DELEGATE GUIDE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Basic Rules Of Procedure Roll Call

Motions Points Debate

Paperwork Voting

Awards

Glossary Rules

List of Preambulatory Clauses

List of Ambulatory Clauses

Sample Documents

Online Conduct
INTRODUCTION
Like real UN bodies, Model UN committees have lengthy
agendas and are attended by delegates wishing to convey their
country's positions. To help maintain order, MUN conferences
adopt rules of procedure to establish when a delegate may
speak and what they may address. Some conferences adopt a
few simple rules, while others use lengthy and complex rules
of procedure. Since each conference is independent, rules of
procedure may vary. Here, we will try and break down
PORTISMUN’s procedure to its core to help you understand
the functioning of our committees.

BASIC RULES OF PROCEDURE

ROLL CALL:

Before committee starts, the Chair/ Director takes roll call.

The name of each country is called out in alphabetical order
and delegates must answer ‘present’ or ‘present and voting’. If
a delegate is present and voting, it is compulsory for them to
vote for or against all paperwork. However, if they are simply
present, they may abstain from voting if they wish.

MOTIONS:

Motions are raised by delegates and are essentially formal

proposals. The main types of motions are:

i. Motion to open debate: It is the first motion that must be

raised in committee in order to start formal debate and
discussion on the agenda.
ii. Motion to open GSL: The General Speakers List is the
generally the first motion raised after the motion to open
debate, aimed at establishing the stance and viewpoint of
each country in committee. Extra time maybe yielded in a
 GSL. The GSL is open throughout committee and is only
closed when committee is adjourned.
iii. Motion to open SSL: The Special Speakers List is a
modified version of the GSL raised only during an
Emergency Situation of Crisis.
iv. Motion to move into a Moderated Caucus: It is raised to
begin debate regarding an aspect or subtopic of the
agenda. Yields will not be entertained during Moderated
Caucuses.

v. Motion to move into an Unmoderated Caucus: It is raised

to move into an informal session generally for the
formation of blocs or to draft paperwork.
The use of Electronics is permitted. The cap for an
Unmoderated Caucus at PORTIS is fifteen minutes
vi. Motion to suspend debate: It is raised to temporarily halt
formal session and debate.
vii. Motion to resume debate: It is raised to continue formal
debate and session after the motion to suspend debate
has lapsed.
viii. Motion to adjourn debate: It is raised after the committee
has reached a conclusion for the agenda on hand, ending
the conference.
ix. Motion to introduce Paperwork: It is raised to begin
discussion and debate on a particular piece of paperwork.
x. Motion to hold a Question-Answer Session: It is raised to
ask questions to the authors/co-authors of the paperwork
being discussed.
xi. Motion to have a 1 for 1 against (or 2 for 2 against): It is a
motion raised to have a debate on a particular topic
between two (or 4) delegates or delegations. 1 (or 2)
speaks for the topic and 1(or 2) speaks against.
xii. Motion to introduce amendments: It is raised to introduce
and discuss any alterations to be made to the paperwork
in the form amendments.
xiii. Motion to introduce a Challenge: It is raised to have a
debate between 2 delegates of delegations on a specific
 topic. Both delegates/delegations must accept the
challenge in order to proceed.
xiv. Motion to move into informal voting procedure: It is
raised to vote on a piece of paperwork by the raising of
placards indicating Yes, No or Abstention.
xv. Motion to move into formal voting procedure: It is raised
to vote on a piece of paperwork in 3 rounds indicating
Yes, Yes with Rights, No, No with Rights, or abstention.

POINTS:

•
PointofPersonalPrivilege:Raisedbyadelegateregardingtheirpers
onaldiscomfort(eg: temperature of committee, inaudibility of
speaker, etc.) This is the only point that can interrupt a
speaker.

 PointofParliamentaryInquiry:Raisedwhenadelegatewishes
toasktheDaisaquestion regarding committee procedure or
format.
 Point of Order: Raised when a delegate believes that a
factual inaccuracy has been made in committee. The
delegate must state the inaccurate remark, whom it was
made by, and with the correct fact to the Chair who,
based on its relevance and accuracy, will convey it to the
committee. This must be done in chit form.
 PointofInformation:Raisedwhenadelegatewishestoaskaqu
estiontoaspeakeror the Dais. The Chair decides whether
or not this will be entertained. This is usually pertaining
to a crisis.

DEBATE:
•
Speaker’sLists:TheseconsistofaGeneralSpeaker’sList(GSL)oraS
pecialSpeaker’s List (SSL- opened only during a crisis). A
motion to open a Speaker’s List is raised by a delegate and
passed by simple majority, after which the Chair maintains a
list of delegates wishing to speak. The delegate who proposes
the SSL must specify the per-speaker time. At this time,
delegates have an opportunity to share their views with the
entire committee regarding the crisis at hand.

(Note- once a GSL is opened, it remains open until committee

is adjourned. A delegate present may add their name to the
speakers list by submitting a request in writing to the Chair,
provided that delegation is not already on the speakers list,
and may similarly remove their name from the list by a similar
request in writing. When there are no points or motions on the
floor, committee automatically reverts back to the GSL)

• Caucuses: These consists of moderated caucuses and

unmoderated caucuses. Caucusing helps to facilitate
discussion, especially when there is a long speakers list.

o Moderated Caucus – The purpose of the moderated caucus is

to facilitate substantive debate regarding a specific aspect or
subtopic of the agenda. The delegate making the motion must
briefly specify a topic, a speaking time per person, and an
overall time limit, not to exceed twenty minutes, for the
caucus. If the motion passes requiring a simple majority, the
Director will call on delegates to speak at their discretion for
the stipulated time.

o Unmoderated Caucus – An unmoderated caucus temporarily

suspends formal debate and allows members to discuss ideas
informally in the committee room. The delegate making the
motion may briefly explain the purpose of the motion and
specify a time limit for the caucus, not to exceed twenty
minutes. The Director may rule the motion
dilatory or may and may prematurely end an unmoderated
caucus if the Director feels that the caucus has ceased to be
productive, and this decision is not subject to appeal.

PAPERWORK:
• Position Paper: A position paper is an essay detailing one’s
country’s policies on the topic being discussed in committee.
Plagiarism is strictly forbidden, and any delegate found
plagiarizing will not be eligible for an award. For PORTIS, the
position paper requirements are as follows:

Format – The paper should be 1- 3pages long, consisting of

three to four paragraphs. The font used must be Times New
Roman, size 12.

o First Paragraph – This should be a brief history of the topic.

This may include description on previous action taken by the
UN and other countries.

o Second Paragraph –Mention your country’s stance on the

topic and any involvement it may have with the issue.

o Third Paragraph – Explain briefly a few original solutions to

the issue at hand.

Submission – Position papers should be emailed to your

respected chairs. Delegates must make a bibliography at the
end of their position papers stating their sources for
information.

 Working Paper: Working papers are the first stage of a

resolution. They consist of solutions and plans of action
pertaining to the agenda, based on what has been
discussed in committee. They do not have authors or co-
authors and need not be properly formatted as they are
not official documents. Working papers do not have
signatories and are merely intended to aid the committee
in its formulation of resolutions.
  Draft Resolution: Once a working paper has passed, it is
further worked upon, and changes are made based on
what other delegates found faults in or disagreed with.
This document is then known as a draft resolution. Draft
resolutions may have no more than one author and two
co-authors and require two third of members present as
signatories. They must be properly formatted, with the
number of perambulatory clauses being at least one third
of the number of ambulatory clauses.

Before it is voted upon, the draft resolution may have

amendments. If the number of clauses amended exceeds
two thirds of the clauses in the draft resolution , the
document is automatically tabled.

• Resolution: A draft resolution, once passed by committee, is

referred to as a Resolution. The main objective of committee is
to pass a resolution which solves the topic at hand while
respecting the foreign policies of all nations and making
reasonable compromises.

(A sample resolution has been attached at the end of this guide

for delegates to whom they may be unfamiliar)

 Directive: In committee, directives are written and

passed to solve crises by taking immediate action. They
are generally short and have no format, seeing as they
have to be written as quickly as possible. Directives shall
have no more than one author and one co-author and
need signatories from one third of the members present
in committee.

VOTING:

 Procedural Voting: This refers to voting on motions

introduced by delegates (excluding those motions which
pass by the discretion of the Chair). Delegates vote in
favour of a motion by raising their placards. Votes are
 counted by the Dais. Procedural matters require a simple
majority of all members present to pass.
 Informal Voting: Informal voting procedure is observed
for the passing of Directives and Working Papers, which
require a two thirds majority of all members present.
Delegates raise their placards to vote ‘for’ or ‘against’
when the Chair calls for the same. Votes are counted by
the Dais.
 Formal Voting: Formal voting procedure is observed
when voting upon a Draft Resolution. The Dais calls out
the name of each country in alphabetical order, and a
delegate may choose to vote, pass or abstain. Countries
who are ‘present and voting’ may not abstain from voting.
Delegates who ‘pass’ when their country name is called
may do so to see what others in committee vote and must
cast their vote at the end.
 Types of Votes:
Yes – This means that the delegate is in favour of the
document.

No – This means that the delegate is against the

document.

Yes with Rights – This means that the delegate is in

favour of the document, despite the fact that it is against
their country’s foreign policy.
No with Rights – This means that the delegate is against
the document, despite that fact that it agrees with their
country’s foreign policy.

AWARDS:

At the end of the conference, the Directors award

delegates who have performed well throughout
committee. Award winners are those delegates who have
been vital to the progression of committee and have
displayed great skill. The awards given are as follows (in
descending order of prestige):
1. BestDelegate

3. HonourableMention

4. VerbalMention

GLOSSARY:

Agenda: The topic that is to be discussed in committee.

Amendment: A proposal to alter/ add to a draft resolution. This

needs a two thirds majority vote to pass.

Authors: The delegates who have written a particular piece of

paperwork.
Bloc: A group of allied nations/ nations having the same stance
on a particular topic.

Chairs/ Directors : The individuals who preside over committee

and facilitate debate. They call on speakers, time speeches,
and maintain the rules of procedure.

Challenge: It is essentially a semiformal argument between

delegates with conflicting opinions, and is extremely
entertaining to watch. A delegate who wishes to ‘challenge’
another delegate must state the reason for the challenge and
receive the approval of the Chair.

Chit: A note passed by a delegate to the Dais or to other

delegates, regarding committee- related matters.

Communiqués: Messages from the entire committee or a

delegate to another country, organization, person or group of
people outside of committee. These facilitate dialogue with
relevant actors in a crisis. Communiqués often include
negotiations, threats, and requests for aid but are not limited
to these topics. Those labeled ‘open communiqué’ are read out
by the Dais to committee. Those labeled ‘closed communique’
are read by the Dias only. PORTIS MUN will also entertain
Joint Communiqués from two or more delegates in committee.
Joint Communiqués can be open or close, the aim of these
communiqués is to carry out joint action. The delegate who
sent the communique will receive a chit from the Dais
informing them whether it has been accepted or not.

Crisis: An unforeseen situation or problem (example: extremist

attack on a government building) that committee must work
quickly to solve. Despite their excitement, crises require
skilled delegates who can think on their feet to solve.

Dais: The table or podium at which the Chairs, Moderators or

Directors sit. It is the seat of facilitation of committee.

Decorum: Parliamentary/ formal behavior. (discipline)

Delegates: Representatives of various countries’ governments

in the UN. Emendment: The alteration of a document, related
to grammatical errors.

Foreign Policy: The strategies chosen by countries pertaining

to their relations with other countries, to safeguard their own
interests. (eg: India’s foreign policy does not allow it to work
with Pakistan, who is considered an ‘enemy’ State) Delegates
are expected to adhere to their foreign policies at all times.

Friendly Amendment: A proposed amendment which is

adopted without voting if the Authors of the draft resolution
agree with its relevance. Friendly amendments are not
counted when considering the tabling of a document.

Lobbying: This is when delegates meet and discuss their

policies with each other, form blocs and informally express
their views.
Logistics: The team responsible for the smooth running of a
MUN conference and the comfort of delegates and press
members.

Merging: Combining two or more pieces of paperwork to make

one larger, more comprehensive document.

Operative Clauses: Statements in the second section of the

draft resolution that outline the specific solutions the authors
wish to implement. Operative clauses are numbered and
underlined. (A list of operative clauses has been provided at
the end of the guide)

Placard: The piece of cardstock with a delegate’s country

name on it, to be raised when one wishes to be recognized by
the Chair.

Pre-ambulatory Clauses: Statements in the first section of the

draft resolution that describe the problems that the committee
wants to solve as well as previous measures taken to combat
the problem. Pre-ambulatory clauses are italicized or
underlined but not numbered. (A list of pre-ambulatory clauses
has been provided at the end of the guide)

Presidential Statement: It is a speech or statement made by a

delegate on behalf of the Head of State of the country that
he/she is representing. The statement or speech must include
the exact words of the Head of State.

Press Editor: The individual responsible to edit and put

together the Press Issue at the end of each conference day.

Press Head: The individual who heads the entire Press team
and organizes the Press Issue and MUN website.

Right to Reply: A delegate’s right to reply to when their

personal/ national integrity has been put to question. This may
not interrupt any speaker, and if the right to reply is
authenticated by the Chair, it will take the form of a thirty- second
 The offending delegate
speech by the delegate who has been offended.
will be made to apologize in any way deemed fit by the
offended delegate.

Secretariat: The body of people responsible for the

administration and leadership of a MUN conference. They
organize the entire conference.

Secretary-General: The highest in command of a Model UN

conference, and the leader of the Secretariat. They oversee the
entire conference.

Signatories: All those delegates to wish to discuss a document

in committee, irrespective of whether or not they agree with it.

Speaking Time: When any speakers list is opened, the

speaking time is automatically set to one minute. Delegates
may also motion to set a new speaking time at any time when
points or motions are in order during formal debate. This
motion requires a simple majority to pass.

Table: To scrap or declare a document null and void.

Delegation: The team of delegates sent by a particular

organization

Yield: This is what a delegate chooses to do with their left-over

time after their speech is over. They may yield their time to
comments, questions, another delegate or to the Dais. Time
cannot be yielded in moderated caucuses.

RULES:
• PREPARATION: A delegate must be thoroughly researched
before committee starts. Here is a brief guideline of what one
should research on after reading the study guide

provided using utmost reliable and accurate sources :

  Their country (especially their foreign policy)
 Their committee
 The agenda
 Their country’s stance on the topic
 Other countries’ stances on the topic(briefly)

 The history of the crisis

 Past UN resolutions passes in regards to the topic
 Possible solutions to the problem

DRESS CODE:
All participants must be formally dressed in Western
Clothing

Those wearing the following will not be allowed into

committee :

 Leggings, shorts, denim pants/jeans

 T-shirts, tank tops, strapless tops
 Slippers,flip-slops,shoes
 Informal cardigans, slippers, jackets, hoodies

Acceptable clothing includes button down shirts, blazers,

slacks, trousers, heels or sandals etc. Please note that all
clothing must be appropriate.

oLanguage: The official language used in PORTIS MUN will be

English.

- Occasional phrases in other languages will be accepted.

oAny delegate who is barred more than thrice will not be

eligible for an award.

PLAGIARISM:

 All documents submitted to the Executive Board must be

delegates’ authentic work. Any reported or observed
plagiarism will not be tolerated and strict action will be
 taken against all those engaging in plagiarism. All
documents will be passed through Checkers and any
material with plagiarized content will not be taken into
consideration. The Secretary General will be notified
about this and the delegate will not be eligible for an
award. The delegate shall be disqualified. Should the
delegate be representing a school at the conference, their
delegation award may be compromised.

LIST OF PRE-AMBULATORY CLAUSES:

 Affirming
 Alarmed by Approving
 Aware of Bearing in mind Believing
 Disturbed
 Deeply regretting Deeply convinced
 Observing Reaffirming Realizing
 Desiring
 Emphasizing Expecting
 Expressing its appreciation
 Expressing its
 Considered
 Deeply conscious Having
 considered Having devoted
 Having examined

 Confident Contemplating Convinced Declaring Fully

believing
 Recalling Recognizing Referring
 Seeking Keeping in mind
 satisfaction Fulfilling Fully alarmed
 Fully aware Further recalling
 Having adopted Having heard
 Having received Having studied Noting with

LIST OF OPERATIVE CLAUSES: (Note- Phrases in bold can only

be used in the Security Council)
 - Accepts Affirms Approves Asks Authorizes Calls
- Calls upon
- Condemns
- Confirms Congratulates Considers
- Declares accordingly
- Demands
- Deplores Designates Draws attention Emphasizes
Encourages
- Endorses
- Expresses its appreciation
- Expresses its hope
- Further invites
- Further proclaims
- Further reminds
- Further recommends
- Further requests Further resolves Has resolved
- Notes Proclaims
- Reaffirms Recommends
- Regrets Reminds Requests Solemnly affirms
- Strongly condemns
- Suggests Supports Takes note of Transmits Trusts
- Urges

SAMPLE RESOLUTION:
1. [Link]
venezuela
2. [Link]
reserves-

5793487/#:~:text=1.,Arabia%20to%20top%20worldwide%20list.

3. [Link]
%20United%20States%20in%20a

nnual%20gross%20crude%20oil,other%20liquid%20fuels%20in%202013.

4. [Link]

5. [Link]
venezuela_relations_in_the_twenty-

first_century_from_overconfidence_to_uncertainty-[Link]

6. [Link]
venezuela-119030100073_1.html

SOLUTIONS:

 All nations must recognise Mr. Nicolas Maduro as the rightful and
legitimate president of Venezuela and must stop all their support for
Mr. Guaido as his calls for an uprising are completely unconstitutional,
 All plans of having re-elections must be disbanded as it will cause great
political unrest and trigger disorder and tensions throughout the
nation. Venezuela has a crippled economy and hence bearing the cost
of facilitating nationwide will do more harm than good,
 The USA, EU and other countries must lift all their economic sanctions
including their sanctions placed on the state-run oil company PDVSA in
order to increase crude oil production, hence bringing up the economy
and easing the hyperinflation in the nation 9,
 Instead of smuggling aid inside the country, which is doing more harm
than good, all able and willing nations must donate funds and aid to
agencies such as the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies which have been approved by the country’s
president to deliver humanitarian aid,
 All anti-government protests and other war propaganda from anti-
government press agencies must be banned as they are triggering
violence and hatred amongst the population.

“We hope all parties can make more efforts to promote stability and
development in Venezuela, improve its people's wellbeing, and uphold the
international law and basic norms governing international relations. All
countries should earnestly observe the purposes and principles of the UN
Charter and oppose external intervention in Venezuela's own affairs as
well as any attempts by one country to interfere in another's internal
affairs. Venezuela's affairs must and can only be independently
determined by its own people.” - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman
 Geng Shuang8. “We are closely following the current situation in
Venezuela. We call on all parties involved to be calm and rational, and
seek a political solution under the Venezuelan constitution through
peaceful dialogue. We hope for a stable Venezuela accord with the
interests of all sides.”- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua
Chunying10.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

8. [Link]
9. [Link]
10. [Link]

NOTE : Delegates may also prefer to state their sources of research under the
heading “Bibliography” directly at the bottom of their position paper. Delegates
rd
may also state all of their solutions as the 3 paragraph itself and not in point
form.

SAMPLE DIRECTIVE:

Directive 1.0 Author-

Co-Author-

1. Endorses Saudi Arabia closes all its borders and all exports or imports in and
out of the country;

2. Encourages all countries, especially in the Middle East to tighten border

security as well;

3. Declares a state of emergency in the country which makes sure:

1. That all transportation in and out of the country is prohibited till further
notice;
2. Border security is increased;
3. Saudi troops are put in key geographical positions in the country including
on the border

of the Red Sea, the Arabian Gulf and at airports;

4. Block off all civilian communication;

4. States that the Saudi government take all steps to locate key extremist bases
in and around the country with the help of the USA;

5. States that the USA will:

a. Increase the funding to rebel groups fighting the ISIS in locations including:
i. Iraq;
ii. Yemen;

iii. Syria;

iv. Iran;

2. Send 150,00 troops to Saudi Arabia from Yemen, Jordan and Iraq;
3. Use prism technology to help Saudi locate key ISIS bases around the
region and help

monitor civilian communication;

6. Reiterates that these troops will not take any violent action on anyone unless
protestors initiate any violent action against the government or authorities after
multiple warnings are initiated;

7. States that in return Saudi Arabia will increase the shares of USA in Saudi
Aramco;

8. States that UAE, Russia, Norway, Czech Republic and Australia will each
donate 0.25% of their GDP through transaction for all above actions.

Sample Communiqués

(Communiqués are messages from the entire committee or a

delegate to another country, organization, person or group of
people outside of committee. These facilitate dialogue with
relevant actors in a crisis. Communiqués often include
negotiations, threats, and requests for aid but are not limited
to these topics)

Closed Communique

Subject: Creation of the SARS-CoTr-36 virus in the year 2036

From : The delegate of China

To : Mr. Jacob Harrens ( CEO of alphabet, a private company in the US)

The information of our agreement is as follows:

1. China will start a new pandemic in January of the year 2036 as a

new variant mutation of the coronavirus,
2. The virus will be created in The Chinese Academy of Bio Sciences
at coordinates 30°22’35”N114°15′45′′E but made to seem like a
 natural outbreak in the local illegal rare animal meat market
originating from nocturnal animals,
3. The virus will start in China but be controlled and before the virus
is truly discovered agents of China shall spread it across the world
especially targeting the US,
4. The patent to the vaccine and gene sequence will be in the hands of
a “individual researcher”, being a government operative, Wu Rin,
to who Alphabet will pay a 40% royalty of all profits,
5. Alphabet will invest in factories in the Beijing Pharmaceutical and
Biotechnological Industrial Park for vaccine production so that they
can mass produce 10,000 vaccines a day,
6. Copies of this vaccine will be replicated and kept ready for
shipment and distribution when the price and timing is optimum
according to elastic price strategy,
7. They will be shipped in batches of 2000, to the Port of Stockton,
California at coordinates 37.9510° N, 121.3266° W, from the Port
of Shanghai,
8. From there they will be picked up by Alphabet workers and
brought to the Alphabet Inc. base located at
9. Mountain View, California, coordinates 37.3861° N, 122.0839° W.
This vaccine will then be sold by Alphabet Inc. to any willing nation
who wants to buy this vaccine in bulk, through bidding.
10. No other private organisation will be given patent rights to
this vaccine. It will be solely sold by Alphabet.

Open Communique as a Press Release

FROM - The Defence Minister of India: R. Venkatraman

The following information was received from the Indian intelligence

agency RAW about the Pakistani ISI’s plan for Punjab:

Trained Pakistani agents along with a Special Service Group of the Pakistan
Army and over 200 young Sikh insurgents trained at militant training camps on
the outskirts of Lahore and Karachi have been dispatched by Pakistan into
Punjab with plans of sabotage. They intend to assist and the Sikh militants in
their fight against the government for the formation of Khalistan in the districts
of Amritsar, Barnala, Bathinda and Faridkot.

From its interrogation of a Pakistani Army officer, RAW received information

that these ISI agents will reach Amritsar within the next 1 day. They plan to
follow the drug smuggling routes in Ferozepur, the Fazilka district and Kutch.

They are dressed as common farmers and laborers and will be difficult to
identify. They are equipped with multiple weapons, such as but not limited to,
assault rifles: AK-15, A-545 and AN- 94, M79 grenade launchers, kirpans, 540
battle rifles, letter bombs and type 64 pistols. These insurgents have been
deployed to stimulate the ongoing uprising against the Indian government to
support the Khalistan cause via turmoil and mass unrest in the region. We do
not know where these mutinies are going to conducted but is now a matter of
national security and drastic action is necessary.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

With this we hope that you have made note of procedure

followed at PORTISMUN. All delegates are required to adhere
to it. Please feel free to reach out to our Secretary General-
Jaiisha Mehra or our Director General- Arham Parikh if you
have any queries.

Contact Information
Jaiisha Mehr- Secretary General- jaiisha1209@[Link]

Arham Parikh- Director General- parikharham@[Link]