Delegate Guide

Harvard MUN RoP

  Roll Call – This is the first thing done in the committee and it’s
purpose is to know which all delegates are present in the committee
and their voting status. Usage – the chair will call out each country in
alphabetical order and delegates may respond by stating “present” or
“present and voting”

Flow of the Present - when a delegate responds with present they vote for, against
or abstain from voting procedures.
Committee Present and Voting - when a delegate responds with present and
voting they may not abstain, they have to vote for or against. This
applies to the voting procedures of resolutions
and amendments only. It is mandatory to vote for or against motions.
 Open floor for debate - This is a formal procedure
which in basic tears means that we are asking to start the committee. It is
done by saying “motion to open the floor for debate”.
 Setting the Agenda/Topic - This is a formal procedure which in basic tears
means that we are asking to start the committee. In a case, where there are
two or more agendas, delegates may go through each one of them in any
order through the vote of simple majority. It is done by saying “motion to set
the agenda to *agenda/topic*”. Example: motion to set the agenda to
Weaponization of Space.
 Opening/Establish the General Speakers List (GSL) – The General Speakers
List (GSL) is a speakers list where a delegate may come and talk about
anything related to the topic but in the beginning, most delegates use it to
deliver their opening speeches. It is usually of no more than 1.5 minutes of
individual speakers time. This is done by saying “motion to open the GSL
with individual speakers time of __ minutes” Example: Motion to open the
GSL with individual speakers time of 1 minute
 Opening/Establishing Moderated Caucus – This is a formal debate and
is done in order to discuss different aspects of the
topic/agenda, followed by Points of Information. This is done by
saying “motion to open a moderated caucus of individual speakers
time of __ minutes and total speakers time of __ minutes on the topic
*sub-topic/issue related to the topic*”. Example: Motion to open a
moderated caucus with individual speakers time of 1 minute and total
speakers time of 30 minutes on the topic “Impact of Cyberwarfare and
Cybercrimes on Teens and Minors”
 Open/ Establishing Unmoderated Caucus – This is an informal style of
debate where delegates can informally discuss, form blocks and come
up with resolutions. It is done by saying “motion to open an
Unmoderated Caucus of time __ minutes”. Example: Motion to open
an Unmoderated Caucus of 15
minutes.
 Discussion of Resolutions –
 A) Selection of Resolution for Discussion: This is to indicate
which resolution will be discussed at that point in time. This
passes through chair's discretion based on the order of
submission or a raised motion (may vary from chair to chair)
 B) Sponsorship Speech by the Sponsors of the Resolution –
The sponsor of the resolution will explain the resolution to the
whole committee followed by Points of Information within the
allotted time. The chair will set the time for the sponsorship
speech and call the sponsor of the resolution for their speech.
 Discussion of Amendments –
A) Explanation of Amendment: The delegate who has sent in the
amendment will explain their amendment to the committee followed by
Points of Information within the allotted time. The chair will declare
which amendment will be discussed and the time for the explanation of
the amendment.
B) For and Against Speeches: This is when delegates will give a
speech explaining whether they support or oppose the amendment. The
chair will declare to the committee the time and number of speakers
speaking for and against the amendment.
C) Voting Procedures for Amendment: At this point in time voting
procedures will take place for the amendment. The chair will announce
that the committee will be moving into voting procedures and the
delegates will be asked to vote For Against or Abstain from voting. At
this point, if a delegate stated their voting status as “present”, they may
choose to abstain from voting. However, if their voting status was
"present and voting", they have no choice but to vote for and against
the amendment.
 Discussion of Resolutions as a whole –
 A) For and Against Speeches for the Resolution as a whole:
Delegates will give a speech explaining whether they support or
oppose the resolution as a whole. The chair will declare to the
committee the time and number of speakers speaking for and
against the resolution.

B) Voting Procedures for the Resolution as a Whole:

At this point in time voting procedures will take place for the
resolution. The chair will announce that the committee will be
moving into voting procedures and the delegates will be asked to
vote For or Against or Abstain.
 Adjourning Committee – This is used at the end of the committee
when the conference has finished. It is done by saying “motion to
adjourn committee” and it passes through the chair's discretion.
  Motion to extend:
1. Points of information
2. Time for the moderated/ unmoderated caucus
1. This is used when the delegate would like to ask more POIs to another delegate
2. This is when the delegate feels that the committee could benefit from the extra
time of the caucus for whichever reason it may be
 Motion to divide the house –
This is done in a situation where there are large numbers of abstentions while
voting for a resolution. In this scenario, the chair will take votes one by one by

Motions
roll call and no delegate is allowed to abstain even if they had chosen present
during roll call
 Motion to Challenge –
This can be raised when a delegate wishes to discuss a topic with a certain set of
delegates only. This can help the committee gain better clarity about a certain
topic from the viewpoint of a specific country.
 Motion to divide the question –
This is done when the delegate feels that there are some good clauses in the
resolution but the whole resolution as a whole is not that great. In this situation,
the chair will vote on clauses individually and will pass or fail accordingly
  If time remains after you‘ve completed giving your speech, the
following yields can be made:
 A) Back to the chair – In this case, the chair will normally
proceed with the following order of speakers in the respective
motion.
 B) To POIs – In this case, the speaker’s remaining time is
Yielding utilized for questions on the delegate’s speech. Follow-ups may
be permitted but only from chair’s approval. If you find it
difficult to answer a controversial question, you may request to
answer the POI through chit form
 C) To Another Delegate – Here, the remaining time is given to
another delegate. It works well if you yield it to an ally or a
country with the same vision/viewpoint as you
  Point of Parliamentary Enquiry – This is used when a delegate has an enquiry
regarding the parliamentary procedure or any other proceedings of the committee.
 Point of Order – It is used when there is a mistake in the rules of procedure or when
there is a factual inaccuracy in a statement given.
 Point of Personal Privilege – It is used to ensure that delegates are comfortable and
able to perform. In case a delegate has any discomfort in the committee this may be
raised. Example: use of washroom or inaudibility. This may interrupt a speaker only
in
the case of inaudibility.

Points
 Point of Information – This is used when a delegate wishes to ask a question to
another delegate who is delivering a speech. The delegate need not say anything, they
may just
suggest they would like to ask a POI when the chair asks for it
 Request to Follow up – This is used when a delegate would like to follow up on the
POI asked by him/her by asking another question. The delegate may say this only
after the other delegate has finished answering the initial question asked. It will be
depend on the chair
whether or not to accept it.
 Right to Reply – This is used when a statement given by a delegate is offensive to the
delegate’s country or to them personally
  A position paper is a document submitted before any MUN Conference. A
Position Paper gives a basic outline of the topic nationally and internationally
and gives your country's position on the topic which includes different laws,
policies and things your country has done in an attempt to solve the issue.
 Components of a good position paper –
 1. A brief outline and introduction of the topic.
2. Past actions taken by the International Community which includes Treaties,
UN Conventions, UN Resolutions, any other internationally document, regional
action taken.

Position Papers
3. Your country’s stance which includes actions taken by your country in the
past, present or future that your country has taken, what is your country’s views
and opinions on the topic, in case of a controversial country you may want to
counter some of the allegations the country/government receives.
4. Propose some solutions that you have come up with.
5. Use of facts and statistics throughout the position paper.
6. Bibliography and use of credible sources for research.
 Structure of a position paper
Delegate name: *name of the delegate*
Committee: *name of the committee eg: United Nations Environment
Assembly*
Country: *country the delegate is representing*
*content of maximum 750 words*
  A Resolution Paper is a formal document which is made during the MUN Conference.
This is the document through which you propose the solutions that you have come up
with your fellow delegates in the committee. It lays out the solutions and all the other
details regarding
the implementation of the solutions. The Resolution Paper is written in the form of
different Clauses and Sub-Clauses. There are 2 types of Clauses:
 Preambulatory Clauses:
These clauses describe why this resolution is being made, the purpose of the resolution,
what this aims to achieve, past actions that have been taken, references to UN

Resolution Documents, Treaties, efforts taken by nations. They can not include any solutions and
are strictly statements of the aforementioned. In simple words, this is giving context to

Papers the solutions that will be proposed in

the Operative Clauses.
 Operative Clauses:
This is the most important part of your resolution. These clauses are where
you will lay down the solutions you have come up with. This includes actions,
Recommendations and details of the actions and recommendations proposed
such as the timeline of implementation, funding, feasibility, monitoring of the
progress made etc. Operative Clauses can have sub-clauses that are used to specify
details of the clause. The Preambulatory Clauses should have some relation to the
Operative Clauses
  After the resolutions have been drafted, the committee will discuss and debate
upon it. If a delegate feels that there is something in the resolution that needs to
be changed, they can send in an amendment which will then be discussed.
Sponsors of the resolution will claim this amendment as friendly or unfriendly.
If claimed friendly, the amendment will directly be implemented in the draft
resolution. If claimed unfriendly, there will be debate and discussion on this
amendment after which voting will be held that decides whether this
amendment passes or not.

Amendments  Types of amendments that can be submitted –

There are 3 types of amendments that can be submitted:
1. Add: an add amendment is used when a delegate wishes to add a new
clause/sub-clause to a pre-existing clause or the resolution as a whole.
2. Strike: a strike clause is used when a delegate wishes to strike out a pre-
existing clause/sub-clause from the resolution.
3. Amend: an amend type amendment is used when a delegate wishes to make
changes to a pre-existing clause/sub-clause which can include replacing a
certain word or phrase with something else or an addition of some detail to the
clause.
  A crisis scenario can be a surprise news update that is given to
a conventional static GA committee some new factor to
consider. This can be a nuclear attack, a riot, an earthquake or
something else. The committee will discuss the new scenario
using the Rules of Procedure and add some clauses about it into
the resolution. A Crisis committee has constant news updates

Crisis Scenario and each decision impacts the story moving forward. The
remainder of the article will focus on crisis committees. There
will be chairs of other committees entering as personalities and
provide a personal statement related to the crisis scenario, after
which delegates may engage in POI’s. Lastly, delegates will
solve this issue at hand through directives which are similar to
resolutions but shorter and straightforward.
  Research is the most important part of MUN as it forms the basic foundation of everything that a delegate can do, this can be
in terms of making a good Position Paper, Resolutions and performing well during the committee sessions. Detailed research
on the topic and on the delegate’s country is important. The Background Guide which chairs provide is the most efficient and
relevant source of research/understanding one can get of the topic. Read the background guide, go through the recommended
readings and links mentioned and try to answer focusing questions. Research on the delegate's country can be divided into 3
parts:
 1. Basic knowledge on the country such as but not limited to:
a. GDP
b. Population
c. Geographical location and neighbouring countries
d. National Budget
e. National Spending

Good Delegate 
2. Foreign Policies of the nation which includes:
a. The vision of the nation
b. Goals with other nations and organizations such as the UN and other
intergovernmental organizations
c. Status on different important topics such as Human rights, Education, Healthcare
 d. Closest allies and enemies of the country

3. Views of your country on the topic which can be determined by but not limited to:
a. Laws, policies, schemes etc your country has implemented
b. Statements given by the head of state (president, ruler, king)
c. Actions your country has taken regarding the topic (negative and positive)
d. Current status of the issue in the country
e. Future plans with regards to the topic
  Credible sources for research:
1. UN websites including websites of different organs of the UN
2. Intergovernmental Organization official websites (example:
official website of European Union (EU), African Union (AU),
IAEA etc)
3. Research Reports published by Universities, Non-
Credible Governmental Organizations, Intergovernmental organizations.

Sources for 4. Local, National and International News Agencies

5. Official documents of the government
Research 6. International Treaties, agreements, Conventions and resolutions
7. CIA World Factbook
8. Reuters News Agency
9. New Agencies such as New York Times, The Guardian, BBC
News, CNN News (the credibility of these sources may vary
based on context)
  Ensure Active Participation in the committee
 Speech – Other than participating in the committee, content, articulation, confidence
and the way you deliver your speech matters a lot. Make sure to be bold and loud
enough for all delegates to hear you clearly.
 Avoid usage of personal pronouns
 Maintain a sense of diplomacy – Propose constructive solutions and work towards
forming good resolutions instead of trying to attack a specific country. Never use
harsh and foul language. Even if asked a controversial POI, be diplomatic and add
small attributes of respect in your speech. For example, "Thank you delegate for your

Key Pointers to question" or “...which is why we hope to achieve peace and security through our
solutions". During a crisis, try addressing personalities with "Sincere respects to you

keep in mind Mr./Miss _"

 Collaboration - A delegate who can work well with others keeping the interest of most
parties involved and working collaboratively would come up with the best solutions
keeping different aspects in mind. While collaborating to come up with solutions keep
in mind to answer What, Where, Who, When, How to ensure your solutions are not
vague.
 Solution-Based Approach - While working on your draft resolutions, add a sense of
implementation, national security and execution of your solution. Think from
different countries' perspectives and get a joint input from the countries in your bloc
 Follow instructions, code of conduct and rules of procedure
  Score more points:
 A) Ask more POI’s – even if it’s as simple as asking delegates to elaborate on something or to cite
their source
 B) Look for Point of Orders – Recognising a factual inaccuracy in statements made or draft
resolutions can easily help you score more points. Keep in mind though, it only requires 3 point
of orders for a draft resolution to fail, completely.
 C) Raise motions – As simple as raising your placard to set the agenda or extend time for POI’s
scores you more points
 Add Clarity to your Speech – Begin with a quote, preferably from a nationally recognised
personality of your country. Try to paint a picture with whatever you’re trying to say and link it
with the key issue(s). Example, "imagine if we were living in a world where possessing nuclear

Best Delegate weaponry would be as normalised as having a military". Ending your speech with rhetorical
questions/slightly open endings leaves a strong impact on listeners' mind.
 Demonstration – Once you’ve managed to get the committee’s attention, maintain it through
demonstration:
 A) Of the extent of your problem – With the use of statistics, examples and mention of expert
opinion
 B) Of the affects of your problem – How does it affect your target audience. Use examples and
facts. Be vivid
 C) Of the causes of your problem – Support your issues with mention of historical disaster/past
mishaps related to this topic
 Appeal for actions and motives of fair play, desire to save, pride, intelligence and community
  NMS IHMUN Delegates Handbook

Credits  Slideshare Network – MUN Training

 WiseMee – MUN Crisis Introduction 101
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