CSIAMUN 2013
Rules of Procedure
Duties of Delegates
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Please respect the Chairs at all times
Please refrain from using unparliamentary
or insulting language
Please obtain the floor before speaking
Please be active during debate
Duties of Chairs
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Each committee has three student officers
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Chair, Deputy Chair, Rapporteur
Chairs have the rights to overrule motions,
start debate, and to end debate.
Chairs are always “there” to help the
delegates and to oversee efficient and
effective session proceedings
Committee Sessions
Roll Call
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Every session will start with a Roll Call
Delegates, please shout out “Present”
Missing a roll call is not acceptable, but still if you
miss a roll call, please send a note to the chair
Opening speeches
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Opening speech is required for everyone stating
his or her point in the limited time of 1 minute.
Lobbying Session
Time to discuss, negotiate, and merge their draft
resolutions prior to debate
There will be a requisite number of co-submitters
for a resolution to be approved. Co-submitting
does not necessarily require a delegation to
agree with the resolution; it simply means that
the delegation wishes to see the resolution
debated.
When the resolution is finished, bring it to the
Chairs for approval
Once approved by the Chair, the resolution will
be handed to the approval panel for the final
check
Sample Resolution
COMMITTEE :
........................
QUESTION OF :
...(Agenda).........
SUBMITTED BY :
......(Main-Submitter).........
CO-SUBMITTED BY : ...(Co-Submitters; Alphabetical order)...
THE “COMMITTEE”,
Acknowledging ……………………,
Aware of …………………..,
Convinced……………..,
Sample Resolution
1. Recommends ………….:
a) supporting ideas,
b) details:
i. minor details,
ii. minor details 2;
2. Proposes …… such as:
a) specific solutions,
b) ……………,
c)……………;
3. Emphasizes …………...
Vocabulary used in MUN
Delegate: Representative/Ambassador of a nation.
The Floor: The floor is the podium, where delegates
make speeches and answer questions.
The House: The committee is called the House.
To Second: To agree with something.
To Object: To disagree with something.
Open debate: debate where delegates may freely speak
for or against on a resolution.
Closed debate: debate where the chair specifically
designates time for or against on a topic. This type of
debate will usually be regarding an amendment.
Debate
Chair calls upon the main-submitter of a
resolution to come up to the podium and read
out the operative clauses.
Points of Clarification (mandatory)
Open debate time set
Speech from the main-submitter
Points of Information to the main-submitter (if
the main-submitter decides to accept them)
The main-submitter yields the floor to the chair
or to another delegate.
Further Debate
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Time limit for speeches during open debate
& amendments: 2 minutes
Time limit for speeches during closed
debated on 2nd degree amendments: 60
seconds
Delegates must approach the podium when
giving a speech
Delegates must approach the microphone
when asking Points of Information
Amendment
Amendments should only be made to ONE
clause and make a SINGLE change
Amendments can strike, change or add to
the original resolution
Keep in mind that there are separate sheets
for amendments (official amendment sheets)
and amendments must be approved by
chairs before the submitter takes the floor
Closed debate will be the norm
Amendment
There are two types of amendments:
 Amendments (to the First Degree)
 Amendments to the Second Degree
The former seeks to modify the resolution
The latter seeks to modify the original amendment
If an Amendment to the 2nd Degree passes, then
changes are made to the original resolution as put
forth by the 2nd Degree Amendment
If an Amendment to the 2nd Degree fails, the
committee votes on the original amendment
Delegates are not allowed to abstain when voting
Amendments
Amendment to the first degree
Strike, Add, Change the
clauses on the resolution as a
whole.
Submitted/Entertained at any
time during the debate on the
resolution as a whole
Amendment Sheets
Approval by the Chair
Closed Debate (3 min. each
For/Against)
No abstentions
Amendment to the second degree
Strike, Add, Change the
clauses on the amendment to
the first degree
Submitted during debate on the
original amendment;
entertained only during time
Against the original
amendment
Amendment Sheets
Approval by the Chair
Closed Debate (1 min. each
For/Against)
No abstentions
-The amendment to the first degree automatically passes when the
amendment to the second degree passes.
Points
Point of Personal Privilege
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Refers to the comfort and well-being of the delegate.
May only interrupt a speech if it refers to audibility
Does not require a second
Point of Clarification
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Asks for the clarification of a phrase or word used in the operative
clauses of the resolution being debated (abbreviations, etc.)
Must be in the form of a question
Point of Information (POI)
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A question directed to the delegate on the podium
Must be in the form of a question
Only one question at a time; follow-ups may be granted
Points
Point of Order
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Refers to procedural matters only, i.e. if the chair makes an error in
the error in the order of debater or in the setting/observing of debate
time
Challenges the Chair’s ruling
May only interrupt a speaker when the speech itself is against the
Rules of Procedure (e.g. Against speech on amendment during For
time)
Point of Parliamentary Inquiry
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A question directed to the Chair regarding the Rules of Procedure
Does not challenge the Chair’s ruling
Point of Information to the Chair
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A question directed to the Chair, not referring to the Rules of
Procedure
Must be formulated in the form of a question
Motions
Motion to Move to the Previous Question
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Calls for the closure of debate and a vote to be taken on the
resolution/amendment
When raised during For time on Amendments, proposes to move
to the Against time
Requires a second by the House
May be overruled by the Chair
Motion to Extend Debate Time
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Proposes to extend the debate time on an amendment or a
resolution
Requires a second by the House
May be overruled by the Chair
Note-Passing
Note-passing is a written form of
communication between delegates or
delegates and chairs
It would be temporarily suspended during
voting procedure on either amendments or
resolution as a whole
The notes MUST keep to the content of
debate
Voting
Only member states of the UN may vote
During voting procedures, all points are out of
order, except for points of order with regards
to the actual conduct of voting
A resolution or an amendment with a tied vote
fails
A resolution passes if the number for exceeds
the number against, regardless of the number
of abstentions
Miscellaneous Rules
Mobile phones and laptops must be
switched off during debate
Men should always wear jackets when
speaking
Delegates should not raise their placards
before the Chair asks them to do so
Singing, informal jokes and behavior are out
of order
Miscellaneous Rules
Please refrain from using:
Personal Pronouns; I, you, me, him, she....
<The appropriate word to refer oneself or others is ‘the
delegate of (Country), the delegation, etc’>
Unparliamentarily language
Offensive language
Alien language rather than English
Things not allowed in the Committee:
The usage of cellphones
Sleeping
Eating
If delegates have to use their cellphones or have to go to
the restroom during the debate, please send a note to the
Chair and give your name tag to the admin staff as you
exit the room (you may reclaim it when you return)
Good Luck
&
Have Fun