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The Montana State University-Northern History Club recently returned from Ventura, California, where they participated in the West Model United Nations VII Conference. The delegation, representing the United Kingdom and Australia, united with colleges all over the United States to evaluate and negotiate complex international issues. The conference is run just like a session of the United Nations. Each delegation represents a Member or Observer State with delegates considering resolutions on various issues in model United Nations committees. Resolutions passed by committees and adopted by the General Assembly or Security Council are forwarded to the United Nations Secretary General in New York. On three occasions, resolutions created by students in model UN exercises have been adopted. Several of the eight member team performed leadership roles during the four day conference. Senior Angela Berg fulfilled enormous responsibilities as Secretary General of the West MUN VII. The first Secretary General from outside California, Angela organized the conference and committees, selected people for the Secretariat, approved topics, and communicated with universities throughout the year. Senior Kevin Shellenberger, Chair of First Committee, maintained order during discussion of topics. Past MSU-Northern student Laurell Sward, now attending college in California, was Director of First Committee. "We represented our countries well and got resolutions passed," says Northern's Karen Plaggemeyer, a junior majoring in History. Plaggemeyer explained that the majority of colleges represented at the conference, being much larger than MSU-Northern, offer courses on international relations, diplomacy, and the United Nations. MSU-Northern students, however, contribute only as voluntary club members. Prior to attending the conference, MSU-Northern History Club members must study the history, policies, and needs of the countries they represent. This year, Karen Plaggemeyer, Rebecca Gummer, Becky Toth, and Jose Yates represented the United Kingdom, while Scott Shellenberger represented Australia. Before the end of the conference, Kevin Shellenberger was chosen to succeed Angela Berg as next year's Secretary General, a singular honor, since the conference prefers to select a Secretary General from a different university each year. Additionally, Laurell Sward and Karen Plaggemeyer are candidates for the Secretariat. Aurora Borealis Info, Disclaimer, Executive Council & Directors Return to Aurora
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