NHSMUN:RULES OF PROCEDURE 101

Created By: Elizabeth BruntonDirector of SOCHUM 2011

Hello again delegates, Elizabeth Brunton your Director here. I have put together a power point with a few of the most common rules you will come across. If after this presentation you still have questions feel free to email me. ENJOY!

Answer: Parliamentary procedure is the collection of rules that will allow SOCHUM to run smoothly. These rules cover how committee will be run from speeches to voting procedures. I will be strictly adhering to parliamentary procedure to maintaining order and fairness in such a large committee. Make sure to be familiar with “parli-pro” terms before coming to committee.

Question: What is Parliamentary Procedure?

Rule 18:Change of Agenda

A committee may change the order in which it considers agenda topics. The chairman may entertain one speaker for, and one speaker against, a motion to change the order. A simple majority vote is required to change the order in which agenda topics will be discussed. Director’s Summation: You can change the order of which topics are discussed.

Director’s Warning:This rule applies only when the committee has more than two topics on the agenda. In SOCHUM we only have two topics, thus this rule does not apply. DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT

RULE 17: Adoption of AgendaThe first official thing you will do as a delegate will be “setting the order of the agenda.” What dose that mean? This means from the two topics you were given to research the committee decides which order we will debate the topics . A speakers list will be created and debate will occur on which topic to discuss first. After a good amount of debate any delegate my move to “set the agenda”. A procedural vote will be taken at that time. If the agenda passes , a new speakers list will be made and we will begin debate. If the proposed agenda fails , debate on the order of topics will continue.Director’s Summation: Debating on order of topics to be discussed

Rule 20: SpeechesNo Member may address the committee without having previously obtained the permission of the Chairman. The Chairman shall take a speaker’s list in the order in which the Members show a desire to speak. The speech will be called to order if the speaker’s remarks are not relevant to the subject under discussion.

Rules 20: Speeches

Director’s Summation: If you want to give a speech have your name put on the speakers list and patient (I promise, no matter how long the list is your name will eventually get called). Director’s Advice:On big committees speaker’s list can get very long. If you cannot even see your name on the speaker’s list it is so lengthy, I suggest you motion for a moderated or un-moderated caucus to share your ideas. Don’t get frustrated, be creative, and use the powers of parli-pro.

Rule 21and Rule 22Rule 21: Language and Interpretation

Rule 22: Time Limit on Speeches

NHSMUN celebrates all our delegates and the wide variety of linguistic backgrounds present at the conference. However, English shall be the official and the working language of SOCHUM. A speech may be made in any language other than the official language. In this case, the Member shall provide for simultaneous interpretation into the official language. The time require for translation will be counted against the speakers time.

A time limit for speeches will be set by a motion before entering into the speech process. This time limit includes speaking time and time allotted for question. When debate is limited and a speaker exceeds the allotted time, the Chairman shall call that speaker to order without delay. Delegates will receive a warning gavel tape indicating 10 secs before the end of their speech.

Director’s Summation:Speeches will be made in English or translation will need to be provided by the Member. For delegates whose native language is not English please feel free to talk with the dais if you are confused at any time--- we are here to help.

Director’s Summation:Pay attention to the time limits on speeches. Please, please, please, do not try to talk over the chair’s gavel when your time has elapsed. There is nothing more aggravating then walking by a committee room that sounds like a construction zone.. BANG BANG BANG!

Rule: 23 Questions to the Speaker

When the committee is engaged in substantive debate, a time limit has been placed on speeches, and the speaker has not exhausted the allotted time, the speaker my inform the chair that he or shill will accept questions for the floor. At such time the Chairman will recognize Members to pose substantive questions to the speaker on the question being discussed. The speaker at any time can determine that he or she will stop accepting questions and thus conclude his or her remarks.

Director’s Advice:1.) “I wish to accept questions at this time ” is how you let the chair know you want to accept questions.

Director ‘s Advice:There will be no “cross talk.” One delegate asks a question while standing then the speaker gives a response. This is not an opportunity for a public conversation

Director’s Advice:The Chairman will choose the delegates who will be asking questions, not the speaker.

Director’s Advice:QUESTIONS ARE AWSOME. Use this opportunity to show all that your county knows on the issue. Also , answering questions in front of everyone is a quick way to let everyone know your stances. Question time is YOUR time. Have fun with it.

Rule 24: Yields

Rule 24: When the time for speeches has been limited, a member recognized to speak on a substantive issue may yield his or her remaining time to another Member. This member may not yield any additional time.

Director’s Summation:If you have extra time after giving a substantive speech you can “yield” or give your time to another delegation to speak.

Director’s Warning:“Double Yielding” is not allowed. This means, that a delegation who is speaking on yielded time may not pass that time to another delegation. NO REGIFTING.

POINT OF….. Rules: 31, 32, 33,

Rule 31: Point of Order. A point of order is used only in the case of an error in the order of procedure and is used to bring the issue to the attention of the chairman. This point may interrupt a speaker if necessary. Ex. The wrong speaker’s time is being used.

Rule 32: Point of Parliamentary Inquiry. This point can be used when uncertain of the procedural settings of the committee. This point may not interrupt a speaker. Ex. If you are unsure if we are in moderated or un-moderated caucus.

Rule 33: Point of Personal Privilege. This point is used to bring to the attention of the Chairman some physical discomfort that is disrupting the committee. This point may interrupt a speaker. Ex. You can't hear the speaker.

Rule 35: Recess of the Meeting

Rule 35: Recess of the Meeting: During the discussion of any matter, a Member may move to recess the meeting. Such a motion should include proposed length. Normally, recess are used for meal breaks and evening breaks. When are meal break or evening break is approaching the Chairman will indicate the need for this motion. Please do not get this motion confused with closure of debate, adjournment of debate, or adjournment of session.

RULE 43 and 44Rule 43: Methods of Voting

The General Assembly normally vote by showing placards, but any member may request a roll-call vote on a resolution or amendment. The roll call vote will be taken in English alphabetical order. The Chairman may require that a motion for a roll-call vote be supported by as much as one-fifth of the committee.

Director’s Side Note: SOCHUM is a large committee. Taking a roll-call vote is time consuming and any motions to have a roll-call vote should be seriously considered.

Rule 44: Conduct During the Voting

After the Chairman has announced the beginning of voting, no member shall interrupt the voting except on point of order in connection with the actual conduct of voting or on a point of parliamentary inquiry. During this time decorum shall be maintained, no caucusing should take place, no notes passed, and no one should enter or leave the room

Director’s Summation:This is the most serious part of committee. Decorum must be maintained. Silence will be expected so everyone’s resolution has an opportunity to be voted on fairly.

The EndI hope this presentation helped explain the rules. Watch the blog for a presentation on resolution and amendment writing.

E. Brunton SOCHUM Director