GATEWAY Model U.N. RULES OF PROCEDURE

1. RESOLUTIONS

Resolutions are normally submitted to the delegates in advance of the conference.  Additional resolutions may be submitted on the day of the session.  Each proposed resolution must be typed in standard resolution form.  When a resolution is submitted on the day of a session, the sponsoring delegation(s) must bring multiple copies to be distributed to the committee or Council.  The committee or Council shall have the authority to change the order of the agenda or resolutions by majority vote.

2. AMENDMENTS

Amendments to resolutions may be submitted to a committee or Council so long as there is at least one other seconding delegation.  Simple amendments can be presented orally; more complex ones should be submitted on amendment forms available from the Chairperson of the committee or Council.  If a delegate wishes to submit an amendment, he or she should rise and when recognized, state, "I would like to propose an amendment."

3. SPEECHES

No delegate may address the assembly without having received permission of the Chair.  The Chair shall call upon speakers at his/her discretion, or as they appear on the speakers list.  The Chair may call a speaker to order if his/her remarks are not relevant to the subject under discussion, or if the speaker has spoken longer than the allotted time.  Delegates may not interrupt a speaker except on a point of order.  During substantive debate, a speaker may yield his/her time, either to the Chair or another delegate.

4. TIME LIMIT ON DEBATE

The assembly or the Chair may limit, or extend, the time allotted to each speaker and the number of times a speaker may speak on a proposal.

5. POINT OF ORDER

If, during the discussion for any matter, a delegate believes that the committee is proceeding in a manner contrary to these Rules, he/she may rise to a point of order.  He or she should rise and state, "I rise to make a point of order".  The point must be immediately recognized by the Chair and the point ruled upon.

6. POINT OF INFORMATION

If a delegate wishes to obtain clarification of procedure or a statement of the matter before the Assembly, the delegate may address a point of information to the Chair.  During debate, if a delegate wishes to ask a question of the speaker, a request may be made in the form of a point of information to the Chair immediately after the speaker has concluded his/her remarks.  If a speaker consents to the question, then all questions and replies will be through the Chair.  A point of information may not interrupt a speaker.

7. POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE

If a delegate wishes to raise a question or make a request relating to the organization of the meeting, personal comfort, or the conduct of fellow delegates or staff, he/she may rise to a point of personal privilege.  An example of raising a point of personal privilege would be to state that the room is too warm and the delegate would like the temperature turned down.  When a delegate rises on privilege, the Chair shall take action as he/she deems necessary and feasible.  A point of personal privilege may not interrupt a speaker.

8. CAUCUSES

During the discussion of any matter a delegate may move for a caucus. A caucus recesses the session for a specified period of time.  Such a motion must be seconded, and after a short debate is put to a vote.  A moderated caucus is a period of time when the formal rules of the model U.N. are temporarily put aside so that delegates can speak in an informal, but orderly manner about the issues before the committee.  The chair will moderate the discussion.  An unmoderated caucus is a short break during a session used to gather support and make compromises about resolutions and amendments.  It can also be used as a general break for relaxation.  To seek a suspension of the meeting, a delegate should seek recognition of the Chair and when recognized, state, "I rise to request a (moderated/unmoderated) caucus".

9. TO TABLE A RESOLUTION or AMENDMENT

A delegate may move to table a resolution or an amendment.  Placing an item “on the table” means that the committee will cease discussion or voting on the item and proceed to the next item on the agenda.  If the motion to table passes, the item is “shelved.”  If the motion fails, discussion and debate continue.  If an item has been tabled, it may be “taken from the table” 30 minutes after the vote to table has concluded.

10. GENERAL AUTHORITY OF THE CHAIR

In addition to exercising the functions which are conferred upon it elsewhere in these rules, the Chair shall declare the opening and closing of each committee session, ensure the observance of these rules, accord the right to speak, put questions and announce decisions.  The Chair shall rule on points of order and, subject to these rules, have complete control of the proceedings and over maintenance of order.

11. CLOSURE OF DEBATE

A delegate may move to close debate at any time, except when such a move would interrupt a speaker.  Closure would move the assembly to the next order of business.

12. VOTING RIGHTS

Each delegation shall have one vote.  No delegate may cast a vote for another delegation.

13. METHOD OF VOTING

The committee shall normally vote by a show of placards, but any representative may request a roll-call vote.  The name of each member shall be called and one of its representatives shall reply "Yes", "No", or "Abstention".  Unless otherwise stated, the required number of affirmative votes for a measure to pass will be a majority of those “present and voting.”  The term “present and voting” shall constitute the total number of delegates voting, “Yes”, “No”, or “Abstention”.  A tie vote cannot be broken by the Chair and in the event of a tie, the measure will be considered to have failed since it did not receive a majority.

Rev. Nov., 2000

NOTE: Number in parentheses indicates rule number to which it applies.

Simplified Rules of Procedure

Order of Precedence of Rules

1.      Point of Order

2.      To Appeal the Chair’s Ruling

3.      To Move for a Caucus

4.      To Table A Resolution or Motion

5.      To Close Debate