Motions Explained

Question 1

Orders of the day

Answer 1

It is a call to return to the topic at hand during debate. It is used to call a speaker back to the present subject of they have significantly drifted from it
Can interrupt and doesn’t need recognition
It is not a priv point
If there is an objection the chair can take a vote - majority required to pass
The decision of chair is final in controversial issues. Chair may simply make a decision without a vote
There cannot be an objection to an orders of the day called by a chair
Chair uses his or her judgement to call it out of order

Question 2

Point of parliamentary inquiry

Answer 2

It is called when a delegate wishes to get info regarding parliamentary procedure
Chair must answer the question
Chair should encourage its use so the members understand what is happening
It’s use is unlimited but if the point is being misused it may be suspended
It may not interrupt but can be used in between speakers

Question 3

Point of information

Answer 3

A short statement followed by a short question
When to the speaker: must pertain to the points brought up during his or her speech
When to the chair: must pertain to EAMUN conference proceedings or a request to approach
The speaker may choose not to respond but a chair must
Each speaker can be open to a max of 3 points of info after their speech
A speaker against a main motion or amendment must be open to at least one point of info
Only one question per point of info. No 2 way conversation
If the delegate asks 2 questions call them out of order and ask them to choose one
If a delegate asks a long or irrelevant ask them to rephrase
It can be used at anytime except voting
Cannot interrupt

Question 4

Request to follow up

Answer 4

When the speaker has answered a point of info the mover of the point can request to follow up
The request is addressed to the chair who may refuse to entertain it
The decision is based on the chairs discretion and the quality of the response given by the speaker and time
This motion is used when the mover of a point of info wants to get more info or clarify something
Only one request to follow up will be entertained per point of info and 2 way convo will still be out of order
Speaker may decline to answer it

Question 5

Point of order

Answer 5

It is used to indicate that a chair has made a mistake in parliamentary procedure
The chair corrects their mistake but doesn’t apologize
It point is late it is our of order it must be called at the earlier point for it to be in order
It make interrupt the chair only
Use is unlimited if misused may be suspended
Must pertain to an error inviting if called during then

Question 6

Point of privilege

Answer 6

It refers to the rights, privileges, comfort, and dignity of delegates
Has the highest precedence
It can pertain to audibility, comfort and dignity
Usually not voted unless controversy- majority vote
It can be used at any time including voting procedures but only due to audibility
Insult - chair determines the situation and reminds the speaker to use diplomatic language and refrain from insulting other members and that continued insults with result to in loss of the floor
The decision of the chair is final in such matters and may only be contested by an appeal
In both stages of debate on points of priv on audibility and insults can interrupt the speaker

Question 7

Appeal

Answer 7

Motion to overturn an arbitrary decision of the chair
Applies to arbitrary decisions not decisions made according the to the written rules of parliamentary procedure
A delegate cannot appeal an appeal
There can be no objections to the withdrawal of an appeal
Appeal doesn’t need recognition, can be called immediately after the chair has made an arbitrary decision.
If motion is late it is out of order
So it must be called at the soonest possible opportunity for it to be in order. An appeal cannot interrupt. Delegate cannot appeal an appeal
No objections to withdraw the motion

Question 8

Appeal procedure

Answer 8

Motion is called
Chair: there is an appeal to the decision of the chair, which decision is the delegate referring to?
If appeal is valid, the chair will explain why the decision was made. Then will call for a second. If seconded chair: if the appeal fails the delegate will be removed indefinitely from the assembly would the mover like to withdraw?
If not withdrawn the chair moves into voting procedures, 1/3 upholds the chair and 2/3+1 overturns the chair.

Question 9

Withdraw a motion

Answer 9

Request by the sponsor to remove their motion from the floor before any final action is taken on it (second/vote)
Request can only be made by sponsor
For 13 or 15 the withdraw must be called before the second
Motions frequently withdrawn-appeals, amendment, main motion and vote of no confidence
Delegate may not object to withdrawal of an appeal, reconsider, and vote of no confidence

Question 10

Procedure of withdraw a motion

Answer 10

Sponsor calls to withdraw their motion. Chair: there is a call to withdraw this motion. if there are no objections the delegate will be permitted to withdraw their motion, if so; chair: there has been an objection is the mover willing to sponsor the resolution. If the objector is not willing the motion will be withdrawn if they are the assembly moved into voting procedures, maj. is required withdraw the motion is failed the motion is debated with the objector as the new sponsor

Question 11

OTC

Answer 11

A move to discard a resolution from the agenda - applies only to main motion
Passes with a 2/3+1 vote against the resolution
Can only be used in committee, no Security council, GAC and GA
Must be called after the chair has called for a second but before the assembly seconds it. If second and otc are called simultaneously the chair must consider the otc because it has a higher precedence than main motion
The chair can refuse to entertain an otc at any point if the motion is perceived to be purely destructive
If an 8 has been defeated then 9 is out of order for that resolution
If 8 fails the chair should rmr to ask for a second for the resolution be of removing into debate

Question 12

Procedure for otc

Answer 12

Otc is called
Chair: there is an objection to the consideration of this motion. The mover has 30sec to explain why he OTCs this resolution
The sponsor of the reso had 30sec to explain why the resolution should be considered. These speeches can only be interrupted by ootd
The chair then calls for vote on motion

Question 13

Lay on table

Answer 13

Aims to temporarily set aside a reso with the intention of returning to it
Applied to 15 only
Can only be notify up in debate time against the reso on which debate time is frozen
Chair: there is a call to table this reso, is there a second?
If seconded motion is voted on
A tabled reso can be brought back with take from table
9 is out of order if OTC failed for given motion
If 9 fails it cannot be called again in same stage of debate

Question 14

Take from table

Answer 14

Motion to bring back a previously tables reso
2/3+1 required to pass
May be called in time for or against any other reso
Mover must have the floor, debate time is frozen
Anyone can propose motion
Reso laid in committee cannot be brought back in GA
Motion has unlimited use
If it passes the reso will be debated at the end of the agenda if time allows

Question 15

Previous question

Answer 15

Request to close debate time before time expires- result of stagnant debate
Requires no recognition-just called out
Only ever in order at the end of active
Chair must ask assembly if there are any requests for the floor 3 times before calling it
Cannot be withdrawn

Question 16

Extend debate

Answer 16

Request for additional debate time on main motion or amendment
GA-only 1 extension per motion
Committee-up to the chair
Only applies to main motion or amendment
In GA and committees extensions can be offered at the discretion of the chair depending on quality of debate, length of agenda and time available
It is entertained after debate time against expires but can be called after debate time for or against
The chair can call for extension and is only encouraged if quality of debate is good
Motion cannot be withdrawn

Question 17

Amendment

Answer 17

Addition, deletion or substitution to a resolution-aims to strengthen resolution
Only less than half of operative clauses can be amended
2 copies of amendment form must be filled out and the chair should receive one copy before mover receives flooring
An amendment may be brought up at anytime provided the mover has the floor and has submitted a copy of the amendment
Sponsor of reso cannot make a formal amendment
When it is proposed debate time is frozen
If amendment is weak chair may refuse to entertain it
1 amendment per reso per stage of debate

Question 18

What must an amendment form contain?

Answer 18

Title of resolution
Sponsor of resolution
Sponsor of amendment 
Text of amendment
Exact location of amendment

Question 19

Procedure for formal amendment

Answer 19

Mover reads it out and chair asks delegates to take note of it
Then chair asks for a second
If seconded->debate time for ->debate time against
Speakers against must be open to at least one point of info
Then voting-majority required to pass it
If it passes debate picks off from where it was left now debating amended reso
If it fails debate just continues

Question 20

Friendly amendment

Answer 20

May only be moved by sponsor of reso
Made before reso is seconded
Cannot change content only corrects minor spelling and grammatical errors
Can only be proposed in committee not GA or GAC
Has no second, debate or voting. Sponsor may propose friendly amendment if chairs feeling it is in order the will ask assembly to note it down then carry on with reading of reso or second.

Question 21

Reconsider

Answer 21

Motion to bring backs passed or failed reso
Someone on the winning side has changed his or her mind and wishes to re debate and revote on s certain reso
It is not a simple revote
Before vote is taken on a reconsidered reso there should be 6mins of open debate
Not debatable
Use of this motion should be discouraged as agendas are usually already long
Cannot object to withdraw of a reconsider
Reconsider may be used in GA and GAC but not Security council

Question 22

Reconsider procedure

Answer 22

Mover must have the floor
Mover: I would like to reconsider a resolution
Chair asks which resolution and the mover states the topic of reso
Chair asks which way the mover voted-they must be on the winning side
Chair asks for a second
If seconded- chair: the delegate has 30secs to explain why assembly should reconsider this reso-uninterrupted speech only ootd maybe call
If there is a valid reason the assembly will move into voting
2/3+1 is required to pass a reconsider
If it passes the redebate and revote takes places at the end of agenda if time allows. The reconsidered motion is then treated as main motion

Question 23

Main motion

Answer 23

It refers to a resolution
Lowest precedence-doesn’t apply to other motions but other motions apply to it
Chair must be alert and listen to motions called out during a main motion and make sure they’re valid
Passed resolutions of committee stages are collated and debated in GA
Only reconsider can bring back defeated resos and only in the same stage of debate

Question 24

Main motion procedure

Answer 24

Chair: the next resolution on the agenda is…the sponsor…has the floor
Speaker takes the floor and reads out the resolution
Chair asks for a second
If seconded-> Chair: the assembly will now move into - debate time for the resolution. If not seconded-> resolution is discarded
Once time for expires assembly moves into debate time against
All speakers in time against must be open to at least one point of info
The chair then gives sponsor 1min to rebut any points from their seat
The resolution is voted on
Chair announces whether resolution failed or not
Chair then moves into right to explain vote if time allows

Question 25

Vote of no confidence

Answer 25

It is called because a delegate feels like the chair is incompetent and not fit to preside over the assembly
A motion to have the current chair replaced due to lack of faith in their chairing abilities
A vote of no confidence takes precedence over all other motions
Withdraw of motion cannot be objected to

Question 26

Vote of no confidence procedure

Answer 26

Delegate: I would like to call a vote of no confidence in the chair
Chair: there is a vote of no confidence in the chair. Has the mover brought up a valid appeal or point of order against the chair?
If not the motion is dismissed and regarded as dilatory with the delegate being warned that a vote of no confidence is grounds for removal from the assembly. If the mover has the chair re-explains their earlier decision and justifies their overall performance
Chair asks mover if they would like to withdraw their motion if they choose to do so the chair moves on with pending question. If not the chair asks for a second
If motion is seconded chair warns mover that he will be asked 3 questions regarding parliamentary procedure(content is up to the chair) and that 2/3+1 vote for is required to pass the motion and failure to answer questions correctly or failed vote will result in expulsion from the EAMUN program. If all questions are answered correctly and the vote passes the mover will assume the responsibilities of the chair for the rest of the allotted time
Delegate is asked again if they would like to withdraw their motion
If they do so they are officially warned. If not the chair moved on to asks the questions
The securitaries will surround the delegate to ensure they are not cheating while answering questions
If any questions are answered incorrectly or vote fails, mover is removed from the assembly and is dealt with by the exec committee

Question 27

The withdrawal of which motions cannot be objected to?

Answer 27

Appeal
Reconsider
Vote of no confidence

Question 28

Motions that cannot be withdrawn

Answer 28

Previous question

Extend debate

Question 29

Motions frequently withdrawn

Answer 29

Appeals
Amendment
Mainmotions
Vote of no confidence