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Parliamentary Procedure

This guide provides an overview of parliamentary procedure in Model UN, including the roles of the chair, co-chair, crisis writer, crisis director, and crisis staff. It also explains common points and motions used in committee debates.

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Parliamentary Procedure

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  1. Parliamentary Procedure Model UN Team – Leesville Road High School 2014-2015

  2. Examples of Committees General Assemblies (GAs) Special Politics and Decolonization Committee (SPECPOL) Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC) Economic and Social Committees (ECOSOCs) World Health Organization(WHO) International Environmental Committee (IEC) United States Senate* Crisis Committees European Economic Crisis Committee Peloponnesian Wars Joint-Crisis Committee

  3. Roles of the Dias and other Staff Chair: Responsible for facilitating all of the committee's proceedings by following rules of procedure (as applicable), ruling on points and motions, keeping time, and ensuring that the students have a lively debate. Co-Chair:Responsible for assisting the committee chair in facilitating debate, keeping time, etc, as well as maintaining close communication with the crisis director and staff, specifically to keep them updated on the happenings of committee. Crisis Writer: Responsible for the creation of articles used to introduce the committee topics and assists in responding to notes, typing draft resolutions, and maintaining the structure of debate when needed. Crisis Director: responsible for overseeing the creation and development of the crisis simulations. He or she will coordinate between the dais staff and crisis personnel, as well as update the Crisis Director on committee progress. Crisis Staff: responsible for assisting the Crisis Director for creation, organization, and the facilitation of the crisis. Their duties will include the writing of briefing papers and serving as home governments.

  4. The Chronology of GA/ECOSOC Committees TAKE ROLL Debate and Vote on a Topic (requires Majority of committee) Speaker’s List (~1-2 min; can add 2 Q&A; can Yield to Questions, another Speaker, or the Chair) Un-moderated Caucus (typically ~10 min; chair’s discretion and can vary) Moderated Caucus (~30sec – 1min) Creation and Introduction of Draft Resolutions (i.e. Working Papers) Editing and Consolidation of Draft Resolutions into Resolutions Enter Voting Procedure to Discuss non-substantive points, amendments (friendly & un-friendly), and vote

  5. Common Points & Motions: General Debate Motion to Open Debate / Motion to Open the Speaker’s List: A formalized method of beginning the committee and opening up the speaker’s list. The chair will then ask for placards to be raised to be added to the speaker’s list. The delegate may set a speaking time or the chair may set one / use discretion. Motion to Set the Agenda: After running through the speaker’s list for 10-20 countries and there seems to be consensus on the topic to discuss or too much time has surpassed, either a delegate will motion or the chair will request a “motion to set the agenda to [topic].” Yield to [Questions, another Delegate, Chair, Comments]: The dias must track the speaker’s time on the speaker’s list and if adequate time is left (more than 10 sec), the delegate may yield to one of the above. Most are intuitive, chair just means the chair absolves the rest of the time. Comments allows delegates to make points rather than ask questions with remaining time. Motion to enter a Moderated Caucus (should state a speaking time and topic*): Motion to enter in a faster-paced debate environment where the speaking time is typically 30sec to 1min and there is no yielding. Motion to enter a Un-Moderated Caucus (should specify a time): Motion to enter a non-debate period where delegates can get out of their seats and informally talk to each other, work on draft resolutions, etc. It is up to the chair to track the time and make delegates aware when time is concluded.

  6. Common Points & Motions: General Debate Motion to (re)Set the Speaker’s Time (typically only during Speaker’s List) Point of Order: Typically, a delegate will (respectfully) bring up a structural or order-related issue that they believe was not considered (i.e. Chair forgot to allow for Questions or too few speakers). The chair should carefully listen and consider, but ultimately the decision is at the chair’s discretion. Point of Inquiry: The delegate requires some sort of clarification from the chair regarding the structure of the committee, topic being discussed, a brief clarification on the topic, or something else. This is not an opportunity for the delegate to make a point, simply ask a question. Point of Personal Privilege (Preference): When the delegate is experiencing a personal issue, discomfort, or disadvantage (i.e. they need the speaker to speak louder because they are in the back of the room). Right of Reply: Used very sparingly when a delegate has been personally attached by another delegate (not his position or country, but a personal attack on the delegate himself). Do not allow often as it’s usually not relevant or appropriate. These should be submitted to the chair in writing and the chair will then decide whether to read.

  7. Common Points & Motions: Draft Resolutions Draft Resolution Requirements (typically at Chair’s Discretion): - At least 5 Sponsors (primary writers) - 10 – 20% of Committee in Sponsors + Signatories - Pre-Ambulatory Clauses may or may not be included – typically not required, but acceptable - Clauses formatted in the appropriate manner – please refer to link below to review resolution format - Once approved by the dias, a number will be assigned to each draft (i.e. if for the second topic, and it is the 3rd submitted, it would be number 2-3) Motion to Introduce a Draft Resolution (with 5 minute Q&A after introduction): When delegates have completed a draft version of their resolutions, they may motion to introduce the resolution to the entire committee. Usually, they may submit the draft to the chair first in order to have it typed so it is more easily introduced to the committee. Will sometimes also follow with Q&A where committee can ask questions to delegates… Question time not included.

  8. Common Points & Motions: Resolutions & Voting Once draft resolution have been introduced and discussed, delegates will hopefully work to edit and consolidate resolutions (most chairs, if there are more than 3 or 4 resolutions, will mandate consolidation). Once resolutions are finalized, sponsors and delegates may introduce amendments in writing to the staff. Motion to Introduce an Amendment to Resolution [ ]: This is the motion the delegate will make. Requires a majority vote to pass, then the chair will read out the amendment. After reading, the chair will ask the sponsors if the amendment is friendly or un-friendly Friendly Amendment: Amendment agreed up by all sponsors and automatically added to the resolution Unfriendly Amendment: Amendment not agreed upon by one or all sponsors and will be addressed in voting Motion to Suspend the Rules and Move into Voting Procedure on [ ] (with 2 speakers for/against): This typically requires a 2/3 majority to suspend the rules. The delegate must specify the resolutions to vote on. If it passes, the doors of the room must be locked and no delegate can be leave or enter – anyone not in the room cannot vote until voting procedure is completed. If 2 speakers for/against are requested, the chair will choose 2 speakers to speak in favor and two against, before the final vote. The vote must pass by Majority of the committee (delegates can vote in favor, against, or obstain).

  9. Common Points & Motions: Other Weird Ones Motion to Table the Resolution: Asks for the complete elimination of a resolution. Motion for a Roll Call Vote: Typically happens when the dias cannot get everyone in the committee to vote. Requires the calling of every delegate position in alphabetical order and they must vote in favor, against, or obstain. Motion to Divide the Question: Typical when there is one or multiple controversial clauses or segments of a resolution – requires that the committee vote on the request clauses separately from the rest of the resolution. Use a simple majority to accept the division; if passed, the clauses are divided and the committee will vote on each portion separately (as if separate resolutions), requiring a simple majority to pass. Motion to Recess and Motion to Adjourn: Recess is to conclude each session (the chair will typically ask for one if no one motions) and adjourn is to close debate completely during the last session.

  10. Questions? Heather Crew Secretary-General (919) 673-3335 Lauren Hudak Director-General (919) 623-9681 Spencer Schneier Crisis Committee (631) 921-3911

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