Rules of

Procedure
Understanding Model United Nations (MUN)
1. Model United Nations(MUN) is basically the academic simulation of the
United Nations Organization.
2. The UN is a peacekeeping body established in the year 1945 post the World War Two.
The UN has many organs like UNGA, UNHRC, UNICEF, UNW and many others.
3. In a MUN Conference, we will be having a simulation of any one of the organs of
the UN where students will play the roles of diplomats.
4. Taking part in MUN Conferences will help an individual to become more confident. A
MUN gives an individual an exposure to global affairs.
Rules of Procedure (ROP)

1. MUN is a formal event where the participants would have to play the role of a
diplomat.
2. In a MUN Conference, we have discussion over a particular topic. This topic is called the
“Agenda” for the committee.
3. To make sure that the debate runs smoothly without any problems, we have a set of rules
called the Rules of Procedure(ROP).
Roll Call And Voting Stance

1. The very first thing that the EB of a committee would conduct is the Roll Call.
2. The roll call is very much similar to the roll call that happens in our classrooms.
3. Only difference is that you will be addresses as “ Delegate of [Nations Name]”.
4. You will also be asked for your voting stance.
5. There are two kinds of Voting stance namely “Present” & “Present & Voting”.
6. If you choose “Present” at the start of the session, you will not be allowed to vote for the
end document.You can change your stance from “Present” to “Present & Voting” in the
later stage to vote for the end-document.
7. If you choose “Present & Voting” at the start of the session, you cannot change it to present.
8. All delegates must take part in the procedural voting.
Motion To Set The Agenda
1. Right after the Roll-Call, the Executive Board(EB) will expect a motion to set the
Agenda for the committee.
2. The term “Agenda” means Topic for Discussion.
3. Verbatim to set the agenda for the committee is:
“The Delegate of [Country’s name] would like raise a motion to establish the
agenda as [Topic].”

Example: The Delegate of France would like raise a motion to establish the agenda …
The Formal & Informal Debate

● Formal Debate
○ General Speaker's
List(GSL)

● Informal Debate
○ Moderated Caucus
○ Unmoderated Caucus
 Formal Debate- General Speakers List

1. General Speakers List(GSL) is an non exhaustive list of speakers. The EB will recognize
speakers for the GSL.
2. Each speaker will be allotted 90 seconds to speak on anything under the agenda.
3. Verbatim to start the GSL:
“The delegate of (country) would like to raise a motion to establish the general
speaker's list.”
4. If a speaker does not use the allotted time. He/She can yield the left over speaker time in the
following ways:
a. Yield to another delegate(Only after prior intimation)
b. Yield to questions
c. Yield to the Chair
Informal Debate - Moderated Caucus
1. Moderated Caucus is a deviation from the general speakers list. Under a moderated caucus, a
particular sub-topic under the agenda is discussed in detail.
2. A moderated caucus can last for 15-20 mins.
3. The verbatim to raise a moderated caucus is:
“The delegate of (country) would like to raise a motion to suspend formal debate and
move into a moderated caucus on the topic (topic) for total time being (time) minutes and
individual speaker's time being (time) seconds.”
4. For any moderated caucus motion to pass, a simple majority is required. All delegates must take
part in the voting. They can vote for or against it.
5. While voting upon the multiple moderated caucus motions, the moderated caucus that allows more
speakers will be voted upon first. For example:
a. If Motion 1 allows 5 Speakers
b. If Motion 2 allows 10 speakers
6. Motion 2 will be voted upon first by the order of disruption.
 Informal Debate - Unmoderated Caucus

1. Unmoderated Caucus are meant for discussion which need not be under the
jurisdiction of the Executive Board.
2. The verbatim to raise an unmoderated caucus is
“The delegate of (country) would like to raise a motion to suspend formal
debate and move into an unmoderated caucus for total time being (time)
minutes.”
3. Delegates can use this time for lobbying and discussing on other
subtopics for discussion.
Points & Right To Reply

● Point of Personal Privilege: A delegate can use a Point Of Personal Privilege when the
delegate feels a difficulty. For example, a delegate cannot hear the speech of another delegate
(or) a delegate faces net connectivity issues. This can be raised at any point during the
discussion. It must be attended ASAP by the EB.
● Point of Order: Any logical fallacy (or) a flaw in another delegate’s speech can be brought
to the notice of EB using point of order.The delegate must quote the mistake with the exact
verbatim.
● Point of Information: Point Of Information allows delegates to question their fellow
delegates after their GSL speeches (or) to their moderated caucus speeches
Points & Right To Reply

● Point of Parliamentary Inquiry: Point of Parliamentary Inquiry allows the delegate to

seek information about the procedure of the committee from the EB.
● Right to Reply: If a delegate abuses or hurl insults at the integrity or the sovereignty of a
country. The delegate who represents the country being offended can raise Right to Reply.
After approval from the EB, the delegate will be given a minute to reply to the offensive
statement.
Chit System

● Chits are used to send important information to the EB or the other

delegates.
● The chits will be marked by the EB.The marks allotted for chits is less
than the marks allotted for the speeches.
● There are 3 types of chits namely:
○ To Executive Board Chits
○ To Delegate and From Delegate Chits
○ To Delegate Chits via Executive Board
Amendments
1. Friendly Amendments: Changes agreed upon by all sponsors of the resolution. These are
incorporated without debate and don't require a vote.

2. Unfriendly Amendments: Changes not agreed upon by all sponsors. These are debated
and voted on by the committee.

3. Procedure: Amendments must be submitted in writing and read aloud by the chair. They
are debated and then voted on separately before the resolution is voted on.

4. Voting: Friendly amendments are automatically accepted. Unfriendly amendments need a

majority vote to pass.
Draft Resolution
● A resolution is a document that contains all the problems and solutions
discussed by the diplomats in the committee.
● A resolution has three parts namely:
○ Heading (The committee name, the sponsors, the signatories, and the
topic)
○ Preambulatory clauses (States all the issues that the committee wants to
resolve on this issue)

○ Operative clauses (The solutions that the sponsors of the resolution

proposes to resolve the issues)
Resolution
Order of the Resolution:
1. Introduction: Sponsors introduce the draft resolution to the committee.
2. Debate: The resolution is debated by delegates, who can propose amendments during the
discussion.
3. Closing Debate: Once the debate ends, a motion (like "Close Debate") is made, and the
resolution (with any amendments) is put to a vote.

Passage of the Resolution:

⁠
1. Majority Needed: Resolutions usually require a simple majority (more than half of the
votes cast) to pass.
2. Voting: After debate and amendments, delegates vote on the resolution. If the resolution
gets the majority, it passes; if not, it fails.

⁠
 Resolution
Voting Methods:
⁠
1. Show of Hands: Most common in small MUNs where delegates raise hands to vote.
2. Roll Call Voting: Used when requested, where delegates individually declare their vote ("Yes," "No," or
"Abstain").
3. Electronic Voting: Used in larger or virtual MUNs, where votes are cast electronically.

Voting Rights:
⁠
1. General Voting Rights: All delegates can vote unless they are in arrears (haven’t paid their fees, in
some MUNs).
2. Abstentions: Abstaining does not count as a "No" but reduces the number of votes needed for passage.
3. Quorum: Some MUNs require a minimum number of delegates present for votes to be valid (quorum).
Sample Draft Resolution
Draft Resolution- Preambulatory Phrases
Draft Resolution- Operative Phrases
Draft Resolution
● To table a resolution, a delegate must table a motion stating “Motion to table the resolution”.
This motion must be seconded by another delegate.
● Amendments means changes proposed to the resolutions.
There are two types of amendments namely:
○ Friendly amendment approved by the sponsors
○ Unfriendly amendment not approved by the sponsors & must be voted upon.
● A resolution shall be voted upon clause by clause.
For a clause to pass, a simple majority is required.
While voting a delegate has four choices:
○ Yes
○ No
○ Yes with rights
○ No with rights
Tips To Have A Great MUNning Experience
1. Understand the agenda of the committee
2. Know the foreign policy of the country being allocated to you.
3. Use information from Reuters,Al Jazeera,Government Websites and UN Websites to
prepare for all your speeches.
4. Know your country’s stance in the agenda.
5. Remember to follow the ROP.
6. Be confident while speaking.
7. You don't have to speak multiple times in a moderated caucus to prove a point.
8. Never ever feel intimidated by the pace of the debate.
9. Always feel free to approach the EB whenever you encounter any difficulty or a problem.