THE COLOMBO MODEL UNITED NATIONS CONSTITUTIONosc.lk/comun/assets/comun-constitution.pdf · official in COMUN/ COMUN affiliated web site. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS 1) It is understood

COLOMBO MODEL UNITED NATIONS CONSTITUTION

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PREAMBLE

Constitution

1) In order for any change, substitution/deletion or addition, to the Constitution,

Procedure, Rules & Regulation- a two-third majority vote would have to be passed within

all members of the Executive Committee and the Faculty Advisor.

2) Amendment will be deemed to have been successfully implemented once declared

official in COMUN/ COMUN affiliated web site.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

1) It is understood that the Constitution is the highest authority in COMUN.

2) No Executive Committee member shall exceed the powers given to him by the

Constitution.

3) The Secretariat is ultimately responsible for enforcing the Constitution and it’s relevant

documents.

RULES & REGULATIONS

1) All the set Rules shall be followed

2) The rules shall be followed justly and fairly without any prejudice or bias to any school

or delegates based on race, color, religion, financial circumstances, social status,

contribution to society, contribution to COMUN, friendship or family relationships.

3) The maximum age of a delegate/admin shall be 22 and the minimum is 12,

- the maximum age of an EXCO member shall be 23 and the minimum is 16


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Committees

1) All committees shall be derived from the three primary organs of the UN: General

Assembly, Economic and Social Council and the Security Council.

All other committees shall be deemed to have their mandate derived from these organs.


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SECRETARIAT

Secretary General

- Authority to expel Executive Committee members & Delegates (by vote between SG, DSG,

PGA, HOA and the Faculty Advisor)

- Maintain a direct link with the Faculty Advisor and is responsible for briefing the Faculty

Advisor on issues related to COMUN

- Eligible to vote on implementing new ideas

- In charge of the Logistics Department

- Responsible for finding sponsors/ benefactors

- Responsible for organizing schools

-Eligible to vote on the theme and crisis

-Eligible to vote on choosing the Exco members

-Authority to open/close session in all committees

-Eligible to vote on the candidates of all awards

-Authority to receive and act on any complaints

-Authority to vote on upcoming Secretariat

-Set out the number of delegates per delegation in each committee

-The SG shall be the final arbiter of the validity of all credentials. Any representative to

whose admission an EXCO member objects will provisionally be seated with the same

rights as other representatives, pending a decision from the SG.

The SG has to attend and chair all meetings from commencement to conclusion. He is

accountable to the EXCO and any EXCO complaints regarding behavior and work

ethics may result in a request for his/her resignation.


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President of General Assembly

-Takes general responsibility of the General Assembly

-Authority, in the event of the DSG's absence, to take over the role of DSG.

-Authority to suspend delegates of the General Assembly

-Responsibility to maintain a direct link with the General Assembly Chairs & DSG



-Eligible to vote on the country matrix

-Eligible to vote on choosing the Executive Committee members

-Eligible to vote on the candidates of General Assembly awards.

The PGA has to attend and chair, along with the SG, all meetings from

commencement to conclusion. He is accountable to the EXCO and any EXCO

complaints regarding behavior and work ethics may result in a request for his/her

resignation.


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Head of Administration

-Having general responsibility over all non-Chair Executive Committee members

(Administrative Officers)

-In charge of all Administrative Departments, other than the Logistics & PR departments

-Performing a managerial role over the Logistics & PR departments

-In charge of the communications between;

SG and the Logistics Department

DSG and the PR Department

-Full authority over the Administrative Staff (Admins)- regarding the selection, allocation

of duties.

-Eligible to vote on awards to Administrative Officers and Administrative Staff

-Responsibility over compiling and mailing the Sponsor Report

-Full responsibility over delegate registration

-Full responsibility over maintenance of the minutes of Executive Committee meetings


The HOA has to attend and chair all meetings from commencement to conclusion. He

is accountable to the SG, PGA and the EXCO and any EXCO complaints regarding

behavior and work ethics may result in a request for his/her resignation.


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Chief Supervisor

- Responsibility to act as the direct link between OverSeas School and COMUN

-Full authority over the Faculty Advisor Meeting



-Eligible to vote on the country matrix

-Eligible to vote on choosing the Executive Committee members

-Eligible to vote on the candidates of all awards

-Authority to receive any complaints


-Responsibility over health & safety of Executive Committee of members and COMUN

attendees.


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Constitution- Chairs

President of Committees

-Holds overall responsibility for the success, discipline and outcome of his committee

-Final authority on distribution of points

-Final authority on the topics of his committee

-Authority to set time for each speech/motion

-Final authority on recognition of delegates

-Authority to prepare mandate, subject to DSG's approval

-Authority to suspend delegates

-Authority to impeach Vice-President/co-chair

-Responsibility to maintain a direct link with the DSG (in addition to the PGA if it is a

General Assembly)

-Responsibility to carry out orders set out by the Secretariat.

MISCELLANEOUS

- The Vice-Presidents of the General Assemblies are the Presidents of Committees

-Security Council President has authority to call up delegates to the Security Council, with

consent of the Secretariat

- Security Council President has authority to over-rule other committee decisions

regardless of mandate

-In the event a President is absent from committee, the Vice-President shall assume the

role of President, till he returns

-In the event a President is absent from committee for more than a day responsibility lies

with the DSG to expel/suspend/demote (or, but not exclusively, the PGA if it is a GA)

- Vice-Presidents of General Assemblies must maintain communication with the PGA

- Specialized Committees not set up by the PGA will not be under his authority

-The President will direct discussions, accord the right to speak, put questions, announce


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decisions, rule on points of order, and ensure and enforce the observance of these rules.

The President may temporarily transfer his duties to another member of the Head Table.

Executive Committee members may also advise delegations on the course of debate. In the

exercise of these functions, Executive Committee members will at all times be subject to

these rules and responsible to that President.

-Any decision of the President, with the exception of those matters for which the

Committee Rules of Procedure explicitly prohibit appeal, may be appealed immediately by

a Delegate. The President may speak briefly in defense of the ruling. The appeal will then be

put to a vote, and the decision of the President will stand unless overruled by a two-thirds

majority of the Secretariat.

Vice-President

-Responsibility to assist President in any manner

-Responsibility to keep account of the allocation of points

-Responsible to ensure delegates use floor time in accordance to that set by the President

-Responsibility to carry out orders set out by the Secretariat

-Authority to propose impeaching the President by submitting a letter to the Secretariat

after it has been presented to the said President

-The default order in which resolutions are voted on is the order in which they were

introduced to the Vice-President.

Co-Chair

-Responsibility to assist the President and the Vice-President in any manner

-Responsibility to carry out orders set out by the Secretariat.


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ALL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

-Have, as EXCO, a responsibility to be loyal to the conference and all conference related

matters.

- should maintain as confidential all conference related matters, material and the points

system

- avoid discussing conference issues and points award system with any person/s including

peers, delegates and faculty advisors

- should refrain from advising or discussing any conference related and points awarded

decisions with anyone other than their committee chairs, the PGA, SG and the COMUN FA.

Evidence of the above will result in the suspension of the Chairs and the Awards.

- should raise attention and awareness of the COMUN FA in those instances of conflicts that

may arise in the run up to the conference.


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Constitution- Departments

Head of IT

- Shall be under the authority of the HOA and SG.

- Shall be responsible for the creation and maintenance of all COMUN online information

- Shall be in charge of printing committee working papers

- Responsibility over the creation of the Delegate Manual

Public Relations Department

Responsibility over amenities and comfort of delegates and a smooth running of the

conference

-Responsibility to ensure that the delegate identification process (placards, IDs) is

completed

-Responsibility over the safe and complete transportation of all items needed for

conference

- Mission-to spread the influence of COMUN over a larger number of schools and to

maintain the positive image of COMUN

-Responsibility to assist in obtaining sponsors

-Responsibility to assist the IT department in developing and updating the official

website/any official online pages

-Responsibility to assist in creating the Delegate Manual

-Responsibility over the creation and distribution of any COMUN memorabilia

Head of Logistics

-Responsibility to ensure registration of all delegates is complete

-Responsibility over the publishing of all COMUN documents

-Responsibility over the food and water available to COMUN attendees during the

conference days

-Responsibility over the delegate pack

-Responsibility over the handling of any practice debates/workshops

-Responsibility over handing the sponsor banners (before and after conference)


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-Responsibility for coordinating breaks during sessions (Work with sponsors)

-Responsibility for space optimizations

-Responsibility of Placard arrangements

-Responsibility for documenting access of pre-written resolutions. (A list of resolutions to

be submitted to the chairs at the beginning of each day)

-Responsibility for printing the criteria of point allocations

-Responsibility to assist the HOA and the Head of IT in any available capacity

- Responsibility to create or delegate the creation of all videos

DELEGATES

-Delegates cannot change committees after the second Practice Debate. Those who do want

to change after PD2 will have to seek permission of their school Faculty Advisor and the

COMUN faculty Advisor. The EXCO do not have the authority to grant permission.


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PROCEDURE

1. Parliamentary Points a. Points that may interrupt a speaker: i. Points of Personal

Privilege (Rule 25) ii. Points of Order (Rule 26) b. Points in order only when the floor is

open, i.e. Points of Parliamentary Inquiry (Rule 27) 2. Procedural motions that are not

debatable: a. Adjournment of the Meeting (Rule 17) b. Suspension of the Meeting (Rule 17)

c. Unmoderated Caucus (Rule 14) d Moderated Caucus (Rule 15) e. Motion to change the

speaking time (Rule 21) f. Introduction of a draft resolution g. Introduction of an

amendment 3. Procedural motions that are applicable to a resolution or amendment under

consideration: a. Closure of Debate (Rule 16) b. Postponement of Debate (Rule 18) c.

Division of the Question (Rule 32) d. Reordering Resolutions (Rule 33) 4. Substantive

motions: a. Amendments (Rule 31) b. Resolution (Rules 29-30) 5. Other procedural

motions, e.g. Resumption of Debate (Rule 18)

1. Scope: These rules apply to all Committees in COMUN, except for modifications provided

by the Secretariat, and will have to be publicly adopted before the day after the Faculty

Advisor Meeting.

2. Language: English will be the official and working language of the conference.

3. Delegations: Each member state will be represented by one to three delegates (as set

out by the Secretary General) and shall have one vote on each committee. Representatives

of accredited observers will have the same rights as those of full member states, except that

they may not sign or vote on resolutions or amendments (unless voted on between the

Secretariat and the Chairs of that Committee) . The DSG will provide a list of member states

and accredited observers for each committee.

4. Participation of Non-Members: A guest speaker, expert witness, or representative of an

entity that is neither a member of the committee nor an accredited observer may address a

committee only with the prior approval of the Secretariat.

5. Credentials: The credentials of all delegations have been accepted upon registration.

The SG shall be the final arbiter of the validity of all credentials. Any representative to

whose admission an EXCO member objects will provisionally be seated with the same

rights as other representatives, pending a decision from the SG.

6. Statements by the Secretariat: Any member of the Secretariat may at any time make

either written or oral statements to the committee.

7. General Powers of the EXCO in relation to the running of debate: The DSG will


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declare the opening and closing of each meeting and may propose the adoption of any

procedural motion to which there is no significant objection. Subject to these rules, the DSG

will have complete control of the proceedings at any meeting. The President will direct

discussions, accord the right to speak, put questions, announce decisions, rule on points of

order, and ensure and enforce the observance of these rules. The President may

temporarily transfer his duties to another member of the Head Table. EXCO members may

also advise delegations on the course of debate. In the exercise of these functions, the EXCO

will be at all times subject to these rules and responsible to that President.

8. Appeal: Any decision of the President, with the exception of those matters for which the

Committee Rules of Procedure explicitly prohibit appeal, may be appealed immediately by

a delegate. The President may speak briefly in defense of the ruling. The appeal will then be

put to a vote, and the decision of the President will stand unless overruled by a two-thirds

majority of the Secretariat.

9. Quorum: The DSG may declare a Committee open and permit debate to proceed when at

least one fourth of the voting members of the Committee is present. A member of the

Committee is considered present if at least one delegate representing that member is in the

Committee chamber. The presence of a majority of the members will be required to vote on

any substantive motion. A quorum will be assumed to be present unless specifically

challenged by a Point of Order and shown to be absent. A roll call is never required to

determine the presence of a quorum.

10. Courtesy: Delegates will show courtesy and respect to the EXCO and to other delegates.

The President will immediately call to order any delegate who fails to comply with this

rule. The Offendor shall be dealt with either by the President or the Secretariat according to

the Rules & Guidelines of COMUN.

11. Electronic Devices: No laptops, tablets, cell phones, or other electronic devices may be

used in the Committee room during formal debate or moderated caucus, without authority

from a succesful Secretariat vote. Computers may be used outside the Committee room at

any time, or in the Committee room during unmoderated caucus at the discretion of the

DSG.


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Rules Governing Debate

12. Agenda: The first order of business for the Committee, if the Committee has more than

one Topic Area to discuss, will be the consideration of the agenda. If the committee has only

one Topic Area, the agenda is automatically adopted. To set the agenda: • A motion should

be made to set the agenda to one of the Committee’s Topic Areas as stated by the President

in the committee background guide. • Two speakers lists will be established, one in favor of

the motion, and one opposed to the motion and in favor of the other topic. The Committee

will hear alternating speakers from these lists. No motions for moderated or unmoderated

caucuses are permitted during this time. • A motion to close debate will be in order after

the Committee has heard at least one speaker for the motion and one against, or when one

of the speakers lists is exhausted. In accordance with the normal procedure described in

Rule 16, the President will recognize the speaker(s) against the motion to close debate, and

a two-thirds majority is required for closure of debate on the agenda. • When debate is

closed, the Committee will proceed to an immediate vote on the motion. A simple majority

is required for passage. If the motion fails, the other Topic Area will automatically be placed

before the Committee. • When voting procedure is complete on the first Topic Area, the

second Topic Area is automatically placed before the Committee. • In the event of an

international crisis or emergency, the President may call upon a Committee to table debate

on the current Topic Area so that the more urgent matter may be attended to immediately.

Under such circumstances, a delegate may motion to table the topic and temporarily set the

agenda to the crisis situation. After a resolution has been passed on the crisis, the

Committee will return to debate on the tabled topic. Until a resolution has passed, the

Committee may return to debate on the tabled Topic Area only at the discretion of the

Secretariat.

13. Debate: After the Agenda has been determined, one continuously open speakers list

will be established for the duration of the Topic Area, except as interrupted by procedural

points or motions, caucuses, discussion of amendments, and introduction of draft

resolutions. Speakers may speak generally on the Topic Area being considered and may

address any working paper or any draft resolution currently on the floor. A draft resolution

can only be referred to as such once it has been introduced to the committee.

14. Unmoderated Caucus: An unmoderated caucus temporarily suspends formal debate

and allows members to discuss ideas informally in the committee room. A motion for an

unmoderated caucus is in order at any time when the floor is open, prior to closure of

debate. The delegate making the motion must briefly explain the purpose of the motion and

specify a time limit for the caucus, not to exceed twenty minutes (subject to the President's

approval) . The motion will be put to a vote immediately, and a simple majority is required


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for passage or the President can introduce and rule on having Unmoderated Caucus. The

President may rule the motion dilatory and his or her decision is not subject to appeal. The

President may prematurely end an unmoderated caucus if the President feels that the

caucus has ceased to be productive, and this decision is not subject to appeal.

15. Moderated Caucus: The purpose of the moderated caucus is to facilitate substantive

debate at critical junctures in the discussion. A motion for a moderated caucus is in order at

any time when the floor is open, prior to closure of debate. The delegate making the motion

must briefly specify a topic, a speaking time, and an overall time limit, not to exceed twenty

minutes, for the caucus (subject to the President's approval). Once raised, the motion will

be voted on immediately, with a simple majority required for passage or the President can

introduce and rule on having Moderated Caucus. The President may rule the motion

dilatory and his or her decision is not subject to appeal. If the motion passes, the President

will call on delegates to speak at his or her discretion for the stipulated time. Only speeches

will be counted against the overall time of the caucus, and each speech will be counted as

taking up the full duration of the speaking time. If no delegates wish to speak, the

moderated caucus will immediately conclude, even if time remains in the caucus. The

President may also decide, subject to appeal, to suspend the caucus early.

16. Closure of Debate: When the floor is open, a delegate may move to close debate on the

substantive or procedural matter under discussion. The President may rule such a motion

dilatory. When closure of debate is moved, the President may recognize up to two speakers

against the motion. No speaker in favor of the motion will be recognized. Closure of debate

requires a two-thirds majority to pass or the President will declare the closure of debate,

and the resolutions or amendment on the floor will be brought to an immediate vote. If the

speakers list is exhausted, debate on the topic at hand is immediately closed.

17. Suspension or Adjournment of the Meeting: Whenever the floor is open, the

President may move for the suspension of the meeting, to suspend all Committee functions

until the next meeting, or for the adjournment of the meeting, to suspend all Committee

functions for the duration of the Conference. The President may rule such motions

dilatory; this decision is not subject to appeal. When in order, such a motion will not be

debated but will be immediately put to a vote and will require a simple majority to pass.

18. Postponement and Resumption of Debate: Whenever the floor is open, a delegate

may move for the postponement of debate on a resolution or amendment currently on the

floor. The motion, otherwise known as “tabling,” will require a two-thirds majority to pass

and will be debated by two speakers in favor and two opposed. No debate or action will be

allowed on any resolution or amendment on which debate has been postponed, and if

debate on a resolution or amendment has not been resumed before debate is closed, that

resolution or amendment may not be voted upon. A motion to resume debate on an


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amendment or resolution on which debate has been postponed will require a simple

majority to pass and will be debated by two speakers in favor and two opposed.

Resumption of debate will cancel the effects of postponement of debate. A motion may also

be tabled at the discretion of the President.

19. Speakers List: The Committee will have a limited speakers list for the Topic Area being

discussed. Separate speakers lists will be established as needed for motions to set the

agenda and debate on amendments. At his or her discretion (usually only when a new

speakers list is opened) the President may solicit nations to be added to the speakers list by

raising their placard. The President may also place or remove a nation from the Speakers

List at his discretion. The speakers list for the second Topic Area will not be open until the

Committee has proceeded to that topic.

20. Speeches: No delegate may address a session without having previously obtained the

permission of the President. The President may call a speaker to order if his or her remarks

are not relevant to the subject under discussion, or offensive to committee members or

staff. Delegates who are absent when recognized by the dais automatically forfeit their

time, and debate will continue.

21. Speaking Time: When any speakers list is opened, the speaking time is automatically

set to one minute. Delegates may also make a motion to set a new speaking time at any time

when points or motions are in order during formal debate. This motion requires the

authority of the President to be passed.

22. Yields: A delegate granted the right to speak from a speakers list may, after speaking,

yield in one of three ways: to another delegate, to questions, or to the dais. • Yield to

another delegate: Any remaining time will be given to that delegate, who may not, however,

then yield any remaining time to a third delegate. To turn the floor over to a co-delegate is

not considered a yield. • Yield to questions: Questioners will be selected by the President

and limited to one question each. Follow-up questions will be allowed only at the discretion

of the President. Only the speaker’s answers to questions will be deducted from the

speaker’s remaining time. • Yield to the Chair: Such a yield should be made if the delegate

has finished speaking and does not wish to yield to another delegate or to questions, and

further does not wish his or her speech to be subject to comments. The President will move

to the next speaker at his discretion. A yield to the Chair is in order, but not automatic,

when a speaker’s time has elapsed. • Yields are in order only on substantive speeches and

not during moderated caucus.

23. Comments: If a substantive speech is followed by no yields, the President may

recognize two delegations, other than the initial speaker, to comment for thirty seconds

each on the specific content of the speech just completed. Commentors may not yield. No

comments will be in order during debate on procedural motions, moderated caucus, or


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debate on amendments.

24. Right of Reply: A delegate whose personal or national integrity has been impugned by

another, a factual error made by a Speaker or a response to a question. A Delegate may

request a Right of Reply either in writing or by raising his placard.

25. Point of Personal Privilege: Whenever a delegate experiences personal discomfort

which impairs his or her ability to participate in the proceedings, he or she may rise to a

Point of Personal Privilege to request that the discomfort be corrected. While a Point of

Personal Privilege may interrupt a speaker, delegates should use this power with the

utmost discretion.

26. Point of Order: During the discussion of any matter, a delegate may rise to a Point of

Order to indicate an instance of improper use of parliamentary procedure. The Point of

Order will be immediately ruled upon by the President in accordance with these rules of

procedure. The President may rule out of order those points that are dilatory or improper;

such a decision can be appealed. A representative rising to a Point of Order may not speak

on the substance of the matter under discussion. A Point of Order may only interrupt a

speaker when the speech itself is not following proper parliamentary procedure.

27. Point of Parliamentary Inquiry: When the floor is open, a delegate may rise to a Point

of Parliamentary Inquiry to ask the President a question regarding the Rules of Procedure.

A Point of Parliamentary Inquiry may never interrupt a speaker. Delegates with

substantive questions should not rise to this Point, but should rather approach the EXCO at

an appropriate time.

28. Working Papers: Delegates may propose working papers for Committee

consideration. Working papers are intended to aid the Committee in its discussion and

formulation of resolutions and need not be written in resolution format. Working papers

are not official documents, and do not require formal introduction, but do require the

signature of the President to be copied and distributed.

29. Resolutions: A resolution may be introduced when it receives the approval of the

President and is sponsored by 3 members in General Assembly committees, 3 members in

the Economic and Social Council committees and Regional Bodies, and a minimum of 1

member in the Security Council and derivative committees of the aforementioned

committees. Concerning any other Committees, it would require a vote between the Chairs

and the Secretariat.

Signing a resolution need not indicate support of the resolution, and the signatory has no

further rights or obligations and may sign more than one draft resolution. Resolutions

require a simple majority to pass unless otherwise stated in specific Committee rules. More


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than one resolution may be on the floor at any one time, but at most one resolution may be

passed per Topic Area.

For a resolution to be passed; there must be no more than 5 delegates absent from a GA (or

derivative), 2 delegates from a Specialised committee.

30. Introducing Resolutions: Once a resolution has been approved as stipulated above

and has been copied and distributed, a delegate may make a motion to introduce the

resolution. This motion requires only authorization by the President and does not require a

substantive vote. The Administrative staff, time permitting, may choose to read the

operative clauses of the resolution. Immediately after a draft resolution has been

introduced and distributed, the President may entertain non-substantive clarification

points, typically used to address typographical, spelling, or punctuation errors. A resolution

will remain on the floor until debate is postponed or a resolution on that Topic Area has

been passed.

31. Amendments: Delegates may amend any resolution that has been introduced. An

amendment must have the approval of the President to be brought to the floor.

Amendments to amendments are out of order; however, an amended part of a resolution

may be further amended. There are official sponsors of amendments and all amendments

on the floor must be debated and voted upon: • An approved amendment may be

introduced when the floor is open. General debate will be suspended and two speakers lists

will be established, a minimum of one for and one against the amendment. Debate will

alternate between each list.

• A motion to close debate will be in order after the Committee has heard two speakers for

the motion and two against, or when one of the speakers lists is exhausted. In accordance

with the normal procedure described in Rule 16, the President will recognize two speakers

against the motion to close debate, and a 2/3 majority is required for closure of debate on

the agenda. • When debate is closed on the amendment, the Committee will move to an

immediate vote. Votes on amendments are substantive votes. After the vote, debate will

return to the next amendment or the present resolution.

32. Division of the Question: After debate on a Topic Area or amendment has been closed,

a delegate may move to divide the question on any item which is about to be voted on.

Division of the question means that a specified set of operative clauses may be voted on

separately from the rest. Pre-ambulatory clauses may not be removed by division of the

question. The motion may be debated to the extent of two speakers for and two speakers

against. This motion requires a simple majority to pass: • If the motion passes, the

President will accept proposals on how to divide the question. Such proposals may divide

the question into two or more parts. After all proposals have been accepted, the President

will arrange them from most severe to least, and each will be voted on, in that order. If no


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division passes, the resolution remains intact. • If any proposal passes, all other proposals

are discarded and the resolution or amendment is divided accordingly. A substantive vote

must then be taken on each divided part to determine whether or not it is included in the

final draft. A simple majority is required for inclusion of each part. After all divided parts

have been voted on, those that were voted to be included are recombined into the final

draft resolution, which must then be voted upon under regular rules of procedure. If all of

the operative parts of the substantive proposal are rejected, the proposal will be

considered to have been rejected as a whole.

33. Ordering Resolutions: The default order in which resolutions are voted on is the order

in which they were introduced to the Vice-President. After debate on a topic has been

closed, a delegate may motion to change the order in which resolutions on the Committee

floor will be voted on. Such a motion must specify a desired order. Once such a motion has

been made, the Vice-President will accept alternative proposals for ordering. This motion

takes precedence over a motion to divide the question on a resolution. Proposals will be

voted on in the order in which they were received and require a simple majority to pass;

once a proposal has been passed, all others are discarded and resolutions will be voted on

in that order.

34. Voting: Once Committee is in voting procedure and all relevant motions have been

entertained, the committee will vote on the resolutions on the floor. Voting occurs on each

resolution in succession; once a resolution has been passed, no further resolutions will be

voted on. In all matters, both substantive and procedural, each country will have one vote.

Each vote may be a “Yes,” “No,” or “Abstain.” All matters will be voted upon by placards,

except in the case of a roll call vote. After the President has announced the beginning of

voting, no delegate will interrupt the voting except on a Point of Personal Privilege or on a

Point of Order in connection with the actual conduct of the voting. A simple majority

requires more “Yes” votes than “No” votes; abstentions are not counted toward either total.

A 2/3 majority vote requires at least twice as many “Yes” votes as “No” votes. A procedural

vote is a vote on any matter besides an amendment or resolution, and requires every

country to vote either “Yes” or “No” on the question. Any other forms of voting will have to

be announced publicly to delegates by the President, three weeks before the date of such a

vote.

35. Roll Call Voting: After debate is closed on any Topic Area or amendment, any delegate

may request a roll call vote. A motion for a roll call vote is in order only for substantive

motions. The President's decision whether to accept the motion for a roll call vote is subject

to appeal. Such a motion may be made from the floor and must be seconded by majority

vote. All substantive votes are roll call votes in the Security Council. Voting will be at the

discretion of the President in all other Committees. • In a roll call vote, the President will

call all countries noted by the dais to be in attendance in alphabetical order starting with a


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randomly selected member. • In the first sequence, delegates may vote “Yes,” “No,”

“Abstain,” “Pass,” “Yes with rights,” or “No with rights.” • A delegate who passes during the

first sequence of the roll call must vote “Yes” or “No” during the second sequence. The same

delegate may not request the right of explanation. • A delegate may only vote with rights if

he or she votes “Yes” or “No” in the first round of voting and if his or her vote appears to

constitute a divergence from his or her country’s policy. After all delegates have voted,

delegates who had requested the right of explanation will be granted 30 seconds each to

explain their votes. • The President will then announce the outcome of the vote.

36. Precedence: Motions will be considered in the following order of preference. If a point

or motion is on the floor, points or motions lower on this list are out of order.

............................................................................................................................. ....................

In order for any change, substitution/deletion or addition, in the Constitution, Procedure,

Rules & Regulation- a two-third majority vote would have to be passed within all members

of the Executive Committee.


22

Point System

Points of Information

A total of 5 points per point

For each Point regardless of feasibility a delegate will receive a maximum of 1 point

For a direct question, related to the topic and the speaker on the floor- 1 point

For a grammatically correct, articulate point- 1 point

For a Point which is either politically motivated/ negotiating/ attacking/ defending-

1point

1 point may be awarded at the discretion of that delegate's President

Right of Reply

This Point shall carry a maximum of 5 points

If another Speaker's infringement of Sovereignty is properly noted- 1 point should

be awarded

If the speech is articulate and precise- 1 point should be awarded

If the speech is not more than 30 seconds- 1 point should be awarded. (the Point

should not be allowed to exceed 1 minute

If the Point is made with a further diplomatic/ political aim- 1 point should be

awarded

If the President believes that a delegate's use of this Point is invalid, he shall receive

zero points.

Repeated use of an invalid Point by a delegate may result in expulsion of that

delegation from that committee by the President for a maximum of 5 minutes

The number of points deducted from the directee of this Point will be directly in

correlation to the points gained by the creator of this Point


23

Point of Order

This Point carries a maximum of 4 points

If improper following of Procedure or Rules & Regulations is properly noted- 1 point

should be awarded

If the speech is articulate and precise- 1 point should be awarded

If the speech is not more than 30 seconds- 1 point should be awarded. (the Point

should not be allowed to exceed 1 minute

If the President believes that a delegate's use of this Point is invalid, he shall receive

zero points.

Repeated use of an invalid Point by a delegate may result in expulsion of that

delegation from that committee by the President for a maximum of 5 minutes

Point of Personal Privilege

This Point shall carry zero points

Point of Parliamentary Inquiry

This Point shall carry zero points

Foreign Policy Statements

Shall carry a total of 30 points

Amendments

Friendly Amendments:

-This shall carry a maximum of 4 points

- A successfully passed Amendment shall carry 2 points


24

- A grammatically correct Amendment shall carry 1 point

-The President may appoint 1 point at his discretion

non-friendly Amendment

- A successfully passed Amendment shall carry 1 point

- A well versed speech shall carry 2 points

-If this Amendment proves to make a significant change in the resolution- 1 point shall be

given

-The President may appoint 1 point at his discretion

Resolutions

Pre-Resolution Writing

If the President observes and believes through such observances that a delegate has

lobbied extensively in order to aid the making of his Draft Resolution- 6 points shall

be allocated

The Resolution which the Vice-President receives first- shall reserve 4 points

For each minute delayed, in submitting the Resolution to the Vice-President, 2

points shall be deducted

Resolution Writing

For each Operative Clause in the Resolution at the time of it's voting- half a point

shall be allocated

If a Resolution is passed by the committee- 30 extra points shall be allocated

If a Resolution is not passed- 15 extra points are allocated


25

Resolution Speech

Shall contain a maximum of 25 points

If the speech end 2 minutes before and after the allocated time- 4 points shall be

awarded

If the speech is delivered in a commendable manner- 4 points shall be awarded

If a speech uses statistics- 5 points shall be awarded

If a speech uses quotes from famous/relevant public entities- up to 5 points can be

awarded depending on relevance

If a speech is visibly seen to emotionally move the majority of the audience- 4 points

shall be awarded

If the speech is relevant to the subject matter of the Resolution- 3 points shall be

awarded

Speaker's List Speech

Shall contain a maximum of 23 points

If the speech is delivered in a commendable manner- 3 points shall be awarded

If a speech uses statistics- 4 points shall be awarded

If a speech uses quotes from famous/relevant public entities that are relevant to the

context- up to 4 points can be awarded depending on relevance

If a speech is visibly seen to emotionally move the majority of the audience- 3 points

shall be awarded

If the speech is relevant to the subject matter of the Resolution- 3 points shall be

awarded


26

Head Table

A committee following this Point System entails that that committee agrees to

comply with the Constitution, Rules & Regulation

At the end of the second day of conference, the head table will submit the points list

to the Secretariat together with a written justification a delegate nominated for each

award. The Secretariat, after reviewing the points and written justification, will

ultimately confirm whether the delegate is suitable for the award.


27

Attire

Rules of attire may be enforced by the Chief Supervisor or any member of the Executive

Committee

Failure to comply with the Rules of Attire may result in being reprimanded or in

suspension of up to a day

Appropriate attire would entail professional garments suited to Sri Lankan norms and

values.

A participant may wear international standard business attire/ the national attire of Sri

Lanka (or his/her home nation)/ the national dress of the body the participant is

representing.

International Standard business attire entails wearing a suit, which is made up of trousers, a matching jacket, a button-down dress shirt, and a tie. Conservative dress shoes and socks are also important. Skirts and dresses may also be worn as long as they fall to a decent length.

Documents

THE COLOMBO MODEL UNITED NATIONS CONSTITUTIONosc.lk/comun/assets/comun-constitution.pdf · official in COMUN/ COMUN affiliated web site. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS 1) It is understood