MUN FLOW

ROLL CALL

The Chairperson will announce each country’s name. After a delegate hears their country called, they
should answer either “present” or “present and voting”.

SETTING THE AGENDA

The first order of business for the committee shall be the consideration of the agenda. The only motion in order at this time will be
in the form of “The nation of [country name] moves that [topic area x] be placed first on the agenda”. The motion requires a second
and is debatable. A provisional speakers list shall be established with two people speaking for and two people speaking against the
motion; after the provisional speakers list is exhausted, the committee shall move into an immediate vote. A simple majority is
required for the motion to pass.

DEBATE

CAUCUS
SPEAKERS LIST (FORMAL DEBATE)

The Chairperson will ask all of those delegates who would

like to make a speech and to be on the speakers list to raise
their placards. The Chairperson will then choose delegates to Moderated Caucus
be placed on the speakers list. After a country has spoken,
A moderated caucus is a mixture of both formal and informal
they may be added on the speakers list again by sending a
debate. When a motion for a moderated caucus is passed, the
note to the Chairperson saying: “the delegation of (country
Chair calls upon delegates as they raise their placards to
name) would like to be added to the speakers list”.
address the committee for a specific amount of time.
Speaking time is set through a motion from a delegate. If no
motions are made, the default time is 90 seconds. When the
committee is in formal debate all rules of procedure are
enforced. Unmoderated Caucus

An un-moderated caucus is a temporary recess. Rules of

procedure are suspended during caucusing. During this time
delegates can meet informally with each other and the
committee staff to discuss draft resolutions and other issues.

Working Papers and Draft Resolutions

Delegations work together to create resolutions. In addition,

delegates may present amendments to these documents, which
are changes to draft resolutions.

CLOSURE OF DEBATE
END OF LIST Once a delegate feels that they have made their country’s
Once the speakers list has been exhausted, the committee will position clear and that there are enough draft resolutions on the
automatically move to immediate voting procedures. floor, he or she may make a motion to proceed into voting
procedure by moving for the closure of debate.

VOTING PROCEDURES

Once a motion to close debate has been approved, the committee moves into voting procedures. Amendments are voted upon
first, then resolutions. Once all of the resolutions are voted upon, the committee can move to the next topic.
I. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

Rule 1. Official and working languages

English shall be the official and working language of all committees during formal and informal debate.

Rule 2. Decorum

Delegates are to obey instruction given by UNA-USA MUN staff. Those who do not obey directions will be dismissed from the
conference.

II. SECRETARIAT

Rule 3. Statements by the Secretariat

The Secretary-General or his representative may make oral as well as written statements to any committee concerning any issue.

Rule 4. General Functions of the Secretariat

The Chairperson shall declare the opening and closing of each meeting and may propose the adoption of any procedural motions
to which there is no significant objection. The Chair, subject to these rules, shall have complete control of the proceedings at any
meeting and shall moderate discussion, announce decisions, rule on points or motions, and ensure and enforce the observance of
these rules. The Chair may temporarily transfer his or her duties to another member of the committee staff. All procedural matters
in committee are subject to the discretion of the Chair. The Chair may undertake any action that is not covered in the Rules of
Procedure in order to facilitate the flow of debate at the conference.

III. AGENDA

Rule 5. Agenda

The Secretary-General or his/her representative shall communicate the agenda to the delegates before the conference.

Rule 6. Revision of the Agenda

Additional items of an important and urgent nature may be placed on the agenda during a regular session by the Secretary-General
who may add additional topics to the agenda at his/her discretion.

Rule 7. Adoption of the Agenda

The first order of business for the committee shall be the adoption of the agenda. The only motion in order at this time will be in
the form of “The nation of [country name] moves that [topic area x] be placed first on the agenda.”

 The motion requires a second and is debatable;

 A provisional speakers list shall be established with three people speaking for and three people speaking against the
motion (speaking time for these remarks shall be one minute);
 After the provisional speakers list is exhausted the committee shall move into an immediate vote: a simple majority is
required for the motion to pass;
 A motion to proceed to the second topic area is in order only after the committee has adopted or rejected a resolution on
the first topic area or debate has been adjourned;
 In the event of a crisis or emergency, the Secretary-General or Director-General may call upon a committee to table
debate on the current topic area so that the more urgent matter may be addressed. After a resolution has been addressed
and voted upon, the committee will return to debate the tabled topic. If a resolution on the crisis topic fails, the committee
may return to debate on tabled topic area only at the discretion of the Secretary-General or Director-General.

IV. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

Rule 8. Speakers List

The Chair shall open the speakers list for each topic to be discussed at the request of a delegate. Any delegate wishing to be added
to the speakers list shall indicate so when asked by the Chair or shall submit such a request in writing to the dais.

Rule 9. Limitation of Speaking Time

The Chair may limit the time allotted to each speaker. However, delegates can motion to increase or decrease the speaking time,
which will be voted upon by the committee or council. When a delegate exceeds his or her allotted time, the Chair may call the
speaker to order without delay.
 Rule 10. Speeches

No delegate may address the body without the previously obtained permission of the Chair. The Chair may call a speaker to order
if his/her remarks are not relevant to the subject under discussion. The Chair shall enforce the time limit as described by Rule 9.

Rule 11. Yielding Time

The delegate, who has been recognized by the Chair to address the body on a substantive issue, may yield any time following their
remarks after their speech. Yields may be made in three ways: to another delegate, to points of information (questions), or to the
Chair.

 Yield to another delegate. His/her remaining time shall be given to another delegate.
 Yield to questions. Delegates shall be selected by the Chair to ask one question per speech. The Chair has the right to call
order to any delegate whose question is, in the opinion of the Chair, not designed to elicit information. Answers to
questions are limited to the time remaining in a delegate's speech.
 Yield to the Chair. Such a yield should be made if the delegate does not wish his/her speech to be subject to comments.
The Chair shall then move on to the next speaker. Once a delegate yields his/her time, the second delegate (the one who
has been yielded to) may not yield any remaining time.

Rule 12. Right Of Reply

The Chair may recognize the Right of Reply only in instances of a grave personal insult. Rights of Reply must be submitted in
writing to the Chair, and may only be granted after a speech is completed. The Chair shall inform the Secretary-General of the
circumstances surrounding the Right of Reply. No ruling on this matter is subject to appeal.

Rule 13. Appeal to the Chair’s Decision

An appeal is made when a delegate feels that the Chair has made an incorrect ruling. The delegate formally challenges the Chair
in writing by sending a note to the dais, moving to appeal the Chair's decision. The appeal will be taken to the Deputy-Secretary
General who will decide if the appeal will be considered. Once the motion is acknowledged, the Deputy-Secretary General will
hear from both the delegate and the Chair before making a decision.

V. POINTS

Rule 14. Point Of Personal Privilege

During the discussion of any matter, a delegate may raise a Point of Personal Privilege, and the Chair shall immediately address
the point. A Point of Personal Privilege must refer to a matter of personal comfort, safety and/or well being of the members of the
committee. The Chair may refuse to recognize a Point of Personal Privilege if the delegate has not shown proper restraint and
decorum, or if the point is dilatory in nature.

Rule 15. Point Of Order

During the discussion of any matter, a delegate may raise a Point of Order and the Chair shall immediately consider the request. A
Point of Order must relate to the observance of the rules of the committee or to the way the Chair is exercising his or her power. A
delegate raising a Point of Order may not speak on the substance of the matter under discussion. The Chair may refuse to
recognize a Point of Order if the delegate has not shown proper restraint and decorum governing the use of such a right, or if the
point is dilatory in nature.

Rule 16. Point Of Information (question to other delegates)

After a delegate gives a speech, and if the delegate yields their time to Points of Information, one Point of Information (a question)
can be raised by delegates from the floor. The speaker will be allotted the remainder of his or her speaking time to address Points
of Information. Points of Information are directed to the speaker and allow other delegations to ask questions in relation to
speeches and resolutions.

Rule 17. Point Of Inquiry

If there is no discussion on the floor, a delegate may raise a Point of Inquiry to request clarification of the present procedural
status of a meeting. A Point of Inquiry may never interrupt a speaker.

VI. MOTIONS

Rule 18. Suspend Debate (Motion to Caucus)

Upon the recommendation of the Chair or any delegate, the committee may consider a motion to Suspend Debate for the purpose
of a moderated or un-moderated caucus. This motion requires a majority vote.
 Moderated Caucus: The recommendation for a moderated caucus must include a time limit for delegate remarks and a
time limit for the entire caucus (e.g. "The nation of [country name] moves for a five minute moderated caucus with a 30 second
speaking time."). During moderated caucus, the chair shall recognize delegates for remarks without the use of a speakers list and
yields shall be out of order.

Un-moderated Caucus: The recommendation for an un-moderated caucus requires a time limit to be made (e.g. "The
nation of [country name] moves for a ten minute un-moderated caucus."). Unmoderated caucuses allow delegates to have informal
discussions.

Rule 19. Motion to Table Debate

During the discussion of any matter, the committee may consider a motion to table debate on the item under discussion at the
recommendation of the Chair or any delegate. If the motion is seconded, two representatives may speak in favor of and two
against the motion. Then, the motion shall immediately be put to a vote. A two-thirds majority is required for passage. If a motion
to table debate is passed, the topic is considered tabled and no further actions or votes will be taken on it. A topic may be
reintroduced to the committee so that debate can resume through the same process. The motion to resume debate on a tabled topic
shall also require a two-thirds majority for passage.

Rule 20. Closure of Debate

A delegate may at any time move for the closure of debate on the item under discussion, after which debate will end and all draft
resolutions and amendments will be put to an immediate vote. Permission to speak on the closure of debate shall be accorded only
to two speakers opposing the closure, after which the motion shall be immediately put to a vote. This motion requires a two-thirds
majority decision. Upon passage of this motion the Chair shall declare the closure of debate and immediately move into voting
procedure on the substantive proposals introduced and pending before the committee. The committee shall also close debate and
move into voting procedure when the speakers list has been exhausted.

Rule 21. Adjournment of the Meeting

During the discussion of any matter, a delegate may move for the adjournment of the meeting. Such a motion shall not be debated
but shall be immediately put to a vote. After adjournment, the committee shall reconvene at its next regularly scheduled meeting
time; adjournment of the final meeting shall adjourn the session.

Rule 22. Order Of Procedural Motions The motions below shall have precedence in the following order over all other
proposals or motions before the committee:

a. Point of Personal Privilege

b. Point of Order
c. Point of Inquiry
d. Point of Information
e. Introduction of a Draft Resolution
f. Motion to Suspend Debate
g. Motion to Table Debate
h. Motion for Closure of Debate
i. Motion to Adjourn the Meeting

VII. RESOLUTIONS

Rule 23. Submission Of Working Papers, Draft Resolutions, and Amendments

Working papers, draft resolutions, and amendments shall be submitted to the Director typed and with the proper number of
signatures. The Chair may permit discussion and consideration of proposals and amendments once approved, even if the
documents have not been circulated through the committee.

Rule 24. Introducing Draft Resolutions

Once a draft resolution has been approved by the Director and has been copied and distributed, a delegate may raise a motion to
introduce the draft resolution, which is automatically approved and does not require a vote. The content of the introduction shall
be limited to summarizing the operative clauses of the draft resolution. Such an introduction shall be considered procedural in
nature, hence yields and comments are out of order. Additional questions and comments regarding the resolution are encouraged
to be raised through the speakers list and yields.

Rule 25. Amendments

Both friendly and unfriendly amendments require the approval of the Chair. An amendment is considered friendly if all of the
sponsors of the initial draft resolution are signatories of the amendment. Such an amendment is adopted automatically. Unfriendly
amendments are a decision of the Committee. An unfriendly amendment must have the approval of the Director and the signatures
by 20% of the committee. Amendments to amendments are out of order.

VIII. VOTING

Rule 26. Methods Of Decision

All procedural decisions, except for the closure and adjournment of debate, shall be made by a simple majority of the delegations
present. Delegations physically present in the committee may not abstain on procedural motions. Decisions on draft resolutions
and amendments shall require a simple majority in favor. However, the passage of all resolutions and amendments in the Security
Council requires nine affirmative votes and an affirmative vote or an abstention on the part of all permanent members (People's
Republic of China, France, Russian Federation, United States of America and United Kingdom).

Rule 27. Voting Rights

Each present delegation shall have one vote (Subject to change depending upon committee). Observing nations and non-
governmental organizations (NGOs) cannot vote on substantive matters. Each vote may be a Yes, No, or Abstain. On procedural
motions, members may not abstain. Members “present and voting” shall be defined as members casting an affirmative or negative
vote (no abstentions) on all substantive votes.

Rule 28. Conduct While In Voting Procedure

After the Chair has announced the beginning of voting, no representative may enter or leave the room, nor shall any representative
interrupt the voting except on a Point of Personal Privilege, Point of Inquiry, or a Point of Order in connection with the actual
conduct of the voting. Communication between delegates is strictly forbidden. A member of the staff shall secure the doors during
voting procedure.

Rule 29. Method Of Voting

Delegations may vote in favor of or against a proposal or may abstain from voting. The committee shall normally vote by show of
placards, but any delegate may request a roll call vote on substantive matters. The roll call vote shall be taken in alphabetical order
of the English names of the countries present. During a roll call vote, delegations may answer with an affirmative vote, a negative
vote, an abstention (when appropriate) or may pass. Delegations passing in the first round of voting will be called upon
alphabetically in a second round, at which time they may only answer with an affirmative or negative vote. Delegations that
appear to be voting out of policy, while casting an affirmative or negative vote, may reserve the right to explain their vote by
Voting with Rights. Delegations must announce that they are Voting with Rights at the time they cast their vote. The Chair may
permit delegations Voting with Rights to explain their votes after voting has concluded but before the decision has been
announced.

Rule 30. Order Of Draft Resolutions

If two or more draft resolutions relate to the same question, the committee shall vote on the resolutions in the order in which they
have been submitted.

Rule 31. Voting On Unfriendly Amendments

During the voting procedure on a substantive proposal, unfriendly amendments to a resolution shall be voted on first. When two or
more amendments are proposed to a resolution concurrently, the committee shall first vote on the amendment that creates the
greatest change to the draft resolution, as deemed by the Chair, and then the amendment that creates the second greatest change to
the resolution. This process continues until all amendments are voted upon. Where, however, the adoption of the amendment
necessarily implies the rejection of another amendment (as decided by the Chair), the latter amendment shall not be put to a vote.
If one or more amendments are adopted, the amended proposal shall then be voted upon. Amendment voting is a substantive
procedure and adoption requires the simple majority consent of the delegations present.

Rule 32. Passage Of Resolutions

If a vote does not result in a simple majority* in favor, the resolution shall be regarded as rejected. A simple majority requires
fifty percent of the members present during the last role call, plus one. Example: 99 members present requires 49.5 (50%) + 1=
50.5=51 affirmative votes. *Exceptions: The United Nations Security Council requires nine affirmative votes for the passage of
resolutions and amendments. In addition to the nine affirmative votes, an affirmative vote or an abstention on the part of all
permanent members (People's Republic of China, France, Russian Federation, United States of America and United Kingdom) is
required for the passage of all resolutions and amendments.

IX. SUSPENSION OF THE RULES

Rule 33. Suspension Of The Rules

These rules may only be suspended following a majority vote. Any motion to suspend the rules is subject to the Chair’s discretion.