Leading a Bloc

Introduction

A bloc is a group of delegates with similar perspectives who are working together to write a resolution. Leading a bloc is undoubtedly one of the most critical parts of being successful in a GA committee. The leaders make final calls about resolution content, which delegates are sponsors, who gets to introduce resolutions, and which delegates can join. There is no official way a leader is designated, so your position within the bloc hierarchy is frequently in flux; consequently, you must secure power as early on as possible without alienating other delegations.

Strategies to leading during committee

1. Form the Bloc

Send notes before the first unmod to gather delegations you think could work together. Ask them to meet you at a specified spot in the room during the next unmoderated caucus. Alternatively, there usually ends up being a giant bloc in the room where half the delegations don't want to be there anymore because it's controlled by a group of yelling, highly-aggressive power delegates. As such, you can very easily poach delegations from there by initiating one-on-one conversations. You can form your own bloc this way. While this bloc may be smaller and end up merging since you were the leader of that smaller bloc it sets you up to be higher up in the merged one as well.

2. Delegating Tasks

write write write

3. Collecting contact information

Pass around a sheet of paper as soon as you can, asking people to write down their delegation name, phone number, and/or email addresses. Having this information will place you at the center of the conversation since you'll be making all the group chats or the resolution document to share with everyone. 

NOTES: add smth about organization with the contact information and resolution writing?

4. Listening and rephrasing solutions

Everyone will have many disagreements and be yelling over each other, trying to get their solution recognized and implemented. Rather than letting them duke it out themselves (which tends to be an inefficient process), take control of the situation. Get both parties to stop talking and rephrase their two ideas back to the entire bloc while adding a bit of your own input about how they can interact with other solutions. That way, you're giving credit to the two originating parties while still taking control of the final written solution.

5. Writing the Resolution

You don't have to write every individual clause and subclause yourself, but you do want to be in charge of compiling them together and vetting the resolution as a whole. Sometimes the dais will allow delegates to continue writing their resolutions while moderated caucuses continue—you want to make sure it's you. Even if you lost control of the bloc's overall dynamics, by being one of the main writers, it gives you significant sway in what happens.

NOTES: add smth about organization with the contact information and resolution writing?

What to do individually?

During committee, the most important things you need to do are 

1. Have your own fleshed out ideas

2. Be charismatic and friendly

3. Be assertive

4. Be confident

Don't worry if you're not the leader at the start of committee. Dynamics can shift very quickly—be confident and keep pushing your own ideas while incorporating others. The most important thing you shouldn't do is get higher than everyone (standing on a chair, etc.) and yell at them to say what to do. Working in a bloc is meant to be a conversation, not a dictatorship.