NMUN Parliamentary Procedure A Quick Overview

Outline  Why Rules?  Rules for Debate  Rules for Voting

Why Rules?  Increase Efficiency  Increase Productivity  Protect Civility  Encourage Equality and Fairness

Rules for Debate  Getting Started Make sure you are on time! Meetings begin with roll call When country is called, you can answer one of two ways:  Present (can abstain from voting)  Present and Voting (must cast vote) If you miss your call, send a note to the dais In your note to the dais, be sure to indicate your status

Rules of Debate  Debate begins when a motion is on the floor  To make a motion, or to speak at all, you need to be recognized by the chair  The chair will recognize you by calling your country by name  No recognition = no speaking Try to keep the casual talk to a minimum Raise your placard and hold it high until recognized

Rules of Debate  UN rules differ from Robert’s Rules in certain key respects  At the NMUN you have 2 sorts of debate: Formal Informal Most of your time and most of your work will be done in informal debate

Formal Debate  At the start of formal debate, chair will ask members who wish to speak to place their names on a speaker’s list  The basic “debate” is a series of short speeches Speakers limited to one speech until full list is cycled through Speakers list can be closed by a motion from the floor Speaking time is unlimited, unless set by motion to limit

Formal Debate  Speaking of motions…  NMUN motions possible for: NMUN Amendments Division of Question Suspension of Meeting Adjournment of Meeting Open/Close Speaker’s List Amendments are “friendly” or “unfriendly” Friendly amendments have the consent of all sponsors to the resolution Unfriendly amendments lack the consent of all sponsors

Informal Debate  Most of the work of the meeting will be done in informal “caucuses”  Meet with delegates from related countries  Work to: Draft resolutions Gather sponsors  No real “rules” other than be diplomatic and politically savvy

Voting Rules  Committee moves into voting procedure when speaker’s list is exhausted  When in voting procedure, all other committee work – including caucusing and freedom of movement into and out of the room – stops

Voting Rules  Variety of options for voting available: Raising of Placards Roll Call  Remember, if you said you were “present and voting” you must cast vote on every vote (i.e., no abstention)

Voting Rules  Committee will consider amendments to the resolution before considering the resolution  Chair determines order of amendments for consideration

Voting Rules  Also possible to “divide the question”divide the question  Allows body to consider sections of resolution separately  Order of division done at discretion of the Committee Chair