Part I: Conference
1. Scope
These rules shall apply to all regular sessions of the Queen’s Model United Nations (QMUN) Assembly for all committees. These rules are self-sufficient and no other rules shall apply, unless otherwise stated in the supplemental rules for specialized agencies. In situations not covered by the rules, the Chair shall constitute the final authority.
2. Language
English shall be the official and working language of the conference. The use of gender neutral language is expected and required in committee session.
3. Officers and Staff
The Secretaries-General shall appoint the Conference Team, Chairs, Vice-Chairs, and all other staff required for the conference. They shall have the ultimate authority over the conference and may, at any time, designate a member of the Secretariat to act in their authority.
4. Statements by the Secretariat
The Secretaries-General or any member of the Secretariat may, at any time, make oral or written statements to a committee.
5. Composition of the Dais
Each committee shall have a Dais, composed of two or three members of the QMUN organizing committee. Individually or collectively, the Dais shall have the capacity to hold the office of the Chair. This status shall be transferable to other QMUN committee members.
6. Powers of the Dais
i. Authority. After the Secretariat, the Chair shall be the final authority in each committee. The Chair shall declare the opening and closing of each meeting, direct discussion, accord the right to speak, equitably and objectively recognize points and motions, put questions to a vote, announce decisions, ensure the observation of these rules, and rule on disputed points. At any time, the Chair may propose the adoption of a procedural motion without a vote by the committee.
ii. Appeals. Any decision of the Chair, with the exception of those specifically stated not to be appealed, is subject to a appeal. If a motion is made to appeal a decision, the Chair may speak briefly in defence of the ruling. The motion to appeal shall then be put to a vote, and the decision of the Chair shall stand unless overruled by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of members present.
iii. Duties. The Dais shall be responsible for maintaining the Speakers’ List, recording the Roll call at the beginning of each committee session, and recording the results of all votes in the committee.
iv. Competence of the Dais. The competence of the Dais may not be questioned by the members of the committee. However, the Secretaries-General may remove any member of the Dais if necessary. The committee members may approach the Secretariat if they so desire.
Part II: Delegates
7. Delegates
i. Rights. Each student attend the conference shall be represented by one voting delegate on a committee.
ii. Credentials. The credentials of all delegates are considered accepted upon registration.
8. Non-Members
A representative of a State of organization that is not a member of the United Nations, or a representative who holds observer status, shall have the same rights as a full membership except that he or she may not vote on substantive matters.
Part III: Quorum & Agenda
9. Quorum
i. Definition of Quorum. The Chair my declare a meeting open and permit debate when at least one quarter of the members of the committee are present. The presence of a majority of the committee shall be required for any substantive votes to be taken. If Quorum is not attained, the Chair may wait for twenty minutes and, if Quorum is still not attained, the committee shall be dismissed for the remainder of the committee session.
ii. Verification of Quorum. A Quorum shall be assumed to be present unless specifically shown to be absent. Any member may motion for a verification of Quorum. The Chair will then initiate a roll call. The Chair may rule this motion dilatory and the decision is not subject to appeal.
10. Speakers’ List
i. Primary Speakers’ List. A primary speakers’ list shall be established first to set the agenda. This speakers’ list shall remain open throughout the duration of the conference, and will be returned to upon closure or tabling of the individual topics.
ii. Secondary Speakers’ List. Once the first agenda topic is set, a secondary speakers’ list that deals with the topic in question shall be opened. Separate lists shall be established for specific procedural motions on an as needed basis.
iii. General Policy. A member may add his or her name to the list, as long as it is not already on the list, by submitting a written request to the Dais. Debate is closed automatically upon exhaustion of the speakers’ list.
11. Agenda
i. Agenda. The agenda refers to the order in which the committee shall discuss the topics. The first order of business for the committee shall be the consideration of the agenda.
a. Only topics on the provisional agenda shall be considered, except in committees designated by the Secretariat as crisis committees.
b. The Chair shall open a primary speakers' list and entertain a motion to set the first topic on the agenda.
c. In the event of such a motion, the Chair shall call for two speakers for and two speakers against.
d. If the motion carries, a secondary speakers' list shall be opened to discuss the agenda topic. If it fails, the committee shall continue general debate.
e. Once an agenda topic has been closed or tabled and all proposals concerning the topic have been voted upon, the Chair shall return to the primary speakers' list to consider the agenda again.
ii. Crisis. In a committee designated by the Secretariat to be a crisis committee, the Dais may call upon the committee to table debate on the current topic area so that a more urgent matter may be attended to immediately. After the crisis has been resolved, the committee will return automatically to debate on the tabled topic.
Part IV: Debate
12. Speeches
No member may address the committee without having obtained the permission of the Chair. The Chair may call a speaker to order if his or her remarks are not relevant to the subject matter under discussion. A speech may not be interrupted by another delegate, unless that delegate is rising on a Point of Personal Privilege or a Point of Order.
13. Time Limit on Speeches
i. Motion to set a time limit on speeches. A member of the committee may motion to set a time limit on speeches. Such a motion requires a simple majority to pass. The Chair may rule such a motion dilatory.
ii. Members exceeding the allotted time. The Chair may limit the time allowed to each speaker as agreed upon by the committee. When a speaker exceeds the allotted time, the Chair will call the speaker to order.
14. Yields
Before his or her speech, a member must declare how he or she wishes to yield his or her time. The member may yield in one of the following ways:
a. To the Chair: debate then proceeds to the next speaker on the speakers' list;
b. To Points of Information: the speaker will answer relevant questions from the floor if the speaker's time is not exhausted. Members with questions shall raise their placards and wait to be recognized by the Chair. The Chair shall have the right to call to order any delegate whose question is, in the opinion of the Chair, rhetorical or leading and not designed to elicit information. Only the speaker's answer to the question shall be counted against the remaining speech time. Follow-up questions and cross debate shall be out of order.
c. To another delegate: the member yielded to may speak for the remaining time, but may not yield it to any other member, including the original speaker, nor to Points of Information.
Only one yield is allowed: a speaker who is yielded to may not yield at all. Any member who does not yield his or her time will be assumed to have yielded to comments.
15. Comments
i. Yields and Comments. When a substantive speech involves no yields, any member may comment. The Chair will recognize two (2) thirty second (30) comments to be made by delegates other than the original speaker. This provision only applies to debate on substantive matters.
ii. Content of Comments. The content of comments must pertain solely to the preceding speech. The Chair shall call to order a speaker whose comment does not pertain solely to the preceding speech.
16. Procedural Debate
Yields and comments shall be out of order during procedural debate.
Part V: Parliamentary Matters
17. Procedural Voting
For procedural matters, each voting member has the obligation to vote. Only votes of "yes" or "no" shall be in order. A motion for a Roll Call Vote on procedural matters is never in order.
18. Point of Personal Privilege
A delegate may rise to a Point of Personal Privilege during the discussion of any matter when his or her ability to participate in the proceedings is in any way impaired. The Dais shall attempt to remove the cause of the impairment. This point may interrupt a speaker.
19. Point of Order
A delegate may rise to a Point of Order to complain of improper parliamentary procedure. The Point of Order will be ruled on immediately by the Chair. The Chair shall rule out of order any points which he or she finds dilatory or improper; such a decision is not subject to appeal. A Point of Order may interrupt a speaker. The member rising to a Point of Order may not speak on the topic of discussion.
20. Right of Reply
A delegate who feels that his or her personal or national integrity has been impugned by another delegate may request a Right of Reply immediately after the other delegate's remark. Disagreement with a speaker's remarks does not justify a Right of Reply. The Chair recognizes a delegate's request for a Right of Reply at his or her discretion; such a decision is not subject to appeal. The Dais may also limit the time allowed for a Right of Reply. A Right of Reply to a Right of Reply is out of order. This point may not interrupt a speaker.
21. Point of Parliamentary Inquiry
A delegate may rise to a Point of Parliamentary Inquiry in the chase that he or she has a question for the Dais regarding the rules of procedure. Points of Parliamentary Inquiry can neither interrupt a speaker nor be in regard to substantive matters.
Part VI: Procedural and Parliamentary Motions
22. Adjournment of the Meeting or Session
During the discussion of any matter, a member may move for the Adjournment of the Meeting to suspend all committee functions until the next scheduled meeting or the Adjournment of the Session to suspend all committee functions for the duration of the conference. This motion is not debatable and requires a simple majority to pass. The Chair may rule this motion out of order; such a decision is not subject to appeal.
23. Suspension of the Meeting
i. Moderated Caucus
Moderated caucus allows a more informal level of debate at critical points in the discussion. A motion for moderated caucus requires a simple majority to pass and is not debatable. If this motion passes, the Chair shall depart from the speakers' list and call on delegates at his or her discretion. This motion is in order at any point prior to closure of debate and immediately after the speakers' list has been closed. The delegate motioning for a moderated caucus briefly must explain the purpose of and specify a time limit for the moderated caucus. Aside from the initial proposal, there will be no speakers on this motion.
ii. Caucus
A motion to caucus is in order at any time prior to closure of debate. The member motioning for caucus briefly must explain the purpose of and specify a time limit for the caucus. The time limit is subject to the approval of the Chair. The Chair may rule this motion out of order; such a decision is not subject to appeal. If this motion is ruled in order, it is put to an immediate vote, requiring a simple majority to pass.
24. Adjournment of Debate (Tabling)
A motion to table debate may be used to end debate on a given substantive issue without having voted on the resolution. The Chair may rule such a motion out of order. If the motion is in order, the Chair may recognize two (2) speakers for and two (2) against the motion, after which the motion is put to an immediate vote requiring a simple majority to pass. If the motion passes, debate on the tabled item or topic is stopped and the item is put aside without further actions or votes of any kind. Speakers then will be recognized according to the order on the primary speakers' list.
The Chair may entertain a motion to reintroduce the adjourned topic. A motion to resume debate on a tabled item requires a two-thirds (2/3) majority to pass and shall be debatable to the extent of one speaker for and one against. If this motion passes, debate is resumed on the tabled topic. The secondary speakers' list established for that topic automatically will be reopened.
25. Closure of Debate
A member may, at any time, move for closure of debate on substantive matters under discussion. The Chair may rule such a motion out of order. If the motion is ruled in order, the Chair may recognize up to two speakers against this motion, but none in favour. This requires a two-thirds (2/3) majority to pass. If the motion passes, all draft resolutions and amendments are brought to an immediate vote. Closure of debate is automatic if the required number of speakers against is not attained.
If the speakers' list is exhausted, debate is closed automatically and all draft resolutions and amendments on the floor are brought to an immediate vote.
26. Closure of the Speakers’ List
A member may, at any time, move for closure of the speakers' list. The Chair may rule such a motion dilatory. This motion requires a two-thirds (2/3) majority to pass and is debatable to the extent of one speaker against this motion. If the motion passes, no new speakers shall be added to the list. Once the speakers' list has been exhausted, debate is closed automatically and all draft resolutions and amendments are brought to an immediate vote. After the speakers' list has been closed, it cannot be re-opened. (Note: A moderated caucus may still be called).
Part VII: Resolutions and Amendments
27. Working Papers
A working paper is a vehicle for discussion by a body. It need not conform to resolution format nor does it require sponsors or signatories. Copying and distribution of working papers will be made at the Chair's discretion.
28. Resolutions
i. Draft Resolutions. Documents submitted to the Dais in proper resolution format will be considered and referred to as draft resolutions. The term "resolution" is to be used only in reference to documents already passed by that body or other UN bodies.
ii. Format. Draft resolutions must be written in proper resolution format, as outlined in the QMUN Delegate Handbook. Copying, distribution, and introduction of draft resolutions will occur upon approval of the draft resolution by the Dais.
iii. Classification. Draft resolutions will be classified by the Chair and must be referred to by members of the committee as per this classification.
iv. Sponsors. A minimum of two (2) nations must be designated as sponsors of a draft resolution in order for it to be approved by the Dais.
v. Signatories. A draft resolution must have the signatures of a minimum of one-fifth (1/5) of the total members of the committee, as determined by the Dais, in order to be approved and introduced. Sponsors are considered signatories. Delegates may sign a draft resolution even though they do not support the document in question; signatories only wish to bring the draft resolution to debate.
29. Introduction
A delegate may rise to introduce a draft resolution or amendment, upon its approval by the Dais and distribution to members of the body. This introduction is procedural; therefore, yields and comments are out of order. Adoption of this motion shall be at the Chair's discretion. Sponsors will be invited by the Chair to read out the draft resolution to the body. Introductions by a sponsor during a speech will be considered out of order.
30. Question and Answer Period
Immediately following the introduction of a draft resolution, any delegate other than a sponsor may move for a question and answer period. When making the motion, the delegate shall specify a length and speaking time for the question and answer period. This motion passes on a simple majority. Once the period has begun, delegates recognized randomly by the Chair may ask questions to the sponsors of the draft resolution. These questions must pertain only to the draft resolution and the Chair shall call to order any delegate who does not respect this rule. Once the question has been posed, one sponsor may respond to the question within the allotted speaking time. This pattern shall continue until the time allotted for the question and answer period has elapsed or no delegates wish to ask questions.
31. Competence
A motion to question the competence of a body to discuss a draft resolution or amendment is in order only if made immediately following the introduction of the draft resolution or amendment. The motion requires one speaker in favour and one opposed and requires a two-thirds (2/3) majority to pass. If the motion passes, the document will be withdrawn from the committee and cannot be reintroduced.
32. Amendments
Substantive amendments to pre-ambulatory clauses are never in order.
i. Non-substantive. Amendments to draft resolutions to correct errors in spelling or format are considered non-substantive and shall be incorporated as part of the original draft resolution without a vote. Final decision on non-substantive amendments will be made by the Dais.
ii. Friendly. Substantive amendments approved by all sponsors of the draft resolution and approved by the Dais are considered friendly and are added to the draft resolution without a vote. Friendly amendments may be further amended through the unfriendly amendment process.
iii. Unfriendly. Substantive amendments not receiving approval from all sponsors of the draft resolution are considered unfriendly and requires signatures from one-fifth (1/5) of the total members of the committee, as determined by the Dais, and the approval of the Dais to be introduced. Unfriendly amendments are voted on separately upon closure of debate. Amendments to unfriendly amendments are out of order.
33. Withdrawal
i. Draft Resolutions and Friendly Amendments. A draft resolution or a friendly amendment may be withdrawn from the consideration of the committee if all the sponsors so desire.
ii. Unfriendly Amendments. An unfriendly amendment may be withdrawn from the consideration of the committee if all the signatories so desire.
iii. Reintroduction. Withdrawn draft resolutions and amendments may be introduced by obtaining the signatures of one-fifth (I/5) of the members of the committee, as determined by the Dais. Such draft resolutions and amendments will be voted on following closure of debate.
Part VIII: Voting
34. Present and Voting
Members recorded as "present and voting" by the Dais may cast only an affirmative or negative vote. Members who reserve the right to abstain on substantive matters are considered not voting and should note this during roll call.
35. Voting Procedure
Following announcement by the Chair that voting has commenced; no one may enter or exit the chamber until the voting procedure is completed. All motions shall be considered out of order with the exceptions of motions to Divide the Question, for a Roll Call Vote, an Important Question, a Point of Parliamentary Inquiry, a Point of Personal Privilege, or a Point of Order in reference to the actual conduct of voting.
36. Method of Voting
Each member shall have one vote. Quota voting on amendments and draft resolutions shall be applicable only in the International Monetary Fund committee. All matters shall be voted upon by a show of placards. Delegates must vote "yes," "not," or "abstain" (where applicable). No member may cast a vote on behalf of another member.
i. Roll Call Vote. A motion may be made to have a Roll Call Vote only on a substantive matter. This motion is subject to the approval of the Chair; such a decision is not subject to appeal. The roll shall be done alphabetically, either from the beginning of the alphabet or starting with a randomly chosen member.
ii. Pass. During a Roll Call Vote, a member may pass, in which case he or she is placed at the end of the voting roll. Members who pass during the first sequence of voting cannot pass a second time and must cast a vote in the affirmative or negative only.
37. Rights of Explanation
Members may request a Right of Explanation after stating their response. Upon completion of voting, each member will be given the opportunity to state an explanation directly related to their response. The Chair may limit the time allowed for such an explanation.
38. Voting on Amendments
If an unfriendly amendment has been moved to a draft resolution, the amendment shall be voted on first. If two (2) or more amendments have been made to the proposal, the committee shall vote on the amendments in the order of their introduction to the body. Where the adoption of one amendment necessarily implies the rejection of another, the latter shall not be voted on. A simple majority is required to adopt an amendment; a tie will result in the failure of the amendment. Following the adoption or rejection of all amendments, the draft resolution in its resulting form shall be put to a vote.
39. Division of the Question
A member may motion to vote on the operative clauses of the draft resolution individually or in groups. This motion is in order immediately preceding a vote on the resolution. Motions to divide perambulatory clauses will be ruled out of order. A delegate motioning to Divide the Question must specify a method for dividing the question. If there is more than one (1) proposal to divide the question, the motions shall be voted on in order of the most destructive to the least destructive to the spirit of the draft resolution, as determined by the Chair. The motion is debatable to the extent of two (2) speakers in favour and two (2) opposed. A simple majority is required to pass a motion for Division of the Question. If a motion passes, the divisions are put to an immediate vote; only those that pass are incorporated into the final draft resolution. If all operative clauses are voted upon and fail, the resolution is considered to have failed.
40. Voting on Resolutions
More than one (1) resolution may be passed on any given agenda topic.
i. Majority. A simple majority of the members present is required for a draft resolution to pass, unless a motion successfully passes to decide on a draft resolution as an Important Question. Exceptions may be made according to an addendum in the Rules of Procedure for certain specialized agencies.
ii. Tie. If voting on a draft resolution ends in a tie, the draft resolution fails.
Part IX: Precedence
41. Precedence
Motions shall be considered in the following decreasing order of precedence:
i. Parliamentary Points
a. Points that may interrupt a speaker:
- Point of Personal Privilege (Rule 18)
- Point of Order (Rule 19)
b. Point that is in order only when the floor is open:
- Point of Parliamentary Inquiry (Rule 21)
ii. Procedural motions that are not debatable
- Adjournment of the Meeting, Session (Rule 22)
- Suspension of the Meeting (Rule 23)
- Moderated Caucus (Rule 23.1)
- Caucus (Rule 23.2)
iii. Procedural motions that are applicable to a resolution or amendment under consideration
a. During debate:
- Adjournment of Debate (Rule 24)
- Closure of Debate (Rule 25)
- Competence (Rule 31, in order only immediately after the introduction of a resolution or amendment)
b. Upon closure of debate:
- Division of the Question (Rule 39)
iv. Substantive Motions
Resolutions (Rule 28)
Amendments (Rule 32)
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