CONSTITUTION
OF AN INTERNATIONAL
NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION
THE INTERNATIONAL TABLE HOCKEY FEDERATION
Part 1: GENERAL
REGULATIONS
Art. 1:
Name and form
1.1
The International
Table Hockey Federation is an international non-government organization uniting
the associations of table hockey players. The abbreviation ITHF is used for
naming the organization throughout this document.
1.2 The members of the
ITHF are the table hockey associations from all over the world.
1.3 Table hockey as
taken by the ITHF means the table hockey game produced by the STIGA co. (
Art. 2:
Aims of the ITHF
2.1 To promote table
hockey internationally and to take whatever measures are necessary to this end.
2.2
To represent the
interests of its members at the international level with regard to the
authorities, other sport associations, the mass media and the public, in so far
that itis not left up to the members.
2.3
To promote
sporting contact between all table hockey players in the world and to organize
World Championships and other world tournaments.
2.4
To monitor and
ensure keeping of the existing system-specific rules, to develop a set of
standard rules, and to draw up an international sporting calendar.
2.5
To fight doping
with all means standing to requirement, to accept the WADA-Code together with
their members in form of the framework guidelines of the ITHF and to stand up
for the fact that any use of doping substances and thus the use of forbidden,
performance-increasing means of any kind in the sport is prevented.
2.6
To conduct and
administer the official table hockey world ranking.
Art. 3:
Headquarters and
Duration
3.1
The Headquarters
of the ITHF is Zapadni 3, 323 00
3.2
The duration of
the ITHF is unlimited.
Art. 4:
Principles
4.1
The ITHF stands
for freedom in sport, its voluntary nature, and the community of sport. Members
and table hockey players cannot be forced, either by rules or in any other way,
to play a different system of table hockey to their chosen one.
4.2
The ITHF makes
no distinction of race or religion and is politically neutral.
4.3
The ITHF is a
non-profit organization.
Part 2:
MEMBERSHIP
Art. 5:
Membership
There are
following kinds of members:
5.1
Active members
(the table hockey associations)
5.2 Members with
observer status
5.3
Honorary members
Art. 6:
Admission regulations
for active members
6.1
Only one
association can become active member per each nation.
6.2
The admission of
active members ensues by written application to the ITHF-Office, containing a
legally binding signature. The By-Laws, Charter or Articles of Incorporation of
the association have to be enclosed.
6.2.1 The
following conditions must be fulfilled to get the active member status:
6.2.1.1
To be officially registered by the national authorities as an
organization connected with table hockey
6.2.1.2
To have at least 15 adult members (players) from the nation. If
clubs are the members of the national association then the number of members of
these clubs is considered
6.2.1.3
To organize at least 5 tournaments within the national region with at
least 10 players (each tournament) every year. These tournaments have to be
open for all table hockey players
6.2.1.4
To be open for any table hockey players from the home nation and to
support table hockey development in the whole country.
6.2.2 The
members who don’t fulfill the conditions described at 6.2.1 will get the
observer status.
6.3
By joining the
ITHF an active member accepts the constitution, rules and other decisions made
by the ITHF.
6.4
The newly
admitted active members have all rights resulting from the constitution
immediately after their admission through the Delegates’ Conference.
Art. 7:
Right of appeal of
active members
7.1
An appeal
against refusal of admission or an imposed sanction can be submitted to the
Legal Committee within 60 (sixty) days of the announcement.
Art. 8:
Termination of active
membership
8.1
The membership
of an active member expires with resignation, exclusion or disbanding of the
national association.
8.2
The resignation
of an active member must be passed by its highest executive body. The protocol
must be sent in a registered letter to the ITHF-Office within 3 (three)
months, informing him of the decision.
8.3
If an active
member violates the interests of the Federation, damages its reputation, either
internally or externally, or disregards or violates the constitution and rules,
sanctions can be taken against the active member concerned by the ITHF
Executive Committee. The Delegates’ Conference takes the final decision on the
exclusion.
Art. 9:
Honorary members
9.1
On the
suggestion of the Executive Committee or on application of an active member,
the Delegates’ Conference can appoint genuine persons, who have deserved well of
the world-wide table hockey sport, as honorary members.
9.2
Honorary members
have no voting rights. Otherwise they are treated equal to active members.
Part 3:
ORGANISATIONS
1. THE Delegates’
Conference
Art. 10:
Powers and duties
10.1
The Delegates’
Conference is the highest decision-making authority of the ITHF. It determines
all questions and issues of a fundamental nature in world-wide international
table hockey sport, where this right is not reserved for the members. The
Delegates’ Conference lays down the guidelines for the running of the
Federation.
10.2
The Delegates’
Conference is authorized amongst other things to carry out the following:
10.2.1 Election of Executive Committee
members.
10.2.2 Election of members of the Technical
Commission, Legal Committee.
10.2.3 Relieving Executive Committee members of
duties.
10.2.4 Passing a resolution on the
appointment or dissolving of special committees.
10.2.5 Passing of a resolution on motions
put forward by the Executive Committee, the Technical Commission or other
committees or their members and the auditors, where applicable.
10.2.6 Changes in rules
10.2.7 Exclusion of members
10.2.8 Dissolution of the Federation
Art. 11:
Structure and voting
rights
11.1
The Delegates’
Conference consists of:
11.1.1 The delegates of the active members (with
voting rights).
11.1.2 The members of the Executive Committee (without
voting rights; they can vote only if they are also the delegates described at
11.1.1).
11.1.3 Members with observer status (without voting
rights).
11.1.4 Honorary members (without voting rights).
11.2
General voting rights:
11.2.1 Each active member has one vote. The active
member’s rights to vote are not transferable.
11.2.2 Each active member at all times must fulfil the
conditions set at the point 6.2.1. If any active member does not fulfil these
conditions the Executive Committee of ITHF can suspend the voting rights of
this active member until the conditions are fulfilled again. The ITHF member
with the suspended voting rights gets the observer status.
11.3
Proof of voting rights: The right to vote of the delegates should preferably
be confirmed in writing by the national association of the active member
concerned.
Art. 12:
Quorum and passing of
resolutions
12.1
A Delegates’
Conference, which has been convened in accordance with the rules, always has a quorum.
12.2 Voting.
12.2.1 Resolutions
passed by the Delegates’ Conference are affected by simple majority, with the
exception of such instances as are listed in the rules. A tied vote will result in rejection
of resolution.
12.2.2 Elections of ITHF bodies are affected
by simple majority. Every voting ITHF member has a number of the votes the same
as a number of positions at the elected body.
If more
candidates than the number of positions at the elected body get more than the
half of all votes at the first round then the second round is scheduled and
nobody is elected at the current round. Only the candidates with more than half
number of all votes go into the second round.
If fewer
candidates than the number of positions at the elected body get more than the
half of all votes at the first round the second voting round is scheduled to
decide about all not elected candidates from the first round. Only the
candidates with more than half number of all votes are elected.
The
candidates with the highest number of votes are elected in the second round. If
they cannot be elected because of the same number of votes the next round is
scheduled without the candidates who got the least number of votes.
If
the next round cannot be held because of eliminating too many candidates with
the least number of votes then nobody is eliminated.
If
the same candidates are taking part in two consecutive rounds then a draw will
decide the elections. The draw cannot be used if more than half delegates votes
for the next electing round with the same candidates.
12.3. –
12.4
Protocol
12.4.1 Minutes must be taken of the
resolutions passed at the Delegates’ Conference, and signed by both the
Executive Committee member responsible for the minutes and by the person taking
the minutes. The minutes must be distributed to all members not later than 60
(sixty) days after the conference.
12.4.2 The minutes are regarded as
approved, if within 60 (sixty) days after distribution no written
objections have been raised. Objections raised will be discussed at the next
meeting. Until then the minutes are considered approved only in the points
where no objections were raised.
12.5
In the event of
questions and matters arising that have to be cleared up without delay, a
written vote per e-post is possible. This carries the same force as a
resolution passed by the Delegates’ Conference. This type of voting can also be
used in the other bodies of the ITHF. (Votes not received on time will be
interpreted as endorsement).
Art. 13:
Ordinary and
Extraordinary Delegates’ Conference
13.1
Ordinary
Delegates’ Conferences are held every 2 (two) years, during the World
Table Hockey Championship.
13.2
The Executive
Committee or at least one third of the active members can arrange or
call for an Extraordinary Delegates’ Conference to be convened, as long as
there are appropriate and urgent reasons for this.
Art. 14:
The act of convening
14.1
In order for an
Ordinary Delegates’ Conference to be convened, all members must be informed in
writing (or e-writing) and the agenda made known at least 20 (twenty)
days before the date of the conference. The Executive Committee member
responsible for this convenes the conference. The exact venue and time of the
conference can be announced at a later date.
14.2
An Extraordinary
Delegates’ Conference can be convened at as little as 15 (fifteen) days notice.
Art. 15:
Motions
15.1
Motions can be
proposed for the Delegates’ Conference by the following:
15.1.1 The active members
15.1.2 The Executive Committee
15.1.3 The Technical Commission
15.1.4 The Legal Committee
15.1.5 The Special Committees
15.1.6 The honorary members
15.2
Motions must be
submitted with an explanation to the ITHF-Office not later than 30 (thirty)
days before the Delegates’ Conference is to be held. The General Secretary
distributes a compilation of the motions to all members at least 20 (twenty)
days before the conference. Motions submitted after the deadline are subject to
priority and will only be placed on the agenda if there is a 2/3 (two-third)
majority of those present in favour. These deadlines do not apply to motions
proposed by the Executive Committee and the Technical Commission.
15.3
In the event of
an Extraordinary Delegates’ Conference being convened, the deadline for putting
forward motions is reduced to 14 (fourteen) days before the conference.
2. THE EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE
Art. 16:
Structure
16.1
The Executive
Committee consists of
16.1.1 The President
16.1.2 The Secretary-general
16.1.3 The Financial-manager
16.1.4 The Sport director
16.1.5 The Media-manager
16.1.6 The International contacts manager
Art. 17:
Election and length of
office
17.1
The Executive
Committee members are elected by the Delegates’ Conference for a period of 2
(two) years and can be repeatedly re-elected.
Art. 18:
Quorum and the
convening of the Executive Committee
18.1
The Executive
Committee sits as required or at the request of 4 (four) of its members.
18.2
The Executive
Committee has a quorum at all events.
18.3
The shortest
period of time in which a meeting can be convened is 15 (fifteen) days.
18.4
A protocol about
the decisions taken by presidency has to be produced, signed by a responsible
member of presidency and delivered to all members of presidency not later than 60
(sixty) days after presidency session.
18.5 If the voting in the Executive
Committee ends with a draw result then the vote of the President decides the
voting.
Art. 19:
Areas of responsibility
and duties
19.1
The following areas
of responsibility and duties, among others, are allocated to the Executive
Committee:
19.1.1 The administration of the
Federation.
19.1.2 The conclusion of all budget and
financial matters.
19.1.3 The drawing-up of periodic reports
and accounts.
19.1.4 The preparation for the Delegates’ Conference
and drawing-up of the agenda.
19.1.5 The implementation of all the
resolutions passed at the Delegates’ Conference.
19.1.6 The protection of the Federation's interests internally
and externally.
19.1.7 The provisional admission of new members,
subject to a formal determination by the next Delegates’ Conference.
19.1.8 The drawing-up of the budget.
19.1.9 The preparing changes in the constitution and
rules.
19.1.10 The supervision of activities of the special
committees and Technical Commission, but not the Legal Committee.
19.1.11 The supervision of the ITHF's
sports events.
19.1.12 The designation of
organizers / venues for international competitions.
19.1.13 The imposing of the temporal limited and unlimited
bans if there are violations against the prohibition of doping.
19.2
The Executive
Committee draws up a programme of functions and duties for its members.
Art. 20:
Legal validity
20.1
The statutory
body of the ITHF is the Executive Committee. All its members
together act in the name of the Executive Committee.
3. THE TECHNICAL
COMMISSION
Art. 21:
Structure
The
Technical Commission consists of:
21.1
The
Sport-director (chairman)
21.2
The Youth
Officer
21.3
The Ladies
Officer
21.4
And 2 (two)
further members who can’t be members of the Executive Committee.
21.5
The Youth
Officer, the Ladies Officer and 2 (two) members of the Technical
Commission are elected by the Ordinary Delegates’ Conference for a period of 2
(two) years. They must not belong to the same active member, but they can
unrestrictedly be re-elected.
Art. 22:
Areas of responsibility
and duties
22.1
The Technical
Commission is an advisory body of the Executive Committee. The Technical
Commission can pass resolutions for inviting entries for competitions, which
are organized by the ITHF.
22.2
The following are
some of the areas of responsibility and duties the Technical Commission is
conferred with.
22.2.1 An advisory role in general
questions of international table hockey.
22.2.2 Technical supervision of the World
championship and other tournaments organised by the ITHF.
22.2.3 The passing of resolutions on drafts
of general rules and regulations in international table hockey for introduction
and passing to the Delegates’ Conference and / or the Executive Committee.
22.2.4 The right to propose venues for the
World Table Hockey Championship and other competitions organised by the ITHF
introduction and passing to the Executive Committee.
Art. 23:
The act of convening,
quorum and motions
23.1
The Technical Commission
convenes on the Internet, whenever important matters arise.
23.2
The Technical
Commission is convened by the Sport-director in accordance with Article 14.
23.3
The Technical
Commission has a quorum, if at least 4 (four) members are present. Each
member has a personal vote that is not transferable.
23.4
Motions can be
put forward to the Technical Commission by:
23.4.1 The active members
23.4.2 The Executive Committee
23.4.3 The Committees
23.4.4 The members of the Technical
Commission
23.5
Minutes must be
taken down on all resolutions passed by the Technical Commission and
distributed to all TC-members, the Executive Committee and the active members
not later than 60 (sixty) days after passing the resolution. The
Executive Committee has the right to raise a protest against the TC decisions
within 60 (sixty) days after the distribution of the minutes. In that
case the matter must be treated at the following meeting of the TC.
4. THE LEGAL
COMMITTEE
Art. 24:
Structure, length of
office and elections
24.1
The Legal
Committee consists of a chairman, 2 (two) committee members and 2 (two)
substitute members who must not be: either members of another body, or
represent other active members already present in the committee.
24.2
The members of
the Legal Committee are elected by the ordinary Delegates’ Conference for a
period of 2 (two) years and they can unrestrictedly be re-elected.
24.3
The members of
the Legal Committee can belong neither to another ITHF body nor to the same
active member. They can not also be members of national legal bodies.
Art. 25:
Areas of competency
The Legal
Committee arbitrates in, and resolves all disputes between
25.1
The active
members.
25.2
An active member
and the ITHF.
25.3
Bodies of the
ITHF
Part 4: FINANCE
Art. 26:
Revenue
The ITHF
gets the funds necessary for the fulfilment of its duties by the following
means among others:
26.1
Membership fees
26.2
Taking from
events
26.3
Donations
26.4
Grants or loans
Art. 27:
Liability
27.1
The Federation
is liable to fulfil its financial commitments from its assets.
Part 5: FINAL
CLAUSES
Art. 28:
Changes in Constitution
28.1
Changes in the
ITHF Constitution can only be passed by resolutions of the Delegates'
Conference. A two-third majority of those entitled to vote is necessary.
Art. 29:
Forfeiture of the
Federation
29.1
The ITHF can
forfeiture:
29.1.1 By amalgamation with other sport
associations.
29.1.2 By voluntary dissolution.
29.1.3 The forfeiture of the Federation can
only be passed by resolution in a specially convened Extraordinary Delegates’
Conference. A three-quarter majority of those delegates entitled to vote is
necessary.
29.1.4 The winding-up of the ITHF should be
executed, as far as the Delegates’ Conference has not appointed others, by the
President of the ITHF. After finishing the winding-up, any remaining assets
will be made over to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for
non-profit-making sporting purposes.
29.1.5 In the case of amalgamation with
other sport association, any remaining assets will be brought into the
amalgamated federation.
Art. 30:
Rules and regulations
30.1
The Delegates’ Conference
is responsible for making, changing and repealing of playing rules of table
hockey. Such decisions are passed with a simple majority of those present at
the Delegates’ Conference.
30.2
The Executive
Committee alone is responsible for making, changing and repealing of
regulations needed for guarantee the functioning of the ITHF. The Executive
Committee can also give directions and make recommendations with this purpose.
Art. 31:
Official languages
31.1
The official language
of the ITHF is English. The English translation of the Constitution is used at
the international level.
Art. 32:
Coming into effect
32.1
This
Constitution comes into effect by passing at the Delegates’ Conference.