INDEX
Chapter
Article PageI Name, Aims & Headquarters 1-6 3-4
II Members 7-10 5-6
III Finance & Auditors 11-13 7
IV Administration 14 8
V Congress 15-22 9-12
VI Bureau 23-26 13-14
VII Executive Board 27-31 15-16
VIII Councils 32-34 17-18
IX Statute Changes 35 19
X Dissolution 36 20
XI Bye-laws 37 20
Organisation Chart 21
Throughout these Statutes the words "writing", "post" of "mail" shall be deemed to include telefax or telex as alternative means of communications. For telefax the original must follow by post.
CHAPTER I – NAME, AIMS HEADQUARTERS
Art. 1 NAME
The International Water Ski Federation was founded in Geneva on 22 July 1946 under the name of the International Water Ski Union. On 12 August 1955 the name was changed to the World Water Ski Union. The current name of International Water Ski Federation was adopted on 1st January 1989.
The official abbreviation of the Name in any language is IWSF.
Art. 2 DESCRIPTION
The IWSF is a non political worldwide association of national Federations, each governing the sport of wa
Art. 3 AIMS
To promote and support the development of water skiing all over the world without discrimination or distinction for race, colour, religion or political persuasion.
In order to effect these aims the IWSF will:
a) set up geographical divisions, from heron referred to as "Regions" and defined in the Bye-laws.
These Regions shall at all times act in accordance with directives and rules set; by the IWSF.
b) guide member Federations in governing water skiing in their respective countries.
c) establish friendly co-operation between member Federations and co-ordinate and protect their common interests.
d) establish lists of duties and obligations for events containing the word "World" in their title.
e) draw up and enforce rules for the ratification of world records and ratify records in accordance therewith.
f) draw up and enforce rules for World Titled events.
g) appoint judges and officials for World Titled Events.
h) ensure that athletes of Member Federations adhere to the directives of the IWSF.
i) collect and distribute to members useful information concerning water skiing.
j) represent and promote water skiing in general and water skiing interests of affiliated Federations in particular, with the IOC, international organisations, institutions and public authorities.
k) use any other lawful means to further its aims.
Art. 4 HEADQUARTERS
The Headquarters of the IWSF shall be in the country of residence of the President, unless the General Assembly shall decide otherwise.
Art. 5 DURATION
The duration of the Association constituting the IWSF is unlimited.
Art. 6 OFFICIAL LANGUAGES
The official languages of the IWSF are English and French. Statutes, Bye-laws, Rules, Minutes and Reports shall be written in English.
In the case of a French translation and conflicting interpretation, the English text shall be considered authentic.
CHAPTER II – MEMBERS
Art. 7 MEMBERSHIP
There shall be the following classes of membership:
a) Affiliated Member Federations who shall be voting members.
b) Other Members as defined in the Bye-laws who shall not be entitled to vote.
Art. 8 AFFILIATED MEMBER FEDERATIONS
Congress shall confirm Affiliated Membership.
In order to qualify for Affiliated d Membership of the IWSF a national Federation must:
i) be a fully paid member of and recommended by its Region.
ii) be recognised by the Authorities of its country as the sole body governing its sport of water skiing, or, failing this, that it is the most representative one in that country.
iii) display sufficient activity to justify admission.
Art. 9 OBLIGATIONS OF AFFILIATED MEMBERS
The admission of a Federation to affiliated membership constitutes its formal agreement to respect the Statutes; to apply the Bye-laws and Technical Rules; to conform to decisions of the IWSF and its Regions; and to pay subscription and fines which may be imposed with the authority of the IWSF or its Regions.
All members of affiliated Federations are bound to recognise the authority of the IWSF and. respect its Statutes, Bye-laws and decisions.
Art. 10 TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF MEMBERSHIP
a) Affiliated Membership of the IWSF may be terminated by resignation or expulsion.
Any Affiliated Member which has not paid its subscription or has acted in a manner prejudicial to the IWSF, water skiing or sport in general, may be liable to suspension or expulsion hy a decision of Congress. Such a decision shall require the support of two thirds of the voting power represented at the Congress.
Any suspension of a Member Federation hy their Region must immediately be notified in writing to the President of the IWSF and ratified by the Executive Board until it can be brought to the next Congress.
Any suspension of a member Federation by the IWSF shall immediately be recognised by all Regions and all Members.
b) Other membership shall be terminated or suspended in accordance with the Bye-laws.
A resigning, expelled or suspended member is however still liable for subscriptions or penalties due during the current year.
CHAPTER III – FINANCE
Art. 11 FINANCIAL RESOURCES
The financial resources of the IWSF consist of:
a) annual subscriptions from the Regions. b) sanction fees for World Titled Events.
c) television rights, all commercial rights and other profits from water skiing events organised by or under the auspices of the IWSF.
d) other membership fees.
e) IOC, Government or other public or private subsidies, donations and legacies.
f) investment income.
g) various contributions depending on circumstances and needs.
Art. 12 FINANCIAL YEAR
The financial year of the IWSF shall run from the 1st of April to the following 31st March.
Art. 13 AUDITORS
Professional auditors shall be appointed by the Congress for the purpose of verifying the accounts and presenting a certified report to the Congress on the annual financial statements.
CHAPTER IV – ADMINISTRATION
Art. 14 GENERAL
The activities of the IWSF shall be governed as defined in the Statutes and Bye-laws by:
a) Congress
b) the Executive Board
c) the Bureau
d) the Divisional Councils
f) the Regions
It is the responsibility of each Region to determine the rates of subscription to be levied by them on their Federations.
CHAPTER V – CONGRESS
Art. 15 COMPOSITION AND DESCRIPTION
Congress is the General Assembly of Affiliated Member Federations.
Each Affiliated Member Federation may be represented. by a maximum of two delegates at the Congress, one of whom shall vote.
An Affiliated Member Federation may delegate its vote to a proxy, but shall notify the Secretary General of the IWSF at least 24 hours before the Congress opens of the person appoin
The appointment of a Proxy sha11 be on formal headed notepaper of the appointing Federation or by Telex or Telefax from a known official of that Federation.
Members of the Executive Board shall also attend the Congress but will not have the right to vote in that capacity.
Any member of the Executive Board may, however, be a voting delegate of an Affiliated Member Federation or carry a proxy vote.
The President of the IWSF shall have a casting vote in the case of equally divided votes.
Congress will be regularly constituted irrespective of the number of Affiliated Member Federations represented, if it has been properly convened and Affiliated Member Federations of at least two Regions attend.
Art. 16 POWERS
Congress is the supreme governing body within the IWSF Its functions are to:
a) ratify the appointment of the President and Secretary General after election by the Executive Board.
b) determine the principle lines of conduct regarding policy in general and the functioning of the Executive Board, Bureau and Councils.
c) approve reports on the activities of the IWSF and its financial statements.
d) approve the report of the Executive Director.
e) approve decisions taken by the Executive Board and by the Bureau.
f) allocate World Titled Events.
g) modify the Statutes and the Bye-laws.
h) decide on any other matters on the Agenda.
Except for matters concerning modification of Statutes or dissolution of the IWSF, Congress may delegate its powers to the Executive Board.
Art. 17 CONVOCATION
Congress shall meet every two years on the occasion of the World Championships of the Classic Division.
At least 180 days before the date of the Congress, the Secretary General shall send a formal notification of the meeting by registered mail, telefax or telex to all Affiliated Federations.
It shall contain requests for:
a) items to be included in the Agenda.
b) the names of the official delegates for each Affiliated Federation to the Congress.
Proposals for Agenda items and nomination of election candidates shall be sent by registered mail to the Secretary General no later than 90 days before the Congress date.
The final Agenda, reports and nominations shall be sent by registered mail no later than 45 days before the Congress date.
Art. 18 AGENDA
The Agenda for the Congress must contain the following items:
a) Opening of the meeting and President’s address
b) Adoption of the Agenda
c) Roll-call and allotment of votes d) Minutes of previous meeting
e) Biennial reports of the Bureau on IWSF activities arid financial report
f) Accountant’s and auditor’s report
g) Balance sheet and accounts
h) Budget for next biennial period
i) Ratification of appointment by Executive Board of President and Secretary General
j) Ratification of other decisions of the Executive Board
k) Ratification of decisions of the Bureau
l) Items presented for information or decision
m) Calendar of World Championships and other World competitions
Art. 19 EXTRAORDINARY CONGRESS
An Extraordinary Congress may be convened when the Executive Board or the Bureau deem it necessary.
Formal notification of an Extraordinary Congress shall be sent by registered mail at least 45 days before the date of the Congress to all Member Federations.
An Extraordinary Congress shall also be called at the written request of 15 Affiliated Members. A quorum for such Congress shall be 1/3rd of all Affiliated Members, rounded down to the nearest whole number.
If, however, a speedy decision is needed and the regular IWSF Congress cannot be awaited nor is the calling required of an extraordinary meeting, the President is authorised to ask for a vote by mail on precisely defined questions.
In that case ballot-papers, which must be signed by the Presidents of the Federations only, must be sent by and returned to the Secretary General by registered mail within 60 days. Ballot-papers received later shall not be taken into consideration.
The majority of votes shall be calculated from the total of votes allotted to all Federations in the IWSF.
Art. 20 CONGRESS CHAIRMAN
Congress will be presided over by the President or a Congress Chairman designated before the meeting by the Executive Board.
The Chairman shall declare Congress open and closed, ensure the observance of the rules, accord the right to speak and announce the results of the voting.
The Chairman shall rule on points of order, have complete control of the proceedings and the maintenance of order. The Chairman may, during discussion of an item on the agenda, decide to limit the amount of time to be allotted to that item, to the speakers and the number of times a delegate may speak on the subject.
He may limit the number of speakers on any given item and. if he deems it necessary, suspend the meeting or part of the debate on any item under discussion.
Art. 21 VOTING
Each Affiliated Member Federation attending the Congress is entitled to a minimum of one vote.
Extra votes, one for each of the following activities, to a maximum of three extra votes, thus never totaling more than four votes, shall be allocated to every Federation which:
since the previous Congress has entered:
(1) 4 skiers in a Classic World Championship
(2) 2 skiers in a Barefoot World Championship
(3) 1 team in a Racing World Championship
has organised:
(4) in the past 6 years a World Championship
(5) in the past 5 years a Group Championship
(6) in the past 4 years a World Cup.
The number of votes to be allocated to each Federation must be approved by the Congress and shall be valid unti e beginning of the next Congress.
Voting will take place by:
a) show of hands
b) roll call
c) secret ballot
Except as provided in Art. 35 (Modification of the Statutes) and in Art. 36 (Dissolution) all decisions require a simple majority.
Voting will be by showing of hands or roll call but a secret ballot shall take place on request of the President or at least four members.
An accepted request for a secret ballot excludes the other voting methods.
Art. 22 MINUTES
No later than 90 days after the Congress the Minutes, signed by the President, will be sent to all Affiliated Federations and members of the Executive Board.
CHAPTER VI – BUREAU
Art. 23 COMPOSITION AND ELECTION
The Bureau shall consist of the President and Secretary General of the IWSF and the Chairman of the Council most concerned with the item to be discussed.
Subject to ratification by the Congress, the President and Secretary General shall be appointed by the Executive Board for a period of 2 years. On expiry of every 2 year term they may be re-elected for a further 2 year term.
Should the office of one of them become vacant prematurely, then the Executive Board shall decide by whom the vacancy will be filled until the next Congress.
Art. 24 POWERS AND DUTIES
The Bureau is invested with the necessary power to conduct day to day business of the IWSF and to represent it in all legal matters without limitation other then those in these Statutes.
Bureau duties are incompatible with similar duties in a Region or Federation.
The Bureau shall present to Congress:
a) reports of its activities and those of IWSF
b) a financial report including balance sheet and profit and loss account
c) a proposed budget for the next financial term.
Art. 25 DECISIONS
The decisions of the Bureau must be unanimous and must be recorded in writing with the signatures of both the President and the Secretary General. In case of disagreement decisions will be taken to the Executive Board.
Should the President or the Secretary General be prevented from signing, the signature of another member of the Executive Board may be substituted.
Art. 26 BUREAU SECRETARIAT
The Congress shall vote the necessary means enabling the Bureau to maintain a Secretariat adequate to deal with the affairs of the IWSF in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.
The Secretary General shall cause proper minutes to be kept of all proceedings of the Congress, the Executive Board and the Bureau.
CHAPTER VII - EXECUTIVE BOARD
Art. 27 COMPOSITION
The Executive Board of the IWSF shall consist of:
a) The President and the Secretary General
b) The President, the Secretary General and the Chairman of one of the divisional Councils of each Region
c) Treasurer (who may be one of a) or b) above)
d) The Chairmen of the Divisional Councils of the IWSF
Council Presidents and the Executive Director shall be entitled to attend meetings of the Executive Board but without voting rights.
Art. 28 POWERS AND DUTIES
The Executive Board is charged with the administration of the IWSF. It is empowered to:
a) appoint the President and Secretary General for ratification by the Congress.
A Federation wishing to nominate candidates shall do so by sending such proposal 60 days at the latest before the Congress to the Secretary General, together with a written statement of the person concerned, that he is willing to accept that candidacy.
b) propose to the Congress modifications to the Statutes.
c) establish Bye-laws for approval by the Congress.
d) appoint a Treasurer
e) draw up a List of Obligations for World Titled Events.
f) propose to the Congress the creation of Councils for the promotion of water skiing.
g) administrate the IWSF.
h) approve minutes of the Divisional Councils.
Art. 29 DECISIONS
All Executive Board decisions are subject to ratification by the Congress.
Art. 30 CONVOCATION
The Executive Board shall meet at least once a year, including the time of the World Championships of the Classic Division.
Additional meetings may be convened:
a) if the President or the Secretary General deem it necessary or
b) at the request of at least three members representing at least two Regions.
All Executive Board meetings shall be convened by notices sent at least 70 days before the date of the meeting whereas the Agenda shall be sent at least 30 days before that date.
Meetings can only be validly held when the President or the Secretary General is present and representatives of at least two Regions are attending.
If a speedy decision or advice of the Executive Board is needed and its convening is either not feasible or unnecessary, the President may ask the members for an opinion by mail on precise and specified questions.
All meetings are presided over by the IWSF President or, should he be absent or otherwise unable to attend, by the Secretary General.
Minutes of the meetings, signed by the President and/or the Secretary General, must be sent to all Executive Board members within 70 days after the meeting.
Art. 31 VOTING
If in Executive Board meetings discussions do not lead to a consensus of opinion, the matter in hand may be decided by voting.
Each of the Executive Board members is entitled to one vote. In the case of equal voting the President is entitled to a casting vote.
When voting they shall do so with thorough observance of the predominating interests of the IWSF without giving precedence to Region or Federation interests.
On specific matters decisions may be by postal ballot.
CHAPTER VIII – COUNCILS
Art. 32 COMPOSITION
Councils shall be composed of 3 members plus a substitute appointed by each Region.
All Council members and substitutes shall be appointed by their Region.
Substitutes shall be allowed to observe, also personnel invited by a Council Chairman to report on specific matters.
Substitutes may only participate if an appointed member is unable to attend the Council Meeting.
The President and Secretary General of the IW1192nd Members of the Executive Board shall be allowed to attend all Council meetings and must be sent notices convening such meetings and agendas.
Each Council shall elect its Chairman from among the appointed members.
Art. 33 DUTIES (General)
Each Council is charged with the promotion of its division’s interests.
In performing this duty a Council must do so in close collaboration and in strict compliance with the aims of the IWSF as in the Statutes and Bye-laws and in accordance with directives from Congress and the Executive Board
DUTIES (Specific)
These shall appear in the Bye-laws.
Art. 34 MEETINGS AND DECISIONS
The Councils shall meet during the time of their Division’s World Championships and on other occasions as required.
Decisions can be taken validly only if all Regions are represented by at least one member or substitute member.
If in a meeting a discussion should not result in a consensus of opinion, the matter in hand may be decided by voting.
In case of equally divided votes the Chairman shall have a casting vote.
If a speedy decision or advice of a Council is needed and its convening is either not feasible or unnecessary, its chairman may ask the members for an opinion by mail on precise and specified questions.
If a representative should fail to reply promptly, the Chairman can apply to the substitute in his place.
CHAPTER IX – CHANGES TO STATUTES
Art. 35 MODIFICATIONS
Other than as stated in Art. 28b proposals for amendments or changes to this Constitution must be sent to the Bureau in writing, giving full justification, at least 90 days before the Congress meeting.
All proposals, together with any Bureau comment and advice shall be sent to all member Federations as an annexe to the final Agenda, at the latest 60 days before the Congress meeting.
The Executive Board is to submit them to the Congress for discussion, after which they shall be put to the vote.
A majority of at least. two thirds of the votes in a Congress attended by representatives of Federations from all Regions is required for the modifications to be carried and become effective.
If the Congress deems it necessary or convenient and admissible it may charge the Executive Board with the detailed drawing up of articles which it basically approves.
Modifications of the Constitution thus established will become effective as soon as they have been brought to the notice of all member Federations.
CHAPTER X - DISSOLUTION OF IWSF
Art. 36 DISSOLUTION
Dissolution of the IWSF requires a decision of two thirds of its members voting for its dissolution at an Extraordinary Congress called specifically for that purpose.
That Congress shall also decide on the disposal of any assets or funds of the IWSF provided such disposal shall be for the furtherance of the development of water skiing or failing that in the domain of water sport. If this shall not prove possible then they shall be applied to a registered charity benefitting youth and sport.
CHAPTER XI - BYE LAWS
Art. 37 GENERAL
Bye-laws shall be drawn up by the Executive Board. They shall contain administrative and some technical rules together with directives necessary or convenient for the management of IWSF affairs and competitions within the scope of these Statutes.
Bye-laws shall be effective as soon as they have been communicated in writing by registered mail to affiliated Federations. Bye-laws and modifications thereto must be submitted to the next Congress for approval.
ORGANISATION CHART
CONGRESS
EXECUTIVE BOARD
BUREAU
COUNCILS