In many ways, 2019 is the start of a new chapter for All-American Model United Nations. With seven years of success to build upon—34% of alumni attending an Ivy League school, the University of Chicago, Stanford, MIT, or Georgetown; sixteen consecutive Best Delegation awards at conferences; and more than 250 student applications each year—I’m not content with our progress.

So many of the students with whom I’ve worked tell similar stories: they feel unchallenged in their schools; they have a sense of a greater purpose; they possess a keen craving to explore the world and its many cultures; but most importantly, they know they can be a better speaker, debater, presenter, analyst, writer, student, and global citizen.

The accomplishments of the All-American community, our students, and alumni provide the greatest motivation for me to expand our reach and compound our impact. I started All-American Model UN to help students unlock their greater potential, and I believe that potential is maximized through long-term relationships. I take great pride in telling the stories of students who have gone onto White House internships, employment at Google, receiving Fulbright Scholarships, and earning officer commissions in the United States Army and Navy. Many point to their All-American Model UN experiences as a crucial point in their journeys.

In 2019, I have a renewed commitment to telling these stories. All-American Model UN is taking our Model UN magazine to new heights. UNMOD The Magazine will become a monthly publication with not only All-American success stories, but also news and community spotlights about the Model UN community at-large. A massive undertaking, much credit goes to Kaitlyn Saldahna, the inaugural Editor-in-Chief and the brilliant staff of editors and writers—all members of our All-American Model UN community.

As part of the commitment to broaden our community, we’re taking the leap to expand our free Model UN conference. For each of the past four years, the All-American Invitational has been a one-day conference hosted in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 2020, we’ll expand the conference from one-day and four committees to two-days and ten committees while keeping registration 100% free for students and schools to attend. Anthanasios Dilos will serve as the Secretary-General this year, and he has already put in a tremendous amount of energy into reinvigorating the Invitational. If you are interested in staffing our conference, please let us know!

Of course, teaching Model United Nations is still the heart of our community. Personal experiences like the Diplomacy Academy, training school teams, or coaching our international delegations define the All-American Model UN experience. Still, I know there’s more I can do to work with more students. Starting in May 2019, I’m launching a new online training program called All Access. Students enrolled in All Access will get the best Model UN training we can provide through weekly digital seminars, one-on-one coaching sessions, access to a video library, all of our written training guides, and more through their monthly subscription.

The most memorable and long-lasting experiences with All-American Model UN remain our travel teams and academies. The friendships formed, mentorship established, and lessons learned make traveling with All-American the capstone of high school Model UN; however, I urge you to think of these experiences as the launching point to your future rather than the apex of your high school career. To ensure as many students as possible can participate, I’m endeavoring to provide more financial assistance and aid in fundraising efforts. I’d like to highlight one of our students, Emma Hopler, whose drive propelled her to raise over $12,000 through bake sales, grant applications, and travel scholarships. Emma has been head delegate for three All-American delegations and has won awards in China, Hungary, Poland, Spain, and Washington D.C. with us.

Each year I try to write an open letter to our community, and next year, I’d like to highlight your accomplishments. I invite you to start a dialogue with me, see how I can help you, and explore ways we can work together.

I wish you all the very best, and I’m proud to be a part of your community.

Frank E. Pobutkiewicz
All-American Model UN Director
[email protected] | 617-702-4888