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TAIMUN has
adopted the rules and procedures of THIMUN.
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Delegates need to know how and when to obtain the
floor, when and how to ask questions (points of
information) and how, when and whom to yield the floor. In general terms,
speaking in formal debate falls into two main areas: the delegate either has the floor to speak on the main motion or on a proposed
amendment, or he is rising to a point of information and
asking a question to the speaker who has the floor.
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A point of
information may be supportive of the speaker, or may question the validity of the speaker’s points. If a delegate feels that the
speaker who has the floor has not sufficiently answered his or
her question, or would like to expand on any points just
made, then she or he may request a follow-up
question from the Chair. It is at the Chair’s
discretion to grant such a request or not.
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Obtaining the floor in a situation where there is
fierce competition for the right to speak is not easy
and it is important that delegates follow the course of the debate very closely so that they will be ready to raise their placard
for recognition the moment the floor is open.
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Each delegate will submit one resolution per issue
to the Approval Panel. Resolutions must have at
least six co-submitters.
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Opening speeches must be submitted to faculty
members for review. On the day of the Session, opening
speeches will be limited to one minute. Students should not read
their speeches. An occasional glance at note cards should suffice during delivery.
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Rights of Reply to opening speeches by Council
members will be limited to one for and one against
according to the discretion of the Chair.
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Amendments to the Agenda require a 2/3 vote of
approval by the Council. Amendments may only be added
to the Agenda after the opening speeches have been presented.
It is the delegates’ responsibility to ensure that amendments are made when the Chair asks for them. Those issues that are on the agenda
may not be removed, and issues must be debated in the order
in which they are added to the agenda.
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Points of personal privilege are only permissible in
case of inaudibility or disturbance in the committee
environment. In order at any time, may interrupt the speaker ONLY in
case of inaudibility.
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Points of information to the Chair are in order at
any time and must relate to in terms germane to debate on the issue at hand or
procedures.
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Motions to Recess/Adjourn are in order when the
speaker has the floor or debate time is exhausted.
Must be seconded. Such motions need the chair’s approval.
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Orders of the day: objection to the consideration of
a debate point or a resolution because it is not believed to be
related to the agenda. Points Parliamentary
Procedure may be directed to the Chair when a delegate has a
question about the rules.
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A “friendly amendment” is one on which all the
co-submitters are agreed. It is not debatable and should
not be put to the vote. It must, however, be attached to the resolution on an Amendment sheet in the usual way.
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A speaker may yield the floor any number of times
during for/against debate time. There may be one yield only
during open debate time.
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After voting on an amendment which has been
introduced in the against time, the speaker regains
the floor if the amendment does NOT pass, and loses it if it does pass.
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The Chair has the right to decide on all points and
procedures for the council in the interest of debate and time constraints.
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Only points of parliamentary inquiry are in order
during voting procedure. The right to explain one’s
vote is in order, limited to one for, one against and one abstention for one minute each.
ORDER OF PRIORITY
FOR PROCEDURAL POINTS
1. Points of personal
privilege.
2. Orders of the day.
3. Points of information to
the chair.
4. Points of parliamentary
inquiry.
5. Points of information to
the speaker.
MOTIONS FOR WHICH
THE DELEGATE MUST HAVE THE FLOOR
1. Recess.
2. Adjournment.
3. Amendment.
4. Amendment to the
Amendment.
5. Tabling the resolution.
6. Moving to the previous
question.
1.
Chair summarizes purpose of the meeting and
background to date on the issue before the Council.
2. Delegates give their opening speeches.
3.
Rights of reply are entertained after every three
opening speeches; maximum one for and one against per
speech (30 seconds).
4.
The Chair entertains resolutions from the floor.
5.
The chosen delegate reads the operative clauses.
6.
The debate times are entertained and voted on.
7.
The speaker explains the resolution.
8.
The speaker entertains points of information on the question, and may not refuse to accept.
9.
When the debate time ends it may be extended, the
question may be moved is tabled or amendments may be
proposed.
10. The maximum time for an issue is 2 hours, and for any one resolution is 1 and ½ hours.
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