How to Prepare for A Crisis Committee As a First-Timer by Selen GÜNERİ

Crisis committees used to seem very complicated and hard for me. My first time was quite stressful. In order to understand the procedure, I had to do lots of research. In this article, I try to explain different elements of crisis committees clearly, as best as I can. I hope this helps you to gain a better grasp of the procedure in advance. Good luck!

What Are Crisis Committees?

Crisis committees are committees with free flow, in which delegates work on an event as if it is happening at that moment, in that cabinet/committee. Delegates may be representing countries, characters, or different groups decided by the academic/crisis team. Delegates write directives and press releases in order to move forward with the actions they decide to take. These committees usually have a Crisis Team that announces new updates and gives out crises. This creates an environment where the nature of the situation is rapidly changing. It is up to the delegates to decide how they will handle these crises.

The different crisis committees vary within their main themes such as; Crisis Committees, Joint Crisis Committees in which multiple cabinets work together or against each other, Futuristic Joint Crisis Committees in which the committee operates as if they are handling an event in the future, and Historical Joint Crisis Committees in which the cabinets operate on a historical event such as a war, a treaty, a dispute, etc.

These committees require reading the study guides carefully, in order to understand it completely and take accurate actions. A crisis committee is based off of directives, the orders from the delegates. The crisis that appears is a result of directives, and it can be solved by them. When there is a change or a new action, the crisis team gives updates to the committee/cabinet. Following the updates is very important to be an active delegate and take action accordingly.

Preparing for the Committee

Like other committees, the crisis study guides are the first thing to look at when preparing. The study guide should clarify the conditions, time period, different cabinets and members of the committee very well.

Preparing a position paper is often very helpful in any committee. Likewise, in a crisis committee, you will need to explain everything in detail with specific information in order for you to achieve the results you want. Thus, depending on the agenda item of your committee, preparing a position paper–like document while focusing more on events, tools and the abilities of the members will make the committee proceed easier for you.

In this preparation document, you can start off by introducing the agenda item with your own words – which will also help you understand the situation better. Then write about your position in the committee, explaining your abilities and what you are capable/incapable of. You can continue by any directive ideas, starting by intelligence directives, writing them down, point by point. This will not only make the committee more understandable, but you will also save time. For example, if the committee you are in is currently facing some type of war and you need to write a directive about attacking, you may need to specify the type of weapons and transportation equipment that you’ll use or the areas you will attack. With a helpful document, you will not need to spend time looking up for specific things.

Directives

The crisis committees flow by directives, so in order to lead the committee, knowing how to write good directives is crucial. Directives are basically commands directed to the chair board/crisis team. Before starting to write one, it is necessary to tidy up your requests. As mentioned before, the directives you give have to be specific and detailed. You can also add visual examples or drawings for a better explanation. You will need to answer all WH-questions;

❏ Who are you writing the directive to?
❏ What do you want to accomplish?
❏ Why do you want to do this?
❏ When are you planning to do it?
❏ Where will the events/actions take place?
❏ Who will be involved?
❏ How do you intend to accomplish it?

Intelligence Directive: The main purpose of an intelligence directive is to obtain information that is not mentioned in the study guide from the crisis team. Phrases such as; ‘requesting to know’ and ‘would like to be informed about’ are commonly used while writing intelligence directives.

Personal Directive: These directives are based on plans. In personal directives, you explain what you will do. These types of directives are similar to resolutions in GA committees. However, it doesn’t have a strict structure, it’s written more often and usually isn’t as long.

Joint Directive: A joint directive is very similar to a personal one. The difference is that more than one cabinet member should be writing the orders.
Committee Directive: These types of directives are also similar to the other, but this time, the whole committee should be given the directive. This means that the directive can only pass if the whole committee/cabinet approves it. The approval is either done orally or with a voting procedure.

Press Release: A press release can be written as if it was in a newspaper. It is released to the whole committee. You can call out a cabinet or address an issue in press releases.

Directive example from BCMUN’20

JOINT DIRECTIVE
From: Efe of Kuşadası, Efe of Menteşe
To: Chairboard/Crisis Team
NEW PLACEMENT PLAN FOR OUR TROOPS

According to the last arrangements, 10.000 of Aydın’s troops were placed at the Aydın-İzmir border. 5.000 troops of Denizli were settled at Güney/Denizli that we still have as they were not close to Çivil. 10.000 troops of Denizli were marching at Çivil/Denizli that we lost 7.000 of them, 5.000 were at the back of Çivil, 10.000 troops were marching behind the Denizli-Uşak border. 10.000 infantry with 1 FH70 will march on Çanıköy.

So there were 37.000 all armed and with a FH70 troops from Denizli at the area and 30.000 left.

After the incident happened we moved 10K of Denizli’s troops and 10K of the Muğla’s troops to the border of Denizli where the invasion is happening as a backup force in order to cease the invasion. All armed and with 2 FH70 155mm with 40 ammo each.

So now there are 50.000 armed soldiers with 3 FH70 155mm with 40 ammo each at the area against 30.000 soldiers.

There are 6.000 soldiers who have left from Muğla and 15.000 from Denizli that haven’t been deployed.

Now we are moving 6.000 soldiers who have left from Muğla to the İzmir-Aydın Border. To be a backup force and placing 15.000 soldiers from Denizli behind the Kahayıt hills.
Red: places 5.000 troops were settled with a FH70 155mm with 40 ammo each
Orange: places where we are moving 6.000 soldiers
Green: the place we are settling 15.000 soldiers as a backup force to the 50.000 troops at that area.

Points to Keep in Mind

● Be careful with time management. When a new crisis is introduced to you, the decisions you make should be fast and strategic.
● Always have a backup plan. Remember that not all directives you submit have to be granted.
● Make sure to read the study/crisis guide of each conference very carefully. Every conference has slight changes in their procedure when it comes to the evaluation of directives and other documents, so make sure to know exactly how the procedure will be. The Study guide is your best friend!
● Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Since crisis committees are usually in semi-moderated or unmoderated caucuses, you will have enough time to ask your Chairboard any questions you may have. The freedom of you raising a “Point of Parliamentary Inquiry” to ask a question regarding the procedure depends on the flexibility and authority of your Chair.
● Make sure that you have fun. After all, it is important to enjoy everything while improving yourself.

Selen GÜNERİ

The Member of the Content Producer Team