Information regarding the 2010 NHSMUN in New York City, March 17th – March 20th

The students at NorthCobbHigh School have participated in the InternationalHigh School Model United Nation in New York City since 1989. Last year, we represented Tajikistan; and two years ago, students represented the Marshall Islands and experienced the excitement and security that a Presidential visit brought to our hotel. In 2005, 30 of North Cobb’s students represented the countries of Greece and Benin. The Greek delegation was invited by the ambassador of Greece to have lunch at the United Nations dining hall. The four-day simulation involves 120 schools from all over the world role-playing the 186 member nations of the United Nations. Committee meetings are held at the New York Hilton and Towers; opening and closing plenary sessions for the General Assembly Main Committees and ECOSOC are held in the real United Nations chambers. Additionally, the UN ambassadors from the countries we are assigned brief students Thursday morning at the mission office. North Cobb delegates will be expected to prepare carefully, behave appropriately, and attend all committee sessions. There will be time for socializing and touring on Wednesday before opening session and Saturday afternoon after closing session. The amount of free time will depend on our flight times.

The cost of the trip three years ago was approximately $1000 plus meals. The $1000 included round trip airfare, ground transportation to and from the airport to the hotel, five nights at the five star New York Hilton and Towers (triple or quad rooms) where the conference is held when not at the United Nations), delegation fees, individual delegate fees, and two Broadway shows, (Friday and Saturday nights). Last year, students paid $900. The savings was accomplished by cutting one night from the hotel (arriving Tuesday and leaving Saturday) and one Broadway show. Two years ago, we flew in on Wednesday morning and left Saturday. However, this left the students very tired Wednesday evening in committee as sessions last until 11:30pm.

This year we will travel to the conference on Tuesday evening and return Saturday evening in order to continue to control costs (four nights at the Hilton and one Broadway show). The cost for each delegate will be approximately $1000 depending upon airfare and fundraising at NCHS. The $1000 is paid over several months with the last payment due in January. We are actively seeking tax-deductible contributions from local businesses and organizations to help defray some of the expense. Students are encouraged to act individually on this as well. Also, as mentioned in the cover letter, students may apply for scholarships from two sources: NHSMUN and NorthCobbHigh School.

Students MUST commit to the trip BY September 28 by returning the signed “Statement of Understanding” to Dr. Roach. Official registration for NHSMUN is October 1st. We must know how many people are attending before October 1st because our delegation size determines what country we can request. Committee assignment will be on a first come, first served basis as determined by receipt of the completed “Statement of Understanding”.

Payment schedule will be as follows:

$150 on or before October5th. (delegate fee deposits and airline deposits). Please make all checks payable to NorthCobbHigh School. Please place your child’s name of the check. All delegates must return the signed “Statement of Understanding” (see attached) before their first check is accepted.

$250 is due by November 2nd, (remainder of airline and delegate fees). To continue to be eligible, a delegate’s performance at the Georgia Tech (October 13 & 14) or GeorgiaState (November 12 & 13) conference must be deemed satisfactory.

$300 is due by December 17th (deposit for the hotel),

$300 is due by January 20th (final payments for everything).

Once you are registered, partial payment is transferable, but not refundable. The payment schedule is not flexible due to the due dates that have been placed by the conference. Winning scholarships will of course change the payment schedule. It is highly recommended that students be registered for Current Issues second semester. Students must successfully participate in the Georgia Tech or Georgia State Model UN in the fall. It is imperative that the students meet every Wednesday morning at 7:40 am to prepare for all aspects of the trip.

**Rules pertaining to field trips: Students are allowed only three field trip days a semester. Although we are an academic competition team, students attending NHSMUN in New York will miss three days of school and could have to forfeit field trip opportunities in other classes. Students will need to have a low amount of absences in each of their classes in the spring semester. Also, a student would not be able to go to New York if he/she does not have a “C” average in each class in March. Finally, if a disciplinary infraction occurs any time during the school year, he/she could not go and could conceivably forfeit earlier deposits, (see the Student Handbook for clarification).

Students are strongly encouraged to talk with all of their teachers about the NHSMUN conference at the beginning of the spring semester (or sooner if they are enrolled in a year long class). This will allow the student to prepare for any makeup work well in advance of the conference. Model United Nations has a long tradition at North Cobb, and the administration, teachers, and staff support us in our efforts.

Attending the IHSMUN is an outstanding learning experience and one your child will never forget. Besides myself, a female administrator will accompany the delegation to the conference. If you would like to meet to discuss any aspect of this conference, please contact me by email or cell phone. There will be an informational meeting about NHSMUN at 6:00pm in room 110 before open house begins at 6:30 in the theatre.

Pamela Roach, Ph.D.

(770) 975-6685, ext. 372

email:

cell: 770/313-3040