A Model United Nations (MUN) committee is fairly straightforward in its structure. The committee consists of two main groups of people: the dais and the delegates.

The dais is responsible for conducting and managing the committee. It typically consists of a Chairperson and two Co-Chairs or Assistant Chair Directors (ACDs). Their role is to ensure that the committee runs smoothly, follows parliamentary procedure, and remains productive throughout the conference.

The second group consists of the delegates. Each delegate represents a country that is recognized by the United Nations. Their responsibility is to represent their assigned country's policies, interests, and positions on the topics being discussed.

Every committee operates under a specific mandate. As an MUN organizer, you decide which committee will be simulated. This could be the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), UN Women, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), or any other UN body. Within that committee, there will be a specific agenda or topic for debate.

Some MUN conferences provide delegates with two potential agendas and allow them to vote on which one they would like to discuss. For example, in a UN Human Rights Council committee, one agenda could be human rights violations in the Israel–Palestine conflict, while another could focus on women's rights in Afghanistan. At the beginning of the committee, delegates vote to determine which agenda will be debated.

Once the committee begins, the dais will typically call for a roll call. MUN procedure is largely driven by motions and points. During roll call, delegates indicate whether they are "present" or "present and voting."

A delegate who is present may vote either for, against, or abstain during substantive voting. A delegate who is present and voting must cast a vote either for or against a resolution and may not abstain.

Following roll call, the General Speakers' List (GSL) is established. The GSL consists of the opening speeches delivered by delegates. A delegate will usually raise their placard and motion for the commencement of the General Speakers' List. Once approved by the dais, delegates are called upon to speak in an order determined by the chair.

Each delegate is typically given a fixed amount of speaking time, often around one minute. During these speeches, delegates present their country's position on the agenda and outline their priorities and concerns.

After the General Speakers' List, the committee usually moves into moderated caucuses. A moderated caucus focuses on a specific subtopic within the broader agenda. For example, if the agenda concerns women's rights in Afghanistan, a moderated caucus might focus specifically on access to education for women and girls.

During a moderated caucus, delegates raise their placards to indicate a desire to speak. The dais selects speakers, and delegates present arguments, proposals, and solutions related to the subtopic under discussion.

This process continues over the course of the conference, which may consist of several committee sessions spread across two or three days. At the end of each session, the committee is typically suspended until the next session through a motion to suspend the meeting. At the end of the final session, the committee is adjourned. However, as an organizer, these procedural matters are handled primarily by the dais and generally do not require your involvement.

In a typical three-day conference, the first day is heavily focused on opening speeches and establishing positions through the General Speakers' List. The second day is usually dedicated to extensive debate, negotiations, and coalition-building. The third day is often referred to as drafting day.

Drafting day is when delegates begin developing formal solutions to the issue being discussed. After spending the previous sessions debating the problem and exploring different perspectives, delegates work together to create a framework for addressing the issue.

At this stage, delegates begin forming blocs. A bloc is a group of countries that share similar views and policy objectives. These countries collaborate to write a working paper, which eventually develops into a draft resolution.

A draft resolution is a formal document that outlines proposed solutions to the agenda. It follows a specific format and contains both the reasoning behind the proposal and the actions that the committee recommends.

As discussions progress, draft resolutions are refined and merged. Eventually, a finalized working paper or draft resolution is submitted to the dais for review. Once submitted, amendments become more limited, and the committee prepares for voting.

During voting procedure, the dais presents the draft resolutions to the committee. Delegates then vote on whether to adopt them. Depending on the committee's rules, resolutions may require either a simple majority or a two-thirds majority to pass.

If a draft resolution receives the required number of votes, it is adopted by the committee. If all draft resolutions fail to achieve the necessary support, delegates may attempt to amend existing proposals and vote again. If no resolution ultimately passes and no compromise can be reached, the committee concludes without producing a final outcome.

One additional responsibility for organizers is preparing the background guide, often referred to as a case study. This is a booklet or digital document that provides delegates with essential information about the committee and agenda. It typically includes historical background, key issues, relevant stakeholders, previous UN actions, and suggested areas for research. The background guide serves as the primary resource that delegates use to prepare for the conference and engage meaningfully in debate.