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ARISF Statutes

  1. Article 1: Name
  2. Article 2: Foundation and duration
  3. Article 3: Offical seat an headquarters
  4. Article 4: Legal status and bodies
  5. Article 5: Aims and objectives
  6. Article 6: Language
  7. Article 7: Membership
  8. Article 8: Independance and autonomy
  9. Article 9: Subscription fee
  10. Article 10: The general assembly
  11. Article 11: Council
  1. Article 12: Council members
  2. Article 13: President Emeritus
  3. Article 14: Expenses of council members
  4. Article 15: Financial examiners
  5. Article 16: Accounts
  6. Article 17: Court of arbitration for sport
  7. Article 18: Disputes of interpretation
  8. Article 19: Matters not providd for
  9. Article 20: Modification
  10. Article 21: Dissolution and liquidation
  11. Article 22: Final provisions

  1. ARTICLE 1 - NAME
    1. The association shall be known as: "Association of the IOC Recognised International Sports Federations".
    2. The official abbreviation of the association is "ARISF".
  2. ARTICLE 2 - FOUNDATION AND DURATION.
    1. ARISF was founded in 1984 by the International Sports Federations recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
    2. ARISF shall be established for an indefinite period.
  3. ARTICLE 3 - OFFICIAL SEAT AND HEADQUARTERS
    1. The Official Seat of ARISF is Lausanne, Switzerland.
    2. The Council shall decide on the location of the ARISF Headquarters.
  4. ARTICLE 4 - LEGAL STATUS AND BODIES
    1. ARISF is a non-governmental, non-profit, non-discriminatory, association of International Federations that is recognised by the International Olympic Committee following Article of the Olympic Charter. ARISF is a non-profit-making organisation within the provisions of Article 60 ff of the Swiss Civil Code.
    2. ARISF shall have full legal status
    3. The proper law of ARISF is the law of its official seat.
    4. Bodies of ARISF shall be the General Assembly and the Council.
    5. Nothing herein shall constitute Members of the ARISF as partners for any purpose. No Member, officer, agent, or employee of the ARISF shall be liable for the acts or failure to act on the part of any other Member, officer, agent or employee of the ARISF. Nor shall any Member, officer, agent or employee be liable for his/her acts or failure to act under these Statutes, except only acts or omissions to act arising out of his/her willful misfeasance.
  5. ARTICLE 5 - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
    The objectives of ARISF shall be
    1. To discuss matters raised by its members on questions of common interest, in relation to Olympism and the Olympic Movement and in relation to the role of the recognised Federations as an integrated part of the Olympic movement.
    2. To coordinate and defend the common interests of its members in the above context.
    3. To ensure close co-operation between its members, as well as other International Sports Federations and organizations.
    4. To act as a spokesman on behalf of its members in matters relating to the Olympic Charter, the Olympic Congress, Olympic Solidarity, the Olympic Games and the Olympic movement in general.
    5. To maintain the authority, independence and autonomy of its members and to ensure respect of the decisions made by the General Assembly.
    6. To decide on nominations of ARISF representatives on International Sports Organizations.
    7. To ensure the widest possible participation at IOC Congresses and in IOC programmes and Projects.
    8. To encourage the convening of its members for the purpose of creating links of friendship, solidarity and collaboration between them.
    9. To actively support the inclusion of the sports of its members in the Olympic programme.
    10. Other aims and objectives may from time to time be defined by the General Assembly.
  6. ARTICLE 6 - LANGUAGE
    1. The official language of ARISF is English. All meetings shall be conducted in English and all documents and communication shall be written and conducted in English only.
  7. ARTICLE 7 - MEMBERSHIP
    1. ARISF is composed of International Federations that are recognised or provisionally recognised by the International Olympic Committee according to Article 29 of the Olympic Charter as recognised International Federations and whose sports are not included as a sport in the Olympic Games or Olympic Winter Games. Sports Federations that are not recognised by the IOC as recognised International Federations cannot be a member of ARISF.
    2. Each International Federation that is recognised or provisionally recognised by the International Olympic Committee can affiliate as an ARISF member. Federations seeking membership must submit a written application to the ARISF President. The ARISF President shall confirm the membership request following verification of the recognition status at the IOC.
    3. A member will automatically lose its membership status when one or more of its disciplines are included as a sport in the Olympic Games or the Olympic Winter Games. A member will also lose its membership should, for any reason whatsoever, the IOC decide to withdraw the said member’s recognition.
  8. ARTICLE 8 - INDEPENDENCE AND AUTONOMY OF MEMBER FEDERATIONS
    1. The Member Federations maintain full independence and autonomy in the administration of their own sports.
    2. The Member Federations shall observe the decisions taken by the General Assembly in relation to the common interests as stated in these statutes. The fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter shall prevail in all actions taken by ARISF and its members. Rules and regulations if issued by ARISF, shall not conflict with or derogate from those principles.
  9. ARTICLE 9 - SUBSCRIPTION FEE
    1. Members shall pay such subscriptions as the General Assembly decides.
  10. ARTICLE 10 - THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
    1. The General Assembly shall be the highest authority of ARISF and shall have all the powers in ARISF that, according to proper law or the Statutes of ARISF, have not been given to other bodies of ARISF.
    2. Extraordinary General Assemblies shall be held at a place and on a date determined by the Council:
      1. when requested by a decision of the Council;
      2. within four (4) months of the receipt by the Council of a requisition by not less than one third of its members; or
      3. on the request of the President;
    3. Not less than four (4) months’ notice shall be given to convene a General Assembly and such notice shall specify the place, date and time of the meeting and include an invitation to the members to submit items to the agenda at least 75 days prior to the meeting. The agenda of the meeting shall be sent out at least 45 days prior to the meeting.
    4. The General Assembly shall be composed of:
      1. Up to two (2) delegates from each member, one of who shall be the Head of the delegation to be declared before the opening of the meeting. The Head of the delegation must be a member of the Executive Committee of the International Federation he/she represents.
      2. Members of the Council who may attend in their own right but with no voting rights, with the exception of the provision mentioned under (c)
      3. Members of the Council who may act as Head of Delegation.
      4. The President Emeritus, without voting rights.
      5. Honorary Members of ARISF as referred to under Article 10.13, without voting rights.
      6. Other persons that may attend the General Assembly at the discretion of the President.
    5. The agenda of the General Assembly shall include at least:
      1. President’s address.
      2. Roll call to determine the number of present votes.
      3. Approval of the Agenda (Article 10.10(j)).
      4. Election of three (3) scrutineers.
      5. Approval of the minutes of the previous General Assembly.
      6. Annual Report(s) of the President and the Secretary General.
      7. Annual Financial Report(s).
      8. Report of the Financial Examiners (Article 15.4).
      9. Approval of the accounts and discharge of the Council (Article 16.3).
      10. Budgets.
      11. Fixing the date, time and place of the next General Assembly.
      12. Any other items which have been proposed by the Council or by one or more Members. These items should reach the Secretary General at least 75 days before the date of the General Assembly.
    6. The General Assembly may debate only those matters appearing on the approved agenda.
    7. The President shall preside over the General Assembly but he/she may request the meeting to appoint a Chairman in his place. If the President is absent, the Vice-President shall preside over the Assembly. If also the Vice-President is absent, the Secretary General shall open the General Assembly and request the delegates to appoint a member of the Council to take the Chair.
    8. The quorum at the General Assembly shall be one half (1/2) plus one (1) of the total number of members of ARISF.
    9. Each member shall be entitled to one (1) vote.
    10. Voting at General Assembly shall be dealt with as follows:
      1. A simple majority is the majority of votes cast, excluding abstentions.
      2. An absolute majority is more than half of the votes present.
      3. A special majority is more than two-thirds of the votes present.
      4. Voting by a proxy vote is not permitted.
      5. All voting on business matters shall be taken by show of hands, and all voting on matters concerning persons shall be by ballot, unless the President or the meeting, by simple majority, shall determine a different form of voting.
      6. If voting is by ballot, the scrutineers will open the ballot papers and decide on the validity of each vote cast.
      7. Alterations to the Statutes require a special majority.
      8. Election of the scrutineers requires a simple majority.
      9. Election of Council members requires an absolute majority, with the exception of the provision under Clause 10.11(b).
      10. Initial approval of the agenda of the General Assembly shall be by a simple majority. The approved agenda may only be modified by a special majority.
      11. All other decisions of the General Assembly require a simple majority.
      12. The General Assembly may decide to conduct a postal vote outside of the meeting. Postal voting shall include voting by post, email and fax. Postal voting is subject to the same requirements as any voting during the General Assembly.
    11. Elections at a General Assembly shall be dealt with as follows:
      1. The President, the Vice-President, the Secretary General, and the Directors shall be elected in that order.
      2. With due regard to the provision under (c), in the event of unopposed nominations, the candidates nominated shall be declared elected.
      3. The nomination of a candidate may be deprived of its binding nature by a resolution passed by a special majority.
      4. If no one is nominated, or if the General Assembly shall resolve to deprive a nomination of its binding nature in accordance with the provision of (c), the elections shall be deferred to a postal vote to be conducted within four months after the General Assembly; nominations thereto shall reach the Secretary General no later than one month after the General Assembly.
      5. Balloting
        1. On the first ballot, each voting Member shall cast one vote for each vacancy and the candidate(s) who receive an Absolute Majority shall be elected.
        2. If any vacancy still remains there shall be a second and subsequent ballots until all vacancies have been filled. In each such ballot the number of remaining candidates shall be reduced (if necessary) by removing those candidates receiving the least number of votes so that there are no more than twice the number of candidates as there are remaining vacancies. On the second and subsequent ballots, each voting Member shall cast one vote for each remaining vacancy.
      6. Each candidate is entitled to a one-minute address. A resume of each candidate seeking election shall be circulated to all delegates by the Secretary General.
    12. Decisions taken by the General Assembly take immediate effect, unless the Assembly decides otherwise.
    13. Honorary Members
    14. The General Assembly may confer by special majority the title of Honorary Member upon persons who have rendered exceptional service to ARISF.
  11. ARTICLE 11 - COUNCIL
    1. Authority
      1. The Council shall be responsible for directing the policy, management and activities of ARISF and for ensuring the proper performance and observance of the objectives of ARISF and its Statutes and decisions.
      2. The Council shall, subject to the directions of the General Assembly, have full power and authority to manage the affairs of ARISF and exercise all its powers including the power to engage such agents as may be necessary for the performance of its duties. In general, the Council shall decide all matters not otherwise reserved to the General Assembly by these Statutes.
    2. Composition
      1. The Council shall consist of:
        1. The President
        2. The Vice-President
        3. The Secretary General
        4. Three (3) Directors.
      2. All members of the Council shall be a member of the Executive Committee of a recognised International Sports Federation.
      3. The President and the Vice-President shall be President of an International Federation.
      4. No International Federation shall be represented on the Council by more than one person.
      5. Candidates for election (or re-election as the case may be) to a position in the Council must be nominated by their own International Federation or by the Council.
      6. Nominations must reach the Secretary General not later than 75 days before the date fixed for the General Assembly. All nominations shall include a resume of the candidate.
      7. Candidates may be nominated for multiple positions, with due observance that they can only be elected for one position. If a candidate is elected for a position, nominations of this candidate for other positions are automatically deemed to be withdrawn.
      8. All members of the Council shall hold office for a term of four years, unless the Council members are appointed or elected in a vacancy resulting before the term of a Council is completed. In that case, they shall hold office until the end of the term of their respective predecessors. At the proposal of the Council, the General Assembly may decide to limit the term of a Council member at election to any term shorter than four years.
      9. Members of the Council are eligible for re-election at the end of any term of office, with due observance of Clauses (b) up to and including (f).
      10. If one or more of the positions mentioned under Clause (a) are vacant, the Council shall remain a competent body.
    3. Meetings
      1. The Council shall meet at least once (1) in each year at such time and place as the President decides.
      2. The President Emeritus is invited to attend all Council meetings.
    4. Vacancies
      1. If the President dies, resigns or becomes permanently incapacitated, the Vice-President shall assume office as Acting President until the next General Assembly. The Acting President shall be entitled to all privileges and be responsible for all duties of the President.
      2. If the Vice-President or Secretary General relinquishes office, the President shall appoint the Acting Vice-President or Secretary General out of the remaining Council members, until the next General Assembly. Such acting Vice-President or Secretary General shall be entitled to all privileges and responsible for all duties of the Council member he/she is appointed to replace.
    5. Within the framework of the authority given to the Council, it may delegate its day-to-day affairs to the President, the Secretary General, or one of several of its Directors or Members.
    6. The President and/or the Secretary General are empowered, within the limits of their responsibilities to enter jointly into legal binding transactions on behalf of ARISF, not exceeding 5,000 United States dollars. For any transactions exceeding this amount, approval of the Council shall be required.
  12. ARTICLE 12 - COUNCIL MEMBERS
    1. The President
      1. Is the nominal head of ARISF.
      2. Shall represent ARISF.
      3. Presides at all meetings of the Council and the General Assembly, with due observance of Clause 10.7, and shall draw up the agenda thereof, without prejudicing the right of the aforesaid meetings to make changes therein.
      4. Report to the Council on all matters of significance to ARISF and the Olympic Movement that may have arisen since the last meeting.
    2. The Vice President shall assist the President in carrying out his duties and deputise for him as requested.
    3. The Secretary General is responsible for the administration of ARISF. The Secretary General is also in charge of budgeting, implemeting, recording, reporting, planning and controlling of ARISF’s finances.
  13. ARTICLE 13 - PRESIDENT EMERITUS
    1. The General Assembly may appoint the immediate past President as President Emeritus, subject to a special majority (10.10(c)).
    2. The President Emeritus shall serve ARISF by facilitating a smooth transition of the Presidency.
    3. The President Emeritus shall be allowed to represent ARISF and the ARISF Council, in close consultation with and subject to any restrictions laid down by the President
    4. The President may designate specific tasks to the President Emeritus.
    5. The President Emeritus reports to the President and is invited to attend all Council meetings.
  14. ARTICLE 14 - EXPENSES OF COUNCIL MEMBERS
    1. All expenses of Council Members are to be carried by the International Federation nominating the Council member, with the exception of costs accounted for in the budget approved by the General Assembly.
  15. ARTICLE 15 - FINANCIAL EXAMINERS
    1. The General Assembly shall elect two financial examiners.
    2. The financial examiners may not be members of the Council.
    3. It shall be the duty of the financial examiners to examine the financial administration of ARISF, its balance sheet and the profit and loss statement, as well as any other matters in the ARISF financial administration.
    4. If the financial examiners agree to the balance sheet and the profit and loss account, they shall propose to the General Assembly that the accounts are approved.
    5. The Council is obliged to give the financial examiners any information it requires and to permit inspection of any documents.
  16. ARTICLE 16 - ACCOUNTS
    1. The Council shall be obliged to maintain such records of accounting that the financial position of ARISF can be ascertained at all times. The records of accounting shall be expressed in a currency decided by the Council.
    2. The Council shall submit its annual report including a balance sheet and a profit and loss account to the General Assembly and present a fully documented report of its management in the previous financial year. The financial year begins on January 1 and ends on December 31 of the same year.
    3. Acceptance of the annual accounts by the General Assembly shall release the Council from liability for all acts apparent from the annual accounts.
  17. ARTICLE 17 - COURT OF ARBITRATION FOR SPORT
    1. If unable to be resolved through other measures, any dispute between ARISF on the one side and a Member or a person on the other side, shall be submitted, to the exclusion of any other jurisdiction, whether ordinary or arbitrational, to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and resolved definitively in accordance with the Code of Sports-related Arbitration (ordinary arbitration proceedings).
    2. A copy of the claim and of the statements must be given to ARISF at the same time as it is given to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
    3. The Court of Arbitration for Sport shall apply the Proper law.
  18. ARTICLE 18 - DISPUTES OF INTERPRETATION
    1. In all cases in which application of the Statutes leads to dispute regarding the interpretation thereof, the Council shall decide the matter, with the right to appeal to the next General Assembly.
  19. ARTICLE 19 - MATTERS NOT PROVIDED FOR
    1. In urgent cases, not provided for in the Statutes, the Council shall be empowered to enforce a resolution for the duration until the next General Assembly.
  20. ARTICLE 20 - MODIFICATION
    1. These Statutes may be amended, added to or rescinded by a resolution of the General Assembly passed by a Special Majority. No such resolution shall be submitted to the General Assembly unless the prior notice in Article
    2. has been respected.
    3. Any modification of the Statutes must be proposed by a Member or by the Council.
    4. The proposal must reach the Secretary General not later than 75 days before the date fixed for the General Assembly.
    5. The Secretary General shall communicate any proposal to the Members.
    6. A proposal may be withdrawn at any time but a withdrawal by a Member must be in writing unless it is made by the Head of the delegation of that Member during the General Assembly.
  21. ARTICLE 21 - DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION
    1. ARISF may only be dissolved at an Extraordinary General Assembly convened for the purpose and by a resolution supported by a Special Majority.
    2. If dissolved, all debts and liabilities legally incurred on behalf of ARISF shall be fully discharged and the remaining assets, if any, shall be distributed to the members at the time of the resolution dissolving ARISF.
    3. If following a resolution dissolving ARISF, no liquidators are appointed, the Council shall carry out the liquidation procedure.
    4. After dissolution, ARISF shall continue to exist insofar as this is necessary for the liquidation of its assets. During the liquidation procedure, the provisions of the Statutes shall remain in force. In documents and announcements issued by ARISF, the words "in liquidation" must be added to the name.
    5. As soon as a proposal calling for the dissolution of ARISF is submitted, this Article, including all Clauses up to and including may not be altered.
  22. ARTICLE 22 - FINAL PROVISIONS
    1. This constitution was adopted by the Members of ARISF at the General Assembly of April 4, 2006 in Seoul, Korea. In accordance with the decision of the General Assembly, it comes immediately into effect and supercedes all previous versions.

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