Rules of Procedure
Island Model United Nations Youth
Rules of Procedure
- GENERAL RULES Rule [Link]
The rules listed here are applicable to all bodies of IMUN Youth. The
General Committee reserve the right to make changes in these rules
at any time. Should a change occur, it will be announced in a timely
manner.
Rule [Link] General and the Secretariat
The Secretary General will provide and direct the staff required by
all the bodies of Island Model UN Youth. This person will have
ultimate authority over all committees and may at any time transfer
authority to any person in the Secretariat. Furthermore, the
Secretary General or members of the Secretariat may at any time
make written or oral statements to committees.
Rule [Link]
English is the official and working language of all conferences.
Rule [Link]
Chairpersons shall:
a. Ensure the observance of the Rules;
b. Declare the opening or closure of each meeting;
c. Rule or response to Points;
d. Compose speakers lists and accord the right to speak;
e. Propose an adoption of any procedural motion and announce
decisions;
f. Direct the flow of debate and advise delegates on a possible
course of debate;
g. Adjourn a meeting;
Chairpersons may temporarily transfer their duties to another
member of the Dais. In exercise of these functions, Chairpersons
shall at all times be subjected to the Rules of Procedure, and are
responsible to the Secretary General (Rule 2).
Rule [Link]
Each Member State will be represented by one or two delegates.
Rule [Link]
Chairpersons may declare a meeting begin and permit debate to
proceed (Rule 4) when at least one fourth of the Members of a
committee are present. A majority of present Members of a
committee is required for any decision to be taken.
Rule [Link]
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Rules of Procedure
All delegates must show courtesy and respect to the Secretary
General, Chairpersons, committee staff, counselors and fellow
delegates. Chairpersons will immediately call to order when
delegates do not abide by this rule.
- RULES GOVERNING DEBATES Rule [Link] Call
Chairpersons should administer a roll call at the beginning of each
meeting in order to determine quorum. When names of a Member is
called, their delegates shall raise their placards and answer
present or present and voting. If delegates answer present and
voting, they forfeit their rights to abstain during a substantive
voting.
Rule [Link] Agenda
a. In the first meeting, after roll call, delegates may raise a motion
to set the agenda. If this motion is seconded, Chairpersons will
open a provisional speakers list for a debate over for or
against this motion. The speaking sequence will be done
alternatively and speeches should be oriented to why an agenda
item suggested must or must not be set first on agenda. The
default time of speech is one minute, Chairpersons may adjust it
if needed (Rule 4.e).
b. Debate over the agenda would be closed by a motion of Closure
of Debate (Rule 14.b). In situations where the speakers list is
exhausted, debate will be automatically closed even if a motion
to close the debate is not in order.
c. Once debate is closed, the committee will move to an
immediate vote on the motion to set agenda, which will require
a simple majority for passage. If fails, the other agenda item will
automatically be placed first on the agenda.
d. A motion to proceed to other agenda items is only in order after
the committee has adopted or rejected a resolution on the first
item. A motion to proceed to a second agenda item after a
resolution has failed requires a second member in support, and
is debatable to the extent of one speaker in favor and one
against. This motion requires a vote of two thirds of the present
Members for passage.
e. Only Points or Motion to close a debate will be accepted during
Setting Agenda.
f. Once an agenda item is set, the conference will move onto the
debate procedure.
Rule 10. General Speakers List
a. The General Speakers List is the default style of debate.
Delegates may speak generally on an agenda item, address any
Working Paper or Draft Resolution on the floor, and may raise
procedural or substantive motions and points.
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b.
c.
d.
The list will be suspended when any motion is proposed.
The default time limit for individual speeches is one minute.
Delegates can raise a motion to set speakers time (Rule 18).
At any time Chairpersons may ask whether delegates wish to be
placed on the list. Those raising their placards or submitting a
written request to the Dais will be placed on the speakers list.
Members can be added to a list for multiple times, but cannot
be at the same time.
Rule 11.
Moderated Caucus
a. A motion for a Moderated Caucus is in order at any time when
the floor is open.
b. Delegates making the motion must state a purpose, a total time
limit under twenty minutes, and a time limit for individual
speeches. Time limit is subject to Chairpersons approval (Rule
4.e).
c. After proposal, the motion will queue to be voted (Rule 26). A
simple majority is required for passage.
d. During a Moderated Caucus, delegates speak under the order of
a secondary speakers list. This motion will end by the expiration
of time, exhaustion of speakers list, or motion of closure (Rule
14).
Rule 12.
Unmoderated Caucus
a. A motion for an Unmoderated Caucus is in order at any time
when the floor is open.
b. Delegates making the motion must state a purpose and a time
limit under twenty minutes. Time limit is subject to
Chairpersons approval (Rule 4.e).
c. After proposal, the motion will queue to be voted (Rule 26). A
simple majority is required for passage.
d. During an Unmoderated Caucus, the rules of parliamentary
procedure are suspended and delegates may meet informally to
discuss issues of relevance.
e. An Unmoderated Caucus may be extended once.
Rule 13. Consultation of the Whole
a. A motion for a Consultation of the Whole is in order at any time
when the floor is open.
b. Delegates making the motion must state a purpose and a time
limit under fifteen minutes. Time limit is subject to Chairpersons
approval (Rule 4.e).
c. After proposal, the motion will queue to be voted (Rule 26). A
simple majority is required for passage.
d. During a Consultation of the Whole, delegates shall remain in
seats, the moderation of committee is carried out by the speaker.
This motion will end by the expiration of time or yielding time
back to the Dais.
e. A Consultation of the Whole may be extended once.
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Rules of Procedure
Rule 14.
Closure of Debate
a. Delegates may motion to close a debate on a matter under
discussion at any time. A second delegate in support of this
motion is required.
b. When a closure of debate is proposed, Chairpersons shall
recognize two speakers to speak for and two against this
motion.
c. Closure of debate requires a two thirds majority for passage. If
passes, the previous procedure is closed, and move to the next
procedure.
d. The previous procedure cannot be restored after a closure.
Rule 15.
Suspension of the Meeting
Delegates may raise a motion to suspend a meeting in order to
postpone all debates until next meeting. Delegates should specify a
time for reconvening, which is subject to Chairpersons approval
(Rule 4.e). If seconded by a Member, it will be put to immediate
vote. A simple majority is required for passage.
Rule 16.
Adjournment of the Meeting
Delegates may raise a motion to adjourn a meeting after a
Resolution is adopted for an agenda item. If seconded by a Member,
it will be put to immediate vote. A simple majority is required for
passage. An item shall not be discussed after the adjournment.
- RULES GOVERNING SPEECH Rule 17.
Speeches
Delegates may not address to a committee without having a
permission from the Dais. Chairpersons may call speakers to order if
their remarks are not relevant to the subject under discussion or are
offensive to other Member States or staff. Furthermore,
Chairpersons may ask speakers to apologize (Rule 7 and 4.a).
Rule 18.
Speakers Time
a. To ensure that delegates have the appropriate time to express
opinions, Chairpersons may recommend a committee to set
speakers time.
b. Members raising a motion to set speakers time must specify a
time limit, and the time shall be within the range of thirty to
ninety seconds.
c. This motion requires a simple majority for passage.
Rule 19.
Yields
Only during the formal debate in the General Speakers List may
speakers yield their remaining time in one of the following three
ways:
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Rules of Procedure
a.
b.
c.
Yield to Chair: If delegates do not wish to yield to questions
or other Members, they may yield the time back to the Dais.
Chairpersons will then continue the procedure.
Yield to another Member: The remaining time will be offered
to the Member chosen by the speaker. That Member may
not, however, make any further yields.
Yield to questions: Questioners will be selected by
Chairpersons. All questions shall concern the substance of
the speakers speech. Chairpersons may call questioners to
order when their questions are rhetorical, misleading, or not
designed to elicit information. Only the speakers answers to
questions will be deducted from the speakers remaining
time.
Rule 20.
Point
If Member States have any request or inquiry, they may
immediately raise a Point and specify the purpose. Chairpersons
shall decide or response after Points are specified.
- RULES GOVERNING SUBSTANTIVE MATTERS Rule 21.
Working Papers
a. Delegates may propose Working Papers for committee
consideration.
b. Working Papers are intended to aid a committee in its discussion
and formulation of Draft Resolutions but need not to be written
in resolution format.
c. Working Papers are not official documents, but do require a
signature of a Chairperson to be copied and distributed. Working
Papers require neither signatories nor votes for approval.
Rule 22.
Draft Resolutions
a. Draft Resolutions shall follow the format outlined by the
Secretariat.
b. Draft Resolutions have to be approved by Chairpersons and
require one fifth of present Members signatories. Following by a
signature of a Chairperson and a number label, the document is
referred to as Draft Resolutions.
c. Signing a Draft Resolution only indicates a desire to have it
brought to the floor for further discussion. Members who
compose a Draft Resolution are in support of it, and are
regarded as sponsors of that Draft Resolution.
d. More than one Draft Resolution may be on the floor at any given
time and may be referred to by any delegate.
Rule 23. Introduction to Draft Resolutions
a. Once a Draft Resolution has been approved, and has been
copied and distributed to all delegates to a committee, one of
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b.
c.
d.
e.
the sponsors may raise a motion to introduce the Draft
Resolution.
During an introduction, the rules of parliamentary procedure are
suspended and delegates shall remain in seats at all times.
Chairpersons may decide whether to ask sponsors to come to
the floor and read the operative clauses (Rule 4.e). Then
Chairpersons will move onto vote on this motion. A simple
majority is needed for passage.
Once passed, that Draft Resolution is considered officially on the
floor and is subject to debate. No delegate may refer to a Draft
Resolution until it is formally introduced.
There can only be one Resolution passed per one agenda item.
Rule 24.
Amendments
Once a Draft Resolution is officially on the floor, its content may
solely be amended. Only operative clauses may be amended.
Amendments of amendments are out of order. An amendment
requires one eighth of present Members signatories and an
approval of Chairpersons. If a submitted amendment contains any
typological errors, a corrected version should be submitted to the
Dais only and need not be circulated to a committee.
a. Friendly Amendments: Amendments may be considered
friendly if supported by all sponsors of the Draft Resolution,
and do not fundamentally change the intent of the Resolution as
a whole. Friendly amendments, pending reviewed by
Chairpersons, are shortly presented by a Chairperson and
immediately incorporated into the Draft Resolution without a
vote.
b. Unfriendly Amendments: Amendments which are not supported
by all sponsors of the Draft Resolution, is considered
unfriendly. Therefore, a motion to introduce an approved
unfriendly amendment (Rule 23) may be raised when the floor is
open. After this motion, Chairpersons shall read the amendment
aloud. A simple majority is required for passage.
- RULES GOVERNING VOTING Rule 25.
Voting
a. Each Member of a committee have one vote on both substantive
and procedural matters.
b. Each member present and voting shall cast an affirmative vote
(Yes) or a negative vote (No) (Rule 8), each Member present
may also abstain from voting (Abstain). Abstentions on
procedural matters are not allowed.
c. After Chairperson have announced a beginning of voting
procedure, no delegate is allowed to leave the room or interrupt
the procedure. Only Points and three motions are allowed:
motion for Roll-Call Vote, motion for Vote and motion for
Reordering Draft Resolutions.
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Rules of Procedure
d.
All voting will be considered procedural voting, apart from voting
on a Draft Resolution.
Rule 26. Voting Sequence of Motions
The voting sequence of all motions shall be carefully observed by
the Dais.
a. Sequence of types are listed in Precedence of Motions
(Precedence of Motions).
b. A motion with longer total time has voting priority.
Rule 27. Voting by Acclamation
Before beginning the vote on a particular motion, Draft Resolution or
amendment, chairpersons may ask Members whether they have
any. If no Member objects, then the motion will automatically be
adopted without the committee going into a formal vote. A single
objection will mean that the committee will go into normal voting
procedure.
Rule 28. Roll-Call Voting
A delegate may request a roll-call vote after the debate procedure is
closed. A roll-call vote can only be in order for substantive votes. A
motion for a roll-call vote shall be made from the floor and seconded
by half of the members.
a. In a roll-call vote, Chairpersons will call Members in an
alphabetical order.
b. In the first sequence, Members may vote Yes, Yes with Rights,
No, No with Rights, Abstain, or Pass. Members who vote
either Yes with Rights or No with Rights reserve a right to
explain their vote. Members who voted Pass during the first
sequence of the roll call must vote (i.e. may not abstain or pass)
during the second sequence.
c. Members who had requested the right of explanation will be
granted time to explain their votes. The speaking time will be
set at the discretion of the Dais, not to exceed thirty seconds.
- PRECEDENCE OF MOTIONS I.
Motions will be considered in the following order of precedence:
1. Point
2. Adjournment of Meeting
3. Suspension of Meeting
4. Unmoderated Caucus
5. Consultation of the Whole
6. Moderated Caucus
7. Introduction of Draft Resolution
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8. Introduction of Amendment
9. Closure of Debate
II.
At the start of voting procedure, the following points and motions
are in order, in the following order of precedence:
1. Point
2. Reordering of Draft Resolution
3. Motion for a Roll-Call Vote
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- Appendix A: R.O.P. Flow Chart Roll call (present or present and voting)
Motion to set agenda (needs second)
(automatically)
Debate (for or against list)
Motion to Close the Debate (needs two against, 2/3 to pass)
Vote for the agenda (1/2)
(automatically)
General Speakers List
Motion
Motion to introduce DR
Caucuses or Consultation
(limited within 20/15 minutes)
Read operative clauses
(automatically)
Vote (1/2)
Vote (1/2)
===
Motion to introduce amendment
Read the amendment
Vote (1/2)
===
Motion to Suspend the Meeting (needs second)
Vote (1/2)
===
Motion to Close the Debate (needs two against, 2/3 to pass)
Voting procedure: Vote by Acclamation (move to other voting method
if member object)
===
Motion for Roll Call Vote (needs second)
Motion to Adjourn the Meeting
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Rules of Procedure
Appendix B: ROP Quick Reference
No.
Debat
e
Rule
Vote
21
Point
Non
e
None
Use at any time when a
delegate has a request or
inquiry
16
Adjournment of Meeting
1/2
None
End the whole agenda item
15
Suspension of Meeting
1/2
None
Suspend until the next
meeting
13
11
Unmoderated /
Moderated Caucus
None
Motion requires purpose and
time limit for caucus;
maximum time is 20 minutes
12
Consultation of the
Whole
None
Motion requires purpose and
time limit; maximum time is
15 minutes
14
25
24
Closure of Debate
Introduce Amendment
Introduce Draft
Resolution
1/2
1/2
2/3
1/2
1/2
Comment
Closes debate on substantive
Two
matter. If passed, current
for/aga
procedure closed and
inst
committee moves to next part
None
After the approval of the Dais
and signatures of at least one
eight members in the
conference room
None
After the approval of the Dais
and signatures of at least one
fifth of members in the
committee
10
Motion to Set Agenda
1/2
None
If motion fails, proceed
automatically to the other
topic area
28
Roll-Call Vote
Non
e
None
Vote by roll call
19
Set the speakers time
1/2
None
Set or change speakers time
limit
20
Yielding
Non
e
None
(1) to another Member State
(2) to chair
(3) to question
Note
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