Apply to be a Chairperson or Rapporteur

Delegates wishing to take an active leadership role in their NMUN-NY committees, as well as delegates who may be interested in applying for volunteer staff positions in the future are encouraged to apply to become a chairperson or rapporteur for their committee.

KEY DOWNLOAD: NMUN•NY Chair/Rapporteur Application (.doc)

Details

Serving as a committee officer provides a unique opportunity to view the Conference from the other side of the dais. Delegates selected to serve in these positions must forfeit their rights to participate in substantive debate within the committee. Although the chair and rapporteur will not be representing their assigned States or NGOs in committee activity, these individuals are equally eligible for consideration for delegation awards based on their performance as officers.

Delegates are strongly encouraged to submit this application as a Microsoft Word or PDF document to their respective committee e-mail address by 1 March (Both SHERATON and MARRIOTT). E-mail addresses are listed in your Background Guide.

Selected candidates will be interviewed at NMUN following the first committee session. Please note that priority will be given to applications received by 1 March and that applying for a chair/rapporteur position does not guarantee an interview.

Applications submitted after the preferred deadline above should be brought to the Conference and submitted by the end of the first evening committee sessions.

The chair is responsible for the procedural functions of the committee. Working with the Director and Assistant Director, he or she assures that the committee operates in a smooth and efficient manner. This position requires a very thorough working knowledge of the rules of procedure and a professional presence on the dais. Chair applicants should have significant Model United Nations experience, particularly at the NMUN Conference. To ensure consistency and overall preparedness, there will be a mandatory training session for all selected committee chairs. This training session will help both new and returning chairs familiarize themselves with the rules being implemented at the Conference.

"Serving as a chair gave me the opportunity to see the debate and the work of the committee in a new way. It's something wonderful to see the different groups develop their ideas whilst keeping an objective view on the debate... that and using the gavel."              -- Théo Thieffry, Chair Committee on Sustainable Development

Rapporteur

Each committee has a rapporteur who serves as an aide to the Director, the Assistant Director, and the chair. Often, full membership committees appoint two rapporteurs to assist in the management of large rooms. The rapporteur is responsible for maintaining the speakers list, the order of the resolutions on the floor, amendments, verifying vote counts, and similar administrative matters. The rapporteur is also called upon to assist in the preparation of final committee reports. Applicants for this position should be highly organized, alert, flexible, and possess strong writing skills. There will be a mandatory orientation session so that rapporteurs may familiarize themselves with committee and Conference Services procedures.

"Serving as a Rapporteur improved my organization and leading skills, but it also gave me the chance to be part of the NMUN team which means working together with amazing people and gaining international friendships."    -- Pauline Rybka, Rapporteur of Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific