Outline of Committee Flow 

COMMITTEE SESSION 1  
- Introductions to the Chair  
o Name, school, major  
o MUN history 
o Dais is a resource 
o No technology! 
o Bathrooms (This doesn’t need to be requested, but could be if we want to keep track)  
o Note passing is a privilege 
 
- Roll call 
o notes on attendance: a SIMPLE MAJORITY is 2/3​rd​ of COMMITTEE 
- motion to open debate 
- “the chair would smile favorably upon a motion to open the speaker’s list.” Open speakers’ list​​ to 
discuss the topic  
● speaking time is usually 1min! 
o Good place to explain YIELDS [to chair, questions, another delegate] 
o Only​ when ​all motions aren’t passed​ or if ​no motions are made,​ we come back to the speaker’s list  
Things to Consider for 1​st​​ ​ Committee Session: 
o Most likely to get POINTS in this session! If necessary, explain the difference 
▪ Order:​ chair makes mistake on procedural matter  
▪ Inquiry:​ don’t understand X, ask how to do Y 
▪ Personal privilege:​ for the heat, to speak LOUDER! 
o Try to only have 1 unmod max this session, after speeches are underway 
- Motion to RECESS! 
o Great time to explain difference between recess, close debate, adjourn debate, adjourn session  
▪ Recess:​ breaks – dinner, lunch, sleep 
▪ Close debate:​ no questions/discussion, vote immediately on resolution + topic 
● 2 against, two-thirds majority to pass 
▪ Adjourn session​: only at last committee 
 
COMMITTEE SESSION 2  
- Continue Substantive Debate 
o take motions for moderated caucuses 
o could also have unmoderated caucuses to start on working papers 
- Delegates will begin forming blocs and start the writing for WORKING PAPERS 
- This is when you could give the working papers speech! Explain:  
o 1/5 signatories needed [sponsors included in signatory calculation] 
o explain difference between signatories + sponsors   
 
 
COMMITTEE SESSION 3  
- Continue to finalize working papers 
- Begin discussing & debating working papers, over mods or unmods 
~SUBMIT WORKING PAPERS  
** formatting can be either formal or informal (formal is better cause it saves time for draft resolution later) 
***aim for 2 or 3 working papers 
 
COMMITTEE SESSION 4  
Suspension of the rules for a working paper read-over followed by a mod 
- Give the DIPLOMACY/NEGOTIATION talk to encourage mergers 
- Work on draft resolutions 
o Should only be entertaining 2 or 3 draft resolutions 
- Introduce draft resolutions  
o [suspend the rules to read, do Q&A] 
- Debate draft resolutions 
o Great time for unmods 
- Amendments!   
o Have committee submit them to you in writing for review  
o 1/10 of committee needs to be a signatory 
 
COMMITTEE SESSION 5  
- Amendments 
- Motion to Close Debate!​​ [enter voting procedure]  
o 2 speakers against [30 sec speaking time]   
o 2/3 majority needed ​[procedural so every1 must vote] 
▪ continue w/ debate if motion fails 
- Voting Procedure  
o #1​​ Explain LOCKDOWN! No notes! 
o #2​​ Break for bathroom + water 
o #3​​ ​ROLL CALL 
o #4​​ ​First​ vote on all amendments, then on all resolutions (in their entirety) 
▪ Simple Majority needed ​[abstentions don’t count] 
o Possible Motions:  
▪ Motion to Roll Call Vote 
● Start at random within the committee list and move sequentially down the list: ​yes, no, 
abstain 
● Discourage this motion, especially in large committees. Remind them how long it 
would take.  
- Motion to Adjourn Session  
o Only do this right before they are about to leave committee 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

In depth Rules of Procedure (ROP) 

The chair is ​whoever is holding the gavel at a given time​​. The chair, as the title suggests, is responsible for 
executing and enforcing ROP for a committee. They take points and motions, moderate debate, and are generally 
responsible for the smooth progression of committee through the various conference sessions and their goals.  

Fundamental ROP 
There are three main aspects of ROP that are essential for staffing a conference. These three aspects are ​Rule 7, 
points and motions, and the three forms of debate.  
 
Rule 7 ​is known as the “God Rule.” This rule effectively states that the chair may suspend or bend the rules 
however they want ​if it will improve the function of the committee​​. As the educator in the room, effective chairs 
need to feel comfortable using this rule to push the students past moments of gridlock into constructive dialogue. 
Implementing Rule 7 is easy: simply rule any inappropriate motions as “dilatory.” If the chair wants to encourage 
motions instead of discard them, the chair can “smile upon” or “look favorably upon” a motion, in which case at 
least one delegate will be eager to appease the dais. A popular application of Rule 7 allows the chair to pause debate 
to reinforce a concept that delegates may be confused about. As an educational conference, it is vital that we take 
the time to make sure our delegates are actually learning. Rule 7 helps the chair function as an educator and a 
moderator at the same time.  
 
Points and Motions ​are the bread and butter of how debate advances. Delegates will use points to ask questions of 
various sorts, as detailed in this breakdown:  
● Point of Inquiry​​: Used for specific questions about the topic. Encourage delegates to ask questions! 
● Point of Order​​: Used if a delegate thinks the chair has misapplied the rules of procedure. Do not get 
defensive and dismiss this out of hand. Chairs should hear the complaint, and if the complaint is valid, the 
chair should come clean and move on. Points of order become major issues only when the chair has a 
disproportionate reaction. 
● Point of Personal Privilege​​: Used for complaints like “the room is too hot” or “where is the bathroom?” 
Please make it clear, though, that delegates do not need to ask the chair for permission to go to the 
restroom. 
Motions​​ are proposals to change the way that debate is happening which the entire room has to vote on. For 
example, a delegate might motion to enter a moderated or unmoderated caucus at any point during debate. At the 
beginning of the first session, you will entertain a variety of motions that will move the committee towards selecting 
a topic and engaging in substantive debate.  

Three Forms of Debate 

SPEAKERS LIST 
The speakers list is easy to execute. The chair simply gives the delegate their due time and gavels them down when 
that time has expired. Delegates may only be on the speakers list once at any given point in time, meaning that they 
 
cannot be re-added to the speakers list until they make their speech. In order to be re-added, delegates should send 
up notes to the chair rather than interrupt committee with a motion. Every committee inevitably faces delegates that 
“move to be re-added to the speakers list,” so chairs should make frequent, gentle reminders to send up notes 
instead. 

Eventually, a delegate will make a yield. ​Yields are only permitted during the speakers list​​, not moderated 
caucuses. There are three types of yields: 

● Yield to the chair​​. If the delegates says nothing at the end of their speech, assume they yield to the chair. 
We strongly recommend not making a big deal out of it if they don’t say they yield their time to the chair 
simply as a matter of expediency. 
● Yield to accept questions​​. The delegate may use part of their time to take questions from delegates. The 
chair should select who asks the questions, not the speaker. The time taken to ask the question counts 
against the speaker’s time, but the speaker may choose to interrupt the questioner if they take too long. 
● Yield to another speaker​​. The delegate may allow another speaker to use their time. This should not be 
disallowed. However, if a speaker tries to “double yield,” rule that out of order. It is always assumed that the 
second speaker yields any remaining time to the chair and cannot take questions or yield to another speaker. 

One final and important note about the speakers list: ​there is no motion to enter the speakers list​​. The chair 
should recognize the next speaker if there are no motions or if all motions are voted down. This will eventually pose 
a challenge for chairs because students like to make motions all the time, sometimes preventing the speakers list 
from progressing. Therefore, the chair should feel comfortable using Rule 7 as needed to rule motions dilatory so 
that the speakers list can progress. 
 
MODERATED CAUCUSES 
Moderated caucuses​​ are useful when the committee wants to ​focus on a specific point ​being made, or if the 
committee is getting particularly contentious about one idea. The motion to enter a moderated caucus has three 
parts: total time, speaking time, and topic. For example: 

Norway​​: I move to enter a moderated caucus with a total time of 9 minutes and a speaking time of 30 
seconds on the topic of education initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

At least one delegate will likely mess this up at least once, so just ​gently​ ask them for whatever part they forgot to 
include. 

One particularly tricky point on moderated caucuses that requires a bit of math. When moving to enter a moderated 
caucus, ​the total time must be evenly divided by the speaking time​​. The reason why is that when executing a 
moderated caucus, ​the chair does not track the total time​​. Instead the chair calculates the number of speakers 
implied by the total time and speaking time, and the caucus lasts as long as it takes for those speakers to take the 
floor. 

Examples:  
 
● A moderated caucus with a 5 minute total time and a 30 second speaking time would have 10 
speakers, because 30 seconds goes into 5 minutes 10 times. Even if delegates are slow to begin their 
next speech and the caucus ends up taking 20 minutes, there will be exactly 10 speakers. 
● A moderated caucus with a 9 minute total time and a 45 second speaking time would have 12 
speakers, because 45 seconds goes into 9 minutes 12 times. Even if every delegate speaks for only 5 
seconds and the 12 speakers are finished in 5 minutes, there are no additional speakers entertained. 
● A moderated caucus with a 5 minute total time and a 45 second speaking time would be out of order 
because 45 seconds goes into 5 minutes 6 times with a remainder of 30 seconds. 

If a delegate makes a motion for a moderated caucus with improper times, suggest a close approximation. In the 
example above, a chair could suggest changing the total time to 6 minutes instead, which is divisible by 45 seconds 8 
times. For chairs that aren’t comfortable doing math on the fly, the rule of thumb to know is that 45 seconds goes 
into 3 minutes 4 times, so any moderated caucus with a 45 second speaking time must have a total time that is a 
multiple of 3. 

As with the motion to open the speakers list, the person who made the motion should be invited to speak first 
(although they are welcome to turn down the offer). After each speech, the chair should ask for the next speaker, at 
which point delegates will raise their placards to be recognized. The chair must select countries at random 
throughout the room, even if another country was specifically addressed in a previous speech. As above, the chair 
should also feel empowered to Rule 7 the committee into a moderated caucus if one is sorely needed and they 
refuse to vote on it. However, chairs should never use Rule 7 to exit a moderated caucus before it has expired.  

Last but certainly not least, the chair must ensure that they are choosing delegates fairly during an unmoderated 
caucus. There are a few strong guidelines for how to choose speakers: 

● Never choose the same speaker twice for the same caucus​​. Moderated caucuses are not a place for two 
delegates to have an argument in front of the committee. If no new speakers are raising their hands, remind 
the committee that they voted for this moderated caucus as a whole and that more speakers are necessary.  
● Try not to only call on the best delegates​​. That first scenario is unlikely. What’s more likely is that there 
will be plenty of unique speakers, but they’ll all be the loudest, most advanced delegates in the room. Make 
sure that there are plenty of opportunities for quieter delegates to speak when they raise their placard. This 
is why chairs are encouraged to count speeches. 
● Choose speakers from around the room​​. Don’t just choose speakers from the front row or the half of 
the room closest to the dais. Chairs must track where in the room the speakers they choose are sitting and 
make sure it’s evenly distributed. 
 
UNMODERATED CAUCUSES 
Unmoderated caucuses​​ are useful when the committee needs to get work done. This is when delegates should be 
forming caucus blocs and negotiating the specific solutions they want to eventually include in resolutions. Generally, 
unmoderated caucuses should be less frequent early in the conference than towards the end, but it is up to the 
chair’s discretion what will serve delegates best. The motion to enter an unmoderated caucus has only one part: the 
total time. For example: 
 
Estonia​​: I move to enter an unmoderated caucus with a total time of 5 minutes. 

Basically, committee will be a back and forth between these three forms of debate. The chair should be paying 
attention to what the committee needs and must feel comfortable stepping in to guide the committee. If they need 
more time with the speakers list, but keep voting in frivolous moderated caucuses, use Rule 7 to force them into the 
speakers list. If they need to focus on a contentious point, Rule 7 them into a moderated caucus.  

Using ROP in Committee 

Now that we’ve reached a basic understanding of why ROP are important and the basics of some of the rules, it’s 
important to explore the mechanics of using ROP. There is a very specific script that chairs will follow when they 
are leading committee. It is important to familiarize yourself with the language and flow of committee in order to 
use ROP effectively. 
 
The Chair’s favorite phrase: ​“Are there any points or motions on the floor?” 
 
For most committees, the ​default form of debate​​ is on the speakers list, meaning that when there are no other 
points or motions, the committee returns to the speakers list. After every speaker, however, the chair asks “Are 
there any points or motions on the floor?” This is the golden gateway phrase for all other types of debates and 
actions to be taken. So, let’s place ourselves in the moment. You just asked, “Are there any points or motions on 
the floor?” and Argentina raises their placard. What happens next? 
 
The Chair:​​ Yes, Argentina? 
 
Argentina:​​ Argentina motions for a ten minute unmoderated caucus 
 
The Chair​​: That motion is in order. Are there any other points or motions on the floor? (​no one else raises 
placard)​ . Seeing none, we will now vote on Argentina’s motion for a ten minute unmoderated caucus. All 
those in favor? (​almost everyone raises their placards​) All opposed? (​two delegates raise their placards)​ . By clear 
majority, this motion passes. 
 
A few things should jump out. First, the chair waits until there are no more points or motions on the floor before 
starting the voting process. Secondly, the chair repeats the motion made by the delegate for the whole room to hear 
before calling for the vote. The chair also asks for all those opposed even when it’s clear from the number in favor 
that this motion will pass. However, if the vote is overwhelming, the chair does not need to count the exact number 
voting for and against, as this would take an overwhelming amount of time for no reason. 
 
Finally, the chair ​does not​​ ask for abstentions – delegates are only allowed to abstain on votes on amendments and 
resolutions. There are no abstentions on motions and all delegates must vote on them. Technically, if a delegate 
does not vote, the vote must be retaken. However, don’t stop the entire committee because one delegate isn’t 
voting. Instead, simply remind delegates that voting on motions is mandatory but feel free to move forward. If it 
continues to be a problem, a delegate who regularly fails to vote should be approached separately. 
 
 
Not shown in the above script is what happens if the vote is close. At the chair’s discretion, the dais should make a 
specific count of the number of placards being raised in favor and opposed if the vote appears to be close. It is 
usually at this point that chairs would strongly enforce the rule that all delegates must vote. 
 
Now that we have a grasp on how to handle a single motion, let’s think about how to organize multiple motions 
when they come up all at once. In the vast majority of cases, there will be multiple motions on the floor. In this 
case, the precedence of motions must be considered. ​As a general rule, motions that are more disruptive (or 
destructive) have precedence, meaning they are considered first​​. This means that motions that deviate further 
from the speakers list and motions that are longer in terms of total time are voted on before less “disruptive” 
motions. Motions are ​not​​ voted on in the order in which they are made. Unmoderated caucuses are considered 
more disruptive than moderated caucuses, and anything more extreme (such as a motion to close debate) is 
considered more disruptive than an unmoderated caucus. Points are not included here and should be resolved 
immediately. 
 
Thankfully, there’s a helpful tool to help chairs take and prioritize motions. Let’s consider a scenario where three 
motions are made. First, Andorra motions for a 5 minute unmoderated caucus. Then Vanuatu motions for a 10 
minute moderated caucus with a 30 second speaking time on the topic of financing AIDS education projects. 
Finally, Lesotho motions for a 10 minute unmoderated caucus. The chair jots down notes that look like this: 
 

 
 
The chair is using shorthand for taking motions. The first column specifies the country making the motion, the 
second the type of motion, the third the total time for the motion, the fourth the speaking time (if needed), and 
finally the fifth tracks the topic (if needed). Precedence is then determined by looking column by column. All 
unmoderated caucuses (U) are more disruptive than all moderated caucuses (M), so Vanuatu’s motion is voted on 
last. Moving on to the next column, the 10 minute unmoderated caucus is more disruptive than the 5 minute one, 
so Lesotho’s motion is more disruptive than Andorra’s. Therefore, the voting order is Lesotho > Andorra > 
Vanuatu. 
 
Once a motion passes, all motions further down on the precedence order are thrown out. They can be remade later, 
but are not saved by the chair. Therefore, in the above example, if the committee voted down Lesotho’s motion and 
passed Andorra’s motion, Vanuatu’s motion would be thrown out. 
 
A final thing to remember is to use your judgement to limit the number of motions allowed. At times, you’ll find 
that several delegates make motions that are very similar in nature. As a general rule, ​chairs should allow no more 
 
than four motions to be entertained at once. ​Chairs should also use Rule 7 as needed to rule similar motions 
dilatory or to prompt delegates to amend their motions.  

Committee Flow and ROP Application 

Beyond just knowing the ROP, it’s vital to understand at what points in committee different rules are used. ROP 
provide the structure in which debate happens. Certain rules are necessary to further debate and, as chairs, it is your 
responsibility to be comfortable enough that you know what rules to use at the appropriate moments in committee. 
This final section of the ROP Guide will focus on opening, middle, and final committee sessions and give you an 
overview of the essential ROP for each session.  
 
Opening Committee (First Session) 
 
Relevant Rules, Points, and Motions 

Motion to Open Debate 

Motion to Open the Speakers List for the Purpose of Debating Topic X 
 
The above table details the first several motions necessary to begin committee. At the beginning of the very first 
committee session, the Director will call the room to order and, after introducing themselves and their AD(s), will 
call attendance. ​Attendance is important because it lets staffers know who is in the building and who is not​​.  
 
Following attendance, the chair will typically smile favorably upon a motion to open debate. A delegate will raise 
their placard and make the appropriate motion. Ask for all in favor and all opposed. Once that passes, debate can 
begin. To begin debate on the agenda, the motion after opening debate must be a ​motion to open the speakers 
list​​, which must specify a speaking time. Look for something in the 1-2 minute range, such as “I move to open the 
speakers list with a one minute speaking time.” Once the motion to open the speakers list passes, put as many 
people on the speakers list as possible. Don’t cut it short because it’s getting too long. More speakers on the 
speakers list is always better. As a matter of courtesy, the chair should allow the delegate who made the motion to 
be first on the speakers list. Once the speakers list is opened, ​it does not close ​and ​it stays the same for each 
following committee session​​. When the speakers list closes, or is exhausted, the committee automatically enters 
voting procedure. This should not happen until the final committee session. Once the speaker’s list is set up, the 
committee will function best if 3-5 speeches are allowed before any other motions are passed, so chairs should Rule 
7 (the rule permitting chairs ultimate authority) anything that comes up. After that first block of speeches, however, 
the chair should entertain motions for caucuses. 
 
Lastly, it is at this point in committee that motions for moderated and unmoderated caucuses will become common. 
This is a good thing. Both mods and unmods are ways in which debate can move forward at a faster pace than 
when it occurs solely on the speakers list.  
 

Middle of Debate and Paper Flow 

 
Relevant Rules, Points, and Motions 

Moderated and Unmoderated Caucuses 

Working Papers, Draft Resolutions, and Amendments 

 
Committee sessions two through four are where the bulk of the work is done. In these sessions, working groups 
will form and produce working papers. These groups then negotiate the merging of working papers to produce 
draft resolutions. Following draft resolutions, amendments are proposed and debated. This entire process is what 
we like to call ​Paper Flow​​.  
 
The methods of debate will look much the same. Debate defaults to the speakers list, interrupted by motions for 
moderated and unmoderated caucuses. Working groups begin to form in the committee; these groups form for the 
purpose of authoring ​working papers​​. The number of working papers allowed varies by committee, but should 
never exceed six. Working papers can be understood as the rough drafts of draft resolutions and is an informal 
method of consolidating solutions. Once working papers are returned and distributed to the committee, debate on 
the working papers begins. This debate focuses on merging working papers or making further edits to them. At this 
point in debate, chairs are responsible for wielding ROP in such a way to promote efficient merging. Generally, this 
means ensuring moderated caucuses are on topic and unmods are used to facilitate merging.  
 
Draft resolutions ​are the official documents that are passed by committees. The best way to limit the amount of 
draft resolutions and reduce redundancy is to tell your committee that only the first four draft resolutions will be 
accepted - this incentivizes merging and forces delegates to work quickly. As draft resolutions are turned in, 
delegates will begin working on ​amendments​​. ​Unfriendly​​ amendments must have every amendment must be 
voted on by the entire committee. ​Friendly ​amendments have the sponsors of a resolution unanimously agree on 
and amend a draft resolution once it’s been submitted to the chair. 
 
Once the chair has accepted all draft resolutions and amendments, it is time to move into voting procedure. 

Closing Session and Voting Procedure 

 
Relevant Rules, Points, and Motions 

Closing Debate 

Method of Voting 

Amendments 
 
 
Once draft resolutions have been thoroughly discussed and the committee is sufficiently close to the end of the 
conference, the committee may enter voting procedure. This is accomplished by the approval of a ​motion to close 
debate​​ (note that this is not the same as the motion to recess the session mentioned above). There is no motion to 
“enter voting procedure.” The motion to close debate requires two speakers against (which shouldn’t take more 
than 30 seconds apiece) and requires a two-thirds majority. If there aren’t two speakers against, the motion 
automatically passes by consensus. 
 
From this point on, the committee enters a form of lockdown. Nobody is allowed in or out of the room and 
delegates may not confer with each other. While this may seem excessive, it’s actually very important to the voting 
process. Just like when someone enters a voting booth, the stoppage of notes and debate allows each delegate to 
vote their conscience without fear of external pressure. Because delegates will be restricted, committees are 
encouraged to entertain a 10 minute “unmoderated caucus” for delegates to use the restroom and grab water before 
voting procedure starts. 
 
At this point, the dais runs the show by guiding the committee through a straightforward step by step process. 
 
1. ​Read the first resolution in order of submission​​ (most likely A/1) in its entirety so the committee 
knows what’s being voted on. 
(skip steps 2-5 if there are no amendments) 
2. ​Read the ​first submitted​​ amendment​​ to the resolution. 
3. ​Vote on the amendment​​. This is only a vote on whether or not to include the amendment with the 
resolution. 
4. ​Repeat steps 2 and 3 ​for all other amendments. 
5. ​Read the resolution as amended. 
6. ​Vote​​ on the resolution. 
7. ​Repeat steps 1-6​​ for all further resolutions. 
 
Applause is customary if the resolution passes (not for amendments). Applause is disrespectful if it fails. The 
committee is free to pass as many resolutions as they want, even if they are explicitly contradictory. In the UN 
System, it’s the Secretariat’s job to sort out the mess.