|
| |
IASAS RULES OF PROCEDURE
1.
These rules have been adapted for the special needs of the IASAS Model U.N.
Conference. Though some adjustments may be contrary to what specifically happens
in the United Nations itself, they are made in consideration of time, and to
expedite debate. Nonetheless, The Model United Nations for East Asia ("A 3 Day
Play") conveys the essence of the procedure, promise, drama, and problems of the
World Body.
2.
Scope:
These rules are self-sufficient and shall be considered adopted in advance
of the session. No other rules of procedure are applicable.
3. Language:
English shall be the official and
working language of the session.
4. Statements by the Secretariat:
The Secretary-General, or a
member of the Secretariat designated by them as their representative, may at any
time address the session.
5. Delegations:
Each member nation shall be
represented by one voting delegate. In addition, delegations will include one
alternate representative only.
6. Credentials:
The credentials of all delegates
have been accepted prior to the opening session. Any representative to whose
admission a member objects shall be seated provisionally with the same rights as
other representatives.
7.
Action relating to the modification of rights, privileges, or credentials of any
member may not be initialed without the written consent of the
Secretary-General. Each delegate must, at all times, have his name plate in full
view or else may lose possession of speaking and voting rights for that session.
8.
Any member who wishes to challenge the credentials of a fellow delegate must
follow this procedure. A motion for a Change of Agenda calling for a Change of
Status must be submitted to the Secretary General with the signatures of
twenty-five (25) nations. If the delegates receive written approval for the
Motion concerning the Change of Status and the Motion for Change of Agenda has
been passed by a 2/3 majority, then the change of Status Motion must be
considered. There should be two speakers For and two speakers Against. This
Motion must also receive a 2/3 majority.
9. Minute of Meditation:
Immediately after the opening of
the first plenary session and immediately before the closing of the final
plenary session, the Chair shall invite all members to observe one minute of
meditation.
10. Quorum:
The Chair may declare a session
open and permit debate when at least one quarter of the members are present. The
presence of a majority shall be required for any substantive decision to be
taken. A quorum shall be assumed present unless specifically challenged and
shown to be absent.
11. General Powers of the Chair:
In addition to exercising the powers conferred upon
the Chair elsewhere in these rules, the Chair shall declare the opening and
closing of each meeting, direct discussions, accord the right to speak, put all
questions to a vote, and announce decisions. He or she may also recess or
adjourn the session.
12. The chair shall ensure and enforce observance of these rules, and
subject to them, he shall rule on Points of Order. He or she shall have complete
control of the proceedings, at all sessions. In the exercise of these
functions, the Chair is at all times subject to these rules and responsible to
the General Assembly.
13. Powers of the Secretariat:
The Secretariat shall interpret these rules and their ramifications
according to the session. They may also advise the delegates on the possible
course of the debate.
14. Courtesy:
All representatives will be expected to show courtesy and respect to those
speaking. Those who refuse may be dealt with at the Chair's discretion.
15. Agenda:
The agenda for each session of the General Assembly shall be determined by
the Secretary General prior to the session. Each resolution will be given a
number in order of submission to the General Assembly. This number will not be
changed unless the Sponsor is absent at the time of debate. Then it will be put
at the end of the agenda.
16. Changes in the Agenda:
Motions to Change the Agenda are in order only when a main motion is not
under consideration. It will require a 2/3 vote in General Assembly. In
Committee, the Motion to Change the Agenda must be signed by ten (10) nations
and twenty-five (25) nations in General Assembly. After one speaker For and one
speaker Against the Motion, the Motion shall be put to a vote.
17. Resolutions:
Delegates may propose Resolutions for Committee consideration in any of the
designated topic areas. Authors of a Resolution shall be called its Co-Submittees.
The names of the Co-Submittees of a Resolution shall appear in the heading of
the printed Resolution; Sponsors and Co-Sponsors appear at the end. To reach the
floor, Resolutions must be typed in the correct form, but line numbers may be
written in ink.
Questions pertaining to financial issues should not appear in Resolutions, or be
raised in Points of Information. (5/03)
18. Competence-Tabling:
A Motion to Question the Competence of a Resolution or amendment must be
made when the said Resolution or amendment is on the floor. The Motion is
debatable to the extent of one speaker For and one Against; passage requires a
majority of members present and voting. Competence Tabling is accepted procedure
at Committee Meetings but is not part of the General Assembly.
19. Debate on Resolutions:
The basis for General Assembly
proceedings shall be the specific Speakers List for each Resolution. A delegate
may have his or her name placed on a Speakers List for a particular Resolution
by raising his or her placard at the allotted time. Speakers may address a
particular Resolution currently on the floor. They may not address any other
topic.
20. Speakers Lists:
The Speakers' List for a
Resolution, and for any subsequent Amendments, shall be determined by a show of
placards. Delegates must indicate if they are speaking "For", "Against" or "To"
the Resolution. Once determined, the Speakers' List will be read or posted by
the chair.
21.
In the General Assembly there will be no Speakers' List. The Secretary General
will ask the chief submitter of the Resolution to be debated to read the
Operative Clauses, answer points of Clarification, deliver an Opening Speech,
and respond to Points of Information. The chief submitter may then choose to
Yield to another delegate, or to Yield the Floor to the Chair who will select
the next speaker and subsequent speakers by a show of placards. (5/03)
22.
Speeches:
No representative may address the General Assembly without having previously
obtained the permission of the Chair. The Chair may call a speaker to order if
his or her remarks are not relevant to the subject under discussion.
23. Time Limit on Speeches:
The Chair may limit the time
allowed to each speaker and the number of times that representative may speak on
any question. This rule needs to be enforced by all chairs. Only two minutes
should be allowed for speeches. (5/2003) When the debate is limited and a
speaker exceeds the allotted time, the Chair shall call him or her to order
without delay. Maximum time allotted for a speech on a procedural motion is 1
minute.
24. Note Passing:
Delegates will be permitted to
pass notes during session, but only through one of the pages. Notes must be
signed on the inside by the country sending the note and properly addressed to
the country which is to receive it on the outside. There will be no note passing
during voting. If sent to the Chair, notes may also be ruled Dilatory, Absurd,
or Frivolous, and the sender may lose his note passing privileges. Notes will be
censored. No note passing is permitted during formal speaking. Tearing of note
paper during session may result in a one session suspension of privileges. A
faculty member may be consulted by the pages.
25. Dilatory, Absurd, or Frivolous Acts:
The Presiding Officer may rule a
member Out of Order as Dilatory, Absurd, or Frivolous. That member alone may
appeal the ruling of the Chair. If this appeal is not able to receive the
support of 2/3 of the members, that member will be Out of Order and shall be
denied all privileges to address the body or move any motion while that item of
the agenda under consideration remains before the body. That member shall be
accorded the right to vote on motions under consideration.
26. Yields:
A delegate who has been granted the right to speak
on a substantive issue may yield that right to another specified member. All
yields of speaking time should be in periods of l or 2 minutes. Once the
original speaker exceeds his portion, he shall be halted by the Chair. The
second speaker may then utilize the balance of the overall time period, but may
not yield time to any other member, including the original member yielding time.
There shall be no yields on procedural motions. In Committee, yields need not be
indicated while the Speakers List is being drawn up. They may be made by the
delegate at the podium before the beginning of a speech. In General Assembly the
yield for speaking time must be submitted in writing to the Chair prior to
invitation of debate on the particular Resolution in question.
27. Right to Reply:
All requests for "Right to Reply" will be dealt within the following manner:
a. Any delegate whose personal or national integrity
has been insulted should immediately stand as soon as the offensive statement
has been made.
b. The delegate should not speak.
c. Upon completion of the speech in which the
perceived insult occurred, the Secretary General will then recognize the
delegate to speak at his/her (the 5-0's) discretion. The delegate will speak
from his desk.
d. In General Assembly the right to reply is limited
to 30 seconds.
28. Amendments:
In session, a delegate may move to amend any Resolution which has been
introduced. All amendments must be in writing. If the original Sponsor of the
resolution accepts the amendment, it is considered a friendly amendment and is
immediately incorporated into the body of the Resolution. The acceptance of a
friendly amendment shall be announced to the session during the course of debate
on the Resolution either from the floor or in a substantive speech. If the
Submittee of a Resolution does not approve of a proposed amendment, it is
considered non-friendly. Before being considered on the floor, non-friendly
amendments must receive eight (8) signatures. Only extremely lengthy amendments
must be duplicated.
A
non-friendly amendment to any Resolution may be introduced when the Resolution
is under consideration and the floor is open. Amendments dealing with other
Resolutions introduced or Resolutions not relevant to the topic area are out of
order.
When a
non-friendly amendment to a Resolution presently on the floor is moved, general
debate on the Resolution shall be suspended. Speakers Lists shall be drawn up
For and Against the amendment, and this shall take precedence. Once the General
Assembly has acted on the amendment, general debate on the Resolution shall
resume.
Only two (2) amendments per Resolution will be allowed in
General Assembly. The Chair may rule any amendment Out of Order if, in his or
her opinion, it drastically alters the clear intent of the Resolution. This
decision is appealable.
Tertiary amendments are out of order.
29. Closure of Debate:
During debate on a Resolution, a
motion to close debate is in order only when the General Assembly has heard at
least two speakers For and two Against, or all speakers on one side and at least
two on the opposing side.
Motions for Closure of Debate require one speaker For and one speaker
Against and the votes of 2/3 of the members present and voting. Any item upon
which debate has been closed shall be brought to an immediate vote. Closure of
debate is automatic if a particular substantive Speakers List has been
exhausted, unless a motion to reopen the Speakers List is passed by a majority.
Closure of Debate is also automatic on procedural motions when the specific
number of speakers has been heard. In both of these cases, the matter upon which
debate has been closed shall be brought to an immediate vote.
If delegates challenge a chair unsuccessfully, they may be penalized by losing
speaking or voting privileges. (5/2003)
30. Caucusing:
There will be a separate area
provided for the purpose of caucusing. It has been suggested that a set of
placards be provided for committee caucusing areas, in blocs, in each committee
room. (5/03) No caucusing shall be tolerated in General Assembly. Members who
wish to call for caucus may rise to a point of Personal Privilege, or motion for
a recess at any time other than when another member has the floor.
31. Division of the Question:
After the debate on any
Resolution or amendment has been closed, a delegate may move, in written form
with eight (8) signatures, that operative clauses of the proposal be voted upon
individually or grouped in any manner. If objection is made to the request for
division, the Motion for Division shall be voted on. It is debated by one
speaker For and one speaker Against. Division requires a majority of the members
present and voting. If the Motion passes, those parts of the substantive
proposals which are subsequently passed shall be put to a vote as a whole.
All requests for "Division of The Question" will require eight (8) signatures.
If all the operative parts of the proposal are rejected, the proposal shall be
rejected.
32. Voting:
Each member nation shall have one
vote.
"Members present and voting" shall be defined as those members casting an
affirmative or negative vote.
A simple majority is needed to pass Resolutions in Committee and General
Assembly. Members who abstain from voting shall not be considered in reckoning
the totals needed to determine the results of the vote. A majority is considered
to be one or more than half the members present and voting.
Procedural matters and amendments shall be voted upon by placard only.
Placard votes shall be taken on substantive matters
unless a motion from the floor calling for a Roll Call vote is seconded by
twelve (12) members. If after a revote, the outcome of a placard vote on a
substantive issue is unclear, the Chair may call for a Roll Call vote, or such
a motion may be made from the floor, seconded by twelve (12) members.
33. Roll Call Votes:
After closure of debate on a resolution, the final vote will follow
Roll-Call procedure. There will be no Roll Call votes in Committee. A placard
vote must be within five (5) votes to necessitate a Roll Call vote.
Roll Call votes shall be taken in alphabetical order beginning with a member
chosen by the Chair. Members shall answer the Roll Call with either "Yes", "No",
or "Pass". A member who passes during the first round of a Roll Call vote shall
be requested to vote the second time his or her name is called. No sponsor of
the Resolution or amendment, or persons who have spoken on the Resolution or
amendment may have the right of explanation.
After the conclusion of the second sequence of voting during which the members
who passed initially cast their votes, the Chair shall call for changes in the
vote. No members may request a right of explanation at this time.
The Chair shall announce the outcome of the vote after the last explanation of
vote has been made.
Once voting has commenced, no delegate may interrupt except with a Point of
Order in connection with the conduct of the voting. The voting procedure is
considered to begin with the calling of the first nation on the Roll, and does
not end until the outcome has been announced.
34. Point of Personal Privilege:
In Committee, whenever a delegate experiences personal discomfort which
impairs his or her ability to follow the proceedings, that delegate may rise to
a Point of Personal privilege in the hope that the source of discomfort will be
corrected or removed. While a Point of Personal Privilege may interrupt a
speaker, delegates should use this prerogative with the utmost discretion.
35. Point of Order:
After the discussion of any matter, a delegate may rise to a Point of Order
to complain of improper parliamentary procedure by the Chair or other delegates.
The Point of Order shall be immediately decided by the Chair in accordance with
these rules.
A representative rising to a Point of Order may not speak on the substance of
the matter under consideration. The Chair may, without subject to appeal, rule
Out of Order those points which in his or her judgment are dilatory or improper.
Points of Information and Points of Parliamentary Procedure may be raised in the
General Assembly. Points of Personal Privilege must be in writing. Points of
Order, do however, apply in the General Assembly. (5/03)
36. Warning System:
The Chairman of the session may
at any time at his or her discretion place warnings on countries for acts
considered undiplomatic. These warnings may not be appealed. The penalty system
follows as such:
37. 1st Warning
38. 2nd Warning
39. 3rd
Warning
40. No penalty
41. No speaking or voting privileges
up to the completion of one resolution/ (5/03)
42. Removal of delegate from the room
43. Appealing the Decision of the Chair:
Any decision of the Chair, with
the exception of those matters which are herein explicitly designated
unappealable, may be appealed immediately by a delegate. The delegate may speak
on behalf of the appeal, and the Chair may speak in defense of the ruling. The
appeal shall be put to a vote and the Chair's decision shall stand unless
overruled by 2/3 of the members present and voting. A placard vote must be used.
A Chair's ruling that an amendment is Out of Order because it "drastically"
alters a resolution's clear intent may be appealed.
There shall be one speaker in favor of the appeal and the Chair may speak
against. The appeal shall then be put to a vote, and the Chair's decision shall
stand unless overruled by a 2/3 majority of those members present and voting.
44. Point of Parliamentary
Inquiry:
In Committee, during the
discussion of any matter, when the floor is open, a delegate may rise to a
direct Point of Inquiry to the Chair concerning parliamentary procedure. The
Chair shall answer the Inquiry in accordance with the rules of procedure. A
point of Parliamentary Inquiry may not interrupt a speaker.
45. Adjournment and Recess:
"Adjournment" means cessation of
all committee functions for the duration of the conference. "Recess" means
suspension of these functions until a time designated by the body.
A motion to Adjourn is Out of Order prior to the lapse of ° of the time allotted
for the last meeting of the body. At any time, a delegate may move to recess the
session. The Motion shall immediately be put to a vote; a majority is necessary
for passage. The Chair may rule a Motion to Recess as Out of Order. A Motion to
Recess should contain the amount of time proposed for the recess. The delegates
are reminded that recess is different from adjournment.
46. Withdrawal of Motions:
A motion may be withdrawn by its Sponsor at any time before voting on the motion
has commenced, provided that it has not been amended by the body. A motion thus
withdrawn may be re-introduced by any member.
If a motion has more than one Sponsor, all must agree on the decision to
withdraw. Those nations who have signed a substantive motion but who are not
considered Sponsors have no voice in a decision to withdraw the motion.
47.
Motions in Writing:
In Committee, the Chair may require at any time that all motions, with the
exceptions of Point of Order and Points of Personal Privilege, be submitted in
writing before they are recognized. Requests to be placed on the Speakers List
on any substantive issue shall be submitted in writing, unless the Chair
specifically suspends this right.
48. Speaking "To" the Question:
Speaking "To" the particular
question shall refer to speaking on a substantive issue without taking a
specific pro or con position. Speaking "To" the question shall be permitted in
the course of general debate on Resolutions in the topic area on the floor.
Speakers "To" the question must be placed on the Speakers List at the time it is
determined.
49. Point of Information:
A representative may rise to a
Point of Information after a speaker has finished but still has the floor. A
point of Information is a question, a request for information from the speaker.
The delegate must ask the Chair if the speaker will yield to a Point of
Information. The chair has the right to limit the Points of Information.
50. Leading questions are encouraged if they enhance the discussion under
debate. Diplomatic language should be used when asking questions. An Example of
a diplomatically worded question is: "Would the delegate from Mozambique please
explain line 36 in operative clause 2?" (5/03)
51. Responsibilities of Delegates:
Each delegate has the
responsibility of conducting him/herself in a diplomatic manner. Undiplomatic
conduct will be looked upon with extreme disfavor by the Secretariat. Violation
of this rule may lead to immediate expulsion from the current function.
52. Precedence: Parliamentary Points
a. May interrupt a speaker [in
Committee]
i. Point of Personal Privilege (Rule 29)
b. In order only when the floor is
open
i. Point of Parliamentary Inquiry (Rule
33) [in Committee]
ii. Point of Order (Rule30) [Committee and
General Assembly]
c. Questions after a speech
i. Point of Information (Rule
38)[Committee
and G.A.]
d. Procedural Motions [Committee] i.
Adjournment (Rule 34)
ii. Recess (Rule
34)
e. Motions relevant to Resolutions
or amendments
i. Competence (Rule
14) [Committee]
ii. Withdrawal of a Motion (Rule
35)
[Committee]
iii. Closure of Debate (Rule
24)[Committee]
iv. Division of the Question (Rule 26) [Committee and G.A.]
f. Substantive motions
i. Amendments [Committee and General
Assembly]
ii. Introduction of non-friendly amendment (Rule
23)
iii. Announcement of a friendly amendment
(Rule 23)
g. Resolutions [Committee and G.A.]
i. Introduction of a Resolution (Rule 13)
ii. Debate on Resolutions (Rule
15)
53. Right to Statement - Point of Personal
Privilege:
Each country, immediately following the Roll Call, or at a time no
Resolution is on the floor, will have the Right to Public Statement. This
Statement may be on any topic, not related to those under debate. It must be
under one minute. All requests for Right to Statement must be in writing with
the topic indicated. The Chair will grant four
(4) prior to
opening debate on a new Resolution. There will be no Points of Information
granted.
54. The Prerogative of the Secretary General and Presiding Officers:
The Secretary General may at any time suspend or otherwise change any part
of the rules of procedure in order to ensure smooth functioning of the United
Nations.
55. Security Council:
Any nation may request in writing that a Resolution be brought before the
Security Council. This motion must have the signature of at least
eight (8)
countries. If passed, the Resolution will become a
Security Council Resolution.
56. Informal
debate:
As time limits demand, in the
interest of inclusive and participatory Committee sessions in which all
countries enjoy the opportunity to state their views, the Committee Chairman may
invoke Informal Debate (or "Moderated Caucus"). This will apply especially when
deadlines or the simple passage of time would not allow the Speakers List to be
completed under standard procedure. Informal Debate consists of one-minute
speeches that must contain information or arguments not presented during the
Formal Debate. The Speakers List shall be drawn up through a show of placards.
Preference shall be given to those who have not spoken during the Formal Debate.
Speakers shall not entertain Points of Information. Informal Debate facilitates
rapid exchange and allows all to be heard. Under certain circumstances, it may
also be utilized in the General Assembly.
57.
Equal Time:
Debate on each Issue will have equally allotted time. This is to provide
equal opportunity for all speakers on given General Assembly Resolutions.
The Secretary General should not change the time limit of speeches, as this will
allow for consistency, and will give more delegates an opportunity to speak.
(5/03)
58. Focus and Substance in the General Assembly:
It is confirmed that Points of Personal Privilege, Parliamentary Inquiry,
and Parliamentary Procedure cannot be raised in General Assembly, Points of
Order do, however, apply in G.A.
If the Point of Order is abused in General Assembly and detracts from the
substantive exchange with continual and inappropriate disruptions, the Secretary
General may require the Point of Order in writing. A skillful Secretary General
will use discretion in this and be amenable to legitimate Points of Order. By
the same token, he/she will be firm in suppressing illegitimate Points of Order.
59. Phraseology:
The phraseology of the Model
United Nations shall be formal so as to accurately simulate diplomatic
interaction. Thus, a delegate should say "I move that..." and not "motion to...
"A delegate should also say "I rise to a point of..." instead of "point of ..."
60. Special Rights and Privileges
of the Secretary General and Chairs:
The Secretary General may at any
time suspend or otherwise change any part of the Rules of Procedure in order to
insure smooth functioning of the Model United Nations.
61. Procedure for Debating
Resolutions in Committee:
Once a Resolution has at least 8
Co-Submitters during the Lobbying/Caucusing period on the first day, then the
Resolution can be turned in to the Committee Chairs and the Vetting Committee.
The Committee Chairs will decide on the order the Resolutions will be presented
to the Committee. The Co-Submitters of the Resolution chosen first will be
notified as soon as possible. The Chair will decide the order of Speakers for
the Resolutions. The first Speaker will read the Operative Clauses to the
Committee. Then, Points of Clarification are asked.
62. Points of Clarification:
These are questions from the floor asking for explanation of specific
words/phrases in the Operative Clauses from the Resolution. After these
questions are satisfactorily answered, on of the Co-Submitters will have two
minutes to make an Opening Speech.
63. Follow-Up Questions:
At the discretion of the Chair, a
Delegate may ask for a Follow-Up Question after asking a Speaker a Point of
Information. This decision by the Chair is not subject to Appeal. Typically, the
Chair will allow a Follow-Up Question if time permits and if the Speaker has not
properly answered the first Point of Information.
64. Motions to Extend:
Delegates may make Motions such
as: (1) "I rise to a Motion to Extend Points of Information," and (2) " I rise
to a Motion to Extend the Speaker's List." These Motions are made after either
Points of Information or the Speaker's List has been exhausted but further
questions and information are needed. There is no vote on this Motion. The
Motion is decided at the discretion of the Chair or the Secretary General. The
decision is not subject to Appeal.
65. Explanation of Vote:
This is a very serious maneuver
that requires careful thought. Basically, should a Delegate feel that another
Delegate has seriously misrepresented their foreign policy, they may ask the
Chair for an Explanation of Vote. This is formally begun in this fashion:
Immediately after the vote, there must be a verbal communication to the Chair of
the Secretary General (through a Point of Order) announcing the intent, followed
directly by a note to them. Should the Chair or the Secretary General-deem the
request reasonable, they may ask the particular Delegate if they wish to
reconsider or change their vote. This decision by the Chair or Secretary General
is not subject to Appeal.
VETTING PROCEDURES FOR RESOLUTIONS
Approval Panel Instructions for
Students
Steps for Student Delegates to Follow
1. Bring one copy of your Resolution to
the Approval Panel
2. Leave it at the "Front Desk" where
it will receive a committee number and letter e.g. 10 1 "A" ("A" indicates that
it is the first Resolution received on the issue of Ethnic Tensions; "B"
indicates that it is the second Resolution received ...)
3. Come back about 30 minutes later to
the Front Desk to see if your Resolution has been read, corrected or approved
4. If your Resolution needs
corrections take it back to the Computer Room and make those corrections.
5. Bring your corrected Resolution and
the original copy (showing the needed corrections) back to the Approval Panel
"Front Desk".
6. Come back about 30 minutes later to
the Front Desk to see if your Resolution has been approved.
7. You do not take your approved
Resolution. It will be photocopied by the Secretariat and distributed to
delegates prior to debate in your Committee room
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What can I do during the Committee if I continue to
raise my placard but the Chairs do not recognize me?
This is actually a common complaint heard at IASAS MUN Conferences. We'll
let you in on a little secret - actually, being noticed begins first thing on
Thursday morning at 8:00 am when the Conference begins. Right away, your fellow
Delegates are watching you to see if they should try to gather your support. And
you can bet the Chairs are watching too. They want to give the mature,
knowledgeable Delegates lots of speaking time in the Committee because then the
Committee will be a success. So start being recognized as soon as you walk into
the Opening Ceremonies.
Then, when the Committee starts, be sure your Chair recognizes you during your
Opening Speech. Make a good impression on your Committee, fellow Delegates, and
the Chair. Then you will be sure to be called upon during Debate. Remember, the
Chairs want to have good speakers at the podium. During Caucusing, be a good
diplomat and seek compromise while at the same time accurately representing
your country's views. In our opinion, this is the best possible way to ensure
that the Chairs will indeed recognize you later.
Nevertheless, if you feel you are still not being recognized, ask some
experienced Delegates what they think. See if they notice the bias, too. Chairs
will keep a tally of Speakers and it will be easy for you to note any bias
against your country. If this still continues, then write a note to your Chair
expressing your concerns and explaining why you should be called on. For
example, if you have a relevant question or your country holds an important view
on the issue. Your Chair should then take note of it and call on you as soon as
possible. If you continue to be ignored, direct your problem to the Secretary
General or Parliamentarian. If the problem persists (this should only be
used as a last resort) contact your advisor.
2. What steps can I take towards getting my
Resolution on the Committee Agenda?
One of the biggest goals of the Model United Nations is to build consensus
through diplomacy. Thus, when Caucusing amongst other Committee Delegates it is
essential to come to an agreement on a solution to the issue at hand.
Resolutions that are clearly the product of positive compromises will be highly
considered by the Vetting Committee. The Vetting Committee is made up of MUN
Faculty Advisors. They look over all the Resolutions and make suggestions to the
Chairs re: which ones are appropriate and which ones they believe will encourage
lots of Debate in the Committee.
Although Debate is highly encouraged, finding consensus is what the United
Nations strives for in reality and should be emulated by us. However, it is
important to remember that your country's core policies must be maintained and
manifested in the Resolution. Legitimate solutions are also obviously important.
The Vetting Committee will most likely not consider resolutions with impossible
or impractical demands. So, practice diplomacy. look for compromise, and
accurately represent your country's point of view. This will absolutely impress
the Chairs and will go a long way to getting your Resolution on the Agenda.
3. I still want to participate, so what are other things I can do if
my Resolution is not picked?
If the Vetting Committee does not pass your Resolution, there are still many
opportunities for you to be seen and heard in your Committee and the General
Assembly. First, send a note to your Chair informing them of your situation.
Explain to them that you have legitimate questions to be asked or valid points
that need to be made in a speech. Be sure that this is a true statement because
if you are chosen and you do not add to the Debate in a positive way, the Chairs
may very well overlook you in future times. Next, prepare a `To' speech on the
issue under Debate. Plus, make sure you have a dynamite Right to Statement
speech. This is a terrific way to impress the Chairs with your speaking
abilities. Plus, you can always make an Unfriendly Amendment to the Resolution.
That is always a great way to get some speaking time.
4.
How do I get onto the Speaker's List when a Resolution is being Debated?
The Speaker's List is formulated prior to the Debate for each Resolution,
and directly after the Resolution is read before the Committee. So that Chairs
will notice you, it is important for you to ask valid questions and make
statements that positively add to Debate. The Chairs will take notice of
Delegates who would like to speak `For', `Against', or `To' a Resolution. If you
are not chosen to be on the Speaker's List, it is still possible to make your
country's position on this issue heard. Asking questions at the end of each
speech during Points of Information can do this.
5.
What steps can I take if I feel the Chair is being biased or incompetent?
If you feel the Chair is being biased or incompetent, there are several
steps you can take. One of the first things you should do is to write a note to
the Chairs concerning the problem you are facing. If after having done this
repeatedly, you are still not being noticed or if you feel the Chair continues
to act poorly, then you should talk with other Delegates in your Committee to
ensure that there is a mutual feeling, or agreement, towards your Chair's
decisions and actions, which do not seem to be appropriate. If there seems to
be consensus amongst your peers you have the option of questioning the
competency of your Chair. This is however, a risky action to take. Therefore,
it is important that you are ready to suffer the consequences of such an action
(see Rules of Procedure #35).
6. If
I'm giving a speech at the lectern, what do I do if I am asked a question and I
don't know the answer?
This question is probably the one heard the next most often at MUN
Conferences.
If you are giving a speech and then someone asks you a question that you are
unsure of the answer or do not know the answer, it can be easily remedied by
replying with, "I'll get back to you later." Even if you do not know the answer
to the question directed to you, it is important to always remain poised and
confident. Simply say, "Thank you," nod your head, and smile. Obviously though,
you cannot do this too often or the Chairs will think you are incompetent
and will not call you in the future. Worse, your fellow Delegates will lose
confidence in you and will not want to work with you on trying to pass a
Resolution.
As you probably already know, the best way to handle this situation is to arrive
at the Conference fully prepared. You become prepared by researching the topic
thoroughly. Also, you should be doing lots of practice sessions at your school
in preparation for the actual Conference. You can ask fellow Delegates questions
and have experienced MUNers "grill" you -just like what will happen at ISB in
November.
Sometimes, when you are at the podium, it is okay to say, "I'm sorry. But I
don't know the answer to that question. Perhaps we can discuss it later and try
to reach a decision together." This also works. But again, only use this
occasionally. Nothing works better than being prepared and practicing
beforehand.
7.
I'm afraid people will laugh at me if I ask a dumb question or say something
stupid.
Hopefully, your Faculty Advisor would have given you lots of opportunities
before the Conference to practice your public speaking skills. But truthfully,
there is nothing like "jumping in and getting your feet wet." All speakers, even
the good ones, had to begin somewhere. In a nice, safe place such as a Model UN
Conference, this is a perfect place to begin. The Chairs are there to help you
too. They will make sure you are treated respectfully. The Chairs will not allow
you to be embarrassed.
Sources: IASAS Handbook
H. Berghuis
|
Model United Nations