Articles of association

The International Bowling Federation (IBF) is an association with a legal personality governed by Swiss law, mainly by the articles 60 et seq of the Swiss Civil Code. IBF is organized according to the present statutes (Statutes).

In these present Statutes:

1.2.1.   “Articles” means an article of these Statutes;

1.2.2.   “Associated Member” means an Associated Member in terms of Article ‎4.2;

1.2.3.   “Auditors” means the Auditors constituted in terms of Article ‎7.1 et seq;

1.2.4.   “Body” means any legal entity other than a human being;

1.2.5.   “Bowling” means the sport of Bowling, Tenpin Bowling, Ninepin Bowling and any variations similar to Bowling;

1.2.6.   “CEO” means the Chief Executive Officer according to Article ‎8.2;

1.2.7.   “Committee” means the Committee constituted in terms of Articles ‎6.1 et seq;

1.2.8.   “General Meeting” means the supreme governing body of the association constituted in terms of Articles ‎5.1 et seq;

1.2.9.   “IBF” means the International Bowling Federation;

1.2.10. “NBF” means a national Bowling federation member of the IBF having as such the rights, privileges and benefits given in these Statutes to national federations;

1.2.11. “NPBF” means a national Para Bowling federation member of the IBF, having as such the rights and benefits given in these Statutes to national federations;

1.2.12. “Members” means any member constituted in terms of Articles ‎3.1 et seq;

1.2.13. “Para Bowling” means Bowling played by people with a disability;

1.2.14. “President” means the President of the IBF appointed in terms of Article ‎8.1;

1.2.15. “Statutes” means the present articles of association of IBF;

1.2.16. “Vice President” means the Vice President of the IBF appointed in terms of Article ‎8.1;

1.2.17. “Zone” means the geographical zones into which the NBF member of the IBF is allocated, namely on the date of adoption of these Statutes, i) the American Zone, ii) the Asian Zone, iii) the European Zone, iv) the African Zone and v) the Oceanian Zone. The American Zone gathers the NBF located in all countries located in both north and south American continents. The Asian Zone gathers the NBF located in the Asian continent, the European Zone, the NBF located in the east and west European continent, the African Zone, the NBF located in the African continent and the Oceanian Zone the NBF located in the Oceanian region;

1.2.18. “Zone Organization” (“ZO”) means the organization that is in charge of coordinating and overseeing the NBFs within a Zone as well as organizing regional competitions in said Zone, under the authority of the IBF.

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The name of the association is the International Bowling Federation. The duration of the IBF is unlimited. The official headquarters of the IBF are based in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The purpose of the IBF is among other things:

·       to encourage the international development of the sport of Bowling, Tenpin Bowling, Ninepin Bowling and any variations similar to Bowling, and of Para Bowling;

·       to promote Bowling and Para Bowling as a sport of international standing and recognition;

·       to promote Bowling as a sport for Olympic status, and Para Bowling as a sport for Paralympic status;

·       to organize for its member federations:

o   world championships,

o   any major events related to Bowling or Para Bowling with international impact;

·       to act as the international federation for Bowling, as well as for Para Bowling in the Olympic Movement and thereby to establish and enforce, in accordance with the Olympic Charter and International Paralympic Committee Handbook the rules concerning the playing of Bowling with the intention to be part of the Olympic Games, and of Para Bowling in the Paralympic Games, and to fulfil in respect of the sport of Bowling, and of Para Bowling the mission and role of an international federation within the Olympic movement, and within the Paralympic movement;

·       to encourage and support measures among its competitions and members (and their athletes) that safeguard the integrity of Bowling, and Para Bowling, and protect clean athletes through the fight against doping and the prevention of the manipulation of competitions;

·       to encourage and support measures related to the medical care and health of the athletes that participate in IBF competitions;

·       to secure the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms set forth in these Statutes without discrimination of any kind, such as age, race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, language, religion, disability, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status; and

·       to set up any entity which would promote the purposes of IBF.

The IBF’s resources consist of the Members’ annual fees, gifts and donations and any other resources, such as incomes from competitions, tournaments, sponsors and other events organized by the IBF; its resources shall be applied exclusively in furtherance of its purpose.

The social organs of the IBF are:

a)    the General Meeting;

b)    the Committee;

c)     the Auditor.

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The Members of the IBF are the national bowling federations (NBF). According to the Olympic Charter, only one National Bowling Federation for each territory or country may become a member of the IBF. The name of the NBF must reflect the territorial extent and tradition of its territory or country and must be approved by the IBF as being in conformity with the Olympic Charter.

Each NBF must be duly constituted under the laws of its jurisdiction and shall seek recognition by its national governing authority (e.g. national sports committee, national association of sports federations and/or governmental authorities).

To be considered for membership as a NBF a national Bowling federation must provide in writing to the Committee (and for clarity, pre-existing NBF shall supply any or all of the following to the IBF upon written request from IBF):

a)    a formal application in a form prescribed by the Committee;

b)    a formal undertaking to abide by the IBF Statutes, by-laws, policies, rules, decisions while acting in the capacity as an IBF member or as a participant in IBF events or activities;

c)     a formal undertaking to accept and apply the World Anti-Doping Code while acting in the capacity as an IBF member or as a participant in IBF events or activities;

d)    an explanation of the organizational structure of the national federation and a copy of its governing documents (for example, any constitution, bylaws, policies, and/or statutes) with a certified English translation;

e)    a confirmation whether the relevant National Sports Committee or any similar sports governmental authority recognizes the national federation as a member and whether the governing documents of the national federation are consistent with the principles of the Olympic Charter;

f)      a formal undertaking to accept as binding and final, while acting in the capacity as an IBF member or as a participant in IBF events or activities, the decisions of the competent authorities within the IBF and in this regard to recognize the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne as the only possible external judicial authority;

g)    a formal undertaking to give reasonable assistance to the IBF in imposing and assisting in the enforcement of the obligations in (b), (c) and (f) upon its individual members in all those activities over which the IBF has authority;

h)    a detailed report on the non-confidential activities of the members that the national Bowling federation represents;

i)      details of the membership of the national bowling federation; including registration of all membership details via IBF online platform or other means if requested;

j)      any other information as reasonably required by the Committee to determine membership eligibility and compliance with these IBF Statutes.

A new NBF shall be considered to membership by a vote of the Committee. The Committee may accept or reject an application in its sole discretion, whether or not the applicant has complied with the requirements in this Article.

Based on exceptional circumstances, the Committee may consider to membership a national Para Bowling federation (NPBF).

The Committee shall not be required or compelled to provide any reason for such acceptance or rejection.

Where the Committee accepts an application, membership shall be deemed to commence upon acceptance of the application (or such earlier date as may be appropriate for pre-existing members).

Each Member is entitled to:

a)    recognition as the sole governing body for Bowling in that Member’s Territory or Country;

b)    be convened and participate to the General Meeting;

c)     make proposals for inclusion on the agenda of the General Meeting, subject to the consideration of the Committee;

d)    know the agenda of the General Meeting in advance;

e)    take part in the General Meeting and express its position;

f)      one vote right during the General Meeting, unless it has a conflict of interest as a party in the matter being voted on in the meaning of article 68 of the Swiss Civil Code; and

g)    nominate candidates for the Committee, including as Vice President(s) and President.

Members must observe these Statutes as well as the IBF’s internal regulations, by-laws, other rules and regulations and decisions of the IBF and ensure that their members and their various Bodies (including individuals, leagues and clubs, and para entities) comply with them. The statutes and regulations of each NBF must comply with these Statutes.

Any NBF may resign in writing to the President on a six months’ notice. For the avoidance of doubt, the resignation shall not affect any financial or other obligations that have arisen during the term of the membership.

The Committee may suspend a Member that has not paid its fees or is in arrears for a period of one year (12 calendar months). Such a suspension may be lifted by the Committee when the Member is once again in good financial standing with the IBF. The Committee may suspend a Member for other important reasons and, in particular when the Statutes, the IBF by-laws, policies, rules, decisions are violated.

The related Zone Organization must be informed by the President in case of suspension of a Member.

Based on a proposal of the Committee, the General Meeting may decide to exclude a Member without indication of grounds.

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Each Zone is under the supervision of its relevant Zone Organization.

The role of the Zone Organization within the IBF shall be to administer and further the objectives of the IBF and to organize regional competitions.

4.1.1.   Requirements

The Zone Organizations shall have their own rules and by-laws, which shall respect and be consistent with these Statutes and the IBF by-laws.

4.1.2.   Rights and obligations of the Zone Organizations

IBF may recognize a Zone Organization for each continent on which Bowling is played. Upon such recognition, the ZO shall enjoy the rights and benefits conferred on ZOs under these Statutes, including (without limitation) recognition as the sole continental authority for Bowling in that continent (Zone) and the right for its president to represent it on the Committee.

To be recognized as a Zone Organization, a Body must satisfy (both at the time it applies for recognition and at all times thereafter) all of the following requirements:

(a) It must claim jurisdiction over one of the continents, territories or regions recognized by IBF, and must not have recognized any other Body as ZO for that continent, territory or region.

(b) The articles establishing the ZO must have been approved by the Committee as compliant and consistent in all respects with these Statutes and Regulations. They must include provisions (i) declaring the ZO’s opposition to any discrimination of any kind, such as age, race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, language, religion, disability, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status; (ii) formally undertaking to be bound by and to comply with these Statutes and Regulations and the IBF Code of Ethics; (iii) incorporating Anti-Doping regulations that are compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code and the IBF Anti-Doping Rules; (iv) incorporating regulations that are compliant with the IBF’s Anti-Corruption Regulations (included in the IBF Integrity Code) and the IBF Approved and Unapproved Events Regulations; (v) upholding fair and transparent election processes.

(c) It must agree not to amend its articles, or to adopt any by-laws or rules and regulations for the conduct of its affairs, without the approval of the Committee.

(d) It must admit into membership NBFs that are Members of the IBF for countries or territories that are located within the continent for which the ZO is responsible, and only those NBFs and it must continue to recognize an NBF as a member of the ZO for so long as that NBF is and remains a Member of the IBF.  If the Member withdraws from or is suspended or expelled from membership of the IBF, it shall automatically be deemed to have withdrawn from, or to be suspended or expelled from membership of the ZO.

4.1.3.   Relations with IBF

Each ZO shall derive its authority from the IBF, and shall be responsible for:

(a) the administration, promotion and development of Bowling within its continent, pursuant to a strategic plan that is developed and maintained in consultation with the Committee and is consistent with the IBF’s own strategic plan;

(b) the organization of any International Events as are delegated to it by the Committee, on such terms and conditions as the Committee may specify;

(c) the organization and/or approving of other tournaments, events and matches within its continent in accordance with the Statutes, Regulations and by-laws (provided that the proposed dates for such tournaments, events and matches must be approved in advance by the Committee);

(d) establishing and enforcing appropriate disciplinary procedures for all tournaments, events and matches that it organizes; and

(e) the financing of its activities by way of membership subscriptions, fees for staging or participating in tournaments, events and matches under its jurisdiction, and/or exploitation of commercial and other rights.

The Committee may delegate other powers and/or responsibilities to ZOs.

These Statutes shall not create a partnership or agency relationship between the IBF and the ZO. ZOs are not liable for the debts or obligations of the IBF, and the IBF is not liable for the debts or obligations of ZOs.

General Meeting may suspend or withdraw a ZO’s recognition for just cause, provided always that in any such case the ZO shall be given due notice of any proposal for suspension or withdrawal of recognition, as well as of the grounds for that proposal, and shall be given the opportunity to be heard by the General Meeting before any final decision is made in respect of such proposal. Furthermore, any such decision shall be subject to appeal by the ZO to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

4.1.4.   Withdrawal

If the Committee decides that any ZO is failing to carry out its responsibilities in a satisfactory manner, it may withdraw the ZO’s authority for such responsibilities, caution or censure the ZO, withhold grants or subsidies from the ZO, or take such other action as it deems appropriate, subject in each case to ratification by the General Meeting at its next meeting.  The Committee shall give the ZO due notice and an opportunity to be heard (by means of written submission, unless otherwise specified by the Committee) before it makes any such decision.  Furthermore, any final decision shall be subject to appeal by the ZO to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in accordance with Article 4.1.2 of these Statutes. A decision by the Committee shall not be ‘final’ for these purposes, and therefore no appeal will lie to the Court of Arbitration for Sport from such decision.

In recognition of historic contributions and/or outstanding support to the development of Bowling, and of Para Bowling, the General Meeting, on proposal of the Committee, may afford the status of Associated Member to an organization which is not part of the IBF. The relations between the IBF and the Associated Members are provided and set out in the by-laws. Associated Members do not have any vote rights at the IBF General Meeting, nor the ability to participate in IBF Championships.

Member of the Committee may be appointed as Honorary Member by the President and ratified by the Committee. Honorary Member may be invited by the Committee to some events organized by the IBF, and even to participate, without voting rights, to General Meetings at their own costs

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The General Meeting is the supreme organ of the IBF.

The General Meeting is composed of the authorized delegates of the Members. Each Member in good standing shall be entitled to be represented at the General Meeting by one delegate, who can be accompanied by one individual (without any voting right).

The President of the General Meeting is the President of the Committee, chairs the General Meeting, but shall not have any voting rights. In the absence of the President, the General Meeting shall be chaired by the first Vice President of the Committee, subsidiarily by the second Vice President, or more subsidiarily by a member of the Committee.

The Vice Presidents, the members of the Committee and the Associated Members may attend the General Meeting, but shall have no voting rights, except if acting as a proxy on behalf of a Member or the delegate of a Member.

The external Auditor is invited to the General Meeting, without any voting right.

The General Meeting has the powers and functions expressly listed by these Statutes, namely:

a)    to amend the Statutes;

b)    to elect the President and the Vice Presidents of the Committee;

c)     to elect the external Auditor;

d)    to grant the status of Member and Associated Member; (upon prior advice from the Committee)

e)    to recognize, suspend or withdraw any ZO;

f)      to approve the yearly financial statements;

g)    to grant discharge to the Committee;

h)    to decide the exclusion of a Member or Associated Member ;

i)      to declare the disbandment of the International Bowling Federation.

Decisions on matters listed in paragraphs a) and i) require a majority of two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast.

Decisions by the General Meeting are immediately applicable unless it is decided otherwise.

The Members and Associated Members shall be invited to the General Meeting with a prior written notice of no less than 60 days. The accidental omission to give notice of any General Meeting of the IBF or the non-receipt of the notice of any meeting of the Members shall not invalidate the proceedings at that General Meeting. The notice shall include the agenda of the General Meeting.

The General Meeting meets every two years for the ordinary general meeting.

Additionally, extraordinary general meeting may be requested at any time by one fifth (1/5) of the Members or by the majority of the Committee.

One third (1/3) of the Members shall be present or duly represented for a vote to be validly carried out. Votes on the disbandment of the IBF require a presence quorum of four fifths (4/5) of the Members.

If the quorum is not met, the General Meeting shall be reconvened in six weeks and no quorum shall be necessary for this meeting.

The minutes are signed by the person chairing the General Meeting and the secretary of the meeting, who can be external to the Committee.

Each Member, present or represented via proxy at the General Meeting, is entitled to one (1) vote.

Voting and elections shall take place by a show of hands or electronic means unless a secret ballot is requested by a majority of the Members present.

Decisions of the General Meeting are taken by a simple majority of the votes cast, unless a majority of two-thirds (2/3) or higher is required by the Statutes.

According to a decision of the Committee, the General Meeting may for any reason be met and held electronically (for instance videoconference or conference call) unless a majority of the Members requires a physical meeting.

Additionally, the written consent of a majority of the Members to a proposal is equivalent to a resolution of the General Meeting. For the purpose of this Article, facsimile transmission or email delivery of a “.pdf” format data file shall be considered a written consent.

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The Committee is composed of the following members :

a)    The President;

b)    The first Vice President;

c)     The second Vice President;

d)    The President of each Zone Organization;

e)    The delegate of each Zone Organization, whose members’ number is 15 or more;

f)      A representative of the athletes;

g)    The CEO;

h)    A representative of Para Bowling.

The members of the Committee are in charge for four years.  Re-election is possible.

The Committee is organized as it sees fit.

The Committee has all the powers and functions which are not granted by the Statutes or by mandatory law to another organ or Body of the IBF. In particular, it has the following powers :

a)    to organize, supervise and manage the sport of Bowling worldwide, and of Para Bowling worldwide;

b)    to develop and update on a strategic plan for the expansion of IBF and the IBF’s general policy;

c)     to set up any entity which would promote and develop Bowling and Para Bowling;

d)    to ratify the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for such term, as appointed by the President;

e)    to ratify the representative of Para Bowling for such term, as appointed by the President;

f)      to bring Bowling as an Olympic discipline and Para Bowling as a Paralympic discipline;

g)    to represent the IBF towards third parties;

h)    to review and approve the annual business plans and financial statements prepared by the IBF’s management;

i)      to accept or reject applications for membership from national federations and assign them to a Zone;

j)      to decide on the suspension of a NBF;

k)     to establish and support the development of Para Bowling and its rules;

l)      to uphold the spirit of the Olympic Charter and the strict observation of the IBF regulations;

m)   to promote amicable and courteous relations between the NBF, the Zone Organizations, their officials and the players;

n)    to exercise overall control over the financial management of the IBF;

o)    to adopt, modify and abrogate the IBF internal regulations, by-laws, and other rules and regulations of the IBF;

p)    to organize, govern, control and/or assign the organization of Bowling and Para Bowling events and tournaments;

q)    to define the international calendar of events and competitions in consultation with the Zone Organizations;

r)      to be informed of any by-laws of the Zone Organizations; and

s)     to appoint Honorary Members.

The Committee meets as often as necessary and at least once a year. The Committee is convened by the President or upon request made to the President by at least five of its members.

The meeting may for any reason be met and held electronically or telephonically unless a majority of the members of the Committee requires a physical meeting.

The invitation to the meeting and the agenda shall be sent by email or registered mail by the President at least three weeks before the date of the meeting. The President is also in charge of the agenda.

Four voting members of the Committee, representing at least three ZOs shall constitute a quorum of the Committee. If the quorum is not met, the Committee shall be reconvened in two (2) weeks and no quorum shall be necessary for this meeting.

Decisions of the Committee are taken by a simple majority of the votes cast, unless provided otherwise by the Statutes or by by-laws.

Except the CEO and the representative of Para Bowling, each member of the Committee, present, shall be entitled to one vote. In case of a tie, the President, or the person who presides over the meeting has the casting vote.

The minutes of the deliberations of the Committee are held by the secretary, who does not need to be a member of the Committee. The minutes are signed by the secretary and the person presiding the meeting not later than 30 days post meeting.

The written consent of a majority of the members of the Committee to a proposal is equivalent to a resolution of the Committee. For the purpose of this Article, facsimile transmission or email delivery of a “.pdf” format data file shall be considered a written consent.

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The financial year end accounts of the IBF shall be audited by an external auditor as shall be determined by the General Meeting.

The IBF must submit its accounts to a full audit by the external auditor of international standing.

The IBF must submit its accounts to a limited audit by the external auditor of international standing if the majority of the General Meeting so requests.

The financial year of IBF shall start on January 1 and end on December 31.

A copy of the financial year end accounts of the IBF shall be provided to:

a)    each Member;

b)    each Zone Organization;

c)     each member of the Committee;

d)    Each Associated Member, subject to the sole discretion of the Committee.

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The President appoints the CEO. He presides the meetings of the General Meeting and the Committee. In the absence of the President, these meetings shall be chaired by the first Vice President, subsidiarily by the second Vice President, more subsidiarily by a member of the Committee.

The first Vice President, subsidiarily the second Vice President, replaces the President, should the latter be absent or unable to, temporally, carry out the presidential duties.

The CEO is the general manager of the IBF and runs the organization of IBF. He is in charge of the day-to-day business, and represents IBF towards third parties. He supervises any section, entity or commission which would be created within the IBF in the interest of the development of Bowling and Para Bowling worldwide.

The CEO will report to the President and the Committee and will exercise his power and authorities in accordance with the directions of the President and the Committee.

CEO will consult and seek approval of the President and the Committee on any matters which the President and the Committee think appropriate.

The CEO prepares and organizes the meetings of the Committee and of the General Meeting and the agenda in conjunction with the President.

During General meetings, CEO assists the President. Unless acting as representative of a Member, the CEO has no voting rights in the frame of any decision taken by the General Meeting.

He has no voting right at the meeting of the Committee.

The representative of Para Bowling is appointed by the President, subject to Committee’s ratification.

Unless acting as representative of a Member, the representative of Para Bowling has no voting rights in the frame of any decision taken by the General Meeting.

He has no voting right at the meeting of the Committee.

The representative of the athletes is elected by the athletes of Bowling and of Para Bowling.

Unless acting as representative of a Member, the representative of the athletes has no voting rights in the frame of any decision taken by the General Meeting.

Ahead of the 2023 General meeting any Zone Organization of 15 Members or more must elect a delegate to take a position on the IBF Committee. This delegate must be elected via an electoral process within each Zone Organization’s general assembly.

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IBF will provide elite level competition of Bowling and Para Bowling in the form of World Championships for its Members. World Championships are not defined by one single event and can be a process of events over a period of time through qualification or staging allowing access to all federations.

World Championships will be built within a four years cycle event portfolio framework that considers long term athletic development and progress from Under 18 to Masters.

World Championships are the pinnacle events for IBF and its Members.

Para Bowling will provide annual competition in line with International Paralympic Committee rules and regulations though other classification events will be developed.

The IBF, including Para Bowling, submits to the World Anti-Doping Code and so shall the NBF when acting in their capacity of Members or as participant in IBF events or activities.

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The Committee shall adopt a set of by-laws providing inter alia for the rules of enforcement of these Statutes, the procedures and rules of conduct of the IBF and of the governing Bodies and the regulation and management of the affairs of the IBF. Any by-laws or amendment of the by-laws shall come into force on the date of the decision of the Committee. The by-laws or its amendment shall be notified to the Members as soon as practicable. If a two-third (2/3) majority of the Members addresses a written objection to the by-laws or its amendment to the President within 60 days from the entry into force of the rule, the by-laws or its amendment shall be considered null and void.

The IBF maintains absolute political and religious neutrality and does not tolerate any form of discrimination.

The Statutes are written in French in order to comply with the registration conditions of the Trade Registry of Canton de Vaud, but English is the prevailing language in the organization and management of IBF.

All notices shall be served either by registered mail or by email between the IBF and its Members.

Any dispute arising from these Statutes, their by-laws and/or any IBF regulations and not explicitly subject to the jurisdiction of another Body according to the same shall be submitted exclusively to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, which will resolve the dispute definitively.

The General Meeting has the exclusive power to resolve upon the dissolution of the IBF. This decision requires a two third (2/3) majority. In the event of the dissolution or winding up of the IBF any surplus assets and funds of the IBF, after the expenses caused by the operations of disbandment have been covered, shall be applied as the Committee sees fit for the benefit of Bowling in such country or countries that the Committee determines.

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