Jo McCloy, Secretary General
Ben Chambers, Director General
What does the Secretary-General actually do?
The Secretary-General at a Model United Nations (MUN) conference is a key figure, leading and overseeing the entire event's planning, organisation, and execution. They supervise the Secretariat team, which includes the Director-General, Undersecretary Generals and committee chairs, ensuring all logistical and procedural aspects run smoothly. Additionally, the Secretary-General sets the conference agenda, a task that significantly influences the course of the conference.
They are responsible for enforcing the rules of procedure and managing any crises that may arise, ensuring the conference remains orderly and productive. In terms of content, the Secretary-General oversees the preparation of essential documents like the conference programme, background guides, and final resolutions. They also provide guidance and support to delegates, helping them understand the rules and procedures and facilitating any training before the conference.
In short, the Secretary-General keeps an overview of what the secretariat is doing!
What does the Director-General do?
As the Director-General for the conference, I support the Secretary-General (Jo) in managing the conference, ensuring everything runs smoothly. The role involves delegating tasks and maintaining an overview of all current and upcoming activities across the Secretariat.
The DG is the main supervisor and advisor for some of the Secretariat teams, collaborating closely with Jo. When the SG is unavailable or not needed, the DG leads meetings and handles crises independently. The DG position requires close collaboration with the SG, allowing for a high level of independence and a significant degree of responsibility. During the conference, the DG provides essential support, manages event logistics, and represents the Secretariat team, including welcoming delegates and ensuring smooth operations throughout the event.
The DG’s main goal is to maintain a comprehensive overview of the Secretariat's work, including all USG teams and external communications. This includes participating in executive-level and sponsorship meetings, tracking tasks and deadlines, and organising meetings.
Let's listen from Jo and Ben, our SG and DG for this year's conference!
Jo McCloy, Secretary General
Jo, our Secretary General
Intro
My name is Joana (Jo) McCloy. I am currently finishing my Master’s in Comparative Government at Lady Margaret Hall (I will graduate in 2024) and I am your Secretary-General for this year’s conference. My key responsibility is leading the Secretariat and overseeing the entire conference.
What do you like most about your job?
The best part is working with an amazing team (the Secretariat) and designing a MUN conference as big as OxfordMUN from scratch. I get to work with so many interesting individuals, bringing together great ideas on how to make the coming conference as exciting as possible.
How did you become the SG?
I previously participated as committee support, chair, and USG for Delegates at OxfordMUN and am now happy to be your SG. It is great to have experienced so many different roles within the organisation, as this helps me plan and structure the tasks at hand!
Any advice for delegates?
Most importantly, make the most of the conference! Challenge yourself to speak more, speak without notes, and get involved. By doing extensive background research beforehand, you will be prepared for a weekend of negotiating and cooperating. OxfordMUN gives you the opportunity to test and develop your skills in an international environment guided by experienced MUNers, and we hope you enjoy yourself and the opportunities of the conference.
Ben Chambers, Director General
Ben, our Director General
Intro
I’m Ben Chambers, and I am just about to finish my first year of a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Trinity College. I’m your Director-General, and my job is to be Jo’s right-hand man, helping out with the organisation and preparation of the conference.
What do you like most about your job?
I love that I am working to bring a successful and prestigious MUN experience to the next generation of delegates. Even better, I get to do it with a great group of committed students on the secretariat.
How did you become the DG?
I got involved with Oxford Global after hearing about them in my first week at Oxford, and I have since chaired with Oxford Global on three different committees at three different conferences. Now as DG, I want to make sure all the delegates and chairs have as good a committee experience as I have had.
Any advice for delegates?
Get stuck in as soon as possible! It’s perfectly normal to be a little nervous coming to an MUN conference, but the best way to overcome this is to just go for it. The skills you’ll learn and the experiences you’ll have will benefit you for a lifetime, and enthusiasm and bravery go a long way in capitalising on these opportunities.