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Dear Arthur,
This Friday evening, we have our first "Model U.N. for Grown-ups." We are expecting an excellent crowd and look for dynamic discussion as well as frivolous humor.
We report on yesterday's meeting with Middle School teachers, last Saturday's high school discussion on JFK, resolutions that are now coming in for the November 8 High School MUN, and our first Civitas UNICEF drive.
In addition, we have a survey on whether it would be a good idea for the United States to adopt a system of health care that is government-sponsored (single-payer). We also provide results from last week's survey on the supermarket strike/lock-out and some most interesting comments on the subject that were submitted by readers.
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"Grown-Up" United Nations Simulation Is Almost Sold Out (Updated)!
If you haven't yet signed up for Civitas' 2003 U.N. Simulation for "Grown-Ups," time is running out. It starts at 7:00 this Friday evening, Oct. 24, at The Center of Clayton, 50 Gay Ave., and we're expecting a full house of nearly 100 people. There are still a few slots available, but they're going fast. If you want to sign up, do it now, either by logging onto the Civitas link at the bottom of this article or by calling us directly, at 314-567-6112.
The 85+ participants already enrolled come from all over the St. Louis area, range in age from 18 to somewhere upwards of 70. They're teachers, parents of Model U.N. students, alumni of Civitas programs, community activists, political organizers, scientists, lawyers, college students, and friends of friends. They'll be representing countries they've visited, places where they or their kids have been exchange students, nations related to their college majors or professions, and countries they simply want to learn more about.
Staffing the Simulation will be Civitas staff, plus a great bunch of volunteers-current students in Model U.N., parents, and other friends of Civitas.
We've been surprised and delighted by the response to our first-ever U.N. Simulation for "Grown-Ups," and we're anticipating an evening that combines serious discussions of U.N.-style resolutions with a current events quiz, games, prizes, and a humorous discussion of "frivolous" resolutions.
If you like what you've seen of Civitas so far-our Model U.N. programs for middle-school and high-school students, our Urban Studies Programs, our College Counseling Seminars, our special Issues Conferences, our social activities, and our emphasis on fostering local and global citizenship-your $15 admission fee to the "Grown-Up" U.N. Simulation can help us continue and expand. Proceeds from this event will help fund our programs.
Will we see you at the "Sim?"
Sign-up for "Grown-up" Model U.N. -- October 24, 2003
Record Turnout for Middle School Teacher Meeting (New)
Fifteen of our twenty middle school teachers were in attendance at yesterday's Country Draft. The well-prepared group of teachers finalized the dates when their schools will have Model U.N. sessions in the Spring. Then they broke into small groups and selected the countries that their students will be representing.
Abbey Hatcher lead the group through the process of writing resolutions. She also worked with teachers to arrange times for class visits.
We also provided 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.
We will have a considerable amount of information emanating from yesterday's meeting on the web by late Tuesday afternoon. You can go to the link below and access the information that you want.
Civitas Middle School Model U.N. Information
2003-2004 Civitas Handbook now Available! (Repeat)
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
Fine Discussion on JFK & Prep Session Last Saturday
Yes, the name of Marilyn Monroe came up when we spoke of President John F. Kennedy at last Saturday's high school discussion group. But so did the Cuban Missile Crisis. Mostly, we spoke of how how JFK fostered a sense of hope to many American and global citizens. He also lived on the edge; somethat that may have been the cause of his assassination nearly forty years ago. Lastly, we mused about whether there has been any president since JFK who was so capable of learning from his mistakes and modifying his ways in light of the knowledge gained from the failures.
In addition, we reviewed the essentials of writing a resolution for a model U.N. (see next story). We then presented everyone present with a sample resolution and discussed it for nearly a half hour. It seemed to raise awareness of how a model U.N. works.
Remember, our main Model U.N. session of the year is on Saturday, November 8, from 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM beginning in the Khorrasan Room of the Chase-Park Plaza Hotel.
Link to JFK Library in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Resolutions for November 8 High School U.N. Due October 29 (Updated)
The November 8 High School Model U.N. is less than three weeks away. We are looking forward to a full complement of resolutions for the event. There is less than one week for resolutions to be submitted. The deadline is Wednesday, October 29.
In last Saturday's discussion group and prep session, we reviewed the basic format for a resolution and provided samples of well-constructed resolutions. We hope that dozens of high school students will submit creative and well-crafted resolutions. The advantage that we have in a model U.N. is that we can think "outside the box" and look for solutions to problems that actual delegates might be hesitant to offer.
As of Tuesday morning of this week, we have one resolution submitted. It is from North Korea (Collinsville), submitted to the Human Rights Committee, and on the topic of haman rights violations, particularly with prisoners held on Guantanamo Bay by the U.S.
Any student who submits an acceptable resolution automatically receives ten bonus points towards year-end scholarship awards (this is an increase from five points). We hope that you will submit resolutions -- the "mother's milk of model UNs."
In other news regarding the November 8 U.N., Nerinx Hall High School has added the countries of Afghanistan and Philippines to its roster of nations.
High School Resolutions for Fall, 2003
Sample Resolution
Russia & Iran Available for Mid-East Conference (New)
We have new openings -- only in the Isms Committee (the one on religious and political beliefs) -- for the countries of Russia and Iran. If you are already in the Isms Committee and would like to switch to either of these countries, please let us know as soon as possible.
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! (Updated)
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 50 students and adults remaining to canvas for UNICEF. Both high school and middle school students have already taken boxes. We can get more supplies as needed. We will have the boxes available for distribution at upcoming events including 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
General Assembly Member Nations
Directions to Chase-Park Plaza for November 5 workshop
Survey on Federal Government Providing Universal Health Care Coverage
Our survey last week included a question regarding the health care issues that labor and management are struggling with. Fully 70% of participants [Total: 10] said that would prefer and government-sponsored program such as in Canada or most western European countries. So our question today is "Do you think that a government-sponsored health care program would serve the needs of the entire American population better than our present system does?"
Link to Survey on Federal Government Providing Universal Health Care Coverage
Link to Poll on Civitas Intranet Site
Previous Survey Results (New)
Last week's survey was:
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. Which of the following steps do you think is the best way to settle the labor dispute?
Responses % #
1. Continue negotiating
37% 6
2. Have store owners replace the union workers with non-union workers.
19% 3
3. Have workers engage in "civil disobedience" by trying to block the doors to the stores.
0% 0
4. Have a "neutral arbitrator" come in and impose a settlement.
44% 7
5. Not Sure
0% 0
Total 16
In addition to our poll questions, we had some excellent comments submitted by readers. Among them are:
Laura Casey; Rosati-Kain, 2004
I don't agree with the strikers - I understand and support the idealism and general thinking behind striking in general, but I feel that demanding health care coverage from their employer for not only themselves, but for their entire family is extremely out of the question. It is out of the question because it is beyond the capabilities of their employer to cover such costs without either raising the prices of their products beyond a market-clearing price, or cutting the wages of the workers to way below minimum wage. I have no problem crossing the picket line today.
Sabrian Harden; Normandy, 2005
I feel that the management is being unfair. They want the workers to work on holidays when they already work the day before the holidays. They also won't let baggers get their yearly raises. After $7.00 they can't make over even if they work harder. It's just not fair. When you join the union it is their to protect you but lately it's like they don't even care.
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
Checklist for Writing a Model U.N. Resolution
Sample Resolution
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