1. SCOPE OF THESE STANDING ORDERS
1.1. The scope of these standing orders is defined in the Statutes of ESN.
1.2. If the Statutes and the standing orders are not in compliance with each other, the Statutes overrule the standing orders.

2. MEMBERS' RIGHTS
2.1. Any member has the right to propose decisions. Such proposals shall be put on the agenda in the order in which they have been handed in. The chair may may change the order if the members, whose proposals are concerned, agree with the proposed change of order by the chair..
2.2. Only full members (sections) have the right to vote
2.3. Participants of an Annual General Meeting other than representatives of members, the members of the International Board and the participants from the International Administration, will not normally have the right to speak.The chair can extend or revoke the right to speak to any person This decision has to be announced by the chair and can be challenged by any member. If the decision is challenged, a vote has to be taken immediately. The vote has to be carried by a simple majority.

3. CHAIR
3.1. The responsibility for chairing sessions of an Annual General Meeting rests with the International Board. The Board will appoint one of the NR's to carry out the task
3.2. Any member, having the right to vote, can propose at any time that another person, member of the International Board, will take over the chair. Such a proposal has to be voted upon immediately and is carried by an absolute majority.
3.3. The person actually chairing a session is referred to as "the chair".
3.4. It is the chair's responsibility that the procedures stipulated in these standing orders are adhered to. He/she may ask another person familiar with the regulations to assist.
3.5. The chair is obliged to follow the agenda.
3.5.1. Any member or the chair may propose a change of the agenda, stating reasons for the proposal.
3.5.2. Such a proposal shall be voted on immediately and is carried by a simple majority.
3.6. The chair may at any time make comments about procedural matters but will be considered a normal speaker in all other cases.
3.7. The chair may at any time resign from the task of chairing. The chair will then be given to an International Board Member.
3.8. The chair calls speakers according to the speakers' list.
3.9. The chair may propose procedures not laid down in these standing orders in accordance with article 10.

4. SPEAKERS' LIST
4.1. During all discussions, the chair keeps a speakers' list in the order that participants indicate their desire to speak.
4.1.1. The desire to speak shall be indicated by raising one hand.
4.1.2. If the chair wishes to participate in a topical discussion, he/she must put down his/her name on the speakers' list. Like all other participants, he/she shall indicate his/her desire to speak publicly.
4.2. There are two kinds of speakers' lists. The chair must indicate which kind is going to be used before the list is opened. The chair may switch from one kind to the other but must announce when he/she is going to do so.
4.2.1. The normal kind of keeping the list is in the order of indications. This is referred to as a simple speakers' list.
4.2.2. The list may also be kept alternating between speakers in favour and opposing. This is referred to as a qualified speakers' list. Participants wishing to speak must then also indicate if their argument is in favour or opposing the item of discussion. The chair will then call speakers alternately unless only speakers in favour or only speakers opposing are left on the list.
4.3. The chair can decide to close the speakers' list. The chair has to ask if there are any objections to this decision. If a member opposes the decision,. a vote shall be taken. A vote on closing the speakers' list shall also be taken, if a full member proposes to close the speakers' list. The proposal to close the speakers'list has to be carried by a simple majority.
4.3.1. If the speakers' list has been closed, the chair shall note all persons indicating their desire to speak. Then he/she verifies that the list is complete by reading it out aloud. If no objections are raised, the list is closed and cannot be reopened before a vote on the matter discussed is taken.
4.3.2. If a proposal for closing the speakers' list has been made, voted upon and carried, and if all persons on the list have spoken, but no proposal for voting has been made, the chair may propose a vote and may ask for suggestions for the wording of the proposal. The chair is free to move on to the next point of the agenda.
4.4. Speaking time begins when the chair calls a speaker. It shall normally not exceed three minutes. The chair can both reduce and extend speaking time. A simple majority overrules such a chair decision.

5. MAJORITIES
5.1. Three types of majority can be decisive.
5.1.1. A simple majority is reached when the number of votes in favour exceeds the number of opposing votes, regardless of the number of abstentions.
5.1.2. An absolute majority is reached when the number of votes in favour exceeds 50% of all votes given.
5.1.3. A two-thirds majority is reached when the number of votes in favour equals or exceeds two thirds of all votes given. The presence of at least 51% of all the existing sections is required during the voting session.
5.2. A section present during the voting procedure has to vote in favour, against or abstain. All abstantions are counted votes.

6. VOTING PROCEDURE
6.1. A vote must be taken if proposed by a full member. If required, the purpose and/or need for a vote may be explained with the proposal. A discussion will normally take place between proposal and voting.
6.2. A vote will be taken without delay,
6.2.1. if a proposal has been made and no desire to speak is indicated;
6.2.2. if as proposal has been made, the speakers' list has been closed and all speakers on that list have spoken;
6.2.3. if a proposal concerning the procedure has been made in accordance with article 10.3. and one speaker was allowed to speak opposing that proposal;
6.2.4. if a proposal for a change of the agenda has been made in accordance with article 3.5.;
6.2.5. if a proposal for closing the speakers' list in accordance with article 4.3. has been made;
6.2.6. if a break is proposed. The proposal shall state time or condition(s) for beginning and endurance of the break or conditions(s) for ending the break. The maximum time for a break that is not on the agenda is 20 minutes;
6.2.7. if the chair's decision to reduce or extend speaking time in accordance with article 4.4. is challenged;
6.2.8. if the member of the Executive Board member responsible for the chairing decided to replace the chair in accordance with article 3.2. and that decision is challenged;
6.2.9. if the exclusion of a participant is proposed in accordance with article 8 and one speaker was allowed to speak opposing that proposal;

6.3. Before a vote is taken, the chair will -in the following order-
6.3.1. announce that the vote is going to be taken;
6.3.2. summarize the point to be voted on, stating clearly the meaning of votes in favour and votes opposing the proposal;
6.3.3. explain the possible consequences of the outcome of the vote, if the chair wishes to do so;
6.3.4. establish the way of voting;

6.4. Normal voting procedure
6.4.1. The chair asks for votes in favour of the proposal, opposing the proposal, and blank votes. All full member sections indicate their opinion clearly by raising one voting card.
6.4.2. If the chair finds a clear majority either in favour or against the proposal, he may announce the result immediately, without the votes being counted.
6.4.3. If the chair does not find a clear majority either for or against, a second vote will be held, in which all votes will be counted. Likewise if any full member wishes it.
6.4.4. The chair can decide to go straight to a counted vote

6.5. Secret voting
6.5.1. Any vote can be made secret, if requested by a full member
6.5.1.1 Pieces of paper are handed out to all full members and are collected after all of them have indicated their opinion in writing and folded their piece once.
6.5.1.2. The chair then opens the pieces one by one and announces the votes contained, if the chair wants to do it him- or herself. If not the chair can ask some participants to do it. This should be done by at least three participants, who are not from the same section or nationality. Every person participating in the ballot has the right to double-check by himself/herself, if he/she wishes to do so.
6.5.1.3. After the counting is completed, the decision is announced by the chair.

6.6. A vote is invalid and must be repeated at once
6.6.1. if the number of all votes given is higher that the number of persons present and having the right to vote;
6.6.2. if anybody participated in the voting without having the right to vote;
6.6.3. if anybody voted more than once;
6.6.4. if anybody can prove that the counting has been done wrong;
6.6.5. if doubts about the correctness be raised and cannot be refused;
6.6.6. if a decision is taken without voting in accordance with 6.4.1. and that decision is challenged without undue delay;
6.6.7. if a vote cannot be interpreted clearly as being in favour or against
6.7. A secret ballot is not considered invalid and therefore not repeated if one or more votes areannounced as an abstantion according to section 6.4.3.3.
6.8. If the outcome of a vote is even, meaning an equal number of votes in favour and opposing when a simple majority is needed, or meaning that the number of votes in favour equals 50% of all votes given when an absolute majority is needed, the proposal voted on will be decided on by the chair.
6.9. Any vote can be repeated on request if there is sufficient ground for supposing that wrong or incomplete or unclear information has caused the outcome of the vote. Any full member can request such a repetition. The request has to be voted on and carried by a simple majority in order to repeat the vote.

7. AMENDMENTS
7.1. If a proposal has been made in speech or writing, any member may propose an amendment to the proposal.
7.2. An amendment may not turn the meaning of the original proposal into its opposite nor express policies or intentions that have already been rejected in an earlier vote.
7.3. If two or more amendments are proposed, the chair may decide in which order they shall be voted on.
7.3.1. Normally, the amendment with the farthest reaching consequences and implications shall be voted on first.
7.3.2. An amendment that is more moderate than an already accepted one or that is inconsistent with it, shall be neither discussed nor voted on unless and absolute majority wishes to do so.
7.4. Only if the original proposal was made available in writing to all full members present and an amendment to the proposal has been proposed, an amendment to the amendment may be proposed.
7.4.1. In such cases, the chair shall halt the discussion to give all full members present the time to write down the original amendment or to have its phrasing visualized in any other form. Only then shall the amendment to the amendment be made.
7.4.2. An amendment to an amendment cannot be amended further, but is treated like a normal amendment in all other respects.
7.4.3. Only when all amendments to an amendment have been voted on, a vote on the original amendment (amended or not) shall be taken.
7.5. Only when all amendments to a proposal have been voted on, a vote on the original proposal (amended or not) shall be taken.
7.6. A simple majority is needed for carrying an amendment or an amendment to an amendment.
7.7. Voting on amendments or amendments to amendments cannot be done by secret ballot.

8. EXCLUSION OF PARTICIPANTS
8.1. Any member can at any time propose the exclusion of any person present at an Annual General Meeting on the grounds of inadequate unacceptable behaviour only. The proposal must then be discussed and carried by a two third majority.
8.2. On request, an excluded person must be informed if and when he/she can expect the decision for exclusion to be lifted.
8.3. A simple majority is needed to lift the decision for exclusion.

9. IMPLEMENTATION AND CHANGE OF STANDING ORDERS
9.1. A whole set or any single standing order is implemented as soon as it is carried by a two-thirds majority.
9.2. Changes to the standing orders can be proposed by any member. A change is implemented as soon as it is carried by a two-thirds majority.

10. OMISSIONS/PROCEDURAL PROPOSALS
10.1. If a situation occurs that is not covered by these standing orders, the chair shall propose and establish an adequate procedure.
10.2. Any member may challenge that procedure which then has to be carried by two third majority.
10.3. Any member shall indicate a desire to make a proposal concerning the procedure by raising both arms.
10.3.1. The following proposals are to be considered procedural ones:
10.3.1.1. - a proposal for a change of the agenda in accordance with article 3.5.;
10.3.1.2. - a proposal for closing the speakers' list in accordance with article 4.3.;
10.3.1.3. - a proposal for a break in accordance with article 6.2.6.;
10.3.1.4. - a challenge of the chair's decision to reduce or extend speaking time in accordance with article 4.4.;
10.3.1.5. - a challenge of the decision to replace the Executive Board member chairing at the AGM in accordance with article 3.2.;
10.3.1.6. - a proposal for exclusion of a participant in accordance with article 8.;
10.3.1.7. - an objection against the chair's anticipation of an unanimous or overwhelmingly clear decision in accordance with article 6.4.1.;
10.3.1.8. - a request for a secret ballot in accordance with article 6.4.3.;
10.3.1.9. - a challenge of the correctness of a vote in accordance with article 6.5.4. or article 6.5.5.;
10.3.1.10. - a challenge of a decision taken without voting in accordance with
articles 6.4.1. and 6.5.6.;
10.3.1.11. - a request for the repetition of a vote in accordance with article 6.8.;
10.3.1.12. - a challenge of a procedure established by the chair in accordance with articles 10.1. and 10.2.;
10.3.2. Any such proposal overrules the speakers' list and must be heard immediately.
10.3.3. One person should be allowed to speak opposing that proposal.
10.3.4. If more than one procedural proposal is made at the same time, the chair may decide the order in which they are heard. This decision cannot be challenged.

11. PROCEDURE AUDITORS
11.1 At the beginning of an AGM, a commission of three people not representing the same section and country shall be installed. The Board has to contact these three persons before the AGM and will propose them to the AGM. Every member of this commission can be replaced at any time by a simple majority of the Annual General Meeting. Proposals for this replacement sahll be considered procedural matters and will be voted upon immediately.
11.2 The installed commission of article 11.1 controls permanently the procedures that are being followed during the plenary sessions. They lay down the right defenitions of the changed articles and all the additions made to the official documents.
11.3 Should a dispute rise concerning a different interpretation of the cahnges and additions were made to the statutes and the standing orders, the final decisions as they were written down by the commission according to the discussions and the voting procedures, will be considered the only valid versions.