Parliamentary Procedure Guidelines
Parliamentary Procedure at SJMUN
1. Each committee is led by two Chairpersons who orchestrate the debate for their committee. The committee will start with the Dais (the two Chairpersons) taking roll call. Afterward, a delegate will motion to open debate. After this motion is passed, a delegate with motion to open Speaker's List. A motion to open the Speakers List will include a speaking time.
2a. Overall, there are three debate formats. The default debate format is called the Speakers List. This where delegates take turns making speeches in front of the room by the order that they are listed on the Speakers List as selected by the Dais. Speeches are typically around 1 minute or 1 minute and 30 seconds, but the speaking time can be changed by a majority vote from the delegates. If a delegate does not utilize all of their time, they may yield their time to one of three places: the chair, another delegate, or to points. If the delegate yields to the chair, their time is absorbed and the next speaker on the Speakers List is given the floor. If a delegate yields to another delegate, that delegate absorbs the remaining time and may make a statement using that time. If a delegate yields to points, other delegates may be called upon by the speaker to ask the speaker questions, which the speaker will answer within the allotted time.
2b. After a certain number of speeches, the delegates may motion to alter the debate format to either a moderated caucus or unmoderated caucus, though a moderated caucus is preferred at the beginning of a committee session. Either motion must be approved by a simple majority vote (half of the attending delegates voting in the affirmative). A moderated caucus is proposed with a motion for a moderated caucus, and the motion must include a topic of discussion, a time limit for the moderated caucus, and a speaking time for individual speeches. These speeches are usually 30 seconds or 45 seconds. Delegates will raise their placards to be called on to speak, and the Dais will call on speakers one-by-one until the moderated caucus's time has expired. The purpose of a moderated caucus is to incite debate and to provide delegates with a platform that can be used to make their respective nation's positions evident.
2c. An unmoderated caucus is when delegates are free to get up out of their seats and roam around the room to work with other countries with similar policies. An unmoderated caucus is proposed with a motion for an unmoderated caucus, and the motion must include a time limit for the unmoderated caucus. While a portion of the first unmoderated caucus will be spent finding allies, most unmoderated caucuses are spent writing draft resolutions with your caucus bloc (your group of allies). All delegates are encouraged to be a sponsor of a draft resolution, though the number of sponsors of an individual resolution is generally limited to three, four, or five.
2d. The committee will switch between the Speakers List, moderated caucuses, and unmoderated caucuses until draft resolutions are complete, merged, and ready to be presented. Transitions between caucuses are simple. Once a caucus is completed, the Dais will entertain motions for an extension to the current caucus, a new moderated caucus, or a new unmoderated Caucus. Once all the motions have been made, the committee will vote in order of destructiveness (extension, unmoderated caucus, longer moderated caucus, shorter moderated caucus). Motions are carried by a simple majority vote. If no motions are agreed to and the motions list is exhausted, the committee returns to the Speakers List.
3. Resolutions will be presented either as they are ready or all at once near the end of the conference. SJMUN allows a brief question-and-answer period after each resolution is presented, and SJMUN also allows additional time (in the form of unmoderated caucuses) to make mergers or amendments to the resolutions. The amendments and mergers are presented once agreed to. After the amendments and mergers are presented, a motion to suspend the rules of debate and enter voting procedure must be made. This motion requires a two-thirds majority to pass, and no delegate may leave the room once it is passed.
4. Finally, all the countries in the committee will vote on whether or not they want each individual resolution to be passed. Resolutions are passed with a simple majority vote, and delegates may vote "yay," "nay," or "abstention." Regardless of the outcome of the votes, the committee session concludes with a motion to close debate once all the resolutions are voted on.
Additional Motions
*Information provided by UNA-USA
*The Dias will be trained in this procedure and will be prepared to assist delegates if needed.
1. Each committee is led by two Chairpersons who orchestrate the debate for their committee. The committee will start with the Dais (the two Chairpersons) taking roll call. Afterward, a delegate will motion to open debate. After this motion is passed, a delegate with motion to open Speaker's List. A motion to open the Speakers List will include a speaking time.
2a. Overall, there are three debate formats. The default debate format is called the Speakers List. This where delegates take turns making speeches in front of the room by the order that they are listed on the Speakers List as selected by the Dais. Speeches are typically around 1 minute or 1 minute and 30 seconds, but the speaking time can be changed by a majority vote from the delegates. If a delegate does not utilize all of their time, they may yield their time to one of three places: the chair, another delegate, or to points. If the delegate yields to the chair, their time is absorbed and the next speaker on the Speakers List is given the floor. If a delegate yields to another delegate, that delegate absorbs the remaining time and may make a statement using that time. If a delegate yields to points, other delegates may be called upon by the speaker to ask the speaker questions, which the speaker will answer within the allotted time.
2b. After a certain number of speeches, the delegates may motion to alter the debate format to either a moderated caucus or unmoderated caucus, though a moderated caucus is preferred at the beginning of a committee session. Either motion must be approved by a simple majority vote (half of the attending delegates voting in the affirmative). A moderated caucus is proposed with a motion for a moderated caucus, and the motion must include a topic of discussion, a time limit for the moderated caucus, and a speaking time for individual speeches. These speeches are usually 30 seconds or 45 seconds. Delegates will raise their placards to be called on to speak, and the Dais will call on speakers one-by-one until the moderated caucus's time has expired. The purpose of a moderated caucus is to incite debate and to provide delegates with a platform that can be used to make their respective nation's positions evident.
2c. An unmoderated caucus is when delegates are free to get up out of their seats and roam around the room to work with other countries with similar policies. An unmoderated caucus is proposed with a motion for an unmoderated caucus, and the motion must include a time limit for the unmoderated caucus. While a portion of the first unmoderated caucus will be spent finding allies, most unmoderated caucuses are spent writing draft resolutions with your caucus bloc (your group of allies). All delegates are encouraged to be a sponsor of a draft resolution, though the number of sponsors of an individual resolution is generally limited to three, four, or five.
2d. The committee will switch between the Speakers List, moderated caucuses, and unmoderated caucuses until draft resolutions are complete, merged, and ready to be presented. Transitions between caucuses are simple. Once a caucus is completed, the Dais will entertain motions for an extension to the current caucus, a new moderated caucus, or a new unmoderated Caucus. Once all the motions have been made, the committee will vote in order of destructiveness (extension, unmoderated caucus, longer moderated caucus, shorter moderated caucus). Motions are carried by a simple majority vote. If no motions are agreed to and the motions list is exhausted, the committee returns to the Speakers List.
3. Resolutions will be presented either as they are ready or all at once near the end of the conference. SJMUN allows a brief question-and-answer period after each resolution is presented, and SJMUN also allows additional time (in the form of unmoderated caucuses) to make mergers or amendments to the resolutions. The amendments and mergers are presented once agreed to. After the amendments and mergers are presented, a motion to suspend the rules of debate and enter voting procedure must be made. This motion requires a two-thirds majority to pass, and no delegate may leave the room once it is passed.
4. Finally, all the countries in the committee will vote on whether or not they want each individual resolution to be passed. Resolutions are passed with a simple majority vote, and delegates may vote "yay," "nay," or "abstention." Regardless of the outcome of the votes, the committee session concludes with a motion to close debate once all the resolutions are voted on.
Additional Motions
- Point of Inquiry: This motion is addressed to the Dais and is utilized to ask a question about the proceedings of the committee. This motion can be preformed at any point during committee.
- Point of Personal Preference/Privilege: This motion is addressed to the Dais and is utilized to ask a personal question, such as a request to close the window. This motion can be preformed at any point during committee.
- Point of Order: This motion is addressed to the Dais and is utilized when a delegate believes that there has been a breach in Parliamentary Procedure. This motion can be preformed at any point during committee.
- Writ/Right of Reply: This motion is addressed both to the Dais and to a speaking delegate and is utilized when a speaking delegate directly insults the character of another delegate. If recognized by the Dais, the insulted delegate may give a brief response exclusively to the insult. This motion can be preformed during moderated caucuses.
- Round Robin: This motion is an advanced form of debate and is rarely used. If recognized by the Dais and approved by a simple majority, every delegate in the room must give a short, usually 30 seconds to 1 minute, speech on their respective position on the topic of discussion. A Round Robin is utilized to make evident the positions of every attending delegate. This motion, which must include a speaking time and topic of discussion, can be preformed during a transition period between caucuses.
- Question of Competence: This motion is addressed to the Dais and is utilized to address the scope of the committee's power and its ability to pass a draft resolution. A delegate may make this motion if he or she believes that the committee does not have the power to implement parts of or an entire draft resolution. If the Dais agrees, the resolution will not be voted on. This motion can be preformed anytime after a resolution is presented until it is voted on.
*Information provided by UNA-USA
*The Dias will be trained in this procedure and will be prepared to assist delegates if needed.