MODEL ARAB LEAGUE HANDBOOK TABLE OF CONTENTS Part 1: Introduction to Model Arab League ...................................................................... 2 The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations ............................................................................................................. 2 A Brief Background of the Model Arab League Program ............................................................................................ 2 Part 2: General Information ............................................................................................. 3 Pre-Conference Planning ........................................................................................................................................... 3 Countries of the League of Arab States ...................................................................................................................... 3 Councils of the Model Arab League ........................................................................................................................... 4 Leadership Positions .................................................................................................................................................. 5 Conference Schedule................................................................................................................................................. 7 Awards and Recognition ............................................................................................................................................ 8 Part 3: NCUSAR Policies and Regulations ..................................................................... 9 Personal Behavior ...................................................................................................................................................... 9 Dress Code ................................................................................................................................................................ 9 In-Character Role-Playing .......................................................................................................................................... 9 Pre-Written Resolutions ........................................................................................................................................... 10 Registration and Country Assignments .................................................................................................................... 10 Crisis Situations ....................................................................................................................................................... 10 Part 4: Model Arab League Rules & Procedures ........................................................... 11 I. Principles of Parliamentary Procedure ........................................................................................... 11 Decorum .................................................................................................................................................................. 11 Quorum .................................................................................................................................................................... 11 II. Parliamentary Procedure Basics ................................................................................................... 12 Motions, Speeches, and Speakers Lists ................................................................................................................... 12 Principles of Procedural Items: Motions ................................................................................................................... 14 Procedural Points ..................................................................................................................................................... 14 Conference Authority ............................................................................................................................................... 15 III. Plenary Session ........................................................................................................................... 16 Before Formal Proceedings...................................................................................................................................... 16 Formal Proceedings of the Plenary Session ............................................................................................................. 16 IV. Council Sessions ......................................................................................................................... 18 Managing Speakers Lists: The Flow of Debate ........................................................................................................ 18 Introducing Draft Resolutions ................................................................................................................................... 20 Amending Draft Resolutions ..................................................................................................................................... 21 Content and Form of Resolutions ............................................................................................................................. 22 Content and Form of Amendments .......................................................................................................................... 25 Resolution Format for Summit Session .................................................................................................................... 25 Initiating Substantive Voting ..................................................................................................................................... 26 Voting Procedures ................................................................................................................................................... 26 Informal Debate ....................................................................................................................................................... 29 Rarely-Used Motions and Disciplinary Motions ........................................................................................................ 30 Concluding Council Sessions ................................................................................................................................... 31 V. Summit Session ............................................................................................................................ 31 Appendix A: Motions in Order of Precedence ............................................................... 34 Appendix B: Motions for Plenary, Council, and Summit Sessions ................................. 35 Appendix C: Motions in Alphabetical Order ................................................................... 36 Appendix D: Resolution Format Checklist ..................................................................... 41 Appendix E: Majority Ratios .......................................................................................... 42 Appendix F: Blank Amendment Form ............................................................................ 42 Appendix G: Glossary of Terms .................................................................................... 43 PART 1: INTRODUCTION TO MODEL ARAB LEAGUE THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON U.S.-ARAB RELATIONS Founded in 1983, the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations (NCUSAR) is a non-profit, non- governmental, educational organization based in Washington, D.C. dedicated to improving knowledge and understanding of the Arab world. The National Council works to improve U.S.- Arab relations through people-to-people and leader-to-leader exchanges along with a wide variety of educational programs in the United States. For details on the National Council’s full range of student opportunities – internships, study abroad, and exclusive travel opportunities – please visit www.ncusar.org. The National Council understands that positive changes in the U.S.-Arab relationship require exposure, interaction, and conversation at a personal level. The National Council works to provide opportunities that have been proven to enrich student leadership and career skills, as well as academic offerings related to international affairs and the study of the Arab world. The largest such program is the Model Arab League. A BRIEF BACKGROUND OF THE MODEL ARAB LEAGUE PROGRAM Since 1983, the Model Arab League Program (MAL) has offered American students an extraordinary opportunity to learn, practice, and develop essential leadership skills. Through MAL participation, students deepen their knowledge and understanding of the most critical social, economic, cultural, and political issues in the Arab world today. Students must work together to address problems and achieve consensus on questions with which diplomats wrestle on a daily basis. The dynamic and interactive nature of the Model’s emphasis on role- playing stimulates creativity, enhances learning, and cultivates understanding as no book, lecture, or coursework ever could. Participation in a Model holds value for all students, regardless of their academic major or the subject matter of their courses. Participants gain valuable leadership training through the Model’s constant challenges in debating, writing, editing, public speaking, critical thinking, and interpersonal relations skills. All delegates come away having practiced the kinds of skills that