- Rules
These rules shall apply to all regular sessions of the Catholic Schools Model United Nations Assembly. - Authority of Rules
The authority of these rules derive from Article 21 of the United Nations Charter and shall constitute the prime authority for procedural matters. In cases not covered by these rules, the decision of the Chair shall constitute the authority for procedural matters. - Amendments to Rules
The rules of procedure may be amended by unanimous vote of the Secretariat.
Agenda
- Amendments to Agenda
A simple majority vote is required to change the order in which agenda topics will be discussed. Debate on amendments to agenda shall be limited to one speaker in favour and two speakers opposed
Chair
- Powers of the Chair
In addition to exercising the powers conferred on him/her elsewhere in the rules, the Chair shall declare the opening and closing of each meeting of the Assembly, direct the discussion during the session, ensure the observance of these rules, accord the right to speak, put forward questions, announce decisions, and perform any other actions deemed necessary to the success of the Assembly. He/she shall rule on points of order, and subject to the rules, shall have complete control of the proceedings of the Assembly and the maintenance of order therein. - Impartiality of the Chair
The Chair shall maintain complete impartiality on each question considered in the Assembly. The Chair may not vote on any matter being considered in the Assembly. - Statement of the Chair
The Chair may, according to his/her discretion, make a short statement to the Assembly for the purposes of clarifying or facilitating debate or ensuring the successful proceedings of the Assembly. - Conferral of Authority
The Chair may, as he/she deems necessary, appoint another person to act in his/her place, who shall then have the same powers and duties of the Chair. If it is impossible for the Chair to appoint an interim Chair, then any other member of the Secretary may do so
Meetings
- Roll Call
At the beginning of each meeting, the Chair shall take the attendance of the delegations. - Silent Prayer or Meditation
Immediately after the opening of the General Assembly, the Chair shall invite the delegates to observe one minute of silence devoted to prayer or silent reflection. - Language
English is the working language of the Assembly. Delegates are not to expect translation/interpretation to be provided by the Chair
Motions
- Recognition by the Chair
To be recognized by the Chair, a delegate must rise and address the Chair, “i.e. Madam Chair? If recognized, the delegate must state the contention of his/her point, beginning by addressing the Chair. After being acknowledged, the delegate may then state his/her point, once again beginning by addressing the Chair. - Resolutions
Unless otherwise administered by the Chair, only resolutions introduced in writing and distributed to all delegations will be discussed or put to vote. - Amendments
Any motion to change any part of a resolution are considered to be an amendment. Preambles may not be amended in any way. - Censure
A delegate may move on a privileged motion for the censure of another delegate, delegation, or an officer of the Chair if he/she feels that the delegate, delegation, or officer has been consistently and purposefully out of order. Debate on a motion of censure is limited to two speakers in favour and two against. - Points of Order
Points of order are used to introduce a motion. Furthermore, a delegate may rise on a point of order if he/she feels that some irregularity in procedure has occurred. The Chair shall rule on all points of order. - Right of Personal Privilege
A delegate may rise on a point of personal privilege in order to bring to the attention of the Chair some physical discomfort which is disrupting the proper functioning of the Assembly. - Right of Reply
A delegate may rise to request a right of reply if he/she feels that his/her personal country has been insulted, misquoted, or misconstrued by the speaker on the floor. The Chair may accord the delegate the right of reply, and may ask the allegedly offending delegate if he or she wants to apologize. - Points of Information
A delegate may rise immediately after another delegate’s speech on a resolution to question the speaker on the floor on the substance of his/her speech before the Assembly. One question is permitted for each point of information. The speaker who has the floor may refuse to answer. - Supplementary
On rare occasions, delegates may request that the Chair grant them a supplementary, following a point of information. Supplementaries are only to be granted for the purposes of the clarification of an answer given to a point of information, and may not be used to introduce a new point of information. Supplementaries are granted solely at the discretion of the Chair. - Information Directed Toward the Chair
A delegate may direct a point of information toward the Chair when uncertain of procedural matters. A delegate may not interrupt a speaker on a point of information directed toward the Chair.
Speaking
- Speaking Rights
No delegate may address the Assembly without having received permission of the Chair. The Chair may call a speaker to order if his/her remarks are not relevant to the subject under discussion. - Speakers’ List
After a resolution has been presented, the Chair shall declare the Speakers’ List open. Delegates wishing to speak shall signify their desire through written notes to the Chair.
Voting
- Voting Rights
Each member nation of the Assembly shall have one vote. - Conduct During Voting
After the Chair has announced the beginning of a vote, no delegate may interrupt except on a point of order relating to voting procedures. No delegates may be permitted to leave the Assembly for the duration of voting procedure.
Order
- Foreign Policy
Participation in CSUNA requires delegates to accurately and realistically represent their nations. A delegate may rise on a point of order if he/she feels that a delegation has committed a serious breach of its country’s foreign policy and shall be required to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Chair that the breach is sufficiently serious to warrant the attention to the Assembly. As a last resort, a major breach of foreign policy is grounds for the censure of the delegation.
