Model U.N By-Laws

Highland Model United Nations Bylaws

MISSION STATEMENT:

The purpose of this club shall be to engage in parliamentary style debate based on the actual procedures of the United Nations. Students will take on the roles of countries and assume their positions. Members will also debate and discuss important world issues, and resolutions will be passed based on those of the actual UN. Students should be able to improve negotiation, public speaking, and debating skills in addition to learning about effective research and writing skills. The mock conferences will culminate in attending collegiate conferences where students will be able to utilize their skills in competing with students from other schools. A full understanding of and involvement with the actual UN should be a key goal of the club as well. This will be achieved by raising money for UN charities, discussing the UN in the news and current events, and celebrating United Nations Day just to name a few examples.

BY-LAWS:

ARTICLE I

Attendance

Club members are expected to attend all meetings. If they cannot attend a meeting, they are expected to contact an officer and find out what they missed.

ARTICLE II

Membership and Fundraising

Members are expected to participate in all club fundraisers and put forth the appropriate effort to be eligible to attend conferences, attend trips and run for office.

Club trips, conference and uniform orders will consist of non-refundable deposits. The payments will vary, but no other payments are required by members.

ARTICLE III

Officers and Duties

Officers must meet the grade requirements and conference attendance requirements for the specific office they wish to hold (if there are requirements they will be listed at the beginning of each office description.) All officers should be active and innovative. They should all be involved in every facet of the club and its management and in addition to taking care of their delegated responsibilities they should make suggestions and help out in other areas. Officers must also be able to work with the advisors. Only one person may hold each office at any given time.

President - Amira Guy: The president shall be responsible for setting the agenda for regular meetings. The president shall coordinate club activities, by communicating with officers and advisers. The president must also attend meetings once a week before the weekly meeting to go over the agenda with the other officers and the advisers. The president will serve as a liaison for the countries, members and present any issues to the executive board. The president will oversee all action taken by the club and will address issues presented by the club. The president will schedule meetings and coordinate important events with the co-president and the vice-president.

Co-President - Megan Sinclair: The co-president is responsible for organizing and executing all fund-raising efforts, as well as community service and scholarship opportunities. He or she must work closely with the treasurer to keep track of and manage money. The co-president is responsible for helping the president in all matters and in planning meetings and teaching new members. Co-president should assume charge in the absence of the president. The co-president will also serve as a liaison for the countries and present any issues to the executive board.

Vice President - Roshani Patel: The vice president shall manage the club's involvement in conferences and trips while consulting with other officers and the club when appropriate. He or she must break down the costs of prospective conferences in a report available to the club months in advance of the conference date. The vice-president should assume charge if the president is absent.

Secretary - Jennifer Crown: The secretary shall take attendance at every meeting. He or she shall be responsible for writing letters or calling individuals and updating the directory. He or she must maintain a monthly calendar for the club that the whole club can view.

Treasurer - Briana Naimoli: The treasurer will manage and keep track of money. He or she will work closely with the co-president and vice president to determine the necessary costs of trips and other expenses.

Researchers - Jamayka Young, Nandi Cook-Creek: The researchers will be in charge of creating all topics and collecting topic request for debates and conferences. They will verify the topics with the president, co-president, and vice president.

Historian - Kaylee Schnaare: The historian shall be responsible for taking pictures and making posters for events. He or she shall keep track of the club's history; all awards that club members win, and all members that participate year by year.

Moderator - Dawson Tocarchick: The moderator is in charge of keeping the debate on schedule and enforcing proper etiquette among delegates.  

Advertising -Taylor Hagan and Emily White: The leaders of advertising will be in control of letting the community know what the Model UN is either fundraising or coordinating. They will make commercials, flyers, posters, and social media shout outs.

Website Administrator- Isaac Hill: The website administrator will be in charge of updating the website and posting current events.

Elections, Meetings, and Applications:

All who want to be in the club must fill out an application. The advisors, president, co-president, and vice president will lead the application process. Country selection will be on a first come first served basis.

Voting will be conducted democratically with secret ballots. Candidates may nominate themselves and vote for themselves. Everyone running for election will have to prepare a speech, and everyone will vote. No one can run in more than one category. People will only be allowed to run for president, co-president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and historian. At least two people must run in each category so that club members will be guaranteed an alternative. In the case of a tie, the elective board will elect the best candidate.  

Voting to change or add by-laws will be conducted democratically and at least two-thirds of members must agree.  

ARTICLE V

Meetings

Meetings will be held four times a month. After school meeting locations will be decided every week. The president may call additional meetings to talk to club members if it is deemed necessary. The co-president and vice president may call additional meetings with the permission and participation of the president as well. Advisors, president, co-president and vice president must be present in addition to any other officers that are summoned. Mock debates and teaching procedure should be the focal point of meetings. Failure to participate in mock debates and regular meetings may mean that a club member is ineligible to attend conferences, trips, and events at the advisor's discretion.

Article VI

Seniors and Juniors:

Only seniors and juniors will be allowed to participate in the Model UN. Juniors will shadow seniors and countries so they may take their place when the seniors graduate. Officers will also be shadowed, so the next generation can take over easily. Juniors and seniors will apply in the February of their sophomore and junior year. Seniors should be more involved than juniors in the conferences and competitions.

Article VII

Disciplinary Action:

Members will be suspended from the club if they are failing in any subject. Once their grade qualifies as a passing grade, they will be welcome to continue their membership in the club.  

If a club member is violating proper etiquette during the meeting, (being rude, speaking out of turn, etc.) that individual will receive two warnings during that meeting, and if the member continues to act in poor fashion, they will be expelled from that certain meeting, conference, or debate. If reoccurring violations occur, the executive board and club advisors will discuss either suspension or expulsion from the club.

The Model UN will not tolerate bullying or mistreatment of any form against fellow club members. If the problem occurs, that individual will be reported to school administration and face expulsion from the club.

[ Here is a link to the Google Doc version of the By-laws: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1krotVSJOknnvfTUAY-8b5kfPLpdagNhyzLj53ZskfzA/edit?usp=sharing ]

Please return this paper to the president so it can be archived and recalled at any time. If you do not turn in this paper, you can not join the club.

I,accept the terms and conditions discussed in this bylaws contract.

Date:       

Signature:

Parent Signature: