1. Flow of Debate, Points & Motions, Procedures
Model United Nations
Flow of Debate, Points & Motions, Procedures

2. Rules of Procedure: Key Terms
Delegate: A representative of a country in a committee.
Dais: Leads each committee at a MUN conference. Typically consists of Chair, Rapporteur and Director.
Roll Call: Identifies which delegations are present in the committee.
Formal Debate: Delegates make speeches, answer questions, and introduce and debate resolutions.
Informal Debate: Delegates can talk freely among themselves on the topic, forming ideas for solutions and creating resolutions.
Like real UN bodies, Model UN committees have lengthy agendas and many delegates who want to convey their country’s positions. To help maintain order, Model UN conferences adopt rules of procedure to establish when a delegate may speak and what he or she may address. At a Model UN conference, there is formal debate as well as informal debate, called caucusing.
Delegates: A representative of a country in a committee. During the Model UN Conference, students will be delegates.
Dais: Each committee at a Model UN conference is led by Global Classrooms staff in the form of the Dais. The Dais maintains order and assists the delegates by guiding the flow of debate, explaining the rules of procedure, reviewing resolutions and answering any questions. The Dais typically consists of the Chair, the Director and the Rapporteur. The Chair is responsible for facilitating all of the committee’s proceedings by following rules of procedure, ruling on points and motions, keeping time and encouraging lively debate. The Director oversees the resolution writing process by ensuring that all resolutions are in the proper format and provides feedback on draft resolutions. The Rapporteur is in charge of maintaining the speakers’ list, calling role, and tracking all resolutions and votes. Always remember that the Dais is there to assist the delegates and that answering questions and clearing up any confusion is part of their job. The Dais should be used as a resource for the delegates throughout the conference.
Roll Call: The first order of business in a Model UN committee is roll call. During roll call, the Rapporteur reads aloud the names of each member state in the committee. When a delegate's country's name is called, he or she should respond "present" and should raise their placards (a large sign with a delegate's country name printed on it) so they can be recognized by the Dais. Sometimes the Chair may ask delegates to respond “present and voting.” This means that the delegate will be required to vote on resolutions during voting. Delegates are allowed to respond only “present” when they are not sure if they want to vote or not.
Formal Debate: The “standard” type of debate at a Model UN conference is formal debate. During formal debate, the staff maintains a speakers’ list, and delegates speak in the order they are listed. At this time, delegates have an opportunity to share their views with the entire committee. Delegates make speeches, answer questions, and introduce and debate resolutions. Formal debate is important to the committee’s work. While in formal session, no delegate can address the group without being recognized by the Chair. This and the use of the speakers’ list allow all countries to express their opinion in an orderly fashion.
Informal Debate: Intermittent breaks during a committee session in which delegates are able to converse freely among themselves on the topic. Most work on forming ideas for solutions and creating resolutions occurs during this period. Informal debate is also referred to as a 'Caucus' and must be motioned for by a delegate of the committee (majority = 51% of the delegates is needed to pass).

3. Caucusing: A break in formal debate to facilitate discussion on the topic.  Most of the work at a MUN conference is done during a caucus.
Moderated Caucus: Allows delegates to debate in a less formal setting while still addressing the entire committee.
Unmoderated Caucus: Allows delegates to meet informally to discuss and negotiate draft resolutions
Caucusing: A caucus is a break in formal debate in which the rules of procedure are suspended. Caucusing can help to facilitate discussion, especially when there is a long speakers’ list. There are two types of caucus: Moderated and Unmoderated. When motioning for a caucus, delegates should specify which type of caucus and the desired length of time. Caucusing is a very important and valuable time in a Model United Nations Conference. It should be used to discuss topics informally with other delegates, not to talk about unrelated subjects. MOST OF THE WORK AT A MODEL UN CONFERENCE IS DONE DURING CAUCUS.
Moderated Caucus: A moderated caucus is a mixture of both formal and informal debate, which allows delegates to continue debate in a less formal setting while still addressing the entire committee. Moderated caucuses are usually used to address a specific topic or resolution. In a moderated caucus, the speakers’ list is suspended, and any delegate may speak if they raise their placard and are called upon by the Chair. The Chair calls upon delegates one at a time, and each speaker briefly addresses the committee.
Unmoderated Caucus: In an unmoderated caucus, delegates meet informally with one another and the committee staff to discuss and negotiate draft resolutions, amendments and other issues. In most cases, more than half of committee time is used for unmoderated caucusing. Many delegates feel this is the easiest way for them to collaborate and start to formulate draft resolutions. Resolutions are drafted during unmoderated caucus, so delegates should use this time wisely.

4. Common Motions Yes Simple Majority
Second Required?
Vote to Pass
Notes
What to Say?
Motion to Set Speaking Time
Yes
Simple Majority
Used to set or change the speaking time.
[Your Country Name] motions to set the speaking time at [suggest time].
Ex. Haiti motions to set the speaking time at one minute.
Motion to Suspend Meeting
Motions
[Your Country Name] motions to suspend the meeting for [purpose] for [length of time].
Ex. Haiti motions to suspend the meeting for an unmoderated caucus for 15 minutes.
Motion to Close Debate
Used to stop debate on a topic and move into voting procedure.
[Your Country Name] motions to close debate on Topic [topic name]
Motion to Adjourn Meeting
Used to end the committee session.
[Your Country Name] motions to adjourn the meeting.
Motions: Throughout formal debate, motions will need to be made in order to achieve specific actions by the committee. To make a motion, delegates first raise their placards and are recognized by the Chair. They then state the desired motion, the Chair asks for a second (if necessary) and the committee votes.
Second a Motion: To agree with a motion proposed. Many motions must be seconded before they can be brought to a vote.
Points: Points are used for individual questions and/or needs by delegates during a formal session.
Points and Motions: These are the most common points and motions used at a Global Classrooms Model UN Conference. Knowing these will help you understand the procedures of the conference. For a full list of the points and motions, please refer to the complete UNA-MN Global Classrooms Rules of Procedure available at the end of the curriculum or in the Delegate Guide.

5. Common Points Point of Inquiry No No Vote Required
Second Required?
Vote to Pass
Notes
What to Say?
Point of Inquiry No
No Vote Required
Used when a delegate has questions regarding the procedure of debate.
Raise placard and say “Point of Inquiry” (Wait until the Chair recognizes you, and then you can ask your question).
Point of Order
Used when a delegate believes an error in procedure has been made
Raise placard and say “Point of Order” (Wait until the Chair recognizes you, and then you can ask your question).

6. Point of Personal Privilege
Common Points
Points
Second Required?
Vote to Pass
Notes
What to Say?
Point of Information No
No Vote Required
Used when a delegate needs further information regarding something that has been stated (the meaning of an acronym used in a speech, etc.)
Raise placard and say “Point of Information” (Wait until the Chair recognizes you, and then you can ask your question).
Point of Personal Privilege
Used when a delegate experiences personal discomfort (i.e. can’t hear, too hot/cold, etc.) .
Raise placard and say “Point of Personal Privilege” (Wait until the Chair recognizes you, and them make your request).

7. Flow of Debate Roll Call Debate Close of Debate Voting Procedures
Formal Debate
Informal Debate
Opening speeches focus on stating country positions
The committee breaks for caucuses to compose draft resolutions.
Delegates make speeches describing their draft resolutions to garner more support
Countries and groups meet to gather support and finalize draft resolutions.
Delegates make statements supporting or disagreeing with specific draft resolutions. .
The following is what Model UN-ers call the “flow of debate” – the order in which events proceed during a Model UN conference. During the conference, debate unfolds in several different parts. The chart below shows the various stages of debate that can be expected to take place.
Roll Call
The Chair will announce each country’s name. After delegates hear their country, they should raise their placards and answer “present”.
Debate
Formal Debate
Formal debate revolves around a speakers’ list. The Chair begins by asking all delegates interested in addressing the other members to raise their placards. The Chair then chooses delegates to be placed on the speakers’ list. A country may speak multiple times but may not have their names twice on the speakers’ list at any one time.
1a. When the session begins, speeches focus on stating country positions and offering recommendations for action.
2a. After blocs have met, speeches focus on describing bloc positions to the entire body.
3a. Delegates now make statements describing their draft resolutions to the committee.
4a. Delegates try to garner more support through formal speeches and invite others to offer their ideas.
5a. Delegates make statements supporting or disagreeing with specific draft resolutions.
6a. A delegate moves to close debate.
Informal Debate
Informal debate involves discussion outside of the speakers’ list. During moderated caucuses, the Chair calls on delegates one-by-one so that each can address the committee in short speeches. During unmoderated caucuses, the committee breaks for a temporary recess so that delegates may meet with each other and discuss ideas.
1b. After several countries state their positions, the committee breaks for caucuses (often in blocs) to develop regional positions.
2b. Writing begins as countries work together to compose draft resolutions.
3b. Countries and groups meet to gather support for specific draft resolutions.
4b. Delegates finalize draft resolutions.
5b. Draft-resolution sponsors build greater support for their resolution.
Close of Debate
Once a delegate feels that his or her country’s position is clear to others and that there are enough draft resolutions on the floor, he or she may make a motion to proceed into voting procedure by moving for the closure of debate. This motion may be made even if there are still speakers on the speakers’ list. However, if the speakers’ list is exhausted, the committee will automatically move into voting procedures.
Voting Procedures
Once a motion to close debate has been approved, the committee moves into voting procedure. Each resolution is read aloud and displayed to the committee before voting. Every delegation will have one vote per resolution. Each delegation must vote for each resolution (either in favor or against), and can vote in favor of as many resolutions as they wish. Therefore, multiple resolutions may pass the committee and the outcome of any resolution has no effect on the other resolutions. A resolution requires 51% of the vote to pass. Voting procedures are different in the Security Council. Please refer to the Security Council background guide for more information.
Close of Debate
Voting Procedures