used when a delegate experiences personal discomfort that hinders their ability to participate in committee. Examples: temperature of room, distractions during committee, can’t hear another delegate, etc.
point of personal privilege
delegates who authored the draft resolution or actively contributed ideas (they should also vote for it to be passed)
sponsors (all resolutions will require a certain number of sponsors)
this is when a speaker decides to give up the remaining time in his or her speech
yield
The chair may call ______ if delegates are loud or disrespectful, in order to ask for their attention during committee
decorum
The _______ are seated in the front with their gavel and facilitate the debate. They call on speakers, time speeches, and maintain the rules of procedure. If the conference gives awards, they will also evaluate your performance.
chairs
statements in the second section of the draft resolution that outlines the specific solutions the sponsors wish to implement
operative clauses (usually numbered and outlined)
a group of delegates (usually part of the same institution, and divided into different councils)
delegation
a participant in the conference (they represent a specific country in one of the councils)
a delegate
a specific action made by delegates to direct debate in a certain direction
motion
the sign signifying your country (used within voting to showcase one's presence and to signal towards a chair)
placard
A debate format that allows delegates to make short comments on a specific sub-issue. Typically, delegates who are interested in speaking will raise up their placards and the Chairs will call on delegates to speak one at a time. In order to
moderated caucus
used when a delegate has a question about something that is not clearly understood in committee. Use this to ask a question if you don’t understand a term or get what’s going on in committee!
point of inquiry
a list of ideas formed by the blocs (needs to be approved by the chairs)
working paper
document written in resolution format, approved by the chairs, and introduced to committee but not yet voted upon
draft resolution
delegates who wish the see the draft resolution debated but may or may not agree with all of the ideas. However, they think there is some merit to it and want to see it presented
signatories (some resolutions will require a minimum number of signatories)
combining two or more draft resolutions to make a bigger or new draft resolution
merging
a change made to an operative clause of a draft resolution. Amendments can add, delete, or change an operative clause in a draft resolution
amendment
used when a delegate believes that there was a mistake made regarding the rules of procedure
point of order / point of parliamentary procedure
statements in the first section of the draft resolution that describes the problems that the committee wants to solve as well as previous measures taken to combat the problem
pre-ambulatory clauses (usually italicized or underlined, but not numbered)
a debate format in which delegates can leave their seats to go and talk to others freely and informally. This is usually when delegates find allies and work on draft resolutions. In order to move into an unmoderated caucus, the motion must
unmoderated caucus / informal caucus / lobbying session
the almighty hammer swung by a chair during decision-making (if you hear its clamoring thud, you'd better listen up)
gavel
a list that contains the order of speakers in the committee
speaker's list
different groups that have similar ideas and opinions about the topics (they will typically work together)
blocs
when delegates vote on the draft resolutions and amendments
voting bloc