Conference Procedure

3 different parts of the conference

1. Formal Debate 2. Moderated Caucus 3. Unmoderated Caucus

Formal Debate Speakers list Each delegation gives a 90-minute speech

Speech What happens if I am not done talking at 90

seconds? The chair will ring a bell with 10 seconds left

and you will have to stop your speech What happens if I finish early?

You have 3 options Yield to the chair Yield to questions Yield to another delegation

Yield to questions Delegates allow other delegations to ask

questions about their speech

Yield to the chair The remaining time is given back to the dais

and goes away. The conference continues

Yield to another delegation

Speakers can choose to give their extra time to another delegation

Moderated Caucus Mix of formal and informal debate A delegate must make a motion to suspend debate and the

committee will vote to move to a moderated caucus Anyone may speak during moderated caucus if they raise

their placards and the dais recognizes them

Why to request a moderated caucus

When there are a lot of countries ahead of you on the speaker’s list and you feel like you want to respond to another country or you have ideas you want everyone to hear

You could talk about recommendations for a committee, respond to another delegate or talk about some of the ideas that have been brainstormed

Unmoderated Caucus Informal debate Requires a motion and a vote Delegates can move around the room and talk to one

another Happens more at the end of the conference for delegations

to write resolutions

Points There are three points that students may

use Point of Inquiry Point of Information Point of Personal Privilege

Point of Inquiry Procedural matters Delegate can ask for help from the chair or

ask about debate procedures

Point of Information Question about the topic Can address the chair or another delegate This can be used at specific times like when

a delegate yields to questions

Point of Personal Privilege

Concerns personal comfort of a delegate

Examples Too cold Can’t hear

Can be made at any time during the conference

Motions There are four types of motions that may be

made by delegates Open/close/reopen the speakers list Suspend debate Close debate Adjourn the meeting

Motion to open/close/reopen

speakers list Allows people to add their names or stops

the process for awhile

Motion to suspend debate

For a moderated caucus-specify speaking time, total time and purpose “Guyana motions to suspend debate for a

moderated caucus of 5 minutes with a speaking time of 30 seconds to discuss financing natural disaster response.”

For an unmoderated caucus-need to specify total time, can specify purpose Thailand motions to suspend debate for an

umoderated caucus of 10 minutes to work on draft resolutions”

Motion to close debate Moves to voting Happens automatically when the speakers

list ends and needs a 2/3 vote

To adjourn the meeting

Ends the meeting entirely

Other important vocabulary

Dais The moderators in control of the vommittee

Director Member of the dais who monitors the substantive

content of debate, approves resolutions etc Rapporteur

Member of the dais who keeps track of who is present, keeps time and runs voting procedures

Chair Member of the dais that moderates debate, keeps time,

rules on points and motions and enforces the rules of procedure

Vocabulary continued Sponsor

Authors of a document (resolution Signatories

Delegations who want to see a specific resolution voted on

Sample day Chair welcomes the committee and explains

the rules The rapporteur calls roll (delegations must

stand, raise their placard and say, “The Kingdom of Denmark is present)

The chair will then set the speakers list and formal debate begins

Move to moderated caucus Continue formal debate

Sample day continued Move to unmoderated caucus Repeat as many times as neccesary Debate is closed Resolutions will be presented Resolutions are voted on by the committee

What do I do at the conference?

Every delegation: 1 90 second speech Turns in 1 one-page paper Participates in unmoderated caucuses Works with other delegations on resolutions Votes on resolutions (except NGOs)