CSIAMUN 2013

Rules of Procedure

Duties of Delegates

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

Each committee has three student officers 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- 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- 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 debateThere 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 approvalOnce 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 Resolution1. 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 setSpeech from the main-submitterPoints 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

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 changeAmendments can strike, change or add to the original resolutionKeep in mind that there are separate sheets for amendments (official amendment sheets) and amendments must be approved by chairs before the submitter takes the floorClosed debate will be the norm

Amendment

There are two types of amendments: Amendments (to the First Degree) Amendments to the Second DegreeThe former seeks to modify the resolutionThe latter seeks to modify the original amendmentIf an Amendment to the 2nd Degree passes, then changes are made to the original resolution as put forth by the 2nd Degree AmendmentIf an Amendment to the 2nd Degree fails, the committee votes on the original amendmentDelegates are not allowed to abstain when voting

AmendmentsAmendment 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 wholeAmendment SheetsApproval by the ChairClosed Debate (3 min. each For/Against)No abstentions

Amendment to the second degreeStrike, Add, Change the clauses on the amendment to the first degreeSubmitted during debate on the original amendment; entertained only during time Against the original amendmentAmendment SheetsApproval by the ChairClosed 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 PrivilegePoint of Personal Privilege- 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 ClarificationPoint of Clarification- 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)Point of Information (POI)- 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 OrderPoint of Order- 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 InquiryPoint of Parliamentary Inquiry- A question directed to the Chair regarding the Rules of

Procedure- Does not challenge the Chair’s ruling

Point of Information to the ChairPoint of Information to the Chair- 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 QuestionMotion to Move to the Previous Question- 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 TimeMotion to Extend Debate Time- 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 chairsIt would be temporarily suspended during voting procedure on either amendments or resolution as a wholeThe notes MUST keep to the content of debate

Voting

Only member states of the UN may voteDuring voting procedures, all points are out of order, except for points of order with regards to the actual conduct of votingA resolution or an amendment with a tied vote failsA 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 debateMen should always wear jackets when speakingDelegates should not raise their placards before the Chair asks them to do soSinging, informal jokes and behavior are out of order

Miscellaneous RulesPlease 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 languageOffensive language Alien language rather than English

Things not allowed in the Committee:The usage of cellphonesSleeping 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