MUN Script
USD Model United Nations
This is an incredibly thorough script of what goes on at MUN Conferences.
Read through this once, and you'll understand. Everyone going to OCMUN, remember your position paper is due TUESDAY before midnight emailed to
orangec...@gmail.com
Chair: • “If there are no objections, we will bring the committee into formal session. If all delegates will please take their seats, the rapporteur will begin roll call.”
Rapp: • “Before we begin roll call, allow me to clarify between the two possible and appropriate responses when your State is called: ‘present’ and ‘present and voting’. Delegates who identify their status as ‘present and voting’ are not permitted to abstain on any substantive vote while in this session of the committee. Instead, these delegates must vote strictly in favor of or in opposition to any motion before the committee.”
Chair: • “Are there any motions on the floor at this time? Seeing none, the first order of business before the committee is to set the agenda order. The topics on the committee agenda are I, II and III. If there are no objections we will proceed
Chair recognizes States while rapp records their order.
“If any additional members of the committee wish to be placed upon the speakers list, please send a note forward to the dais with an explanation in this regard.”
In large committees, the dais might only recognize the first 20 or so placards raised due to time constraints. Also, please be aware that no State can be placed twice upon the speakers list concurrently: once a Delegate has completed allotted speaking time and has been removed from the current list, he/she may then immediately submit a request to the dais to again be placed upon the list.
“Are their any motions on the floor at this time?
_________, to what point do you rise?” (set speakerst time)
Chair: • “Thank you delegate, this motion is in order. Are there any additional points or motions on the floor at this time? [no placards] Seeing none, a motion to set a limit of two minutes on the speakers time has been introduced. Is there any objection to this motion? [placards are raised in objection] Seeing objection to this motion, the chair will entertain 2 speakers in favor of this motion and 2 speakers in opposition. Will those delegates wishing to speak in favor of this motion pleases raise your placards? [chair and rapp record speakers selected]
Both the rapporteur and chair will record the States chosen to speak on any motion. As a rule, the State initially making the motion will have the opportunity to speak in favor. Additional selections should be based on geographic representation. Please note that debate surrounding a motion to set a limit on speakers time calls for 2 speakers both in favor and opposed to the motion. However, should only one delegate wish to speak, for example, in favor of the motion, the chair will only recognize one speaker in opposition. No additional motions will be entertained until the completion of the current vote.
“The chair recognizes the honorable delegate from _______You have fifteen seconds to speak in favor of this motion.” [Delegate speaks]
“Thank you delegate. The chair now recognizes the honorable delegate from______. You have fifteen seconds to speak in opposition to this motion.” [______ speaks]
Alternating between speakers for and against, the chair allows the final two speakers to complete their statements.
“Thank you delegate. The motion currently before the committee is to set a limit of two minutes on speakers time. The motion is decided by a simple majority vote and, as a procedural matter, the dais would like to remind all delegates that abstentions are out of order. All those in favor of this motion, please raise your placards... [chair and rapporteur record affirmative votes] All those opposed to this motion, please raise your placards... [chair and rapporteur record dissenting votes, tally and compare results] The motion to set the speakers time limit at two minutes passes.”
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“Are there any additional motions on the floor at this time. Seeing none, we will begin debate on the adoption of the agenda. [first speaker on list is recognized] The chair recognizes the delegate from the ___________ You have two minutes to speak on this matter.”
Libya speaks. The United States of America raises placard to make a motion for suspension of meeting.
Chair: • “The United States, do you have a point or a motion?”
United States: • “Yes honorable chair, the United States of America would like to move to suspend the meeting for a period of ten minutes for the purpose of a caucus session to informally discuss the adoption of the agenda.”
Chair: • “Thank you delegate, this motion is in order. A motion has been made to suspend the meeting for a period of ten minutes for the purpose of caucusing. Is there any objection to this motion? [placards are raised in objection] Seeing objection, we will move to a vote. This motion is decided by a simple majority of the committee and no debate is required. All delegates in favor of the motion to suspend the meeting for a period of ten minutes, please raise your placards... [chair and rapp record affirmative votes] All delegates opposed to this motion, please raise your placards... [chair and rapp record dissenting votes, tally and compare results] The motion to suspend the meeting passes. The committee will reconvene in ten minutes.”
Delegates break to discuss adoption of the agenda. Meetings both within and between regional blocs result in a distinct division within the committee regarding the agenda order.
Chair: • “If all delegates will find their seats, we will bring the committee back to order. [allow a few moments, bang gavel and repeat if necessary] Are there any motions on the floor at this time? [placards are raised, the chair chooses India] India, to what point do you rise?”
India: • “Honorable chair, India moves to set the agenda in the following order: Topic I as the first topic to be addressed by the committee, Topic II as the second topic before the committee and Topic III as the final topic to be discussed.”
Chair: • “Thank you delegate. A motion has been made to set the committee agenda order as follows: Topic I as the first agenda topic; Topic II as the second topic; and, Topic III as the third topic. Are there any further motions on the floor at this time? [more placards are raised, the chair selects Germany] The chair recognizes the delegate from Germany; to what point do you rise?”
Germany rises and says: • “Honorable chair, Germany would like to make a motion to set the agenda order as follows: Topic II as the first topic for our deliberation; Topic I as the second topic; and Topic III as the third topic.”
Chair: • “Thank you, delegate. A second motion has been made to set the committee agenda order as follows: Topic II as the first topic; Topic I as the second topic; and, Topic III as the third topic. Are there any additional motions on the floor at this time? [placards continue to appear, chair recognizes the delegate from Costa Rica] The chair recognizes the delegate from Costa Rica; to what point do you rise?
Costa Rica:
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• “Honorable chair, the delegation from Costa Rica moves for suspension of the meeting for a period of five minutes to seek additional clarification on these proposals.”
Chair: • “Thank you, delegate. That motion is in order at this time. There is a motion on the floor to suspend the meeting for an additional five minutes for the purpose of caucusing. Are there any additional motions at this time? [more placards, chair recognizes the State of Uncertainty] The chair recognizes the State of Uncertainty; to what point do you rise?”
State of Uncertainty: • “Honorable chair, point of order: wasn’t there already a motion on the floor to set the agenda?”
Chair: • “Yes, thank you delegate. Although I will recognize your point of order, allow me to remind you of the order of precedence, as established within the NMUN Rules of Procedure, which dictates a motion for suspension of the meeting has priority over a motion to adopt the agenda. There is a motion on the floor to suspend the meeting for a period of five minutes for the purpose of caucusing. Is there any objection to this motion? [no placards are raised] Seeing no objection, the committee will reconvene in five minutes.”
A Short-Form of the NMUN Rules of Procedure is included within the appendices of this manual. The Short-Form lists the most common motions in order of precedence. Therein, motions provided a higher level of precedence are listed prior to suspension of the meeting: either an appeal of the decision of the chair or a point of order to correct a procedural error.
Delegates break for caucus... chair and rapp confer to ensure motions regarding agenda order are clear.
Chair: • [After bringing committee back to order] “There are two motions on the floor at this time for the adoption of the agenda order, are there any additional motions? [no placards] Seeing none, the committee will consider the first motion for the adoption of the agenda order. That order is as follows: Topic I as the first topic; Topic II as the second topic; and, Topic III as the final topic to be addressed by the committee. This motion is decided by a simple majority vote and there is no debate required. All those in favor of this motion, please raise your placards... [chair and rapp record vote] All those opposed, please raise your placards... [chair and rapp record, tally and compare totals] By a vote of X in favor and Y opposed, this motion passes and the agenda order has been adopted. [restate agenda order] The committee is now moving into substantive session to address Topic I; will those delegates who wish to be placed upon the speakers list for this topic please raise their placards.” [Chair will repeat the same process used to establish the speakers list on setting the agenda]
Please note: once a motion to set the agenda has passed, all other motions to set the agenda become dilatory, and no vote is taken. Had the first motion failed, the second motion would have been considered. In the event the second motion had also failed, the committee would have returned to the speakers list and continued the process. In addition, whenever the committee finishes voting on the adoption of the agenda or voting procedure on an agenda topic, the speakers list is considered exhausted and a new one must be opened.
Chair: • “Are there any motions on the floor at this time? [many placards are raised, the chair selects Myanmar] The chair recognizes the delegate from Myanmar; to what point do you rise?”
Myanmar: • “Honorable chair, for the purpose of brevity, Myanmar moves to change the speakers time limit from two minutes to one minute.”
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Chair: • “Thank you delegate, that motion is in order at this time. A motion has been made to change the speakers time limit from two minutes to one minute. This motion requires two speakers in favor and two speakers opposed; it is decided by a simple majority vote. Is there any objection to this motion? [placards are raised] Seeing objection, will those delegates wishing to speak in favor of this motion please raise their placards? [Myanmar is only State to raise a placard, chair and rapp record selection] Delegates, please be aware that only one delegate chose to speak in favor of this motion, therefore, only one delegate will be selected to speak in opposition. Will those delegates wishing to speak in opposition to this motion please raise your placards?” [Chair and rapp record selected delegate]
Delegates are accorded fifteen seconds to speak in regard to the motion.
Please be aware that the time limit on procedural debate is determined by the Secretariat of the NMUN and is purposely accorded a short duration. This time limit has been introduced to discourage the rhetorical abuse of the rules of procedure, as well as to encourage substantive debate relative to the agenda topics.
“Thank you delegates. At this time, we will move to a vote on the motion to change the speakers time from two minutes to one minute. All those delegates in favor of the motion, please raise your placards. [Chair and rapp record vote] All those delegates opposed to the motion, please raise your placards. [Chair and rapp record, tally and compare vote] By a vote of X in favor and Y opposing, this motion fails. The speakers time will remain set at 2 minutes. The chair will now open the speakers list by recognizing the honorable delegate from France.”
Speakers come, speakers go... two working papers have been submitted to the committee director for review and approval. The director assigns a numerical listing for working papers, submits to conference services for copying, and then provides to the chair for introduction to committee as a draft resolution.
“Thank you delegate. Are there any motions on the floor at this time?” [Delegate from Russian Federation raises placard] The chair recognizes the delegate from the Russian Federation; to what point do you rise?”
Russian Federation: • “Honorable chair, the Russian Federation moves to close the speakers list.”
Chair: • “Thank you delegate. That motion is in order at this time. A motion has been made to close the speakers list. This requires a simple majority vote with no debate. Is there any opposition to this motion?[several placards are raised] Seeing opposition, all those delegates in favor of closing the speakers list, please raise your placards. [Chair and rapp record vote] All those delegates opposed to this motion, please raise your placards. [an overwhelming majority of the committee votes in opposition] This motion clearly fails.”
The chair reserves the right to omit a formal count on procedural votes if the show of placards is of obvious disproportion.
“Are there any further motions on the floor at this time? [Cuba raises placard] Cuba, to what point do you rise?”
Cuba: • “Honorable chair, the Cuban delegation moves for closure of debate.”
Chair: • “Thank you delegate. That motion is in order at this time. Are there any additional motions on the floor? [numerous placards are raised] The chair recognizes the delegate from France; to what point do you rise?”
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France: • “Honorable chair, France moves for adjournment of debate.”
Chair: • “Thank you delegate. That motion is also in order at this time. There are now two motions on the floor: one motion for closure of debate and one motion for adjournment of debate. Are there any additional motions on the floor at this time? [many placards remain raised] The chair recognizes the delegate from Mexico; to what point do you rise?”
Mexico: • “Honorable chair, Mexico moves for a suspension of the meeting for a period of twenty minutes for the purpose of a caucus to discuss the previous motions for adjournment and closure of debate.”
Chair: • “Thank you delegate. That motion is in order at this time. There are currently three motions on the floor: the first motion is for closure of debate; the second motion is for adjournment of debate; and, the third motion is for a suspension of the meeting for a period of twenty minutes for the purpose of caucusing. Are there any additional motions on the floor at this time? [a handful of placards are raised]The chair recognizes the delegate from the South Africa, to what point do you rise?”
South Africa: • “Honorable chair, South Africa moves for a suspension of the meeting for a period of ten minutes for the purpose of caucusing.”
Chair: • “Thank you delegate. However, the chair would like to ask the honorable delegate from South Africa to reconsider this motion, given that there is already a motion on the floor for the suspension of the meeting for a period of twenty minutes. Would you consider withdrawing your motion?”
South Africa: • “Honorable chair, with all due respect, the South African delegation firmly believes the motion for a twenty minute suspension of the meeting has been introduced specifically to interrupt the substantive work of the committee. We are convinced a ten minute suspension of the meeting will suffice to adequately discuss the motions currently on the floor.”
Chair: • “Thank you delegate. Your point is well-taken and the dais will entertain your motion. There are currently four motions on the floor.”
“The committee will now move to a vote on suspension of the meeting for a period of twenty minutes. Prior to this vote, allow me to remind you that there is a second motion pending for suspension of the meeting for a period of ten minutes. Is there opposition to suspension of the meeting for 20 minutes?[many placards] Seeing opposition, will all those in favor of this motion please raise your placards? All those opposed? [seeing more placards raised against the motion than for the motion] This motion fails.”
“We will now consider the motion for suspension of the meeting for a period of ten minutes. Is there opposition to this motion? [placards are raised] Seeing opposition, will those in favor of this motion please raise your placards? All those opposed? By a vote of X in favor and Y opposed, this motion also fails.”
“There are currently two motions before the committee: a motion for adjournment of debate and a motion for closure of debate. Prior to moving to vote, allow the dais to remind the committee of the ramifications that accompany the passage of a motion for adjournment. Adjournment of debate will result in the immediate end of debate on the topic currently under consideration the committee will move on to the
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second agenda topic. The committee will not vote on either of the two draft resolutions currently before the committee. Are there any questions regarding this motion?”
Due to the serious and complex nature of the final stages prior to voting procedure, in particular, adjournment and closure, the chair will entertain questions relating to these specific motions.
“The committee will now consider the motion for adjournment of debate. This motion requires two speakers in favor and two speakers in opposition. Will those delegates wishing to speak in favor of this motion please raise your placards? Those delegates wishing to speak against this motion please raise your placards. [Speakers allotted fifteen seconds to address the specific procedural motion, not to address the substantive topic] The committee will now move to a vote on the adjournment of debate. The motion is decided by a simple majority vote. Will those in favor of this motion please raise your placards? All those opposed? [Members overwhelmingly oppose the motion for adjournment] The motion for adjournment of debate clearly fails.”
“Are there any additional points or motions on the floor at this time? [no placards] Seeing none, there is a motion on the floor for closure of debate. This motion requires two speakers in opposition and is decided by a 2/3 majority vote. Before requesting speakers on this motion, please remember that the passage of this motion will formally end debate on this topic and the committee will move immediately into voting procedure. Only two draft resolutions have been formally introduced to the committee; any working papers that have not yet been formally approved by the director and introduced to the committee will not be considered following closure. Are there any questions regarding this motion? Seeing none, will those delegates wishing to speak in opposition to the motion for closure of debate please raise their placards?”
The motion for closure of debate allows for only two speakers in opposition. The two delegates selected are allotted fifteen seconds to speak against the specific procedural motion, not the substantive topic.
[The chair notes a placard being raised] “State of Uncertainty, to what point do you rise?”
State of Uncertainty: • “Honorable chair, we move for suspension of the meeting for a period of twenty minutes for the purpose of caucusing.”
Chair: • “Thank you delegate. However, that motion is out of order at this time. In explanation: the moment when the dais accepts speakers to address the motion, the committee moves into formal voting procedure. While the committee is in voting procedure, no further motions can be accepted from the floor until the completion of the vote. Are there any questions regarding this ruling? Seeing none, we will move to a vote on the motion for closure of debate. Again, the motion for closure requires a 2/3 majority vote. Will those delegates in favor of the motion for closure please raise your placards? Will those opposed to the motion please raise your placards? [Due to the considerable potential for controversy that surrounds this motion, the chair and rapp. are strongly encouraged to very carefully tally this vote.] By a vote of X in favor and Y opposed, the motion for closure of debate passes.”
“Having moved to closure, the committee is now in formal voting procedure. We will now consider the two draft resolutions before the committee. [the chair should identify the draft resolution being considered by code number, in this case, GA/1/1] The dais has received no requests for amendments to this draft, therefore we will move directly to a vote. Allow me to remind delegates that you must remain seated at all times and there is to be absolutely no further discussion or note passing during these procedures.”
Please note that the chair will only entertain five specific motions once the committee has moved into voting procedure:
1. 2. 3.
a point of order to correct an error in procedure; an appeal of the decision of the chair; a motion for division;
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4. a motion for roll call vote; and 5. a motion for adoption by acclamation.
The only exception to this rule is a motion to declare the Topic an Important Question. (Once a topic has been declared an Important Question, each resolution requires a 2/3 majority to pass.) However, this exception is applicable only in the General Assembly Plenary committee.
[The chair notes a raised placard] “State of Utopia, to what point do you rise?” State of Utopia:
• “Honorable chair, the State of Utopia moves to adopt this resolution by acclamation.”
Chair: • “Thank you delegate. That motion is in order. A motion has been made to accept draft resolution GA/1/1 by acclamation. Allow the dais to provide an explanation of this motion before proceeding to a vote: a motion to pass a resolution by acclamation signifies that the committee is in consensus as to the contents of the draft. States intending to vote in favor of or abstain on the draft currently under consideration should generally be in favor of a motion for adoption by acclamation. States considering voting in opposition to the draft under consideration should be opposed to this motion. Are there any questions regarding the motion? Seeing none, is there any opposition to the motion to adopt draft resolution GA/1/1 by acclamation? [no placards] Seeing no opposition, the resolution is adopted by the consensus decision of the committee.”
Several amendments to the second draft resolution have been received by the dais. Please note: all amendments must be submitted to the director prior to closure of debate.
“The second and final draft resolution before the committee is GA/1/2. The dais has received three amendments to this draft: two friendly amendments and one unfriendly. These amendments have been copied and posted. Is there anyone in the committee unaware of these amendments who needs the dais to read them at this time? [If necessary, the Rapp, who has been diligently keeping track of amendments, will slowly read amendments to the committee and repeat once, if necessary] Are each of the original sponsors of the draft resolution in favor of the two friendly amendments?” [sponsors affirm and, the amendments are entered into the draft without a vote]
“The committee will now consider the unfriendly amendment. The Chair will recognize two speakers in favor of the amendment and two speakers in opposition. Will those delegates wishing to speak in favor of the unfriendly amendment please raise your placards? Will those wishing to speak in opposition to the amendment please raise your placards? [Speakers are provide fifteen seconds to speak on specific amendment] Thank you delegate. We will now move to a vote on the proposed amendment. All those in favor of including this amendment within draft resolution GA/1/2 please raise your placards. Those delegates opposed to the inclusion of this amendment please raise your placards. By a vote of X in favor and Y opposed, the amendment passes and will now be entered into the draft resolution as operative clause Z.”
“Before moving to a vote on this draft, are there any motions on the floor?”
“Seeing none, we will now move to a vote on the draft resolution. Will all those delegates in favor of GA/1/2 please raise your placards? Will those delegates opposed to this draft resolution please raise your placards? Will those delegates abstaining from this vote please raise your placards? By a vote of X in favor, Y opposed and Z abstentions, GA/1/2 is adopted by the committee.”
“With the passage of the final resolution, this committee has completed debate upon its first topic. The Chair will now entertain a motion for suspension of the meeting. [not an idle placard] Are there any objections to a suspension of the meeting for a period of twenty minutes?” [no placards]
Meeting suspends. Upon return from suspension, the process begins again to consider the second agenda topic. The Chair opens a new speakers list, considers speakers time limits, etc.
Anastasia Macdonald
Hi, I was wondering when the next general meeting is?
Thank you,
Anastasia
Mary M McKenzie
Fri at 2:30.
Dr. M.