Here you can get all of our best tips for delegates and chairs!

Key words: 

Caucuses

• At any point in the conference any of the delegates may motion for a caucus

• There’s two different caucuses in an MUN debate

• A moderated caucus is where the delegates speak their opinions and debate for a period of time

  • These debates are organized and have a specific time limit and topic which is stated in the motion 

• An unmoderated caucus is where delegates may speak amongst themselves without any formal interference 

  • These caucuses are better for getting delegates to talk and make groups for resolutions

Resolutions

• Resolutions are written agreements made by a group of countries that refers back to the topic chosen in the motion mentioned before

• These resolutions should have agreements that align with the interests of the country not the delegate who represents them

• These resolutions will have sponsors and signatories 

• After amassing enough members, all delegates will vote whether or not this resolution passes

Keywords to remember 

Motion - A way to ask for something in MUN

Point of inquiry - A question from one of the delegates to the chair about the MUN procedure or anything that they are not certain about

Point of personal privilege - To ask the chairs something for the delegate (ex. Use the toilet or open a window)

Clause - Plans that are made for when the resolution passes

Sponsor - Major contributor to a resolution, they will be named with the resolution and you can only sponsor a limited number of resolutions

Signatories - Delegates that agree with a draft resolution and want to see it being discussed and voted on

Tips for Delegates

Chair guide: 

Procedure

Roll Call

1. “May the house please come to order. We will now take roll call. When we call your delegation please answer: present and voting. ”

• Chair calls delegations alphabetically.

  • Tip: have your attendance list alphabetically ordered before you start. 

• Always repeat (call twice) when there is no response.

Opening Speeches

1. “Are there any points or motions on the floor at this time? 

• If there are no responses the chair says “The chairs strongly urge delegates to motion for opening of the speakers list.” 

• If a delegate raises the motion to open the speakers list, the chair will automatically pass it. 

2. “Those delegations wishing to speak, please raise your placards.” 

• Delegates will raise placards. The order in which they are called will be the order of the speakers list. 

• Write the speakers list on the board or at least take note on the computer. 

3. “Each delegate will have 60 seconds to speak.”

4. “We will begin with the delegate of _____” No yielding of time

5. “Continue the speakers list until finished.”

Points or Motions

1. “Are there any points or motions on the floor at this time?”

• Delegates may motion for moderated or unmoderated caucus. This is the chair’s judgement whether its appropriate to accept or reject. 

• Delegate; “motion to … with the speaking time of …”

• If the delegate doesn’t state the speaking time the chair must clarify and ask “with the total speaking time of?” 

Moderated Caucus

1. “Are there any points or motions on the floor at this time”

• If no response is given please follow by saying “The chairs strongly urge for a  moderated caucus to be motioned for, discussing similarities between opening speeches and possible bloc formations”

2. Make sure the delegates clarify speaking time as well total time for moderated caucus.

   1. Look to see who has raised their placard.

   2. “Delegate of _______ you have been recognized, you have the floor.”

   3. The delegate will speak.

   4. “Thank you delegate of ___________, how would you like to yield your time?” (to the chair, points of information)

      1. Recognise a country who has raised their placard.

      2. The delegate has 30 seconds to ask the question.

      3. The speaker has 30 seconds to respond.

      4. Allow a second question 

3. Continue until total time is up.

4. “Are there any points or motions on the floor at this time”

   1. Delegates may motion for moderated caucus or unmoderated caucus

   2. This is the chair’s judgement whether it should be accepted or rejected. 

Unmoderated caucus

1. “We will now proceed into an unmoderated caucus for the time of ___ minutes. Delegates will collaborate to create blocs, write clauses and share or email them to the Chairs. All resolutions must have at least three signatories and be submitted within the unmoderated caucus otherwise they will not be discussed.”

2. “With that, your unmoderated caucus has begun. You have ___ minutes”

3. “The unmoderated caucus has now elapsed. Please return to your seats.”

4. Are there any points or motions on the floor at this time?

• (it is worth mentioning (especially in less experienced committees) that delegates can motion for an extension of however many minutes if time allows). 

Recess (Break)

only allowed during designated times

1. “The committee is now in recess. Please be ready for roll call in ___ minutes.”

Clauses

1. Unless there hasn't already been an unmoderated caucus to create clauses, urge delegates to motion for such a caucus.

2. To be able to present a clause to the committee, there must be 3 signatories.

3. Explain that during or after the unmoderated caucus, delegates are able to share (via google drive preferably or by handwritten note) their clauses with the chair. The order in which they are presented to the chair is the order in which they will be discussed. 

4. “Are there any points or motions on the floor at this time”

   1. If there is a motion for another unmoderated caucus to consider discussing clauses which you as chairs deem necessary for the facilitation of the committee session, grant the motion.

   2. If there are no motions on the floor, and you have received a couple of clauses, suggest to the delegates that a presentation of the clauses is in order:

      1. Considering the amount of clauses received by the chairs at this time, we urge motions to discuss the clauses handed in to the chairs.

5. Project the working resolution (with all clauses compiled) on the apple TVs. If unable to, write up the clause on the board or share google doc (only with viewing/commenting rights) to delegates.

6. Call upon all sponsors of clause 1 to stand up and read clause and explain what it entails

   1. The chair calls upon the delegation of ______ to present clause 1 to the committee

Voting on Resolution

1. “We will now vote on the resolution as a whole.”

2. Chair asks delegates to raise their placards for, against and abstaining. 

3. “All delegates wishing to vote in favour of the resolution please raise your placard.”

4. “All those against”

5. “All those abstaining”

6. “This resolution passes/fails”

   1. If it passes: “This resolution passes. Congratulations, clapping is in order”

Important vocabulary

A point of order (also called Point of Parliamentary Procedure): A question directed to the chairman by a delegate of the House who feels that a mistake has been made in the order of debate or who requires clarification of the rules of procedure. 

A point of personal privilege: A question directed to the chairman by a delegate who refers to the comfort and well­being of the house (e.g.: audibility, temperature in the house).

Point of Inquiry: used when a delegate has a question about something that is not clearly understood in committee.

Moderated Caucus: A debate format that allows delegates to make short comments on a specific sub-issue. Typically, delegates who are interested in speaking will raise up their placards and the Chairs will call on delegates to speak one at a time. In order to move into a moderated caucus, the motion must include the overall speaking time, the time per speaker, and the sub-issue to be discussed.

• Example: Italy moves for a 5 minute moderated caucus with 30 second speaking time per delegate for the purpose of discussing solutions to women’s rights.

Unmoderated Caucus (also called Informal Caucus or Lobbying Sessions): a debate format in which delegates can leave their seats to go and talk to others freely and informally. This is usually when delegates find allies and work on draft resolutions. In order to move into an unmoderated caucus, the motion must include the overall caucus time and preferably the purpose of the unmoderated caucus. 

• Example: Senegal moves for an unmoderated caucus for 10 minutes to complete draft resolutions.