Bradley University Model United Nations

Rules of Parliamentary Procedure

This Handbook is the exclusive property and rulebook of the Bradley University Model United Nations (BUMUN).  The BUMUN staff reserves the right to interpret and override any part of this Handbook.
If at any time during the meeting any parliamentary questions arise, a member of the BUMUN staff should be able to address the problem.  However, this Handbook is designed to answer the majority of common queries regarding rules and procedures.
General Rules
Rule 1.  The Secretariat
The Secretariat shall have the authority to decide and mediate all controversies arising during the conference.  The Secretariat shall consist of the Secretary-General, the Under Secretary-General, the Committee Chairs, the Secretary, and any other staff members designated by the Secretary-General.

Rule 2.  Quorum
A simple majority of the members of the body shall constitute quorum. The required number of quorum shall be determined by the number of delegations registered at the start of the conference.  A quorum is necessary to start any session, which has been recessed for more than thirty minutes.

Rule 3.  Calling Roll
At the beginning of any committee session or after reconvening from a recess, the Chair/President will call the roll of the committee.  The Chair/President will call each country, which is part of the committee.  There are two ways anyone can say that they are present.  Each country can either respond as ‘Present’ or ‘Present and voting.’  ‘Present’ means that you are present for the committee session and you have the right to abstain.  ‘Present and Voting’ means that you are present for the committee session and that you do not intend to abstain on any vote, you have forfeited your right to abstain and that you intend to vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ on ay vote substantive vote.

Rule 4.  Dress Code
The staff of the BUMUN believes that a professional appearance (western business attire) is necessary to promote an environment conducive to professional behavior.   The BUMUN staff reserves the right to ask any delegate to change his/her clothing if it is distracting or inappropriate.

Rule 5.  Conduct of Delegates
Please recognize that delegate conduct reflects directly upon the BUMUN participants and staff.  Poor conduct may jeopardize the holding of subsequent Model United Nations exercises on campus.

Rule 6.  National Symbols
The display of any national symbols, emblems, slogans, flags, or anything representing a delegate's alliance with his/her country or criticizing another country is strictly prohibited within any body of the BUMUN.

Rule 7.  Official Language
The official language of the BUMUN shall be English.  Any other language may be recognized at the discretion the Chair or President of the body.

Rule 8.  Rulings by the Chair
                                    Out of Order: The motion stated is parliamentarily incorrect.
Dilatory: In the Chair's opinion, the motion stated is against the will of the body.  This ruling cannot be appealed.

Rule 9.  Replacement of a Chair/President
If at any time the Chair/President must be absent during a session, the staff members of the Dais of that body may preside with the full powers of the Chair/President until such time as the return of the assigned Chair/President. Also, the Secretary-General may appoint a Chair/President Pro Tempore.

Privileged Motions (in order of precedence)
Rule 10.  Suspension of the Meeting
During the discussion of any matter, a delegate may, when appropriate, move for suspension of the meeting.  Included with the motion, a specific time must be set for the reconvening of the session.  Motions to suspend the meeting are non-debatable and must be either ruled on by the Chair, or put to an immediate vote of the body.  Any motions to suspend the meeting when there is more than ten minutes left in the meeting will not be entertained by the Chair and will be ruled dilatory.

Rule 11.  Adjournment of the Meeting
During the discussion of any matter, a delegate may, when appropriate, move for adjournment of the meeting.  Such a motion would close all business of the body.  A motion of adjournment requires two speakers for and two speakers against. After the issue is debated, the motion is put to the body for a vote.

Rule 12.  Point of Personal Privilege
A point of personal privilege may be used when a delegate feels that his/her ability to function is being hampered for reasons such as technical difficulties, bothersome noise in the assembly, room temperature, or other annoyances.  To be recognized on a point of personal privilege, a delegate needs only to raise his/her placard and be recognized by the Chair.  Excessive or strategic abuse of personal privilege may result in the revocation of a delegate's right to use the motion.

Incidental Motions (all equally ranked)
Rule 13.  Point of Order
Any delegate who believes that the rules of procedure have been breached may use a point of order.  This is accomplished by a delegate raising his/her placard and saying.  "Point of Order."  When the Chair recognizes the delegate, he/she should state the alleged discrepancy and then allow the Chair to make a ruling.
Point of order takes precedence over the question-giving rise to it, and therefore is in order at any time (even during voting procedure).
The motion is also used when the speaker is not keeping his/her remarks germane to the appropriate topic.

Rule 14.  Appeal the Chair
If a member of the body disagrees with a ruling by the Chair, that delegate can ask that the assembly decide the question (this is not applicable where the Chair has ruled a motion dilatory).  A call for appeal of a decision must be made immediately following the Chair's ruling, and is accomplished by the delegate raising his/her placard and saying, "I move to appeal the decision of the Chair."  The Chair will then state the reasons for the ruling, after which there will be one speech supporting the decision of the Chair and one in opposition.  The Chair will then restate its position regarding the ruling.  Then, the Chair will present the question, "Shall the decision of the Chair be sustained?"  The ruling shall be supported on an affirmative majority or a tie.  Delegates should remember that the Appeal of the Chair should not be used as a strategic political-tool, but rather in questions of parliamentary correctness.

Rule 15.  Point of Parliamentary Inquiry
A question as to the current status of the assembly, clarification of parliamentary procedure, or any other relevant questions pertaining to conference matters may be asked by rising on a point of information. This motion is also in order during the voting procedure.
Points of information are allowed during a speech, but delegates are reminded that it is left up to the discretion of the Chair whether to recognize this motion while another delegate is speaking. The staff of the BUMUN encourages delegates with procedural questions to privately approach the Chair or parliamentarian rather than interrupt the proceedings of the entire assembly.

Rule 16.  Point of Information
A point of inquiry is used to obtain permission from a speaker to ask him/her a question. A delegate may raise his/her placard to make this motion at any point during a speech. The Chair will stop the speaker and ask, "On what point do you rise?" The inquiring delegate will respond, "Point of Inquiry." The Chair will then ask if the speaker will yield to a question, if the speaker agrees the delegate is allowed to ask one question. Keep in mind that all debate must be directed at the Chair, and a point of inquiry may not be used to engage in general debate or argue with the speaker. If the delegate would like to ask subsequent or follow-up questions, he/she must be recognized under a point of inquiry again. Points of inquiry can be effective tools to stop the persuasive speech of an adversary. If a speaker does not wish to be interrupted by any points of inquiry, he/she should state so prior to the start of his/her speech.

Rule 17.  Withdrawal of Motions
Its proposer can withdraw a motion at any time before voting has commenced on that motion, provided that no amendments have been attached to it. A substantive motion requires the withdrawal of both the mover, the seconder, and the approval of the Chair.

Rule 18.  Objection to Consideration
A motion of objection to consideration may only be made to original, main motions (i.e. resolutions). It is used in situations when even considering the motion could be offensive or damaging to the credibility of the assembly. After the motion is made, the Chair will initiate the procedure in the following matter:
"Will the body consider the issue?"

For objection to consideration to pass, a two-thirds negative vote is required.

Rule 19.  Decision of Competence
Any motion calling for a decision on the competence of the assembly to adopt a submitted proposal must be voted on prior to the vote on the proposal in question. After hearing one pro and one con speech on the motion of competence, the Chair will present the voting procedure in the following manner:
"Is this body competent to act upon this issue?"

For a decision of no competence to succeed, a two-thirds negative vote is required. This motion is used when a delegation feels that the assembly is not properly informed to vote in an appropriate manner.

Rule 20.  Suspension of the Rules
This motion temporarily bypasses a specific parliamentary rule so that the assembly can continue unencumbered by its own procedures. The object of suspension must be clearly stated, and no other actions can occur while under suspension. The Charter of the United Nations and any rules deemed unsuspendable by the Head Parliamentarian are not subject to this motion. If suspension does pass, the object of suspension must be discussed immediately.

Rule 21.   Change Order of the Agenda
A motion to change the orders of the day alters the order of consideration of agenda items. The proposed new ordering must be stated in a motion made from an open floor. In the General Assembly, a motion to change the order of the day must occur prior to any resolution being moved to the floor. This motion does not apply to the Security Council because the Security Council is not bound by a specific orders of the day agenda.

Rule 22.  Setting the Speaking Time
There is no default time limit.  If a speaker exceeds the allotted time limit, the Chair has the power to terminate the speech.  In order to change the time allotted to each speaker, a member must motion to set a new time limit on speeches.  This motion requires a simple majority to pass.

Subsidiary Motions (in order of precedence)
Rule 23.  Adjournment of Debate
During the discussion of any matter, a delegate may move the adjournment of the debate on the items under discussion. There is a major difference between adjournment and closure of debate (Rule 24). If passed, the motion to adjourn debate removes the resolution or amendment pending from consideration without a final vote to accept or reject it. It is important to remember that adjournment of debate on an amendment also adjourns debate on the adhering resolution.

Rule 24.  Closure of Debate
A delegate may move the closure of debate on the item under discussion at any time after one substantive pro and one substantive con speech have been heard. If the motion of closure passes, the assembly then moves into an immediate vote on the substantive motion (i.e. resolutions, amendments, etc.). If the motion fails, discussion will resume from the point at which the motion was introduced.

Rule 25.  Limit/Extend Debate
A motion to limit or extend debate may be introduced to:

The motion affects both the pro and con side of debate.

Rule 26.  Suspend Debate to a Definite Time
This motion is similar to adjournment of debate, save the definite time. A specific time prior to the body's scheduled adjournment time must be stated in the motion. When the time arrives, the suspended question takes the floor and the current question under debate is held over until discussion ends on the question originally suspended. Suspending debate on an amendment also suspends debate on the adhering resolution.

Rule 27.  Tabling a Topic
When the floor is open, delegates can motion to table the topic, which means the discussion is prematurely terminated (i.e., before a resolution has been passed), if more pressing issues should present themselves before a committee. The motion to table a topic requires a two-thirds majority and merits one speaker for and one speaker against. If the motion passes, the active agenda topic will be set to the pressing issue that prompted the tabling. Once debate has closed on the pressing issue, then the committee will resume the secondary speakers list of the topic that was tabled. The chair has discretion over the motion and this decision is not subject to appeal.

Substantive Motions (in order of precedence)
Rule 28.  Friendly Amendments
The Chair does not recognize friendly amendments.  They are used only to correct spelling, punctuation, or typographical errors in pending substantive questions.  All friendly amendments should simply be brought to the attention of the Chair or parliamentarian of the assembly.  In the Security Council, friendly amendments may be moved to the floor as a point of information.

Rule 29.  Secondary Amendments
Secondary amendments are amendments to amendments presently on the floor. Only one secondary amendment shall be considered at a time. Secondary amendments are only allowed in the Security Council, not in the General Assembly.

Rule 30.  Amendments
The Chair or the parliamentarian prior to moving it to the floor must approve all amendments. In Security Council, amendments require one sponsor and four cosponsors; secondary amendments are allowed. In the General Assembly, one sponsor and seven cosponsors are necessary; secondary amendments are not allowed.

Rule 31.  Previous Question (Motion to move into Voting Procedures)
Previous question is a motion to move into voting procedures; it can be moved for at any time and is at the chairs discretion.  Any motion for previous question will be ruled dilatory if there are no working papers on the floor at that time.  This motion needs a simple majority of the body to be passed, once passed the body automatically moves into voting procedures (Please see ‘Rule 35’ for the definition of being in a vote).

Miscellaneous Motions (in order only from an open floor)
Rule 32.  Reconsideration
Substantive motions may be reconsidered only if the motion was voted on by a roll call vote and the mover of reconsideration voted on the prevailing side. If passed, discussion on the issue begins at the point immediately preceding the original vote. The Chair may limit debate on a proposal under reconsideration.

Parliamentary Conduct
Rule 33. Yielding
A delegate who is granted the floor and who only uses a portion of the allotted speaking time may yield the remainder of his/her time to another delegate from another delegation.  A delegate also may choose not to speak at all before yielding, or may surrender the remainder of his/her time by yielding to the Chair.  The delegate that was originally recognized by the Chair can only make motions at the beginning of a speech.
Acceptable Yields:

Rule 34.  Right of Reply
A delegation feeling itself slandered by remarks from the floor may ask permission, by way of a written request to the Chair, to reply to the slanderous remarks.  The note to the Chair must state: ROR, your country's name, and must be turned in before the completion of the speech.  Only the Chair will determine whether the reply is justified.  If so, the Chair will designate a limited amount of time for the reply.  The speaker must limit remarks only to the reply and cannot use allotted time to engage in a general debate.  There shall be no right of reply to a reply.

Rule 35.  Credential Checks (Staying on Policy)
Credential checks must be submitted in writing to a member of the Secretariat along with an explanation of the reasoning for the request.  Credential questions should be limited to delegations that consistently vote contrary to their stated country's position.  Delegates are reminded that credential checks are an extremely serious matter and should only be submitted in cases of gross disregard for normal policy stances.  Do not use credential checks as a means of political convenience.

Rule 36.  Caucusing and Indecorum
It is the right of every delegate to expect the courtesy of each member of the assembly.  Caucusing (informal discussion between delegates) is an important way to express your views to fellow delegates.  However, in the interest of keeping the noise level at a minimum, the staff of the BUMUN asks that delegates do their caucusing in the hallway and will excuse themselves for the committee chambers.

Working Papers and Draft Resolutions
Rule 37.  Working Papers
All papers that haven’t been formally introduced to the body will be referred to as a working paper.  They are not to be referred to as anything else.  A paper that hasn’t been formally introduced shouldn’t be referred to as a resolution or a draft resolution.

Rule 38.  Draft Resolutions
All working papers that have been formally introduced to the body are no longer considered a working paper.  Once a working paper is formally introduced they are to be referred to as draft resolutions.

Rule 39.  Introduction of a Draft Resolution
Once one has had their working paper approved by the chair, they need to formally introduce the working paper to the body for it to be considered a draft resolution.  To formally introduce a working paper a delegate needs to move for the introduction of the working paper using its designation assigned by the Chair or Committee Staff.  Before a delegate can move for the introduction of a working paper the working paper must distributed to all of the members of the committee.  Once a delegate has moved for the introduction of a working paper and the Chair declares that motion in order.  The sponsors of the working paper need to read the working paper aloud to the body.  Once the sponsors have read the working paper aloud they are to entertain questions regarding the format and grammar of the working paper.  They are not to be any question regarding substance.  Once all of this has been completed the working paper from there on forth be considered a draft resolution.

Voting
Rule 40.  Definition of "Being in a Vote"
A body is in a vote when the Chair announces so, The Chair will insist on the following during all votes:

Rule 41.  Credential for Voting
Each delegation is entitled to cast one vote if they are registered with the Chair as being present before the vote has begun.  If the delegation is absent or does not respond to a roll call vote, the delegation will be considered absent for all roll call votes until the Chair is informed otherwise by written notification. No proxy voting will be allowed.

Rule 42.  Division of the Question
A delegate may move that each clause of a resolution be voted on individually.  A delegate can only move for division of the question once in voting procedures.  If the decision carries by a simple majority, then every resolution that is being considered will be voted on clause by clause.   A motion for division of the question is only applicable for operative clauses if any part of one of the working papers passes all of the pre-ambulatory clauses for that working paper also pass.  This motion needs to be made as soon as the committee moves into voting procedures.

Rule 43.  Roll Call Votes
After the Previous Question has been called, any delegate may request a roll call vote on any issue.  Once a delegate moves for a roll call vote it automatically passes, the issue isn’t open to debate and doesn’t require the motion to be put to a vote.  In a roll call vote, the Chair shall call the roll in alphabetical order starting with a randomly selected Member of the Committee.  A delegate may vote ‘Yes,’ ‘No,’ ‘Abstain,’ or ‘Pass.’  Delegates who vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ may request rights of explanation to explain their vote to the Committee.  Explanations are only in order to explain a vote that seems to contradict a position held during deliberations.  Delegates who ‘Pass’ will be returned to during the second round of voting; these delegates must vote ‘Yes,’ ‘No,’ or ‘Abstain’ during the second sequence, and may not request rights of explanation.  After all votes have been cast, delegates who requested rights of explanation would be allowed to explain their votes.  Finally, the Chair shall announce the outcome of the vote.  Roll call votes are not in order on procedural matters.

Conference Format
Rule 44.  Outline for Debate
Debate is the fundamental part of the BUMUN; it will be facilitated in the following manner:

General Assembly
Rule 45.  Selection of Agenda Items and Resolutions
The agenda of the General Assembly shall be limited to the topics, which are provided by the staff of the BUMUN. However, the order of the agenda must be set by the General Assembly according to the delegates' collective desire. Resolutions for the General Assembly shall be provided by participating delegates and are due on a date to be determined by the Secretary-General prior to the conference.

Rule 46.  Agenda
The order in which resolutions appear in the resolution packets is determined by the date of receipt.  When the Chair declares the floor open, any delegate recognized may move any resolution on the first agenda item (the agenda must be set prior to the movement of specific resolutions to the floor).  If seconded, the motion takes the floor and is then debated.

Rule 47.  Important Questions
The President will in accordance with Article 18 of the United Nations Charter, declare resolutions discussing matters such as the following important questions:

Once an agenda item is declared an important question, all votes on amendments to that item, as well as the final vote on that item, require a two-thirds majority.  A majority also can declare other items important questions.

Rule 48.  Uniting for Peace
United for peace allows the General Assembly the power to reconsider a resolution after the Security Council has failed to act.  In such an emergency, the assembly can recommend actions for the United Nations, including the use of armed forces, if necessary.

Security Council
Rule 49.  Membership
The BUMUN Security Council shall consist of those nations sitting on the United Nations' equivalent at the time of the conference.

Rule 50. Committee of the Whole
The President may move the council into a committee of the whole if he/she decides that open debate is desirable.  Such a decision may also be made by a majority vote of the council.  A committee of the whole shall constitute an informal discussion not subject to procedural rules, but governed by common courtesy and the discretion of the President.

Rule 51.  Emergency Agenda
If the President/Chair deems a topic to be of sufficient importance, addition of that topic will be put to a vote of the council.  Any member nation may request that the President/Chair consider an addition to the agenda.

Rule 52.  Non-Voting Participating in Debate
The Security Council may invite, by majority vote, any member of the United Nations not presently a member of the Security Council to participate without vote in its deliberations.  Any member not seated on the Security Council may be declared a party to a dispute by a majority vote in the Security Council and may speak if granted the right by the President/Chair, or yielded to by another delegation.  The Security Council may also invite any member of the United Nations to present a policy statement to the council at any time.

Rule 53.  Security Council Priority
In accordance with Chapter IV, Article 12 of the United Nations Charter, no other body of BUMUN may debate an issue while the Security Council is seized on the issue.  If the question is seized from any body, that question and debate on it will be immediately suspended.  After the Security Council has completed discussion, the question will be returned to the floor of the original body.

Rule 54.  Attendance
Chapter V, Article 28 of the United Nations Charter states, "each member of the Security Council shall be represented at all times at the seat of the [Security Council.]" The BUMUN Security Council adheres to the United Nations Charter and therefore requires delegations to be present at all times during Security Council sessions.

Rule 55.  Call of the House
The Security Council, by a majority vote of its members, or at the imposition of the President/Chair, may compel attendance of its meetings.  Once passed, an order to 'call the house' requires delegations seated in the Security Council to send representatives should they not be represented at that time, and forbids the delegations already present to leave the Council chambers.  The call will be lifted at the President/Chair’s discretion.