Emory International Relations Association The Newsletter: Edition 4, Spring 2016
Mission Statement EIRA is committed to actively involving students in activities furthering knowledge of international relations and global issues. This includes collegiate and inter-collegiate debate by traveling to different Model UN conferences; sponsoring events, fundraisers, and lectures on international topics for the benefit of the Emory and Atlanta communities; and hosting the annual collegiate Model UN conference at Emory, Model United Nationals at Emory (MUNE).
Table of Contents Welcome Letter…………………..3 Executive Board ………………….4 Traveling Team Results …………..5 Programming ……………………..6 MUNE ……………………………7 Alumni …………………………...8 Fundraising ……………………….9
Welcome to Spring 2016 Dear EIRAAlumni, On behalf of the entire organization I would like to welcome you to 2016 and the spring semester. Although the cold and cloudy weather persists in Atlanta, our members have continued to shine with their passion, excitement, and accomplishments in their first two months back. Like each of the previous newsletters, it is my honest wish that the information here not only assists in showcasing the talents of our diverse group, but also helps you feel connected to the organization that you are still an integral part of. I personally feel – and I think many members agree – that EIRA membership is not temporal. The connections and memories we have made in meetings, programming events, MUN conferences, and hanging around campus together do not fade, even as each of us goes our separate ways. Inside this newsletter is a brief presentation of the spring 2016 executive board, traveling team results, programming event recaps, MUNE spotlights, an alumni showcase, and a memo about our fundraising efforts. As always, please reach out with questions or comments – we love hearing from you! All the best, Rohan Ugale VP of Corporate and Alumni Relations
3
Meet the Spring 2016 Executive Board
Jonathan Yu Co-President
Matt Kaufmann Co-President
Rachel Citrin Treasurer
Marley MacDougall VP, Programming
Fernanda Bernaldo Secretary-General
Ryan Stevenson Co-Head Delegate
Arsha Vuppuluri Co-Head Delegate
Jon Rosen Secretary
Rohan Ugale VP, Corporate & Alumni
General Board, led by VP Programming, Spring 2016 Fundraising Chair: Philip Beardsley Outreach Chairs: Clementina Nyarko, Angela J iang Publicity Chair: Michelle Lou Service Chair: Dani Abitbol Web Administrator: David G olden
4
Model UN Results: Current Rank: 16th Fall 2015 Results
Spring 2016 Results
SCSY (Yale) October 15th – 18th Team: Outstanding Large Delegation Best Delegates: Camille Vinogradov, Angela Jiang Outstanding Delegate: Mehvish Khan Honorable Delegate: Diana Cagliero Verbal Commendation: Mindi Leit
McMUN (McGill) January 28th – 31st Book Award Delegate: Ryan Stevenson
NCSC (Georgetown) October 22nd – 25th Best Delegate: Tyler Zelinger
HNMUN (Harvard) February 11th – 14th Outstanding Delegate: Zaraif Hossain & DISCON (Duke) November 5th – 8th Rachel Citrin Best Delegates: Arsha Vuppuluri, Tyler Honorable Delegate: Julia Bittencourt & Zelinger Daniel Weinberg, Mustafa Hassoun & Emanuel Castro Outstanding Delegate: Maria Ross Verbal Commendation: Shaina Alcheck Honorable Delegate: Camille & Farah Al Chammas, Ryan Stevenson Vinogradov Verbal Commendation: Emerson Riback & Emma Giordano UPMUNC (Penn) November 12th – 15th Honorable Delegate: Arsha Vuppuluri
Next in Spring 2016: ChoMUN (UChicago) April 21st – 24th
5
Spring Programming This semester has been fairly active on the programming front: We kicked off January with our annual internship panel. This year, we had seven current members and one alumnus speak about their international occupational experiences. Members got an inside look at the worlds of foreign services, finance, and politics through the international lenses of their peers. Additionally, our guest alumni speaker Elliot Angart provided a unique look into the transition from internship into full-time employment. This event was followed by a resume workshop, and members were also given contact information of the panel members to allow them to continue the conversation at their own pace as internship applications ramp up. In late February we had our first speaker of the semester: Dr. Nikolay Koposov. Dr. Koposov is a professor in the history department who is a scholar-in-exile from Russia. We thought that it would be especially pertinent for members to get his perspective on the Russia-Ukrainian conflict, and he delivered a fascinating lecture. By blending his own opinions of the USSR and political change with current ruling party analysis, Dr. Koposov ended his talk by leaving our members much more knowledgeable about an intricate situation. Lastly, we also had a successful Chipotle fundraiser that allowed our abroad members to re-integrate with the rest of the organization and provided a grant bonding experience for members while earning the club some extra money. At the moment, we are currently working on fundraisers and events for March and April, which you will get to hear about in the next newsletter!
6
MUNE: Senior Spotlight, Zaraif Hossain Fernanda Bernaldo, the Secretary General, asked Zaraif Hossain, Chief of Staff, a few questions about being on MUNE Secretariat. F: Why did you apply for MUNE IV Secretariat?
Fernanda Bernaldo Secretary-General
Zaraif Hossain Chief of Staff
Z: Last year was my first year participating in both EIRA and MUNE, so I thought the best way to learn more was to staff a committee. Throughout the weekend, I carefully observed the tireless work of the Secretariat. Each member contributed to the success of the conference and I knew I wanted to get involved next year. Additionally, MUNE has grown so much in past few years. I joined the Secretariat to help facilitate even more expansion. F: What is your fondest MUNE memory? Z: MUNE III was incredible in my opinion – there is not one specific memory I can pinpoint to call my fondest. However, MUNE has allowed me to become closer to more members of EIRA by spending a good bit of time with them over the weekend. EIRA in general has connected me with people who I can call friends for life, and being involved in MUNE IV has helped facilitate and grow those relationships. F: What committees are you most excited for and why? Z: I am most excited for the War of the Roses as this is my first experience acting as one of the USGs as well as Chief of Staff. The committee is a JCC, so I am especially excited to see how the individual committees interact and how the crisis plans play out. The JCC staff has been working very diligently to make it an unforgettable committee.
MUNE IV March 31st – April 3rd
F: What is the biggest takeaway both delegates and staffers get from participating in MUNE? Z: For both parties, I believe the most valuable takeaway from MUNE is becoming closer to those you work with. Although you do learn skills that one can use when participating in other schools’ crisis committees, the close bonds that you form with the staff and Secretariat while working closely is invaluable.
7
MUNE: Senior Spotlight, Maria Alvarez Fernanda Bernaldo, the Secretary General, asked Maria Alvarez, Joint Crisis Director of The Wars of the Roses JCC, a few questions about being on MUNE staff.
Fernanda Bernaldo Secretary-General
F: What are you most looking forward to in your committee this MUNE? M: I am most looking forward to all of the different changes in alliances that I foresee happening. The Wars of the Roses were not known for the loyalty of most of the players. Between the two committee rooms, I expect the delegates to be creative in gaining advantages over each other – both as individuals and as a committee. F: What is your fondest MUNE memory? M: My fondest MUNE memory is having Phil, one of our staffers at MUNE III, give crisis updates for my Banana Wars committee while wearing a banana suit. The delegates and staffers loved it, and made our committee very memorable for the delegates.
Maria Alvarez Joint Crisis Director The Wars of the Roses
MUNE IV March 31st – April 3rd
F: How did you come up with your committee idea? M: Camille, who is one of the chairs, was the one who got the idea because she is very passionate about medieval history and loves the story of the Plantagenet family in England. She suggested we do it as a JCC and the rest is history. F: What is the biggest take away you get from MUNE? And the delegates? M: The biggest take away I get from MUNE is working really hard with an extremely talented group of people over the course of many months to put on a strong committee for delegates who always want to give it their all. My favorite part is witnessing the creativity of the delegates we get to work with. F: What is your ultimate goal for this MUNE? M: My ultimate goal for this MUNE is to have the biggest, best, craziest, most exciting committee of my college career. I can't wait!
8
Alumni Corner: Harlan Cutshall ‘15C Hello! My name is Harlan Cutshall, and I am a recent alumnus of both Emory University and the Emory International Relations Association. I was the founding Vice President of Programming (VPP) for EIRA (20142015); a four year traveling delegate of the Model United Nations team; and chaired or crisis directed committees at MUNE I, II, and III. I graduated in May 2015 with a B.A. in International Studies and a minor in Global Health, Culture & Society. During my four years at Emory, nothing shaped my college experience more so than my time with EIRA.
Upon graduation, I took a position with a political campaign in my home "city" of Portland, Maine. I work for The Committee for Ranked Choice Voting, a political action committee working for electoral reform in Maine; I do finance work, concerning campaign-wide development and fundraising, and plan events around the state. I wouldn't be where I am without the skills EIRA taught me: being able to clearly and concisely articulate my points, ideas, and opinions; working collaboratively with people of diverse backgrounds and interests; and being able to find common ground with people I wouldn't I first joined the club in September 2011, when it was still necessarily otherwise are all capabilities born out of my Emory Model United Nations (EMUN), and had a time in the club. considerably more narrow focus. I had never planned to To those of you still in the club: don't rush these four pursue Model United Nations in college; I'd been deeply years. I know that's cliché and overused, but it's true – as involved in student government and played tennis in high much as I'm enjoying this new stage in life, there are so school, and figured I'd stick with both of those once I got many things I miss about college. I'll never again have to Emory. I didn't even stop by the table at the activity my closest friends around me at all times; I'll never call a fair that fall; I only showed up to the first info session 15 hour week "busy" for the next fifty years, either. I because my freshman roommate was curious to learn know that when you're in college, at times all you want to more. I also remember being terrified when I learned that think about are the next steps, the "real world," and future conference placements were decided by tryouts, and successes, and that's great (you probably won't end up visibly shook through out my first tryout in front of Dan working in local politics then, either). But cherish these and Gina, then co-presidents. But I must have done years, and realize how lucky you are to be in them. something right: I was placed on NCSC that October, and To any of you who crazily think I could ever be a was hooked. resource – or if you're just interested in tennis, Central For me, choosing a favorite EIRA memory is akin to and Eastern European politics, electoral reform, or Maine choosing your favorite child: they're all so special and – please don't ever hesitate to reach out. unique (at least, that's what my parents told me). But And if EIRA means half as much to you as it did to me, when forced, the memories of DISCon my senior stand congratulations: you're tremendously fortunate. out. Out of ten committees, an Emory delegate gaveled in six. We won two further awards, meaning half the team brought home paper. All four seniors gaveled – kids I'd Best, been traveling with for four years, kids who had become Harlan Cutshall, 15C some of my closest friends – and EIRA brought home its first best delegation award. But the specific awards didn't matter; the camaraderie, the joy, and the excitement we all felt for each other as EIRA delegate after EIRA delegate got called up for awards made this a testament to all the work we'd put in for four years.
9
Fundraising Letter to Alumni Dear EIRAAlumni, EIRA has grown tremendously in the past year, garnering a larger presence on campus than ever before. As an organization, we continue to attract fine speakers and hold exceptional events. The traveling team is ranked 16th on the circuit and a lively group of young delegates is eager to push the boundaries of both successful and ethical competition. Many of our newest delegates have proven themselves on circuit, especially at HNMUN (Harvard) in mid February. Additionally, Model United Nations at Emory, appropriately called MUNE, will be hosted for a fourth time in about a month. The committees are shaping up to be exciting, thoughprovoking, and more challenging than the previous. While we are doing our best to ensure our members have the best experience possible, we could use your help. Earlier this year, our alumni petitioned the administration in the Fall for more funds by highlighting the benefits that EIRA and Model United Nations had on their college years and in their current careers, but this did not result in significant increase in funding. As such, we are in the process of launching a donation page through Emory to help support the mission and future of the organization, as well as accepting checks by mail. If you are willing, please consider making a modest contribution to EIRA of $50-100. When the Emory giving site is live, I will provide more instructions. All contributions are taxdeductible. This will aid us to continue operating our organization at a level that provides our members large benefits and maximum opportunities. We want to ensure EIRA continues to prosper, and we are sure you feel the same. I look forward to hearing from many of you in the near future. Sincerely, Rohan Ugale VP of Corporate and Alumni Relations 10