Delegate Training By Jessica Berger Model United Nations Delegate Training By Jessica Berger

MUN Definition An extra-curricular activity in which students role-play delegates to the United Nations and simulate UN committees and other multilateral bodies. "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin

Sample Conference Itinerary

Before the Conference Read the background guide A guide to a topic (or topics) being discussed in a Model UN committee Research your nation and topic extensively Write a position paper A summary of a country's position on a topic

[Chair & Vice Chair(s)] Dias [Chair & Vice Chair(s)] “The Floor” (a.k.a. a podium or a microphone) Delegates

Dias Chair Placard Vice-Chair Gavel

Pages Name Badge Notes

In the Committee Room Vice Chairs Chairs Direct the flow of debate Moderate speaking times and calls on each speaker Keep delegates on task and quiet Eyes of Crisis in Committee Room- keeps crisis updated Keeps track of speaking times for chairs Writes up committee notes and directives/resolutions

General Flow of a General Assembly Committee Roll call Motion to open debate and create a speakers list Motion to set the topic Speakers list to discuss the set topic opens Delegates motion for moderated caucus, starting length, speaking time, purpose After significant debate, delegates may motion for an unmoderated caucus with set time limit Once written, a working paper may be presented to the committee Creators of the resolution present it, after which there can be a motion for a Q&A session Amendments may be submitted, and additional resolutions presented Debate continues on the resolutions When sufficient debate has occurred, may move into voting procedure on resolutions Resolutions may be passed or not. Debate may be adjourned or closed.

Roll Call Basics General Assembly: Present Present & Voting = CANNOT abstain while voting Crisis Committee: Depending on number of delegates present… Chair will calculate set simple majority and 2/3rd majority Chair will calculate quorum The number of members that must be present before official business can be conducted Chair will set number of Signatories needed on a draft resolution or directive Countries that would like to see a certain draft resolution debated.

Speakers List Opening the Speaker’s List - Requires a motion and a majority vote - A Speaker’s List may also be opened at the Chair’s discretion Setting the Speaking Time - Generally 45 seconds to two minutes The Speaker’s List - Once the Speaker’s List is open, debate to set the agenda begins - It is a perpetuating document – send a note to the Dais to be added! Setting the Topic - Motion to set the agenda - Simple majority to pass - A secondary Speakers List is created

Yields (To give up time) Yields are used during the Speakers List but not during moderated or unmoderated caucuses “I yield my time to the Chair.” Remaining time is unused “I yield my time to questions.” Chair will call on a delegate to ask the speaker a question. Speaker can only respond for the amount of time unused. No back-and-forth dialogue between delegates! “I yield my time to [insert country’s name here].” If a delegate (Oman) yields the remainder of their time to another country (Yemen), that country must accept the yield. The country yielded to (Yemen) cannot make another yield

Position Paper Working Paper Draft Resolution Position Paper is prepared before coming to conference Paper that summarizes your nation’s position on the issue. Prepared during the conference. It’s a draft document that is similar to a resolution in format. It’s a document summarizing your recommended solutions. Can be edited together with other delegates/nations. Created during the conference. Numerous delegates combine their draft working papers and create a document that highlights all the solutions to the problem. This is called a draft resolution. Position Paper Working Paper Draft Resolution

Resolutions A document that has been passed by an organ of the UN that aims to address a particular problem or issue. UN equivalent of a law. Each delegation can sponsor or sign as many resolutions as they wish Sponsors are countries who agree with the content of the resolution or draft and intend to support it. Each resolution requires at least 2 sponsors. Signatories are countries who would like to see the draft debated but do not necessarily support all the elements of the resolution. A signatory of a resolution does not have to vote in favor of the resolution. 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.). Preambulatory 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.). Friendly Amendments - Approved by all sponsors of the resolution - Automatically added without a vote as soon as they are submitted to the Dais Unfriendly amendments - Require two speakers for and two speakers against and a majority vote before being added to the draft resolution

Motions (Requests) Motion: A request made by a delegate that the committee as a whole do something. Motions might be to go into a caucus, to adjourn, to introduce a draft resolution, or to move into voting procedure.

Types of Caucuses Moderated Caucus Speakers List is temporarily suspended and the chair calls on delegates at their discretion. The delegate who proposed the caucus should specify the topic, the duration, and speaking time. Delegate may also choose to speak first or last. SAY: “Motion for a ten-minute moderated caucus with 30-second speaking times [for the purpose of discussing __________________].” Unmoderated Caucus Allows the suspension of the rules and of formal debate. Delegates may leave their seats and discuss topics freely. Chair reserves the right to rule such a motion out of order. Ideal time to draft resolutions and develop relationships with fellow countries. SAY: “Motion for a ten-minute unmoderated caucus.”

Points (Interruptions) and Right of Reply Only if a delegate personally offends another delegate (not their policies or role!) Given a chance to respond directly to the offender Point of Inquiry Delegate may be asking for clarification on parliamentary procedure if they are unsure Point of Order Call out chair on not following parliamentary procedure Point of Personal Privilege The room is too hot I cannot hear the speaker

Gavel Use The gavel is used at all times during debate to maintain decorum or order. However, it is also is used to keep time during speeches. One Tap: Ten seconds remaining in your speaking time. At this point, you don’t need to stop talking but you should be reaching the conclusion of your speech. Two Taps: Your speaking time has elapsed and you should end your speech immediately. More Than Two Taps or Constant Tapping: You’ve exceeded your speaking time! You should cease your speech immediately and take your seat.

Committee Lingo 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. Adjourn: Model UN sessions end with a vote to adjourn. This means that the debate is suspended until the next meeting and the committee is in recess. Secretariat: Most senior staff who facilitates Model UN Debate Bloc: A group of nations with similar opinions or strategy

Voting Straw Poll - A non-binding poll vote on a draft resolution or resolution, that allows delegates to get a feel for the popularity of an issue. Moving into Voting Procedure - Requires two speakers for and two against and 2/3 in favor to pass - SAY: “Motion to enter voting procedure.” Voting Procedure - No one may enter or leave the room during the entirety of voting procedure! - Each draft resolution is voted on in the order that it was presented (Resolution 1.1, 1.2, etc.) - Voting on unfriendly amendments occurs before voting on the resolution as a whole - Each draft resolution is passed by a simple majority - May vote yes, no, abstain Motions Specific to Voting - “Motion for a roll call vote.” - “Motion to reorder the resolutions.” - “Motion to divide the question.”

Crisis Committees Unique, fast-paced debate Smaller committees with fewer delegates Non-traditional committee structure Debate format left to chair’s discretion Debate often switches quickly between topics in response to developing events and crises Joint Crisis Committee (JCC): Two or more committees interacting with each other where the actions of one affect the other

In the Crisis Room Crisis Directors Crisis Staffers Major creative force behind potential crises Develops timeline of crises to keep committee moving Leads crisis staffers and direction of committee Work outside the committee room in the centralized crisis room Responsible for responding to notes from delegates Put the crises into action! Act out crises in committee rooms or for press corps! Makes videos, articles or press releases to share with delegates

General Flow of a Crisis Committee Speakers list A delegate motions for a moderated caucus to discuss a specific topic for a specific amount of time and speaking time Delegates discuss topic of moderated caucus through a series of speeches and notes Directives are submitted to the chair and a motion to introduce the directives Discussion of the directives continues in the current moderated caucus Amendments to the directive may be proposed, discussed, and voted upon Delegates motion to vote on directive. This may be passed or rejected. A crisis will occur Discussion will shift informally or through a new moderated caucus to discuss the new developments

The Basics Of Note Passing To a member of the same committee: [Address Section on outside of Note] To: Franklin D. Roosevelt From: Winston Churchill [Message on inside of Note] We ask that you work with us to increase intelligence efforts directed against our so-called allies, the Soviets, so that we will not be surprised by any actions they take after the war. – Winston Churchill To a member of another committee in JCC: To: Leaders of Romania, Axis From: Josef Stalin, Allies [Message on inside of Note] Seeing as the defeat of Nazi Germany is near, we would advise you to make a deal with the Soviet Union now or we will show no mercy when the time for your defeat arrives. – Josef Stalin To chair/crisis staff: [Address Section on outside of Note] To: Chair/Crisis From: Winston Churchill [Message on inside of Note] What is the current disposition of British forces in the Middle East? – Winston Churchill

Awards Best Delegate – Gavel Outstanding Delegate Honorable Mention Verbal Commendation **NOT THE GOAL**

See it in action!