Awards

• Outstanding Delegation
• Distinguished Delegation
• Outstanding Ambassador
• Distinguished Ambassador
• Outstanding International Delegation
• Outstanding Delegate per committee
• Distinguished Delegate per committee
• Outstanding Chair

Judging Criteria

Awards Given by Independent Judges:

• Outstanding Delegation—Determined by a majority of votes from all Committees and the General Assembly delegates.
• Distinguished Delegation—The second-highest total from the criteria stated above.
• Outstanding International Delegation—Determined by the same criteria as the Outstanding Delegation award.  The delegation judged most effective from a non-U.S. school is awarded this distinction.
• Outstanding Ambassador—Based upon performance in the General Assembly.  Selected by ballot by independent judges and awarded to the ambassador who receives the most total votes.
• Distinguished Ambassador—Based upon the same criteria for Outstanding Ambassador and awarded to the ambassador who receives the second highest total votes.
• Outstanding Committee Chair—Each judge votes on the best chair by ballot.

Awards Voted on Within Committees:

• Outstanding Delegate—Each school will vote on the best delegate (see criteria below) within their respective committees; each school is allowed one vote.
• Distinguished Delegate—The delegate who receives the second-highest number of votes within each committee;  each school is allowed one vote.

• How representative of his/her country was the delegate?

Every delegation should understand its country and its position in the Hemisphere.  You should expect that each delegate in each committee has researched his/her country’s position, particularly, but not limited to, the agenda items.  Acting out of character or failing to represent the country’s point of view properly is a failure to play the assigned role.

•  Was the delegate’s debate participation active and appropriate?

The delegate should speak often, clearly, and deliberately on relevant points.  Neither delegates who fail to participate nor delegates who monopolize the debate without proper consideration for others illustrate proper participation.  Debate should be ample, competent, and appropriate.

•  Was the delegate well-prepared and did he/she show good grasp of rules and procedures?

The best delegates have learned some parliamentary procedure beforehand and do not need constant coaching or leading from the chair on how to make their points and motions, but raise them appropriately.

•  Did the delegate act with diplomacy and respect, and illustrate good teamwork principles?

A good delegate will show the utmost respect to other delegates and his/her chair.  They should be tolerant, supportive, and able to disagree without being personal.  Also, the best delegate will show a willingness to work with others on his/her team and those from other delegations to achieve the best result.  He/she should possess good leadership skills, but not be overpowering or overbearing towards other committee members.  Also, a delegate should be a good representative of his/her school, and carry him/herself with dignity and decorum.

• Is the delegate a good public speaker?

Overall, a delegate’s speeches should be clear and concise, and should be influential upon the decisions and considerations of other delegations.  A delegate’s weapon is his/her speaking ability.  The successful delegate can use this weapon well.

Additional Considerations for Chairs:

• Does the chair show respect and patience for his/her committee?
  
• How well-versed is the chair in the rules of procedure?
  
• How well does the chair handle adversity or occurrences "out of the norm"?
  
• Is the chair able to keep order and balance in the debate?
  
• Does the chair run a smooth and efficient committee?