List of points and motions Points Rising to Points: General information Points during the debate are always a personal matter; hence they never require a second. Points during debate may NOT interrupt a speaker except for a Point of Personal Privilege, which refers to audibility. All other points will be dealt with only when there is a debating pause, i.e. when the speaker having the floor yields to points of information, to another delegation, or to the Chair. Point of Personal Privilege This point always refers to the personal comfort and well-being of a delegate and is therefore not debatable nor does it require a second. It may only interrupt a speaker when it refers to audibility. Example: “Could the windows please be closed? It is getting cold in here.” Point of Order This point refers to mistakes in the rules of procedure, i.e. the Chair making a mistake in debating time or when a delegate insults another delegate. It is not debatable and may never interrupt a speaker. Point of Information to the Speaker This point is a question directed to the delegate having the floor, and who has indicated that he/she is willing to yield to points of information. After a delegate finishes his/her speech a Chair should always ask whether or not the delegate is open to any points of information, before recognizing delegates to ask such a point. The point must always be formulated as a question, i.e. ‘Is the speaker aware of the fact…’ A short introductory statement may precede the question. When the delegate asking this point feels a more specified answer is needed, the delegate may want to ask another point, the delegate does this through a ‘request for a follow up’. This may only be done once consecutively, the Chair may decide to grant this or not. Example: “Could the honourable delegate, as she is the main submitter of this resolution, please explain to the house what she intends with clause 3?” Point of Information to the Chair This point is a question to the Chair, which could refer to almost anything, from issues to personal priorities. It may never interrupt a speaker. Please answer clearly and swiftly in order to move on with the debate quickly. Example: “At what time do we adjourn for lunch?” or “Could the Chair inform the house whether Western Sahara is a sovereign state?” 18 Point of Parliamentary Inquiry This is a point of information to the Chair concerning Rules of Procedures, which may never interrupt a speaker. Example: “Could the Chair please explain to the house what is meant by closed debate?” Motions Motions: General information Different than points, motions involve the committee as a whole, and therefore always need a ‘second’. Similarly, a delegate is also allowed to object to a motion. Motion to Move the previous question (Motion to move to Voting Procedure) When this motion is called in an open debate, it means that the house will be moving to the voting procedure. When it is called in a closed debate there are two situations: if it is the time in favour, the motion calls for moving to the time against; if it is the time against, the motion calls for moving to the voting procedure. It is also known as the “Motion to Move to Voting Procedure.” Remember that it requires a second and it may not interrupt a speaker. In any case of objections from the house, the final decision is up to the Chairs. Do not forget that Chairs have the right to overrule the motions. Motion to adjourn the debate This motion calls for a break in the debate and if passed the debate will come to an immediate end, but can be restarted by any member of the committee. During the debate on an issue, any delegate may move the adjournment of the issue debated on. The proposer of this motion will give a short speech on why the item should be adjourned. The Chair will then recognise two speakers in favour and two against this motion, the Chair may limit the time of the speakers but please be consistent. For this motion to pass, a simple majority is needed. Tied results, mean that the motion has failed. Try to prevent this motion from being used, as it will not ensure an efficient debate. Motion to table a resolution This motion is prohibited during MUNA. Motion to extend debate time This motion asks for more time to debate. It is at the Chairs discretion, thus not debatable. A second is needed, if proposed from the floor. Motion for the division of the house This motion calls for the Chairs to ask each delegation separately what they vote, when voting results are very close (abstentions no longer in order). This is very time consuming and should only be used on very important votes when results are quite close or the voting procedure was not clear enough.
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