GWAMUN 2023

Chair Supporting Document

Committee Sessions Overview:

This is a suggested outline of how to structure the committee sessions.

Session 1:
Intro to parliamentary procedure
Agenda setting debate
Opening speeches for first topic
Moderated caucuses

Session 2:
Moderated caucuses
Bloc forming
Unmoderated caucuses for resolution writing

Session 3:
Resolution writing for first topic
Resolution feedback and submission
Review of debate procedure

Session 4:
1.1 main submitter speech
1.1 speeches
1.1 amendments
1.1 voting
Session 5:
1.2 main submitter speech
1.2 speeches
1.2 amendments
1.2 voting

Session 6:
Speeches for second topic
Moderated caucuses

Crises will occur during any of the committee sessions at the discretion of the Secretariat

Starting the Committee:

1) Call committee to order, welcome, and assign seats
2) Detailed staff introductions
3) Review parliamentary procedure (see procedures below)
3.5) Parliamentary procedure practice (optional, for inexperienced committee ONLY)
4) Agenda Setting
5) Set speaking time
6) Take speakers list
7) Listen to speeches about preferred agenda
8) After a number of speeches, entertain and vote on motions to adopt the agenda

Discussing the Topic:

1) Roll and seating
2) Take speakers list
3) Substantive debate
3.5) 15 minutes of opening speeches; speeches may only pertain to the topic at hand. Speaker
may yield time to chair, questions, or one other speaker.
4) Resolutions -- discuss format, chair approval, typing, and introduction
5) Unmoderated caucuses for resolution writing
6) Moderated caucuses for blocs to make positions clear
7) Continue to hold formal and informal debate, as well as time for resolution writing.

Debating the Resolutions:

1) Roll and seating
2) Take speakers list
3) Substantive debate on draft resolutions; speeches may only pertain to the topic at hand.
Speaker may yield time to chair, questions, or one other speaker.
3.5) Delegates submit amendments that are discussed and voted upon.
4) Vote on resolutions one at a time – for each resolution, first vote on amendments, then on
the resolution itself.

Flow of Debate and Resolution

Recommendation -Use MUNCoordinated to track delegate speaking time and relevant statistics.
At the beginning of each committee session, take roll.
Reorganize seating plans daily to ensure everyone gets a chance to sit at the front/back.
After each of the committee sessions, discuss which delegates performed the best in each
session, then fill out the award rubric and take it to the secretariat on the final day.
Draft resolutions MUST be sent to the secretariat for final approval before they are debated.

Platform for Sharing Resolutions and Amendments

When resolutions are being discussed, the chair will first email out the resolution to all
delegates for reading time.
One chair will be sharing their screen showing the resolution to the committee and they will
also have an amendments powerpoint up.
When amendments are being discussed, the chair will show the amendments powerpoint. If an
amendment passes, the chair will make the appropriate adjustments to the resolution.
Throughout this time, the second chair will be tracking delegate speaking time and relevant
statistics. These roles can be switched throughout the conference.

Conference Support
If you have a question or problem, email the secretariat or send one of the admin staff near you
to the secretariat office located in the DP lounge.

Roles
Chairs will work together to distribute chair and vice chair responsibilities for each committee
session, whilst ensuring everyone gets equal opportunity:
CHAIR: The Chair is in charge of all committee proceedings. S/he will open and close all
committee sessions, interpret and ensure the observance of the Rules of Procedure and
Delegate Code of Conduct, determine whether points and motions are in order, accord the right
to speak, keep track of speaking time, approve working papers and amendments, announce the
results of votes, etc. During caucuses, the Chair will help the delegates find allies, draft working
papers, and propose amendments. The chair must observe key delegates carefully to fill out the
delegate award rubric comprehensively.
VICE CHAIR: The Vice Chair is responsible for assisting the Chair. S/he will take attendance, keep
a written record of the committee proceedings, keep track of delegate participation for awards,
help the chair approve working papers and amendments, count votes, etc. During caucuses, the
Vice Chair will help the delegates find allies, draft working papers, and propose amendments.
Once delegates have begun to submit working papers, the vice chair’s primary responsibility
(taking precedence over the others) will be to evaluate and approve working papers to become
draft resolutions. The vice chair must also post the agenda, current motions, the speakers list,
draft resolutions, and amendments.

Scripts:

Introductions (Around 5-10 minutes)

Call Committee to Order, Welcome, and Assign Seats. Bang gavel 3 times.
“I call the (COMMITTEE NAME) to order. Welcome to the (COMMITTEE NAME). I am your chair,
(your name) This is your other chair, (their name).
We will begin by taking roll and assigning seats. When your country name is called, the delegate
should say “present.” (Chair calls names and the Vice Chair marks attendance.)
As the staff of this committee, we will do all we can to make this conference an interesting and
fun experience for you.
To begin, we will each introduce ourselves to you.
I am the Chair of this committee. My name is (your name), I come from (your country). (Select
2 of the following): -- I am interested in XXX -- I have traveled to YYY -- I love MUN because ZZZ.
(other chair follow with their own introductions in the same format)

Review Parliamentary Procedure (Around 10 minutes, including time for questions)

If you are unsure of the rules and want to ask me how to do something, please raise your
placard. I will call on you and you can say, “Point of Parliamentary Inquiry.” This is how you can
ask me questions about rules, points, or motions.
Again, the words to use are “Point of Parliamentary Inquiry.”
(Go over the rules and procedures QUICKLY, but comprehensively)
The admin staff will help evaluate delegates for committee awards, and also a best overall
delegate award for the entire conference. Therefore, it is in your interest to maintain good
relations with the staff and with one another, and to give your best. The grading rubric for
awards will be emailed to you.
(Carry out Q&A session)

Opening Speakers’ List (Keep it short)

If there are no motions on the floor, we will start a speaker’s list to discuss the agenda. The
committee will have a standard speaking time of X-minutes, once the committee begins
discussing the first topic, you may change the speaking time if you think that it is necessary.
I encourage all delegates to join the speakers list at this time. Making a speech on the agenda
enables other delegates to identify you early as a potential resolution cosponsor or signatory.
Please raise your placard if you wish to be on the speaker’s list and keep it up until I have called
your country. (Go slowly so vice can write country names)
Procedural Debate about the Order of the Agenda (keep it short)
If there are no motions on the floor, we will hear speeches about the order of the agenda.
At this time you should focus your speeches on informing your fellow delegates of your desired
agenda, and providing reasons for your preferred agenda order
We will begin with XX minutes of opening speeches.
The delegate from __________ is recognized for ____ seconds. (keep track of delegates who
spoke and their speaking time on MUNCoordinate).

Motion to Adopt the Agenda (5 minutes or less)

I will now entertain motions to adopt the agenda.
In making this motion, please specify your preferred agenda order.

(delegate suggest an order) we will now vote on these motions to adopt the agenda. This is a
procedural vote; all delegates must vote (no abstentions). This motion requires a simple
majority to pass. We will vote on each proposed agenda in the order it was proposed. The first
proposed agenda to obtain a simple majority will pass. We will not vote for the others.
The agenda for Committee _____ is set as _______.

Overview of the Conference Schedule (keep it short)

Now that we have reviewed parliamentary procedure and set the agenda, I will provide an
overview of the remaining conference
(describe how you plan to have the committee run for the next three days),
(describe also what you think delegates should do at home for MUN).
Are there any questions regarding the schedule?

Topic Discussion (Optional; may want to write resolutions first. Do if delegates need more
discussion before writing their resolution)
Committee is now back in session. We will begin by taking roll.
If there are no motions on the floor, we will start a speaker’s list to discuss Topic X. Each topic
has a standard speaking time of 1-minute. If you feel you need to adjust this time to facilitate
debate, you may make a Motion to Change the Speaking Time.
Again, I encourage all delegates to join the speakers list at this time. By giving an opening
speech on the topic, you can express your general position on the issue and propose resolution
ideas. This will build support for your ideas and help delegates with similar ideas identify you as
a potential cosponsor or signatory.
Please raise your placard if you wish to be on the speaker’s list and keep it up until I have called
your country. (Go slowly so vice can record country names).

Substantive Debate on the Topic

We will now move into substantive debate on Topic X/Topic Y.
Are there any suggestions for motions?
If there are no motions on the floor, we will move to the speakers’ list for speeches.

Explain the Procedures for Resolutions (do until ALL delegates understand)
Please note the following procedures for resolutions: You will type resolutions on your own
computers using a shared google doc. (Explain how to write resolutions).
To be approved by the dais, a working paper must be in the proper format, pertain to the topic
at hand, be written in diplomatic language, and reflect an understanding of the issue at hand.
Working papers must have a minimum of four perambulatory clauses and six operative clauses.
Working papers must have X sponsors and Y signatories ( where X+Y = 33% of committee
membership).
You may use your own computer to draft working papers and to do research. Please use Google
docs to draft the documents. Please review the delegate handbook as you complete your
working papers and submit them for approval. The Dais will be circulating to help you with
resolutions and check to ensure that computers are being used for committee work.
Once you have a working paper with the requisite number of sponsors and signatories, inform
us so that we can check it, and send it to the secretariat for final approval. If the Dais believes
the document is incomplete, it will leave comments on the document and we will send the
resolution back to you.
Once a working paper has been approved as a draft resolution and shared, the chair will
introduce it to the committee by reading the name and number of the resolution. We will take
time to discuss draft resolutions in later sessions.

Caucusing and formal debate

Are there any points or motions? (At this point a delegate should motion for a caucus. If not,
entertain a motion after several speakers.) Seeing none, we will go on to the next speaker…
We are now returning to the formal meeting. We will move on to the next speaker. The delegate
from __is recognized for ___ seconds. (Vice chair should make a note of each delegate who
speaks, as well as delegates who are especially knowledgeable, articulate, or diplomatic).
Is the delegate open to any points of information?
How does the delegate wish to yield their time?
Are there any points or motions? Seeing none, we will go on to the next speaker…

Resolution Debate Overview

In this session, the committee will return to Topic X (the current topic), this time to debate the
accepted draft resolutions. You will have a few hours to gain support for your draft resolutions
and evaluate the draft resolutions of others to either create amendments or decide how you
will vote. As with yesterday, I want to emphasize that you can accomplish this by discussing and
debating draft resolutions in speeches, moderated caucuses, and unmoderated caucuses. The
committee will then close debate on Topic X and vote on draft resolutions for the topic.
Are there any questions regarding today’s schedule?
(Move to caucusing and formal debate, or whatever is necessary).

Voting Procedures (Describes resolution voting, but amendment voting is similar)

Entering Voting Procedure (After a successful motion to close debate or if the speakers list runs
out) Debate on Topic X is now closed. We will now enter the voting procedure. Nobody may
enter the room, and nobody may leave. Fellow chair, please bar the door. Talking and note
passing is now suspended.
We will vote on the current resolution. All those with voting privileges may vote yes, no, or
abstain. Are there any points or motions? The only valid points and motions are: Point of Order,
Point of Parliamentary Inquiry, Motion to Appeal the Decision of the Chair, Motion to Vote by
Acclamation, Motion to Divide the Question, and Motion to Reconsider.
Seeing none, we will vote on the resolution.
All those in favor? (count).
All those opposed? (count).
Are there any abstentions? (count).
By a vote of ____ yes, ____no, and _____ abstentions, this resolution passes/fails. (9 votes and
no vetoes are required in SC, otherwise a simple majority is enough for passing.
(if successful) Clapping is in order.
(if failure) Clapping is not in order.

Special Voting Situations

Motion to Vote by Acclamation: There has been a motion to pass the resolution by
acclamation, in other words without counting the number of yeas, nays, and abstentions. To
determine whether this can be done, I will ask for objections to the amendment/draft
resolution. If there are no objections, the document will pass. If there are objections, we will
proceed to standard voting. Voting by acclamation speeds up the voting process and shows that
the Committee is united in support of the amendment/resolution.
Are there any points or motions?
Seeing none, we will determine whether the Committee is willing to vote by acclamation.
Delegates who would vote “no” in a standard vote on this document should raise their placard
to register an objection. Are there any objections to approving the Resolution ____ by
acclamation?
If there are no objections, the amendment or draft resolution passes.
If there is an objection, return to standard voting.

Motion to Divide the Question: There has been a motion to divide the question. This motion
removes certain operative clauses from the draft resolution (or amendment). These clauses
then become a new draft resolution (or amendment) to be voted on separately. Delegate, which
operative clauses (or parts of the amendment) do you wish to divide out?
Are there any other points or motions? (There may be motions to divide the question differently
than proposed above. If so, label these divisions C/D, E/F, or iii/iv, v/vi, etc.)
Seeing none, we will now vote on the motion to divide the question. (If there is more than one
motion for division, the dais must determine and announce the order in which the divisions will
be voted on. Start with the division that is most destructive to the resolution (takes out the
most operative clauses) and proceed to the division that is least destructive (takes out the
fewest clauses).
Seeing none, we will proceed to vote on the motion to divide Draft Resolution ___ into ____.
This is a procedural vote, so all delegates must vote (no abstentions). If the motion passes by a
majority, the question will be divided as proposed. (If there are multiple motions for division,
the first one to receive a majority passes, and the others will not be voted on.)
All in favor of dividing Draft Resolution X into _____? All those opposed? All those abstaining?
By a vote of ____ yes to ____no, this motion passes/fails. (If all of the motions to divide the
question fail, the amendment/resolution stands as it previously was and is voted on. Return to
Standard Voting on the amendment/resolution.) (If the motion to divide the question passes,
the original draft resolution no longer exists. Proceed as follows:
1. Name the new draft resolutions, for example GA Plen I/2/A and GA Plen I/2/B. Use A/B
regardless of whether the division was first called C/D or E/F.
2. If there were no amendments on the original draft resolution, return to Standard Voting and
vote on GA Plen I/2/A, then on GA Plen I/2/B.
3. If there were amendments on the original draft resolution, incorporate the amendments into
the new draft resolutions. For example, if GA Plen I/2 came into voting procedure with two
amendments and then was divided into two draft resolutions each with one amendment, you
would call the new amendments GA Plen/I/2/A/a and GA Plen/I/2/B/a. Return to Standard
Voting. First vote on the amendment to the first of the two new draft resolutions, then vote on
the first of the two new draft resolutions. Then vote on GA Plen/I/2/B/a and GA Plen/I/2/B/a.)

Moving to Additional Debate Beyond the Committee Topics (Begin if the committee has more
than 30 minutes remaining)
Because this committee has completed its discussion of the topics early, we will now move on
to a special debate. In this debate you will discuss… (make up creative topic/crisis)

Miscellaneous
(Procedures for opening/adjourning debate similar to those of opening/closing speakers’ list)
When the Speakers’ List Is Getting Short: The Chair would like to remind delegates to join the
speakers’ list, or to offer motions to advance the debate.
Motion to Close the Speakers List: There has been a motion to close the speaker’s list. This
motion is used to prevent any additional speakers from being added to the speakers list on the
current topic. If the motion passes, we will move directly into the next motion.
Are there any other motions on the floor? (see if any)
Seeing none, we will vote on closing the speakers’ list. This is a procedural vote, so all delegates
must vote (no abstentions). This motion requires a simple majority to pass. All those in favor of
closing the speakers’ list, please raise your placards. All those opposed? By a vote of ____ yes
and ____no , this motion passes/fails.
Motion to Open the Speakers List: There has been a motion to open the speaker’s list. This
motion is used to re-open the speakers list if delegates feel that more substantive debate is
needed on this topic before the committee moves into the next motion.
Are there any other motions on the floor? (see if any)
Seeing none, we will vote on opening the speakers’ list. This is a procedural vote, so all
delegates must vote (no abstentions). This motion requires a simple majority to pass. All those
in favor of closing the speakers’ list, please raise your placards. All those opposed? By a vote of
____ yes and ____no , this motion passes/fails.
Motion to Change the Speaking Time: There has been a motion to change the speaking time.
This motion is used to change the time that each delegate on the speakers’ list has to speak
during the formal meeting.
Are there any other points or motions? Seeing none, we will proceed to vote on the speaking
time for Topic X. (If there is more than one motion to change the speaking time, start with the
earliest motion and move to the latest. The first to pass is the speaking time.) This is a
procedural vote, so all delegates must vote (no abstentions). This motion requires a simple
majority to pass. We will now vote on the speaking time. All those in favor of setting the
speaking time at x seconds, please raise your placards. All those opposed? By a vote of ____ yes
and ____no , this motion passes/fails. The speaking time is set at _______.

Reminders
Encourage delegates to speak, help those who are struggling; MUN should be an encouraging
experience for everyone who participates.
Track delegate speaking time on MUNCoordinate ALWAYS.
Observe delegates carefully and fill in the sets of rubrics for delegate award recommendation.
Encourage at least one resolution to pass on each issue.
Tell delegates to write good resolutions; if resolutions are vague, suggest improvements to
delegates – MUN is a learning experience, not just a simulation.
Delegates will give us feedback on your performance for best chair awards.
Debate Structure Summary
● Chair emails the resolution to all delegates. Make it on Google Docs to facilitate adding
the amendments.
● Start with a speech from the main submitter of resolution.
● Speeches are made on the resolution as a whole (either for or against).
● Amendments: Written on amendment papers and sent to chairs by admin staff. Main
submitter makes a speech. Then 2 speakers for and 2 against. Then voting on the
amendment. If passed, modification made to the resolution.
● Will move into final stages of debate based on the chairs’ discretion.
● 1 speaker for and 1 against the resolution as a whole.
● The Main Submitter makes the final speech.
● Vote on Resolution as a whole.

Speech Structure Summary

● After a delegate has been selected to speak, they are “given the floor.”
● If the delegate is going over their time, the chair must ask “delegate, please come to
your closing remarks.”
● After POIs, the chair asks the speaker how they would like to “yield the floor.”
● The delegate may yield it back to the chair or to another delegate. If they yield to
another delegate, the chair asks that delegate if they accept. If they do, they are allowed
to come give a speech.
● The chair is allowed to force the delegate to yield back to the chair.

Important Terminology Summary

● Motions
○ Unmoderated Caucus: By motioning for unmoderated caucus you are allowing
delegates to walk around and speak freely with other delegates.
○ Moderated Caucus: By motioning a moderated caucus substantive debate will be
facilitated and chairs can call on delegates to speak to them at his/her discretion.
○ Motion to Extend Debate Time: This simply means to allow more time for debate
on a resolution, clause or amendment. Again the Chair has the final decision.
Take into account the amount of time already given and try to gauge the mood in
the committee. Would it make the house rowdier if debate time was extended or
would it produce more high quality debate?
○ Motion to Divide the House: After the first round of voting, delegates may rise
this motion. If approved by the chair, delegates are not allowed to “abstain”
during voting.
 ○ Closure of Debate
● Yields
○ Yield to another delegate
○ Yield to chair
● Points
○ Point of Personal Privilege: eg. the delegate cannot hear the speaker or cannot
see their screen. This point may disrupt a speaker only when due to audibility.
○ Point of Information (to the speaker): Once a speech has ended, the chair asks
the speaker if they are willing to answer POIs. The speaker chooses how many.
Either zero, a specific number, all ‘any and all’ (no limit).
■ The chair then asks the house if there are any “POIs.” Delegates with POIs
raise their place cards. The Chair then selects the delegates in a specific
order. The first delegate asks their POI, followed by the next, and so on.
■ No direct dialogue between delegates is allowed in between; the
question is asked and then the answer is given.
■ There may be a “request for a follow up.” The delegate asks his POI, the
speaker answers, then the delegate asks for a follow up. If the chair
allows, they can ask a second question. This can only happen to the
second degree.
■ Delegates may ask for a “motion to extend POIs.” If the speaker agrees,
the chair can approve the motion. This is a second round of POIs that will
be asked to the speaker. The same delegates that spoke during the first
round are allowed to speak again.
○ Point of Information (to the Chair): This is a question addressed to the Chair,
pertaining to anything other than the rules of procedure. So it may be about
lunch break, or asking the Chair to clarify a decision that was made.
○ Point of Order: This refers to the rules of procedure, but pertains to decisions
made by the Chairs. It could be to disagree with a decision the Chair made or to
ask about the rules of procedure. This is a non debatable point.
○ Point of Parliamentary Inquiry: This is similar to a point of order, but is a question
about the rules of procedure and does not pertain to decisions made by the
Chair.

Chair Stock Phrases

● Could the house please come to order?
● The next resolution to be debated will be on the question of…
● Would the main-submitter please take the floor and read out the operative clauses?
● The Chair sets the debate time at 40 minutes of open debate
● The floor is now open
 ● Are there any delegates wishing to take the floor?
● … you have been recognized - … you have floor
● The speaker will [please] refrain from using unparliamentary language
● An amendment has been proposed by… This is in order. The chair will read it out
● We will now move into voting procedures on the amendment
● The speaker has opened himself to points of information. Are there any such points in
the house?
● Please rise and state your point
● Please state your point in the form of a question
● Please refrain from asking several questions in one point
● Would the delegate please repeat/rephrase the question?
● There will be no direct dialogue between delegates
● I am sorry, but in the interest of debate, could the delegate please yield the floor?
● There has been a point of order in the house
● Your point is well/not well taken - The chair stands corrected
● There has been a point of personal privilege on the floor
● Could the house please come to order and show the speaker the respect he/she
deserves?
● Debate time on this resolution has elapsed
● We will now move into voting procedures on this resolution
● Would the administrative staff please close/secure all the doors and take up their voting
positions?
● All those in favor of this resolution please raise your placards high
● All those against… - All those abstaining... - By a vote of… in favor, against, with…
abstentions, this resolution/amendment passes/fails
● Clapping is (not) in order

Position Papers
Chairs will be required to choose the best position papers for their committee. Position papers
should show clear insight into the problem being addressed and provide detailed information
about the country’s stance on the issue. Position papers should also include some potential
solutions from the country’s perspective. Delegates are only required to write a position paper
on one of the two topics allocated to their committee. Delegates can choose which topic they
would like to write about.
Delegate Awards Rubric

MUN Coordinated
https://muncoordinated.io/
The platform where chairs and delegates can easily visualize the timings and status of the
conference. MUN Coordinated can do the following:
● Custom delegations
● Committee statistics
● Motions
● Moderated and unmoderated caucuses
● Resolution amendments
● Roll-call voting
● File uploads
● Notes
● Strawpolls

Glossary
Abstain - During a vote on a substantive matter, delegates may abstain rather than vote yes or
no. This generally signals that a state does not support the resolution being voted on, but does
not oppose it enough to vote no.
Adjourn - All UN or Model UN sessions end with a vote to adjourn. This means that the debate
is suspended until the next meeting. This can be a short time (e.g., overnight) or a long time
(until next year's conference).

Agenda - The order in which the issues before a committee will be discussed. The first duty of a
committee following the roll call is usually to set the agenda.

Amendment - A change to a draft resolution on the floor. It can be of two types: a "friendly
amendment" is supported by the original draft resolution's sponsors, and is passed
automatically, while an "unfriendly amendment" is not supported by the original sponsors and
must be voted on by the committee as a whole. Friendly amendments are not in order at
GWAMUN as they aren’t in accordance with THIMUN procedures.

Research report - A guide to a topic being discussed in a Model UN committee usually written
by conference organizers and distributed to delegates before the conference. The starting point
for any research before a Model UN conference.

Caucus - A break in formal debate in which countries can more easily and informally discuss a
topic. There are two types: moderated caucus and unmoderated caucus.

Chair - A member of the dais that moderates debate, keeps time, rules on points and motions,
and enforces the rules of procedure. Also known as a Moderator.

Decorum - The order and respect for others that all delegates at a Model UN conference must
exhibit. The Chair will call for decorum when he or she feels that the committee is not being
respectful of a speaker, of the dais, or of their roles as ambassadors.

Delegate - A student acting as a representative of a member state or observer in a Model UN

committee for a weekend.

Delegation - The entire group of people representing a member state or observer in all
committees at a particular Model UN conference.
Draft resolution - A document that seeks to fix the problems addressed by a Model UN
committee. If passed by the committee, the draft resolution will become into a resolution.

Member State - A country that has ratified the Charter of the United Nations and whose
application to join has been accepted by the General Assembly and Security Council. Currently,
there are 191 member states. The only internationally recognized state that is not a member
state is the Holy See.

Motion - A request made by a delegate that the committee as a whole do something. Some
motions might be to go into a caucus, to adjourn, to introduce a draft resolution, or to move
into voting bloc.

Observer - A state, national organization, regional organization, or non-governmental

organization that is not a member of the UN but participates in its debates. Observers can vote
on procedural matters but not substantive matters. An example is the Holy See.

On the floor - At a Model UN conference, when a working paper or draft resolution is first
written, it may not be discussed in debate. After it is approved by the Director and introduced
by the committee, it is put "on the floor" and may be discussed.

Operative clause - The part of a resolution which describes how the UN will address a problem.
It begins with an action verb (decides, establishes, recommends, etc.

Page - A delegate in a Model UN committee that has volunteered to pass notes from one
delegate to another, or from a delegate to the dais, for a short period of time.

Placard - A piece of card with a country's name on it that a delegate raises in the air to signal to
the Chair that he or she wishes to speak.

Point - A request raised by a delegate for information or for an action relating to that delegate.
Examples include a point of order, a point of inquiry, and a point of personal privilege. See our
Charts of Rules and Motions.
Position paper - A summary of a country's position on a topic, written by a delegate before a
Model UN conference.

Pre-ambulatory Clause - The part of a resolution that describes previous actions taken on the
topic and reasons why the resolution is necessary. It begins with a participle or adjective
(noting, concerned, regretting, aware of, recalling, etc).

Resolution - A document that has been passed by an organ of the UN that aims to address a
particular problem or issue. The UN equivalent of a law.

Right of Reply - A right to speak in reply to a previous speaker's comment, invoked when a
delegate feels personally insulted by another's speech. Generally requires a written note to the
Chair to be invoked.

Roll Call - The first order of business in a Model UN committee, during which the Rapporteur
reads aloud the names of each member state in the committee. When a delegate's country's
name is called, he or she may respond "present" or "present and voting." A delegate responding
"present and voting" may not abstain on a substantive vote.

Rules of Procedure - The rules by which a Model UN committee is run. See our Charts of Rules
and Motions.

Second - To agree with a motion being proposed. Many motions must be seconded before they
can be brought to a vote.

Secretary-General - The leader of a Model UN conference.

Signatory - A country that wishes a draft resolution to be put on the floor and signs the draft
resolution to accomplish this. A signatory need not support a resolution; it only wants it to be
discussed. Usually, Model UN conferences require some minimum number of sponsors and
signatories for a draft resolution to be approved.
Simple majority - 50% plus one of the number of delegates in a committee. The amount needed
to pass most votes.

Sponsor - One of the writers of a draft resolution. A friendly amendment can only be created if
all sponsors agree. Friendly amendments are not in order at GWAMUN as they aren’t in
accordance with THIMUN procedures.

Substantive - Having to do with the topic being discussed. A substantive vote is a vote on a draft
resolution or amendment already on the floor during voting bloc. Only member states (not
observer states or non-governmental organizations) may vote on substantive issues.

Working Paper - A document in which the ideas of some delegates on how to resolve an issue
are proposed. Frequently the precursor to a draft resolution. Not a part of actual debate, just a
helping tool for delegates during lobbying.

Veto - The ability, held by China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the
United States to prevent any draft resolution in the Security Council from passing by voting no.

Vote - A time at which delegates indicate whether they do or do not support a proposed action
for the committee. There are two types: procedural and substantive.

Voting bloc - The period at the end of a committee session during which delegates vote on
proposed amendments and draft resolutions. Nobody may enter or leave the room during
voting bloc.

For any questions about the above content please contact the GWAMUN 2023
Secretariat