BISS Model United Nations Delegate Instructions
What is happening during each debate session?
1) Formal Roll Call, respond “present and voting” when the Chair calls your delegation
2) Reading of resolution by the main submitter
3) Points of Clarification entertained
4) Optional recess for speech and amendment writing
5) Speaker’s list drawn up, delegates wishing to debate for or against the resolution may be identified and scheduled for debate
6) Presenting Speech by main submitter
7) Points of Information entertained
Speech by co-submitter(s) and POIs9) Speech in the order of the speaker’s list, for or against the resolution +POIs
10) Amendments entertained
11) Concluding Speeches
12) Voting
Rules of debate
At all times: Third Person must be used
For/Against Speech Speakers
• Delegates will approach the podium
• If a delegate is presenting a resolution, he/she will
o Read out the resolution
o Answer Points of Clarifications
• Delegates will first address the chairs and then the house
o Honorable chairs, fellow delegates
• Delegates must refrain from any first person pronouns and must remain in third person while addressing others
• Delegates must remain on the podium for Points of Information after their speeches.
• Should the Speaker’s List be exhausted, the floor will be open to any delegate wishing to speak for or against in any order (Open Debate)
• Chairs will set the time for for, against and open debate.
• When the Chair inquires the delegate regarding points of information the delegate can choose to be open to all, not at all, to a number of POIs or allow the chair to decide.
o Chair: Is the delegate open to any Points of Information?
o Delegate: Any at all/No/The delegate is open to x POIs/To the chair’s discretion.
• Delegates will wait till instructed to return to their seats
• Once the POI begins, the responding delegate may not decline to answer, however, the delegate may respond to the inquiring delegate in note form should a delegate feel uncomfortable or unprepared to answer directly.
• No personal attacks, inappropriate language are allowed
• Refrain from derogatory terminologies and adhere to political correctness (e.g. when talking about economic circumstances or referring to races)
• Delegates may not interrupt another speaker
• After POIs delegates may yield the floor back to the chair or to another delegate. Only one yielding is permitted, so after the second delegate speaks the floor must be yielded back to the chair.
Points of Clarification (POC)/Points of Information (POI) Speakers
• Delegates will approach the center aisle
• Delegates will address the speaker whom they are inquiring first
• Delegates will be in third person at all times
• Delegates will return to their seats after the speaker has answered their question
• Delegates may request for a follow up, immediately after hearing the answer, if
o The speaker failed to answer the question adequately
o The answer leads to another closely related question
o The speaker should develop or elaborate further his/her explanation
• Delegates when requesting a follow up will be asked for a reason.
o Delegate: Honorable Chair, the delegate would like to request for a follow up.
o Chair: On what grounds?
o Delegate: The speaker has failed to address the question adequately (or any of the above relevant reasons).
Amendments
• Should delegates feel that a clause should be inserted, modified or deleted they may file an amendment with the amendment forms, stating their proposed change. DO NOT write your justification. You will be given the chance to justify your proposal in a speech when your amendment is entertained.
• When an amendment is entertained, the proposer will approach the podium to state their reasoning, aiming to convince delegates to pass this amendment
• Delegates who wish to speak for/against this amendment will be invited to speak as well
• Proposing delegate will remain on the podium until the chair orders the delegate to return to his/her seat
• Proposing delegate as well as for/against amendment speakers swill be subjected to POIs
• Proposing delegate will be subjected to POCs
• Speakers observe the same rules as for/against speakers
Points
These points are entertained following speeches or presentations
• Points of Clarification (POC): Inquiry made to the delegate presenting a resolution or amendment, to clarify definitions, terminologies, unorthodox vocabulary, abbreviations or any ambiguities, with the sole purpose to seek clarification (making clear for understanding). POCs are only entertained immediately following a presentation (resolution/amendment).
• Points of Information (POI): Inquiry made to a speaking delegate. For/against speakers, amendment and resolution submitters are all subjected to POIs. These are questions asked to the delegate regarding their proposal or speech.
These points are entertained at any time. Delegates wishing to raise such points should raise their placards and may interrupt ingoing speeches if necessary.
• Point of Personal Privilege: Request for the chair to improve the comfort and well being of the delegate, for example, the audibility of a speaker
o Could the Chair please ask the delegate to speak louder?
• Point of Order: When a delegate feels that the Chair has made an error in the procedure of debate (for example, skipping POCs or POIs accidentally)
These points are entertained during recess and in between speeches.
• Point of Information to the Chair: Delegates may ask the Chair questions related to the conference.
• Point of Parliamentary Inquiry: An inquiry to the Chair regarding procedure of the conference.
Motions
Motions can be raised in between speeches and are recognized by placard raise.
• Motion for a x minute recess: Delegates may raise this motion to ask for a short recess to compose speeches or amendments
• Motion to extend POIs: Delegates may raise this motion to increase the number of POIs entertained, to be allowed at the Chair’s discretion taking time into consideration
• Motion to move directly onto voting procedures: Delegates may raise this motion to call for the closure of debate, and move into voting for a resolution/amendment. A second is required and can be rejected by objection of delegates or overruled by the Chair.
• Motion to expel/suspend a delegate: Delegates may raise this motion to remove a delegate should misbehavior interrupts the progress of the conference, to be allowed at the Chair’s discretion.
Voting
• For both resolution and amendments, voting is mandatory and all delegates must respond either FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAIN
• Format of voting for resolutions is by roll call
• For amendments this can be done by placard raise for simple majority
• An applause is only in order for a pass of a resolution
Note Passing and Others
•
Raise the amendment forms and notes up in the air, where note passers can collect and deliver them
• Amendment forms will deliver to the chair. You may write a note to the chair to cancel an amendment.
• You may send a note to a faculty advisor.
• Notes are strictly for communication between delegates and advisors. Note passers will conduct random screening and if other material are found in the notes they will be noted.
• Restroom use: DO NOT raise a point, just leave without disturbances. You may not leave during a vote.
• Running out of forms: Just ask the note passers quietly and they will supply you with additional ones.
• In case when a delegation is offended, delegate should stand in silence until the Chair has recognized and noted your grievance. The Chair will decide whether or not an apology will be requested.
