A point is how a delegate asks something or corrects something. A motion is how a delegate asks the house to do something.
The full rules for each one are in Rules of Procedure. This page is the short version for delegates.
No point may interrupt a speaker. The one exception is a point of personal privilege about audibility, which you may raise if you genuinely cannot hear.
Points are taken when there is a pause. That means when the speaker yields, to points of information, to another delegation, or to the chair.
Wait to be recognised before you state your point. The chair will repeat it back to the house before answering, because not everyone will have heard it.
If you cannot hear the speaker. A point of personal privilege about audibility is the only point that may interrupt a speaker. Raise it while the speech is running. Every other point waits for a pause. See Point of personal privilege.
| You want to | Raise | |---|---| | Ask the delegate on the floor a question | Point of information to the speaker | | Ask the chair about a fact or the agenda | Point of information to the chair | | Ask the chair about the Rules of Procedure | Point of parliamentary inquiry | | Tell the chair a procedural mistake has been made | Point of order | | Raise something about your comfort or wellbeing | Point of personal privilege |
Each has its own document. Start at Points overview.
A point of information to the speaker has to be a question. A short statement may come before it. There is no dialogue afterwards.
A point of order must refer to what has happened moments before. It is not a way to reopen a decision from earlier in the day, and it is not for complaining about another delegate.
A point of information to the chair and a point of parliamentary inquiry look alike. The first asks the chair about facts or the agenda. The second asks the chair about the Rules of Procedure. Neither one interrupts a speaker.
The chair answers a point of information to the chair with facts and never with an opinion. If you are asking for a view on whether something is a good idea, that is a speech and not a point.
| You want to | Move | |---|---| | Close debate and vote on what is pending | Motion to move to the previous question | | Give the house more time on this debate | Motion to extend debate time | | Remove abstentions and vote again | Motion to divide the house | | Send a resolution to a forum that has the mandate for it | Motion to refer to another forum | | Take a resolution off the floor before voting | Motion to withdraw a resolution | | Pause or end the meeting | Motion to adjourn or suspend |
Each has its own document. Start at Motions overview.
Some motions need a second from the house, and some can be stopped by a single objection. The chair may refuse a motion, or overrule it when there is time to fill. Read the document for the motion before you move it.
A motion to move to the previous question during time in favour on an amendment does not end the debate. It moves the house to time against. See Motion to move to the previous question.
A motion to divide the house has a condition. It is only valid when the abstentions outnumber the gap between the votes in favour and the votes against. It also takes a long time, so chairs avoid it where they can. See Motion to divide the house.
If you use the wrong wording. Delegates often say "motion to move directly into voting procedures". The correct wording is "motion to move to the previous question". The chair will correct you. See Motion to move to the previous question.
A motion to adopt something without a vote, sometimes called a friendly amendment, is out of order. There are no friendly amendments. See Motions out of order.
All points are out of order during voting. The only exception is a point of order about the conduct of the vote itself. See Voting as a delegate.
Inventing a point is not allowed. Getting the words wrong is a different thing, and it is a mistake rather than an offence.
If you are unsure which point you want. Raise your placard, name the closest one, and say what you need in one sentence. A chair should work out what you meant rather than overrule you for unfamiliar wording. Asking for the wrong point by name costs you nothing.
In MEDIMUN, the chair may accept motions through MediBook, and may accept speech requests there. Both are the chair's choice, so ask at the start of the session how your chairs want them raised. Everything else about points and motions is unchanged. See Debate for delegates.