Procedure
Debate Terminology
Raise your placard, be recognized, and say...
Point of Inquiry /
Information
Used to ask the speaker a question at the conclusion of his
speech or to ask a question of the chair.
Point of Order
Used to ask the chair about the rules of procedure.
Point of Personal
Privilege
Used to request things such as asking the speaker to speak
up, or other delegates to be quiet, ect.
Motion to Set Topic at...
Sets topic for discussion.
Motion to Open Speakers'
Opens the speakers' list used for formal debate.
List
Motion to Set Time at...
and/or Questions at...
This motion, made just after the speakers' list is opened,
establishes how long each speaker may speak and how
many questions he / she may answer. A typical motion for
speaking time and question limit would call for a time of 1 3 minutes, and question limit of 2 - 5 questions.
Motion to Close Debate
Ends debate on the current topic and forces a vote on all
resolutions on the floor. Be careful with this motion -- it is
rather powerful and kills all working papers on the floor
that have not yet been formally introduced as resolutions. It
takes a 2/3 majority to pass.
Motion to Break for Meal Stops the session for a meal or far the night. This is also at
/ Night
the Chair's descretion.
Motion to Divide the
Question
This is a rather complex motion, made during the voting
procedure, which splits a resolution into two (or more)
individual clauses to be voted on separately. Use this
motion when you want to pass only certain parts of a
resolution, while other parts are undesirable. This must be
submitted to the chair in writing.
Motion to Begin a
Moderated Caucus
This motion changes to form of debate. In moderated
cauces the chair recognizes delegates to speak as he or she
sees their placards, and no questions are asked. The motion
should include the speaking time allotted each delegate and
time limit for the moderated caucus.
Motion to Caucus
In caucus, delegates may move around and speak freely.
The motion should include a time limit for the caucus.
Rules of Procedure
1. Functions of the Chair: The Chair is responsible for facilitating debate and for
enforcing these rules of procedure. The Chair will rule on points of order, put question to
votes, announce decisions, and recognize speakers. The Chair may use discretion to alter
the rules of procedure in whatever manner he or she deems necessary to enhance the
debate. The Chair will maintain order in the committee.
2. Quorum: At least one quarter of any committee must be present in order to open
debate. A majority is required before a resolution may be held. Quorum will be assumed
to be present unless challenged by a member of the committee.
3. Setting of the Agenda: A motion to set a topic requires two speakers for two speakers
against. A simple majority of present delegations is necessary for passage. If accepted,
the committee will immediately enter formal voting procedure on all resolutions and
amendments that have been introduced.
4. Closure of Debate: A motion to close debate requires two speakers for and two
speakers against. A two thirds majority of present delegations is necessary for passage. If
accepted, the committee will immediately enter formal voting procedure on all
resolutions and amendments that have been introduced.
5. Tabling of Debate: A motion to table debate requires two speakers for and two
speakers against. A two thirds majority of present delegations is necessary for passage. If
debate on a topic is table, the agenda will be considered undeterminded and resolutions
and amendments will not be voted on. Discussion of table topics may be resumed at a
later time.
6. Speeches: No delegate may speak in formal debate until recognized by the chair. The
chair will maintain a speaker's list for those wishing to speak after it is motioned open by
the committee. Each topic will have a separate speaker's list.
7. Time Limits: Time and question limits may be set by the committee. They require a
simple majority.
8. Yields: Should a speaker choose, he or she may yield time in one of three ways. If
time is yielded to the chair, the delegate will give up the floor. If time is yielded to
questions, the chair will entertain questions fromt he body for the speaker until the
question limit is exhausted. Time yielded to another delegation may be used on to speak.
No questions are allowed after a yield to another delegation.
9. Rights of Reply: Should a delegate feel that his honor or that of country has been
insulted by a speaker, he may submit a motion for a right of reply to the chair in writing.
If the chair agrees, the chair shall grant time for the insulted delegate to address the
speaker's comments. This motion is rarely granted as delegates are almost always
courteous.
10. Point of Parliamentary Procedure: A delegate may rise with this point if confused
or unsure of the rules of procedure. Such a point may not interrupt a speaker.
11. Point of Personal Privilege: If physically uncomfortable or unable to hear the
speaker, a delegate may rise to this point. Such a point may interrupt a speaker.
12. Point of Order: A delegate may rise to this point to bring a rule infractoin to the
attention of the chair. It may only be used to interrupt a speaker if the speech violate
parliamentary procedure.
13. Caucusing: A motion for a caucus is in order whenever the floor is opena dn formal
debate is in effect. It must specify a time limit and may be followed by a brief
explanation of it s purpose. A simple majority vote is required for it passage.
14. Moderated Caucusing: A moderated caucus is proposed similarly to a regular
cauces. It must specify a total time and may include a time limit for individual speakers.
During a moderated caucus the chair will recognize those wishing to speak at random.
There are no questionson speeches given during a moderated caucus.
15. Resolutions: Any document meeting the requirements of a formal resolution, which
includes the signatures of at tleast one fifth of the assembled committee, may be
submitted as a resolution. Signature does not imply support. Each document submitted as
a resolution must be sponsored by one or more delegations. Sponsors are assumed to
have contributed the bulk of a resolution and to be in support of it. After submission the
chair will review the document. If it meets the necessary requirements any sponsor may
formally introduce it as a resolution when the delegate has the floor in formal debate. The
time required to read the resolution and to answer points of clarification only will not be
counted against the speaker's time limit.
16. Amendments: Amendments may be introduced to any formal resolution. Each must
have the signature of one fifth of the body in order to be considered. If all sponsors to the
resolution being amended state that the amendment is friendly, it will be automatically
added to te resolution. If any sponsor considers the amendment unfriendly, it can be
added to teh resolution by a majority vote of the committee.
17. Voting Procedure: Formal voting procedure may only be entered into by closing
debate. During voting procedure, the doors will be shut and no moving about or speaking
by the delegates will be permissible. All formally introduced resolutions will be voted on
in the order of introduction unless otherwise motioned for and voted for by a majority
vote of the committee. Incorportation of unfrendly amendments will be voted on
immediately before the resolution to which they apply. A simple placard vote will be
taken on each item unless a roll call vote is requested. Teh passage ofresolution on
specialized committees (like the Security Council, which has five veto nations) may be
subject to different requirements.
18. Roll Call Voting: Should any delegate motion for a roll call vote on a resolution,
such a vote will automatically be taken, subject to the chair's discretion. During a roll call
vote, the chair will ask for the vote of each delegation in alphabetical order. Delegates
may reply either yes, no, abstain, yes with rights, no with rights, or pass. The chair will
call again on all nations who pass ofter proceeding through the committee. Each nation
that has passed will then vote either yes or no, with no abstentions allowed. Voters with
rights of explanation will be granted thirty seconds following the vote to explain why
their nation voted in apparent contradiction with its policy.
19. Division of the Question: This motion is in order after debate ona topic has been
closed but before the resolution to which it applies is voted on. It must specify those parts
of the resolution to be voted on apart from the resolution body. A simple majority vote
will divide the resolution into two parts to be voted on separately.
20. Adjournment of the Meeting: This motion requires a simple majority vote to pass.
When passed, the committee will be suspended until the next session, if there is one.
21. Motion to Vote on Competency: Should a delegate feel that the topic under
discussion is outside the jurisdiction of the Committee or is more apporopriate for
another committee, he or she may bring the topic to a vote of competency. The vote
requires a 2 / 3 majority to end all further debate on the topic.