1. West Windsor – Plainsboro Model United Nations Conference
Delegate Training
West Windsor – Plainsboro
Model United Nations Conference

2. Learn everything you need to know to be successful at MUN
Agenda
Flow of Debate
Parliamentary Procedure
How to be an awesome delegate
Learn everything you need to know to be successful at MUN

3. Roll Call Begin each committee session with a roll call
Delegates can say “Present” or “Present and Voting”
Present: allows delegate to abstain
Present and Voting: Delegates cannot abstain on substantive issues
Everyone must vote on procedural issues

4. Flow of Debate Motion to Open Debate Motion to Set Agenda
Voting
Amendments
Draft Resolution
Working Paper
Motion to Set Agenda
Motion to Open Debate

5. Motion to Open Debate First motion of the conference
Opens the General Speaker’s list
Default Speaking Time: One Minute
Talk about whatever you desire at this moment

6. Speaker’s List Determines the order in which delegates speak
Primary mode of debate
Will run throughout the duration of the conference

7. Yields
To the Chair
To Questions
To another delegate

8. Working Paper Document containing preliminary ideas and thoughts
The outline to the draft resolution
The chairs will specify minimum sponsors/signatory numbers based on their discretion
We don’t actually vote on the working paper
Merge them and craft resolutions to introduce
Usually allow for 10 min explanation and Q/A

9. Resolution
After consolidation of working paper, a resolution is formed when formally submitted for introduction in committee
Needs to be in resolution format
Allow for 10 min explanation and Q/A

10. Amendments Friendly Amendments
Must be agreed by all sponsors. Automatically incorporated into the resolution
Unfriendly Amendments
Not agreed by all(i.e. one sponsor objects)
Requires 1/5 signatories
Requires 2/3 majority vote to pass

11. Motion for Moderated Caucus
Moves the committee into a structured debate about a specific topic with a specific time limit.
Requires majority vote

12. Motion for Un-moderated Caucus
Suspend the rules
Move the committee into an organized chaos for a specific amount of time to work/discuss
I.e. I motion for a 20 minute un-moderated caucus to write working papers/resolutions/amendments

13. Motion to Move to Previous Question
Ends debate on current topic and moves into voting procedure
Requires 2 for and 2 against
Requires 2/3 votes

14. Voting Procedure
Vote on resolution in order of docket(i.e. resolution 1.1,1.2,1.3, etc)
First, the committee will vote on unfriendly amendments for each respective resolution
Second, vote on the entire resolution/ Only delegates who said “present” can abstain

15. Motion for Roll Call Delegate’s privilege
Believe that the vote was too close to call and want to record everyone’s vote
Yes, yes with rights, no, no with rights, abstain

16. Motion to Limit/Extend Debate
Increase or decrease speaker’s time
Requires majority vote

17. Motion to Adjourn the Session
Final motion of the conference
Requires a majority vote

18. Point of Personal Privilege
Indicate personal discomfort or impediment to debate
Desire to use the restroom or to get water
Cannot be used during a person’s speaking time unless you can’t hear the speaker

19. Point of Order
Points out procedural mistake or infraction by a delegate or Chair
Can interrupt speaker, but please refrain from interrupting a speaker.

20. Point of Parliamentary Inquiry
Clarifies the rules
Ask the Chair about the structural of debate
Have no clue what is going on, use this point

21. Point of Clarification
Clarifies errors or word choice in a submission
Working paper, resolution, and amendment
Can only be used to fix grammar errors and not be used as clarification on the issue itself

22. Right of Reply
Replies to a personal attack on a delegation’s member(s)
Not used to response to substantive attack
I.e. The Country of Haiti is very poor

23. Do’s Speak up and engage in debate Use effective motions and points
Write stuff.
Compromise and work with others
Sound smart(according to your country’s view)
Stay on topic during unmod caucus

24. Don’ts Don’t be afraid to take tough positions Don’t use electronics
Don’t have a prewritten resolution(Get rid of it ASAP)
Don’t be anti-social or afraid to interact
Don’t be apathetic

25. HAVE FUN

26. Credits
Princeton International Relations Council 2013