First Degree Amendment

In Model UN procedure, a first degree amendment is a motion to add, strike, or change wording in the operative clauses of a draft resolution. It is "first degree" because it acts directly on the resolution itself, distinguishing it from a second degree amendment, which would modify a pending first degree amendment.

Most MUN rulebooks — including those modeled on the UN General Assembly's Rules of Procedure and common collegiate rulesets (e.g., NMUN, Harvard WorldMUN, NCSC) — limit amendments to the operative section of a resolution. Preambular clauses are generally not amendable, as they represent context rather than committee action.

Amendments come in two procedural varieties:

• Friendly amendments, accepted by all original sponsors of the draft resolution, are typically incorporated without a vote (though some conferences require a procedural acknowledgment by the dais).
• Unfriendly amendments, lacking unanimous sponsor consent, require a substantive vote by the committee. They are usually introduced after collecting a threshold number of signatories (commonly 10–20%, varying by conference).

Procedurally, once debate on a draft resolution closes, the committee votes on amendments before voting on the resolution as a whole. Amendments are typically voted on in the order submitted, and each requires a simple majority to pass. A passed amendment becomes part of the resolution text for the final substantive vote.

Common first degree amendment actions include:

1. Striking a clause or sub-clause entirely.
2. Adding a new operative clause.
3. Replacing specific wording (e.g., changing "urges" to "demands," or adjusting a numerical figure).

Skilled delegates use first degree amendments strategically — to bridge bloc divisions, neutralize objectionable language, or peel off swing votes from a competing draft. Overuse, however, can stall a committee, which is why many chairs encourage merging amendments before formal submission.