Former Blogsquader, and resident big brother Merkie Mark, told me that keeping up with the Blogsquad was going to be hardwork and it’s true. Here is a post recapping events from last weekend. As BBFF KrystalV says “better late than never”.
As if our school wasn’t full of enough acronyms, last week I volunteered as UBCMUN. That is University of British Columbia Model United Nations Conference.
The Conference was an amazing experience. My roommate often asks me how I find these things to begin with and I don’t have a straight answer to that question. I really just stumble upon them. I was on the AMS Clubs website and clicked the link and thought “Hey, this looks cool.” So I signed up to volunteer.
As a volunteer I was acting as a Page during the different council meetings. There was the UN General Assembly, UN Human Rights Council, UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, UN Security Council, World Health Organization, World Bank, International Press Corps, and a Case Study on Myanmar.
Like in the real UN committee meetings, when delegates or state heads, council officials etc. want to pass notes to each other they can not simply get up and walk over, or shout across the table, they write a note and a Page will pass their note. Yeah, wish you had Pages in middle school, don’t cha?
I was lucky enough to sit in on the Case Study on Myanmar and I was amazed at how well researched the delegates were. I admit I was pretty intimidated at first by their knowledge and composure. But I realized that if you just act like you know what you’re doing, it’s easier to pick up what you’re supposed to be doing.
Sometimes people feel overlooked when they’re volunteering but it’s important to be diligent. My dance instructor used to say “There’s no small roles, only small people.” So no matter what you’re job is take it seriously and people will notice. After a couple of hours being a Page I was promoted to be a spy!
It was pretty awesome. I got to sit in on one meeting and then went back to the next meeting and told them everything I heard. They were relying on me for important information and when I debriefed them, they took notes and asked me questions. Here I was trying to learn something from them, and there I was giving them information.
I think that the key to being a good volunteer: 1) Sign up for things you’re interested in. If there’s one thing I’ve learnt from school it’s that you should do what you’re passionate about. If you’re able to find even just one thing you’re passionate about – anything whether representing Russia at Model UN conferences, flying planes, German opera, Settlers of Catan. Maybe you’re passionate about all those things. In that case you should call me. (So not subtle, Nicole) But whatever it is. Find it. Do it. Be good at it.
“Whatever you are, be a good one.” Abraham Lincoln
2) Be Proactive. While I was a Page I learnt to anticipate what was going to happen next. Was the person going to write a note back? Should I wait there? Being proactive and being able to be ready for whatever is next is a very useful skill.
The conference was so well organized. I was truly astounded by the Secretariat. Props to Dominika Z, the UN Secretary for the UBC MUN 2011 Conference. And Congrats to Lindsey R who will be spear heading the 2012 Conference. I was so lucky to meet such incredible people and it’s inspiring see how serious people take world politics. I know the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of Myanmar got really into character, standing, shouting and all. I met a lot of interesting delegates and who knows maybe I’ll sign up to join them next year.
We’re young, now’s the time to let our voices be heard.