Model United Nations Rules of Procedure Workshop October 25, 2008 UNM World Affairs Delegation

Why do we need rules of procedure? Maintain Order Maintain Order More organized way of running a meetingMore organized way of running a meeting Increase Efficiency Increase Efficiency Better flow of meetingBetter flow of meeting Provides opportunity for all members to actively particpateProvides opportunity for all members to actively particpate

What you need to know? Not every Model UN Conference uses the exact same rules of procedure Not every Model UN Conference uses the exact same rules of procedure You WILL have to know rules of procedure to participate in any Model UN event You WILL have to know rules of procedure to participate in any Model UN event The following rules have been adapted from rules compiled by the U.N. Association of America The following rules have been adapted from rules compiled by the U.N. Association of America

What are rules of procedure? Points Points Motions Motions Formal Debate Formal Debate Moderated Caucus Moderated Caucus Unmoderated Caucus Unmoderated Caucus

Points of Procedure Point of Order Point of Order Point of Information Point of Information Point of Inquiry Point of Inquiry Note: No votes are necessary on points of procedure.

Point of Order Points of order are used when delegates believe that the chair has made an error in the running of the committee. Points of order are used when delegates believe that the chair has made an error in the running of the committee. Delegates rising to points of order may not speak on the substance of the matter under discussion. Delegates rising to points of order may not speak on the substance of the matter under discussion.

Point of Order Applicable situations: Applicable situations: Debate was closed without reaching a 2/3 rd s majority.Debate was closed without reaching a 2/3 rd s majority. The delegate from Nicaragua not given her full 2 minutes of speaking time.The delegate from Nicaragua not given her full 2 minutes of speaking time. A delegate is unable to hear the speaker.A delegate is unable to hear the speaker.

Point of Inquiry Raised to the chair to ask a substantive question of a speaker who has yielded his time to questions. Raised to the chair to ask a substantive question of a speaker who has yielded his time to questions.

Point of Inquiry Applicable situations: Applicable situations: A delegate desires clarification of a point made during a speech.A delegate desires clarification of a point made during a speech. A delegate seeks elaboration from a delegate after a speech.A delegate seeks elaboration from a delegate after a speech.

Point of Information May be made when no other delegate is speaking. May be made when no other delegate is speaking. A delegate may rise to a point of information in order to ask the chair a question regarding any procedural matter. A delegate may rise to a point of information in order to ask the chair a question regarding any procedural matter.

Applicable situations: Applicable situations: A delegate wishes to know the number of votes needed for a motion to passA delegate wishes to know the number of votes needed for a motion to pass A delegate wishes clarification of proper procedureA delegate wishes clarification of proper procedure A delegate wishes to touch on and be kept abreast of ongoing developments in a crisis being addressed by the Security Council.A delegate wishes to touch on and be kept abreast of ongoing developments in a crisis being addressed by the Security Council. Point of Information

Review: Points Point of Order Point of Order Point of Inquiry Point of Inquiry Point of Information Point of Information

Motions Suspension of the Meeting Suspension of the Meeting Adjournment of the Meeting Adjournment of the Meeting Adjournment of Debate Adjournment of Debate Closure of Debate Closure of Debate Appeal of the Chair’s Decision Appeal of the Chair’s Decision

Suspension of the Meeting Is used to suspend the meeting for an unmoderated caucus or until the next segment of the conference. Is used to suspend the meeting for an unmoderated caucus or until the next segment of the conference. Delegates should specify the purpose for and length of suspension. Delegates should specify the purpose for and length of suspension. Motion requires a second as well as a majority vote. Motion requires a second as well as a majority vote. Is non-debatable. Is non-debatable.

Suspension of the Meeting Applicable situations: Applicable situations: A delegate wishes to enter an unmoderated caucus for a specified time.A delegate wishes to enter an unmoderated caucus for a specified time. The committee wishes to break for lunch or end proceedings for the day.The committee wishes to break for lunch or end proceedings for the day.

Adjournment of the Meeting Used to adjourn the meeting until the next scheduled annual conference. Used to adjourn the meeting until the next scheduled annual conference. Requires a second and an immediate vote of a simple majority. Requires a second and an immediate vote of a simple majority.

Adjournment of the Meeting Applicable situation: Applicable situation: The committee has finished its business for the current conference.The committee has finished its business for the current conference.

Adjournment of Debate Adjournment of debate ends debate on the topic being discussed—this is also known as tabling debate. Adjournment of debate ends debate on the topic being discussed—this is also known as tabling debate. Delegates may adjourn debate, move on to another topic and return to the first topic at a later time with a motion to reconsider debate. Delegates may adjourn debate, move on to another topic and return to the first topic at a later time with a motion to reconsider debate. Two delegates must speak in favor of tabling the debate and two against it. Two delegates must speak in favor of tabling the debate and two against it. Requires a second and a simple majority to pass. Requires a second and a simple majority to pass.

Adjournment of Debate Applicable situation: Applicable situation: A delegate wishes to change the topic area of debate to the other.A delegate wishes to change the topic area of debate to the other. A delegate wishes to address a different draft resolution or amendment from that which is currently being discussed.A delegate wishes to address a different draft resolution or amendment from that which is currently being discussed.

Closure of Debate Closure of debate allows the committee to move into voting procedure on the issue currently under discussion. Closure of debate allows the committee to move into voting procedure on the issue currently under discussion. Two delegates speak against the closure. None speak in favor of it. Two delegates speak against the closure. None speak in favor of it. Requires a two-thirds majority. Requires a two-thirds majority.

Closure of Debate Applicable situation: Applicable situation: A delegate feels that there is sufficient support for or against an issue under debate and wishes to procede with voting.A delegate feels that there is sufficient support for or against an issue under debate and wishes to procede with voting.

Appeal to the Chair’s Decision Used when a delegate feels that the chairperson has made an incorrect decision. Used when a delegate feels that the chairperson has made an incorrect decision. Two delegates speak in favor of the appeal; two speak against. Two delegates speak in favor of the appeal; two speak against. Requires a second and a majority vote. Requires a second and a majority vote. Must be made immediately following the ruling in question. Must be made immediately following the ruling in question.

Appeal to the Chair's Decision Decisions based on the following rules are non-appealable: Decisions based on the following rules are non-appealable: Diplomatic courtesyDiplomatic courtesy Right of ReplyRight of Reply Dilatory motionsDilatory motions Granting of a roll-call voteGranting of a roll-call vote Adjournment of the meetingAdjournment of the meeting

Review: Motions Suspension of the Meeting Suspension of the Meeting Adjournment of the Meeting Adjournment of the Meeting Adjournment of Debate Adjournment of Debate Closure of Debate Closure of Debate Appeal of the Chair’s Decision Appeal of the Chair’s Decision

Debate The process in which delegates remain seated and the chair calls on them one at a time to speak for a short period of time. The process in which delegates remain seated and the chair calls on them one at a time to speak for a short period of time. At the chair's discretion, a running speaker's list may be established. At the chair's discretion, a running speaker's list may be established.

Unmoderated Caucus A suspension of the meeting in which delegates may leave their seats to meet with other delegates and speak freely. Delegates often use unmoderated caususes to build coalitions and draft working papers and resolutions. A suspension of the meeting in which delegates may leave their seats to meet with other delegates and speak freely. Delegates often use unmoderated caususes to build coalitions and draft working papers and resolutions.

Other Important Model UN Terms Placard: Placard: Table-top sign that identifies a delegate's countryTable-top sign that identifies a delegate's country Roll-call: Roll-call: Used to establish attendance at the beginning of every Model UN sessionUsed to establish attendance at the beginning of every Model UN session A motion may also be made to vote on a substantive matter by roll-call.A motion may also be made to vote on a substantive matter by roll-call.

Yield: To give up remaining time alotted to a speaker to the chair, another delegate, or for open questionsTo give up remaining time alotted to a speaker to the chair, another delegate, or for open questions Quorum: Quorum: The number of delegates required to be present before official business can begin—one quarter of a committee's member delegations.The number of delegates required to be present before official business can begin—one quarter of a committee's member delegations.

Resolution: Resolution: The final results of discussion, writing and negotiation, including suggestions for addressing a specific issue.The final results of discussion, writing and negotiation, including suggestions for addressing a specific issue.

Contact Us! Please contact us with any questions about rules, research, resolution writing, or other matters relating to the conference. Please contact us with any questions about rules, research, resolution writing, or other matters relating to the conference. Visit our website at unmmun.org, us at or telephone us at (505) Visit our website at unmmun.org, us at or telephone us at (505)

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