UNSociety

Procedure Guide
for Model UN
§ 1. Roll Call and Quorum
• At the onset of proceedings the Chair will conduct a roll call to determine
delegate attendance and whether or not the forum meets quorum,

• Delegates may state that they are ‘present’ (You are present, and can abstain
when it comes to substantive votes) or ‘present and voting’ (You are present,
and cannot abstain on substantive votes. It is very rarely worth it to be
Present and voting, as you are simply frittering away your ability to be
neutral in certain votes)

• Quorum is one half the voting members of the forum.

• Should quorum not be met, the forum shall be unable to conduct

substantive business,

• Without quorum, committees lack legitimacy and legal authority to make

substantive decisions. If you are late arriving to a committee session and
miss Roll Call, send a note to the Dais indicating that your country is
present or present and voting.

• A roll call is held every time a new session starts and the response does not
carry over from the previous session. Once roll-call is finished, note passing
opens up and the chairs open the primary speakers list.

§ 2. Note Passing
After roll call, the floor is opened for note passing. Communicating through
passed notes is encouraged, as it represents a way of interacting with delegates
without interrupting delegates engaged in formal debate.

§ 3. Primary Speakers List

After roll call, the chairs will open in the first session with the primary
speaker’s list. The purpose of the primary speaker’s list is to set the agenda
(order of discussion for the topics) for the committee. Keep in mind that often,
especially in larger committees, you will spend the entire conference on the
first topic on the agenda, so if your country has a strong preference, make it
known! The primary speaker’s list gives delegates the opportunity to not only
to control the direction of the committee, but also to voice their goals and
views for the conference. This is a good way to help establish your presence in
the room, and let yourself be known to potential partners. After a sufficient

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number of speakers have presented (at the discretion of the chairs), there may
be a motion to set the topic/agenda.

§ 4. Secondary Speaker’s List

Once the topic is voted on and decided, the committee moves into the
secondary speaker’s list. The purpose of the secondary speaker’s list is to allow
general discussion on the chosen topic. If you were not able to speak on the
primary speaker’s list, this is your opportunity to get up and say what you want
to say. Similar to the primary speaker’s list, after a certain number of speakers
(left to the chair’s discretion), the floor may be open to various motions.

• A delegate may motion for a moderated caucus (see the following section
below on moderated caucuses)

• The second motion that can be made is an unmoderated caucus (see section
on unmoderated caucus)

• The third motion is to set the default yield. The default yield dictates what
happens when a delegate ends their speech without exhausting their
speaking time and doesn’t announce their yield. There are several possible
yields including: questions, comments, another delegate, and the chair. (see
section on yields)

There are other motions (such as introducing a working paper, voting, and
suspensions of debate), that we will go over further on in this guide.

§ 5. Moderated Caucus
After the primary and secondary speakers lists, the next part of the conference
that delegates typically encounter is the moderated caucus. The purpose of a
moderated caucus is to discuss the selected topic in deeper & greater specifics
and details (i.e. if the topic is modern slavery, a moderated caucus could be
discussing child slavery or sex slavery). In addition, the moderated caucus
allows a delegate to demonstrate their insight into the subject and gives them
an opportunity to take control of the topic. If your topic and time is the one
that is voted in by the committee, you will be the first one up to speak (some
conferences allow to choose to be the last to speak instead). Your motion for
this would be something along the lines of “Motion for a __ minute moderated
caucus with a speaking time of ___ on the topic of ______.”, and the chair will then
decide whether or not it is in order, depending on the topic and the time. When
all the motions have been put to the floor (including motions for unmoderated
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caucuses if any), the voting order will go by either the order they were
proposed, or by most-to-least destructive (time length or diversion from
debate), depending on the committee.

Time setting for a moderated caucus

One of the crucial components of moderated caucuses is the time setting for
the moderated caucuses.

• You would want to set a time that you feel would get the discussion flowing
and enough time to speak on the topic. If you feel that you and the other
delegates in the committee could speak on the topic for ten minutes, then
motion for ten minutes. It is probably not a good idea to set the discussion
for fifteen minutes when it can be can be covered in a third of the time.

• In general, the speaking time should divide evenly into the caucus time. If
you propose a 45-second speaking time, make the caucus six, nine, or twelve
minutes rather than ten.

Topic setting for a moderated caucus

• Choose a discussion topic that you feel the committee needs to focus on to
be productive. The generalities of the secondary speakers list can only get
you so far.

• Choose a topic you feel you are either knowledgeable in or are confident
enough to speak on. Since you would be the first person or last up to speak
on the topic if it is voted in, you will be the one to set the bar tone of the
discussion.

Speaking in a moderated caucus

• It is a good idea to try and speak at least once during the caucus, it lets
people know that you are in the room, and that you and your country have
an opinion of what is going on. However, don’t feel like you need to speak
simply for the sake of speaking - ensure you have something valuable to
contribute to the discussion. Nobody likes the delegate who spends his
entire speech repeating what’s already been said because he or she likes the
sound of their own voice.

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§ 6. Points in debate
Throughout the debate, there might be occasions where you need make a point
about the debate, ask a question to the chair about procedure, or ask the chairs
for something to make you more comfortable in the conference. There are three
points that can be raised during debate and they are a point of order, point of
personal privilege, and right of reply.

• A point of order is used is used when you believe that either the chair or
another delegate has made an error in procedure. An example would be if
you propose a moderated caucus, it passes, and the chair forgets to allow
you the first speech.

• A point of personal privilege is used a condition of the room or environment

is impacting your ability to participate in committee. This is usually used to
address matters such opening/closing a blind, turning on/off a light, turning
up/down the heating in a room, or if you can’t hear the speaker. This is the
only point that you may interrupt another speaker with. Please do not use
this as an excuse to trip-up the speaker, that is bad form and un-civil.

• A right of reply can only be used if the delegate who is speaking has directly
insulted you as an individual - something along the lines of “It is clear the
delegate of ____ is missing a screw or two with regards to...”, or has claimed
you are lying. The right of reply cannot be used if the delegate has only
stated that they disagree with you, or has criticized your ideas or speeches.
This point is often misused by delegates, so ensure that you understand
how to use it correctly - there is little more fun than being a righteously
indignant French delegate after someone has made a joke about your
country’s alleged cowardice.

§ 7. Unmoderated Caucus
After a certain amount of time has elapsed, usually at least about forty-five to
sixty minutes into the committee session (depending on the chair’s discretion),
it is possible to motion for an unmoderated caucus. An unmoderated caucus
simply means that everyone in the room is able to get out of their seats, walk
around, or leave the committee room. Often this break in debate can be one of
the most crucial times during the conference, as at this point everyone is free to
approach their fellow delegates, discussion is not structured, and you are free
from the constraints of committee procedure.

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Managing Time
Since time in the unmoderated caucuses is limited, time-management is
crucial. Unless it is an emergency, it is probably a good idea to postpone breaks
(bathroom, coffee, etc.) until the last minute of the unmoderated caucus. Not
being present in the beginning could cost you that initial introduction time,
and can potentially affect the amount of time you have for discussion.

Courses of Action
• For the first unmoderated caucus, as soon as the gavel goes down to declare
an unmoderated caucus, it is probably a good idea to get out of your seat,
grab the nearest potential ally/allies and start discussing your various
country’s policies & ambitions regarding the topic at hand . This first
unmoderated caucus can be crucial for the formation of later alliances and
working blocs in the conference.

• If your country is part of a particular regional/economic organization (EU,

BRICS, ASEAN), the first thing you should probably do is search them out
and start talking policies. Ideally, you’ll have already been in contact with
these countries via notes.

• By the second unmoderated caucus, you should be getting down to work

with your alliances and jotting down ideas with your potential-partners.

• Be aware that your partners may fluctuate around between the first and
second un-mods, so it is probably a good idea to try and keep in contact with
your allies during the moderated caucuses.

Lunch Breaks
Like in the business and diplomatic world, lunch or dinner can often be where
much of the negotiation between delegates takes place. Usually most
conferences will give about an hour and a half to two hours for lunch, giving
plenty of time for discussion or hammering out resolutions.

• Getting your allies together for lunch is always a good idea, if not for talking
about the committee, then for just hanging out. Personal relationships can
benefit you later on the committee, and you might make friends in real life
too.

• Should you find yourself without your group, or without anyone from your
committee, you can use this time to further research your topic, your
country’s policy, or the policies of other countries in the room.

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 • Not everybody likes to use their lunch breaks for further discussion or
debate, ensure that you should respect this. There’s nothing wrong with
wanting to take a mental break from debate.

§ 8. Committee Products
1. Committees will produce the following items,

a. A Working Paper is a loose, informal piece of policy that does not need to
adhere to any rules of grammar, spelling, or formatting. A Working Paper
cannot be discussed in detail or presented formally to the forum without
first becoming a Draft Resolution,

b. A Draft Resolution is a Working Paper that has been submitted to the

Dais after having been made to conform to rules of grammar, spelling,
and formatting. A Draft Resolution makes relevant, concrete policy
proposals in a systematic manner appropriate for debate,

i. The Dais may impose any conditions on a Working Paper before

accepting it as a Draft Resolution, and may refuse to accept it for
reasons unrelated to the quality of the Working Paper such as time
management,

ii. Unless otherwise specified, resolutions must have at least 15% of the
present members of the forum as signatories for the Chair to consider
it for introduction. The Dais may change this number with verbal
notice. Sponsors are counted as signatories,

c. A Resolution is a Draft Resolution that has achieved the required

number and composition of votes to be approved by properly
distinguishing between a Working Paper, Draft Resolution and
Resolution clearly identifies where the document is in the resolution-
building process. The Chair will routinely correct improper use of
terminology, so it is important to use correct language when referring to
your resolutions.

d. A Directive is a short, often verbal instruction by the forum to take

specific action. They are subject to the same rules governing resolutions
concerning their gaining the forum’s assent,

e. A Personal Directive is a short, written instruction by an individual

delegate to the Dais that may be sent without the committee’s
knowledge or approval,

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2. Authors of Draft Resolutions are referred to as sponsors. Those who wish to
bring it to debate but do not necessarily support it are referred to as
signatories, Directives and/or Personal Directives are mostly used in crisis
committees where delegates have portfolio powers or need to react quickly
to a situation. If you are unsure if you have portfolio powers, approach the
Dais and ask the Chair.

§ 9. Asserting your presence

Asserting one’s presence in the resolution writing can be difficult, but like the
introduction, you have to go in with confidence.

• You should not try to rush negotiations. Suggest or recommend ideas in a

positive and civil manner, and defend them

• Speaking clearly and fluidly can assist in the negotiating process. It is harder
to ignore someone who speaks well and clearly than someone who mumbles.

• If you find yourself heading up a working paper, do your best to avoid

becoming bossy. This will not get you popularity points, and can lead to
problems down-the-road.

§ 10. Q&A sessions

Once the chairs have accepted the draft resolutions, the chairs will generally
look favourably on a question & answer period (Q&A), where the committee
can ask the representatives of a draft resolution questions regarding clauses &
subclauses of the document. Often draft resolutions will only allow some of the
sponsors to get up to answer questions, and the period usually lasts anywhere
from between five to ten minutes.

• As a sponsor, you should ensure that you know your draft-resolution well,
particularly your own clauses. If you know it well, you can take any question
thrown at you.

• You should ensure that it is not the same people answering all the
questions. This can make the paper look less of a collaboration, and more of
two countries saying ‘do this, do that’.

• Try and speak as close to the point as possible. Responses do not have a time
limit, but attentions spans do.

• Q&A should be used for meaningful questions that are concerned with the
clauses of the draft resolutions.
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§ 11. Amendments
The Chair shall require the same number of signatories as a Resolution to
entertain an Amendment. An Amendment may be considered ‘friendly’, and
thus exempt from debate and voting, should all the relevant Resolution’s
sponsors agree to admit it without debate. An amendment shall be considered
‘unfriendly’ should the sponsors of the resolution not agree. The number of
signatories required to put forward an unfriendly amendment is identical to the
number required to submit a Draft Resolution.

Amendments are voted on prior to voting on the Draft Resolution as a whole.

§ 12. Points and Motions

Enter Moderated Caucus – Suspends formal rules in favour of a Chair-
moderated debate on a specific topic.

Enter Unmoderated Caucus – Suspends formal rules to enter a temporary

recess so that delegates can work together in smaller groups.

Question and Answer Period – Typically used after a Draft Resolution has
been introduced in order to ask specific questions about the draft resolution.

Set the Agenda – Sets the agenda in a specific order (delegates should refer to
topic by number (1, 2, and 3) as set out in the background guide.

Suspend debate – Suspends meeting for a given amount of time. Most often
used to break between committee sessions.

Adjourn – Ends session. Adjournment can be short (until next day) or long
(next year).

Vote Clause by Clause – During voting procedure, requires each clause to be

voted on in a draft resolution. Clauses that reach the proper vote threshold are
adopted as part of the resolution. The motion automatically carries should no
speakers against present themselves,

Motion to close debate – The Chair shall select two speakers against the
motion. The motion automatically carries should no speakers against present
themselves,

Motion to move into voting procedures – Closes discussion on the topic, and
begins votes on all accepted draft resolutions.

Divide the Question – Motion made during voting procedure that divides an
entire clause or section into a separate annex. Two votes are required in this
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process: 1) whether or not to divide the clause (procedural), and 2) whether to
include the clause in a separate annex (substantive). If the substantive vote
passes, the clause is included as an annex. If the substantive vote fails, the
clause is permanently discarded.

Roll-Call Vote – Motion made during voting procedure that is instantly

accepted. Chair will conduct a one-by-one oral vote from each country in
alphabetical order as per the Roll-Call attendance.

Motions will be considered by the Chair in the order of most destructive to least
destructive.

§ 13. Points and Motions

The following is a list of motions and points from Most to Least Destructive:

POINTS MOTIONS
1. Point of Personal Privilege 1. Adjournment of the Meeting
2. Point of Order 2. Suspension of the Meeting
3. Point of Parliamentary Inquiry 3. Closure of Debate
4. Introduction of a Draft Resolution
5. Introduction of an Amendment
6. Unmoderated Caucus
7. Moderated Caucus
8. Motion to Change Speaking Time

§ 14. Voting
1. Should a motion to move into voting procedure pass, no delegates outside
the room of forum at the time the vote was affirmed by the Chair will be
allowed to enter the room,
a. Should a delegate manage to enter the room after the affirmation of the
vote by the Chair, they shall not be allowed to take their seat, nor shall
their vote be counted,
2. Note passing and conversation are forbidden while the forum is in voting
procedure.
3. Draft Resolutions shall be voted on in the order in which they were received,

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4. Amendments shall be voted on individually before the resolution as a whole
goes to a vote.

5. The Chair will entertain motions to vote clause-by-clause, divide the

question, or vote by roll call,

6. Delegates shall have the option to vote as follows:

a. Yes,

b. Yes, with rights should the delegate require thirty seconds to explain
their vote after the fact,

c. No,

d. No, with rights should the delegate require thirty seconds to explain
their vote after the fact,

e. Abstain,

7. Abstentions shall subtract from the total number of votes being counted,
and thus not be counted when calculating the threshold required for a
majority,

8. Any Draft Resolution which receives in excess of the required number of

votes shall be considered a Resolution.

§ 15. Miscellaneous
1. A delegate may at any time, in writing to the Chair, question the
competence of the forum to discuss a matter or pursue a course of action,

a. The Chair will address the concern and give their ruling publicly,

b. Should the Chair rule in favour of the challenge, they may compel
delegates to change the discussion or remove the offending provisions,

2. A delegate may, with the prior permission of the Chair, motion to censure a
delegate for gross violations or egregious misrepresentation of their
principal or portfolio,

a. The Chair may withhold permission to censure a delegate for any reason
whatsoever,

b. On the first offence, a censured delegate may not speak for the
remainder of the session,

c. On the second offence, the Chair may remove them from the forum for
the remainder of the session,

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d. On the third offence, the Chair may remove them from the event.

e. At any point, with or without a motion to censure, the Chair may refer a
delegate to the President on account of their violation of provisions in
§III,

f. Should the Chair entertain a motion to censure, the committee will

move to two speakers in favour and two against, one of the speakers
against being the one in question and one of the speakers in favour
being their challenger,

g. A motion to censure shall pass with a 2/3 majority in which the delegate
in question is allowed to vote.

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