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 resolution  Usually 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:  Present  Present 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 down  Questions- 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 point  Point 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 Debate  Motion to Set Agenda  Motion to Open Speakers List  Motion 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 majority  Roll 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 no  For draft resolutions: yes, no, or abstain  For 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