Vice Chair

In Model United Nations, the Vice Chair is the second-ranking member of the dais, sitting alongside the Chair and (in many conferences) a Rapporteur or Director. The role exists in most committee structures, including those modeled on the UN General Assembly's own Bureau, where each Main Committee elects a Chair, Vice-Chairs, and a Rapporteur under Rule 103 of the GA Rules of Procedure.

Practical responsibilities vary by conference circuit but typically include:

• Running portions of formal debate when the Chair steps away, including recognizing speakers, timing speeches, and ruling on points of order or inquiry.
• Managing the speakers list and tracking motions during moderated and unmoderated caucuses.
• Reviewing working papers and draft resolutions for formatting, sponsors, and signatories before they reach the Chair for approval.
• Coordinating with delegates on procedural questions, amendments, and crisis updates in crisis committees.
• Assisting with awards deliberation by taking notes on delegate performance, diplomatic conduct, and substantive contributions.

The Vice Chair is usually a returning staffer with prior committee experience but not yet selected to chair independently, making the position a common stepping stone to Chair, Under-Secretary-General, or Secretariat roles. At university-run conferences such as HNMUN, NMUN, WorldMUN, and NHSMUN, Vice Chairs are typically recruited through competitive staff applications months before the conference.

In crisis committees, the Vice Chair often runs front-room procedure while the Chair or Crisis Director coordinates with the backroom on directives and arcs. In General Assembly-style committees, the role is more procedural, focused on keeping a large room (sometimes 100+ delegates) orderly.

Delegates should treat rulings by the Vice Chair as carrying the same weight as those of the Chair unless the Chair explicitly overrides them.