MUN Terms 1
The chairpersons are seated in the front with their gavel and facilitate the debate. They call on speakers, time speeches, and maintain the rules of procedure. If the conference gives awards, they will also evaluate your performance.
Chairs
These are used when a delegate has a question about something that is not clearly understood in committee. Use this if you don't understand a term or get what's going on in committee
Point of Inquiry or Question
different groups that have similar ideas and opinions about the topics. In the real United Nations, there are regional _____, but delegates can choose to build their own ____ in Model UN. These ____ will typically work together to create a draft resolution.
Blocs
When a speaker gives up the rest of their speaking time.
Yield
The special ability held by the 5 Permanent members of the Security Council (China, France, Russia, UK, USA) that allows them to prevent any Draft Resolution from passing.
Veto
order in committee. The chair may call decorum if delegates are loud or disrespectful, in order to ask for their attention during committee.
Decorum
used when a delegate experiences personal discomfort that hinders their ability to participate in committee. Examples: temperature of room, distractions during committee, can't hear another delegate, etc.
Point of Personal Privilege
Raised by delegates, used to discuss issues outside of substantive debate.
Point
statements in the second section of the draft resolution that outlines the specific solutions the sponsors wish to implement. These clauses are usually numbered and underlined.
Operative clauses
The staff who administer a Model UN committee.
Dais
Raised by delegates, used to discuss procedural matters and help to further the discussion of the committee topic.
Motion
used when a delegate believes that there was a mistake made regarding the rules of procedure
Point of Order (also called Point of Parliamentary Procedure)
A document written in resolution format, approved by the chairs, and introduced to committee but not yet voted upon
Draft Resolution
a change made to an operative clause of a draft resolution. These can add, delete, or change an operative clause in a draft resolution.
Amendment
An opportunity to discuss policy ideas.
Caucus
a list that contains the order of speakers in the committee.
Speaker's List
A debate format that allows delegates to make short comments on a specific sub-issue. Typically, delegates who are interested in speaking will raise up their placards and the Chairs will call on delegates to speak one at a time. In order to move to this type of debate, the motion must include the overall speaking time, the time per speaker, and the sub-issue to be discussed.
Moderated Caucus
Signboard that shows who the delegate is representing, a delegate can raise it when they would like to speak.
Placard
Takes place at the start of a Committee session, the Chair counts the number of delegations in the Committee room to determine the Quorum.
Roll Call
Suspending the debate for a particular committee session, discussion can be resumed in the next scheduled session.
Adjourn
The order in which issues will be discussed, delegates can suggest topics for the agenda through motions.
Agenda
a debate format in which delegates can leave their seats to go and talk to others freely and informally. This is usually when delegates find allies and work on draft resolutions.
Unmoderated Caucus (also called Informal Caucus or Lobbying Sessions)
The staff who organize a Model UN conference.
Secretariat
The rules that govern how a Model UN committee is run.
Rules of Procedure
Deciding to not vote on a particular matter. This is generally understood as not supporting a resolution enough to vote for it, but not being opposed enough to want to vote against it either.
Abstain