Dias Structure
ChairResponsibilities:
The Chair's main purpose is to facilitate debate. In order to do this, they must be completely fluent in MUN lingo, especially in all the little phrases a chair can use to steer debate (e.g. "The chair would smile highly upon a motion to..."). Because of the power a chair wields within their committee, chairs are thoroughly vetted before being approved. Not only for their knowledge, but also for their attitudes and personality. Not everyone is cut out to be a chair in a novice conference, as it requires a great deal more patience and understanding than a typical conference. |
Co-ChairResponsibilities:
The Co-Chair acts as an aide to the Chair within the committee. They handle the more logistical side of the dias responsibilities, which includes keeping track of the speaker's list and the points rubric for awards. The Co-Chair is also allowed to take over the running of the committee for one of the committee sessions from the Chair in order to gain experience for when they run their own committees. |
PageResponsibilities:
The Page has two responsibilities during committee: screening and passing delegate notes, and acting as an extra set of ears during unmoderated caucuses. As such, pages are typically lowerclassmen with little experience in MUN who are nonetheless eager to learn and advance in standing in the club. |
Training
Dias Training is a requirement for anyone seeking to be a part of the dias in a conference. From the most experienced Chair, to the newest of the Pages, everyone is required to complete this series of activities. Dias Training is led by the USG of Chair Training, and consists of three phases:
Phase 1:The first is a handbook of all the motions/points that can be raised in a committee, the responsibilities of each member of the dias, and a few examples of different ways to phrase the 'suggestions' a chair can make to help guide the committee in productive directions.
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Phase 2:The second phase of the training is a test on these things. It is absolutely vital that a chair knows precisely how to address motions in a consistent manner in order to avoid the confusions that can so easily arise in a novice conference.
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Phase 3:The third part is a series of small mock conferences put on by the club members in order to give them experience in dealing with any and all situations.
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