General terms
Chairs
The chairpersons are seated in the front with their gavels 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.
Point of Inquiry or Question
These are used when a delegate has a question about something that is not clearly understood by the committee. Use this if you don't understand a term or get what's going on in the committee
Blocs
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.
Pre-ambulatory clauses
statements in the first section of the draft resolution that describes the problems that the committee wants to solve as well as previous measures are taken to combat the problem. These clauses are usually italicized or underlined but not numbered.
Merging
combining two or more draft resolutions to make a bigger or new draft resolution
Decorum
order in committee. The chair may call decorum if delegates are loud or disrespectful, in order to ask for their attention during committee.
Point of Personal Privilege
used when a delegate experiences personal discomfort that hinders their ability to participate in the committee. Examples: temperature of the room, distractions during committee, can't hear another delegate, etc.
Working paper
This is a list of ideas formed by the blocs. They may or may not be written in resolution format. this document needs to be approved by the chairs.
Operative clauses
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.
Voting bloc
when delegates vote on the draft resolutions and amendments
Motion
a specific action made by delegates to direct debate in a certain direction.
Point of Order (also called Point of Parliamentary Procedure)
used when a delegate believes that there was a mistake made regarding the rules of procedure
Draft Resolution
A document written in resolution format, approved by the chairs, and introduced to committee but not yet voted upon
Amendments
a change made to an operative clause of a draft resolution. These can add, delete, or change an operative clause in a draft resolution.
Placard
A piece of cardstock with a country's name on it that a delegate raises in the air to speak or vote.
Speaker's List
a list that contains the order of speakers in the committee. The specific way that the order is determined varies by conference. This is the default format of debate and the committee will proceed with speeches until a delegate makes a motion to change up the debate format.
Moderated Caucus
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.
Sponsors
delegates who authored the draft resolution or actively contributed ideas. They support the draft resolution and want to see it get passed, so they should vote for it. All resolutions will require a minimum number of these.
A Friendly Amendment
is an amendment written and approved by all the sponsors to a draft resolution and is automatically included in the text.
Signatory.
A country that wishes a draft resolution to be put on the floor and signs the draft resolution to accomplish this. A signatory need not support a resolution; it only wants it to be discussed. Usually, Model UN conferences require a minimum number of sponsors and signatories for a draft resolution to be approved.
Yield
this is when a speaker decides to give up the remaining time in his or her speech. Typically, the three types are 1) ___ to the Chair meaning you give up the rest of your time, 2) ____ to another delegate meaning you give up the rest of your time to another delegate, or 3) ____ to questions or comments from other delegates
Unmoderated Caucus (also called Informal Caucus or Lobbying Sessions)
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. In order to move into this type of debate, the motion must include the overall caucus time and preferably the purpose of this type of debate
Signatories
delegates who wish the see the draft resolution debated but may or may not agree with all of the ideas. However, they think there is some merit to it and want to see it presented.
An Unfriendly Amendment
is an amendment not approved by all the sponsors to their draft resolution and must be voted upon before it can be included in the text.
Right of reply.
A right to speak in reply to a previous speaker's comment is invoked when a delegate feels personally insulted by another delegate's speech. Generally requires a written note to the Chair to be invoked.