PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE THE BASICS The DiasChair Usually 3

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE

THE BASICS The Dias/Chair- Usually 3 -5 people who sit in the front of the room and control debate Placard- the card with your country’s name on it; raise it to vote and be called on Bloc- a group of countries that share the same interests ALWAYS refer to yourself in the third person: § Example: “Ireland feels that…” § NOT “I feel that…”

THE GOAL The goal of committee is to write and pass at least one resolution Resolution- a written solution to the issue at hand Draft Resolution- What the delegates vote on § If it passes, it’s a resolution Working Paper- rough draft of a draft resolution § Usually several working papers are combined to form a draft resolution

SPONSORS & SIGNATORIES Sponsor- a country that helped write a draft resolution Signatory- a country that just wants to see a draft resolution debated, not necessarily passed Usually a working paper needs about 20% of the committee to be signatories to become a draft resolution

WHAT COMMITTEE LOOKS LIKE

ROLL CALL The Dias calls out country names alphabetically Delegates respond: § Present and Voting- the delegate MUST vote yea or nay on draft resolutions, no abstaining

SPEAKERS LIST A list of countries who wish to speak about the topic Committee usually starts with the speakers list It’s a way for countries to state their general positions After you are done speaking, you must yield your time to: § The chair- just sit down § Questions- other delegates can ask you questions § Another delegation- other delegates ca speak with your remaining time

CAUCUSES Most time in committee is spent in some sort of caucus Moderated caucus § A form of debate that is less formal than the speakers list § Delegates raise their placards to be called on to speak § Each must have a time limit, a speaking time and a specific topic § Example: a 15 minute moderated caucus, 30 second speaking time to discuss the effects of nuclear radiation on economic growth Unmoderated caucus § Debate is temporarily suspended § Delegates are free to move around the room and meet with each other § The best time to work on working papers

POINTS Delegates can raise their placards and make a point Point of Personal Privilege- used to inform the Chair of a physical discomfort § It’s too hot, you can’t hear the speaker, etc. § Don’t ask to use the bathroom, just go Point of Order- used when a delegate thinks the Chair has made an error Point of Parliamentary Procedure- used when a delegate has a question about parliamentary procedure Point of Inquiry- used when a delegate has a question about anything else

MOTIONS Motions are used in transition periods, usually when a caucus has expired All delegates can raise their placards to motion for something Motion to Open/Close Debate Motion to Set Agenda Motion to Open Speakers List Motion for a moderated caucus § Must include a time limit, speaking time and topic in the motion Motion for an unmoderated caucus § Must include a time limit Motion to Adjourn

VOTING Voting on moderated/unmoderated caucuses: simple majority Moving into voting procedure: 2 speakers for/against & 2/3 majority Reordering resolutions: 1 speaker for/against & simple majority Voting on draft resolutions: simple majority Roll call vote- a delegate may motion for the Chair to record the votes by calling each country individually § Usually done in very small committees or when the vote is very close

HOW TO VOTE For normal motions: raise your placard for yes or no For draft resolutions: yes, no, or abstain For roll call vote: § Yes § No § Abstain § Yes/No with rights- allows delegates to explain their decisions to the committee after voting procedure