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Greetings to all potential debate chairs at West Lake MUN 2010.

Thank you so much for your interest and dedication. We are almost at the beginning of July, and it has been impossible to meet the deadlines that I originally proposed. I apologize for any frustrations this has caused. However, during this summer break, we can finish the debate chair selection and topic research. Instead of setting deadlines right now, let me just say that I will be on the wiki often and want to make sure each of you is comfortable with the process. By mid-August, we need to wrap our work and present the conference topics. That gives us six weeks in which to work.

There are four steps in the selection process. All applicants will 1. create a journal page on this wiki, 2. submit a completed application form, 3. request that a teacher recommendation be submitted on your behalf, 4. participate in an interview via Skype.

Here are some more notes to guide you:
 * The journal is basically the topic that you propose for the conference. At West Lake MUN, each debate chair selects a conference topic. You are then the expert on that topic. You will do the research for the topic and post that research on the conference wiki. I will be glad to answer your questions, but please study the directions first. Directions for creating your journal can be found here.
 * The application form needs to be revised, so it hasn't been posted yet. However, each of you will need to write a short (300 word) essay on ONE of the following three topics. A good essay will give specific examples and show all the traits of good writing.
 * What difference has MUN made in your life?
 * Describe the best resolution you've ever seen. Explain why you consider it the best.
 * Who has been the biggest influence on you in MUN?
 * If it is difficult for you to obtain a teacher recommendation during the summer months, you can waive this requirement. Let me know.

An important announcement: If you have served as a debate chair at West Lake MUN in the past, you are able to apply for one of these positions: President of the General Assembly, President of the Economic and Social Council, and President of the Security Council. Please indicate your interest as soon as possible if you want to apply for the position of president. The presidents will join me, the conference director, in interviewing and selecting the remaining candidates. The President of the Security Council will also help select the debate chairs for the Advisory Council.

Some additional requirements: The purpose of these requirements is to help us all create an excellent conference on November 13 and 14. As you know, conference preparation requires a lot of work, and even the conference itself takes a large amount of your time and energy at an important time in the school year. Each of you has schoolwork to complete, and you are probably also dedicated to other extracurricular activities. Therefore, it only makes sense to focus on one conference at a time.
 * Please don't forget that debate chairs are required to attend a half-day workshop beginning at noon (12:00 pm) on Friday, November 12.
 * In the months of October and November, please limit your MUN conference activities to the West Lake MUN Conference. In other words, those applying for the debate chair positions should not simultaneously be planning to attend other conferences during those months, such as the THIMUN-Singapore Conference.

Please check the official conference website from time to time. It is also being updated during the summer months:http://westlakemun.wikispaces.com.

Thanks again for your dedication to the this conference, MUN, and the future of our world.

Sincerely, Mr. Thomas Robinson The West Lake MUN Conference Director