Volunteering at KUNA
The Kentucky United Nations Assembly (KUNA) is a 3-day, experiential-learning conference in which students participate directly in simulated international diplomacy. KUNA offers students the opportunity to experience the richness of cultures from around the world, develop empathy, and hone their critical thinking skills while engaging with a wide variety of perspectives and global issues.
KUNA volunteers work to support Kentucky YMCA Staff (Y-Staff) in setting up, running, and breaking down the conference. Volunteers are welcome to join us for as little or as much time as they are able to commit, ranging from a few hours to a full conference.
Potential Volunteer Roles
- Set-Up Support
- Hanging signs throughout the hotel, prepping hotel conference rooms for our use (hanging fishing line throughout, setting up projectors and screens, arranging chairs, etc.), moving program materials into place (may require some heavy lifting), general office work as needed.
- Welcoming Support
- Greet students and advisors/parents in an upbeat, friendly manner. Direct students and advisors/parents to specific rooms, in accordance to the agenda. Keep main hallways clear and relatively quiet.
- General Assembly Support
- General room roaming for when the entire conference is in one session. Keep a close eye to ensure students remain quiet and attentive (this means no cell phone/computer use). If they are being disruptive, smile and point them toward the stage. Do not take cell phones, but do ask them to keep them away during meetings.
- Swag/Merchandise Sales
- Keep backroom stock neat and orderly. Assist a Staff member with getting the merchandise as they handle the cash. Direct conference related questions to the Y-Desk.
- Committee Support
- Monitor the committee in session. Monitor the chairperson assigned to lead the committee (are they prepared, are they leading the session in a professional and timely manner, etc).
- Monitor the doorperson/clerk assigned to the committee (are they fully aware of their duties, does a doorperson need to be assigned, etc.) Keep note of any outstanding delegates/delegations. Ensure the committee dismisses in a timely manner and ensure students are aware of where to go after the committee adjourns.
- Mandatory Fun Support
- Help run/monitor fun rooms. Assist in set-up and breakdown of each area.
- Pack-Out Support
- General clean up after the conference has ended. Help organize, pack up, and load out all Y-desk materials as needed (leftover swag, office materials, conference signage, etc.)
- Roaming / Observation
- General roaming between rooms and main hallways as a chance to interact with staff, volunteers, students, advisors and parents to help you get a better picture of our organization, our conference, etc.
- Media Specialist
- Must be skilled in photography and/or video compilation. This volunteer will document our conference via photos and videos. All media collected by the volunteer Media Specialist is eligible to go up on official KY YMCA social media accounts.
Notes
CONFERENCE DATES AND DEADLINES
Deadlines to sign up vary from conference to conference. Please check back later for dates and deadlines.
IMPORTANT
- You MUST have a Background Check completed prior to volunteering at any Kentucky YMCA Youth Association program (updated bi-annually)
- You MUST complete Child Safety Training prior to volunteering at any Kentucky YMCA Youth Association program (updated annually)
- These documents will be sent to volunteers after registering to volunteer (if needed)