Constitution

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IPF Congress [Provisional Ratification] - Akita City, Japan / November 18, 2000
NAPF Congress [Ratification] - Miami, Florida / June 13, 2005

Table of Contents

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Article I Name, Objective, Official Emblem

Article II Members

Article III Congress

Article IV Officers

Article V Meetings

Article VI Committees

Article VII Federations

Article VIII Subscriptions and Fees

Article IX Penalties

ARTICLE I : Name, Objective, Official-Emblem

101.1 NAME.

The NAPF is an amateur association founded in 2000. Its official name is ''NORTH AMERICAN POWERLIFTING FEDERATION (NAPF). It is comprised of the National Amateur Powerlifting Federations of the North American Countries. Each Country can be represented in the NAPF only by one incorporated National Amateur Powerlifting Federation.

101.2 OBJECTIVE

The NAPF operates under the guidance of International Powerlifting Federation IPF and abides by the IPF Constitution and By-Laws concerning Regional Federations.

(a) The union of all eligible athletic clubs, organizations or groups in the North American Region active in Powerlifting.

(b) To develop standardized competitive rules according to the IPF rules.

(c) To establish and maintain a system for recognizing and approving records.

(d) Establish administrative and technical committees from its own number.

(e) Establish, define and enforce rules for the government of North American powerlifting.

(f) Produce official bulletins and/or powerlifting publications.

(g) Secure other National Affilates (countries).

(h) Promote, sanction and supervise North American developmental programs and competition, including North American Championships.

(i) Create an NAPF Congress of bonafide North American representatives.

101.3 The official emblem is to be determined.

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ARTICLE II : Members

202.1 The membership of the NAPF consists of National Affiliates active in powerlifting.

(a) Only those athletes who are members of, or are certified as amateurs by their national Federation, Association or Organization are eligible for membership.

(b) Categories of members of the NAPF

1.) Member

2.) Provisional Member. A Provisional Member may compete in North American championships by decision of the North American Executive. Only one Federation from each Nation may be admitted to membership in of the NAPF. No bid of a second Federation of the same Country can be accepted.

(c) A national Federation accepted as provisional member of the IPF must apply for appropriate regional membership within its period of IPF provisional membership. If the national federation does not comply with that requirement, full membership of the NAPF cannot be granted. If regional membership is not applied for and granted by the second year of IPF membership, then the rights of provisional IPF membership shall be withdrawn, i.e. no participation in IPF Championships.

202.2 Representation.

The NAPF is governed by a Congress consisting of a maximum of two delegates from each National Affiliate. However only one vote per country will be allowed.

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ARTICLE III : NAPF Congress

303.1 POWERS. The NAPF Congress has the Power:

(a) To admit any nation eligible under the Constitution and which is elected by means of a two thirds majority vote in favour at the NAPF Congress.

(b) All new countries applying for membership shall, on payment of the annual subscription fee, be granted provisional membership of the NAPF subject to ratification at the next Congress.

(c) To prescribe and amend the Constitution and By-Laws by a two thirds majority of the members present.

(d) To impose and enforce penalties for any violation of this Constitution or its By-Laws.

(e) By majority vote of the members present, to remove any suspension or remit any penalty previously imposed on any person or organization of the NAPF:

(f) By a two thirds majority vote to remove from office any member of the NAPF Congress who, by neglect of duty or by misconduct has tended to impair his usefulness as a member of the Congress.

(g) To establish subscriptions and fees required by the NAPF.

(h) To collect subscriptions and fees required by the NAPF and eventually expend as necessary.

(i) To call regular and special meetings of the NAPF and to fix the time and place for holding all meetings not fixed by the Constitution.

(j) To institute, locate, conduct, and manage all North American powerlifting.

(k) To explain, define and interpret any provision of the Constitution.

(l) To elect any committees from among its numbers and from national affiliate members of the NAPF. The standing Committees of the NAPF shall include : Disciplinary, and Technical. Other committees may be added as need dictates.

(m) The meeting of the NAPF is annual and will be held one day before the Men's North American Powerlifting Championships.

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ARTICLE IV: Officers

404.1 TITLES The title of the officers of the NAPF are President, 1Vice President, General Secretary, Treasurer and Committee Chairmen . A maximum of two officers are allowed from any one Nation.

404.2 EXECUTIVE.

(A) The EXECUTIVE shall consist of all the NAPF officers, of whom a minimum of four are required to form a quorum. By virtue of his office, the President shall have a casting vote.

404.3 ELECTION.

Elections for all offices will be held every four years. The elections to take place in the same year as those designated for IPF elections.

404.4 TERM OF OFFICE.

(a) The term of office for all officers of the NAPF shall be four years and the mandate of all officers, even those whowere elected between electoral Congresses, expire at the electoral Congress. All Officers shall be eligible for re-election.

(b) A person may be nominated for NAPF office by any member federation. In the case of a candidate nominated other than by his own federation, his nomination must be confirmed in writing by his own federation, stating that they consider him a bona fide candidate for office.

404.5 DUTIES.

The Duties of the various officers are those duties appointed by the NAPF Congress, the Constitution, and the By-Laws and include: (a) President: He orders meetings of the NAPF as provided in the Constitution and presides at all meetings of the NAPF and the NAPF Congress. He has the right to execise all the duties pertaining to his office in accordance with the Constitution. He is an ex-officio member of all committees.

(b) Vice-President: He has such duties as assigned to him by the Executive and has all the power and performs the duties of the President in the absence or inability of the latter to attend.

(c) General-Secretary:

(1) To make proper arrangements for keeping the records of the NAPF and NAPF Congress.

(2) Conduct all official correspondence of the NAPF. include : Disciplinary, and Technical.

(m) The meeting of the NAPF is annual and will be held one day before the Men's North American Powerlifting Championships.

ARTICLE IV Officers

404.1 TITLES The title of the officers of the NAPF are President. 1 Vice-president, General Secretary, Treasurer and Committee Chairmen. A maximum of two offices from any nation.

404.2 EXECUTIVE.

(A) The EXECUTIVE shall consist of all the NAPF officers, of whom a minimum of four are required to form a quorum. By virtue of his office, the President shall have a casting vote.

404.3 ELECTION.

Elections for all offices will be held every four years. The elections to take place in the same year as those designated for IPF elections. (1991)

404.4 TERM OF OFFICE.

(a) The term of office for all officers of the NAPF shall be four years and the mandate of all officers, even those who were elected between electoral Congresses, expire at the electoral Congress. All Officers shall be eligible for re-election.

(b) A person may be nominated for NAPF office by any member federation. In the case of a candidate nominated other than by his own federation, his nomination must be confirmed in writing by his own federation, stating that they consider him a bona fide candidate for office.

404.5 DUTIES.

The Duties of the various officers are those duties appointed by the NAPF Congress, the Constitution, and the By-Laws and include:

(a) President: He orders meetings of the NAPF as provided in the Constitution and presides at all meetings of the NAPF and the NAPF Congress. He has the right to exercise all the duties pertaining to his office in accordance with the Constitution. He is an ex-officio member of all committees.

(b) Vice-President: He has such duties as assigned to him by the Executive and has all the power and performs the duties of the President in the absence or inability of the latter to attend.

(c) General-Secretary:

(1) To make proper arrangements for keeping the records of the NAPF and NAPF Congress.

(2) Conduct all official correspondence of the NAPF.

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ARTICLE V : Meetings

505.1 Annual. Unless otherwise determined by the Congress, the annual meeting of the NAPF will be held one day before the Men's North American Powerlifting championships and is to be held at the site of the said

championships.

505.2 Special Meetings of the NAPF are scheduled at the request of the President or upon the written request of two thirds of the members of the NAPF. Specific matters, except amendments to the Constitution can be considered at a special meeting.

505.3 NOTICES. Time is of the essence, not less then thirty days notice is given for any special or annual meetings of the NAPF. The Secretary will air mail a notice and agenda of every meeting of the NAPF to all Officers and National Affiliates. A notice sent to the address last given to the Secretary complies with this provision.

505.4 ORDER of BUSINESS.

At all annual meetings of the NAPF the following is the ORDER OF BUSINESS.

(a) Roll Call.

(b) Presidents address.

(c) Reading of minutes of preceding meeting.

(d) Treasurers Report.

(e) Reports of officers and committees.

(f) Action on proposed amendments (at annual meetings only)

(g) New business.

(h) Election of Officers (every fourth year)

(i) unfinished business.

(j) Adjournment.

505.5 QUORUM.

At all meetings of the NAPF, a quorum consists of thirty percent of the member nations of the NAPF.

505.6 PROCEDURES.

The following are the procedural rules for all meetings of the NAPF.

(a) The Standing Orders for the IPF are the supreme document for all NAPF meetings except when they are in conflict with the provision of the Constitution, and in such case, the Constitution prevails.

(b) A motion to table is debatable only when a time to debate is fixed by the majority of the NAPF Congress.

(c) All amendments to the Constitution and the By-Laws must be submitted

to each national affiliate, and the appropriate Committee, before it can be acted upon at the annual meeting of the NAPF. Such proposed amendments must be in the Hands of the NAPF Secretary 90 days before the date of the NAPF Congress. All such amendments can be submitted by a National Federation, Sub-Regional Federation, and the appropriate NAPF Committee. The NAPF Secretary shall send out all such amendments at least 60 days before the date of the NAPF Congress, to all the National Affiliates for their perusal.

505.7 CREDENTIALS.

(a) The names of all delegates to the NAPF Congress with the correct and full address of each must be certified in writing to the Secretary of the NAPF by the presiding officer and secretary of each national affiliate at least thirty days prior the annual or special meeting.

(b) Failure to make the proper certification will deny a seat at such meeting unless accepted by the NAPF Congress by a majority vote.

(c) At any meeting of the NAPF Congress, only those delegates duly registered and certified shall be permitted to speak and vote.

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ARTICLE VI : Committees Appointed by Congress

606.1 Committees

Each committee shall consist of a chairman elected by the Congress and a maximum of four (4) members, from various nations, appointed by the Executive in conjunction with the committee chairman.

606.2 Technical Committee.

(a) The Technical Committee shall be entrusted with the examination of all wishes and proposals of a technical nature submitted to the NAPF by the affiliated federations.

(b) The decision of this Committee are subject to approval of the NAPF Congress, and ,if accepted they will be proposals to the succeeding IPF Congress.

(c) Appoints the chief referee and side referees for the North American Championships and the members of the Jury.

(d) Trains and instructs referees who have not reached the international level and re-examine those who have already reached it. Informs the Congress which of the referees can officiate at the North American Championships and who have to be re-examined.

(e) Organizes courses for referees before any important competitions, such as the North American Championships.

(f) The expenses for this courses and/or clinics shall be born by the organizing federations.

(g) Can propose to the IPF Congress the termination of the referee card of an international referee when it deems necessary.

(h) Shall establish procedures for the training and of officials in order to improve the standards of all officials involved in the conduct of contests and prepare job briefs for the use of officials having specific duties during a contest.

(i) Shall establish a code of ethics and behavior for the use of all officials. Infringements of the code may be referred to the Disciplinary Committee for appropriate action.

606.3 If so decided place for the Medical Committee.

606.4 If so decided place for the Disciplinary Committee.

606.5 Law and Legislation Committee. (Deleted).

(a) Shall receive any proposals regarding documents of the NAPF from member nations within the proper time frame annually, will study accordingly and suggest to the NAPF Congress alternative courses in action.

(b) Sall serve as the parent committee in further amending the Constitution and By-Laws.

(c) Is responsible for updating the Constitution and the By-Laws.

(d) Shall study the Constitutions of new applicant nations and report the results to the Secretary.
606.6 Finance Committee: (deleted).
(a) Shall study and suggest to the Congress various and timely methods of reising necessary funds for the operation of the NAPF.

(b) Shall serve to audit the accounts of the treasurer prior to the NAPF Congress and monitor the expenditure of all monies.

(c) One of its members, preferably the chairman if living in the same country as the Treasurer shall countersign all cheques drawn on NAPF accounts.

606.7 If so decided place for Womens Committee.

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ARTICLE VIII: Subscriptions and Fees

808.1 The amount of the annual subscription to the NAPF will be determined by the Congress. The subscription is payable in the first month of each year. Upon payment, the Secretary will issue certification of membership. Any country which has not paid its subscription for the current year cannot participate or vote in the various meetings of the NAPF and its lifters cannot take part in competitions or meetings organized under the rules of the NAPF and IPF, nor obtain ratification of their records. A letter of reminder shall be sent to every federation which has not paid it subscription by the end of January.

808.2 Any country organizing an international contest is bound to pay the NAPF fee in accordance with the scale set in the By-Laws at the discretion of the Congress. When World Championships are held simultaneously with the North American Championships the sanction-fee must be raised by 50% above the scale fee for the relevant world championships. This fees to be shared equally between the IPF and the NAPF.

808.3 On payment of the required fee, the General Secretary of the NAPF will issue to organizing country a permit for the international contest.

808.4 No country shall take part in a contest for which a permit has not been issued.

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ARTICLE IX : Penalties

909.1 Federations which neglect to request the permit of the NAPF for an International competition and pay the proper fee shall be fined an additional U.S. $100. A letter of warning shall be sent to them by the General Secretary of the NAPF. If the fee and fine still have not been paid thirty days after the warning, the federation shall be suspended until the total fee has been paid.

909.2 A national federation which has not paid its subscription to the NAPF by the 30th of June, despite having received a letter of reminder, shall be suspended from membership of the NAPF.

909.3 In the case where the result of a doping test is positive, the competitor concerned shall be disqualified and suspended for a period to be fixed by the Congress. In the case of repeated infringements, the competitor may be disqualified for life.

909.4 Competitors who refuse to submit themselves to a doping test shall also be disqualified and suspended.

909.5 Any official concerned in supplying dope to a competitor shall be suspended from his duties for a period to be fixed by the Disciplinary Committee. His federation must abide by the decision of the NAPF.

909.6 If a national federation does not respect its engagement with another country or countries, the Congress may make a decision in the case of disagreement, or shall impose penalties if the NAPF or IPF Constitution and rules have been violated.

909.7 If a lifter or official is penalized by his federation, the latter must immediately notify the General Secretary of the NAPF and IPF. The General Secretary shall inform all other countries in case the lifter or official concerned participates in a contest with other countries without permission of his national federation.

909.8 If a lifter or official commits a violation during a North American contest held in another North American country, the organizing federation must send a detailed report to the NAPF General Secretary. He shall inform the Congress who will impose appropriate penalties. The organizing federation cannot penalize lifters or officials from other nations.

909.9 Any affiliated federation which violates the Constitution and rules of the NAPF shall be suspended for a period decided by the NAPF Congress. The issue of false amateur certificates shall be deemed a serious violation.

909.10 All federations, lifters and officials have the right to be heard before the Congress decides penalty which shall be imposed. These decisions must be taken before the competition in which the person concerned may be participating.

909.11 Any lifter or official who thinks he has been wronged has the right to file a written complaint giving his reason through the intermediary of his national federation. If the federation implicates another person, the latter must always be heard if at all possible. If this complaint is not made to the organizing federation, it can be made to the jury before the opening of the contest. It will be examined immediately and an immediate decision shall be taken whenever possible.

909.12 A lifter living in a foreign country can only take part in competitions organized in that country provided that he is furnished with an attestation from his national federation certifying his amateur position and authorizing him to take part in such competition.

909.13 A lifter cannot take part in a competition organized under the NAPF rules when :

(a) He is under a temporary or permanent suspension.

(b) He competes against lifters suspended or expelled.

(c) he competes in prohibited contests.

909.14 The following members may be subject to suspension or expulsion.

(a) any lifter properly entered for a contest who does not attend.

(b) any lifter guilty of violation or disobedience towards his federation or towards officials during the execution of their function.

(c) Any lifter convicted of agreement to alter his best effort.

(d) Any lifter who, by words or gestures, threatens the referees, judges or officials in their functions.

(e) Any lifter who participates in a contest with other countries without the permission of his national federation.

909.15 Permanent expulsion is decided by the affiliated federation or by the NAPF or by the IPF on a majority vote, for serious offenses, sullying the honor or honesty of a the lifter.

909.16 If a lifter is guilty of misconduct, the organizing federation may exclude him from a competition and inform his national federation who must penalize him.

909.17 Any member of an affiliated federation who is found to be guilty of bringing the sport into disrepute by means of his comments, published articles, TV or radio broadcasts, may be asked to appear before the Disciplinary Committee. Should the Committee feel that a bonfide case of violation exists, they will then present the matter to the Congress.

909.18 Wherever the term 'OFFICIAL' appears in this articles, it shall include all persons described as such in the IPF Technical Rules or appointed by the organizing committee of a championship in any capacity at all, during the whole or a part of that championship.

909.19 An affiliated federation shall be fined the sum of US $100 for each lifter of official suspended for drug offences committed at or in connection with North American Championships or regional competitions sanctioned by the NAPF.

Lawrence J. Maile, Ph.D.

IPF Vice-President, North America

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