SENATE COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES

Dear delegates,

First and foremost, we, the chairs of the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services would like to wish all of you the biggest of success on this year’s annual Caracas Model United Nation 2008.
Nonetheless, in view of the special categorization the committee has received, we have decided to award it with special rules of procedure applicable only to this committee.
The committee having four topics needing to be resolved, and it also having a first-person speaking modality make different rules necessary for the debate to reach the maximum level of effectiveness and dynamic.

The debate modality will be of a permanent moderate caucus, where the chair will give the word to those who wish to speak. Speaking will happen in a first person method, referring to other senate committee members as “Honorable” instead of the normal “Delegate”.

Senate Committee members will be able to address the committee with a comment or short speech at any time as long as the chair acknowledges his permission to speak.

The chair will open the floor occasionally in case any committee member wishes to introduce a motion, such as the Introduction of a Working Paper or a Project of Law (What is generally a resolution, except in the senate, members work on creating new laws). These motions will be subject to vote; simple majority for a Working Paper and 2/3 majority for a Project of Law.
Points of Personal Privilege and Parliamentary Doubt can be addressed at any moment during the debate. First person expressions such as “I”, and “My opinion” will be allowed.

The only time the committee will not be in moderate caucus is in Topic Opening and/or passing a Project of Law. For topic opening will be discussed among the entire committee, then the floor will be opened, and we will proceed to one speaker for, one against and finalize the procedure with voting.

Remember delegates, participation is of the most importance so we expect you all to give your best and have a great time.

Thank you,
Sincerely,

Maximillian Sultan, President
Alicia Bittan, Vice-President