WestMUNC Delegate Regulations
A brief review of WestMUNC procedure and guidelines
Motions:
Motions are written requests submitted to the chairs which are then discussed and voted on to decide whether they will be adopted as the course of action for the committee. Motions need to be seconded by at least one delegate to be considered. The standard procedure for discussing and approving a motion is one pro and one con speaker, each getting thirty seconds to speak. If no one speaks con the motion passes automatically. No points are allowed for these speakers. Committee then proceeds to a 50% majority placard vote.
- Motion to close debate: can be submitted after one cycle (one pro, one con speaker) of the speakers list. Uses standard voting procedure.
- Motion for an unmoderated caucus: an unmoderated caucus is a period of time (10-15 minutes) during which the delegates can walk around and discuss freely within the committee room. It is a time to “formulate solutions”. Uses standard motion procedure.
- Motion for a moderated caucus: Creates informal debate for a designated period of time. Used for special situations, usually to break deadlocks in committee. During informal debate delegates remain seated, are recognized by the chairs to speak, and get thirty seconds when selected to speak. Uses standard motion procedure.
- Motion to table indefinitely: can be submitted after a resolution is read aloud to the committee and is meant to delay discussion of the resolution. Once tabled, a resolution can be returned to after all other discussion of resolutions on the topic is finished. Surprise! This one has the same speakers rules but requires a 2/3 majority vote to pass.
- Motion for a time limit: can be submitted to limit speeches in “general and substantive debate”, usually to five or ten minutes. It can also apply to the number of points a speaker is allowed to take. Uses standard motion procedure.
- Motion to suspend the rules: “…a change in agenda is the only motion to suspend the rules that is entertained by the chairs. To make a specific change in the agenda, a delegate must motion to suspend the rules.” Proposed changes must be included in the motion. Uses standard motion procedure.
- Motion to reconsider: once a motion has been defeated it can’t be reconsidered unless one of these motions is submitted in writing. A pro and con speaker each get one minute to speak (if no one speaks con it passes) after which the committee moves to 2/3 majority placard vote.
- Motion to appeal the decision of the chairs: may be proposed immediately after the decision of the chairs on a specific point. The delegate that submits the motion speaks for a minute, the chairs defend themselves for a minute, and the committee then proceeds to a 2/3 majority placard vote.
Voting:
"…voting situations, whether roll call or placard, must be conducted without any distractions. There is no talking, passing of notes, or soliciting of votes. All doors and windows must be closed and all pages must move to the back of the room. Only a point of order interrupts a voting situation.”
Voting
Rules: Each delegation has one vote, and can vote “pro”,“con”, “abstain”, “pass,” “pro
with explanation”, or “con with explanation. After all votes
are tallied the people who passed must vote “pro,” “con,” or
abstain. Abstentions are not factored into the calculation of majorities.
After this process the delegates who voted with explanation get one minute
to speak, and after all have spoken anyone can change their vote to “pro”, “con”,
or “abstain”.
Points:
- POINT OF INFORMATION: addressed to the delegates, after recognition from the chairs. They are general questions concerning the content of a delegate’s speech raised after a delegate on the speaker’s list is finished speaking.
- POINT OF CLARIFICATION: addressed to the delegates, after recognition from the chairs. Points of clarification are raised in order to understand the meaning and implication of a resolution or amendment.
- POINT OF ORDER: directed at the committee chairs. Delegates rise to these points when they disagree with the chairs about he procedure the committee is following or wish to challenge the chair’s judgement. These points interrupt anything, and are the only points that a delegate may raise during a voting situation.
- POINT OF PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY: directed at the committee chairs. These address questions concerning parliamentary procedure. If a delegate is confused about what the committee is doing at any time he/she should rise to a Point of Parliamentary Inquiry.
- POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE: these are directed at the committee chairs that address a delegate’s important personal needs, such as going to the bathroom.
If you are a delegate and need help with procedure, or need help in general, it is wise to ask the chairs through points of inquiry, discussion during caucuses and break periods, or written notes.
All quotes from WestMUNC Delegate Handbook: Parliamentary
Procedure