MUN CRASH COURSE

Motion to Open Debate (needs ⅔ majority) Basically starts the committee.

Roll Call (present or present and voting) If you vote present, you can abstain from voting on resolutions

Motion to set the Agenda (only applies to committees with multiple topics) needs two speakers
for and two against

Motion to Set the Speakers List (needs simple majority) if you motion you are added first on the list. It
is good to get on the list as early as possible. Also, AS SOON AS YOU MAKE YOUR FIRST SPEECH
ON THE SPEAKERS LIST, SEND A NOTE TO THE CHAIR ASKING TO BE RE-ADDED. The default
speaking time is 1 min 30 sec with two 30 sec comments. Always listen carefully to speeches so that
you can make comments. The more comments, the more points you get. It is good TRY TO HAVE A
COMMENT FOR EVERY SPEECH. The more engaged you are the better. Also, it’s good to take notes

Usually committees will run through the speakers list for a good amount of time. The first run through
of the Speakers List is basically everyone’s opening speeches. After you feel that a decent amount
of speeches were given and country positions of maybe ten or so countries are pretty clear, you can
motion for either an Unmoderated or Moderated Caucus.

Unmoderated Caucus
To motion for an unmod, you only need the specified time of the unmod. Delegates can roam
freely about the room to discuss solutions and form blocs (groups of countries with similar
views). Also, unmoderated caucus is where you can start to write resolutions. Try to lead
conversations and be very social and active in the room. NEVER SIT DOWN ALONE. ALWAYS
BE ENGAGED in a conversation of some sort. If you have a partner, it is better to split up and
have separate conversations with different people and then meet up and quietly discuss once
the caucus is over.
e.g. “Motion for an unmoderated caucus for 10 minutes”

Moderated Caucus
In order to motion for a moderated caucus, you need the topic, full duration, and individual
speaking time. This is where the chair individually picks on countries to speak, rather than
following a list. If you are far down the speakers list, this is a good way to get in another speech.
A moderated caucus is for debating smaller issues within the bigger problem e.g. the main topic
is nukes in Iran an example moderated caucus topic would be whether it would be good to use
military intervention to solve the issue. Moderated caucuses can also be on generic topics such
as “resolutions” or “possible solutions”. It is ALWAYS good to talk during moderated caucuses.
e.g. Motion for a moderated caucus for 10 minutes with a 30 second speaking time for the
purpose of debating possible resolutions

After a good amount of speeches and unmods, resolutions blocs should have a resolution pretty much
done. The next thing to do is to present and vote on the resolutions
Motion to Present Resolutions during this time, you would have a few people from each group
literally read the resolution word for word. Sometimes it conferences has everyone who wrote it
present, but sometimes they only have a fraction of the people who wrote it present it, and since it is
beneficial to present, make sure you establish yourself as one of the leaders in the group so that you
can present the resolution. The best way to decide who presents it is to basically self-appoint yourself
along with the other “leaders” in the bloc. This way you have others to support your claim to the
presentation.

Motion to Move into Voting Bloc Needs two speakers for and two against. The basic arguments for
are “we have debated enough and we are running out of time”. The basic arguments against are “this
problem is really big and complex so we need to debate more”. People who vote against are usually
trolling to get another speech, which you can also do. During voting bloc no one is allowed to enter or
leave the room. During this time, amendments are introduced and voted on. After amendments are
dealt with, everyone votes on the actual resolutions. If you said present and voting during roll call, you
cannot abstain.

Motion to Move out of Voting Bloc basically what it sounds like

Motion to Adjourn Debate this closes the committee session for good

ADDITIONAL MOTIONS
Speakers List Motions (you can motion to change anything in the Speakers List)
Motion to eliminate comments
Motion to only have one comment
Motion to change the comments to questions
Motion to have one comment and one question
Motion to set the general speaking time to blank
Extensions
You can motion to extend caucuses up to the original time for example, if the
unmod was for 10 min you can’t ask for an extension of 15 min. Also, you can’t
extend twice, however, you can motion for the exact same caucus. e.g. Motion for
an extension of 5 min.
Motion to Suspend Debate you can temporarily close the debate for a break e.g. Lunch
POINTS
Point of Personal Privilege - If you need to use the restroom, it’s too cold, or you can’t hear
the person talking, you just say “point of personal privilege” whenever and then state what the
problem is.
Point of Order - If the chair skipped something in the MUN procedure, you can call him/her out
on it in a Point of Order e.g. “point of order, [when addressing the chair] you skipped roll call”.
Point of Information - If you had a question about a speech or something substantive you can
use a Point of Info, but it’s just easier to either send a note to the delegate or wait till unmod.
Point of Inquiry - If you have a question about the conference or about how the committee
works, you can use a Point of Inquiry to ask the chair what’s up e.g. “Point of Inquiry, what time
is lunch?”
 Model United Nations Dress Code
Formal and professional clothing is best.
● Standard delegate attire for the conference is business jacket, slacks/skirt, dress shirt (with tie
for men) and dress shoes
● During a conference, DO NOT WEAR dress sweaters, shorts, tee shirts, caps, jeans, sneakers,
and sunglasses.

What To Bring
● Pens, pencils, erasers, paper - To write notes during other people’s speeches
● Laptop & Flashdrive - Many conferences require resolutions to be typed out, but if you don’t
have a laptop, don’t sweat it
● Post-its or index cards - For note passing
● Water - Don’t want to die of dehydration
● Money for snacks - Self explanatory, but most conferences provide food
● Research Binder - a binder or folder full of information that you find on your topic. Another
good thing to have is a list of potential allies.
● A copy of your position paper - So you can reference to it anytime during the conference
incase you need a reminder of what your country is
● List of the preambulatory and operative clauses - To use when writing the resolution
● This Crash Course - this is very convenient to have when prepping for a conference and also
during committee sessions
 Resolutions
Being a primary author of a resolution is very important because you will be recognized as the leaders
in the committee which distinguishes you from everyone else for awards. Delegates generally work on
the resolution during unmoderated caucus by forming a bloc (a group of countries with the same
idealisms regarding the topic).

The Basics of a Resolution:

● Who: Who writes a resolution? Any delegate in the committee can write a resolution. The author
of a resolution is called a sponsor. Most resolutions have multiple sponsors because it takes a
group of countries to share good ideas and to come to a consensus on how to deal with the
issue at hand.

● What: What is a resolution? A resolution contains all the proposed solutions to a topic and is the
ultimate goal of the committee session.

● When/Where: When and where are resolutions written? Resolutions are usually written during
unmoderated caucus (aka informal caucus) where delegates are free to roam around the
committee to collaborate on ideas with each other. Resolution-writing becomes more focused
during the latter sessions of committee when different country policies are clear and different
ideas have been mentioned already.

● Why: The ultimate purpose of a committee session is to pass a resolution. All the speeches,
debate, negotiation, and teamwork is supposed to lead up to a resolution which contains all the
proposed solutions to the issue. The resolution(s) that the majority of the committee agrees
upon will be passed during voting bloc. Don’t be surprised if none of the resolutions pass.

(How to Write a Resolution, next page)

 How to Write a Resolution:
How do I write a resolution and what does the format look like? First, here is an example of how a
resolution looks like:

A resolution is simple
and consists of 3 main
parts:
1. Heading
2. Pre-amb Clauses
3. Operative Clauses

1. Heading
a. The heading contains four pieces of information: The committee name, the sponsors, the
signatories, and the topic. The sponsors are the authors of the resolution and the
signatories are the other delegates in the committee who do not necessarily agree with
the resolution but would like to see it debated.
2. Pre-ambs (Pre-ambulatory) Clauses
a. The pre-ambs state all the issues that the committee wants to resolve on the issue. It
may state reasons why the committee is working on this issue and highlight previous
international actions on the issue.

b. To write a pre-amb clause, you first take a statement that you want to write about. You
then take that statement, combine it with an underline pre-amb phrase (attached), and
end it with a comma.
c. Strategy Tip: In general, you want fewer pre-amb clauses than operative clauses. More
operative clauses convey that you have more solutions than you have problems.

3. Operative Clauses
a. Operative clauses state the solutions that the sponsors of the resolution proposes to
resolve the issues. The operative clauses should address the issues specifically
mentioned in the pre-amb clauses above it.

b. To write an operative clause, you first take a solution that you want to include in the draft
resolution. Take that solution, combine it with an underlined operative phrase (attached),
 and end it with a semicolon (the last operative clause ends with a period). Operative
clauses are also numbered.
c. Strategy Tip: Usually more details in an operative clause will make it stronger or at least
make the idea more clear to other delegates. A simple way to strengthen each operative
clause is to answer the “who, what, when, where, why, and how” of each resolution.
These details can actually be broken down into sub-operative clauses underneath the
main operative clause.

AMENDMENTS:
Approved draft resolutions are modified through amendments. An amendment is a written statement
that add, deletes, or changes an operative clause in a resolution. The amendment process is used to
strengthen consensus on a resolution by allowing delegates to change the operative clauses. There are
2 types of amendments:

1. Friendly amendment: A change to the draft resolution that all sponsors agree with. After the
amendment is signed by all of the draft resolution’s sponsors and approved by the committee
chair, it will automatically be incorporated into the resolution. Must be a sponsor to make a
friendly amendment.

2. Unfriendly amendment: A change that some or all of the draft resolution’s sponsors do not
support and must be voted upon by the committee. Also refers to delegates who did not write
this resolution at all but see potential in it as long as several changes are made to it. The
sponsors of the amendment will need to obtain a required number of signatories in order to
introduce it. Prior to voting on the draft resolution, the committee votes on all unfriendly
amendments.

How to write an amendment:

All you have to do is make an operative clause that adds, deletes, or changes an operative clause in
the draft resolution. Examples…
● Adds an operative clause that reads “14. Encourages all Latin American countries to…”
● Deletes operative clause 9
● Changes operative clause 1 to read “1. Calls upon the Red Cross to provide low-cost
medicines…”
Preambulatory Clauses
The preamble of a draft resolution states the reasons for which the
committee is addressing the topic and highlights past international action
on the issue. Each clause begins with a present participle (called a
preambulatory phrase) and ends with a comma. Preambulatory clauses
can include:
● References to the UN Charter;
● Citations of past UN resolutions or treaties on the topic under
discussion;
● Mentions of statements made by the Secretary-General or a
relevant UN body or agency;
● Recognition of the efforts of regional or nongovernmental
organizations in dealing with the issue; and
● General statements on the topic, its significance and its impact.

Sample Preambulatory Phrases

Expecting Having examined
Affirming Emphasizing Having received
Alarmed by Expecting Keeping in mind
Approving Expressing its Noting with deep concern
Bearing in mind appreciation Noting with satisfaction
Believing Fulfilling Noting further
Confident Fully aware Observing
Contemplating Further deploring Reaffirming
Convinced Further recalling Realizing
Declaring Guided by Recalling
Deeply concerned Having adopted Recognizing
Deeply conscious Having considered Referring
Deeply convinced Seeking
Deeply Disturbed Taking into consideration
Deeply Regretting Taking note
Desiring Viewing with appreciation
Emphasizing Welcoming
Operative Clauses
Operative clauses offer solutions to issues addressed earlier in a resolution
through the perambulatory section. These clauses are action oriented and
should include both an underlined verb at the beginning of your sentence
followed by the proposed solution. Each clause should follow the
following principles:

● Clause should be numbered;

● Each clause should support one another and continue to build
your solution;
● Add details to your clauses in order to have a complete solution;
● Operative clauses are punctuated by a semicolon, with the
exception of your last operative clause which should end with a
period.

Sample Operative Phrases

Accepts Encourages Further recommends
Affirms Endorses Further requests
Approves Expresses its appreciation Further resolves
Authorizes Expresses its hope Has resolved
Calls Further invites Notes
Calls upon Deplores Proclaims
Condemns Designates Reaffirms
Confirms Draws the attention Recommends
Congratulates Emphasizes Regrets
Considers Encourages Reminds
Declares accordinglyEndorses Requests
Deplores Expresses its appreciation Solemnly affirms
Designates Expresses its hope Strongly condemns
Draws the attention Further invites Supports
Emphasizes Further proclaims Takes note of
Further reminds Transmits
Trusts

Credit goes to North Hollywood High School