1. PORGMUN
  2. Preparation
  3. Supervisor

Preparation

Dear supervisor, knowing that organising a trip for a larger amount of students is not an easy task, the PORGMUN Team has put together a guide to help you out during the preparation of your delegates. Please bear in mind that the faculty advisor should also oversee the training of their delegates concerning research, public speaking, debating, as well as the rules of procedure and writing all of the required documents (i.e. position papers, resolutions).

1) Organizing the trip

 

Step 1

The registration and payments

As the faculty advisor and the coordinator of the trip, it is your responsibility to ensure that all of the delegates register on time.

After finishing the registration, the delegates have to wait until they get their applications approved by the PORGMUN Team. The next step is to send payments. Every delegate has the option to choose additional services not included in the required application fee.

Step 2

Writing position papers and resolutions

A position paper is an essential part of the preparation process. It serves as the means of acquainting the delegates with the opinions and policies of their country. The delegates are required to submit their position papers to MyMUN before April 1st. If they fail to submit them on time, punishments might be carried out by the chief officers (chairs) of their respectable committees. As a supervisor, you should motivate them to finish and submit their position papers before the deadline.

Every delegate should also prepare a resolution beforehand as assembling a completely new resolution during the unmoderated caucus slows down the debate. Writing a resolution is another way of getting familiar with the topic.

The deadline for position papers is April 1st.

The same goes for writing a resolution. Every delegate should prepare a resolution beforehand in order to ensure a better flow of the debating sessions as less time would be spent on putting together a completely new resolution during the unmoderated caucuses. Also, writing a resolution is another way of making sure that the delegate is well prepared as a resolution cannot be written without sufficient knowledge of the topic.

Step 3

Travelling to Prague

You can get to Prague either by train (in that case you would most likely arrive at the Praha hlavní nádraží station) or by bus. You can also book plane tickets and therefore arrive at the Václav Havel Airport in Prague. We strongly advise you to book your tickets as soon as possible to ensure low prices for the delegation.

Step 4

The Accommodation

PORGMUN provides a discount for accommodation in the Exe Iris Eden hotel. A night in the hotel costs €20* per person in a multiple-bed room and €45* for a night in a single-bed room. One breakfast costs €5*. The PORGMUN Team will arrange your accommodation in the Exe Iris Eden hotel; the only thing you have to do is make sure that all of the delegates pay all of their costs. If you would like to be accommodated in any other hotels, the PORGMUN Team will gladly help you out. Please e-mail us at secretariat@porgmun.cz or registration@porgmun.cz with any inquires.

* The tax of €1 will be added to all final costs (due to international wire transfer charges). Example: if you want to purchase accommodation for four days in a multiple-bed room, normally it would be 20 x 4 = €80, however, with the tax it is going to be €81.

2) Training your delegate

 

Step 1

Researching

All of the delegates should prepare for the conference by researching their country and topic in advance. In order to gain extensive knowledge essential for the debates, the delegates should also acquire information about the other countries and the United Nations Organization itself. We strongly recommend that the delegates have a look at the following documents:

  • The United Nations Charter
  • The Declaration of Human Rights
  • The CIA Fact Book

A more detailed description can be found in the Delegates' Guide section.

Step 2

Rules of procedure

We strongly appeal to all of the supervisors to make sure their delegates know and use the proper language and rules of procedure during the conference. The whole Rules of Procedure can be found here: Rules of Procedure. Here are some of the most important guidelines to be followed:

  • The delegates always have to refer to themselves as well as others in third person.
  • In order to speak, the delegate has to have the floor or an appropriate point or motion.
  • When saying something, the delegates must stand up and remain standing when other delegates are answering them (e.g. during a Point of information).
  • After finishing with a speech, the delegate shall yield the floor back to the Chair or to another delegate.

Points

  • Point of personal privilege
    • The Point of Personal Privilege may be raised by any Delegate in case of personal discomfort. This Point shall not interrupt the Speaker unless it concerns their audibility.
  • Point of information to the speaker
    • The Point of Information to the Speaker may only be raised when the Speaker opens themselves to Points of Information. The Speaker may open himself to:
      1. any and all Points of Information;
      2. a specified maximum number of Points of Information;
      3. no Points of Information.
    • The Point of Information to the Speaker should have the form of a question. A short introductory statement may precede the question. It shall only refer to the discussed matter. The Speaker may choose not to answer the Point of Information. Dialogue on the floor is not allowed. To ask a follow-up question, the Delegate must first ask for a permission of the Chair.
  • Point of information to the Chair
    • The Point of Information to the Chair may be raised by any Delegate when the Chair has the floor. The Point of Information shall not interrupt the Chair and the Delegate must wait to be recognized. The Point of Information to the Chair shall have the form of a question about the proceedings of the Session or a request for information concerning the Topic of the Debate.
  • Point of order
    • The Point of Order may be raised by any Delegate. It may only refer to the order of proceedings or a violation of the Rules of Procedure, including the mistake of the Chair. This Point may interrupt the Speaker. The Delegate shall then explain the nature of their Point. It is to be evaluated by the Chair immediately.
  • Right of reply
    • The Right of Reply may only be raised by a Delegate that was mentioned by the Speaker in a manner they consider offending either personally or on behalf of their country.
    • This Point may not interrupt the Speaker.
    • The Chair may choose not to entertain this Point.
    • Exclaiming “Right of Reply” along with raising the placard is acceptable when raising this Point. The Chair must rule on this point immediately. The Right of Reply shall consist of a short, mostly factual statement and may include a demand of an apology. The Speaker is then asked whether they wish to apologize.

Motions

  • Motion to move directly into voting procedure
    • The Motion to Move Directly into Voting Procedure may be raised by any Delegate and requires a Second. If any Delegate raises an Objection, the Motion is not in order. The Chair may choose not to entertain this Motion.
  • Motion to move into unmoderated caucus
    • The Motion to Move into Unmoderated Caucus may be raised by any Delegate during Open Debate. This Motion requires a Second. If any Delegate raises an Objection, this Motion is not in order.
    • The Chair may choose not to entertain this Motion. The Motion to Move into Unmoderated Caucus must specify the time for the Unmoderated Caucus.
    • If a Motion to move into Unmoderated Caucus is passed, the Delegates shall be free to move around the room. They may use the specified time to informally discuss but not make any changes to the Resolutions. The time designated for the Unmoderated Caucus can be extended or reduced as necessary by a Delegate’s proposal and a Chair’s approval.
  • Motion to move into closed debate
    • The Motion to Move into Closed Debate may be raised by any Delegate during Open Debate. This Motion requires a Second. If any Delegate raises an Objection, the Motion is not in order.
    • The Chair may choose not to entertain this Motion.
    • During Closed Debate, a single speech in favour and a single speech against the Resolution, Amendment or Amendment to the 2nd Degree shall be entertained, including potential Points of Information to the Speaker. Closed Debate may only be succeeded by Voting Procedure.

Step 3

Getting skilled at public speaking, debating and negotiating

Writing and delivering speeches during debates is an important aspect of the MUN simulation. Via their speech, the delegates should be able to convey the positions of their member states and formulate their ideas and opinions coherently and fluently. All that during a speaking time usually set for all individual speakers beforehand by the Chairs of the Committee. It is also very important that all delegates are able to demonstrate their arguments in a non-violent and constructive manner. The art of negotiating is also necessary to get the delegate’s points across and make sure they get implanted in the Committee's resolutions.

You should oversee that all delegates posses these skills in order for them to be successful in their committees' debates. We recommends that you organize meetings or MUN simulations for your delegation before your arrival to Prague so the delegates are able to test and improve their abilities ahead of time.