Statutes of the International Mind Sports Association

Chapter I NAME, OBJECTIVES, HEADQUARTERS

Article 1 Name

The name of the organisation shall be “The International Mind Sports Association” and the official approved abbreviation is “IMSA”.

Article 2 Description

The IMSA is a non-profit association of International Mind Sports Federations and organisations contributing to sport and specifically mind sports, an educational, scientific or technical level, which meets regularly and within each member retains its autonomy and independence. The IMSA shall be incorporated in Switzerland, as an association in accordance with Article 60 and following of the Swiss Code.

Article 3 Objectives

The goal of the International Mind Sports Association is to gather the different mind sports Federations to pursue common aims and interests, to organise the “World Mind Sports Games” (WMSG) or any other name to be decided upon, under the aegis of the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) and further to realise the inclusion of the Mind Sports in the Olympic Movement.

Article 4 Headquarters

The Headquarters of the IMSA and the locations of the Secretariat shall be decided by the Executive Committee.

Article 5 Official Languages

The official languages of the IMSA are English and French.

Article 6 Symbols

The IMSA shall have such symbols as an emblem, a flag, an anthem and a torch. These symbols shall belong exclusively to the IMSA. Their design shall be reviewed by the IMSA Executive Committee.

Chapter II MEMBERS

Article 7 The Members

The members of the IMSA are the following 4 (four) founding federations:

• World Bridge Federation (WBF)
• Fe'de'ration Mondiale de Jeux de Dames (FMJD)
• Fe'de'ration Internationale des Echecs (FIDE)
• International Go Federation (IGF)

In addition, new members shall be subsequently admitted as provided in the Bye-Laws, Article 4.

Article 8 Rights and Obligations of the Members

8.1 A member shall be obliged to encourage and promote mind sports. A member must also make positive efforts for the development of IMSA.

8.2 A member shall be entitled to participate in all elections, and to submit motions or recommendations relating to the work of the IMSA Executive Committee.

Article 9 Termination of membership

9.1 A member may submit its written resignation to the IMSA President or Secretary-General at any time.

9.2 A member may be expelled from IMSA by a decision of the Executive Committee if it is considered to have harmed the IMSA. In this case the decision must be approved by a 3/4 majority (three quarters) of the members.

Chapter III ADMINISTRATION

Article 10 The Executive Committee

10.1 The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the President and 4 (four) Members.

10.2 The Executive Committee shall elect the President. The term of office of the President shall be 4 (four) years.

10.3 The President is eligible for re-election.

Article 11 Officers

11.1 The Executive Committee may elect a Deputy-President, a Secretary-General, a Treasurer and a Honorary Secretary.

11.2 The term of office of the Officers shall be 4 (four) years.

Article 12 Competence

The Executive Committee shall, subject to these Statutes and Bye-Laws appertaining thereto, be empowered to act in all matters on behalf of the IMSA.

The Executive Committee shall meet at least twice a year during its term of office. During the period between Executive Committee meetings, the President and the Secretary-General shall deal with the current affairs. Subject to the authority of the Executive Committee, they shall be responsible for the day-to day operations of IMSA.

The Executive Committee may appoint advisers whenever necessary.

Chapter IV QUORUMS, VOTING, ELECTIONS

Article 13 Quorums

13.1 The quorum for general business of the Executive Committee shall be 75% (seventy five per cent) of the Members..

13.2 The quorum for business entailing changes in these Statutes and Bye-Laws, appertaining hereto, or the suspension or expulsion of members or the dissolution of the IMSA shall be 3/4 (three quarters) of the members having voting rights.

Article 14 Voting

14.1 Each member shall have one vote.

14.2 The voting majorities required are:

a) For acceptance of new members, dissolution, changes in Statutes and Bye-Laws: unanimity of all members.

2. For a point of order: more than 50% (fifty per cent) of voting members.

Chapter V RESIGNATION

Article 15 Resignation

15.1 A member may resign at any time, provided that at the time of resignation the member has no outstanding liabilities to the IMSA.

15.2 Such a resignation shall take effect immediately upon receipt by the General Secretary-General of a notice of resignation signed by the president of the member and shall be reported to the next meeting of the Executive Committee.

Chapter VI FINANCES

Article 16 Financial Matters

16.1 The resources of the IMSA shall be made up of members’ annual dues or charges, gifts and donations and any other resource, such as income from the World Mind Sports Games or other events organised by the IMSA.

16.2 The Executive Committee shall set up regulations and guidelines for the finances and shall determine these regulations at the annual Executive Committee meeting.

Chapter VII SPECIAL DISPOSITIONS

Article 17 Bye-laws

The Bye-Laws appertaining to these Statutes shall come into force when approved by the Executive Committee, and shall not be altered or rescinded unless a subsequent Executive Committee should so decide.

Article 18 Interpretation

The authority for interpreting any dispute arising out of these Statutes, or the Bye-Laws appertaining thereto, shall reside in the President, who shall seek the advice of the Executive Committee before making a final decision.

Article 19 Modification of the Statutes

Notwithstanding Article 13, (quorums) these Statutes may be modified only by an Executive Committee meeting convened especially for that purpose.

Article 20 Dissolution

20.1 The intended dissolution of the IMSA shall require an Extraordinary Meeting of the Executive Committee at which the proposed dissolution shall be the sole item on the agenda.

20.2 If there is any property upon the dissolution of the IMSA, the Executive Committee shall decide as to how such residual property is disposed of, such disposal including distribution of the residual property among the members of the IMSA or application to other purposes including charity.

Article 21 Arbitration

In addition to other provisions of the Statutes and By-Laws, any dispute arising on the occasion of, or in connection with, the IMSA events shall be submitted to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), in accordance with its Statutes and Regulation to the exclusion of any national court. The parties to such dispute shall undertake to implement in good faith the arbitral award rendered by the CAS.

Article 22 Registered office and applicable law

The IMSA has its registered office in the city of Lausanne, Switzerland. The Statutes and By-Laws shall be governed by Swiss Law.

Article 23 Final Declaration

No discussion or votes by the IMSA shall effect in any way the freedom and independence of any member, who shall, in all cases, retain complete independence and control falling within the field of its activity..

BYE-LAWS

Article 1 Offices

1. Principal Office

The principal office of the IMSA shall be located in Switzerland.

2. Other Offices

The IMSA may also have other offices at such other places as the Executive Committee may from time to time determine, or as the business of the IMSA may require. In particular, the IMSA may have an office at the place of residence of its President..

Article 2 Members

International mind sports organisations (generally known as International Federations) governing at least one mind sport.

Article 3 Role of the Members

The members

a) Have the status of an international mind sports organisation and are members of the General Association of International Sports Federations

b) Establish the rules concerning the practice of their respective sports and ensure their application

c) Establish their criteria of eligibility for competitions

d) Assume the responsibility for the technical control and direction of their sports

Article 4 New Members

4.1 Investigations as to the bona fides of any applicant organisation shall be conducted by the Secretary-General under the direction of the President, but no commitment as to the outcome of such an application may be given by any person on behalf of the Executive Committee.

4.2 Applications for membership must be submitted to the Secretary-General at least 6 (six) months prior to the date of the first Executive Committee meeting in the year in which the application is to be considered, together with:

1. A copy of the constitution
2. The names and addresses of the Executive Committee or other appropriate governing organ other than the Congress or General Assembly
3. Details of the last 3 (three) competitions organised by the applicant
4. Copies of the financial statement, balance sheet and accounts
5. A certification of GAISF membership.

Article 5 Observer Status

5.1 Any organisation considering joining the IMSA may be granted the status of “observer” by the Executive Committee. This status shall not carry any right to speak except on the invitation of the President or the chairman..

5.2 An applicant for membership may not be represented in the Executive Committee meeting at which its application for membership is to be decided, whether it has been represented as an observer or not, other than to reply to specific questions by invitation.

Article 6 Delegates

6.1 The maximum number of people who may attend any meeting of the Executive is 3 (three) per member, including any interpreters. For the sake of these Bye-Laws, all Executive Committee members shall be counted in with the other people representing the members to which they belong.

6.2 A delegate of one member may never vote in the name of any other member. If specifically requested to do so, a delegate may speak on behalf of another member only at the invitation of the president or the chairman..

6.3 All delegates other than the president, chairman or secretary-general of the member shall send to the Secretariat (if time permits) but in any case bring with them a letter of authority, signed by one of the three Officers referred to above.

Article 7 Conduct of Meetings

7.1 Calling notice

7.1.1 All proposals to modify the Statutes or Bye-Laws of the IMSA should reach the Secretariat so as to be included in the Agenda of the Executive Committee meeting, at least 6 (six) months before the date on which the Executive Committee meeting will take place.

7.1.2 At least 3 (three) months before the date of the Executive Committee, the Secretariat shall send a formal calling notice to all members which shall contain a request for any items which any member may wish to have included on the agenda to be sent to the Secretariat within 2 (two) months before the meeting.

7.1.3 At least 1 (one) month before the Executive Committee meets, the Secretariat shall circulate the agenda as prepared by the Officers and /or the Executive Board and including the items referred to in paragraph 7.3 of these Bye-Laws.

7.1.4 Any proposals for subsequent amendment of the agenda must be sent in writing to the Secretariat at least 1 (one) month before the meeting.

7.1.5 Together with the agenda, the Secretariat shall circulate details of any membership applications and a brief description of the results of any investigations made by the Secretariat. Objections to or reservations held regarding such membership applications must be communicated immediately to the Secretariat together with the reasons for such objection or reservation.

7.2 Presidency

The President shall preside over every meeting of the Executive Committee. If the President is absent or unable or unwilling to preside, then the Executive Committee shall elect one of its members to preside over the meeting as Chairman.

7.3 Programme and Agenda

7.3.1 The agenda for the Executive Committee shall contain the following items:

a) Opening of the meeting

b) President’s remarks

3. Adoption of the agenda
4. Roll Call (by the Secretary-General)
5. Minutes of the previous meeting
6. Reports on organisation of World Mind Sports Games
7. Financial Matters
8. Budget for forthcoming year and planned IMSA events
9. New membership applications
10. Elections (as necessary)
11. Items presented for information
12. Date and place of next meeting

7.3.2 All items requiring a decision to be made by the IMSA must be in writing in one of the IMSA official languages in the form of a resolution.

7.3.3 No resolution shall be discussed in the absence of the delegate who proposed the resolution..

7.3.4 Urgent matters, including matters brought forward from meetings of the Executive Committee, and which the Executive Committee approves by a simple majority, must be placed on the agenda and discussed provided that 50% (fifty per cent) of the members present and voting agree to do so.

7.3.5 Papers / Documents for information, discussion, or decision shall not be read to the Executive Committee. They shall be distributed or circulated among the members prior to the meeting. The author may then elaborate on any points he believes necessary with the permission of the president or chairman. The paper / document may then be discussed and the author questioned by the delegates during such period of time as the president or chairman, subject always to the overriding authority of the Executive Committee, decides.

Article 7.4 Minutes

7.4.1 The minutes of the meetings shall be prepared in one of the official languages and circulated by the Secretariat under the direction of the Secretary-General and after approval by the President within 2 (two) months of the meetings.

7.4.2 No correction of or alteration to the minutes shall be accepted unless written notification has been received and acknowledged by the Secretariat within 2 (two) months of the date of circulation of the minutes to the members.

Article 8 IMSA Executive Committee Constitution Procedure

8.1 The constitution procedure for the IMSA Executive Committee shall take place as follows:

a) Election of the President

and if the Executive Committee so decides

b) Election of a Deputy-President

c) Election of a Secretary-General

d) Election of a Treasurer

e) Election of an Honorary Secretary

or f) Nomination of 4 (four) Members.

8.2 Each Member of the Executive Committee must come from the nominee’s own organisation

8.3 Each member federation shall nominate its nominees and delegates in writing to the Secretary-General at the latest 10 (ten) days before the meeting at which the elections are going to take place.

8.4 The newly elected President and Executive Committee Members take office after the close of the Executive Committee meeting.

8.5 The voting papers for the election of the President, the Vice-President, the Treasurer, the Secretary-General and the Honorary Secretary must each bear 1 (one) name.

8.6 Voting slips bearing more or less than 1 (one) name shall be invalid.

Article 9 Honorary Members

A retiring President or a retiring Executive Committee Member who has rendered services to the IMSA may be granted the title of “Honorary President” or “Honorary Member” respectively, on a proposal made by the Executive Committee.

Article 10 Notices

10.1 A notice or notification to a member shall be deemed to have been properly delivered provided it was sent to the last address of which the member informed the Secretariat.

10.2 Notification regarding suspension, expulsion or dissolution shall always be sent by registered delivery.