PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
The Dias/Chair- Usually 3-5 people who sit in the front of the room and control debate
Placard- the card with your country’s name on it; raise it to vote and be called on
Bloc- a group of countries that share the same interests
ALWAYS refer to yourself in the third person:Example: “Ireland feels that…”NOT “I feel that…”
THE BASICS
The goal of committee is to write and pass at least one resolution
Resolution- a written solution to the issue at hand
Draft Resolution- What the delegates vote on If it passes, it’s a resolution
Working Paper- rough draft of a draft resolutionUsually several working papers are combined to form a draft resolution
THE GOAL
Sponsor- a country that helped write a draft resolution
Signatory- a country that just wants to see a draft resolution debated, not necessarily passed
Usually a working paper needs about 20% of the committee to be signatories to become a draft resolution
SPONSORS & SIGNATORIES
WHAT COMMITTEE LOOKS LIKE
The Dias calls out country names alphabetically
Delegates respond:PresentPresent and Voting- the delegate MUST vote yea or nay on draft resolutions, no abstaining
ROLL CALL
A list of countries who wish to speak about the topic
Committee usually starts with the speakers list
It’s a way for countries to state their general positions
After you are done speaking, you must yield your time to:The chair- just sit downQuestions- other delegates can ask you questions
Another delegation- other delegates ca speak with your remaining time
SPEAKERS LIST
Most time in committee is spent in some sort of caucus Moderated caucus
A form of debate that is less formal than the speakers list Delegates raise their placards to be called on to speak Each must have a time limit, a speaking time and a specific
topic Example: a 15 minute moderated caucus, 30 second
speaking time to discuss the effects of nuclear radiation on economic growth
Unmoderated caucus Debate is temporarily suspended Delegates are free to move around the room and meet with
each other The best time to work on working papers
CAUCUSES
Delegates can raise their placards and make a pointPoint of Personal Privilege- used to inform the Chair
of a physical discomfort It’s too hot, you can’t hear the speaker, etc. Don’t ask to use the bathroom, just go
Point of Order- used when a delegate thinks the Chair has made an error
Point of Parliamentary Procedure- used when a delegate has a question about parliamentary procedure
Point of Inquiry- used when a delegate has a question about anything else
POINTS
Motions are used in transition periods, usually when a caucus has expired
All delegates can raise their placards to motion for something
Motion to Open/Close DebateMotion to Set AgendaMotion to Open Speakers ListMotion for a moderated caucus
Must include a time limit, speaking time and topic in the motion
Motion for an unmoderated caucus Must include a time limit
Motion to Adjourn
MOTIONS
Voting on moderated/unmoderated caucuses: simple majority
Moving into voting procedure: 2 speakers for/against & 2/3 majority
Reordering resolutions: 1 speaker for/against & simple majority
Voting on draft resolutions: simple majorityRoll call vote- a delegate may motion for the Chair to
record the votes by calling each country individually Usually done in very small committees or when the vote is
very close
VOTING
For normal motions: raise your placard for yes or noFor draft resolutions: yes, no, or abstainFor roll call vote:
Yes No Abstain Yes/No with rights- allows delegates to explain their
decisions to the committee after voting procedure
HOW TO VOTE