Rules of Procedure

I. General Rules

Official Language: English shall be the working language.
Decorum: Delegates must maintain diplomatic conduct. The Chair may call delegates to order if behavior is inappropriate.
Dress Code: Western business attire is required.

II. Participation & Role

Delegates represent assigned countries or organizations and must defend their positions.
Observers, if present, may speak at the Chair's discretion but may not vote.

III. Committee Flow

Roll Call → Policy Statements → Lobbying → Formal Debate (Open/Closed) → Amendments → Voting

IV. Points and Motions

Motions

Motion	Debatable?	Interrupt Speaker?	Vote Required?	Explanation
Motion to Move to Closed Debate	No	No	Simple Majority	Divides debate time into “time in favour” and “time against”.
Motion to Move to Open Debate	No	No	Simple Majority	Allows any delegate to take the floor freely regardless of their position on the topic.
Motion to Move to the Previous Question	No	No	Simple Majority	End debate on current amendment/resolution → move to vote.
Motion to Adjourn Debate	Yes (1 for, 1 against)	No	Simple Majority	Suspend debate on a resolution; effectively kills it.
Motion to Reconsider	Yes (submitter explains)	No	2/3 Majority	Reopen a previously adjourned resolution.
Motion to Suspend the Meeting	No	No	Simple Majority	"Used for breaks (lunch, end of day)."
Motion to Adjourn the Meeting	Yes	No	Simple Majority	Ends the committee session permanently.
Motion to Limit/Extend Debate Time	No	No	2/3 Majority	Alters debate time limits.
Motion to Divide the House	No	No	Second required	Repeats voting without abstentions.
Motion to Divide the Question	Yes	No	2/3 Majority	Divide a draft resolution into parts or vote on each clause separately.
Motion to Follow-Up	No	No	—	Used after a point of information; must be approved by the Chairs (only once).
Motion to Extend Points of Information	No	No	Second required	Extend the number of points of information; must be approved by Chairs and speaker.
Motion to Approach the Chairs	No	No	—	Used when a delegate wishes to speak privately with the Chairs.
Motion to Reconsider a Resolution	No	No	2/3 Majority	Specialized agencies only; re-debate a previously discussed resolution.

Points

Point	Debatable?	Interrupt Speaker?	Vote Required?	Explanation
Point of Personal Privilege	No	Yes (only due to audibility)	No	Use when you can’t hear or need physical comfort.
Point of Order	No	Yes	No	Used to correct a procedural mistake by the Chair or another delegate.
Point of Information (to the Speaker)	No	No	No	Ask the speaker a question after their speech.
Point of Parliamentary Inquiry	No	No	No	Ask the Chair about the rules of procedure.
Right of Reply	No	No	Chair’s Decision	Used if your country’s honor or integrity is insulted; must be approved by the Chair.

V. Resolutions and Amendments

Working Paper: Informal draft of a resolution.
Draft Resolution: Requires a minimum number of sponsors and signatories to be introduced.
Amendments:

Type	Need Submitter’s Approval?	Debated?	Voted On?	Explanation
Friendly Amendment	Yes	No	No	Accepted by submitter — added automatically.
Unfriendly Amendment	No	Yes	Yes	Opposed by the submitter — debated and voted on before resolution.

VI. Voting Procedure

Type of Vote	Who Votes	Abstentions Allowed?	Explanation
Procedural	All delegates	No	"Concerns debate procedure (e.g., motions)."
Substantive	Only member states	Yes	"Concerns content (resolutions, amendments)."
Majority Required	—	—	Usually simple majority (50% + 1).

Simple Majority: Most decisions (e.g., resolutions, amendments).
Two-Thirds Majority: For major decisions if specified (e.g., closing debate).
Roll-Call Vote: May be requested by any delegate.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do I need prior MUN experience to participate?: No! PyleaMUN welcomes both beginner and experienced delegates. Chairs will guide everyone through the rules.
2. What should I wear?: Western business attire is mandatory for all sessions.
3. Can I use notes or bring research materials?: Yes, you are encouraged to bring prepared notes, position papers, and research documents.
4. What is a policy statement?: It’s a concise speech summarising your understanding of the topic while clearly outlining your country's policy.
5. What happens if I miss a session?: Attendance is strongly encouraged. Excessive absence may affect your eligibility for awards or speaking rights.
6. How do awards work?: Committees grant awards like Best Delegate, Outstanding Delegate, Honorable Mention. Criteria include diplomacy, speaking, teamwork, and adherence to procedure.
7. Can I speak freely during lobbying?: Yes, but always remain respectful. Chairs may intervene if decorum breaks down.
8. Are there social events?: Yes! Stay tuned for updates on the PyleaMUN 2026 Delegate Social.
9. How are country assignments decided?: Assignments consider preferences, experience, and availability. You’ll receive your assignment via email before the conference.
10. What if I have a question during the committee?: Raise a Point of Parliamentary Inquiry to ask the Chair.