the best
Model United Nations conference yet! All those in
favor of starting the 2007 conference? AYE!
Your Editor,
Elizabeth M. Kidd
KNOW from p. 1
7.) Raise your placards, don’t deface them. If
your placard is defaced in any way you will be paying the YMCA $10 to replace it.
8.) Be respectful of property, because if you
get caught defacing property there will be a hefty fine from $4-$10.
9.) The committee room is not a restaurant so
do not bring any food or drinks into the room. If you do the officers will serve you up a $2
fine.
10.) Bueller? Bueller? Don’t be late; it will
cost you $2 for every 5 minutes. The officers will be rounding up on the time, so get there
on time.
11.) Homework is for your home, not for
committee or the G.A. If you get caught it is going to be $1 fine.
12.) For the facebook junkies and iPod
obsessed, put all electronic devices away! If you have a laptop, iPod, or anything else
that is distracting it will be $5.
Those are the rules and the fines, so keep
yourself in check. Good luck on staying out of trouble
and remember to stay positive if you are fined,
because it is going toward a good cause.
16 November 2007
Officer Profiles
Name:Katrina Adlerz
Nickname: Kat
School:Brentwood Academy
Officer Position: GA Vice President
Favorite Pastime: Dancing
Furthest Destination to Which You’ve Traveled: Panama
Favorite Movie: Children of Men
Favorite Part of the YMCA’s Model United Nations: The Dances
Three Interesting/Unique Things About Me:
1) Dance in Bellevue Dance Company
2) Run Cross Country/Track
3) Science-Fiction fanatic
Name:John Angle
Nickname: “Jangle”
School:Franklin High School
Officer Position: GA Vice President
Favorite Pastime: Traveling
Furthest Destination to Which You’ve Traveled: Vienna
Favorite Movie: When Harry Met Sally
Favorite Part of the YMCA’s Model United Nations: Debating, meeting new people, having fun
Three Interesting/Unique Things About Me:
1) I’ve been to 30 Countries
2) I’m an only child
3) I have two golden retrievers
Name:Caroline Askew
School: Brentwood Academy
Officer Position: Security
Council Vice President
Favorite Pastime: Hanging out with friends
Furthest Destination to Which You’ve Traveled: Austria
Favorite Movie: Gone With the Wind
Favorite Part of the YMCA’s Model United Nations: Socializing with
new people
Three Interesting/Unique Things About Me:
1) I’ve played the piano since first grade.
2) In one breath, I can say all 50 states alphabetically.
3) I’m obsessed with music and I take my iPod with me everywhere!
Name:Colleen Boyle
School:Brentwood Academy
Officer Position: GA Vice-President
Favorite Pastime: Running/Cross-Country
Furthest Destination to Which You’ve Traveled: Kusadasi, Turkey
Favorite Movie: Forrest Gump
Favorite Part of the YMCA’s Model United Nations: debates, and free
reign over Cool Springs Area
Three Interesting/Unique Things About Me:
1) I’m obsessed with Dance Dance Revolution
2) The Office is my favorite TV Show
3) I’m the secretary of my school’s forensics team.
Issue 1
16 November 2007
Name:Samuel Bouck
Nickname: Sam the Man
School:Westminster Academy
Officer Position: Video Press Editor
Favorite Pastime: extreme badminton in my back yard on my trampoline
Furthest Destination to Which You’ve Traveled: North Pole- Santa’s Crib
Favorite Movie: Kicking and Screaming
Favorite Part of the YMCA’s Model United Nations: meeting new people
Three Interesting/Unique Things About Me:
1) All-American Synchronized Swimmer.
2) I created Facebook.
3) and MySpace!
Name:Andrew Evancho
Nickname: Drew
School:West High School
Officer Position: GA Vice President
Favorite Pastime: Tennis
Furthest Destination to Which You’ve Traveled: Alaska
Favorite Movie: Gladiator
Favorite Part of the YMCA’s Model United Nations: Joke Proposal Day
Three Interesting/Unique Things About Me:
1) I’m left-handed.
2) I love history.
3) I have tendonitis in both of my knees.
Name:Caroline Heath
Nickname: Cara Beth
School:Brentwood Academy
Officer Position: GA Liason
Favorite Pastime: hanging out with friends
Furthest Destination to Which You’ve Traveled: Italy
Favorite Movie: Remember the Titans
Favorite Part of the YMCA’s Model United Nations: meeting new people
Three Interesting/Unique Things About Me:
1) My eyes are brown but part of one of my eyes is blue.
2) I’ve been the same height since 5th grade.
3) My uncle is part-owner of a pro-hockey team.
Name:Zach Hermann
School:Father Ryan High School
Officer Position: GA Vice President
Favorite Pastime: weight lifting, eating, reading, wrestling
Furthest Destination to Which You’ve Traveled: Pennsylvania
Favorite T.V. Show: House
Favorite Part of the YMCA’s Model United Nations: Debating issues
Three Interesting/Unique Things About Me:
1) Wrestling State Champion, All American Wrestler.
2) I scored a 5 on my AP U.S. History Exam
3) Has a 9 plate buffet record.
Issue 1