Calling for Points and Motions

To raise a point or motion, delegates may raise your placard and wait to be recognized by the chair. Upon recognition, the delegate may speak and indicate their point or motion. If the point or motion is in order, the chair will respond accordingly and wither call for a procedural vote or provide the clarification needed, depending on what the delegate raising the point or motion sought. Should there be more than one motion on the floor, the chair recognizes all of them first before calling for a vote. A motion may be withdrawn by its proposer at any time before voting on it has begun. A withdrawn motion can be reintroduced by other delegates. 

Points

Points are used to discuss something outside of the debate, since they are more personal and don’t require a vote. Should only be used if necessary.

Examples:

Point of Order/ Parlimentary Procedure

  • Can interrup the Speaker

  • Used to Point out a procedural error

Point of Inquiry/Information

  • Cannot interrupt the Speaker

  • Used to ask a question about the Parlamentary Procedure

Point of Personal Privilege

  • Cannot interrupt the Speaker

  • Used to express personal discomfort that hinders the delegate from participating in the committee

Directions:

  1. Raise your placard and wait to be called on by the Chair

    a. If it is a Point of Personal Privilege or Point of Order, then you may interrupt

  2. State your point and what you would like to say

Motions

Motions are used to discuss procedural matters and to further the discussion on your topic. Most require a vote to pass.

examples:

Open Speakers’ List

  • Majority vote on in

  • Used to open a Speakers’ List

  • Not debatable

Suspend the Meeting

  • Majority vote on it

  • Used to suspend debate for breaks in the shcedule (i.e., for lunch)

  • Not debatable

Request a Roll Call before Voting

  • Majority vote on it

  • Used to initiate a new Roll Call for Member States to be called on in alphabetical order to announce their presence

  • Not debatable

DIrections:

  1. Raise your placard and wait to be called on by the Chair

    a. You may not interrupt

  2. State your motion and what you would like to say

  3. Vote on the motion(s) on the floor

Speakers’ List

A Speakers’ List is opened at the beginning of the first session and at the beginning of each new topic. It is used as an instrument to conduct formal debate on topics.

“Motion to open Speakers’ List”

Or the Chair can enforce the opening of one:

“The Chair would smile upon a motion to open the Speakers’ List”

When opening a Speakers’ List, a speaking time must also be set:

“Motion to open the Speakers’ List with a speaking time of 60 seconds”

Once the Chair has opened the Speakers’ List they will ask for the names of those who wish to participate, EVERYONE is encouraged to participate! You must raise your placard to be added to the list.

Delegates are not required to use all of the allotted time, they can yield it to the Chair, to another delegate, or they can also yield it to the floor:

“The delegation of Mexico yields its time to the Chair”

DO NOT LET THE SPEAKERS’ LIST RUN OUT!!! Keep adding your delegation to the list to keep it going:

“The delegation of France would like to be added to the Speakers’ List”

Calling for Moderated Caucus

A moderated caucus has many purposes, but the main purpose is to allow delegates to discuss sub-topics under the main topic and to indicate public support for certain measures. It is up to the delegate to steer the debate in the direction they want to go. At any point in time during the formal session, a delegate may motion to move to a moderated caucus to conduct discussion.

To move into a moderated caucus, the motion must include the overall speaking time, the time per speaker, and the sub-issue to be discussed, as well as pass with a majority vote:

“The delegation of Zambia motions for a TEN MINUTE moderated caucus with a THIRTY-SECOND speaking time per delegate to discuss the dangers of space debris.”

Calling for Unmoderated Caucus

The unmoderated caucus is essentially a procedural “timeout” to break down into smaller groups for discussing the topic or to work on drafting resolutions.

To create coalitions, formulate agreements about the topic, or to draft resolutions, the delegates should motion to move to an unmoderated caucus. Here, the delegates are free to move within the room to talk to other delegates in the groupings of their choice.

When a motion is made for an unmoderated caucus, the motion should include the purpose for the unmoderated caucus, the length of time for the suspension of the session and require a majority vote to pass.

“The delegation of Australia moves for an unmoderated caucus for TEN MINUTES for the purpose of discussion possible resolution drafts.”