In short
- Rules of procedure keep a committee of dozens of delegates fair and orderly.
- Debate moves between formal speeches, moderated caucuses, and unmoderated caucuses.
- Points let you raise a problem; motions propose what the committee does next.
- Rules differ between conferences, so always read your conference’s handbook.
Two common styles
Many conferences in the United States use procedure based on the UNA-USA rules, with a lot of time in caucuses. Many international and European conferences use THIMUN-style procedure, where delegates lobby and merge draft resolutions early, then debate each resolution in turn, with speeches for and against and amendments.
This guide follows the flow most first-time delegates meet, and notes where conferences commonly differ. Your conference handbook always has the final word.
How a session flows
- Roll call. The chair calls each country. Answer “present” or “present and voting”. Present and voting means you give up the right to abstain on resolutions.
- Setting the agenda. If the committee has more than one topic, delegates propose which to debate first, and the committee votes.
- The general speakers’ list. The chair opens a list of countries that want to speak. Formal debate follows this list whenever no other motion is in effect.
- Caucuses. Delegates move into moderated or unmoderated caucuses to debate more freely and write working papers.
- Draft resolutions. Working papers with enough sponsors and signatories are submitted to the chairs, introduced, and debated.
- Amendments. Delegates propose changes. A friendly amendment is accepted by all the sponsors; an unfriendly amendment goes to a vote.
- Closing debate and voting. Once debate is closed, the committee enters voting procedure and votes on each draft resolution.
Moderated and unmoderated caucuses
A moderated caucus is a focused debate on one sub-topic. The chair calls on delegates one at a time for short speeches. A motion for one states the total time, the speaking time, and the topic.
Motion to move into a moderated caucus of ten minutes, with a speaking time of 45 seconds, on the topic of funding.
An unmoderated caucus is free time: delegates leave their seats to talk, form blocs, and write working papers. The motion states only the total time.
Motion to move into an unmoderated caucus of fifteen minutes.
When several motions are proposed at once, chairs commonly vote on the most disruptive first, such as the longest caucus.
Points: raising a problem
| Point | Use it to | Can it interrupt a speaker? |
|---|---|---|
| Point of personal privilege | Fix something that stops you taking part, such as not being able to hear the speaker. | Usually only when you cannot hear. |
| Point of order | Say that the rules are not being followed correctly. | Usually not. |
| Point of parliamentary inquiry | Ask the chair a question about the rules. | No. |
| Point of information | Ask a speaker a question, when the speaker has yielded to questions. | No. |
Common motions
| Motion | What it does | Typical vote |
|---|---|---|
| Open the speakers’ list | Starts formal debate on the topic. | Simple majority |
| Moderated caucus | Short speeches on one sub-topic. | Simple majority |
| Unmoderated caucus | Free time to negotiate and write. | Simple majority |
| Introduce a draft resolution | Brings an approved draft to the floor. | Varies; often needs signatories and the chair’s approval |
| Close debate | Ends debate and moves to voting. | Often two-thirds |
| Suspend the meeting | Pauses the session, for example for lunch. | Simple majority |
Vote thresholds vary between conferences. The chair will tell you what each motion needs.
Voting
- Procedural votes are on motions. Every delegate present votes yes or no; you cannot abstain.
- Substantive votes are on resolutions and unfriendly amendments. You can vote yes, no, or abstain, unless you answered “present and voting” at roll call.
- Roll call votes. If a delegate asks for one and the chair agrees, the chair calls each country in turn instead of counting placards.
- The Security Council works differently: a no vote from any of the five permanent members blocks a substantive resolution.
Quick glossary
- Dais
- The chairs who run the committee, and the table where they sit.
- Placard
- The card with your country’s name, raised to vote or to be recognized.
- Bloc
- A group of countries working together on shared goals.
- Working paper
- An early draft of ideas, before it becomes a draft resolution.
- Sponsor
- A main author of a draft resolution.
- Signatory
- A delegate who wants a draft debated, without necessarily supporting it.
- Yield
- What you do with speaking time you have not used.