1. basics and applications
Rules of procedure
basics and applications

2. Basic vocab
Delegate
An individual representing a country or organisation during the debate: “The delegate from Australia”
Chair
An individual in charge of regulating the flow of debate, the chair’s decision is final in all matters
Placard
The card which is inscribed with the name of the country or organisation a delegate is representing. A delegate raises his/her placard to ask to speak.

3. Asking to speak: placard raising

4. Your momma’s so fat she don’t even need a placard to be seen!
Right to reply
This delegate requests a right to reply to this gross insult!!!

5. Point of personal privilege
To point out any personal discomfort or issue that is preventing your full participation in the debate

6. Point of parliamentary enquiry
To ask about Rules of Procedure or how you go about something

7. To point out the use of improper parliamentary procedure
Point of order
To point out the use of improper parliamentary procedure

8. Start of the debate: rolL call
All member states due to attend the debate will have their name called out in alphabetical order and have to reply, this is to:
Determine who has come to the session
Determine how they will be voting
Possible answers are:
“Present”- the state is present at the debate and may choose to vote “yes”, “no” or may choose to “abstain”
“Present and voting”- the state is present at the debate and commits to voting either “yes” or “no”
No answer- the state is not present at the debate

9. Beginning the debate: setting the agenda
This must be the first motion at the opening of a session. It helps to:
Choose which topic is to be debated first
Lets the majority decide
How this happens:
A delegate raises his/her placard and motions to set the Agenda
Another delegate must express support for the motion by raising his/her placard and offering to “second” it
If a there is a “second”, the committee votes on the motion
A majority is needed for it to pass, if a majority is not achieved the 2nd topic that was to be debated will be covered first

10. The speakers list
Starts after the Agenda has been set and stays continually open throughout the debate
The chair(s) will ask if anyone wants to be added to the speakers list
Delegates can add their names to it by raising their placard at this time
Delegates whose turn it is to speak can talk about anything so long as it remains related to the topic being discussed
Time left over?
“Yield my time to questions from the floor”
“Yield my time to the delegate of XXX”
“Yield my time to the chair”

11. Introducing a focus: moderated caucuses
A moderated caucus can be introduced at any time and can help to focus the debate on a specific part of the topic.
How to introduce a moderated Caucus:
The chair asks “Are there any points or motions on the floor”
A delegate can raise then his/her placard and motion for a moderated caucus. He/she must specify:
The topic of the caucus
The total length he/she would like it to last
How much time he/she would like each speaker to have for their speeches

12. Informal discussion: Un-moderated caucuses
Un-moderated caucuses are used to facilitate informal discussion, negotiation and resolution writing.
How to introduce an un-moderated caucus:
The chair asks “Are there any points or motions on the floor”
A delegate can raise then his/her placard and motion for a moderated caucus:
No specific topic idea is needed
A total time must be specified

13. Order of precedence Un-moderated Caucus (7 mins)
Moderated Caucus (7 mins, 45s speakers time)
Moderated Caucus (5 mins, 45s speakers time)
Moderated Caucus (5 mins, 45s speakers time) proposed after the above

14. Writing things down: Working papers
Working papers are like a resolution in its early stages, they can be:
Written by a single delegate
Written by several delegates (perhaps during an un-moderated caucus)
Relatively informal: No specific structure needs to be employed in writing one
Discussed with the whole committee after the chair has granted their approval
How to introduce a working paper:
The chair asks “Are there any points or motions on the floor”
A delegate can then raise his/her placard and motion for the introduction of Working paper 1.1
Specific discussion about the working paper can be achieved by asking for a moderated caucus about the working paper

15. From working paper to draft resolution
Transforming your working paper:
Must have pre-ambulatory clauses
Must have operative clauses
Must have signatories (up to 3)
Must have sponsors (at least 1/5th of the committee)
Must be formally written

16. sponsors Up to 3 people These are:
Delegates who have directly contributed towards writing the resolution and fully support it
If you sponsor a resolution you must vote for it no matter what amendments are made to it.

17. SIGNATORIES Signatories are:
AT LEAST 1/5TH OF THE COMMITTEE
Signatories are:
Delegates which would like to see the resolution discussed
Not obliged to vote in favour of the resolution

18. Pre-ambulatory clauses
Pre-ambles should:
Begin with an appropriate prefix (in italics)
Be separated from each other by a comma
Highlight the main problems to be addressed
Mention prior efforts at addressing them (resolutions, treaties etc.)

19. Examples of pre-ambulatory clauses
Recognising that illegal hazardous waste traffic is criminal, Referring to the points made by the ‘Basel Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary Movements of Hazardous Waste and Their Disposal’ signed in 1989, Keeping in mind that we live in a global inter-dependent community where the actions of one nation can have serious environmental consequences on another;

20. Operative clauses These should:
Outline how you believe UN member states should act in relation to the issue
Propose detailed measures to be adopted
Be numbered
Begin with an appropriate prefix (in italics)
Be separated by a semi-colon (except the final clause, which ends with a full stop)

21. Examples of operative clauses
Urges measures to be taken to assist developing countries, under a waste treatment plan, in their efforts to combat hazardous waste by setting up partnerships with developed countries which would share their expertise in waste management and reduction;
Further recommends interagency cooperation between developing and developed countries to advance hazardous waste removal with the assistance of remediation technology including waste screening, sampling and analysis matrices;
Calls for companies to modify their processes and aims to cleaner disposal and production in accordance with their national environment laws.

22. Pre-ambulatory Prefixes operative prefixes
Acknowledging Affirming Alarmed by Approving Aware of Believing Bearing in mind Confident Congratulating Contemplating Convinced Declaring Deeply concerned Deeply conscious Deeply convinced Deeply disturbed Deeply regretting Fully aware Fully believing Further developing Further recalling Guided by Having adopted Having considered Having examined Noting further Noting with approval Noting with deep concern Noting with regret Noting with satisfaction Observing Pointing out Reaffirming Realizing Recalling Recognising
Accepts
Further recommends
Affirms
Further requests
Approves
Further resolves
Asks
Hopes
Authorises
Invites
Calls for
Proposes
Calls upon
Recommends
Condemns
Regrets
Congratulates
Requests
Confirms
Resolves
Declares accordingly
Seeks
Deplores
Strongly affirms
Designates
Strongly condemns
Encourages
Strongly urges
Endorses
Suggests
Expresses its appreciation
Supports
Expresses its hope
Urges
Further invites
Further proclaims

23. YOU CANNNOT AMEND AN AMENDMENT!!!
amendments
These must:
Add to, revise or delete part of the draft resolution
Be submitted to the chair in writing
Be sponsored by at least 1/8th of delegates present and voting
Have a simple majority to pass
YOU CANNNOT AMEND AN AMENDMENT!!!
Friendly amendments:
An amendment that does not alter the substance of the debate. These can be added with the consent of the sponsers and the chair.

24. Closing debate and moving into voting procedure
To vote on a resolution, a delegate must motion to “close debate and begin voting procedures”.
Different kinds of voting:
Normal vote- by raising placard
Role-call vote (in alphabetical order)
Members can vote “yes”, “no”, “abstain” or can “pass”
If a delegate says “pass”, the chair will return to them after the list is completed and they have to then vote “yes” or “no
Division of the question
Operative clauses can be voted on separately
Sub-clauses cannot be voted on separately
Different divisions are possible