AlexMun 2022

General Protocol

Written by: Montserrat Djaddah and Joel Solis

 ALEXMUN 2022
General Protocol

Introduction: 2

Online structure 3
1.1 Online participation: 3
1.2 Use of camera and microphone 3
1.3 Diplomatic notes on the online modality 3

Start of the debate 4

2.1 Roll Call 4
2.2 Opening/Closing the session 4
2.3 Setting the agenda 4
2.4 Speaker’s list 5

Development of a debate 6
3.1 Moderated Caucus 6
3.2 Unmoderated/Simple Caucus 6
3.2.1 Online Simple Caucus 7
3.2.2 In-Person Simple Caucus 7

Voting Procedure and Introduction of Motions 7

Motion and points guide 8

Rights 9
6.1 Right of reply 9
6.2 Right of explanation 10

Position Papers 10

Specifications 11
8.1 Member States 11
8.2 Observer States 11
8.3 Permanent Members 11
8.4 Diplomatic Notes 11
8.5 Warnings 12
8.6 Crisis 12

Resolution Papers: 13
9.1 Making a working paper 13
9.2 Making a resolution paper 14
9.3 Voting for a resolution paper 14

General Rules of a MUN 15

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Introduction:

Delegates, welcome to the twelfth edition of AlexMun, in this document you will find
the necessary rules of procedure and protocol needed to participate in the model
of the United Nations. If you are an experienced delegate, there is no need for you
to go through this document thoroughly.

Please remember that the breach of the protocol found within may make you
creditor to a warning.

If you are part of a committee with a special protocol, you will receive it via Google
Classroom.

If any doubt arises, do not hesitate to send an email to the secretariat, where we
will gladly attend to your needs.
You can find us at montserrat.djaddah@bab.edu.mx and joel.solis@bab.edu.mx.

Thank you for your interest in our model, and we look forward to your participation!

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 1. Online structure

1.1 Online participation:

There will be no physical placards for the online version of AlexMun. Instead, you
should raise your virtual hand whenever you wish to participate.
Similarly, for voting procedures, you should use the reactions accordingly. The green
button (tick) will be counted as an “in favor” vote. The red button (cross) will be
counted as an “against” vote. If you wish to abstain, please raise your hand when
prompted. If your device does not have the following emotes, please opt to raise
your virtual hand when prompted.

1.2 Use of camera and microphone

Your camera should always be on, and you should be the focus of the image. If we
cannot see you clearly in the center of your screen, you will be marked as absent
during roll call. You will not be able to participate in discussions or voting of any kind.
If you have internet problems and turning on your camera might be an obstacle to
your experience at AlexMUN, please let your chair know as soon as you can.
Your microphone should be closed unless you are speaking. If you are having
trouble with your microphone please let us know.

1.3 Diplomatic notes on the online modality

Communication with other delegations through diplomatic notes in the online

modality will be made through chat; you will have to send your diplomatic note to
either your crisis officer or conference officer using the following format on top of the
note: From: (your delegation) To: (the delegation you wish to communicate with).
Once your note is approved by the chair it will reach the delegation you are looking
to communicate privately.

It is of utmost importance to remember that your diplomatic notes must be written in

a formal speech, third person, and in the official language of your committee. Not
abiding by these rules may make you a creditor to a warning.

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 2. Start of the debate

2.1 Roll Call

Before opening the session, the Conference Officer of the committee will do a roll
call no later than 5 minutes after the set time in the schedule. The roll call will be
performed at the beginning of every session.
In the roll call, the Conference Officer will call for all registered delegates with the
name of their delegation or representation. If a name is called twice and there is no
response, the delegate will be marked as absent (even if they are in the session).
Delegates will be unenrolled from the model if they miss three consecutive sessions.
There are two possible responses when your name is called during roll call:
- Present and Voting: If your country is a member state of the committee you
will use this answer. This allows you to vote on all decisions made by the
committee.
- Present: When your delegation is not a member state of the committee or you
are marked as an observer in the list of countries. You are still allowed to vote
during simple decisions but you cannot vote on the working papers or the final
vote on the resolution paper.

2.2 Opening/Closing the session

After the roll call, the word will be passed to the moderator. They will open the floor
and the only motion available is a
- Motion to Open the session
The first time, this motion changes to a motion to open the debate.

This motion has to be seconded and voted on. It has to be done at the beginning of
every session.

Similarly, at the end of each session delegates will have to close the session and the
last session will have a motion to close the debate.

2.3 Setting the agenda

Several committees have more than one topic; therefore, a voting process will
happen in order to determine which one will be addressed first. Once the floor is
open, a delegate will make a
- Motion to set the agenda on Topic A / Topic B.
Subsequently, a voting procedure will occur. If the decision is unanimous, the debate
shall continue without interruptions. If not, the chair will select one delegate to speak
in favor and only in favor of each of the topics.

Each delegate will have one minute to state why the said topic should be addressed
first.

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When speaking in favor or against a particular topic, it is crucial to remember that for
the United Nations no topics are more important than others. Still, there are more
urgent topics, and there’s where the nature of your argument must be directed.

Once both delegations have made their case, the voting procedure shall be
repeated, the topic with the majority of votes shall be addressed and debated.

2.4 Speaker’s list

When the agenda is set and a topic has been chosen delegates should open the
Speaker’s list with the following motion when the floor is deemed open by the
moderator.
- Motion to open the Speaker’s List with a time of ___

The time for each speaker should be a short amount of time, usually around 1:30
minutes. If you are unsure of a time, you can ask the chair with a Point of
parliamentary inquiry.
The motion will need to be seconded by another delegate, and it will need to pass
through a simple vote.

The chair will ask for delegates who want to be added to the Speaker’s List. The
delegate who asked for the Speaker’s List will be the first to talk, followed by the
delegate who seconded the motion. After them, the order in which the chair wrote
everyone else down will be the one that is followed.
If you wish to be added to the Speaker’s List and the chair has not asked publicly,
please send a private message to the Conference Officer or the President.

If a delegate’s speech is over and they have remaining time they will need to yield
their remaining time to:
- The Chair: gives the time to the chair, helps with the flow of the debate
- Questions: lets delegates ask questions
- Comments: lets other delegates comment on the speech
- Another delegation: if prompted and the delegation denies, you will be issued
a warning
After every speech, the floor will be open. Delegates may introduce different motions
during this time.

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 3. Development of a debate

3.1 Moderated Caucus

After a certain number of participants of the Speaker’s List, delegates may open a
- Motion to Open a Moderated Caucus with a time of ___
The time of the moderated caucus usually varies between 10 and 15 minutes. If you
are unsure of a time, you can ask the chair with a Point of parliamentary inquiry.

This motion needs to be approved by the chair, seconded, and voted on. The
delegate who introduced the motion will speak first, and the delegate who seconded
the motion will speak after them.
The order of the moderated caucus is much more flexible, as any delegate that
raises their placard/virtual hand may be prompted to speak by the moderator.
Delegates must wait until someone is done speaking to ask for participation. This
allows for a much more flexible discussion of the topic. There is no time limit on how
much a delegate is allowed to speak, but if a delegate has talked for a very long
time, they may be interrupted by the chair.
If a delegate has not been participating in the debate, the chair may ask them to
speak even if they do not have a placard/virtual hand raised.

After the moderated caucus is over, delegates may extend it by using a

- Motion to extend the moderated caucus by a time of___
Note that the time extension must be at least one second less than the original
caucus.

3.2 Unmoderated/Simple Caucus

After a certain number of participants of the Speaker’s List, and at least one
moderated caucus delegates may open a
- Motion to Open an Unmoderated Caucus with a time of ___
The time of an unmoderated caucus varies depending on the stage of the debate. In
the beginning, they usually last around 15 minutes, but as sessions go on, they may
be much longer. We recommend you ask the chair for a recommendation with a
Point of parliamentary inquiry.

An unmoderated caucus means delegates may speak freely without permission from
the chair, this time is where delegates usually start with their concrete plans for the
possible working papers. They may also want information from specific delegations
or will look for an alliance.
Motions are not in order during an unmoderated caucus, but delegates may still use
points or rights during this time. If delegates do not use the official language of their
committee during this time, they may be issued a warning.

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 3.2.1 Online Simple Caucus
Delegates may ask for the opening of Breakout Rooms in zoom if they wish to
speak to certain delegates only. Delegates may also continue in the main
session. Breakout rooms will never be closed, anyone will be able to join any
breakout room they wish.

3.2.2 In-Person Simple Caucus

Delegates may stand up from their seats and go to any place inside the room
the debate is taking place in.

4. Voting Procedure and Introduction of Motions

Motions may only be introduced once the chair has stated that the floor is open and
only when the chair deems it appropriate.

The process for a motion to be introduced and approved is the following: The
moderator will give the following statement “Delegates the floor is open, are there
any points or motions in the floor” furthermore delegates will raise their placards, and
the moderator will give the word to a certain delegation. The chosen delegation will
introduce a motion by stating: motion of procedure, followed by the name of the
motion and given time if necessary.

If the moderator deems the motion appropriate they will let the delegate know and
ask for another delegation to second a motion where once again delegates will raise
their placards and the moderator will choose a delegation.

Finally, the moderator will state by turns when delegates can vote in favor, against,
or make an abstention to the proposed motion.
A motion can only be approved when +50% of present delegations have voted in
favor of the said motion.

Delegates can vote one of three ways:

- In favor,
- Against,
- Abstention.

The conference officer will count the votes and let the moderator and committee
know whether it passed or not, and depending on the outcome, the debate shall
proceed. If anyone in the chair sees some delegates have not voted, they may ask
for the voting to be repeated until all delegations vote.

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 5. Motion and points guide

Motion Needs to be Relevant Information

seconded/
voted on

Open/ close the Yes The session will be formally opened by the
session committee’s president after a delegate has
introduced the motion. When the session is over,
you will close the session, and the debate will be
paused until the session is opened again.

Open Topic A / B Yes If there are two topics, there will be a voting
process in order to determine what topic will be
opened first. Two delegates may speak in favor or
against choosing a specific topic.
This is the only motion in order after opening the
session in the first session.

Open the Yes This is the only motion in order after setting the
Speaker’s List agenda.
(with a time of Delegates speak individually for an established time
__) to share their postures, opinions, or suggestions.

Open an Yes Usually after a delegate has finished in the

extraordinary Speaker’s list. The number of questions will be
session of established either by the chair.
questions / - Brief Preamble: Delegates may establish a brief
comments preamble to their question through a Point of
Personal Privilege
- Follow-up question: It must be related to the
previous question, it cannot contain a brief
preamble, and it can only be used once per
question.

Open / Extend a Yes The moderator will give the word to any delegate
moderated who has raised their placard. All interactions must
caucus be impersonal and shall be referenced in the third
person.
It can only be extended once and for a shorter time
than the original.

Open/ Extend a Yes Conversation and discussion is not controlled by the

Simple Caucus moderator. Delegates should maintain a diplomatic
posture and speak the official language of the
committee.
It can only be extended once and for a shorter time
than the original.

Present a Yes Once the chair has approved a Possible

Resolution Resolution, nations chosen by the signatures will
read the motion in front of the committee. An
extraordinary session of unlimited questions will
follow the reading.

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 Points No Point of Personal Privilege
Used when:
- a delegate needs permission for personal
issues (ex. going to the restroom), usually
via diplomatic note
- follow-up questions, brief preambles,
vocabulary or language questions, asking for
the restatement of a question, etc.

Point of Parliamentary Inquiry

Used when a delegate:
- has protocol-related doubts
- wants to ask which motions are in order
- wants to ask the chair for a protocol
recommendation

Point of Order
Used when a delegate:
- finds a breach in protocol by the chair or
another delegate, it can interrupt as long as
it is done respectfully

*Points of order and personal privilege may be introduced without the need for the
floor to be open and may also be introduced by sending diplomatic notes to the chair.

6. Rights

6.1 Right of reply

A right of reply is usually introduced when a delegate raises their placard/virtual

hand, the floor usually has to be open. This can also happen via diplomatic note but
it is less common.
A right of reply is raised when a delegation feels as if they, their delegation/culture, or
identity has been insulted in any way during another delegate’s speech. The chair
will decide if they grant the right of reply depending on the specific situation. Their
right of reply should state the specific statement that may have been offensive. After
approval, the delegate that raised the right should restate the claim deemed as
offensive, a response to the claim and usually a topic change.
Note that if offensive commentary is given and no one raises a right of reply, the
chair can still issue a warning to the delegation.
Example of insult vs. fact
- Fact: Sweden- “Following the earthquake, Thailand’s lack of properly
equipped rescue crews left tens of civilians who were trapped without food for
days.”
- Insult: Sweden- “Thailand’s incompetent response following last month’s
earthquake is indicative of their general lack of regard for human life.”

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6.2 Right of explanation

A right of explanation is usually introduced during the second round of voting of a

resolution paper. The aim of a right of explanation is for delegates to remark the
strengths and weaknesses of the resolution paper in order to convince delegates to
vote in favor or against the resolution. During voting, the chair will let the delegates
know when they will be able to have a right of explanation by raising their placards.
Delegates will be given 1 and a half minutes to make their remarks.

7. Position Papers

All delegates in all committees with the exception of the Emergency Crisis
Committee will have to present a position paper before or in the first session of the
model.

A position paper is a document where delegations summarize and make their

stances on the topics of their committees clear while outlining their countries
position, relation to the topic, and proposals. This document is important because it
helps delegates prepare for the debate while letting the chair know how prepared
their delegates are.

Position papers need to be written in formal speech and in third person. It is of

utmost importance that your position paper sticks with the official stance and beliefs
of the nation you are representing.

Position papers usually serve as guides to opening speeches at the beginning of the
debate.

Sources must be provided in your position paper, failure to do so may result in a

warning. We recommend the APA format but you may use the format that suits you
best.

Position papers may be delivered via Google Classroom or physically to the chair if
your committee is in person.

Be mindful that failing to present your position paper before the first session will deny
you the right to win any prize and failure to present it at all will result in a warning.

A document that will serve as a guide to make a position paper is available in:
https://bab.edu.mx/alexmun/

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 8. Specifications

8.1 Member States

Every committee has a list of signatory members. All member states are allowed to
vote on all decisions made by the committee.
Member states can be found during an easy internet search of your committee. Most
Committees follow the signatories of the General Assembly.
Member states can only vote “in favor” or “against” during the third round final vote of
the working/resolution paper.
They can abstain from any other vote. They have a right of explanation during the
first round of the final voting session.

8.2 Observer States

Sometimes, a state that is necessary for a debate may not be a signatory of a

committee. In these cases, the state is deemed as an “observer”. They can take part
in minor voting sessions but they have no voting right during any of the three rounds
of the final voting session.

8.3 Permanent Members

In some committees such as the Security Council, there is a small list of permanent
members. Permanent members hold the same rights as Member states with the
addition of a special power during the final round of the final voting session. These
states can decide to “veto” the proposition at hand, delegates that use this option will
need to give an explanation as to why they voted that way. With only one veto, the
paper cannot pass.
Note that we do not recommend using the veto power as it can interfere with the flow
and result of the debate. If a veto is made without considerable and justifiable
reason, the chair may issue a warning for obstructing the flow of the debate.

8.4 Diplomatic Notes

Diplomatic notes are the way in which delegates can communicate privately with
others during the debate. Note that they must be written in third person, use the
official language, and hold a formal interaction. To make sure all delegates maintain
a MUN-related conversation, diplomatic notes will need to pass through the chair
(conference or crisis officer). If a diplomatic note is approved, it will get to the
intended delegation.

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But if the chair sees a diplomatic note does not follow the above-mentioned rules,
they will not pass the note on. Note that the chair might issue warnings for this too.
For the online protocol for diplomatic notes please see: 1.3 Diplomatic notes on the
online modality.

8.5 Warnings

Warnings are the way in which the chair deems disorderly behavior. When a
delegate gets a warning, they lose the opportunity to win any prizes. With three
warnings, a delegate will be suspended for the day. And with more than three
warnings, the delegate will be expelled from the model.
Delegates can get issued warnings if they behave disrespectfully if they do not follow
the dress code, if they do not follow the rules, if there is a constant attitude towards
other delegates, or any of the reasons mentioned throughout the document.

8.6 Crisis

At a certain point during the debate, a crisis may be introduced to your committee.
These can happen even before a topic is resolved and it mostly happens during the
second day of the debate. No motion can introduce a crisis and no motion can stop it
from happening.

A crisis is an event in which the committee will need to focus their full attention on,
pausing the ongoing debate. This event will be of concern to your committee and will
directly involve at least one delegation present. Delegates should be well informed
on their delegation’s stance in general politics to handle a crisis situation.

Note that the harder the level of committee you chose will also be the proportional
level of the crisis at hand. The easier a committee’s level, the easier it is to find a
solution to the crisis. Some hard committees may even have to deal with armed
conflict or an imminent threat to a delegation’s security.

When a crisis is introduced, the Crisis Officer and the Secretary of Crisis will give a
description of the situation. Delegates may ask an unlimited number of questions
concerning the crisis, their delegation, or both. Note that some questions may not be
answerable. After a crisis is introduced an extraordinary session of unlimited
questions to the chair and members of the secretariat will take place in order to
make every aspect of the crisis clear.

To handle the crisis, delegates will need to create a simple but concrete plan to solve
it. Solutions must be directly related to the crisis. There is no setlist of steps of what
to do to handle this situation as all events are completely different. Still, delegates

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must be aware there is a setlist of faculties they can call upon, these do not change
during a crisis event.

Delegates will usually have to find a solution to the crisis before continuing to work
on the resolution and debate.
Sometimes, a separate resolution paper must be redacted and approved by the
committee for a crisis to end.

Once the crisis is over, the debate may resume where it left off.

9. Resolution Papers:

A resolution paper is the final objective of any Model of the United Nations. It is a
long process that must be completed properly during the days of the debate. Note
that these papers go through a thorough review and they will need to be approved by
the AlexMUN Secretariat to be passed to voting.

9.1 Making a working paper

A working paper is the presentation of all the solutions the delegates have reached
for the problems that arise from their initial topic. Working papers are the formal
drafts of the final resolution papers. This document is the end result of all the hours
of debate. Delegates must work with others to make sure they reached the best
possible and realistic solutions to the topic at hand.

To make sure a working paper passes through to voting after approval from the
Secretariat, delegates should take into account that many possible solutions are
rejected. Which is why they should work hard on each solution, and make sure to
have more than the minimum number of solutions a resolution paper needs (15).

The proposals included in the resolution and working papers should always answer
the following questions: What?, How?, Who?, With what money?, When? and
Where? (some questions can be skipped given the nature of a solution).
A document that will serve as a guide to make a resolution paper is available in:
https://bab.edu.mx/alexmun/

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9.2 Making a resolution paper

Once a working paper has been approved it becomes a possible resolution paper.

9.3 Voting for a resolution paper

This is the final step in any Model of the United Nations and will usually happen
during the final session of the MUN. A resolution can only be voted upon once it has
been presented to the committee and when both the chair and secretariat have
approved it. Once the resolution paper has been approved delegates may present it
to the committee with a motion to present a resolution.

The resolution can be presented with a maximum of three delegations at the same
time. The delegate who presented the motion, the one who seconded it and an extra
will present the resolution paper to the committee reading point by point exactly as
written.
Once the resolution has been fully read an extraordinary session of unlimited
questions to the delegations which presented the resolution.
Changes can be made if not the committee will proceed to voting.
For a resolution to be approved ⅔ of member states in the committee must vote in
favor of the resolution.

It is important to remember that only member states will be able to vote during all
rounds. There are three rounds of voting, the conference officer will go around the
committee asking the delegations for their vote. Only delegations marked as “present
and voting” during the session’s roll call will be able to vote. During the first round
delegations may vote in favor, against, or make an abstention. This round allows
delegates to include a “right of explanation” as to why they voted that way. For more
information in regards to rights of explanation see 6.2 Right of explanation. During
the final round delegates will only be allowed to vote in favor or against the
resolution. If ⅔ of the member states voted in favor debate on the topic shall end
with a motion to close the debate. This means your resolution paper has passed and
the debate has finished.
If enough time is left of the debate (more than one session), the agenda will
automatically be set to the second topic if available.

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 10. General Rules of a MUN

These rules are made for a diplomatic and respectful debate. All delegates must
follow them. If a delegate repeatedly breaks these rules after being called on them, a
warning may be issued.

- Delegates should only speak of themselves in third person, always referring to

themselves as their delegation/representation

- Delegates should not speak directly to a delegate, the only direct contact
delegates can have is via diplomatic note.
- Example:
- If you (Delegate A) want to ask another delegate (Delegate B) a
question you should say: "The Delegation of A would like to ask the
Delegation of B if they think…"
- You should not say: "Delegate B, do you think…"

- Delegates should always maintain a formal and respectful position. When

talking, they must do so respectfully, without disrespectful or profane
language. When sitting they must maintain a diplomatic posture without
showing disrespect to any delegate or chair member. Suits may be
unbuttoned while sitting, but with every participation or communication with
the forum they should be buttoned.

- Delegates should wait until someone is done speaking to raise their

placard/virtual hand for participation. Delegates can only interrupt others when
they need to make use of a point or right.

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