January 20, 1998

Dear Model U.N. Friend,

Over the past two months, seventeen model U.N. students have been preparing for this year’s model U.N. of the University of Chicago. It will run from Jan. 29 – Feb. 1.

We now move into the Spring section of our model U.N. schedule. The first event will be the FRIVOLOUS MODEL U.N. on Saturday, February 14 (Valentine’s Day). This is the time when we can submit and "debate" all the silly and ridiculous ideas that we have suppressed during the year but would love to share with our fellow delegates. In past years, we have "established" official foods, anthems, and rock groups for the MUN. There is no limit as to how absurd we can be. The action begins at 9:00 AM and runs until 11:00 AM.

One week later, on February 21, we have our CRISIS SIMULATION. This activity is new for us in 1998. When we gather, we will assume the roles of independent concerned global citizens. We will not be representing any nation-states, ethnic groups, religions, or any other sub-group of humanity. Upon arriving at 9:00 AM, students will be presented with a fresh crisis and work in small groups to brainstorm solutions. The clock will be running and you’ll have to solve the problem by 11:00 AM. Examples of the crisis could be a terrorism demand against the world by a group with stolen nuclear weapons or a major invasion into one country by another.

One month later on March 21, we’ll have our Saturday spring MUN session at Flo Valley from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Our final MUN session of the year will be on Friday, April 24, at Flo Valley from 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM. Our discussion groups also continue during the Spring. Finally, we have also received information from our friends at Northrop High School in Ft. Wayne, Indiana that they will be sponsoring a model U.N. on Saturday, May 2. They would love to have delegates from St. Louis participate in their model U.N. just as they have in ours. The total cost for the one day-one night trip would be around $40.00. Anyone interested?

Also we want you to know that our web site at www.civitas-stl.com now has a limited search capability. You can enter one term (such as a country or issue) and all references to it in the site will be found.

Please review the entire Spring calendar of events below. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us at 367-6480.

Spring is close. Pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training in less than four weeks. Take care!