GWCMUN Procedure

Flow of Debate:
1. Attendance
2. General Speakers list (Opening Speeches)
3. Setting the Agenda (chose one Topic to discuss)
4. General Speaker’s list (debate on Topic as a whole)
5. Unmoderated Caucus (to discuss working papers)
6. Working paper is proposed
7. Speaker’s list (debate on Working Paper)
8. Steps 4 and 5 may be repeated several times at this point
9. Vote to select the best 2 working papers to be written into a draft resolution
10. Debate on the Resolutions

Debate on Resolutions
1. Delegates submit draft resolution to chair and await approval
2. Once approved, the delegate may motion to introduce the draft resolution
3. Sponsors read out operative clauses
4. (optional) Panel of Authors: Q&A session with sponsor to clarify anything related to
the wording/content of the resolution
5. Speaker’s List on Resolution as a whole
6. (optional) Amendments:
a. delegates send amendments to chairs via email (alternatively written on a
note paper), requiring signatures from at least 1/8 of committee members.
Delegates may motion to introduce an amendment; these are entertained in
the order that they were submitted in.
b. Submitter reads out amendment
c. 2 speeches in favour / 2 speeches against (alternating)
d. Voting
7. Concluding Speeches (2 in favour / 2 against in alternating order)
8. Voting (substantive)

Timing
- General Speaker’s List: 1:30/speech
- Amendments: 1:00/speech
- For/Against resolution: 1:30/speech
- Unmoderated Caucus: max 20 minutes

Voting Procedure
- Procedural votes:
o all delegates must vote / NO abstentions
o ex: motions (motions always require “seconds” if there are none they will not
be entertained. Only if there are “objections” to the motion, a vote will be
necessary)
- Substantive votes:
o all delegates must vote / abstentions allowed
o ex: resolution as a whole
- No voting by roll call or division of the question
 - Voting “with rights” (justifying your vote) may be in order at the discretion of the
chair (allow up to 30 seconds for speech after vote)

Terminology
- Unmoderated Caucus: lobbying time in which debate is paused and delegates are
allowed to talk to one another. Chairs listen to discussion and may potentially steer
delegates in the right direction.
- General Speaker’s List: basically the same as “open” debate (delegates can motion or
send a note to be added to the speakers list. The list is extended in advance so that
no matter what happens, there is always someone to hold the floor). Whenever
there are no motions in the house or closed debate has ended, the committee
reverts back to the GSL.
- Moderated Caucus: basically the same as “closed” debate (ex: on an amendment)
although we will most likely not be having these at the conference
- Sponsors: same as main submitters – the de facto “leader” of the draft resolution
- Signatories: same as co-submitters – support the resolution but don’t have to agree
fully with it.