NMUN Parliamentary Procedure

A Quick Overview

Outline

Why Rules? Rules for Debate Rules for Voting

Why Rules?

Increase Efficiency Increase Productivity Protect Civility Encourage Equality and Fairness

Rules for Debate

Getting Started Make sure you are on time! Meetings begin with roll call When country is called, you can answer

one of two ways: Present (can abstain from voting) Present and Voting (must cast vote)

If you miss your call, send a note to the dais

In your note to the dais, be sure to indicate your

status

Rules of Debate

Debate begins when a motion is on the floor

To make a motion, or to speak at all, you need to be recognized by the chair

The chair will recognize you by calling your country by name

No recognition = no speaking

Try to keepthe casual talk to a minimum

Raise your placard and hold

it high until recognized

Rules of Debate

UN rules differ from Robert’s Rules in certain key respects

At the NMUN you have 2 sorts of debate: Formal Informal

Most of your time and most of your work will be done in informal debate

Formal Debate

At the start of formal debate, chair will ask members who wish to speak to place their names on a speaker’s list

The basic “debate” is a series of short speeches

Speakers limited to one speech until full list is cycled through

Speakers list can be closed by a

motion from the floor

Speaking time is unlimited, unless set by motion to

limit

Formal Debate

Speaking of motions… NMUN motions possible for:

Amendments Division of Question Suspension of Meeting Adjournment of Meeting Open/Close Speaker’s List

Amendments are “friendly” or “unfriendly”

Friendly amendments have the consent of all sponsors to the resolution

Unfriendly amendments lack the consent of all

sponsors

Informal Debate

Most of the work of the meeting will be done in informal “caucuses”

Meet with delegates from related countries

Work to: Draft resolutions Gather sponsors

No real “rules” other than be diplomatic and politically savvy

Voting Rules

Committee moves into voting procedure when speaker’s list is exhausted

When in voting procedure, all other committee work – including caucusing and freedom of movement into and out of the room – stops

Voting Rules

Variety of options for voting available: Raising of Placards Roll Call

Remember, if you said you were “present and voting” you must cast vote on every vote (i.e., no abstention)

Voting Rules

Committee will consider amendments to the resolution before considering the resolution

Chair determines order of amendments for consideration

Voting Rules

Also possible to “divide the question”

Allows body to consider sections of resolution separately

Order of division done at discretion of the Committee Chair