Delegate Handbook
Delegate Handbook
MUN@UWCSEA East 2015
September 25th to 27th
Contents of Handbook:
Glossary
Qualities of a good Delegate
Course of debate
Points and Motions
Policy Statement
Amendments
Common Pre-ambulatory and Operative causes
Frequently used phrases
DOs and DON’Ts
Glossary
Abstain:
During a vote, countries may abstain from voting instead of voting for or
against. This means that the country doesn’t support the resolution but also doesn’t
oppose it enough to vote against.
Agenda:
This is the order of proceedings in a committee. A Chair will set the agenda
immediately after roll call.
Amendment:
This is a change to a resolution being proposed by a delegate. This can
be in the form of adding to, modifying or deleting a clause in the resolution. Abstentions:
are not in order during voting procedures for amendments.
Caucus:
This is a break from formal debate where countries can informally discuss
issues or resolutions. There are two types of these: moderated caucus and
unmoderated caucus.
Chair:
A Student Officer who moderates debate, keeps track of time, rules on points
and motions and enforces the rules of procedure. The Chair runs the debate in a
committee.
Closed debate: This is a type of formal debate where time is allocated for speakers
“for” and “against” a resolution or amendment. When time has elapsed for both sides,
the committee moves on to voting procedures.
Delegate: A student acting as a representative for a member nation in a Model United
Nations (MUN) committee.
Delegation: The entire group of students representing a member state in all the
committees in a MUN conference.
Formal debate: The type of debate at a MUN conference. in which delegates speak for
a certain amount of time, in an order based on a speakers’ list.
Gavel: This is a small tool which is shaped like a hammer, made out of wood. This is
used by the Chair to keep order in a committee.
Member State: A country which has ratified the Charter of the United Nations and who has been successfully accepted to join the United Nations by the General Assembly
and the Security Council.
Moderated Caucus: This is a type of caucus in which delegates remain seated, but can
informally discuss issues through direct conversation.
Motion: A request made by a delegate for the committee as a whole to do something.
These might be to move to voting procedures, to caucus or to extend time for debate.
Observer: A state or organisation that is not a member of the United Nations but can
participate in debate. Observers cannot vote on resolutions.
Open debate: This is a type of debate in which both “for” and “against” speakers can
take the floor whenever it is open. There is no allocated time for either.
Operative Clause: This is the part of a resolution which describes actions to take to
address the issue being debated. It beings with operative clauses, which are action
verbs.
Placard: This is a piece of equipment with a country’s name on it, which is used by the delegate to signal to the Chair that he/she wishes to speak. These are also used for
voting.
Point: This is a request made by a delegate for information or for an action to be
performed. A commonly used example would be the point of information.
Position Paper: This is a summary of a country’s position on a topic. It should be
written in preparation for a MUN conference.
Pre-ambulatory Clause: This is the part of a resolution that acknowledges and
describes previous actions taken on an issue and reasons why the resolution is
necessary.
Resolution: This is a document that seeks to to find solutions to issues addressed by a
MUN committee. It contains pre-ambulatory and operative clauses.
Roll Call: The first order of business conducted in an MUN committee. in which the
Chair reads out the names of each member state in the committee. When a delegate’s
country is called, he or she responds with either “present” or “present and voting”.
Rules of Procedure: The rules by which a MUN committee is run.
Second: This is shouted out when a delegate agrees with a motion being proposed.
Signatory: This is a country that wishes for a resolution to be debated in the committee. A signatory need not support the resolution, only want it to be debated.
Speakers’ List: This is a list that Chairs use to determine which delegate will be yielded the floor to speak. Whenever a new topic is opened for discussion, the Chair will create a speakers’ list asking delegates wishing to speak to raise the placards. The Chair then reads down this list to yield the floor to delegates
Unmoderated Caucus: This is a type of caucus in which delegates can freely move
about and speak. This is used to allow delegates to share ideas or come up with
solutions if they are stuck at a point in debate.
Voting procedure: This is the period at the end of debate when delegates vote on
amendments and resolutions. At this time, doors are locked and note passing is
suspended.
Qualities of a good Delegate:
Focused: A delegate needs to be listening at all times and refrain from talking during the debate. An attentive delegate can note down points during debate, to keep track of ideas and formulate speeches.
Polite: A delegate must be respectful and polite at all times. This proper conduct reflects an understanding of how to act as a delegate and a mature attitude; which must be maintained throughout the conference.
Active in debate: To be a good delegate it is imperative to play an active part in debate; providing the member state’s point of view on the topic and defending this, if certain points are questioned.
Good Listener: To properly debate resolutions, a delegate must not only voice their own opinion, but also listen to the other delegates’ points of view. This is to take into
consideration all the possible difficulties should a presented resolution be passed and to come up with the best resolution possible. This can only be done by
incorporating the input of the whole committee and working towards improving a resolution into make it effective and efficient.
Course of debate:
- The main submitter reads out the operative clauses of his/her resolution.
- The Chair then sets the debate time and informs the committee whether the debate is closed or open.
- The main submitter then delivers his/her speech on the resolution, addressingkey points and bringing the House’s attention to important clauses.
- The Chair then asks the main submitter if he/she is open to any points ofinformation. The delegate could answer in three ways:
- “This delegate is open to any and all points of information”- in this casethe delegate has opened himself/herself to an unlimited amount ofpoints of information.
- This delegate is open to 3 points of information”- in this case thedelegate has opened himself/herself to a limited amount of points ofinformation.
- “This delegate is not open to any points of information”- the delegatewill not be answering any points of information.
- The delegate can then yield the floor to either the Chair or another delegate
- If a delegate yields the floor to another delegate, that delegate must yield thefloor back to the Chair.
- When the time for debate on the resolution as a whole has elapsed, the Chairthen calls for the administration (admin) to take voting procedures and asks thedelegates to vote. Delegates can either vote for, against or abstain on a resolution.
Points and Motions:
Point of Order: This is a point raised by delegates if there has been a mistake made by a delegate or Chair. These are used to point out the mistake or clarify if it is a mistake.
Point of Information to the Chair: This point is raised if a delegate has a direct question to the Chair. This could beregarding any aspect of the debate, but cannot interrupt a speaker.
Point of Parliamentary Inquiry: Delegates can use this point to clarify any confusion about the rules of procedure or procedure of the conference as a whole.
Point of Personal Privilege: This point is raised to address the discomfort of a delegate, or the fact that adelegate cannot hear what is being said. This is the only point which can interrupt a speaker.
Point of Information: These are the most common points used in a debate. This point is used to ask questions to a delegate who has the floor/is the speaker at the time. These have to be concise and in the form of questions.
Motion to introduce an amendment: This motion allows delegates to introduces amendments to the resolution during opendebate on the resolution as a whole. No seconds are required.
Motion to extend points of information: This motion allows delegates to request an increased number of points of informationprovided the delegate who has the floor has opened himself/herself to “any and all”points of information. Another delegate must second this motion for it to be considered.
Motion to divide the house: This motion allows delegates to request the removal of abstentions following a closevote call. Another delegate must second this motion for it to be considered.
Motion to enter an unmoderated caucus: This motion allows delegates to recommend the committee move into unmoderatedcaucus (See glossary). Another delegate must second this motion for it to be
considered.
Motion to move to the previous question: This motion allows delegates to move the committee to voting procedures on a currently
debated amendment/clause/resolution. Another delegate must second this motion for it to be considered.
Policy Statement:
This is a document that outlines the policies and views of a delegate’s country, regarding
issues that would be debated in the conference.
It should include:
- a definition of the issue and key terms
- a short description of relevant events
- the country’s general view on the issue
- general ideas to solve the issue
It can be used in the lobbying process, as it can give other delegates a clear
understanding of your stance on an issue
The statement can be used to create the content and structure of the opening
speech
It should generally not exceed 300 words.
Amendments:
These are changes to a resolution, submitted by delegates.
- These can be in the form of adding to a clause, editing/amending words in a clause ordeleting/striking the clause, as a whole, in a resolution.
- These have to be submitted formally on amendment paper, which must be addressed toa chair and will be passed to the chair by the admin. Amendment papers will be providedto delegates in the conference.
- The delegate must then be recognized by the chair to make a speech/take the floor,when this is done, the delegate must state, “This delegate has submitted anamendment”. If the chair has received the amendment, the chair will reply, “That it is inorder” and the delegate can proceed.
- If the chair, for any reason, did not receive the amendment paper, the amendment willnot be debated.
- Once the amendment is recognized, the chair will present it and read it out to the House.
- The chair will then allow the Delegate to proceed with his/her speech justifying theamendment and then set closed debate time on the amendment.
- As soon as debate time has elapsed, the House will proceed to voting procedures on the amendment.
Unlike a resolution, delegates cannot abstain when voting on an amendment.
In the MUN UWCSEA East conference, amendments to the second degree are in order.
These are amendments to an amendment previously proposed.
These are presented to the chairs in the same manner as amendments to the first degree
and the same procedures are followed for them.
Nevertheless, when delegates vote for amendments to the second degree, the
amendment as a whole is passed, but when amendments to the second degree are voted
against and do not pass, the House begins debating the first amendment once more.
Once an amendment is passed, the house is given some time to make changes to the
resolution and then debate on the resolution as a whole begins once again.
Commonly used Pre-Ambulatory Clauses
Commonly used Operative Clauses
Frequently used Phrases
“Thank you Chair”
“Good morning/afternoon honourable Chairs, fellow delegates and esteemed guests”
“This delegate has submitted an amendment”
“Could the Chair please ask the delegate to speak louder and clearer?”
“Point of personal privilege, due to audibility”
DOs and DON’Ts
DOs:
• Research every topic thoroughly, using the Research Reports provided by the Chair
as a preliminary guide
• Ask points of information frequently
• Prepare draft resolutions and a speech on these before the conference, in
preparation for “lobbying and merging”
• Listen attentively to the debate
• Send amendments to work towards constructive debate, instead of destructive
DON’Ts:
• Talk or laugh while committee is in session
• Interrupt delegates while they are making a speech
• Eat or drink in the committee
• Insult other delegates, Chairs or guests