Wednesday, March 26, 2014

The Return to THIMUN

There is something poetic about returning to where it all began, at least where the last 12 months of our expansion began. I'm talking about THIMUN of course. Last year, I was lucky enough to be one of the select few to represent O-MUN at the conference, and honestly sometimes I wonder how the heck I did it. I was an O-MUN noob at the time, I only discovered the program in July, and had barely attended any debates. Yet, there I was, debating like there was no tomorrow, and out reaching like a clever salesman. I think back to all those meetings we had, crammed in Ms. Martin's room coming up with the ideas that have been implemented today. National programs, Assistant Directors, leadership trees, all came out of that one week in January.

I write this as we are about to start our descent into Schipol, the airport and to be honest, I am excited if not anxious as to what our team accomplishes this year. As so aptly stated by Ms. Martin, last year we were the outsiders, this year we are seated at the table with O-MUN members from all around the world. I look forward to watching the team debate in this amazing environment and I can't wait to spread O-MUN again. I have learned so much since last year and I can't wait to show off some of that knowledge.

This year, my team, the team, is comprised of 8 TAS students, all of which whom I have worked with over my many long years at TAS helping with the program, as well as 6 O-MUN delegates. In my opinion, this team may be stronger than the team last year, only because O-MUN has grown so much since last year and has provided so many opportunities for the delegates to better their craft.

O-MUN is something that I have come to love like a parent loving a child. It is something that I have put countless hours into working, caring, and improving, and while my time with O-MUN has not been as long as some of my colleagues, I am very happy with where I am today. I will say though, I have developed a whole new level of respect to my MUN directors: Ms. Sinclair, Ms. Rowe and Ms. Martin as I have come to see the travel teams in a new light. Organizing a team, this team, has been one of the most frustrating yet enlightening experiences I have ever faced. The level of work that is required was somewhat surprising, which led me to realize how much the directors put in each time a trip occurs. So I conclude with a word of thanks. Thank you for organizing travel teams, especially ones the I have been a part of, because I now understand what goes on behind the scenes.

Oh and we will have #rawherring awards for those who deserve them be cause like I said! Frustrating and enlightening.

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