Rules and Procedures

1. Administrative During the course of the session the Chair may propose: The Secretariat. The Secretariat consists of 1.1 ● Limits on Debate, Closure of Debate, Enter the volunteer staff members of the Consultative Session and Suspension and University of Minnesota Model United Adjournment of the Meeting, Nations. The Chairperson is under the direct authority 1.2 Credentials. All questions concerning ​ of the Secretariat, and may be directed to representative credentials shall be inform the body on matters of procedure submitted to the Secretariat. and/or the body’s topical competence if such ● The Secretariat has sole authority to action is deemed necessary. decide all questions concerning 1.6 Absence of Chairperson. If the Chairperson credentials, should find it necessary to be absent during ● Representatives must wear approved any part of a Committee/Council session, credentials at all times while at the he/she will designate an individual, normally Conference. the Vice Chair, to perform the duties with the Quorum/Majority. A quorum will be 1.3 same authority. At no time will the Chair be one-fourth of the member delegations in accorded the right to vote. attendance in one committee, 1.7 Selection of Agenda Items. Agenda items ● A quorum must be present at all times shall be selected by the Secretariat prior to during Committee sessions, the start of the conference. Once selected, ● A majority is required for a these items are fixed for the duration of the substantive conference. matter to be put to a vote. 1.8 Observer Status. Those delegations ● Questions concerning quorum or recognized as having Observer Status at majority should be directed to the MinneMUN shall be accorded all rights in the Chair, Committee/Council except following: ● It is the responsibility of the Chair to ● They may not vote on any item, ensure that quorum is present. ● They may not make or second the Committee/Council Officers. The 1.4 following motions; Secretariat shall appoint the Chairperson o Adjournment of the Meeting (Rule 7.2), and Vice Chairperson for each Committee o Adjournment of Debate (Rule 7.3), and shall select any other staff positions o Closure of debate (Rule 7.4), necessary to help conduct the sessions of o Decision of Competence (Rule 7.7). MinneMUN.

1.5 General Authority of the Chairperson. In ​ 2. General Rules addition to exercising such authority conferred upon the Chair elsewhere in these 2.1 Statements by the Secretariat. The ​ rules, the Chair shall have the authority to: Secretary-General, or any member of the ● Declare the opening & closing of each Secretariat, may make verbal or written session, statements to the Committee at any time. ● Ensure the observance of the rules, 2.2 Diplomatic Courtesy. Representative must ● Direct the discussions of the Committee, accord diplomatic courtesy to all other and accord the right to speak Representatives and Secretariat members at ● Advise the Committee on methods of all times, procedure that will enable the body to ● Any Representative or visitor who, after accomplish its goals, being advised by the Chair, persists in an ● Rule on points and motions, and, subject obvious attempt to divert the meeting from to these rules, shall have complete its intended purpose, or who otherwise control of the proceedings of the attempts to disrupt the proceeding, shall Committee and the maintenance of the be subject to disciplinary action and order at its meetings expulsion from the Committee by the Chair, the Chair, ● The Secretariat reserves the right to o Points will be recognized in the order expel any Representative/delegation of their priority, from the Conference, ● Speakers will be recognized in a fair and ● Decisions of the Chair on diplomatic orderly manner, courtesy are not appealable. 2.6 Right of Reply. The Chair may accord a right 2.3 Speeches. No delegation may address the of reply to any Representative if a speech by ​ Committee without previously obtaining another Representative contains unusual or the permission of the Chair, extraordinary language clearly insulting to ● The Chair shall call upon delegations in personal or national dignity, the order in which they signify their ● Requests for a Right of Reply shall be made desire to speak, in writing to the Chair, ● Speakers must keep their remarks ● Requests shall contain specific language germane to the subject under which was found to be insulting to discussion, personal or national dignity ● A time limit may be established for ● The Chair’s decision is not subject to speeches (see rule 7.9) appeal, ● Representatives, at the conclusion of a ● There shall be no reply to a reply, substantive speech, will be allowed, if ● The Chair may limit the time for reply. they are willing, to answer questions 2.7 Withdrawal of Motions. A motion may be concerning their speech, withdrawn by its proposer at any time before o A delegation that desires to ask a voting on it has begun, provided the motion question should signify by raising a has not been amended, Point of Inquiry (see rule 6.3) ● Seconds to a motion may also be o All questions and replies are made withdrawn; if a withdrawn sponsorship pr through the Chair, second brings the proposal below the ● A speaker who desires to make a required number, the motion is motion may do so after their speech withdrawn, and questions, but prior to yielding the ● A withdrawn motion, sponsorship or floor, second may be reintroduced or sponsored, o By making a motion the speaker either verbally or in writing, by any other yields the floor, delegation. o Motions may not be made from; 2.8 Dilatory Motions. The Chair may rule out of Points of Order (rule 6.1), order any motion repeating or closely Information (rule 6.2) or Inquiry approximating a recent previous motion on (rule 6.3), or from any procedural which the Committee has already rendered an speeches. opinion, this ruling is not subject to appeal. 2.4 Formal Debate. Formal debate outside of ​ moderated caucuses shall be conducted as a 3. Rules that Relate to the Rules rolling moderated caucus. 3.1 Rule Priority and Procedure. The rules ● The default speaking time is 90 seconds, ​ contained in this document are the official and any recognized speaker may either rules of procedure of the University of make a speech, motion, or raise a point. Minnesota Model United Nations and will be ● Speakers will be recognized by the Chair used for all Committee/Council sessions. one by one in random order. These rules take precedence over any other ● The Speakers List will not be used. set of rules. 2.5 Recognition of Speakers. Delegations Precedence of Rules. Proceedings of all wishing to speak before the body will 3.2 MinneMUN committees shall be conducted signify by raising their placards under the following precedence of rules; ● The exception to this rule occurs on any 1. MinneMUN Rules and Procedure, Point of Order (rule 6.1), Information 2. MinneMUN Procedure Short Form (rule 6.2), or Inquiry (rule 6.3), at which 3. The Charter of the UN. time a Representative should raise their 3.3 The Order of Precedence of Motions. placard and call out “Point of______” to ​ The order of precedence of motions is written motion that adds to, deletes from, or listed in order of priority in both the revises any part of the draft resolution. Parliamentary Procedure Short Form and 5 Amendments. All amendments to draft ​ in these rules under Section 7, Motions in resolutions must be signed by 20% of the Order of Priority. delegations in attendance, These motions, in the order given, have ● The final number of signatories will be precedence over all other proposals or determined by the Secretariat at motion before a Committee or the General conference registration and announced at Assembly. the opening of each committee session, 3.4 Rule Changes. The Secretariat reserves 4.5.1 An amendment is submitted to the the right to make changes to these rules at Committee Vice Chair for approval. any time. Should a change occur, it will be ● Amendments will be approved if they are communicated to the representatives in a legible, organized in content and flow, and timely manner. in the proper format, ● Approved amendments will be assigned an 4. Draft Resolutions, Directives, identification letter by the Vice Chair, Amendments & Statements. ● Typographical errors will be corrected by the Chair and announced to the body, 4.1 Definition of Draft Resolutions: A draft ​ One or more amendments on any draft resolution is a proposal consisting of at resolution, which is on the floor, may be least one preambulatory- and one considered at the same time operative clause. ● See also rule 7.14 for bringing amendment 4.2 Definition of Draft Directive: A draft to the floor directive is a document stating an action ● See also rule 7.4 for bringing amendments that the Committee, a single Delegation, or to a vote small group of Delegations would like to 4.5.2 An amendment will be considered take. “friendly” if all sponsors of the draft Draft Resolutions & Directives. Draft 4.3 resolution are also sponsors to the resolutions and directives (henceforth amendment, collectively referred to as “draft ● A friendly amendment becomes part of a resolutions”) may be submitted to the draft resolution upon receipt by the Chair, Chair for approval at any time during the ● The Chair shall announce the acceptance of conference, a friendly amendment on the first ● These draft resolutions will be opportunity at which no speaker has the approved if they are legible, organized floor, in content and flow, and in proper ● Friendly amendments can not be accepted format, after a vote has been taken on a ● Draft resolutions must have signatures contested amendment, of at least 20% of delegations in ● No vote is required to add a friendly attendance, the final number of amendment to a draft resolution. signatories will be determined by the

Secretariat at conference registration 5. Voting and announced at the opening of each committee session, 5.1 Voting Rights. Each member delegations ● Once approved, draft resolutions will be shall have one vote in each Committee on shared in a timely fashion with all which it is represented, Committee delegations, ● No Representative/delegation may cast a ● Once a draft resolution is on the floor for vote on behalf of another country. discussion, additional sponsors may only 5.2 Simple Majority. Unless otherwise specified be added to it with the consent of the in these rules, decisions in the Committee original sponsors, shall be made by a majority vote of those ● See also rule 7.13 nations present. If there is an equal division 4.4 Definition of Amendments. An between yes and no votes, the motion fails. ​ amendment to a draft resolution is a 5.3 Adoption by Consensus. The adoption of ​ amendments and draft resolutions by to entering voting procedure, the Chair consensus is desirable when it contributes shall pause briefly to allow delegations to the effective and lasting settlement of the opportunity to make any relevant differences, thus strengthening the motions, authority of the UN, o Relevant motions prior to a vote ● Any Representative may request the include: Suspension of the Meeting adoption of an amendment or draft (7.1), Adjournment of the Meeting resolution by consensus at any time (7.2), Decision of No Action (7.5), after Closure of Debate has passed, Decision of Competence, Division of the ● The Chair shall ask whether there is Question (7.10), Important Question any objection to a consensus, and shall (7.12) or Adoption by Consensus (5.3). ask if any nations wish to abstain from 5.6 Changes of Votes. At the end of roll call, but consensus before rights of explanation and subsequent o If there is no objection, the announcement of the vote, the Vice Chair proposal is approved by consensus, may ask for any vote changes. Any delegation o If any Representative objects to that desires to change its recorded vote may consensus, voting shall occur as do so at that time. otherwise stated in these rules. 5.7 Rights of Explanation. Rights of Explanation ​ 5.4 Method of Voting. The Committee shall are permitted on all substantive votes after ​ normally vote on motions by a show of voting. Rights of explanation may be limited raised placards, in time by the Chair. ● The votes of Council members on all substantive matters shall be officially 6. Points of Procedure in Order of Priority recorded, 6.1 Point of Order. During the discussion of any ● Any nation may request a roll call vote ​ matter, a Representative may raise a Point of on substantive matters, unless Order if he/she believes that the adopted by consensus; this request Committee/Council is proceeding in a shall then automatically be granted by manner contrary to these rules, the Chair, ● The Representative will be immediately ● When applicable, roll shall be called in recognized by the Chair and the point English alphabetical order beginning ruled on, with a nation selected at random by ● A Representative rising to a Point of the Vice Chair Order may not speak substantively on any ● Representatives shall reply “yes,” “no,” matter “abstain,” or “abstain from the order” ● If a Representative’s ability to participate o A nation may abstain from the in the Committee/Council’s deliberations order of voting once during a roll is impaired for any reason related to the call: a second abstention from the Council’s physical environment the order of voting will be recorded as Representative may rise a Point of Order, an abstention. ● A Point of Order may interrupt a speaker. 5.5 Conduct During Voting. Immediately prior 6.2 Point of Information. A Point of Information to a vote the Chair shall describe to the ​ is raised to the Chair if a Representative Committee/Council the item to be voted on, wishes to obtain a clarification of procedure and shall explain the consequences of a or a statement of the matters before the “yes” or a “no” vote. Voting shall begin upon Council, the Chair’s declaration “we are in voting ● Representatives may not interrupt a procedure,” and end when the results of the speaker on a Point of Information. vote are announced, 6.3 Point of Inquiry. During substantive debate, ● Once in voting procedure, no ​ a Representative may question a speaker by Representative shall interrupt the rising to a Point of Inquiry, voting except on a Point of Order or ● Questions must be directed through the Information concerning the actual Chair and may be made only after the conduct of the vote, speaker has concluded his/her remarks, ● Following Closure of Debate, and prior but before he/she has yielded the floor, ● An item upon which debate has been ● Representatives may not interrupt a adjourned must pass a vote of speaker on a Point of Inquiry, Reconsideration before it may be ● See also rule 2.3. brought back to the floor for consideration (rule 7.11) 7.4 Closure of Debate. A Representative may ​ 7. Motions in order of Priority move to close debate on an issue before the Committee at any time, except when such Suspension of the Meeting 7.1 a motion would interrupt a speaker, (Unmoderated Caucus). During the ​ ● This motion requires a second and a discussion of any matter, a Representative majority vote for passage, may move to suspend the meeting, except ● Two delegations may speak for and two when such a motion would interrupt a against closure, the motion will then be speaker. Suspending a meeting recesses it put to a vote for the time specified in the motion, ● Representatives should specify whether ● The motion is not debatable, the motion for closure applies to an ● The Chair may request that the amendment or a draft resolution, delegation making the motion modify ● If closure passes on draft resolutions, all the time of suspension, amendments on the floor will be voted on ● If the motion passes, the Committee, in the reverse order from which they when it reconvenes, will continue its were moved to the floor, business from the point at which o After voting on all amendments is suspension was moved. completed, the draft resolution shall Adjournment of the Meeting. The 7.2 be voted upon in accordance with motion of adjournment means that all these rules. business of the Committee/ Council has At conclusion of voting procedure, the draft been completed, and that the Committee/ resolution or amendment being voted on is Council will not reconvene until the next removed from consideration for future annual session, discussions, regardless of whether it passes ● A motion to adjourn is not debatable or fails. Debate then continues in the current and may not interrupt a speaker, topic under discussion. ● A motion to adjourn will be put to an 7.5 Moderated Caucus. Any delegation may immediate vote, ​ request a moderated caucus to discuss an ● This motion requires a second and a aspect of the topic at hand. majority vote for passage, ● This motion requires the total time, ● The Chair may refuse to recognize a speaking time, and topic to be specified. motion to adjourn the meeting if the The speaking time must fit evenly within Committee still has business before it the total time. ● This decision is not appealable. ● The motion is not debatable, 7.3 Adjournment of Debate. During the ​ ● The Chair may request that the discussion of any resolution or delegation making the motion modify amendment, a Representative may move the speaking time or total time. the Adjournment of Debate on that ● If a delegate believes that a speech is matter, not relevant to the topic of the ● Adjournment of Debate on a draft moderated caucus, they may raise a resolution or amendment has the Point of Order and request that the effect of tabling that item and allows chair enforce the rule. the Committee to move onto another ● The chair will recognize speakers one draft resolution/amendment, by one in random order. ● This motion requires a second and a 7.6 Consultative Session. The council may majority vote for passage, choose to suspend its rules and enter an ● Two delegations may speak in favor of informal, consultative session if the members the motion and two opposed; the determine that this process will enhance motion shall then be put to a vote, members’ understanding on a particular issue, competent to discuss or vote on an ● The motion to move into consultative amendment or draft resolution, the session must include the amount of effect is the same as adjourning time the session is to be in effect, debate. (see also 7.11 on ● At the Committee’s request, the Chair Reconsideration) may continue to moderate the 7.9 Limits on Debate. A motion to limit or discussion by recognizing speakers. extend the time allotted to each delegation, ● The Committee may instead choose or limit the number of times each delegation one delegation to moderate the can speak on a proposal, is in order at any discussion or choose to have no time. This motion may be proposed by the moderator at all. Chair or a delegation, ● There is no time limit for speeches, ● This motion requires a second and a and delegates may speak directly to majority vote for passage, one another and ask and answer ● Two delegations may speak in favor and questions at will. two opposed to the motion. ● The council will move immediately ● The time proposed for an extension shall into a formal session at the conclusion be no less than two minutes, and no more of discussions on the consultative than one minute less than the original topic. length of the caucus. The speaking time 7.7 Appealing a Decision of the Chair. must remain the same. Rulings of the Chair are appealable unless ● This motion may limit the number of otherwise specified in these rules, points of inquiry a speaker may accept to ● This motion requires a second and a a minimum of one, majority vote for passage, A motion to limit the time of debate on an ● Two delegations may speak in favor agenda topic, draft resolution, or an and two opposed to the motion amendment is also in order. ● An appeal must be made immediately 7.10 Division of the Question. A motion to divide ​ following the ruling in question, the question, proposing that clauses of an ● The Chair shall put the question as amendment or draft resolution be vote on follows: “Shall the decision of the Chair separately, is in order at any time prior to be sustained?” A “yes” vote supports entering into voting procedure on the the Chair’s decision; a “no” vote amendment or draft resolution, signifies objection, ● This motion requires a second and a ● The decision of the Chair shall be majority vote for passage, sustained by a tie, ● Two delegations may speak in favor and ● Rulings by the Chair on the following two opposed to the motion. rules or motions are not appealable: ● The first motion for division shall Diplomatic Courtesy (2.2), Right of determine the order in which the Reply (2.5), Dilatory Motions (2.7), amendment/draft resolution is voted on. granting of a roll call vote (5.4), The clauses of the amendment/ draft Adjournment of the Meeting (7.2), and resolution which are approved shall then any time a ruling by the Chair is a be put to a vote as a whole, direct quotation from these rules of ● If division causes a draft resolution to no procedure. longer be in proper format (rule 4.1), the 7.8 Decision of Competence. A motion proposal as a whole is rejected. calling for a decision on the Competence 7.11 Reconsideration of Proposals. A motion to ​ of the Committee/Council to discuss or reconsider is in order on an amendment or adopt a proposal is in order at any time draft resolution which has passed or failed prior to the proposal being put to a vote, when put to a final vote. ● This motion requires a second and a The motion is also in order for proposals majority vote for passage, on which debate has been adjourned (rule ● Two delegations may speak in favor of 7.3), on proposals on which No Action the motion and two opposed, was decided (rule 7.5) and on proposal ● If a Committee decides it is not upon which the Committee/Council has decided it was not competent to discuss or adopt (rule 7.7) ● This motion requires a second and a majority vote for passage, ● Two delegations may speak in favor and two opposed to the motion. ● If the motion passes it brings the issue back before the body for debate, and to be voted on again. 7.12 Consideration of Draft Resolutions. Any ​ draft resolution with at least 20% of delegations sponsoring may be considered, one at a time, from the floor. A draft resolution may be moved to the floor by a motion for Consideration of Draft Resolutions ● This motion requires a second and a majority vote for passage, ● This motion is not debatable, ● If the motion passes, the delegation moving for consideration will be allowed to speak first on the draft resolution, if desired, ● Draft resolutions with fewer than the required number of sponsoring delegations may not be moved to the floor, ● If no draft resolution has the required number of sponsoring delegations, discussion may focus on the topic under consideration, or the Chair may suggest a Suspension of the Meeting for delegations to consider the draft resolutions available. 7.13 Consideration of Amendments. An ​ amendment, once approved and assigned an identifying letter, may be moved to the floor by any delegation that receives recognition by the Chair, ● No verbal second is required.