Dawson Model United Nations 

Club Bylaws
Contents
Article I- Purpose and Function…………………………………………………….......……..1
Article II- Membership………..…………………………………………………………...…1, 2
Article III- Meetings……………………………………………………...……………..…….2, 3
Article IV- Officers……………………………………………………………....……...3, 4, 5, 6
Article VI- MUN Point System....……………………………….………………………....…...6
Article V- Conference Participation....…………………………………………………....…...6
Article VII- Club Finance ….……………………………………………………………….......7
Article VIII- Ratification…………………………………………………….………………… 7
Article IX- Club Expulsion………………………………………………………………....……7
 
Article I – Purpose and Function
The Model United Nations is a series of programs run throughout the country and the world with
the goals of furthering understanding about the United Nations, educating participants about
world issues and promoting peace and the work of the United Nations through cooperation and
diplomacy. The value of the Model UN experience for a student is based on what benefits a
student can gain from participation. Many different kinds of talents can be developed by
participation in Model UN conferences - including such skills as teamwork, expository and
persuasive writing, debating, and negotiation that are important for personal development and
future success.

Article II – Membership
Membership is available to any Glenda Dawson High School student. The term “Membership”
refers to those individuals who actively attended at least 3 Dawson Model United Nation Club
meeting per semester and have a MUN point total greater than 4 (See Articles V and IX)
Section 1-Club Responsibilities: All members must keep a binder or folder with research, and
follow all rules and bylaws reviewed during the first meeting. All members planning on
attending conferences that require position papers must turn in at least one.
Section 2 -General Attendance: A master calendar will be available on the Dawson MUN
website. Each member is responsible for knowing each meeting date, checking the Dawson
MUN website (dawsonmun.weebly.com) and Remind for updates, and paying attention during
meetings to dates that may be changed or events that were not included on the calendar.

Article III – Meetings

Section 1 - Meeting: Meetings of members shall be held in the LGI Afterschool on Mondays,
but are subject to change depending on circumstances.. Officers can call additional meetings if
deemed necessary as long as they give a 48 hour notice in advance. Meetings can be one of or a
combination of the following: Current Event Discussions, Mock Committees, Research,
Conference Prep,, Public Speaking Practice, Debates, or other United Nations related educational
activities.
     Subsection A - Mandatory Meetings
Delegates are required to attend Mandatory Meetings that will be held every other
Monday. During these meetings, we will go over important announcements,
upcoming events, and changes to the plan for the year or to future meetings. In most
mandatory meetings we will also go over conference basics and practice important
skills for conference.
 Subsection B - Special Meetings
Special meetings are not mandatory and will be held on Mondays that there are no
Mandatory meetings. While these are optional, delegates wishing to attend conference must
attend at least the workshops for Position Papers, Parliamentary Procedure, and Research.
●   Workshops – these meetings will be used to review specific strategies and skills
needed for conference. Topics for workshops will be released ahead of time and can
include Position Paper Workshops, Research strategies, committee strategy,
parliamentary procedure, etc.
●   Mock Committees – pre-designated members will engage in a practice
conference.
●        Make-up Meetings – make-up meetings will be on Fridays in Mr. Fahler’s
room during Eagle Hour A. They will take place in the same week as the
corresponding Mandatory Meeting
●        Diplomacy Nights – members will have the opportunity to attend diplomacy
nights to hear guest speakers discuss foreign affairs
Section 2 - Board of Directors Meeting (Officers and Sponsor): The Club shall host at least
four board meetings annually for planning future meetings, club organization, and fundraiser
plans.
Section 4 - Quorum:  Half of the membership shall constitute a quorum for the election of
officers. To vote in officer elections or referendums the member must be present; there shall be
no voting by proxy.
 

Article IV – Officers
Section 1 – Election:  New officers shall be elected by the members of the Club at the last
mandatory meeting of the school year.
Section 2 – General Officer requirements:  
Members who wish to run for an officer position must have been a member for at least 1 year,
any member who joined the club after the month of November will not be allowed to run for
office in the election that will take place at the end of that school year.
All officers must be able to discuss and provide input into all official decisions by voting and
discussing those decisions with the other officers.
Officers may be delegated other duties not specified by Article IV, Section 6, Powers and
duties of officers. In the event that a certain officer is unable to successfully fulfill their duties,
the remaining  officers are expected to take up the duties of that officer, until the task is fulfilled.
Subsection A - An officer may not serve their position for more than two consecutive
years to ensure each member wanting to be an officer has an opportunity.
 Subsection B - See Article IV, Section 6, Powers and duties of officers, for more
specific requirements for each officer position.
 
Section 3 - Officer Removal: Officers will be replaced for any reason including but not limited
to: not fulfilling one’s duties, extreme misconduct in school or during school activities, and
expulsion. Among the other officers and sponsor, a unanimous of the other officers and sponsor
will be required to remove an officer from their position.
Subsection A- An officer can resign at any point in the year, after they have informed
all the other officers and sponsors. The remaining officers will then inform all members
and decide on an election date.
 
Section 4 – Positions: Officers of the Club shall be: president, vice president, treasurer, secretary
of club affairs, commissioner of conference activities, and historian. More officer positions may
be created by a unanimous vote of the board of directors at any point during the year. In this
case, a special election will be called. 
 
 This may be subject to change based on future elections and officer positions that arise or
are dismissed as necessary.
Section 5 – Absences: All officers are expected to be at every meeting unless there is any
emergency, or otherwise equally pressing matter. The fellow officers and Club sponsor shall
decide whether or not the officer retains their office if any unexcused absence occurs.
 
Section 6 - Powers and duties of officers:
All officers are responsible for reviewing officer applications and ensuring that applicants
adhere to the requirements listed in the Bylaws. If there are any pressing concerns about an
applicant, the Board of Directors may vote to contact the applicant if further clarification
is needed. If an applicant does not meet the requirements listed in the bylaws or there is
significant concern about their ability to fulfill the tasks of the officer position they applied
to run for, the Board of Directors reserves the right to reject applications.

President/Secretary General
The president facilitates the activities of the Club. The president presides over all Club
meetings; presents the report covering the activities of the Club in the previous year at the Club’s
annual meeting; and enforces Club guidelines. They should delegate authority, develop new
leadership, and represent the Club in the community at large. They will work with the club
sponsor and help with any chair or conference positions.
Requirements:
 A. Must be a club member for two years before they are eligible for presidency.
B.  Must have 85% of total MUN points offered that year*.
*this does not include MUN points offered for volunteering
C. Must currently be an officer. If the member is not an officer, they must have at least
85% of the total MUN points offered that year points to run for president.       
D. Must have attended at least 3 Conferences  

Vice President/Deputy Secretary General

The vice president is to serve as the “right-hand person” of the president.  They are to take over
in the absence of the president, and maintain constant contact with the president on all issues
pertaining to the Club as well as helping with simulations. The vice president is in charge of
advertising for the club, representing the club at school, making sure notifications are passed out
for meetings, making sure sponsors are involved with the club, and must help with practice
simulations. The vice president will also oversee the management of the MUN points of all
members and officers(with the help of the secretary).
Requirements:
A. Must be a club member for 1 year before they are eligible for vice-presidency.
B. Must have 80% of the total MUN points offered that year.
C. Must have attended at least 2 Conferences

 Treasurer
The treasurer is responsible for maintaining all financial records for the Club, including
providing oversight for dues and conference fees. They works with the president to prepare the
financial section of the Club’s annual report. During certain meetings, the treasurer should report
actual financials and ensure that all officers and members understand the report. Also, the
treasurer is in charge of all fundraising activities including gaining and retaining sponsorship,
organizing fundraisers, and booths for Flock Party and other school activities.
Requirements:
A.  Must be a club member for 1 year before they are eligible to run for the secretary
position.
B. Must have at least 60% of the total MUN points offered that year.
C. Must have attended at least 1 Conference
Secretary/Under-Secretary General of Registration (2)
The secretary is responsible for recording accurate details of all meetings of the Club, which
should include attendance, election results, and assignments to specific duties. The secretary,
along with the vice president, will also keep track of the point totals of all members. They will
work with the president to prepare the Club’s annual report; create recruitment plans; and
performs all the customary duties of a secretary.
Requirements:
A. Must be a club member for 1 year before they are eligible to run for the secretary
position.
B. Must have 70% of the total MUN points offered that year.
C. Must have attended at least 1 Conference

Head Delegate of Training (2 total, 1 for Regular Committee, 1 for Crisis)

The head delegates are responsible for organizing and planning mock committees to help
prepare members for Model UN Conferences. They also has a pivotal role in preparing the
materials and power points for each meeting, including ensuring all handouts are printed. The
head delegates are also responsible for conducting teaching during the meetings. The
commissioner is also responsible for planning activities for meetings, including coordinating
food/prizes.
Requirements:
A. Must be a club member for 1 year before they are eligible to run for this position.
B. They must have attended 1 conference
C. Must have 60% of the total MUN points offered that year.

Event Planner/Chief of Staff

The event planner is responsible for deciding which conferences Dawson MUN will attend
along with preparing background guides and the sign up/registration for other conferences.
Furthermore, the event planner creates the sign ups/surveys for Dawson events including flock
party and Dawson MUN conferences. The most important task for the event planner is the
management of the Dawson Conference Secretariat (a team assembled to manage Dawson MUN
conferences).
Requirements:
A. Must be a club member for 1 year before they are eligible to run for this position.
B. They must have attended 1 conference
 C. Must have 60% of the total MUN points offered that year.
Conference Secretariat
Members of the conference secretariat will sign up prior to each Dawson Conference as members
responsible for helping run the conference. Tasks may include writing background guides,
overseeing position paper submissions, running country/committee sign-up, managing materials
(creating placards, nametags, and awards). Furthermore, members of the secretariat may be
offered positions as committee chairs or crisis directors during conferences.
It is recommended that members wishing to be on the conference secretariat have prior
conference experience.

Historian/Under-Secretary of Public Relations

The historian is responsible for club advertisement and managing relations between the club and
other entities under the direction of the President and Vice President. Advertisement includes
maintaining the official club social media by updating the Model UN Twitter, Instagram,
Remind, and maintaining the website. The historian is also responsible for taking photos of
Model UN meetings and conferences, as well as maintaining records of club
activities. Furthermore, the historian is in charge of creating and printing advertising flyers and
handouts for fundraisers and events. It is recommended that the historian has a camera or has
access to a camera to take photos.
Requirements:
A. Must be a club member for 1 year before they are eligible to run for this position.
B. They must have attended 1 conference
C. Must have 50% of the total MUN points offered that year.
 
Section 7- Voting System: Each member has one vote each, and can only vote if they are
present. On the day of the election, candidates will give a speech to persuade the members of
Model UN, the current officers, and the sponsors to vote for him/her. Then, all members, current
officers, and sponsors will anonymously cast their vote after hearing all the speeches of
candidates who wish to run for that position. Each member has one vote each, and can only vote
if they are present.
The results for each officer position will be based on the member vote, and then ratified by
a majority vote of the officers. 

Article V - MUN Point System

The members of the club will be ranked based on the following point system. This system is used
to decide conference attendance, ability to run for office, and expulsion.
 Section 1 - Point Values
Conference Attendance 7 points
Mock Conference Attendance 3 points
Volunteer Participation (ex: flock party) 2 points
Meeting Attendance 1 point
Diplomacy Night/Other Events 5 points

Other volunteer activities and spirit nights may be designated MUN Points as needed
The point system is based on each time a member participates in one of the categories
listed. The secretary will keep count on who attends each of the activities and will have a
list on the amount of points each member has as the year progresses. The MUN point totals
will be accessible through the Dawson Model UN website.

Section 2 - Member Recognition

Distinguished Members will be recognized at the end of the year as those who have
attended at least one conference and have at least 50% of the total MUN points offered that
year.

Outstanding Members will be recognized at the end of the year as those who have attended at
least one conference and have at least 75% of the total MUN points offered that year, along with
having actively participated in club activities throughout the year.

Best Delegate Awards will be given to members selected by the officers who have shown
tremendous growth and leadership in Model UN throughout the year. Best Delegate Awards will
only be received by delegates who have gone above and beyond to be seen as embodying the
true principles and values of Model UN and diplomacy.

Article VI - Conference Participation

Section 1 - The number of countries participating is dependent on the number of members
desiring to attend the conferences.
Section 2 - Participation in any MUN conferences is based primarily on the MUN point system
in order to ensure that active members be guaranteed a spot in conferences.
 ● Subsection A- If there is a tie and spots are limited, attendance to that conference is
judged by a first-come-first-serve basis.
Section 3 - If officers meet their duties and requirements, every officer is guaranteed a delegate
position in conferences.
Section 4 - If Glenda Dawson High School MUN does not officially register to attend a
conference as a school, delegates wishing to attend are encouraged to register as individual
delegates and still go. 10 MUN Points will be offered to delegates who pursue this option. 
 

Article VII – Club Finance

Section 1 - Fundraising
Fundraising will be done in order to cut on the dues each member pays by covering bus
financing and conference participation costs.

● Dawson MUN will participate in the annual Flock Party to set some of the budget for
future club activities
● Other fundraising measures may include the selling of T-Shirts, hosting Spirit Nights,
Diplomacy Nights, and hosting Conferences/Mock Conferences
● Dawson Model UN will secure sponsorships from local businesses to help finance
activities.
● Other means to reduce participation costs include pursuing financial waivers, grants, and
other funds with the purpose of encouraging MUN participation

Article VIII – Ratification

Bylaws may be amended by review of Club officers and Club sponsors every year. Any
amendments will be announced at a proximal meeting.

Article IX - Club Expulsion

Section 1 - Any member behaving in a manner that reflects poorly on Glenda Dawson High
School Model UN--including when registered as an individual delegate--may be considered for
expulsion and may be banned from assuming any leadership position in the club.
Section 2 - Any member found to be in violation of any Pearland Independent School District
Policy during a Club activity is subject to permanent expulsion for the remainder of their high
school career. 
 
Created by: Emmanuel Yamba with the assistance of Adith Ram, Sarah Elsaim, Elizabeth Cao, and Zach
Wallace.

Edited by Vidya Muthupillai and Aditya Namjoshi, August 5th, 2019