GavelGloss 📖 – PyleaMUN

Abstain from Voting / Abstention
When a country abstains from voting in a substantive vote … not possible to abstain during procedural votes.
Agenda
The topic which is to be discussed in committee … set through a “Motion to set the agenda”.
Amendment
A change to an already introduced draft resolution. It may remove, add or change existing operative clauses.
Awards
At most conferences, the best delegates of a committee are recognized … a few runner-ups.
Bloc
A group of countries that share similar interests or positions … create and pass resolutions.
Caucus
A meeting of delegates … two types: moderated and unmoderated.
Chair
Not a piece of furniture. Impartial moderator of the debate and mentor to delegates.
Committee
Simulated UN body focusing on a topic … range from 15 to 400 delegates.
Consensus
Agreement among all parties … passed by consensus rather than formal vote.
Credentials Committee
Handles disputes over rights and privileges of member states … improper use of placards.
Dais
The group of staff members who manage the committee (chair, co-chair, rapporteur).
Decorum
Order and respect during formal sessions. Chairs may call “Decorum, delegates!”.
Delegate
A participant representing a state, NGO or figure in a simulated committee.
Diplomatic Courtesy
Expectation that delegates act respectfully and professionally.
Division of the Question
Motion to vote on parts of a resolution separately.
Draft Resolution
A resolution document before it is adopted; labelled “draft” until passed.
Flow of Debate
Typical order: roll call → agenda → debate → resolutions → voting → adjournment.
Formal Debate
Standard format with timed speeches following a speakers’ list.
Friendly Amendment
An amendment all sponsors accept; inserted without a vote.
Gavel
Small hammer used by the chair; also nickname for Best Delegate award.
General Speakers’ List
Primary list of speakers that persists throughout the topic.
In favour
Supporting a motion or resolution.
Informal Debate
Less structured discussion, often during unmoderated caucus.
Moderated Caucus
Short, focused debate with rapid speeches on a sub-topic.
Motion
A procedural suggestion raised by a delegate to change committee proceedings.
Note Passing
Written communication between delegates during formal debate.
Observer
Entity with no vote but speaking rights (e.g., Vatican, Red Cross).
Operative Clause
The action portion of a resolution.
Placard
Sign with country name; raised to be recognized by the chair.
Point of Information
A question; may follow speeches or be directed at the chair.
Point of No Return
Stage after which no new motions/points are allowed, usually post-closure motion.
Point of Order
Raised to correct a procedural error.
Point of Parliamentary Inquiry
Question to the chair about rules of procedure.
Point of Personal Privilege
Request to address personal comfort/ability to participate (temperature, audibility, etc.).
Position Paper
Pre-conference document outlining a country’s stance and proposed solutions.
Preambulatory Clause
Introductory part of a resolution describing the issue and background.
Precedence
Order in which motions/points are considered.
Quorum
Minimum number of delegations required to conduct business.
Rapporteur
Dais member handling admin tasks like the speakers’ list.
Resolution
The final document of agreed measures; one long sentence with preamble + operative clauses.
Right of Reply
Opportunity to respond to a personal or national insult; at chair’s discretion.
Roll Call
Attendance check at session start.
Rules of Procedure
Conference-specific rules governing debate.
Secretary-General
Chief organizer / academic head of the conference.
Signatories
Delegations that endorse putting a draft resolution on the floor.
Simple Majority
More votes in favor than against; abstentions not counted.
Speakers’ List
Order of speakers in formal debate.
Sponsors
Authors of a draft resolution or amendment.
Study Guide
Background document from chairs to help delegates prepare.
Tabling
Motion to suspend discussion on an issue; can be taken off the table later.
The Floor
The right to speak granted by the chair.
Two-Thirds Majority
Voting threshold requiring ≥ 2⁄3 support.
Unfriendly Amendment
Amendment not supported by all sponsors; requires a vote.
Unmoderated Caucus
Free-movement discussion period for drafting and negotiations.
Veto Power
Right of the five permanent UNSC members to block adoption.
Voting – Procedural
Votes on procedure (e.g., motions); delegates cannot abstain.
Voting – Substantive
Votes on content (resolutions, sometimes amendments); abstentions allowed.
Working Paper
Initial written ideas; becomes a draft resolution once formally introduced.
Yield
Returning remaining speaking time.
Yield to Another Delegate
Hand remaining time to another delegate.
Yield to Questions
Use remaining time to answer questions.
Yield to the Chair
Return remaining time back to the chair.