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Second Middle East Conference Prep Session Goes Very Well -- PHOTOS & VIDEO (New)

The second preparation session of this November's Civitas Conference on the Middle East was last Saturday, October 4, at Crossroads School. Almost all of the 40 students currently signed up for the conference were in attendance.

We reviewed the overview of the conference, discussed country selections, and the foci of each of the three committees [1] Oil, Water, Power; [2] "Isms"; and [3] Peace.

Most time was spent on a hypothetical simulation in which students took on the roles of delegates from countries, U.N. agencies, or non-governmental organizations and dealt with a "breaking crisis." There were two groups of 15-20 students each. The goal of the simulation was to give students advance experience in dealing with a "hot issue" and searching for a compromise in a short period of time. Each group came up with its own unique solution. Given more time (as they will have in the November conference), they would have been able to "test run" their solutions more carefully.

Below are links to photos and video from the prep session.
Photos from Oct. 4 Middle East Prep Session
Video from Last Saturday's Mid-East Prep Session
Application for Middle East Conference
Link to Index for Middle East Conference
Country and Committee Sign-up Form
Country & Committee Assignments for Mid-East Conference
Forty-three students have met the initial requirements of participating in the Civitas Middle East Conference including submitting their choices for country and committee assignments. While it was mathematically impossible to provide each delegate with his or her first choices in countries and committees, we worked hard to come as close as possible. The country and committee assignments are available by clicking on the link below.
Country & Committee Selections for Middle East Conference

College Counseling Workshop Goes very Well -- PHOTOS (New)

Four seniors and one junior from Civitas programs met with an outstanding panel of college admissions advisors last Saturday, October 4.

The seniors were Bobbi Clemons (Home School), Stephen Griffard (Maplewood-Richmond Heights), Steven Riley (Hazelwood Central), and Crystal Williams (Maplewood-Richmond Heights). The one junior was Maura McDonnell of Rosati-Kain.

Presenters and facilitators were Joan Graviss, college counselor at Crossroads School; Jane Schoenfeld of the Independent Schools Placement Service; and Angela Blake of the Scholarship Foundation. The presentation was short which allowed all students to meet individually with each specialist. Feedback was very positive from all eight participants.

The process will remain ongoing. The students are at liberty to contact Joan, Jane, or Angela for further advise and brainstorming. Any other student involved in Civitas programs who would like to receive assistance in the college admissions process should call or write the Civitas office.
Photos from College Counseling Workshop
1 New Country taken for Civitas U.N. (New)

Chesterfield Day School in St. Alban, MO chose Saudi Arabia as their one selection for the November 8, 2003. There are now forty-eight countries selected and 143 still available.

2003-2004 High School General Assembly Assignments for 2003-2004
Civitas U.N. Security Council Assignments for 2003-2004
Check out this Special Event! It's Serious! It's Frivolous! It's our first. (Updated)

UN Simulation for Parents, Teachers, Alumni, Friends of Civitas, and other [so-called] Grown-ups!

When and where?
Friday, October 24, 2003
7:00 - 10:30 p.m.
Clayton Community Center
$15 per person; Tables of 8 for $80.

What's it about?
Adults are always asking us to explain what the heck we do at UN simulations. Here's a great way to find out and have fun as you:
Debate UN-style resolutions [serious and silly].
Play current-events games; try our trivia quiz.
Help raise money for Civitas conferences, scholarships and other special events.

Who's it for?
It's for parents, grandparents, adult siblings and family friends, plus alumni of Civitas programs, teachers, and any other people out there who think Civitas programs are worth supporting. This event will combine somewhat serious debates on UN-style resolutions with a serious dose of silliness.

We have "snail-mailed" flyers to many "friends of Civitas," but we know that we missed some. If you have not received a written invitation, do not let that deter you from calling us up or signing up on-line. We still have room for plenty!

How will it work?
Each delegate selects a country to represent. [Register in advance to reserve your country, or pick one at the door.] We'll supply UN-style resolutions for discussion, modifying and voting. We'll have two serious resolutions and one or two silly resolutions.

Sign up now!
Register on-line or by phone or mail. To register, please click on link below.

Help us make it a success!
We're counting on friends like you to help us recruit participants and make it fun for everyone. Here's how:

Distribute sign-up forms to "grown-ups" who might be interested.
Send us email addresses of folks you know who might enjoy this event.

Student volunteers needed! Students, we need you to staff this event! We're turning the tables, with "grown-ups" as delegates and students as staff. We n Sign-up for "Grown-up" Model U.N. -- October 24, 2003

Middle School U.N. Starting Soon!
The Middle School Civitas U.N. season will officially begin next month. Our Middle School Student Workshop will take place on Wed. Nov. 5th at the Chase Park Plaza. The Workshop will be an exciting opportunity for students and teachers to become familiar with the U.N. and their role as delegates.

The upcoming Middle School Teachers meeting will be Monday, Oct. 20th from 4 pm- 5 pm. Teachers will participate in a Country Draft to decide which countries their students will represent.
Directions to Middle School Teachers Meetings
Directions to Chase-Park Plaza for November 5 workshop

Survey on Rush Limbaugh

Syndicated talk show host Rush Limbaugh was fired last week from ESPN for speaking words that the network considered racially offensive (or at least inflamatory). So did just about everyone else.

His program airs weekdays for three hours on KMOX-AM in St. Louis. It is one of the station's biggest revenue producers. Our question is, "Do you think that Rush Limbaugh's syndicated radio program should be dropped from KMOX-AM radio's schedule?
Link to Survey on Rush Limbaugh

Link to Poll on Civitas Intranet Site

Previous Survey Results (New)

Last week's survey was:
The latest entry into the Democratic sweepstakes for president is former four-star General Wesley Clark. He immediately jumped to the lead. Ten of America's forty-three presidents have come from the upper military ranks. Do you think that a career in the military is good training to become president of the United States?

Responses % #

1. Yes, it is the best there could be.
0% 0

2. Yes, it is quite acceptable.
27.27% 3

3. Neutral
63.64% 7

4. No, it is not acceptable.
9.09% 1

5. Not Sure
0% 0

Total 11

One respondent, Raquel Rodriguez (Home School, 2006) stated, "I don't think anyone should vote for or against him based only on him being a general."
Additional Links

More information about Civitas
Photo Gallery
Streaming Video [Real Media]
Web Calendar
Agendas
Civitas Intranets Site
Civitas Home Page
Previous Newsletters
Maps & Directions
Middle East Conference Index Page
High School General Assembly Assignments for 2003-2004
High School Security Council Assignments for 2003-2004