45th Annual YMCA Conference on National Affairs
Tuesday Edition July 3, 2012 Issue IV
CLC Operates Behind the Scene to Make Conference Work By Kyle Denman
Staff Writer The Conference Life Committee, or CLC, works behind-the-scenes to ensure the best CONA experience for all delegates. Each delegation selects one representative to attend the CLC meetings led by the CONA presiding officers. Here, the CLC representatives discuss issues brought to their attention by their delegations. Because of this, these representatives act as the “middle men” between the delegations and presiding officers, bringing up any concerns at the conference from
delegates and advisers, finding solutions to these problems and making sure the conference operates smoothly in all of its aspects. In addition, the CLC amends the Mountain Manual for the following year, making changes it deems necessary to the manual. Resolutions and amendments to the Mountain Manual can be submitted to the delegation representatives Wednesday to be discussed by the CLC on Thursday. While in a formal setting, the Conference Life Committee meetings have a personable atmosphere,
Photo Credit: Adam Pennavaria
CLC reps seek to improve CONA during morning meetings.
which allows a civil discussion rather than a fiery debate to occur. The representatives carry an enormous amount of responsibility as well as unique CLC placards.
Overall, the CLC acts as a stage manager, helping set up the logistics of a theatre performance, working unseen behind the velvet curtain.
Despite His Greatest Efforts, Media Delegate’s Proposal Moves By Eric Moyer
Model United Nations Many people come into committee with the false expectation to fail. I, however, was thrust into committee with the intention of failing. Having come to CONA with the expectation of being a media delegate, you can imagine my surprise when I learned that I would be presenting my proposal this year. I was told to follow my proposal until it fails, which was hopefully fast. Then, I could serve as a
forgot my research, but …” or “It wouldn’t really change much, so …,” and move on to the media compound in the basement of the Blue Ridge Center. At least that is what I thought. Many of you know the attachment we feel to our proposals. They are our babies. Most of us feel a great amount of passion Photo Credit: Eric Storlie toward the topic and spend Eric Moyer, a reluctant delegate hours hammering our proposals out. Getting up media delegate. and letting your proposal Should be easy. Just slip fail is almost inhumane. So I in a few lines like, “Now, I presented my proposal
within a close margin to the best of my ability. Still letting some con arguments go, still letting my lack of preparation be clear, I sat down proud of my representation, and sure that my proposal failed. I write this after presenting my proposal in second committee. Many delegates put an immense amount of effort into passing, but do not succeed. I, somehow, managed to do the opposite. You’ll have to excuse me. It was really hard not to write this like an proponents speech.
The Blue Ridge Journal
45th Annual YMCA Conference on National Affairs
Friedler Returns to His Favorite Place in the World Name: Jake Friedler Number of years on the Mountain: Four years School: Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif. Major: Symbolic Systems Photo Credit: Amy Dennis Home State: California Favorite Sport: Volleyball Partiers remind each other to not get caught out in the storm. (to play), football (to watch) Favorite Movie: Photo Credit: Adam Pennavaria The Truman Show Presiding officer Jake Friedler Favorite Place to Visit: Ireland. I lived there for a to stay honest with myself By Ashley Fisher come up with the ideas for year during middle school! and in doing so, be honest Staff Writer the party? to others about my values Favorite Book: Last night, delegates from Kolaya: Well, it didn’t take The Hitchhikers Guide to the and priorities. Honesty is all the delegations gathered anytime because many of Galaxy, 1984 the key to respect, trust, at the Ware Pavilion for a those things are things that Favorite Hobbies: hiking, and friendship. night of dancing, snacks, we use in our own reading, swimming, eating What has CONA taught and socializing. The party conference. They were Favorite Music: Justice, you? served as a mixer and an borrowed from many of the Kanye West, Bassnectar CONA has taught me what it icebreaker to get all the other YMCA's in America. means to truly be a Favorite Role Model: delegates talking to one We have so many creative Paavan Gami statesman – not just as a another. Ashley Kolaya, an people that come up those debater but as a poised and Best CONA Memory: advisor from things, so we can share My first year at CONA, I respectful delegate with the Kentucky ideas and use the best that brought a proposal to ban more concern for the heart d e l e g a t i o n , we can offer. in-vitro. I didn’t actually of the issues than arguing was the MC BRJ: Do you think that the agree with it, but I did it in for the sake of it. It has for the event party was a success in an attempt to challenge also introduced me to some and sat down helping delegates with myself and understand the of the greatest friends I with BRJ for meeting other delegates Ashley Kolaya religious argument in the have ever known. Holla to an interview. and coming out of their abortion debate. It made it my cats and bongos! BRJ: What was it like to set shells? to GA, and I will never What does it mean to you up such a wonderful party? Kolaya: I do feel like it was. forget the number of to be back as a PO? Kolaya: The set up was I had several of my own placards in the air when Getting to come back to my incredibly easy because we delegates talk to many they called for the first favorite place in the world didn’t do any of it. The people. The CLC had great “con” speech- there must and serve 598 of the CONA conference set up things to say about it as have been at least 100. coolest, most impressive everything from the sound well as many of the Which YMCA Core Value students in this great equipment to the snack. We delegates and advisors. You do you think you best nation! USA! made sure the sound was get to hear people share represent and why? working and then let the things about themselves as Honesty. To echo a previous Compiled by Staff Writer party begin. well as let down their hair Presiding Officer (aka T- Jessie High, Oklahoma BRJ: How long did it take to and party. Gross) said, I always strive
staff
Party MC uses YMCA techniques to break delegates out of their shells
Media Corps: Maggie Booz, Kristie Chua, Carter Coudriet, Kyle Denman, Amy Dennis, Jolie Denton, Ashley Fisher, Jessie High, J. A. Kaufmann, Brian McKanna, Miranda Mc Laughlin, Eric Moyer, Adam Pennavaria, Rachel Persaud, Ali Renchens, Abby Rime, Shelby Sanchez, Caroline Shepard, and Eric Storlie Media Director: Emma Joslyn Advisors: Drew Caldwell, Nancy Dennis, and Jennifer Hill