RULES OF PROCEDURE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES Content Chapter I: General Secretariat 2 Chapter II: Authorities of the Committee 3 Chapter III: Delegations 5 Chapter IV: Rules of Behavior 6 Chapter V: Points and Motions 8 Chapter VI: Debate 10 Chapter VII: Voting 13
Important: The topics of each committee will be treated by agenda Chapter I General Secretariat Art. 1 The General Secretariat consists of the General Secretary and the Joint General Secretaries who will have the ultimate decision in the model. Art. 2 The General Secretariat shall ensure that these rules comply with and enforced. Impose appropriate disciplinary measures in the event if the rules of behavior are breached. Art. 3 The Secretariat General may at any time make oral or written statements to the various committees. Art. 4 The General Secretariat will be responsible for reporting committee external situations, emergencies and any other matter that may influence the debate. Art. 5 The General Secretariat may permit the intervention of an external delegate to a committee, in order to expedite the debate. Art. 6 Nations. The General Secretariat will officially open and close the Model United 2
Chapter II Authorities of the Committee Art. 7 The authority of each committee is composed by The Chair, which shall consist of: President, Vice President and Secretary. Art. 8 The Presidency: 1. Will enforce the rules during the sessions. 2. Announces the start and end of each session, as well as the opening of the forum. 3. Can take disciplinary actions in case of non-compliance. 4. Can suspend and if so, resume, in whole or in part motions and points. Likewise, the President may suspend any point or motion to a particular delegate for the misuse of the rules. 5. President may request the intervention of a delegation when it sees fit. 6. Decisions by the President, consulted with the rest of the Chair, arefinal. Art. 9 The Vice Presidency: 1. Can replace the President in all their functions in their absence. 2. Shall assist the President in office during the course of the sessions. Art. 10 The Secretary: 1. Supports the President and Vice President. 2. Will take a written record of the development of activities, warnings, time for debate and voting procedures. Has the responsibility to substitute the Vice President in their absence. 3. Coordinate the work of the protocols within the committee. 4. Be responsible for roll call when each session starts. Art. 11 Protocol Members: 1. Support the functions of the Chair. 2. Facilitate communication through written messages. Has the right to read them and if they contain information none related on the committee, the Chair may sanction. 3
Chapter III The Delegations Art. 12 Delegations shall consist of a minimum of one delegate. Art. 13 The representatives or delegates of the member States should accurately represent the official position of their country. 4
Chapter IV Rules of Behavior Art. 14 It is required for all participants to carry their credentials permanently in a visible place. Art. 15 The relationship between the delegates, members of the Organizing Committee and the authorities of the model is strictly formal and respectful. Art. 16 Direct contact between the various delegations during the sessions is forbidden. Written messages may be delivered through protocol members present, as the Board permits. Art. 17 Delegates are not allowed to leave the committee while in formal session. If necessary, the delegate may retire temporarily, indicating the reason for leaving to the Board, by written message Art. 18 Contact between teachers, faculties or observersis not allowed during the sessions of each committee. Art. 19 School facilities must be respected at all times. Art. 20 All delegates must give the Chair of the Committee a Position Paper at the start of the first session. If they do not, it will be postponed until no later than the first session the following day, however, a warning will be credited. Art. 21 Participants may not eat, drink beverages (except for water supplied by the protocols) or chew gum during formal sessions. Art. 22 It is strictly forbidden to smoke, consume alcohol, drugs or carry weapons of any kind on the premises where the model is held. The person who does so will be immediately expelled from the event. Art. 23 belongings. The Organizing Committee is not responsible for loss or theft of any personal Attire: Attire for joining committees should be formal. Delegates may wear characteristic attires from their representative country, always respecting the parameters of formality. If failed to comply, the Board shall take measures. Delegates, faculties or observers will not be allowed to use jeans, rubber shoes, short skirts (no more than two fingers above the knee), chemises, shirts, low-cut shirts or transparencies, etc. Warning: Delegates will be subject to a warning in case of seriously breaking any rule or causing disorder within the committee or during their stay in the campus. If a delegate accumulates three warnings, the delegate shall leave the committee and will not enter until 5
the next session. By accumulating four warnings the delegate will be expelled from the remaining sessions of the day and if he or she accumulates five warnings, will be expelled from LCIMUN. The General Secretariat shall have the power to expel a delegate in case of committing a serious offense. 6
Chapter V Points and Motions Art. 24 A delegate may summit a point or motion in the forum, raising his placard, and requesting the proper motion when being recognized by the Chair. If a delegate makes excessive and/or inappropriate use of some point during the sessions, the Chair may suspend said point. Art. 25 Motions are in order only if the floor is open. Art. 26 Point of Order: A delegate may establish a Point of Order if he or she considers that the discussion is contravening the regulations. This point may interrupt the speaker, but only after being recognized by the Chair. Art. 27 Point of Parliamentary Inquiry: A delegate can make use of this point in order to ask the Chair a specific parliamentary procedure. Point of Parliamentary Inquiry may not interrupt the speaker. One will be in order only if the floor is open. Art. 28 Point of Personal Privilege: A delegate can make use of this point if he or she considers that the development of the debate is being affected by an outside cause. This point can interrupt the speaker, but the delegate can only state once recognized by the Chair. A delegate may use Point of Personal privilegein order to be recognized by the Chair when joining the Committee. Art. 29 Point of Information: A delegate may request this point to another delegate once its speaking time is finished, however, the delegate needs to accept this request in order to proceed. The Chair establishes the amount of questions it deems appropriate. The delegate who requested this point shall have the right to make the first question, which can be formulated with a preamble with the prior authorization from Chair, and may be followed by a follow-up question without a preamble with permission of the Chair. It is not secondary or voted. Art. 30 Motion for the Introduction of a Resolution Draft: A delegate may request this motion with an open floor and after the approval of the Chair. To be considered, it must have at least a delegation that seconds the motion. The delegate that requested it will not be allowed to second it. Art. 31 Motion for the Opening of a Simple Caucus: During the discussion of a specific topic, a delegate may request a motion for a simple caucus once the floor is open. The delegate must briefly explain its purpose and specify the length of time, which shall not exceed 15 minutes. Once demanded by a delegate, the motion must be seconded by another delegation, and be voted on, approved by a simple majority. It cannot interrupt a speaker. The Chair may consider the motion out of order and its decision is final. A delegate 7
is entitled to request an extension of the time once completed; have the same purpose, but its time will not exceed 10 minutes. Art. 32 Motion for the Opening of a Moderated Caucus: During the discussion of a specific topic, a delegate may request a motion for a moderated caucus, once the floor is open. The Chair will temporarily suspend the list of speakers and grant the speech to the delegates it considers. The delegate must briefly explain its purpose and specify the duration (maximum 15 minutes). Once requested by a delegate, it must be seconded by another delegation, voted on and approved by a simple majority. The Chair may consider the motion out of order and its decision is final. A delegate is entitled to request an extension of the time once completed; have the same purpose, however, the time may not exceed 10 minutes. The Chair may grant the word to a delegate who has not required speaking, guaranteeing the engage and participation of all delegates on the committee. Art. 33 Motion for the Introduction of a Possible Worksheet: A delegate may request this motion, once the floor is open and after the approval of the Chair. For the motion to be considered, it must have at least a delegate that seconds the motion. The delegation that demanded the motion cannot second it. Art. 34 Motion for a Formal Discussion: The delegate may request this motion to discuss this with another delegate of the committee. Art. 35 Procedural Motions: Other motions that delegates can request, second and vote, with the approval of the Chair, are: Increase or decrease of the speaking time. Introduce an amendment to the Draft Resolution. Provide a forum audiovisual material. Apply for a recount of votes. Closure of Debate. Art. 36 The Chair may suspend a motion before the expected time. 8
Chapter VI Debate Art. 37 Quorum: To start the discussion, the Chair may declare an open committee and permit the debate begins or continues with at least a simple majority on the committee. The presence of a majority of the members shall be required for the voting of the substantial motions. Art. 38 Once the quorum is declared open, a delegate may apply directly for the Motion for the Opening of the Speakers List. Art. 39 Speakers List: The Chair shall open a List of Speakers, in order to present, clarify or defend the delegation s official position. The committee must always have a Speaker s List for the fluency of the discussion. If a delegation is not included in the list, it may enter by raising a red cardboard. The Chair will immediately include him on the list. The speaker s list can never be closed. Art. 40 Speech: A delegate cannot address to the Committee without being recognized by the Chair. If a delegate makes statements that does not concern the subject or without the authorization of the Directive, he may receive a warning. Art. 41 Time limit: The Chair shall limit the time of speech. The maximum time allowed is 45 seconds. When a delegate exceeds his time, the Chair will immediately order him to sit. A delegate can also modify the time through a motion that must be seconded and voted. The Chair may declare the motion out of order if it considers not necessary. Art. 42 Yield the Time: After the intervention of the delegate, he must give the rest of his time to the Chair or to another delegation, in case the speaker s time exceed from 10 seconds. Art. 43 Right of Reply: A delegate, whose personal or national integrity has been insulted by another delegation, may request a Right of Reply, which must be sent in handwriting to the Chair. The President shall decide whether to grant this right and their decision is final. Delegates are not required to apologize. A right of reply to a Right of Reply will not be in order. Art. 44 The observer delegations have the same rights and privileges as the delegations of the Members of the United Nations, except they cannot vote on amendments and resolutions. Art. 45 Worksheet: Delegates may propose a Worksheet for consideration on the Committee, in order to proposed ideas for a possible Resolution. It must be presented and defended by three delegations. Worksheets must be approved by the Chair. At least one 9
representative of the group that filed the Worksheet must pass in front of the committee to read, explain and answer questions. It must be voted and accepted with simple majority. Once approved, it must be modify to the format of resolution. Art. 46 Resolution: It is the position statement of the different delegations. One or several Member States of the committee can submit it. Resolutions should contain three pre-ambulatory clauses and an operative clause. It should follow the format of the United Nations System. 1. The resolution should be sent to the Chair for its approval. 2. To introduce a resolution, it must count with a maximum of three delegations Submitters and an undetermined number of Co-submitters delegations. 3. Any delegation may call for a motion to introduce a Draft Resolution. 4. When introducing the First-Draft Resolution to the Chair and committee, the Submitter delegations shall be elected and address to the forum. 5. Delegates presenting their draft resolution will have ten minutes to defend it. Then the Chair will decide the number of inquiries it considers necessary and will select the delegates that made them. 6. Once it is approved, the Resolution expresses the policy of the committee.. Art. 47 Closure of Debate: A delegate may close the list of speakers by a motion to close debate. This motion will be submitted by a delegate for consideration from the Chair. Once the list is closed, the committee will proceed to the formal voting of the Resolution. Art. 48 Amendments: These may be additions, changes or deletions to the resolutions. An amendment must be approved by the Chair and may be introduced when the floor is open. You must have the equivalent of 15% of all delegations guarantees. After the introduction of an amendment, the Chair shall ask the senders to accept any amendment to its resolution. If the amendments are supported by it all senders of Resolution, it will automatically form part of the project without voting. If at least one sender disagrees with the Amendment, it will be discussed and voted. 10
Chapter VII Voting Voting: Each delegation shall have one vote within the committee. Each vote will be in favor, against or abstaining a matter. All issues must be voted by placard, except when a vote is proposed by List (Art. 50). When the Chair has begun the voting process, it shall not be interrupted by the delegates, except for a Point of Personal Privilege or a Point of Order, relating to the conduct of the vote. Art. 49 Majorities: 1. Simple Majority: is achieved by half plus one of the votes present on the committee. 2. Qualified Majority: is achieved by two-thirds of the votes present on the committee Art. 50 Voting List: After the debate has been closed on a resolution, a voting list shall be held with the following procedure: 1. During the first sequence may vote in favor, yes with rights, against, no with rights, abstain or pass. 2. Delegates who "passed" during the first round must vote in the second. Those who abstained will never be called, and those who voted in favor or against with rights will have 45 seconds to explain their reasons from his post. 3. The Chair shall announce the results of the voting. Art. 51 Abstentions will be in order in the first round of voting on amendments or resolutions. By the resignation to vote, the delegate resigns to his right, and therefore he will not be called to the second round. They are not in order in the voting on any procedural motion. Art. 52 Recount: Delegates can request a recount of votes of procedural motions. This motion should be performed immediately after the vote you want to check. Art. 53 Precedence: Points and motions must be considered in the following order of priority. The Chair will consider all motions and points: Points that may interrupt the speaker: Point of Personal Privilege Point of Order 11
Points or motions that can only be made when the floor is open: Point of Parliamentary Inquiry Point of Information Procedural Motions Closing Debate Simple or Caucus Moderated Caucus Formal Discussion Pre-Ambulatory Phrases: Acting under Besides regretting Also remembering Noting further Noting with regret Noting with concern Noting with satisfaction Affirming Alarmed Encouraged by Encouraging Searching Celebrating Aware Recital Contemplating that Convinced Believing Believing fully Believing Welcoming Realizing that Declaring Defining as Wishing Stressing Emphasizing Understanding Waiting Calls Expressing Expressing appreciation Welcoming Guided by Having adopted Having considered Having studied Having considered Having heard Having received Reporting Fully alarmed 12
Fully aware of Deeply sorry Deeply conscious Deeply concerned Reaffirming Making. Recognizing Recalling Referring to Pointing Stressing Given Bearing in mind Keeping in mind Taking into account Taking note Noting 13