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2003-2004 Civitas Handbook now Available! (New)

Thanks to outstanding work by Marlene Wade of Ameren Union Electric and the staff of the print shop, we have 2,000 copies of our new Participant Handbook.

This year's book contains updated information for students (and adults) participating in model U.N.s and international conferences. In addition, it has brand new information related to Urban Studies, Campaign 2004, and other Civitas programs.

We have already begun distributing the handbooks and will continue to do so at all of our activities (including the U.N. Simulation for Grown-ups). On November 5, we expect to distribute more than 500 to middle school students at their workshop at the Chase-Park Plaza. On November 8, we will distribute another 150 to high school students at their Fall M.U.N. session (also at the Chase-Park Plaza).

We deeply appreciate Ameren Union Electric for underwriting the cost of the handbooks. This is the eighth straight year in which they have done so. Special thanks to Ms. Becky Kueker, a former board member of the United Nations Association, for introducing Ameren Union Electric to the work of Civitas.

In previous years, the Participant Handbook was called the Delegate Handbook. However, since Civitas has expanded its programs to include areas such as Urban Studies, Campaign 2004, and Community Currency, we changed the title of the book to reflect activities beyond international simulations.
Link to Participant Handbook

High School Discussion & Prep Session this Saturday, October 18!

It has been a while since we have had a wide-open discussion for high school students. While the general topic can be of the students' choosing, we want to take at least fifteen minutes to reflect on John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the U.S. The man was certainly not without flaws, but there are those who feel strongly that had he lived and served out a second term, the U.S. never would have become embroiled in Vietnam, Watergate would never have happened, the "War on Poverty" would have been seriously addressed, and hope would be a stronger feeling today and fear a lesser feeling. Obviously, many others disagree with some or all of these assertions. We'll discuss them on Saturday.

In addition, we will have a general preparation session for students coming to our November 8 Model U.N. session (this is different from our Conference on the Middle East). We will go over resolutions, research, dialogue & debate, and public speaking. We will let students engage in their own preparatory role playing of a model U.N. session.

As always, refreshments will be present and tasty. Hope to see you there!
Link to JFK Library in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Country & Committee Assignments for Mid-East Conference (updated)

Fifty-one of the students who applied to participate in the Civitas Middle East Conference have met initial requirements to participate. Each of them has been assigned a country or organization to represent as well as a committee in which to participate. The updated country and committee assignments are available by clicking on the link below.
Country & Committee Selections for Middle East Conference
Middle East Conference Index

CIVITAS sponsors drive for UNICEF this year!

UNICEF is a special organization related to the United Nations that gives individuals and community groups opportunities to help hungry and ill children from around the world. UNICEF stands for United Nations Childrens Emergency Fund.

On Halloween night, most "Trick or Treaters" go door-to-door for candy. UNICEF provides "Trick or Treaters" with another option; to go door-to-door to raise money for the starving and poor children of the world. It can be combined with "combing for candy" or done without the sweetness.

Civitas currently has supplies for 100 students and adults to canvas for UNICEF. We can get more supplies as needed. We will have the boxes available for distribution at upcoming high school events, the Middle School teachers meeting next Monday (Oct. 20), and at the "Grown-up" Model U.N. on October 24. You can always E-Mail us or call us at (314) 367-6480.
Link to UNICEF

Middle School Teacher Meeting Next Monday
The Country Draft for Middle Schools will be next Monday, Oct. 20th at the World Trade Center in Clayton (map below) from 4 pm- 5 pm. We will finalize the dates when each school will be participating in a spring session and then divide into groups of teachers for each date to conduct the country draft. It is most important for all participating schools to have a representative at this meeting. We have included below a link to the member nations of the General Assembly to help teachers prepare for the draft.

We will also provide essential information on the Middle School Student Workshop that will take place on Wed. Nov. 5th at the Chase Park Plaza. We expect to have approximately 500 students from nearly 20 schools. It is a wonderful opportunity for students and teachers alike to learn the essentials about how a model U.N. works. In addition, we will once again have the exciting "Africa Voice" drummers and dancers from Cote d'Ivoire perform for us.
Directions to Middle School Teachers Meetings
General Assembly Member Nations
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
Directions to Chase-Park Plaza for November 5 workshop

Survey on St. Louis Grocery Stores Labor Dispute

For the first time, area grocery store workers have gone on strike against St. Louis' "Big Three," Dierberg's, Schnuck's, and Shop & Save (Technically, the workers are now being "locked out" by management.). The issues include wage increases, health benefits, and protecting jobs. We ask your opinions on what way you think is best to settle the dispute.
Link to Survey on St. Louis Grocery Stores Labor Dispute

Link to Poll on Civitas Intranet Site

Previous Survey Results (New)

Last week's survey was:

Syndicated talk show host Rush Limbaugh was fired last week from ESPN for speaking words that the network considered racially offensive (or at least inflammatory). 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?

In addition to our poll questions, we had some excellent comments submitted by readers. Among them are:

Bryan Carlin; SLUH, 2006

I believe that Rush has a right to his own opinion for this is a country of free speech. Also his comment was criticizing the media and was not made against "black" people or any other race.

Bobbi Clemons; Home School, 2005

Thought number 1. Your last question wasn't a yes or no question. (I'm being dumbed down right about now.) Thought number 2. Howard Stern says offensive crap all the time. I don't like him either and yet he still has a radio show. Dr. Laura is offensive and still has a radio show. Until I receive god-like powers to smite down those who annoy me, most ignorant and obnoxious people will have radio shows. Rush included.

Aaron Craig; Vice-Principal; Sumner High School

Yes, I don't for one second believe that ESPN or KMOX hired Rush by accident. That means they must also share his views about life. You might argue that they were simply allowing an American citizen his Constitutional right of freedom of speech, but I'm not buying it. Have you ever seen Al Sharpton on ESPN? Thanks Aaron

Laura Casey; Rosati-Kain, 2004

I'm assuming on the last question enlightening was "Yes" and dumbing down was "No," hence my answer. Anyway, I do believe Rush Limbaugh is an idiot, in many ways, and the most recent example only serves to further that point. However, I do not feel his program should be cut, simply because of what he says. America...free speech...hmmm. Let the man say what he wants. If people believe his "thoughts," then they're just as bad as he is. Let him keep his show and eventually he'll shame himself off the air.

Raquel Rodriguez; Home School, 2006

I said yes temporarily on the other website because I thought you were also talking about his pain killer addiction when you clean up his act. I also don't think he "dumbs down" America nor do I think he enlightens them.

Stephen Griffard; Maplewood-Richmond Heights, 2004

It's like listening to the exact opposite of Howard Stern, who is just as annoying but funnier. Rush has no tolerance for anything that isn't ultra-conservative and not having tolerance is a bad bad stance. And he doesn't even sound smart when he's trashing liberals, he just sounds like a jerk which recent events have proven him to be.

Responses % #

1. Yes, permanently
46% 6

2. Yes, but only temporarily with him having a chance to "clean up his act."
9% 1

3. Neutral
9% 1

4. No
31% 4

5. Not Sure
9% 1

Total 13

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
Civitas Participant Handbook