Student Model UN Conference Guide
Student Model UN Conference Guide
Conference Model
United Nations
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
About Delegates Beyond Borders LLC. ........................................................................ 3
Conference Schedule........................................................................................................... 9
Awards....................................................................................................................................... 14
Resolutions............................................................................................................................... 18
Preambulatory Clauses....................................................................................................... 20
Amendments........................................................................................................................... 22
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SICMUN ll CoSponsors
SICMUN is the result of the collaboration between three distinguished organizations. The
founders of Delegates Beyond Borders LLC have long had a working relationship with the
Model UN club at Meridian World School. Together they were inspired to create a unique,
international MUN conference that would serve both middle school and high school
students. Southwestern University was pleased to join the partnership as host site,
providing a beautiful and historic location for the conference.
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About Southwestern University
Southwestern University is a private, Liberal Arts
College in Georgetown, Texas. Formed in 1873 from a revival
of collegiate charters granted in 1840, Southwestern is the
oldest university in Texas. At Southwestern University, we
believe that students are not simply the passive consumer of
current knowledge; they are an active participants in the
creation of new knowledge. The Southwestern Experience is
designed to develop the intellectual practices necessary to enhance student abilities in order to
explore regions of original thought and creative expression. The world is changing—and at an
accelerating pace. In a 21st-century career, students will be required to advance the frontiers of
knowledge, adapt quickly to change, problem-solve new and complex challenges, and anticipate
what’s next. Southwestern prepares their students for these new realities. The combination of a
flexible curriculum, the development of modern ways of thinking, and real-world experiences allow,
SU will equip students with the skills required to adapt, create, collaborate, and view challenges
from multiple perspectives.
About Meridian World School
Meridian is a public, tuition-free charter school funded through state and federal dollars
like traditional schools. Open to all students who live within the
boundaries of Williamson County in Central Texas, Meridian is
the vehicle realized by several Williamson County families that
worked together with the goal of offering an education that will
bring a love of learning to the classroom for their children. The
intent of the Meridian Charter was to become a continuum
school for the International Baccalaureate Program, offering the
Primary Years Program (PYP), the Middle Years Program (MYP)
and the Diploma Program (DP); and it has been this way since
May of 2017. It is a diverse school with reported 44 different
native languages spoken by its families. Even with only 1,650
students from kindergarten to 12th grade, there is a wide
variety of student culture within its community. Its mission
statement is: Meridian School will provide an invigorating educational environment that develops
responsible citizens who can artfully navigate our complex world and enjoy a good life with others.
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BACKGROUND ON THE UNITED NATIONS
The United Nations began on October 24, 1945, when the UN Charter ratified 51
Member States. Today, people all around the world recognize this day as the United
Nations Day.
Member States
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What The United Nations Can And Can't Do
Taking into account what the United Nations can and can’t do, it relies largely on
persuasion and cooperation of its member states. The UN cannot force any nation to do
something.
The United Nations CAN…
● Use the money in its budget to buy supplies and equipment and pay
employees to carry out programs all over the world
● Use its money and personnel to research world problems/conditions and
possible solutions
● Use the arbiters and negotiators on its payroll that it can send to troubled
areas to try to prevent the breakout of violence or to try to restore peace
after a conflict has occurred
● Call for nations or groups to come to the table to discuss their conflicts and
appoint another, uninvolved nation to arbitrate, if that nation agrees
● Call for summits or meetings to solve special problems
● Set up new committees whose main responsibilities will be to oversee the
progress on a certain topic or subset of topics
● Send peacekeepers to conflict areas
● Call for economic sanctions on a country in an attempt to coerce that
country into accepting U.N. regulations on, for example, human rights or
nuclear non-proliferation
● Educate and encourage populations to act in certain ways
The United Nations CANNOT…
● Make laws
● Prohibit or impose behavior on either individuals or nations
● Declare war on any nation or violate any nation’s sovereignty, or interfere
with the right of each nation’s government to make and enforce its own laws
● Force any nation to join in imposing sanctions on another country
● The U.N. relies on the powers of persuasion, diplomacy, and the cooperation
of its component member states. It cannot force any nation to do something.
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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations
Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people
and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and
developing - in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other
deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education,
reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and
working to preserve our oceans and forests.
The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more
sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those
related to poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and
justice. The 17 Goals are all interconnected, and in order to leave no one behind, it is
important that we achieve them all by 2030.
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Note from SG
Hello Delegates, Sponsors, Faculty, and Parents,
I’d like to welcome you to SICMUN II. My name is Aman Momin and I am the Secretary General of SICMUN II.
SICMUN stands for the Student International Conference Model United Nations, which started with a group of high
school students working tirelessly for over a year to build this conference from scratch. We have been lucky
enough to be sponsored by Delegates Beyond Borders LLC, who have been amazing working with us through this
entire process.
We started preparing for SICMUN II in January 2019, when we appointed the Under Secretary Generals and
decided on our conference theme: Resilience. Our team of high schoolers is composed of high achievers who are
extremely interested in the different aspects of Model United Nations conferences. It has been with the support of
the Under Secretary Generals and our outstanding Secretariat that this project could continue the legacy of
SICMUN I. SICMUN is especially revolutionary, due to the fact that our entire team consists of experienced MUN
award-winning high school and middle school students who have handled all of the details for the conference. Our
two adult teacher sponsors with Delegates Beyond Borders, LLC have been terrific giving us the necessary
guidance to make our conference successful.
SICMUN has been set up to promote great debate and the core ideals of the United Nations, to bring students
from all over the world together, and to express the importance of finding possible solutions to real problems that
affect our world. Students who wish to attend SICMUN II are expected to model the ideal behavior that can be
observed from the United Nations by representing their countries’ stances on the various topics that have been
chosen this year.
Finally, I would like to officially introduce you to our theme for this year – Resilience. Over many long discussions
and debates, our Under Secretary General team and our Executive Board team decided this year‘s theme to be
Resilience due to its importance in the current status quo of our world. While it is so important to be a good leader,
activist, or even a revolutionary, it is even more crucial to be open-minded and accepting of Mankind, regardless of
one’s race, gender, religion, or cultural differences. Thus, Resilience was chosen. We invite you all to consider these
aspects of diplomacy while debating during SICMUN II.
On behalf of the SICMUN Under Secretary Generals and Secretariat, I would like to welcome you to SICMUN II.
Best regards,
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Preliminary Conference Schedule
Registration for delegations
Location: TBD
Time: 8:15-8:55
Opening ceremony
Location: TBD
9:00-10:00
Committee session 1
Location: Olin Building
10:10-12:00
Lunch
Location: McCombs Building (staggered)
Lunch A 12:00-12:45
Lunch B 12:50-1:35
Lunch C 1:35-2:10
Committee session 2
Location: Olin Building
A: 12:45- 2:30
B: 1:15-2:30
Break
Location: Olin Building
2:30- 2:45
Committee session 3
Location: Olin Buidling
2:45-4:00
Break
Location: Olin Building
4:00-4:15
Session 4
Location: Olin Building
4:15- 6:00
Closing Ceremonies
Location: TBD
6:00-7:00
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LIST OF SCHOOLS ATTENDING
Austin High School
The Emery/Weiner School
Instituto Celayense
The Magellan International School
Meridian World School
Rouse High School
Sharpstown International School
Sunhills Valley High School
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Committees and Topics: High School
UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL (SC)
Topics:
Topics:
Topics:
Topic:
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Committees and Topics: Middle School
Topics:
UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL (HRC)
Topics:
Topics:
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SOUTHWESTERN MAP
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AWARDS
At SICMUN, we recognize exemplary delegates who actively participate in the
committee’s debate with three awards of distinction: The Best Delegate Award, The
Distinguished Delegate Award, and the Honorable Mention Award.
All delegates looking to win an award must showcase:
● An attitude of benevolence and goodwill towards others
● Helpful negotiations in tough situations and predicaments
● Continuous cooperation with other delegates
● Initiative taken to promote peace and friendliness
● Action taken to circumvent destruction, disaster, or further conflict
The Best Delegate award will be given to the delegate who, in their committee,
demonstrates exceptional debate skills, use of parliamentary procedure, continuous
diplomacy, and great initiative to resolve conflict.
The Distinguished Delegate award will be given to the delegate who shows great
knowledge of the topic through bringing new ideas to the debate, use of parliamentary
procedure, and good diplomacy.
The Honorable Mention award will be given to the delegate who exemplifies a good
amount of knowledge about the topic, an attempt to role play accurately, and is sufficient in
using parliamentary procedure.
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POSITION PAPERS
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EXAMPLE:
Esteemed chair, distinguished delegates, and honorable guests; the Kingdom of Spain believes that
inaction and inability to come together and settle upon an ideal solution for the disposal of nuclear waste is
one of the most important, appalling issues that the United Nations faces today. A solution from this highly
regarded body is needed. Nuclear waste is agreed upon by the World Nuclear Association to be one of the
least hazardous toxic industrial wastes, and yet without a solution, all of the countries represented here
today face a dismal future with the role that nuclear energy and waste play in global warming.
Additionally, massive reactors dump water that is supercharged with incredibly toxic chemicals and
radiation into the ocean daily, poisoning the water and rippling through the food chain.
The Kingdom of Spain has maximized their efforts to limit and properly dispose of nuclear waste
through processes such as the selection of sites appropriate for disposal of short-lived intermediate-level
radioactive waste (ILW) or low-level radioactive waste (LLW), and the formation of the Empresa Nacional
de Residuos Radiactivos (ENRESA), a body which revises Spain’s current plan of action every four years
or upon governmental request in order to maintain one that keeps up with the changes and the demands of
citizens, bodies such as the UN, and other nations. The IAEA and the United Nations throughout many
committees have had lengthy discussions and pursued a solution to this issue but it is an elusive, expensive
one that still is in need of a plan. The delegate believes that the key role of the United Nations as a whole
could be to educate the public by endorsing and funding a program that could be agreed upon by the
Security Council and IAEA that outlines the benefits of proper nuclear waste disposal as well as the
dangers of incorrect disposal, and even what that could eventually mean for future generations across the
globe. The delegate stresses that Spain desires future generations not to wonder what a polar bear was,
because at this time the UN was so inactive and indecisive that they left the ozone layer as a crisp.
In terms of a solution; the delegation of Spain previously spoke of forms of disposal, and reaffirms
that the most advantageous and advisable forms of disposal are geological disposal and even near-surface
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disposal, so as to minimize pollution and assist in the fight against global warming. The differentiation
between the two will rest upon the determination of the waste to be LLW, ILW, or high-level radioactive
waste (HLW). Spain believes the ideal short-term course of action is the creation of a global database
which makes the level of the radioactive waste produced at major and massive reactors internationally
accessible, which can then be used to determine which reactors are in need of a safe or appropriate site
outside of their country to deposit the waste they produce. Spain applauds nations such as Sweden and
Finland for being productive in the selection of appropriate disposal sites and leaving the preliminary
stages of planning. After the formation of this database, Spain would like to promote the idea of sharing
available nuclear disposal sites by willing nations in order to streamline the disposal process, including the
transportation of the waste. Long-term and for HLW, Spain believes that the ideal solution is to even
further minimize the energy output of nuclear reactors and additionally, even their usage in order to slow
global warming and protect the ozone layer. Many prominent nuclear generating stations return around
two-thirds of the energy that is produced by the reactor out into the atmosphere, which consequently heats
the ozone layer. Spain would emphasize that if every nation could set goals and report their progress, it
would be much easier to. In order for every nation to have an active role in the development of this
long-term plan, Spain proposes that an even more specialized body in the UN is created for the use of the
upkeep of international toxic waste policies, the monitoring of the global database idea, cooperation with
NGOs and the progress of individual nations.
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RESOLUTIONS
Writing a Resolution
A resolution is “a formal expression of opinion or intention made, usually after
voting, by a formal body.” The formal body in our case is each specific committee. These will
be written by delegates in committee and must adhere to the power of the United Nations.
Finding a Topic and Writing your Resolution
The research done for your Position Paper is what will be your guide into writing a
resolution. You should make your topic as specific as possible and you want it to be unique
when you compose it with other delegates. When writing a resolution, consider the ideas
of the other delegates and make sure you are all on the same page.
Formatting Instructions
A Resolution is split up into the following parts:
Heading, Preambulatory and Operative Clauses.
Throughout the sections, each line of the entire paper is numbered.
HEADING
The heading serves as identification for the resolution, and its organizing
information. In the heading should be the committee’s name that the resolution is
being submitted to, the topic of the resolution, along with the delegation or group
of delegations that is submitting the resolution. Finally, the name of the committee
will be written in full form, followed by a comma, to begin the resolution.
Example:
1. SUBMITTED TO: THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
1. TOPIC: Education and Healthcare
2. PROPOSED BY: Mexico
3.
4. THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL,
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PREAMBULATORY CLAUSES
The preambulatory clauses introduced the resolution and the issues related to the
topic. They explain the problem and tell the issue for the solution you will suggest in the
operative clauses. The first word of each preambulatory clause sets the “tone” for the
statement which follows (and must be in ALL CAPS).
IMPORTANT: Preambulatory clauses are indented once after the committee name above.
Each is followed by a comma (,). The second to last clause includes the word “and” after the
comma, and the last clause in the preamble is followed solely with a colon (:).
Cont’d example:
5.
6. ALARMED with the poor literacy rate in third-world countries,
7.
8. ACKNOWLEDGING that the current number of illiterate women is approximately 493.5
9. million worldwide, and
10.
11. CONSIDERING that the efforts to reduce that number have been insufficient so far:
OPERATIVE CLAUSES
The operative clauses of a resolution are proposing to solve the problem described
in the preamble. The first word or phrase (for examples, see below) of each operative
clause is a verb, indicating the clause which follows. It must be in ALL CAPS. Language and
tone play an important role in determining the strength of your operative clauses. Each
operative clause is numbered, in addition to the line numbers to the left of each line of the
resolution. Each operative clause ends with a semicolon (;), except the last, which ends with
a period (.). Each sub-clause should be preceded with a letter and followed by a comma (,).
Additionally, the second to last clause, whether sub-clause OR full clause, should include an
“and” after the semicolon.
HELPFUL: A resolution is ALWAYS formatted as one extended sentence.
Cont’d example:
12.
13. 1. PROCLAIMS that the HRC should consider using Stanford University’s Global Millenium
14. Education program and the Global Partnership for Education in order to;
15. a. Provide education to all people without regard to race, gender, previous
16. financial and/or social instabilities; and
17. 2. ENCOURAGES all members of the HRC to consider and pass this resolution.
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PREAMBULATORY CLAUSES
Some possible initiating phrases for preambulatory clauses:
Alarmed by Fulfilling Reaffirming
Emphasizing Expecting
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OPERATIVE CLAUSES
Some operative clause examples are located below
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AMENDMENTS
If a delegation disapproves of a certain idea or ideas in your resolution, then they can work
with your delegation and work on an Amendment Form to remove or add ideas that other
delegations were opposed on.
If your delegation would be in favor of another delegations resolution, but can't
agree with every point it contains, or want to add something, an amendment may be in
order. Working with the author of the resolution first, to see if you can agree on new
wording. If so, it would be called a "Friendly" Amendment. Friendly amendments are
automatically approved and added to the resolution.
Amendments can also be "Unfriendly." An unfriendly amendment is submitted by
someone other than the author of the resolution, without the author’s approval. It has to
be debated and voted on separately, before the final vote on the resolution and may also
change the resolution drastically.
There are three types of amendments (not a huge difference between them, but
when a resolution is typed up later, how clearly details are described can make a big
difference):
#1 - To eliminate words or phrases, mark through those to be eliminated.
#2 - To insert new words or phrases, write in the new word(s), OR indicate the
location of the insertion by noting “Insert A, B, C…” and print the language to be inserted in
the appropriate space on the Resolution Amendment Form.
#3 - To change one or two words or a phrase, mark through the word(s) to be
changed and write in the new words, or mark through the words to be changed, indicate,
Indicate Insert A,B,C… and print the new words in the appropriate space on the Resolution
Amendment Form.
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RULES OF PROCEDURE
Quorum:
At the opening of every committee session the Chair shall call the roll to determine which
delegations are present. The number of delegations present at the time of the roll call
determines whether or not there is a sufficient number of member countries to conduct
business within the committee. Delegates must declare present or present and voting at
every roll call in order to establish voting privileges. At least one-third of all delegations
must be present for business discussion to occur, and a majority of delegations must be
present for voting to take place.
Amendments:
An Amendment to a resolution adds to, deletes from, or revises any part of that resolution.
All amendments must be submitted in writing to the committee Chair before they are
considered by the body. Copies of the Amendment Form are available from the committee
Chair and may be requested via a note to the chair during committee or can be picked up
from the chair during an unmoderated caucus.
Friendly Amendment:
For an amendment to be deemed friendly it must have the support of the sponsors of the
resolution that is on the table being amended. If the amendment has this support then it is
automatically added to the resolution with no vote by the committee.
Unfriendly Amendment:
If an amendment is rejected by any of the sponsors of the resolution on the table then the
amendment is deemed unfriendly. After the amendment is deemed unfriendly then the
committee may choose to vote to add the amendment to the resolution (50%+1), open
debate on the amendment or table debate on the amendment.
The Chair may rule any amendment "out of order which is judged to be a waste of the
committee’s time. Amendments of this nature, for example, might change the intent of the
resolution or make trivial or absurd changes in its wording.
Motions:
*NOTE: Any motion may be ruled "out of order" by the chair if there is not sufficient time or
reason to execute it*
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Point Of Order
This point may be raised when you feel that a delegate or the Chair is not abiding by
correct parliamentary procedure (as laid out for the conference). A point of order is
allowed to interrupt the speaker.
Point of Inquiry
To ask a question in regards to the way the committee is conducted. It may also be used to
ask the chair a questions regarding parliamentary procedure during a normal session.
Point of Information
To pose a question directly to a speaker. This point may be raised after a speaker yields to
questions. It is used to ask a question of the speaker relating to the speech just given.
Right of Reply
A right to speak in reply to a previous speaker's comment, invoked when a delegate feels
personally insulted by another's speech. This is up to the chair's discretion.
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Motion for Unmoderated Caucus
Temporarily suspends debate for a specified amount of time, during which delegates may
leave their seats and speak freely.This motion temporarily suspends the meeting for a
specified amount of time. Use it to create resolutions, talk to other delegates, or anything
else you may need to do. It requires a second, is not debatable, and needs a simple majority
to pass.
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Motion to Introduce an Unfriendly Amendment
If after an amendment is introduced and it is deemed unfriendly this is used to put it up for
a vote by the committee. This motion brings an amendment that has already been
submitted to the Chair with the appropriate number of signatories to the floor for general
debate and a vote when the debate is closed on the resolution. No second is required. It is
only for unfriendly amendments, for friendly amendments are just considered
automatically part of the resolution.
Motion to Reconsider
Reopen debate on an issue that was previously tabled. Must be motioned by a delegate
who previously mentioned against or for the resolution depending on which side won.
Recess
To suspend debate and the session for a period of time. This motion suspends the body
between sessions. This motion requires a second, is not debatable, and needs a simple
majority to pass.
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Motion to Set the Agenda
Committee will vote on the order in which the topics will be discussed. This motion is made
with a specific topic mentioned to be debated first and the other second. Two speakers for,
two against, and requires a simple majority to pass.
Voting:
Each member nation shall have one vote. No delegate may cast a vote on behalf of another
nation.
If a delegate responds "present and voting" in role call this means the delegate must cast
an affirmative or negative vote on substantive matters.
Members must signify “present” or "present and voting" at any roll call or, in writing (if not
present during roll call) in order to establish voting privileges for their nation.
After the Chair has announced the beginning of voting procedure, no representative may
interrupt the proceedings, except with a point of order in connection with the actual voting
procedure. No one will be allowed to enter or leave the room. There will be no note passing
during voting procedure. Voting procedure is not complete until the vote has been
announced.
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Parliamentary Procedure
Interrupt
Order of
Motion Action the Second Debatable Amenable Vote
Precedence
Speaker
To point out an error in
Point Of
1 parliamentary procedure or Yes No No No No
Order
another delegate’s actions
Use when a delegate
Point of experiences personal
2 Personal discomfort that hinders their Yes No No No No
Privilege ability to participate in
committee
To ask a question in regards to
Point of
3 the way the committee is Yes No No No No
Inquiry
conducted
Point of To pose a question directly to a
4 No No No No No
information speaker
To reply when a delegate
offends the country that you Chair's
5 Right of reply No No No No
are representing or personally Discretion
offends you
Use in order to assess the
committees feelings on a
resolution or question.
Motion for a Chair's
6 Conducted by placard voting No No No No
Straw Poll Discretion
procedure but outcome does
not mean the resolution and or
topic is officially voted on
All delegates must speak in
Motion for a Chair's
7 consecutive order on one No No No No
Round Robin Discretion
specific topic
Temporarily suspends debate
Motion for for a specified amount of time,
8 Unmoderated during which delegates may No Yes No yes 50%+1
Caucus leave their seats and speak
freely
Suspends the speakers list for a
Motion for
set period of time with a set
9 Moderated No Yes No yes 50%+1
speaking time for delegates to
Caucus
have an informal discussion
Motion to Suspends the debate on a topic;
1 for 1
10 Table the topic and can be reopened at a No Yes No 50%+1
against
Topic later point
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To vote on a working paper by
going through the list of
Motion for a delegates with each delegate
11 No Yes No No 50%+1
Roll Call Vote responding for, against, for with
rights, against with rights, or
abstain
Debate is closed and note
Motion to passing is suspended for the
2 for 2
12 enter voting purpose of voting on No Yes no 50%+1
against
procedures resolution/amendments; with a
normal placard vote
Limits or extends the amount
of time that a delegate is
Motion to
allowed to have the floor, and
13 limit/extend No Yes no no 50%+1
can also be used to extend a
debate
moderated caucus, amount of
questions, or regular caucus
Motion to Motion used by delegate after
Introduce a Chair has reviewed and
14 No Yes no no 50%+1
Working approved draft resolution to
Paper bring resolution to debate
Motion to
Adopt a draft resolution as a Chair's
15 Adopt by No Yes no no
body by consensus Discretion
Consensus
Motion to If after an amendment is
Introduce introduced and it is deemed
16 No Yes no no 50%+1
Unfriendly unfriendly this is used to put it
Amendment up for a vote by the committee
Motion to
move into
voting Puts an unfriendly amendment
17 No Yes no no 50%+1
procedures up for vote by the committee
Unfriendly
Amendment
Reopen debate on an issue that
was previously tabled. Must be
Motion to motioned by a delegate who 1 for 1
18 No Yes No 50%+1
Reconsider previously motioned against or against
for the resolution depending on
which side won
Motion to To suspend debate and the
20 No Yes No No 50%+1
Recess session for a period of time
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