General Rules

1. Powers of the Chair - The chair enjoys absolute power, and reserves the right to take whatever measures deemed necessary in order to ensure decorum. The president and officers make all decisions regarding motions, amendments, questions, etc.

2. Staff - Pages may be on hand for the service of delegates through the chair.

3. Delegations - Each delegation will have a predetermined number of students, which will vary with the committee.

4. Participation of Non-Members - Any nation or organization with observer status has full rights of member nations except the right to vote. Any non-member who is not an observer must seek permission from the president before commencing any activity.

5. Courtesy - Along with respect for the authority of the chair, delegates must be courteous to staff and other delegates.

6. Agenda - If the chair deems it appropriate, this will be the first order of business for the committee. The only motion entertained is one to place a certain resolution on the floor for debate. This motion requires a second. After hearing both sides of the issue (pro & con speakers), the assembly votes with a simple majority passing.

Speaking

1. Speaker's List - The speaker's list is open at all times for countries wishing to speak on issues unless it is has been formally closed. To access the speaker's list, a nation must submit a written request or raise their placard at the appropriate time.

2. Time Limit on Speeches - Normally, there is no time limit. The chair reserves the right to limit time if necessary.

3. Relevancy - A delegate may rise on a point of relevancy during a fellow delegate's speech if the speaker's comments are not relevant to the proceedings. Judgement is at the discretion of the chair.

4. Yields - Note: The intention to yield must be declared before a delegate begins to speak! Assuming an imposed time limit, any delegate speaking on a substantive issue may yield in any of the following ways:

•          Yield to another delegate - the speaker yields remaining time to another delegate; only one such yield is permitted.
•          Yield to the chair - if the delegate does not wish to answer questions or yield time to another delegate, he/she may yield the remaining time to the chair and then sit down.

5. Comments and Points of Information - If the chair deems appropriate, comments will be allowed after a delegate's speech (substantive speeches only). Also included are Points of Information,which can be directed to the speaker after he/she is finished speaking.

6. Right of Reply - A delegate whose personal or national integrity has been slandered or misconstrued may request a Right of Reply.Granting of this right is at the discretion of the chair.

Points

1. Point of Personal Privilege - If a delegate experiences personal discomfort that constitutes a hindrance to following the proceedings, he/she may request a point of personal privilege. (This might include items such as noise, distractions, etc.)

2. Point of Parliamentary Inquiry - This is designed to allow a delegate to question the chair as to correct parliamentary procedure. This is merely a clarification point and should be used as such.

3. Recess or Adjournment - If the floor is open, a delegate may move to recess or adjourn. The delegates should use their own judgement when asking for a recess or an adjournment.

4. Caucusing - A delegate may move to caucus at any time prior to closure of debate. The chair will set a time limit for the caucus and explain its purpose. The chair may also rule a motion to caucus out of order if it is not deemed to be needed.

5. Informal Consideration - When informal discussion of the entire issue under consideration appears beneficial, the President or delegate may propose that the body move into a session of informal consideration. The purpose shall be to clarify points of confusion through informal discussion. This action shall be taken upon by a simple majority vote. The chair may subsequently entertain a point-of-order to return to formal consideration.

6. Postponement and Resumption of Debate - In order to debate a particular amendment or to discuss other matters, a delegate may move to postpone debate. This is at the discretion of the chair. Similarly, during a postponement, a delegate can move for resumption of debate.

7. Division of the Question - After closure of debate on a resolution or an amendment, a delegate may move to have the operative clauses of the resolution or amendment voted upon separately. The chair will then accept proposals for division. A vote shall be called upon the way in which to divide the question after which the operative clauses will be voted on.

Voting

1. Voting - Each member nation shall have one (1) vote. A nation may either vote for, against, or abstain from a resolution or amendment.

2. Roll Call Votes - The chair calls upon each member nation and allows that nation to either vote for, against, abstain, or pass. Any nation that passes is asked again after the first round of voting. Particularly when their foreign policy is suspect, a country may request the right to explain their vote.

3. Reconsideration - Only votes on resolutions and amendments may be reconsidered. A reconsideration motion must be made by a nation that voted on the majority side of the issue.

4. Explanation of vote - This is a very serious maneuver that requires careful thought. However, should a nation feel that another nation has seriously misrepresented their foreign policy, they may ask the chair for an explanation of vote.This is formally begun in this fashion: Immediately after the vote, there must be a verbal communication to the chair (through a point-of-order) announcing the intent, followed directly by a note to the chair. Should the chair deem the request reasonable, the chair may ask the particular nation if it wishes to reconsider or change its vote. If negative, the nation will then be given one minute to publicly explain their vote.