As a group, we, the Los Gatos Model United Nations Team, understand that it may not be safe to hold LGMUN 2020 in the traditional in-person format for Model UN. We have taken steps to change the conference to make it safe for everyone involved while still being as engaging as every other conference. This change has also allowed us to make the conference free to attend. The steps below outline the changes we will make.
August 6th Update: Pricing and How we will use Zoom and Discord
Because of our chosen online format, we have reduced costs greatly which has allowed us to make the conference free to attend. We will require a deposit of $15 for each delegate during registration which we will offer to return after the delegate attends the conference. The purpose of this policy is to keep costs at $0 while also ensuring all registered delegates attend the conference.
A video outlining all of the online steps required for the conference by delegates will be released in September. Below is a written outline of how we will use Zoom and Discord.
Zoom:
- All committees will be largely run using Zoom meetings. Delegates will all need working cameras and microphones with a constant internet connection to attend. Delegates will have their cameras on at all times and will keep microphones muted until they are chosen to speak. When joining their committee Zoom meeting, all delegates will use their country name as their Zoom "nickname".
- Committee chairs will lead the moderated caucus debate by selecting speakers and making indicating sounds when time for speeches is over. During unmoderated caucuses, chairs will begin a timer on the screen and all delegates will move to Discord, which should be open in the background during the entire session (See more about Discord below).
- Delegates will write resolutions through shared Google Docs and these documents will be presented through Zoom to the entire committee during the presentation of resolutions. Voting will take place using the "raise-hand" feature of Zoom.
Discord:
- LGMUN will be using Discord to conduct unmoderated caucuses. All delegates will be required to create a Discord account by registering at discord.com/register, unless they already have one. Once every delegate has a Discord account, they will be sent a link to join their committee server. There are many servers on Discord, and each one will usually have a theme. For example, the server’s theme for the delegates is the committee name, whether it be DISEC, UNHRC, or WHO. Only servers that delegates join will show up on their Discord page.
- On servers, delegates may communicate through either text or voice channels. Delegates can send text messages to each other through text channels or speak vocally with each other on voice channels. We suggest delegates discuss ideas with each other on the general voice channel first before moving to separate voice and text channels to form blocs. Delegates can create multiple text and voice channels that will mimic the blocs delegates would usually form during unmoderated caucuses.
- The username of the account does not matter as each delegate will be using a nickname in the server. Every delegate’s nickname should be their country’s name. The video will also explain how delegates can set up their nicknames.
- The chairs will be observing debate by looking at text messages and connecting to the voice channels. The secretariat will also be observing all committee servers during the conference.
Because of our chosen online format, we have reduced costs greatly which has allowed us to make the conference free to attend. We will require a deposit of $15 for each delegate during registration which we will offer to return after the delegate attends the conference. The purpose of this policy is to keep costs at $0 while also ensuring all registered delegates attend the conference.
A video outlining all of the online steps required for the conference by delegates will be released in September. Below is a written outline of how we will use Zoom and Discord.
Zoom:
- All committees will be largely run using Zoom meetings. Delegates will all need working cameras and microphones with a constant internet connection to attend. Delegates will have their cameras on at all times and will keep microphones muted until they are chosen to speak. When joining their committee Zoom meeting, all delegates will use their country name as their Zoom "nickname".
- Committee chairs will lead the moderated caucus debate by selecting speakers and making indicating sounds when time for speeches is over. During unmoderated caucuses, chairs will begin a timer on the screen and all delegates will move to Discord, which should be open in the background during the entire session (See more about Discord below).
- Delegates will write resolutions through shared Google Docs and these documents will be presented through Zoom to the entire committee during the presentation of resolutions. Voting will take place using the "raise-hand" feature of Zoom.
Discord:
- LGMUN will be using Discord to conduct unmoderated caucuses. All delegates will be required to create a Discord account by registering at discord.com/register, unless they already have one. Once every delegate has a Discord account, they will be sent a link to join their committee server. There are many servers on Discord, and each one will usually have a theme. For example, the server’s theme for the delegates is the committee name, whether it be DISEC, UNHRC, or WHO. Only servers that delegates join will show up on their Discord page.
- On servers, delegates may communicate through either text or voice channels. Delegates can send text messages to each other through text channels or speak vocally with each other on voice channels. We suggest delegates discuss ideas with each other on the general voice channel first before moving to separate voice and text channels to form blocs. Delegates can create multiple text and voice channels that will mimic the blocs delegates would usually form during unmoderated caucuses.
- The username of the account does not matter as each delegate will be using a nickname in the server. Every delegate’s nickname should be their country’s name. The video will also explain how delegates can set up their nicknames.
- The chairs will be observing debate by looking at text messages and connecting to the voice channels. The secretariat will also be observing all committee servers during the conference.
June 22nd Update: Details about Online Format
Committees will be primarily held through Zoom, where chairs can call on delegates using the hand-raising feature, and unmoderated caucuses will be conducted simultaneously through Discord, where delegates have the ability to create and join their own video channels for bloc discussions. All delegates will need access to an electronic device with a video camera and internet connection for the duration of the conference.
Delegates will write resolutions together through shared Google Docs, email resolutions and crisis notes directly to the chairs during committee, and pass notes to other delegates with the private chat feature on Zoom or via email. Chairs will screen-share resolutions for delegates to present to the rest of the committee before moving into voting bloc.
As is expected for traditional MUN conferences, delegates are required to wear business attire to their virtual committee sessions and engage in diplomacy with professional conduct.
Committees will be primarily held through Zoom, where chairs can call on delegates using the hand-raising feature, and unmoderated caucuses will be conducted simultaneously through Discord, where delegates have the ability to create and join their own video channels for bloc discussions. All delegates will need access to an electronic device with a video camera and internet connection for the duration of the conference.
Delegates will write resolutions together through shared Google Docs, email resolutions and crisis notes directly to the chairs during committee, and pass notes to other delegates with the private chat feature on Zoom or via email. Chairs will screen-share resolutions for delegates to present to the rest of the committee before moving into voting bloc.
As is expected for traditional MUN conferences, delegates are required to wear business attire to their virtual committee sessions and engage in diplomacy with professional conduct.