Crisis Guide

Crisis Explanation

Crisis is a fast paced, responsive simulations of countries and groups of individuals that must react in the moment to pressing situations. No matter the gravity of the crisis, whether the outbreak of a new epidemic or fighting over the construction of a pipeline, a crisis simulation is meant to force delegates to think on their feet and take quick and decisive, yet nuanced and informed actions. Rather than a typical committee setting in which delegates must debate and work to pass a resolution, in a crisis, actions are taken through directives and notes.

It is important that delegates take smart and well-reasoned actions as often as possible. Moreover, parliamentary procedure is a bit different as well. No more will the room be guided by a speaker’s list, but instead delegates will be in a moderated caucus or an unmoderated caucus. A moderated caucus means that there will be a new speakers list for each new topic, if someone wants to speak, they must simply raise their placards, be recognized by the chair and will be placed on the speakers list for that one topic, but the list will change with each different moderated caucus.

Directives Explained

These are mini-resolutions that address an immediate issue that is in the committee room on which the majority of the members want to take action. These should not be as long or as complicated as resolutions. In fact, the best directives are comprised of only short, operative-phrase-like clauses. Directives must be submitted to the chair and then passed by a majority vote. Directives work to take specific, collective actions. Directives are usually given pithy names using puns or a play-on-words so that they can easily be remembered, rather than being known as Directive A-1.

The people that write the majority of the directive should sign onto the document as Sponsors. Those who agree with what the document says should sign on as Signatories. In order to get the document to the Dais, it will need a certain number of Sponsors and Signatories depending on the number of delegates in the committee.

Crisis Note Guide

What is a Crisis Note?

Crisis notes are the main line of communication between the backroom room, the people who write the crisis updates, and individual delegates. Crisis notes can be simple questions regarding information about the crisis update, information regarding the resources or abilities you have, or information about some other subject.

However, crisis notes are more importantly used to take actions. Unlike directives, which are passed by committees and therefore public knowledge, crisis notes are secret, unless you choose to tell another delegate about what you wrote.

The success of an action formulated in a crisis note depends on how well it is written. Crisis notes should have “crisis note - [your character’s name]” written on the top of the notepad and handed to the backroom after a crisis update.

What should be in a crisis note?

Crisis notes should cover what action a delegate wants to take, when it should be taken, why it is being taken, and how it should be taken. Notes can be addressed to a person in your character’s backgrounds (research is important!) or if a specific character has been introduced (such as a reporter, scientist, or business person). Then you can address a note to this person, provided that they could realistically accomplish the action that is laid out. You cannot write crisis notes to people already in the committee.

You should be VERY specific, as leaving details ambiguous could cause the action to fail, to be completed incorrectly, or worse, the action be leaked to other delegates. Many actions may require a series of notes back-and-forth to the crisis room to be effective. Writing notes is very helpful to the crisis room as it gives them materials to work with. However, make it clear that your actions are important, to not waste their time.

How will the response to a crisis note look like?

The crisis room will work to quickly respond to each note, whether it is a question for more information or details, a note simply stating your plans were enacted, or a note detailing the consequences of your actions. There are an infinite number of potential responses that could arrive: the plan could be accepted and be successful, it could be rejected, or it could be accepted but have unexpected consequences.

Example of a Crisis Note To Crisis Room:

Dear Secretary,

I am Gary Peters, the Senator of Michigan, and I would like to immediately start a congressional investigation into the Enbridge Line 5 Pipeline between the Lower and Upper Peninsula because Enbridge is at serious risk to cause an oil spill in the Straits of Mackinaw, potentially endangering hundreds of miles of pristine Great Lakes coast, and because Governor Rick Snyder has refused to force Enbridge to replace the pipeline, despite earlier Oil spills that seriously damaged the Kalamazoo River. I believe that Governor Snyder is in violation of several laws and must be held accountable before his inaction causes a crisis that will affect the Great Lakes States and Canada.

--OR--

To Amy Duckworth, Special Reporter for the Warsaw Daily,

I, the delegate from Poland, would like you to leak an intelligence brief that determined that the Russians were responsible for the recent hack of our nuclear power plant because I believe that the Russians are the only country with motive and ability to attack our infrastructure. Moreover, I want to leak this intelligence report from the Polish government 3, so as to force my allies to take actions against Russia, this is in line with my government policy under the current government, which is quite anti-Russian. This is of the utmost secrecy, as I cannot have this getting back to me.

When should I use a directive, and when should I use a crisis note?

You should use a directive for an action which requires the cooperation of many delegates and that you want to be public knowledge. Whereas, if you wish to keep your actions secretive you should use a note instead.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

We will be having a pen and paper conference. Absolutely no technology will be permitted during the committee sessions unless we are informed of a necessary accommodation before the conference begins. For Crisis, we will be using a 2 notepad system for crisis notes. All delegates will receive 2 notepads. Backroom will take 1 notepad at a time, respond to any crisis notes, return it during the crisis update, and take the 2nd notepad, rinse and repeat.