Attending Model United Nations conferences as an independent delegate, or a participant without the formal backing of a school-sponsored team, presents unique challenges. Independent delegates may travel on their own for a variety of reasons, ranging from lacking the funds for an entire team to travel or not even having a team to travel with.
As a sophomore in high school, I travelled as an independent delegate to the York College of Pennsylvania’s Model United Nations Conference. Fresh off of my first Model UN experience, I knew that I wanted to continue exploring the activity, even if I had to do it on my own.
At the time, my school’s club was uninterested in travelling beyond one local conference per year. Having only attended one conference myself, I recruited four of my friends who had never participated in MUN before. Together, we practiced in my basement, and attended the conference as independent delegates (and our group of five even managed to leave with two awards).
The process of registering and attending a MUN conference as an independent delegate was a rocky one. As I reflect on the experience, there are a few things I wish I had known about registering, fundraising, and competing:
Look local. As a sophomore in high school without a driver’s license, I knew my options for travelling to conferences would be limited. Looking for local resources and accomodations can be a great way to find experiences while saving money. Using Best Delegate’s inventory of high school MUN conferences, I searched for conferences within my area. I was lucky enough to find the York College of Pennsylvania’s Model United Nations Conference, which was not only close to where I lived, but only charged a fee of $5 per delegate.
Look for reduced prices, grants, and scholarships. Many MUN conferences recognize that delegates may be unable to foot the full cost of competing and offer scholarships to help mitigate the costs of travel. Registering for a conference early allows you to apply for these scholarships (typically released several months before the event) in addition to reaping the benefits of early registration prices. Local organizations in your area may also offer grants to school clubs seeking to take on new projects. Search and apply for these grants early.
Hold a restaurant night. Several restaurants, both local and chain, allow organizations to use their facility for a “restaurant night”. These fundraisers can supplement enough money to cover delegate fees or base travel costs. During a restaurant night, a percentage of the profits from patrons are put towards an organization (granted the organization reaches a threshold). Chipotle, Panera Bread, TGI Friday’s, and Little Caesars are just a few of the many restaurants willing to host these fundraisers.
At the conference, be confident. One of the best things about MUN is how it connects students from schools across the country. Regardless of the circumstances that brought you to the conference, you made it; you deserve to be proud of your preparations. Seize the opportunity to be an active participant, share what you have learned in your research, and learn from others.
Want to continue your MUN experience? Check out the MUN Institute!
