Parks-And-Rec.Pdf

Home , Andy Dwyer, Ann Perkins, April Ludgate, Chris Traeger, Donna Meagle, Leslie Knope

Table of Contents ______

Letter from the Director…………………………………………………....2 - 3

Watch Guide / Favorite Episodes………………………………………...... 3 - 4

Overview…………………………………...………………………...... 5 - 6

Characters / Portfolio Powers…………….…………………………….....6 - 14

Parks and Recreation

Welcome to Pawnee, Indiana, home to the Parks and Recreation department run by Ron Swanson (but really, it's all thanks to Deputy Director Leslie Knope). A small town that serves as Everytown, USA, Pawnee has problems, from its obesity crisis to the raccoon infestation to the corrupt Sweetums Candy Company dominating the economy. But no problem is too big or small to be solved by Pawnee local government.

This committee begins at season 6, right when the pretentious town of Eagleton goes bankrupt and the merger begins. Will Leslie be recalled as city councilwoman? What will happen with Rent-A-Swag? How will two towns that have lived as sworn enemies integrate? From Ron to Donna to Ben to Ann to Garry-Jerry-Larry-Terry, it's up to Pawnee's Department of Parks and Recreation to save the merger--and perhaps the town itself.

Letter from the Director ______

Delegates, Welcome! It is my privilege to welcome you to FCMUN as your crisis director. Last year, I was the crisis director for the Democratic National Committee and it was a blast, ending in Chance the Rapper being declared Emperor of my home city of Chicago, Bill De Blasio annihilating Trump Tower with the help of his assistant Kim Kardashian, and Bernie leading a secession movement for the northeast states. I can’t wait to see you all plot and solve more crazy crises. About me? I’m originally from an average suburb of Chicago that is sometimes eerily similar to Pawnee. I may go to school on the east coast, but I’m thoroughly convinced midwest is best. I’m majoring in economics and film, which means I definitely go to a liberal arts college. My TV queue is primarily The Office and It’s Always Sunny, but I have a host of favorites, from The West Wing to Veep to Arrested Development to Sex and the City to Law and Order SVU to Riverdale to Dexter...and on and on it goes. I find television has become, in recent years, a playground for genre experimentation and sharp visual humor and effect where mainstream film has largely been lagging due to franchise fatigue and uninspired comedies. (2017 in film did give me some hope, however. If you haven’t seen Lady Bird, what are you waiting for?) What leaves P&R near and dear to my heart is how it presents a diverse cast in a way that never feels forced or after-school-special-y, while still acknowledging their personal struggles and culture. Additionally, in an age where everyone is focused on Congress and the Presidency, it brings local government to the forefront, with all its victories and failures and corruption and bureaucracy. Local city council elections are as exciting as presidential campaigns, the tiniest of citizen requests is the arc of the entire series, and the bankruptcy of a municipality can be as riveting as a royal power struggle with dragons. The characters have outside lives and dreams that are explored in full, from Tom’s entrepreneurship to April’s apathy transforming to...feelings thanks to Andy, who started the series living in the pit after being dumped by Ann and by our committee’s beginning is a popular children’s singer on the side of working as Leslie’s assistant. I can honestly say I love every one of the Parks Department employees equally, they are like my children.

A note on preparation for this committee--you cannot walk into the committee room without having watched the show before. And why would you want to be excluded from all the inside references and chaotic fun we have awaiting you? But if this is your first time ever encountering the series, my recommendations will help you watch. (See the next page). This has been my dream committee since I began my collegiate MUN career and after the incredible experience I had as crisis director last year, I have every faith this will be everything I dreamed of--and more. I look forward to seeing you all in March! Do not hesitate to email me with any questions you have. Best, Amelia Benich [email protected]

Watch Guide ______

Parks and Recreation is available on Netflix or Hulu with a subscription. 1 1. Skip Seasons 1 and 7. They are irrelevant to the committee. 2. A week of binge watching could theoretically get you through the series. Check http://bingeclock.com if you want a calculator. 3. Under each character profile that has been assigned is a list of episodes. These episodes are picked either because your character has a relevant and substantial arc or because there are scenes that will give you an excellent sense of your character’s persona. 4. Also check out the episodes I list below. I classify them under “favorites”. They all have a special place in my heart. They likely overlap with some of your character’s. 5. You don’t need to watch the entire series to get what’s going on in committee. Make sure you’re baseline comfortable with the characters and setting and then focus on your crisis arc and strategy in room. This is supposed to be fun!

1 “How is Season 1 irrelevant?” you may ask. Well, in the history of the show, Season 2 is essentially a reboot. After trying to recreate The Office’s “cringe humor” in a new setting, the ratings were poor and the jokes fell flat. However, Daniels & Schnur as well as Amy Poehler managed to secure a second season for the show, where they hired new writers who would end up becoming the staple writing room for the rest of the series. 3

Favorite Episodes ______

Season 2, Episode 1 “Pawnee Zoo” Season 4, Episode 20 “The Debate” Season 2, Episode 22 “Telethon” Season 5, Episode 2 “Soda Tax” Season 2, Episode 23 “The Master Plan” Season 5, Episode 4 “Sex Education” Season 3, Episode 2 “Flu Season” Season 5, Episode 10 “Two Parties” Season 3, Episode 3 “Time Capsule” Season 5, Episode 11 “Women in Garbage” Season 3, Episode 4 “Ron and Tammy, Pt 2” Season 5, Episode 13 “Emergency Response” Season 3, Episode 7 “Harvest Festival” Season 5, Episode 21 “Swing Vote” Season 3, Episode 13 “The Fight” Season 6, Episode 1 + 2 “London Season 3, Episode 14 “Road Trip” Season 6, Episode 4 “Dopplegangers” Season 4, Episode 4 “Pawnee Rangers” Season 6, Episode 5 “Gin it Up!” Season 4, Episode 6 “End of the World” Season 6, Episode 8 “Fluoride” Season 4, Episode 9 “The Trial...Knope” Season 6, Episode 14 “Anniversaries” Season 4, Episode 13 “Bowling for Votes” Season 6, Episode 19 “Flu Season 2” Season 4, Episode 14 “Operation Ann”

Overview ______

Welcome to Pawnee, Indiana, a town so special, it feels like home no matter what suburb you grew up in. Historically, Pawnee was born out of settler-native conflicts between the Wamapoke Tribe of Native Americans and the white settlers from the East. In 1817, Pawnee was officially established as a town, and within six months the wealthy residents divorced to form their own town on the top of the hill, Eagleton. The two towns have had a bitter feud ever since, with the annual high school basketball matchup being an event complete with bets, fist fights, and sore losing, no matter what the outcome is. Unlike most midwestern towns, the indigenous Wamapoke still hold a presence in Pawnee and refused to be pushed onto a reservation in the time of Andrew Jackson. Because of this, Ken Hotate is both a tribal elder and a major figure in the town, with his business and cultural influence so strong that it could cause the government to shut down. The Wamapoke Casino is right behind Sweetums in terms of influence over the Pawnee economy. Speaking of which, the Sweetums Candy Corporation was established at the beginning of the 20th Century in Pawnee. In the beginning of the documentary Parks & Recreation, the town employs around half of the town in its Indiana factories and business offices, but as the documentary continues, it loses employment shares to new businesses like Rent-A-Swag, Entertainment 720, Regal Meagle Real Estate, and more. Sweetums is a public health nightmare, known for its affinity for high fructose corn syrup and misleading commercials claiming health benefits where there are none. Undoubtedly, it is a major cause of the public health nightmare facing Pawnee--obesity. Pawnee’s slogan at the start of the documentary is “First in Friendship, Fourth in Obesity”. Paunchburger is the most popular restaurant, advertising a “child-size” soda, which is literally the size of a small child, liquified (512 oz). Sweetums advertises NutriYUM bars, the solid equivalent of a Redbull. Residents seem to be largely uneducated on health matters, with one resident asking in a town forum “If sugar is so bad for you, why did Jesus make it taste so good?” The farmers look to sexy lingerie models to advertise chard, knowing that nobody in the town would buy chard on their own volition. The health crisis sustains the local hospital, St. Joseph’s Medical Center, which employs many, including local nurse Ann Perkins.

The local government of Pawnee is somewhat incompetent, having been audited by the state government in 2010 for a massive budget shortage. However, no such incompetence comes from Leslie Knope, deputy director of Parks and Recreation. (This simulation begins at Season 6/2014, when Ms. Knope is an established councilwoman, but for the sake of background, we are briefing on her work as deputy director which she largely continues during her time as councilwoman.) The Parks Department’s main goal since the beginning of the documentary has been to build a park on Lot 48, a former pit of dirt that resident Andy Dwyer fell into in 2009 and broke both legs. Ann Perkins brought up this hazardous area in a public forum shortly after, with Ms. Knope promising to create a beautiful space on the land as long as she held the position in Parks and Rec. The work of local government is hardly what anyone would call sexy or dangerous, but it is important work, it’s the thankless job of keeping a town together. Citizens are hardly grateful, but there are ways to win them over. The Knope Campaign managed it, so will it last?

Characters and Portfolio Powers ______

After each character will be a list of episodes that best display that character in day to day life. It is strongly discouraged that you only watch those episodes as you will not understand the other characters in full. Read the Crisis Chair’s letter for a word on how to most effectively watch the show to prepare for the simulation.

LESLIE KNOPE - Chair Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation and first-term city councilor, Leslie Knope is by far the most hardworking woman in the city of Pawnee. She might even be the most hardworking woman in the state of Indiana. Known for her ability to get what she wants no matter what, she has pride in her work, operating excessively ethically to the point of turning herself in at even the slightest slip up morally. Delegates will be sending directives for her to carry out in her various roles in government, but also vis a vis her connections that span the country and even the globe (re: Season 6, episodes

1 and 2). She hates negative ads and loves extra whipped cream on her JJ’s Waffles, but most of all she loves her friends and loves her town.

PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT BLOC For over 6 years and up to an implied decade, the same people have been working at the Department of Parks and Rec and have become close friends outside the workplace as well. While they don’t agree on everything, their comradery makes them unstoppable, even going as far as winning a political campaign without the help of any professional politicos.

1. RON SWANSON The description for Ron will match his character. He is a libertarian. He loves America. He hates Europe, veganism, and doctors. He has an unspecified amount of gold and a cabin in a place. He has a computer that he does not use. His favorite vegetable is chicken. He is Director of Parks and Recreation. He does not believe in the government. Because of this, he loves Leslie but also hates her. He tried to fire her six times in the past. He hates his ex wives, Tammy and Tammy. He loves Diane. Do not bother Ron. Thank you. Best Ron Swanson Episodes: S2Ep8, S2Ep17, S2Ep21, S3Ep1, S4Ep2, S4Ep4, S5,Ep2, S5Ep5, S5Ep13 2. TOM HAVERFORD WHATS UP BOYZZZZ ITS TOM HAVERFORD IN THA BUILDING!!!!!!!! [sirens] In all seriousness, Tom is perhaps the most bipolar character on the show. One minute, he’s the most extra person you can imagine, trying to be a player with the ladies and spending money he doesn’t have on his insane business ideas ( look here). The next, he’s a genuine, kind hearted guy who just wants what’s best for those around him. As the years go on, he shifts from almost entirely the former to mostly the latter, spurred to change by the failure of his business Entertainment 720, his divorce, and a number of other events, some even being positive. At the start of the committee, his clothing rental business Rent-A-Swag has just been purchased by his best friend’s father and he’s back at zero, wondering where he’s going next. His extra side isn’t all bad,

though. He gives life to an office full of monotony, of Jerrys who would never bother to look up from their computer unless someone like Tom came in. What will his next business idea be? Or will he finally settle for the Parks Department? Best Tom Haverford Episodes: S2Ep3, S2Ep11, S3Ep10, S3Ep13, S3Ep15, S4Ep5, S4Ep6, S4Ep12, S4Ep14, S4Ep20, S5Ep6, S6Ep3, S6Ep7 3. DONNA MEAGLE Donna Meagle needs no introduction, but if you require one, she’s a part time real estate agent who works as the office manager. She owns quite a bit of real estate herself, alluding to the fact that she is related to Ginuwine (of “Pony” fame) and that her extended family comes from wealth. While she is a relatively minor character at the beginning, she grows into someone so iconic she coined the phrase “Treat Yo’ Self”. Known for her attitude of “use him, abuse him, lose him” towards men, Donna has many suitors but never settles down. If the office is a family, Donna is the mysterious aunt who whisks you away to to Tuscany out of nowhere. Best Donna Meagle Episodes: (i’ll check later) 4. APRIL LUDGATE This background guide is stupid and the Parks Department is lame, but I guess it’s ok occasionally when April’s there. Known for deadpan sarcasm, April hates people and loves dogs, especially her adoptive three legged dog, Champion, so she started running the animal control and animal shelter departments after the stoners who used to run it were fired. Leslie’s always crying about how she started as a small intern and now she’s next in line to be deputy director but feelings and nostalgia are stupid. April has a zero tolerance policy for morons and she’ll make you very aware that you’re being stupid. It’s funny though because she ended up marrying a huge moron named Andy Dwyer, known best for his fall into the pit that broke both his legs. Once, he sent her all his laundry to do and ship back to him. It brought her to tears. “I love him so much.” Regarding the rest of the department? Hates Stupid Ann. Loves making fun of Jerry. Bro-s out with Tom. Tries to get close to Donna. And Ron? Ron is like her dad. But whatever, getting attached to people is lame. Best April Ludgate Episodes:

5. ANDY DWYER Hey, have you heard of the band MouseRat? The Greatest Band Of All Time? With such hits as “The Pit” and “Sex Hair”? Well, their frontman works in City Hall. First, as a shoeshine, hired after he fell into the pit while dating Ann Perkins and after broken up with, lived in the pit. During his shoe shining days he became a lovable goof around the office and fell in love with April Ludgate, who he later married after dating for exactly one month at a dinner party while wearing Reggie Wayne’s jersey. (It was a weird time.) Well, now that April has a real role working with animals in the Parks Department, Andy took her old job as general assistant to Ron and Leslie. While he frequently is a klutz with the life skills of a 3rd grader, he shows incredible book smart, scoring a perfect 100 on his written exam for the police academy and frequently fact checking his wife and colleagues. Andy later finds success as children’s musician Johnny Karate performing around town. A true rags to slightly better flannel story. Best Andy Dwyer Episodes:

6. JERRY GERGICH Garry "Jerry "/"Larry"/"Lenny"/"Terry"/"Barry"/"Gerry" Gergich "Gengurch"/ "Girgich"/"Gergrench" is the office punching bag. Constantly the butt of jokes, he is the most pleasant man known to man. He gives 110% effort to even the most menial of tasks and does so with a genuine smile on his face. Clumsy and inept, he is frequently pranked by April and Tom, with the other members of the office joining in. He strikes an endearing friendship with Ben Wyatt, who, as an outsider, doesn’t really get the hate towards Jerry and who is fascinated by his family, from his supermodel wife to his three equally gorgeous and intelligent daughters and positive attitude. He has incredible musical abilities on the piano and voice, art skills that of a renaissance painter, a lovely home, and finds joy in even the tiny things in life, like a weekend trip to Muncie, IN, to enjoy the weather with his wife. There is some indication that the Parks and Rec department feels some guilt at their treatment of him, particularly after he suffers a heart attack after a prank from Leslie or when they filter out his emails and almost miss his holiday party. Notably, Chris Traeger dated Jerry’s daughter Millicent, stating post-breakup she was so incredible that even he had a hard time keeping up with her. Best Jerry Gergich Episodes:

CITY HALL EMPLOYEES While not a cohesive bloc, some are closely allied with the Parks Department employees or members of city council. They go together as they are especially connected to Leslie Knope. 7. ANN PERKINS Ann Perkins’ personality could probably be put into boxes. She literally does during one garage sale as she notices that when she dates someone, she adopts their personality. So she dates herself...only to sink into generalized confusion. Who is Ann Perkins? Well, she’s a nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital, with her care and concern for the health of others being paramount. She frequently has arcs on the show where she plays Surgeon General of Pawnee, whether it’s informing the public about the dangers of Sweetums NutriYUM bars or inoculating the population and treating those affected by the many flu seasons that hit the town. At the start of the simulation, Ann is pregnant with Chris Traeger’s child. Will she move to Michigan, concerned about the dangers of Pawnee? Or will she stay and see the completion of the project that started the entire series in the first place--Lot 48’s proposed park? Best Ann Perkins Episodes: 8. BEN WYATT Ben is something like the cross between Josh Lyman of The West Wing and a dorky teenage redditor. Surprisingly, this makes for a lovable nerd, one who at the age of 18 was elected mayor of his Minnesotan town, bankrupted it with an ice sports complex, and has been paying the price ever since. He arrived in the town as a state auditor, here to completely overhaul the budget of the town, but stayed thanks to the people there...specifically Leslie Knope, his now-wife who he pursued a relationship with despite restrictions placed by his best friend and then-boss Chris Traeger. They weren’t always best friends, though. He started out with the reputation of being a “fascist hardass” and still maintains one of being a little uptight, which his friendships with various Parks Dept members help to soften. While not formally the City Manager, Ben exerts a considerable amount of influence on the proceedings of Parks & Rec and City Council business due to his strong connections within both committees. He is also a gigantic geek, boasting knowledge and one liners about Game of Thrones, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, and especially board games, one of

which he has created during one of his depressive episodes, entitled Cones of Dunshire. Currently, he has taken a job with the Sweetums Candy Corporation working on their charity division, though they are a fickle employer, so that may not last… Best Ben Wyatt Episodes: 9. CHRIS TRAEGER [finger guns] Chris Traeger. What a wonderful day to learn new things! The first thing you should know about Chris? He’s emphatically positive. Positivity? The best addiction in the world. He has a resting heart rate so low he is regularly used in scientific research. It’s all thanks to his superfood healthy lifestyle, wherein he runs over 30 miles a day, eats an exclusively organic low-meat low-carb diet, and takes impeccable care of his body, from spontaneous push ups to installing a chin up bar in his office. Only thing his life is not low in? Smiles. He uses his physical health to cover up for deteriorating mental health, as he struggles with an intense anxiety disorder for which he ends up going to therapy twice a day at first after the suggestion of Andy and Tom. After working through many of his anxieties and taking some wisdom from the blissfully happy Andy or the no-nonsense Ron, he has significantly calmed somewhat by the start of the committee, however he is still the same fast talking, rhythmic-cadenced Chris he always will be. Now that he’s having a child with his on and off again girlfriend Ann Perkins, he feels even more optimism at fatherhood. As city manager, though, he has been incredibly demanding of his employees, from changing up the flow of daily life to refusing to give his blessing to any work relationships, which leads to him taking Leslie to a city council hearing over her relationship with Ben, which sours their relationship somewhat. Best Chris Traeger Episodes: 10. JEREMY JAMM “YOU’VE BEEN JAMMED!” This is the catchphrase of Leslie’s nemesis, the malevolent Jeremy Jamm, city councilor for who knows how long. The town orthodontist, Jamm the image of corrupt, self-serving politicians. He takes bribes, he appoints his friends, he vetoes anything that wouldn’t personally benefit him. Convinced Lot 48 should become a PaunchBurger, he allies with Katherine Pinewood to try and fast track the development. In her quest to get her bills passed, Leslie discovers quirks underneath his hardass surface: he’s a japanophile, he imagines

himself as Sandy in Grease, he loves women’s tennis...but most of all, he loves money. Greed? To him it’s a good thing. Best Jeremy Jamm Episodes:

ASSORTED CHARACTERS These characters may have affiliations across blocs or no affiliation at all. 11. JEAN-RALPHIO SAPERSTEIN J to the R to the SAPERSTEIN, he’s such a cool guy he’ll make you green!...with envy. Swagalicious Jean-Ralphio Saperstein is the spoiled son of local ob-gyn. Having never worked an actual day of labor in his life, he makes an income through petty lawsuits after being “hit by a car”, “hit by a city bus”, and stealing from people. His best friend and former Entertainment 720 business partner is Tom Haverford. Their partnership ended after Tom became more serious about actual profitability and decent business ideas. Jean-Ralphio spends an inordinate amount of time on his phone, picking up women at the Snakehole Lounge, and annoying his younger sister, Mona-Lisa. He frequently hits on Leslie Knope, Ann Perkins, April Ludgate, Donna Meagle...basically anyone in City Hall he can. Will he ever amount to anything? Don’t hold your breath. Jean-Ralphio Episodes: 12. KEN HOTATE The tribal elder of the Wamapoke, whose land was stripped by the white settlers back in Pawnee’s formation, Ken Hotate does not have time to appease their white descendants. What he does have time for is taking their money, by running the wildly popular Wamapoke Casino. He is a frequent consultant with the Pawnee government on indigenous people issues, from the Harvest Festival to sacred artifacts. He is on good terms with Leslie but has a general distaste for the white people of Pawnee. His disappointing son sells bolo ties on etsy. Ken Hotate Episodes: S3Ep7, S5Ep10

13. MARLENE GRIGGS-KNOPE The “Iron Cock-Shredder of Pawnee”, Marlene has been a fixture of local politics in Pawnee for decades. She is the head of the Department of Education in Pawnee and knows virtually every politician and bureaucrat in the town on a first name basis. Especially deft at twisting arms, she reduces “fascist hardass” Ben Wyatt to a stuttering pushover with a few questions and a stare. She had a torrid affair with a lifeguard before settling down with Mr. Knope and birthing Leslie...in the Eagleton hospital. She exists as a foil to Leslie’s upbeat morality with her shrewd ethical questionability. Marlene Griggs-Knope Episodes: S1Ep5, S2Ep16, S3Ep15, S4Ep3 S5Ep6

14. JESSICA WICKS A three time “Miss Pawnee”, beauty queen Jessica Wicks now works as the spokeswoman for Sweetums Candy Company, defending them against allegations of dirty business practices and unhealthy products. She likely became CEO of Sweetums after the death of her recent spouse, Nick Newport Sr. Recently, she hired Ben Wyatt to work as an accountant and financial consultant for the Sweetums Foundation, which from his testimony is just a branch used to cover up misdeeds and corrupt business with a smile. She deeply dislikes Leslie for her continued efforts to regulate Sweetums and to make the citizens of Pawnee health conscious. Jessica Wicks Episodes: S2Ep3, S2Ep21, S4Ep21, S5Ep7, S5Ep15, S6Ep8* *Note: The contents of this episode have not occured in this committee. It is however an excellent episode to see her personality, which is why it is listed.

15. JENNIFER BARKLEY She isn’t from Pawnee. In fact, she refers to the town as a craphole and every time she’s there, dreaming of when she’ll leave. Jen is a DC insider with vast amounts of experience as a political campaign manager. She was hired to run Bobby Newport’s city council campaign but put it barely any effort, just waiting until she could finally leave and go back to DC to run a House of Representatives campaign. She respects Ben Wyatt, having delegated another

campaign to him in DC as a part of her management group, and gives Leslie advice on numerous occasions to reach higher and get out of Pawnee local politics. She is childless, fantastic at sex (as Chris Traeger can attest), and impeccably well dressed. Playing three steps ahead of her opponents isn’t a strategy, it’s her life. Jen Barkley Episodes: S4Ep17, S4Ep19, S4Ep20, S4Ep21, S4Ep22, S5Ep5, S6Ep10, S7Ep7* *This episode includes her and is very funny, but is not required viewing.

16. ANNABEL PORTER The Gwyneth Paltrow of Pawnee, Annabel Porter rose to fame after being Eagleton’s phone book cover model. She promptly left Indiana, moved to California, and pursued her first dream of being friends with a bunch of celebrities, living in Kate Bosworth’s pool house. Now back in Eagleton, she’s the founder of Bloosh, her lifestyle guru publication, where she touts such wonders as “beef milk” and “cage free oil massages”. She doesn’t eat food, she has “food teases” and her hair is “genetic and unattainable”. This may all sound silly, but her endorsement can rocket a brand or item to massive success. One mention of Ron Swanson’s handcrafted chair and suddenly she had an overseas factory ready to churn out thousands for her readers, who would pay anything for what she endorses. Annabel Porter Appearances: S6Ep7, S7Ep3* *Neither of these episodes’ content has occurred at the start of the committee, but her character has significant portfolio powers with her alluded influence over the town. Be creative!