Ugamunc Rules And

UGAMUNC RULES AND PROCEDURES

I. GENERAL RULES

1.1 SCOPE OF RULES

These rules shall constitute the official working rules of the University of Georgia Model United Nations Conference (UGAMUNC), and shall apply to all bodies thereof.

1.2 OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

The official working language of UGAMUNC shall be English.

1.3 ROLE AND AUTHORITY OF THE CHAIR

The chair shall act as the ultimate arbiter of the rules and proceedings of debate. The chair will regulate debate, rule on motions, and may make recommendations to the committee deemed in order. The chair may rule a motion that is inappropriate, has no chance of passing, or would constitute an unnecessary hindrance to debate dilatory at any time.

1.4 DELEGATE ATTIRE

For the purposes of this conference, delegates must be dressed according to the standards of Western business attire. Regional or exotic dress is not permitted. Delegates not conforming to this standard will not be allowed into committee.

1.5 PROVISIONAL AGENDA

The provisional agenda shall be composed by the Secretariat and will be communicated to the member-states prior to the opening of the first session.

1.6 QUORUM

The chair may declare a meeting open and permit debate to proceed when at least one-third of the registered member-states are present. A majority of expected member-states must be present for any substantive motion to be taken.

1.7 MAJORITY AND SECONDING

For the purpose of these rules, a majority is defined as more than one-half of the member-states “present” and “present and voting.” Unless otherwise stated in these rules, all votes (both procedural and substantive) will require a majority vote to pass. All procedural motions will require a second unless otherwise provided for in these rules.

1.8 ESTABLISHING ATTENDANCE

Before the start of any committee session, the chair shall call the role in alphabetical order. Member-states will answer either “present” or “present and voting” to be included in the quorum. Those arriving late and missing the initial attendance count must provide written notification to the chair of the delegation's voting status (i.e. “present” or “present and voting”) for official inclusion in committee activity.

II. RULES RELEVANT TO DEBATE

2.1 ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

After the roll call of the first committee session, the chair will open the speakers’ list to discuss setting the agenda. A motion to set the agenda will also be in order at that time. The motion must designate the order in which topics will be discussed. Two members will speak for the motion (including the member who raised the motion) and two will speak against. Should the motion pass, the committee with immediately move into debate on the first chosen topic, effectively rescinding any other motions to set the agenda.

2.1.1 AMENDING THE AGENDA

A motion to amend the agenda is similar to that of a motion to adopt the agenda. This motion is made after committee has tabled a topic and wishes to discuss some other topics. The motion must indicate what the new arrangement of topics will be. Two members will speak for the motion (including the member who raised the motion) and two will speak against. If the motion fails and no other is made, the committee will move according to the original agenda.

2.2 SPEAKERS' LIST

Upon adoption of the agenda, the chair will follow one continuous speakers' list for debate. Initially the chair will ask for speakers who wish to be added to the list by a show of placards. Any member-state wishing to be added after that must inform the chair in writing. Speakers may speak on the topic in general or on any draft resolutions or amendments that have been introduced. Any member-state may be added to the list at any time provided that the member-state is not currently on the list, and that list has not been closed. Should the speakers' list be exhausted, the committee will immediately move into voting procedure. When debate begins on another committee topic, a new speakers' list will be started. At the start of any topic, no motion to open the speakers’ list is necessary.

2.3 SETTING THE SPEAKERS TIME

A member-state may move to set the speakers' time at any time during formal debate. Such a motion must specify the length of time a speaker should be accorded. During debate on procedural motions, the chair may limit the time allotted for speakers.

2.4 YIELDS

During formal debate all speakers may yield any remaining time in one of three ways. All yields must be announced to the chair before the speaker begins his or her remarks.

2.4.1 YIELD TO THE CHAIR

The speaker may yield to the chair if the speaker does not wish to yield to any points of information. A speaker is never obligated to yield to points of information, although failing to yield is tantamount to yielding to the chair.

2.4.2. YIELD TO POINTS OF INFORMATION

The speaker may yield to points of information from other member-states. Questions asked of a delegate must be limited to less than fifteen seconds and will not count against what time remains. Once a speaker has yielded to points of information, any member-state that wishes to make such a motion will signify so by raising the delegation's placard. The chair will recognize a delegation which may then ask one question.

2.4.3. YIELD TO ANOTHER DELEGATION

The speaker may yield time to another member-state. To do this, before beginning any remarks the speaker must inform the chair which member shall receive the balance of the speaking time. Neither delegation will be able to yield to points of information.

2.5 POINTS OF ORDER

A point of order is appropriate when a member finds a procedural error made by the chair or by another delegate. It does not require a second. Such a point takes immediate precedence over all other motions and may interrupt a speaker or the chair. A member-state making such a motion may not speak on the substantive issue at hand, but must limit remarks to the precise procedural point in question. The chair will rule on the validity of the motion.

2.6 POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE

A point of personal privilege is appropriate when a member is experiencing a personal discomfort that impairs his or her ability to participate in debate. Such a motion does not require a second and may interrupt a speaker. The chair will attempt to remedy the problem.

2.7 POINT OF PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY

A point of parliamentary inquiry may be raised when a member is unsure of the committee's proceedings or status. Such a point does not require a second and may address questions including, but not limited to parliamentary procedure, the status of the speakers' list, or the status of a resolution and/or amendment. The chair shall answer the point before debate proceeds.

2.8 RIGHT OF REPLY

Delegations believing the good name of their country or personal integrity has been insulted or defamed by a speaker may motion for a right of reply immediately following the speaker's remarks. Such a request must be submitted in writing to the chair. If deemed appropriate by the chair, the right of reply will be granted immediately for a period of time under the chair's discretion, and shall be limited to a defense of the remarks.

2.9 CLOSURE AND REOPENING OF THE SPEAKERS' LIST

A member-state may move at any time to close or re-open the speakers' list. A closure of the speakers’ list effectively bars any member-state from being added, while opening the speakers’ list enables it. Once the speakers’ list is exhausted, the committee will move directly into voting procedure. The chair may overrule such a motion that would hamper debate according to the chair's discretion. The motion requires a second and passes on a majority vote.

2.10 TABLING OF THE AGENDA TOPIC

During discussion of any agenda topic, a member-state may motion to table an agenda topic. This motion is made when the committee decides that a more pressing issue demands attention or that further consideration of the current topic would be fruitless. Such a motion requires two speakers, including the delegation raising the motion, to speak for and two speakers against. A two-thirds majority is required for passage. Upon passage, debate on the topic ends and the issue is immediately set aside without further action or voting on resolutions. The committee will immediately move to discuss the next topic unless a motion to amend the agenda under rule 2.1.1 is submitted.

2.11 REINTRODUCTION OF A TABLED TOPIC

A motion to reintroduce a tabled topic must designate which tabled topic to reintroduce. Such a motion requires two speakers, including the delegation raising the motion, to speak for and two speakers against. A two-thirds majority is required for passage. Upon passage, the reintroduced topic will be placed last on the agenda. A motion may be made to amend the agenda under Rule 2.1.1. to give such a topic priority.

2.12 CAUCUS

During debate, any delegation may motion to suspend the meeting for a caucus. Such a motion requires a second, a majority vote for passage, and must specify the duration of the caucus. This motion takes precedence over most other motions, including a motion to set the agenda.

2.13 MODERATED CAUCUS

A member-state may motion to suspend debate and enter into a moderated caucus. If this motion is successful, the committee will temporarily suspend the speakers' list and delegations shall signify their desire to speak by raising their placards. The motion must specify the duration of the caucus the purpose of the caucus, and the time for individual speeches.The motion requires a second and needs a majority to pass. This motion takes precedence over a motion for an unmoderated (2.12) caucus.

2.14 APPEAL OF THE CHAIR

A member may appeal against the chair on discretionary matters. The chair shall speak in defense of the ruling and the contesting delegation shall speak in favor of the appeal. The ruling stands unless overruled by two-thirds of the member-states. For other disputes, refer to Rule 1.3.

2.15 FRIVOLOUS AND DILATORY MOTIONS

The chair may rule a motion that is inappropriate, has no chance of passing, or would constitute an unnecessary hindrance to debate dilatory at any time.

2.16 CLOSURE OF DEBATE

A motion to close debate and bring all substantive motions to a vote can be appropriate at any time. Such a motion requires two speakers, including the sponsoring member-state, in favor and two against. A two-thirds vote is needed for passage. Upon passage, debate ends on that agenda topic, and the committee immediately moves into voting procedure.

2.17 SUSPENSION OF THE MEETING

A motion to suspend the meeting is appropriate when the committee must temporarily adjourn for scheduled break times. It requires a second and a majority vote for passage.

2.18 ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING

A successful motion to adjourn the meeting brings the session to a close and discontinues all committee functions until the next year. This motion requires a second and a majority vote for passage.

III. RESOLUTIONS

3.1 PREWRITTEN RESOLUTIONS

In order to create an atmosphere more conducive to debate and compromise at the conference, prewritten resolutions will not be allowed.

3.2. WORKING PAPERS

Any document that has not been approved by the chair and distributed to the floor shall be referred to in formal debate as a “working paper.”

3.3 DRAFT RESOLUTIONS

In order for a working paper to be introduced for consideration as a draft resolution, it must:

• Be written in standard MUN resolution format. Importantly, draft resolutions should have both preambulatory and operative clauses.
• Have ten percent of the committee member-states willing to sponsor the paper. A sponsor is a member-state that has helped shape the paper, agrees with its views, and is willing to take responsibility for seeing the document through debate.
• Have 15 percent of member-states as signatories. A signatory does not necessarily express support of the working paper, but rather a desire to see the measure further debated.
• Be submitted to and approved by the chair. The chair reserves the right to refuse a paper that does not meet the standards of UGAMUNC.

Once the working paper is given approval by the chair, copies will be made and distributed to the delegates. At this point, it will be numbered and may be referred to as a “draft resolution.”

3.4 INTRODUCTION TO THE FLOOR

Upon receipt of a resolution from the Secretariat, the chair will temporarily suspend the speakers' list so that a sponsor may read the draft resolution into the record. No points will be recognized. After the text has been read, the chair will resume the speakers' list.

3.4.1 REINTRODUCTION TO THE FLOOR

A tabled resolution may be reintroduced to the floor if it has been previously tabled. This motion requires a second, one speaker for and one against, and requires a majority vote to pass.

3.5 TABLING OF A SUBSTANTIVE MOTION

A member-state may move to table a draft resolution or hostile amendment at any time after its introduction to the floor. Once a resolution has been tabled, it can not be discussed in formal debate and shall not be considered during voting procedure. A motion to table requires a second, one speaker for and one against, and requires a majority vote to pass.

3.6 WITHDRAWAL OF A RESOLUTION

A resolution may be withdrawn from consideration if all the sponsors consent and the chair approves. The resolution may be reintroduced to the floor; however, it must once again collect the requisite number of sponsors and signatories.

3.7 AMENDMENTS

An amendment to a draft resolution is any substantive motion that adds to or revises the operative clauses. Please note that amendments may not take the form of retractions—operative clauses may not be subtracted from a draft resolution via amendment. Also, amendments, once added to a draft resolution, are permanent—amendments may not be divided out as per rule 4.5.

There are two types of amendments:

3.7.1. FRIENDLY AMENDMENTS

Friendly amendments shall be appended to a draft resolution once the chair has established that all sponsors support the measure. The amendment will then be considered a part of the draft resolution without a vote. The chair shall also stop debate to read the friendly amendment into the record.

3.7.2. HOSTILE AMENDMENTS

Hostile amendments require five percent of committee members as sponsors, an additional five percent as signatories, and the approval of the chair. Upon receipt of an approved hostile amendment, the chair shall stop debate to read the amendment into the record.

Such amendments will be voted upon during voting procedure separate from the resolution itself as per Rule 4.4. There are no second degree amendments, i.e. amendments to amendments.

IV. RULES RELATED TO VOTING

4.1 DEFINITION “PRESENT” AND “PRESENT AND VOTING”

The phrase “present and voting” means member-states casting an affirmative or negative vote. These members may not abstain. Member-states which are “present” reserve the right to abstain. Abstentions are considered as not voting and will not be counted in determining majority the total number of voting members.

4.2 VOTING ON PROCEDURAL MATTERS

All member-states regardless of their voting status must vote on all procedural matters. Abstentions do not count as votes and therefore are not allowed on procedural questions.

4.3 VOTING PROCEDURE

Upon the closure of debate or the exhaustion of the speakers' list, the committee shall move immediately into voting procedure. No one shall be allowed into or out of the committee; delegates not in the room when the committee enters voting procedure shall be barred until the completion of voting. Any form of communication between delegates is forbidden. The committee shall vote upon all draft resolutions and hostile amendments in the order submitted to the chair. Any working papers not formally introduced by this point will not be considered.

4.4 VOTING ON AMENDMENTS

Amendments are considered immediately prior to voting on the draft resolution and in the order of submission. Only hostile amendments shall come to a vote, as all friendly amendments meeting the criteria of 3.5.1 shall be immediately considered part of the draft resolution. Hostile amendments require a majority vote for passage.

4.5 DIVISION OF THE QUESTION

A division separates a draft resolution into two or more parts. This is usually done when a member-state feels that part of a draft resolution is particularly good and wants to ensure its passage, or that a section is particularly bad, and wants to see that the onerous part does not doom the entire document. A division may not occur in the middle of an operative clause. No division of the preamble is possible.

To divide a draft resolution, a motion must be made immediately after all votes on amendments and before the vote on the draft resolution itself. Amendments may not be divided out. The chair shall record all motions to divide. The committee will consider the divisions in order of most severe to least severe. Two members, including the sponsor, shall speak in favor and two shall speak against the division. A procedural vote will take place on whether to divide the resolution. If any divisions are successful, then each section will have a separate substantive vote for passage. The chair should immediately designate the divided operative clauses plus the any preamble clauses as a new resolution, as if it had just been submitted to and approved by the chair.