[Student2806]

I kind of agree with you Birchington regarding the Deputy SG.
In times when the SG is unavailable for significant periods of time (i.e. on holiday, internet down) then a DSG is a good idea - it's worked in the past.
I would propose a contingency plan where the SG picks a DSG who could then step in fairly quickly if/when he is away, but does not exercise any powers or responsibilities as DSG during normal times. The last time we had a DSG, there had to be an election to choose one beforehand - and if the SG is unexpectedly and suddenly unavailable for a long period we have no back up to keep things going at present.
Unless the SG feels he needs one, I don't see the requirement for a permanent DSG. An Attorney General is more important imho.

We also need to hammer out the groundrules of the Hypotheticals/Historicals as soon as possible so we can start one and get some in-character debate going. Even if we haven't got the AG sorted we could still get one up and running to see how it progresses.

[Captain Biggles]

IMO, I think the current SG should choose who should take up the role as his deputy during a planned period of absence. It's not exactly an official role and as such shouldn't require a vote; we trust Malcolm enough to elect him to the post of SG therefore it would seem hypocritical not to allow him to opt for a deputy SG to take his place during times of absence.

I would be quite interested in the position of AG, although I think the US may be too much of an important role to give up.

[Student2806]

Who the hell's Malcolm?

[Mrgd291190]

Biggles, did you just call me Malcolm? But I deeply thank you for the trust you place in me, whatever the name.

Good to hear the interest, it's still something that needs work and is just an idea I felt we could float. I believe any of you would make good DSG/AGs. I'm considering having a list of, say, 4/5 trusted reps who could step in at a moments notice and who have enough experience in the MUN to adjudicate. They couldn't have full Forum Assistant powers as the Mods may not be keen on transferal but all this means in threads can't be closed and the like, not a major loss. I wouldn't like them to hold elections and the like, unless they were planned, but these are all bridges to cross when we come to them. In times when I am not unavailable, DSG(s) would be normal reps.

I would like to next actually get all my SG rights, which I need to talk to Uke and the Mods about, hold the UK election which, if it goes the way I think it may, will serve to trial-run a new idea of mine which might be useful in Hyp/Hist threads. I have been coming up with ideas for which scenarios we could play out...

I've long thought Nagorno-Karabakh could be an interesting one. It's similar to the Ossetian crisis in flavour. The area is officially recognized as part of Azerbaijan though it is de facto ruled by an ethnic-Armenian Republic. It erupted into war in 1988, until 1994, when the OSCE Minsk group brokered a ceasefire. Key debates could concern such topics as the BTC Pipline, used to put pressure on Armenia. We could play it as a Historical thread and talk about the flare-ups in early 2008. Read up on the topic and get back to me with ideas on the limitations on the conflict.

I am also going to use an idea brought up in a conversation with Craghyrax recently - instead of generic "Join the MUN" threads, actually advertise positions, perhaps 1 major post, 2 minor countries and a UNO or Observer.

I am drawing up a list of unrepresented countries that would need advertising.

I think this is a fair selection

Spoiler:

Show

CRUCIAL

Germany -- (18 Sep. 1973)
Turkey -- (24 Oct. 1945)
Saudi Arabia -- (24 Oct. 1945)
Myanmar -- (19 Apr. 1948)
Georgia -- (31 July 1992)
Iraq -- (21 Dec. 1945)
Sri Lanka -- (14 Dec. 1955)
Syrian Arab Republic -- (24 Oct. 1945)
Liberia -- (2 Nov. 1945)
Democratic Republic of the Congo -- (20 Sep. 1960)


Urgent

Armenia -- (2 Mar. 1992)
Austria-- (14 Dec. 1955)
Azerbaijan -- (2 Mar. 1992)
Belarus -- (24 Oct. 1945)
Congo (Republic of the) -- (20 Sep. 1960)
Cote d'Ivoire -- (20 Sep. 1960)
Cyprus -- (20 Sep. 1960)
Greece -- (25 Oct. 1945)
Jordan -- (14 Dec. 1955)
Lebanon -- (24 Oct. 1945)
Serbia – (1 Nov. 2000)
Sierra Leone -- (27 Sep. 1961)
Sweden -- (19 Nov. 1946)
Timor-Leste -- (27 Sep. 2002)
Mexico -- (7 Nov. 1945)
Republic of Korea -- (17 Sep. 1991)
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya -- (14 Dec. 1955)


United Nations Observers (UNO positions):
African Union
The Holy See (Vatican)


United Nations Organisations (UNO positions):

UNODA (United Nations office for Disarmament Affairs)

I am also considering additional UNOberserver/Organizations which could be used to draw attention to the MUN.
e.g. Having the Red Cross Movement as a UNO would allow us to advertise in Medical-based forums and perhaps find a member or two there.

I would like to put the following organizations up for consideration as United Nations Observers. They would be available to engage in debate, though not vote.

Spoiler:

Show

European Union
Council of Europe
Commonwealth of Independent States
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
League of Arab States
Palestine Liberation Organization
La Francophonie
IAEA

I would like to put the Peacebuilding Commission up for consideration as a new United Nations Organization. It's an interesting role, and could be there to a) draw attentions to the notice of the MUN and b) aid in the drafting of resolutions to ensure international or intranational peace.
I would also like to ask that someone find me a decent bloody list of UN Organizations on the net, I can't find a comprehensive one with decent links anywhere!

[Student2806]

http://www.unsystem.org/en/

[Mrgd291190]

Thanks Student, I'd seen that one a while ago but I lost it

Our possible first Promotion thread. If anyone wishes to write a similar statement for any of the countries on my list, it would be appreciated.

Spoiler:

Show

Germany

A post until recently held by our very own Secretary General it is a fascinating opportunity to explore the politics of, arguably, the 6th most important country in the world. It is regularly involved in UNSC and Quartet work, is key in the EU and OSCE and has a strong chance to become an SC member in the next few years. You’ll be expected to thoroughly research Germany and the EU’s position on all international matters, debate strongly and with confidence and work with other nations to find solutions to international problems. An interesting and challenging nation to represent it guarantees interesting debate and a great time.

Armenia and Azerbaijan

Important ex-Soviet states in the Caucuses, these countries might be less obvious choices but we plan on having a Hypothetical or Historical resolution in the next few weeks centring on their major bone of contention – Nagorno-Karabakh. These nations will be essential to the debate and we’d love to be able to have two new, eager reps to represent them. It will be very controlled and we’ll be developing the ideas as we go along, keeping it as realistic as possible. This is a test subject for a wide range of Hyp/Hist threads we have planned.

Mexico

Remember - Countries aren’t important or unimportant – the importance of a country to the MUN is dependent on the representative only. We’d rather have an active Micronesia than an inactive UK.

Despite this, Mexico is a more important country than it seems. The 11th most populous and 11th largest economy in the world, a local superpower and member of OSCE, this is a country on the ascendant. It’s coming out of its shell and promising more support to the UN. There’s never been a more interesting time to represent Mexico.

International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movements

Whether it be Red Cross, Red Crescent, Red Crystal, Red Magen David Adom or Red Lion with Sun, this is an organization for the caring kind of internationalist. United Nations Organizations such as the IRCM (in real life, this is a grouping of the ICRC, IFRC and National groups but our MUN considers the IRCM a singular body) are a central pillar of the strategy of the new Secretary General for regeneration. You would be expected to actively participate in debates in order to ensure human rights are respected, provide accurate estimations of volunteers who could be sent to the area, petition nations for humanitarian aid during debates and especially to draw matters to the attention of the General Assembly that concern the IRCM and its activities, creating resolutions when necessary and finding co-sponsors.

As you may notice, I have drawn one up for the IRCM. I don't think the addition of the aforementioned UNOs are important enough for a full vote but I will listen to any advice on the matter. I would also like to add the UNHCR (Refugees) to the above list.

I have contacted to Mods to finally get my full powers as SG and be able to actually get to work.

[Mrgd291190]

I'd like to get somethings out of the way:-

Mentoring System

I have listed general mentors in the MUN VIII thread. I do not believe that any specific mentors for specific reps are needed, I do not believe it's useful. People with problems can post here, in the n000b thread, in the off-topic soc, PM me or any of the mentors....it's unnecessary, especially with so few members.

Updates - I've edited Crag's n00b thread with better sites and will, as long as there is no dissent on the above topic, edit it to reflect the mentoring policy.

Elections

I will be announcing the UK election immediately. I will announce a Non-Perm SC seat soon.

News Sites

I'll be going through the thread, I'd like people to post as much as many recommendations as they can for new sites, the ones that you've found useful.

[Student2806]

I thought non-permanent SC seats only lasted 2 months. Should there not be 2 seats available now?

[Mrgd291190]

Geetar's seat as India was protected for two months and then lasts and undetermined length of time following that unless

a) He's inactive for 3 weeks
b) Someone writes to the SG and asks for an election to be held.

He was probably not active for a period of 3 weeks but no one contested so Ukebert never had to remove him. He posted in the last Admin thread and in MUN VIII so I consider him currently relatively active. The last Admin was left to me to cull but I can't yet and I'm not willing to have 3 elected posts empty at the same time. I'll contact geetar after the UK and Non-Perm seats are filled and see if he wants to keep the post.

[Student2806]

Ah OK. I only just realised how long ago the last non-perm election was.
I was never actually aware that they could keep their seats indefinitely once elected though - surely we should put a time limit on it like the UN does.

[Mrgd291190]

Hmm...personally, I don't know if I agree. It does mean that we'll have to have near-constant elections which is a double-edged sword. More people get to be on the SC Vs we run out of members quickly and we have disruptions and near constant admin work etc..

Perhaps it could go up for consideration when we consider the Perm seats on the SC i.e. when there's more activity in the GA. Or have a regular check-up for willingness to serve on the SC.

[Captain Biggles]

(Original post by Student2806)
Who the hell's Malcolm?

(Original post by Mrgd291190)
Biggles, did you just call me Malcolm?

Whoops. I realise now it's actually Morgan! Couldn't be arsed using your username so tried (and failed) at using your real name.

[Mrgd291190]

(Original post by Captain Biggles)
Whoops. I realise now it's actually Morgan! Couldn't be arsed using your username so tried (and failed) at using your real name.

No worries, my username's tough, it's fine to use my first name ....or just the first letter!

[Student2806]

(Original post by Mrgd291190)
No worries, my username's tough, it's fine to use my first name ....or just the first letter!

M...how very MI6. I like it!

[Mrgd291190]

DAMN that's cool! I didn't even think of MI6!

M

[Mrgd291190]

I've posted in AAAM and spoken to Nefarious and RK. I now have all necessary powers. They were incredibly helpful!

They said that if we come up with an "advertorial announcement" of around 80 characters of text, perhaps linking to a larger welcome thread stickited in the MUN GA, they'd be willing to post it.

Since it's an announcement, we can also have a 30 pixel high and 90 pixel wide image and some graphic/animated banners, if anyones a decent graphic artist?

They can spare us a couple of hundred thousand impressions (loads) of announcements of a few weeks. Pretty snappy

So, I'll create the sticky here, if we want to start creating adverts and the 80-character piece, we'll get started!

[ukebert]

(Original post by Student2806)
Ah OK. I only just realised how long ago the last non-perm election was.
I was never actually aware that they could keep their seats indefinitely once elected though - surely we should put a time limit on it like the UN does.

Yep, Ethereal submitted an amendment. At the time nobody really wanted a non-perm seat and it was basically a device to keep me on the SC.

[Mrgd291190]

Wait...Ethereal....charitable, kind....to you?!?! Was he feeling OK?

I miss him

[gyyy2807]

(Original post by Student2806)
I kind of agree with you Birchington regarding the Deputy SG.
In times when the SG is unavailable for significant periods of time (i.e. on holiday, internet down) then a DSG is a good idea - it's worked in the past.
I would propose a contingency plan where the SG picks a DSG who could then step in fairly quickly if/when he is away, but does not exercise any powers or responsibilities as DSG during normal times. The last time we had a DSG, there had to be an election to choose one beforehand - and if the SG is unexpectedly and suddenly unavailable for a long period we have no back up to keep things going at present.
Unless the SG feels he needs one, I don't see the requirement for a permanent DSG. An Attorney General is more important imho.

We also need to hammer out the groundrules of the Hypotheticals/Historicals as soon as possible so we can start one and get some in-character debate going. Even if we haven't got the AG sorted we could still get one up and running to see how it progresses.

surely if the DSG was a country rep, then there would a conflict of interest? especially if his/her country was involved in a resolution.

[ukebert]

(Original post by Mrgd291190)
Wait...Ethereal....charitable, kind....to you?!?! Was he feeling OK?

I miss him

He's a nicer chap than you give him credit for