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Level Up Your MUN Knowledge: BMUN Jargon Check

 


One of the biggest barriers to being a successful delegate is all of the complicated jargon that is used by both chairs and other delegates. A basic list of all BMUN related terms and how they can be used can be found here.

Here are some more pieces of jargon that your chairs will use:

  • "Most to least disruptive" indicates the order in which motions will be entertained and/or voted on. The motions that move the committee further from general procedure are most disruptive. With these rules the following motions are ordered from most to least disruptive:
    • Points of Personal Privilege, Order, and Inquiry
    • Motions to extend previous items such as unmods
    • Motion to move into voting bloc
    • Motion for a formal caucus
    • Motion for an unmoderated caucus (longer unmoderated caucus are more disruptive!)
    • Motion for a moderated caucus (longer total time for moderated caucus are more disruptive. If there are multiple motions with the same total time, the motion that would allow the most delegates to speak is more disruptive).
  • "Smiles Upon" is formal language that your chairs will use to indicate what they would prefer to happen in committee.

Your chair will respond to your motions in a couple of ways:

  • In Order: your motion is valid and can be voted upon
  • Out of Order: your motion is invalid. In practice, your chairs will help provide you with alternative language to help make your motion become in order.
  • Dilatory: a motion that is not conducive to the flow of committee. For example, if you motion for a 10 minute unmoderated caucus but the lunch break is in 2 minutes, your motion will be dilatory.
What are some other things you have heard chairs use but you aren't sure what they mean? Comment below!

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