1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION 3
II. CHAIR EXPECTATIONS 4
A. CHAIR 4
B. CO-CHAIRS 6
III. CONDUCT OF THE CHAIR 7
IV. RULES OF PARLIAMENTARY/ 9
CONFERENCE PROCEDURES
V. POSITION PAPER FORMAT 20
VI. RESOLUTION AND AMENDMENT FORMAT 21
VII. AWARDS 25
VIII. CONFERENCE ETIQUETTE 27
IX. MODEL UNITED NATIONS KEY WORDS 28

2
 I. INTRODUCTION
Thank you for your participation in the third annual Ulaanbaatar Model
United Nations. Without the active presence of the chairs and co-chairs, we
wouldn’t be able to hold these conferences for our delegates.

The chairs and co-chairs are responsible for making sure the committees
run smoothly, following rules of procedure and on schedule.

The dais has the final say on which delegates are qualified and talented
enough to walk away from the conference with awards. It is up to you and the
rest of the volunteer staff of your committee to evaluate delegates and recognize
those who have displayed a knowledge and level of discourse above the rest of
their peers.

This manual has been written to aid the conference facilitators to

chair efficaciously and productively by providing guidelines for parliamentary
procedure, an overview of committee session, and an explanation of scoring.

We hope you have a fun and fulfilling academic experience as a member

of the dais.

3
II. CHAIR EXPECTATIONS
A. CHAIRS

Who is the Chair? The role of the chair is to moderate debate and to
ensure that delegates follow the rules of procedure.

The chair duties are:

• Taking roll call and maintaining attendance records

• Declaring the opening and closing of each session
• Enforcing the rules of parliamentary procedure
• Maintaining decorum
• According the right to speak to delegates and enforcing speaking time
limits
• Guiding committee through difficult procedures, particularly voting
procedure
• Answering delegates’ questions and points of information
• Facilitating all other operations of the body
• Ensuring a fair opportunity for every delegate to speak and encourage
less experienced delegates to take part
• To be aware of what is going on at all times and not be distracted
• To control the debate without being over-authoritarian, using good
humor when possible, but always being prepared to explain what is
happening to the less experienced delegate.

There is no set formula that a Chair can use, as each debate will
depend on the topic, the delegates and the resolution. As the secretary
general of HMUN, Victor J. Kamenker, said “Similar to the way a referee has
to respond to an unfolding situation, the Chair needs to enforce the rules
fairly, stay on top of events, but let the “game” flow.”

4
 The chair also accords four privileges:

• Order : The chair will have complete control of the proceedings at any
meeting and the maintenance of order therein.
• Discretion : The chair has the discretion to entertain a motion, to
deny a motion, or to decide that a particular motion is appropriate or
inappropriate.
• Delegation : The chair has the power to delegate authority to either a
co-chair or any other appropriate person.
• Format : The chair may require that any motion or request be submitted
in writing.

The chair has significant influence on the atmosphere of the committee

and while it is important to ensure the workings of the committee to run
smoothly and decorum is observed, lighter and more humorous moments
are highly encouraged.

While Model United Nations is a serious learning experience, the

delegates should find it pleasurable and fun so that they’d be motivated
and actively participate not only during committee sessions but continue
so after the conference.

It is the staff’s duty to ensure the students have lively debate and
healthy competition but also encourage them to pursue such academic
endeavors after the conference has finished.

5
 B. CO-CHAIRS

Co-chairs assist the Chair and share the duties of moderating a

conference session and sometimes switch positions with the Chair.

The Co-chair is a member of the dais that enforces the rules of

procedure and serves in the absence of the Chair.

The Co-chair duties are:

• Taking attendance at committee meetings

• Enforce and interpret the rules
• Record the votes
• Facilitation of meetings and committee teamwork
• Direct discussion, accord the right to speak
• Report preparation
• Helping the Chair in encouraging member participation
• Advise delegates on the possible course of debate, and suggest motions
when necessary
• Provide written updates that can be used for communication efforts
• Document process, progress and results
• Encourage active participation from all committee members
• Evidence collection and analysis
• Review resolutions

The Co-chair is second in command and is also responsible for the

facilitation of the committee sessions and the livelihood of the debate.

6
 III. CONDUCT OF
THE CHAIR
MAINTAIN DECORUM

Maintaining order or decorum is one of the most crucial aspects of

any MUN conference.

To maintain decorum is to follow and behave within the guidelines of

parliamentary procedure (page 7) derived from Robert’s Rules of Order.

Delegates may pass notes at all times except during formal voting
procedure. The passing of notes should not be disruptive.

GUIDE DEBATE

If the committee session seems dry or slow to take a specific course

of action that the dais deems fit or necessary the Chair or Co-chair can
interject by stating that “The Chair would now look favorably upon ____.” or
“The dais would look favorably upon ____.” detailing the desired motion, for
example motioning for recesses or introductions of resolutions.

The dais must remember that if there are no yields after a formal
speech, the floor must be opened to comments or the delegate can yield
their remaining time to the Chair. If certain students refrain from speaking,
it is good for the Chair to encourage them to participate.

INTERPRET RULES

Points of Order and Privilege are in order at any time, including

interrupting a speaker.

Points of Inquiry/Information can be made any time somebody is not

speaking.

7
 Motions can be made only when the committee is in formal debate.
Motions are not in order during moderated or unmoderated caucus.

If a motion is made at an improper time or would not be worthwhile,

the chair should rule the motion “dilatory,” meaning out of order, or literally,
time wasting.

USE OF THE GAVEL

The gavel is a powerful tool of the Chair. Light taps are used to signify
that a delegate should wrap up a speech, while slightly heavier taps indicate
the end of the speaking time limit.

The gavel may also be used to call for decorum in the committee,
but it should be used sparingly for this purpose so the Chair may avoid an
overbearing presence.

UNBIASED CONDUCT

It is difficult but important for the Chair to avoid showing any bias.
It is always important to engage those students who don’t speak much.
However, even when many students who have not previously spoken decide
to participate, it is important not to neglect those who have spoken often.

8
 IV. RULES OF
PARLIAMENTARY/CONFERENCE
PROCEDURES
(Written and edited from the Official British Parliamentary Rule book,
Harvard MUN Rules of Procedures and Robert’s Rule of Order)

Article 1 - Official Language

The only official language for the conferences is English. All formal
business shall be conducted in English.

Article 2 - Powers of the Chair

1. The Chair shall be responsible for the orderly conduct and function
of the body, ensuring observance of
these Rules, and ruling on Points of Order.
2. The Chair shall have the responsibility of facilitating the operations
of the body.
3. The Chair shall declare the opening and closing of each session.
4. The Chair shall accord the right to speak, call the roll, maintain
attendance records, put questions, and
announce decisions.
5. The Chair shall not be accorded a vote.
6. The rulings of the chair are subject to appeal, except as specifically
delineated elsewhere in these Rules.

Article 3 - Roll Call Procedure

1. The chair will call the roll for the purposes of establishing quorum
at the beginning of each session. Members who desire to be considered
present shall reply “present” when the name of their delegation is called.
No members may be announced by proxy. A reply of “present and voting”
requires the member to vote in the affirmative or negative on any substantive
matter.

9
 2. The chair will have the time of the last roll call posted. Delegations
who were not considered present at the time of the last roll call and wish
to be accorded full voting rights, must submit a note, in writing, to the chair
requesting that they be considered present.

Article 4 - Procedural Voting

1. Each delegation shall have one vote. A procedural vote is one that
applies to the actions of the committee
rather than to policy or resolutions pertaining to policy.
2. No member may cast a vote by proxy or on behalf of another
member country.
3. Procedural motions shall pass with the affirmative votes of a
majority of the members of the committee.

Article 5 - Setting the Agenda

1. The body shall set its own Agenda, deciding between the two topics
members have researched. Debate will begin with two speakers for and two
speakers against the motion and a choice will be made with the affirmative
votes of the majority of the members.
2. If, after a time, the chair determines that the body is unable to
settle upon a single Agenda Topic, the chair shall conduct a vote between
the two topic areas receiving the most votes. In case of a tie, the chair shall
cast the deciding vote. In terms of agenda setting, we use only the two
topics selected for the committee by our staff.
3. Once the topic area is disposed of, a new Agenda Topic will then be
selected in the above manner.

Article 6 - Speakers List

1. A Speakers List shall be opened automatically, by the chair,

following the setting of an Agenda Topic, for the purpose of debate in all
substantive manners pertaining to the Agenda Topic. The Speakers List will
be established by a show of placards.
2. After the initial list is established, any member wishing to be added
to the Speakers List, providing they are not currently on the Speakers List,
shall notify the chair in writing.

10
 3. A Speakers List is established for each individual topic and the
Speakers List expires when a topic is tabled or adjourned or whenever a
resolution has passed.
4. When the Speakers List is exhausted, debate is automatically closed
on the Topic Area. The body immediately moves into Voting Procedures on
the proposals on the floor.
5. A delegate may move to close the Speakers List whenever the floor
is open. This motion requires a second. If there is opposition, it is debatable
to the extent of one speaker for and against the motion, and passes with
the affirmative votes of a majority of the members. If the motion passes, the
chair will permit no additions to the Speakers List.
6. A delegate may move to reopen a closed Speakers List whenever
the floor is open. This motion requires a second. If there is opposition, it
is debatable to the extent of one speaker for and against the motion, and
passes with the affirmative votes of a majority of the members.

Article 7 - Speeches and Debate

1. No delegate may address the body without the permission of the

chair.
2. The chair shall call upon speakers in accordance with the Speaker’s
List.
3. Delegations comprised of more than one delegate may share
allotted speaking time among members of the same delegation provided
they do so in accordance with conference Policies.
4. Speeches must be given while seated or standing next to the
delegation’s assigned position or from a point designated by the chair.
5. The chair shall call a speaker to order if: the delegate’s remarks are
frivolous, dilatory, or not germane to the set Agenda Topic under discussion;
the delegation’s allotted time has expired; or the speaker’s remarks are
directed to a personality or nation rather than the issue at hand.
6. The chair may recognize two delegates other than the speaker
to comment on any substantive speech. Comments are limited to thirty
seconds and are only in order after substantive speeches without yields,
and are considered part of the substantive speech. Comments may not be
yielded and must be germane to the speech they are commenting upon.

11
 Article 8 - Caucus

1. A delegate may move for a caucus whenever the floor is open.

The motion for a caucus must include a reference to the type of caucus
requested (moderated or unmoderated), a time limit, and the purpose of
the caucus.
2. This motion requires a second, is not debatable, and passes with
the affirmative votes of a majority of the members.
3. A caucus is the complete suspension of all rules in order to discuss
the business at hand. conference Policies remain in effect at all times.
During a moderated caucus, the Moderator will have the sole authority to
grant speaking rights in the caucus.
4. The chair will call the body back to order at the appointed time.
The body may not reconvene from a caucus early, unless all delegations
are present and there is unanimous consent. The time for a caucus may be
extended at the chair’s discretion.

Article 9 - Limit or Extend Speeches

1. Whenever the floor is open, a delegate may move to further limit

or extend the amount of time eachdelegation may speak while on the
Speakers List. This time limit remains in effect for the remainder of the
conference, unless it is changed in accordance with this Rule. This motion
requires a second. If there is opposition, it is debatable to the extent of one
speaker for and against the motion, and passes with the affirmative votes
of a majority of the members of the body.
2. Once a particular speaker’s time has expired, a member of another
delegation may move to have that particular speaker’s time extended. The
motion to extend the speaker’s time requires a second, is not debatable,
and passes with the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the
body. Extended time may not be yielded, except to the chair. Time yielded
to another delegation may not be extended. The chair shall permit a single
extension, of a time determined at the discretion of the chair, not to exceed
two minutes.

12
 Article 10 - Yields

A delegation that is on the Speaker’s List and has been granted the
right to speak, may yield the remainder of their allotted time in one of the
following ways:
1. To The Chair: A delegate may at any time conclude the delegation’s
speech by yielding to the chair. Upon doing so, the entire delegation shall
retake their seats.
2. To Another Delegate: A delegation may yield unused time to another
delegation. The intention to yield to another delegation may be made at
any time during the delegation’s speech. Time may not be yielded to more
than one delegation, and yielded time may not be yielded again, except to
the chair.
3. To Questions: A delegation may yield to questions at the conclusion
of the delegation’s speech. The chair shall recognize delegates to ask
questions of the speaker. A delegate recognized to ask a question shall be
limited to asking only one question. Only one member of the speaking
delegation may answer a question, but that member may change from
question to question. A delegation shall only be assessed for time that is
actually spent answering a question. A delegation that has yielded time to
questions yields to questions from all delegates recognized by the chair. A
delegation may still yield to the chair at any time. Time yielded to questions
may be extended, but may not be yielded again, except to the chair.

Article 11 - Points

1. A delegate may interrupt with a Point whenever the floor is

open. A delegate may only interrupt a speaker with a Point of Order or
Personal Privilege, only when the Point directly concerns the speech being
interrupted. A delegate raising a Point may not speak on the substance of
the matter at hand, but may be granted time to make a short statement
concerning the Point. If the chair feels that Points are being used to disrupt
or delay the orderly conduct of business, the chair may rule that they must
be submitted in writing for a specific period of time. This decision is not
subject to appeal.
2. Point of Personal Privilege: A delegate may raise a Point of Personal
Privilege whenever the delegate experiences personal discomfort that
impairs the delegate’s ability to participate in the proceedings, except as
specifically delineated elsewhere in these in these Rules. The chair shall
make every reasonable effort to rectify the situation.

13
 3. Point of Order: A delegate may raise a Point of Order whenever the
delegate believes that these Rules are being violated. The chair will then
immediately rule on the Point of Order.
4. Point of Information: A delegate may raise a Point of Information
whenever the delegate desires to make an inquiry to the chair concerning
these Rules, the state of business (past, present, and future); or any other
relevant question pertaining to “conference matters.”

Article 12 - Rights of Reply

A delegate whose personal or national integrity has been impugned

by an extraordinary comment of another delegate may request a Right of
Reply. The Right of Reply is requested by making a Point of Personal Privilege
immediately following the offending speech. A delegate may not interrupt
a speaker with a Point of Personal Privilege to request a Right of Reply. The
chair’s decision whether to grant the Right of Reply is discretionary, not
debatable, and not subject to appeal. Once granted, the Right of Reply may
be limited in length by the chair. The only yield in order will be a yield to the
chair. A Right of Reply may not be made to a Right of Reply.

Article 13 - Precedence

1. The chair may accord itself precedence for the purpose of clarifying
rules or explaining any business before the body.
2. Parliamentary points that may interrupt the speaker are always
considered immediately by the chair once they are recognized.
3. Motions shall have the following precedence:
a. Privileged Motions
i. Motion to Recess
ii. Motion to Adjourn
iii. Motion to Caucus
b. Subsidiary Motions
i. Motion to Limit or Extend Speaking Time
ii. Motion to Close or Reopen the Speakers List
iii. Motion to Table Debate
iv. Motion for Previous Question
v. Motion to Adjourn Debate
c. Main Motions
i. Motion to Introduce (a Resolution or Amendment)
ii. Motion to Take From the Table

14
 iii. Motion to Reconsider
iv. Motion to Set the Agenda

Article 14 - Presenting Motions

1. If a delegation is recognized for the expressed purpose of speaking

and desires to make a procedural motion, a member of the delegation
may do so at the end of the speech, provided that the delegation has not
yet yielded. When not speaking, a delegate may make a motion when the
floor is open between speeches, but may not interrupt a speaker, except as
specifically delineated elsewhere in these Rules.
2. Its originator may withdraw a motion at any time before a vote
has been taken on the motion. consideration of the motion is immediately
ended unless another member immediately assumes sponsorship of the
motion.

Article 15 - Dilatory Motions

The chair may rule as dilatory (and therefore out of order) any motion
that is frivolous or non-germane, and which is clearly intended to disrupt or
delay the normal function of the body. The chair’s rulings in these cases are
not subject to appeal.

Article 16 - Working Papers

Delegates may propose working papers for the body’s consideration

on the current Agenda Topic. Working papers are a means of sharing ideas on
the agenda topic in an organized manner. Working papers are not required
to be in resolution format, but may be copied and distributed at the chair’s
discretion. Working papers shall be considered germane to the Agenda
Topic and therefore may be discussed and debated upon by Speakers on
the Speakers List. They cannot be formally introduced, amended, or voted
on by the body.

Article 17 - Sponsorship of Motions and Resolutions

1. A delegation may become a signatory of a resolution at any time

before any substantive votes have been taken with consent of the sponsor.
2. A co-sponsor may drop their signature of a resolution at any time
before any substantive votes have been taken.

15
 3. When a sponsor or signatory of a resolution withdraws, another
delegation may immediately assume the role of sponsor or signatory, such
that the proposal continues to have the minimum number of sponsors;
otherwise the proposal is considered withdrawn.
4. When a resolution is withdrawn, all proposed amendments to it
are withdrawn also. A withdrawn resolution may be resubmitted to the chair
for approval, at a later time, as provided for in these Rules.

Article 18 - Resolutions

1. Multiple resolutions may be on the floor at any time.

2. To become a resolution, a working paper must explain the problem,
include historical background and pose a solution to the problem. 25% of
the body’s members, rounded up, are required for signatories.
3. Once a working paper has had the appropriate number of sponsors
registered with the chair, the sponsor may move to introduce the working
paper as a resolution whenever the floor is open. This motion is not
seconded, debated, or voted upon. Once the motion is made, the resolution
shall receive a designation by the chair, and is considered on the floor for
debate. The resolution is not read to the body, and no speaking time is
accorded to the sponsor for introduction.

Article 19 - Amendments to Resolutions

1. All amendments shall be submitted, in writing, to the chair. The

sponsor may move to introduce the approved amendments to the body
when the floor is open.
2. Amendments that have the approval of the sponsor and all of the co-
sponsors are considered friendly amendments and automatically become a
part of the underlying resolution when introduced by the sponsor.
3. If the approval of the sponsor and co-sponsors does not exist,
the amendment becomes an unfriendly amendment, provided it has one
sponsor and 25% of the members, rounded up, as co-sponsors for the
amendment (in the case of a resolution). An unfriendly amendment is voted
on during voting procedures prior to voting on the underlying resolution.
Unfriendly amendments to unfriendly amendments are out of order.
4. The chair may rule an amendment, which has the effect of negating
the main thrust of the underlying resolution or which bears no resemblance
to the underlying resolution, out of order.

16
 Article 20 - Voting Procedure

1. During Voting Procedures, there shall be no talking or passing of

notes.
2. There shall be no interruptions, except for Points of Order, Personal
Privilege, and Point of Information, or motions pertaining to the method of
voting.
3. During Voting Procedures, only conference staff may leave or enter
the room.
4. Any delegate or observer who disrupts Voting Procedure shall be
ruled dilatory, and therefore out of order.
5. The body shall first consider each of the unfriendly amendments
on the floor in the order they were introduced. The question to adopt an
amendment shall be considered substantive.
6. Once all unfriendly amendments have been dealt with in turn, the
body shall then consider the underlying resolution.
7. Voting procedures shall be considered concluded once the chair
has announced the final vote on the underlying resolution.

Article 21 - Substantive Voting

1. Voting shall normally be conducted by a show of placards. A delegate

who wishes to question the outcome of a substantive vote by placards may
move for a roll call vote.
2. In the Security Council, all substantive votes shall pass with the
affirmative votes of a majority of the members and the absence of a negative
vote by one of the permanent members. In all other bodies, all substantive
votes shall pass with the affirmative vote of a majority of the members.
3. A motion for a roll call vote is in order only for substantive votes,
and may be made before a substantive vote is to be taken, or as described
above. The motion does not require a second, is not debatable, and is not
voted upon. The motion for a roll call vote only affects a single substantive
vote, and must be requested separately for different votes taken during a
single voting procedure.
4. The chair reading the roll in English alphabetical order shall conduct
a roll call vote. As the name of each delegation is called, the delegation
shall reply, “Yes;” “Yes, With Rights (of Explanation)” “No;” “No, With Rights
(of Explanation)” “Abstain;” or “Pass”.

17
 5. Once the roll has been read through once, the chair will read the
names of those delegations that replied, “Pass” in the first round of voting.
A delegation, which responds, “Pass” a second time, will be considered as
Abstaining.
6. Once each delegation has voted, the chair will ask if any members
wish to change their vote. A delegation that has not previously requested
Rights of Explanation may not do so at this point. A delegation that had
chosen to abstain or had chosen to pass twice may not choose to vote “Yes”
or “No” at this point.
7. The chair will then recognize those delegations that requested
Rights of Explanation in English alphabetical order. These speeches may be
limited in time by the chair, and may relate only to a specific explanation of
the current vote.
8. The chair shall conclude the roll call vote by announcing the final
tally of the votes, and whether the resolution has been passed or defeated.
9. Once a resolution has passed, the Topic Agenda is adjourned. If
the resolution fails, debate continues unless the Speaker’s List has been
exhausted.

Article 22 - Adjournment of Debate

The body may adjourn debate on the current topic area, closing that
topic for the remainder of the conference. Upon adjournment, all resolutions
on the floor are withdrawn from consideration. The purpose of adjourning
debate is to signify that debate on the current topic area is concluded. This
motion requires a second. If there is opposition, it is debatable to the extent
of one speaker for and against the motion, and passes with the affirmative
votes of a majority of the members.

Article 23 - Recess and Adjournment

1. A recess is a set period of time during which no official business is

conducted, and the presence of neither the officials nor the delegates may
be required. Once a period of recess has been set, it may not be shortened,
except by conference officials to bring the recess into conformity with the
conference Schedule. When the meeting has reconvened, the business of
the meeting shall continue at the point where the recess occurred. This
motion is normally made at the end of a session.

18
 2. Adjournment signifies that all business of the body contained in
the Agenda has been completed. This motion is normally made only at the
last regular meeting of the conference.
3. The motions to Adjourn and to Recess each require a second, are
not debatable, and pass with the affirmative votes of the majority of the
members. The chair may rule either of these motions dilatory, and this
decision may not be appealed.

19
 V. POSITION PAPER
FORMAT
The Ulaanbaatar Model United Nations requires the delegates to
submit a position paper. Chairs may send a copy of this format to their
delegates.
Guidelines for the delegates:
• 3-4 pages double spaced
• Size 12, Times New Roman
• 1 inch margins, justified
Reminders and Warnings:
• No inclusion of a country’s profile, title page, the delegate’s
name, or the school the delegate is from with the paper submission.
• All papers must follow the format outlined here, if not the
chair may choose to detract points or disregard the paper entirely.
• Blatant plagiarism of position paper will result in immediate
disqualification.
The Body of position papers should be split into 3 sections (A, B, and C):
A. Historical Background
• Relevant historical and recent and facts of importance that
have led to or significantly influenced to the current situation of the topic.
B. United Nations Involvement
• Related UN actions, programs, document, resolutions,
standing bodies and committees that have previously addressed the topic.
• For committees based on Non-UN organizations, use this
section for that body’s actions on the topic instead
C. Country Position and Solutions
• The most important portion of the paper, this section should
consist of well researched and rational policy positions for the delegate’s
country and reasonable and obtainable solutions that can be carried out
under their committee’s mandate.

20
VI. RESOLUTION AND
AMENDMENT FORMAT
Resolution writing

A resolution is written in the form of a long sentence. The following

numbers correspond with sections of the Sample Resolution on the next
page.

1. The resolution’s name will be assigned by the chair and is

determined by the topic and the order in which it was introduced to the
committee. For example, if the committee is on Topic B and the resolution
is the third to be submitted, it receives the appellation: Resolution B/3.

2. The committee name, sponsor, signatories, and topic should be

written against the top left margin, in that order.
• The Sponsor is the delegation who is the lead writer and
supporter of the resolution.
• Signatories are those who want to see the resolution debated
on the floor, butwho do not necessarily favor the resolution.

3. A resolution needs at least 1/4 of the committee signed on as either

a sponsor or signatory.

4. Preambulatory clauses begin with an underlined word and end

with a comma.
• These clauses address the problem being discussed, recall
past actions taken, explain the purpose of the resolution, and offer support
for the operative clauses.

5. Operative clauses begin with a number and an underlined word,

and end with a semicolon. The exception is the last line of the resolution,
which should end in a period.
• These clauses develop the solution to the problem recognized
in the Perambulatory clauses.
• The terms “condemn” and “demand” may be used ONLY in
the Security council.

21
Preambulatory Phrases

Operative Clauses

22
 6. Before a working paper can be submitted as a resolution, it must
have at least 1/4 of the committee as sponsor and signatories. The sponsor
must motion to introduce the resolution.

Resolution format

GA/1/1: (Numbering based on the order in which draft resolutions are

accepted by the director.)
Committee: COMMITTEE NAME
Topic: Writing a Resolution
Sponsors: Your nation’s full name and any other nation’s full name
sponsoring this amendment

Committee Name,
Recalling that a resolution is basically a long run-on sentence and that
indents will follow this example,
Remembering that all perambulatory clauses end with a comma,
Recalling all United Nations (UN) documents,

1. Urges delegates to remember that two spaces are required between

the preambulatory clauses and the operatives;
2. Notes that operatives end with a semicolon;
3. Requests that delegates take note of the following:
a. Sub-operatives end with a semicolon as well;
b. Sub-operatives are single spaces;
c. The following countries agree:
i. United States of America;
ii. Canada;
iii. Mongolia;
d. This is the only format recognized at UBMUN;
4. Reminds everyone that resolutions do not take direct action and
that only Security Council can do so;
5. Decides that all resolutions end in a period.

23
Amendment writing

An amendment is an addition to a resolution.

1. An amendment needs to be written in the correct format:
each additional preamble or operative clause must be written the same as
if they were submitted in a resolution (see guidelines above).
2. Each amendment needs at least 1/4 of the committee signed as
sponsor and signatories.
• Friendly amendments are amendments approved by the sponsor
and signatories of the resolution. If they give their approval, then the
amendment is friendly and is automatically added to the resolution.
• Unfriendly amendments are amendments not approved by the
sponsor and signatories of the resolution. They are voted on during formal
voting procedure.

Amendments format:

GA/1/1/1
Committee Name
Amendment to Resolution 1/1 by the resolution sponsors
Your nation’s full name and any other nation’s full name sponsoring this
amendment
Amendment to Resolution 1/1

1. Changes operative clause 1 to read:

1. Recognizes that this amendment format is used at most
conferences;
2. Adds operative clause 4 to read:
4. Understands that a delegate can use any combination of
changes, deletes, or adds in an amendment;
3. Deletes operative clause 2;
4. Renumbers accordingly.

24
 VII. AWARDS
Many talented and academically inclined delegates are accepted
to enter Ulaanbaatar Model United Nations however only the two most
hardworking ones with the best debating and team working skills from each
committee will walk away from the conference with awards.
It is the dais’ duty to evaluate and determine who these two will be.
In order to do that, the dais should take into account the delegate’s;
• Use of Procedure
- Delegate must demonstrate a working knowledge of
procedure that does not disrupt the smooth flow of debate
- Delegate must be well-aware of procedure and able to use
procedural points to their advantage
• Knowledge and accuracy of foreign policy
- This includes the delegate’s demonstration of cooperative
qualities
- Delegate must show a strong grasp of their country’s policies
- The most important role of a delegate is to represent their
country and its interests
• Negotiation skills
- They must demonstrate the skill of finding middle ground
- The skill of orchestrating a merger or mediating negotiations
-They must be able to extract and exchange concessions from
and with other delegations while maintaining an atmosphere
of cooperation and teamwork
• Substantive knowledge and contribution to consensus-building
- A winning delegate must demonstrate in-depth knowledge
of the topic that is used to inform and advance debate and
work towards achieving the goals of the committee
- They must propose creative and feasible solutions with
well-developed strategies
- These solutions should be inclusive and accommodate
concerns from different blocs
• Resolution Drafting
-Winning delegates should always be part of the negotiations
at this stage, since consensus-building on the text of the
committee’s statement is crucial
-Resolution-drafting can be a significant site for a delegate to
demonstrate their negotiation skills

25
 The two awards are as follows:

BEST DELEGATE (The Gavel)

• Awarded to the best delegate in the committee who earns the most
points, makes the largest contributions to the committee is awarded best
delegate and receives a gavel.

OUTSTANDING DELEGATE

• Runner up to best delegate, the top second of the committee who

did very well but were not quite the best.

26
 VIII. CONFERENCE
ETIQUETTE
Dress Code: Western Business Attire

Gentlemen: Business suits, sport coats, sweaters and dress shirts are all
appropriate. Dress shirt, tie and a pair of slacks minimum. No casual clothes,
jeans, or t-shirts.

Ladies: Business dresses, slacks, blouses, suits, skirts are all suitable. Skirts
and dresses must be of acceptable length. (Not higher than 2-3 inches above
the knee) No revealing clothing, or heals over 3-4 in. No sneakers only dress
shoes. No hats or hoods. Keep it professional.

Addressing a Delegate: Delegates are always to be addressed by their

country name, and always speak as if they embody their country.

Laptops/Cell Phones/Other Electronics: Keep your cell phones off or on

vibrate during committee sessions. Enforce the rule on delegates that if
they use a laptop or tablet, to make sure it is only for committee business
and the delegates are not using it while others speak to the committee.

Respect and Professionalism: Always be respectful and professional with

other faculty members and delegates.

27
 IX. MODEL UNITED
NATIONS KEY WORDS
Abstain: During a vote on a substantive matter, delegates may abstain rather
than vote yes or no. This generally signals that a country does not support
the resolution being voted on, but does not oppose it enough to vote no.
Adjourn: All UN or Model UN sessions end with a vote to adjourn. This means
that the debate is suspended until the next meeting. This can be a short
time (e.g., overnight) or a long time (until next year’s conference).
Agenda: The order in which the issues before a committee will be discussed.
The first duty of a committee following the roll call is usually to set the
agenda.
Amendment: A change to a draft resolution on the floor. Can be of two types:
a “friendly amendment” is supported by the original draft resolution’s
sponsors, and is passed automatically, while an “unfriendly amendment”
is not supported by the original sponsors and must be voted on by the
committee as a whole.
Background guide: A guide to a topic being discussed in a Model UN
committee usually written by conference organizers and distributed to
delegates before the conference. The starting point for any research before
a Model UN conference.
Binding: Having legal force in UN member states. Security Council resolutions
are binding, as are decisions of the International Court of Justice; resolutions
of the General Assembly and Economic and Social Council are not.
Bilateral v. Multilateral: Adjectives describing relations between states.
Bilateral agreements or treaties involving only two countries were
characteristic of the pre-WWI period, while multilateral relationships,
involving more than two countries, are much more common today.
Bloc: A group of countries that form a logical combination because of
geographical, economic, or cultural considerations (e.g. G8, African bloc,
Arab League).
Caucus: A break in formal debate in which countries can more easily and
informally discuss a topic. There are two types: moderated caucus and
unmoderated caucus.

28
Clauses: The individual sections of a resolution. They are of two types:
preambulatory (at the beginning of a resolution to introduce the issue,
state concerns, and previous United Nation’s actions) and operative, which
set out solutions and initiatives for the committee to undertake. Operative
clauses are numbered.
Comments: If a delegate does not yield his/her time during a speech in
formal debate, the chair may recognize two delegates to make comments
specifically on that speech.
Consensus: Obtaining widespread agreement on action. Establishing
consensus is the goal of UN resolutions and policy-making.
Chair: A member of the dais that moderates debate, keeps time, rules on
points and motions, and enforces the rules of procedure. Also known as a
Moderator.
Dais: The group of people in charge of a Model UN committee. It generally
consists of a Chair, a Co-chair, a Director, and a Rapporteur. The dais is also
the raised platform on which the chair traditionally sits.
Decorum: The order and respect for others that all delegates at a Model
UN conference must exhibit. The Chair will call for decorum when he or she
feels that the committee is not being respectful of a speaker, of the dais, or
of their roles as ambassadors.
Delegate: A student acting as a representative of a member state or observer
in a Model UN committee.
Delegation: The entire group of people representing a member state or
observer in all committees at a particular Model UN conference. They are
usually all from the same school.
Director: A member of the dais that oversees the creation of working papers
and draft resolutions, acts as an expert on the topic, makes sure delegates
accurately reflect the policy of their countries, and ensures that decorum is
maintained during caucuses.
Division of the Question: During voting bloc, delegates may motion to vote
on certain clauses of a resolution separately, so that only the clauses that
are passed become part of the final resolution. This is known as division of
the question.
Draft resolution: A document that seeks to fix the problems addressed by a
Model UN committee. If passed by the committee, the draft resolution will
become into a resolution.
Faculty Advisor: The faculty member in charge of a Model UN team, class or
club.

29
Flow of debate: The order in which events proceed during a Model UN
conference. This usually indicates the movement between formal and
informal debate and the process of drafting, debating and voting on
resolutions.
Foreign Policy: The attitudes and interests of a state towards external issues.
Foreign policy can be influenced by a variety of factors such as military
strength, trading partners, history, domestic government, and the interests
of groups within the country.
Formal debate: The “standard” type of debate at a Model UN conference, in
which delegates speak for a certain time in an order based on a speakers’
list.
Gavel: The tool, shaped like a small wooden hammer, which the Chair uses
to keep order within a Model UN committee. Many conferences give the
gavel used in a committee to the delegate recognized by the dais as the
best in that committee; therefore, the term is frequently used to refer to
the award given to the best delegate, even in cases where no actual gavel
is given.
Head Delegate: The student leader of a Model UN club or team.
Member State: A country that has ratified the Charter of the United Nations
and whose application to join has been accepted by the General Assembly
and Security Council. Currently, there are 193 member states.
Moderated Caucus: A type of caucus in which delegates remain seated and
the Chair calls on them one at a time to speak for a short period of time,
enabling a freer exchange of opinions than would be possible in formal
debate.
Moderator: Conference facilitator (e.g. chair, co-chair)
Motion: A request made by a delegate that the committee as a whole does
something. Some motions might be to go into a caucus, to adjourn, to
introduce a draft resolution, or to move into voting procedure.
Observer: A state, national organization, regional organization, or non-
governmental organization that is not a member of the UN but participates
in its debates. Observers can vote on procedural matters but not substantive
matters. An example is the Holy See.
On the floor: At a Model UN conference, when a working paper or draft
resolution is first written, it may not be discussed in debate. After it is
approved by the Director and introduced by the committee, it is put “on the
floor” and may be discussed.
Operative clause: The part of a resolution which describes how the UN
will address a problem. It begins with an action verb (decides, establishes,
recommends, etc.).

30
Page: A delegate in a Model UN committee that has volunteered to pass
notes from one delegate to another or from a delegate to the dais, for a
short period of time.
Placard: A piece of cardstock with a country’s name on it that a delegate
raises in the air to signal to the Chair that he or she wishes to speak.
Point: A request raised by a delegate for information or for an action relating
to that delegate. Examples include a point of order, a point of inquiry, and
a point of personal privilege.
Position paper: A summary of a country’s position on a topic, written by a
delegate before a Model UN conference.
Perambulatory Clause: The part of a resolution that describes previous
actions taken on the topic and reasons why the resolution is necessary. It
begins with a participle or adjective (noting, concerned, regretting, aware
of, recalling, etc.).
Procedural: Having to do with the way a committee is run, as opposed to
the topic being discussed. All delegates present must vote on procedural
matters and may not abstain.
Rapporteur: A member of the dais whose duties include keeping the
speakers’ list and taking the roll call, as well as assisting in and keeping
track of administrative duties in the committee room.
Resolution: A document that has been passed by an organ of the UN that
aims to address a particular problem or issue.
Right of Reply: A right to speak in reply to a previous speaker’s comment,
invoked when a delegate feels personally insulted by another’s speech.
Generally requires a written note to the Chair to be invoked.
Roll Call: The first order of business in a Model UN committee, during
which the Rapporteur reads aloud the names of each member state in
the committee. When a delegate’s country’s name is called, he or she may
respond “present” or “present and voting.” A delegate responding “present
and voting” may not abstain on a substantive vote.
Rules of Procedure: The rules by which a Model UN committee is run.
Second: To agree with a motion being proposed. Many motions must be
seconded before they can be brought to a vote.
Secretariat: The staff of a Model UN conference.
Secretary-General: The leader of a Model UN conference.
Signatory: A country that wishes a draft resolution to be put on the floor
and signs the draft resolution to accomplish this. A signatory need not
support a resolution; it only wants it to be discussed. Usually, Model UN
conferences require some minimum number of sponsors and signatories
for a draft resolution to be approved.

31
Simple majority: 50% plus one vote of the number of delegates in a
committee. The amount needed to pass most votes.
Speakers’ List: A list that determines the order in which delegates will
speak. Whenever a new topic is opened for discussion, the Chair will create a
speakers’ list by asking all delegates wishing to speak to raise their placards
and calling on them one at a time. During debate, a delegate may indicate
that he or she wishes to be added to the speakers’ list by sending a note to
the dais.
Sponsor: One of the writers of a draft resolution. A friendly amendment can
only be created if all sponsors agree.
Substantive: Having to do with the topic being discussed. A substantive vote
is a vote on a draft resolution or amendment already on the floor during
voting bloc. Only member states (not observer states or non-governmental
organizations) may vote on substantive issues.
Unmoderated Caucus: A type of caucus in which delegates leave their seats
to mingle and speak freely. Enables the free sharing of ideas to an extent not
possible in formal debate or even a moderated caucus. Frequently used to
sort countries into blocs and to write working papers and draft resolutions
Working Paper: A document in which the ideas of some delegates on how to
resolve an issue are proposed. Frequently the precursor to a draft resolution.
Veto: The ability, held by China, France, the Russian Federation, the United
Kingdom, and the United States to prevent any draft resolution in the
Security Council from passing by voting no.
Vote: A time at which delegates indicate whether they do or do not support
a proposed action for the committee. There are two types: procedural and
substantive.
Voting procedure: The period at the end of a committee session during
which delegates vote on proposed amendments and draft resolutions.
Nobody may enter or leave during the voting procedure.
Yield: In formal debate, delegates must yield their time at the end of a
speech in one of three ways: to the chair (once the speech is over the
chair takes the floor and moves on with the speaker’s list); to questions
(delegates can ask the speaker questions for the speaker’s remaining time),
or to another delegate (another speaker uses up the remaining time to give
a speech, but cannot yield themselves.)

32