Flow of Debate

1. ROLL CALL:

The Director will announce each country‟s name to which the delegates should answer with a “present.” or “present and voting”

2. SETTING THE AGENDA
The first order of business for the committee shall be the consideration of the agenda. The only motion in order at this time will be in the form of “The nation of [country name] moves that [topic area x] be placed first on the agenda.” The motion requires a second and is debatable. A provisional speakers list shall be established with two people speaking for and two people speaking against the motion; after the provisional speakers list is exhausted, the committee shall move into an immediate vote. A simple majority is required for the motion to pass. A motion to proceed to the second topic area is in order only after the committee has voted on resolutions regarding the first topic area or tabled the topic.

3. DEBATE:

3.1. SPEAKERS LIST (FORMAL DEBATE): The Chairperson will ask all of those delegates who would like to make a speech and be on the speakers list to raise their placards. The Chairperson will then choose delegates to be placed on the speakers list. A country can only appear on the speakers list once. After a country has spoken, they may be added to the speakers list again by sending a note to the Chairperson saying: “the delegation of [country name] would like to be added to the speakers list.” Speaking time is set through a motion from a delegate. If no motions are made, the default time is 90 seconds. When the committee is in formal debate all rules of procedure are enforced.

Limitation on Speakers' List
The Chair may limit the time allotted to each speaker. However, delegates can motion to increase (or decrease) the speaking time, which will be voted upon by the committee. When a delegate exceeds her/his allotted time, the Chair may call the speaker to order without delay. If a delegate finishes his speech before the expiry of the time limit, she/he may yield their time to “points of information”, to another delegate (with the prior permission from the delegate) or to the Chair. . The final decision regarding the speaking time rests with the chair.

3.2. CAUCUS:

3.2.a) Moderated Caucus:
A moderated caucus is a mixture of both formal and informal debate. When a motion for a moderated caucus is passed, the Chair calls upon delegates as they raise their placards to address the committee for a specific amount of time.

3.2.b) Un-Moderated Caucus:
An un-moderated caucus is a temporary recess. Rules of procedure are suspended during caucusing. During this time delegates can meet informally with each other and the committee staff to discuss draft resolutions and other issues.

3.2.c) Working Papers and Draft Resolutions:
Delegations work together to create resolutions. In addition, delegates may present amendments to these documents, which are changes to the draft resolutions.

3.2.d) Closure of Debate:
Once a delegate feels that they have made their country‟s position clear and that there are enough draft resolutions on the floor, he or she may make a motion to proceed into voting procedure for by moving for the closure of debate.

4. VOTING PROCEDURES

Once a motion to close debate has been approved, the committee moves into voting procedures. Amendments are voted upon first, then resolutions. Once all of the resolutions are voted upon, the committee can move to the next topic on the agenda.