New chairs often know what needs to happen next but freeze when they have to say it out loud to a room of fifty delegates. This guide provides word-for-word chair language for every standard committee moment — from the first gavel strike to final adjournment. Adapt these to your conference's specific rules, but use them as a starting point.
Opening the Session
"The chair will call this session of the [Committee Name] to order. Welcome, delegates, to [Conference Name]. The topic before this committee is [Topic]. Before we begin, the chair will call roll. When your delegation is called, please respond 'Present' or 'Present and Voting.'"
Roll Call
"[Country name]... [pause for response]. [Country name]... [pause]."
If a delegation does not respond: "The delegation of [Country] will be marked absent."
After completing the roll:
"The chair notes that [X] delegations are present, constituting a quorum / not constituting a quorum. [If quorum] The committee will proceed to formal debate."
Opening the General Speakers List
"The chair will now open the General Speakers List. Delegates wishing to be added to the list, please raise your placard. The default speaker time is [X] seconds. Delegates are reminded that they may yield remaining time to another delegate, to questions, or to the chair."
Calling a Speaker
"The chair recognises the delegate of [Country]. You have [X] seconds. You may begin."
When time expires:
"The delegate's time has expired. Thank you. The chair recognises the delegate of [next country]."
Handling a Yield
Yield to another delegate:
"The delegate of [Country A] yields their remaining time to the delegate of [Country B]. The chair recognises the delegate of [Country B] with [X] seconds remaining. You may begin."
Yield to questions:
"The delegate yields their remaining time to questions. Are there any points of information? The chair recognises the delegate of [Country]."
Entertaining a Motion
"The chair recognises the delegate of [Country] on a motion."
After the motion is stated:
"The delegate of [Country] moves for a [type of motion]. Is there a second? [pause] The motion is seconded. The committee will now vote on this motion. All those in favour, please raise your placards... all those against... the motion [passes/fails] with [X] in favour and [Y] against."
Opening a Moderated Caucus
"The committee will now enter a moderated caucus of [X] minutes, with [Y] seconds per speaker, on the topic of [topic]. Delegates wishing to speak during this caucus, please raise your placards now."
Closing the caucus:
"The moderated caucus has concluded. The committee returns to the General Speakers List. The next speaker is the delegate of [Country]."
Opening an Unmoderated Caucus
"The motion passes. The committee will now take an unmoderated caucus of [X] minutes. Delegates are free to leave their seats. The committee will reconvene at [time]. Two minutes remaining — delegates, please return to your seats."
Voting on a Resolution
"The committee will now proceed to vote on Draft Resolution [number]. All those in favour, please raise your placards... all those against... abstentions... The resolution [passes/fails] with [X] in favour, [Y] against, and [Z] abstentions."
For a roll call vote:
"A roll call vote has been requested. When your country is called, please state 'In Favour,' 'Against,' or 'Abstain.' [Country name]..."
Ruling on a Point of Order
"The chair rules this point of order [well-taken / not well-taken]. [If well-taken:] The chair will [corrective action]. [If not well-taken:] The committee will continue."
Closing the Session
"Delegates, the committee session is drawing to a close. [If time remains:] The committee will take up [X] more speakers before suspending. [At end:] The chair thanks all delegates for their contributions to today's session. This session of [Committee Name] is hereby suspended. [gavel]"
The most important script rule: when in doubt, slow down. A pause of two seconds feels much longer from the dais than it looks to the room. Take your time, breathe, and deliver each announcement clearly.
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