Constitution


	A PDF version of the Constitution and Bylaws is available for download here.

Constitution of the AFRICAN Powerlifting Federation Terminology Unless specifically stated otherwise, the terms "Congress", "President" "Technical Committee" and such like shall mean the "APF Congress", "APF President", "APF Technical Committee" etc. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the terms "him", "his" and "Chairman" shall refer to persons of either sex. 1 DEFINITION 1.1 Name 1.1.1 The AFRICAN POWERLIFTING FEDERATION hereinafter called “APF” is an organisation founded in 2005 The Federation is composed of the affiliated African National Federations governing the sport of powerlifting on the basis of one national federation per country. 1.2 Objectives 1.2.1 The union of all eligible national federations or associations active in powerlifting throughout in Africa. 1.2.2 To develop standardised competitive rules according to the IPF rules. 1.2.3 Maintain a system for recognising and approving records. 1.2.4 Establish administrative and technical committees from its own number. 1.2.5 Establish, define and enforce rules for the government of African powerlifting. 1.2.6 Promote, support and encourage drug free powerlifting. 1.2.7 Produce official bulletins and/or powerlifting publications. 1.2.8 Secure other national affiliates (countries). 1.2.9 Promote, sanction and supervise African development programs and competitions, including African championships and single lift competitions. 1.2.10 Maintain an APF Congress of bona fide African representatives. 1.2.11 To maintain membership of the International Powerlifting Federation. 2 EMBLEM AND FLAG 2.1 Emblem To be decided 2.2 Flag To be decided. 2.3 Authorisation The APF emblem must not be used without the APF's authorisation. Only the APF may authorise the fabrication of its emblem, badges, medals, etc. 3 GENERAL PROVISIONS 3.1 The APF is recognised by the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF). 3.2 In its activities, the APF follows the Olympic ideal and principles. 3.3 All political and religious discussions or demonstrations are forbidden within the APF. 3.4 The APF supports all initiatives by powerlifters for peace and understanding. 3.5 No distinction is made between continents, countries or individuals for reasons of race, colour, gender, religion or politics. 4 OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF THE APF The official language of the APF is English. 4.2 All publications and reports of the APF are in English. The proceedings of the meetings of the Executive and the Committees are held in English. 5 MEMBERS 5.1 Membership The membership of the APF consists of African national affiliates active in powerlifting. The APF can recognise only one member (organisation) from each nation. Categories of APF Membership: 5.1.1 Full Member Provisional Member A Provisional Member may only compete in African championships by the decision of the APF Executive. However, once granted permission, a Provisional Member shall have all competition rights but no vote. The Executive will be authorised to decide the amount of annual subscription required from a Provisional Member. All countries applying for membership shall, on payment of the annual subscription fee, be granted provisional membership of the APF subject to ratification at the next Congress. 5.2 Representation The APF is governed by a Congress consisting of a maximum of two delegates from each nation affiliate with one vote per country, and the APF EC members with one vote each. EC members are restricted to only one vote each as the officers cannot represent both their nation and the APF Executive committee. 6 APF BODIES The APF is composed of the following bodies: the Congress the Executive the Committees 7 CONGRESS 7.1 General Provisions 7.1.1 The Congress is the supreme governing body of the APF. 7.1.2 The Congress shall meet annually one day before the start of the Men's Open African Championships. 7.2 Powers The Congress has the power: To admit any national affiliate (country) eligible under the Constitution by means of a two-thirds majority of votes cast. To prescribe and amend the constitution by a two-thirds majority of votes cast and the technical rules and the By-Laws by a simple majority of votes cast. To impose and enforce penalties for any violation of the Constitution or By Laws. By a two-thirds majority vote of members present, to remove any suspension or remit any penalty previously imposed on any person or organisation, being members of the APF. To remove from office by means of a two thirds majority vote, any person who through neglect of duty or misconduct has brought the APF into disrepute or in any way impaired it's function or development. To establish dues of the APF. To control the income, expenditure and property of the APF. In particular, it shall examine the audited balance sheet presented by the Treasurer and approve a budget for the forthcoming year. To call and determine the time and place of special meetings of the Congress. To institute, locate, conduct and manage all African powerlifting. To establish, define and enforce rules for the government of African powerlifting. To explain, define and interpret any provision of the Constitution. To consider and accept proposed changes to the Constitution and By-Laws. To elect the executive officers of the APF every four years. Elect executive officers to fill any casual vacancies, which may occur between such election years. To form standing, ad hoc and sub committees and to elect the chairman of the same. The standing committees of the APF shall include Law and Legislation, Technical, Disciplinary and Appeal. 7.3 Annual Congress 7.3.1 Annual Unless otherwise determined by the Congress, the annual meeting of the APF will be held one day before the start of the Men's Open African Championships or one day before the start of the combined Men’s and Women’s Open African Championships 7.3.2 Special Special meetings of the APF are scheduled at the request of the President or at the written request of two thirds of the members of the APF. Specific matters, except amendments to the Constitution, can be considered at a special meeting. 7.3.3 Notices Time is of the essence. Not less than ninety (90) days notice must be given for any annual meeting (the Congress) and not less than thirty (30) days notice of any special meeting of the APF. The General Secretary will e-mail a notice and agenda to all named delegates or their national federation. A notice sent to the last address known to the General Secretary complies with this requirement. The official agenda for the APF congress must be received by all members at least thirty (with amendment 30) days before the congress takes place. Items not in the agenda cannot be considered in the Congress. 7.3.4 Order of Business At all annual meetings of the APF the following will be the order of business: Roll Call President's Address Minutes of the last Congress Treasurer's Report Finance Secretary’s Report General Secretary's Report Committee Reports Elections Action on proposed amendments New Member Applicants Delinquent Nations Hall of Fame Future Championships Any Other Business Adjournment 7.3.5 Quorum At all meetings of the APF, a quorum will consist of thirty per cent of nations in full membership. 7.3.6 Procedures The following are the procedural rules for all meetings of the APF: The Standing Orders of the APF are the supreme document for all APF meetings except when they are in conflict with the provisions of the Constitution. In such cases, the Constitution prevails. A motion to table is debatable only when a time to debate is fixed by a simple majority of the Congress. All amendments to the Constitution and the By Laws must be submitted to all national affiliates and the appropriate committee before it can be acted upon at the annual meeting of the APF. Such proposed amendments must be in the hands of the General Secretary at least sixty (60) days prior to the date of the Congress. A national federation, a sub-regional federation or the appropriate committee, can submit all such amendments. The General Secretary shall send out all such amendments at least thirty (3O) days prior to the date of the Congress for the attention of all national affiliates. 7.3.7 Credential The following are required: The names of all delegates to the Congress. Member Federations may designate a maximum of two delegates, preferably the President and the General Secretary. Delegates other than the President and General Secretary shall present a written authority of their national federation not later than the opening of the annual or special meeting. Failure to make the proper certification will deny a seat at such meetings unless the delegate is accepted by a simple majority vote by the Congress. At any meeting of the Congress, only the delegates duly registered and certified shall be permitted to speak and vote. EXECUTIVE OF THE APF 8.1 Titles The titles of the Executive officers of the APF are: President, Vice-President, General Secretary, Treasurer, the Technical Committee Chairman and the Law & Legislation Committee Chairman. A maximum of two executive officers from any one nation. 8.2 Executive The Executive shall consist of all the APF officers, listed in 8.1, of whom a minimum of four are required to form a quorum. In the event of an impasse (stalemate), the President shall cast the deciding vote. 8.3 Powers of the Executive 8.3.1 It shall be the governing body of the APF between Congresses. 8.3.2 To maintain running control of the expenditure of the APF, in accordance with the budget approved by the Congress. 8.3.3 It shall prepare a budget for the forthcoming year for presentation to the Congress. 8.3.4 Vacancies. In the event of the death, resignation or in case of inattention to duty by recommendation of the Disciplinary Committee, the various offices are to be filled as follows: 8.3.4.1 President: The Vice President will be designated by the Executive to succeed the President until the next Congress. At this Congress, the presidential successor shall be elected. 8.3.4.2 Vice-President: The Executive shall appoint a successor to serve until the next Congress. 8.3.4.3 General Secretary and Treasurer: The Executive shall appoint a successor to serve until the next Congress. 8.3.5 To appoint the non-executive officers specified in 11.1 hereunder. The Executive shall also have the power to remove non-executive officers from office. DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE The duties of various officers are those duties appointed by the Congress and include: All APF EC officers by virtue of their attaining officers status in the APF, be allowed admission to the Congress in its entirety with vote and with voice. The Finance Secretary, Disciplinary Committee Chairman and the Appeal Committee Chairman be allowed admission to the Congress in its entirety only with voice. 9.1 President 9.1.1 He orders meetings of the APF as provided in the Constitution and presides at all meetings of the APF and 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. The President provides leadership in the long-term and day-to-day activities of the APF, delegating responsibility for completion of tasks, and making necessary contact with outside agencies to conduct APF business. He shall represent the APF at the IPF Executive meetings and the IPF Congress. 9.2 Vice President 9.2.1 He has such duties as assigned to him by the President and has all the power to perform the duties of the President in the absence or inability of the latter to attend. 9.3 General Secretary 9.3.1 To make proper arrangements for keeping the records of the APF and the Congress. 9.3.2 Issue all official notices of all APF meetings. 9.3.3 To serve as Secretary of the Congress and at any special meetings or hearings of the APF. 9.3.4 To certify as a "Provisional Member" any applying nation who submits the proper fees and credentials, until such time as the Congress shall deliberate such membership. 9.3.5 Delegate any of the aforementioned duties to an "assistant secretary" appointed by the Executive or to such assistants as may be provided by the APF By-Laws to perform it. 9.4 Treasurer 9.4.1 Receive all monies due to the APF and deposit it to accounts in the name of the APF. 9.4.2 Sign all cheques, notes and drafts together with one other signature as provided by the APF By-Laws by a sum greater than Euro 2.500. 9.4.3 Pay all bills approved by the duly authorised officer or by the Congress, provided it is within the authorised current budget of the APF. 9.4.4 When requested, hand over to the Finance Secretary for audit or other purposes, all monies, accounts, books, papers, vouchers and records pertaining to his office. 9.4.5 To present an audited balance sheet to the annual Congress. Audit of APF accounts is to be made by the Finance Secretary. 9.4.6 To be responsible for collecting all fees due the APF. To be responsible for issuing invoices and collecting any penalties. ELECTION OF THE APF-OFFICERS 10.1 Election Elections for all officers will be held every four years. The elections are to take place in the same year as those designated for IPF elections. 10.2 Term of Office 10.2.1 The term of office for all officers of the APF shall be for four years and the mandate of all officers, even those who were elected between electoral Congresses, shall expire at the electoral Congress. All officers shall be eligible for re-election. 10.2.2 A person may be nominated for APF office by any national federation member, provided that he is in good standing in his own national federation. "A member in good standing" shall be defined as a fully paid up or honorary member within his national federation, who is not under suspension by that body or by the APF. NON-EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 11.1 Titles The titles of the non-executive officers of the APF are: Finance Secretary, Records Registrar, Championships Secretary, Doping Control Secretary, Internet Officer. 11.2 Appointment and Rights The Executive shall appoint non-executive officers. By invitation of the President they may attend meetings of the Executive but without vote and with voice only on matters relating to their respective offices. DUTIES OF THE NON-EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Duties of the non-executive officers are those duties mandated by the Executive including. 12.1 Finance Secretary 12.1.1 Shall audit the balance sheet and books of the Treasurer prior to the Congress. 12.1.2 Monitor the expenditure of the APF in regard to the budget. 12.2 Records Registrar 12.2.1 Shall certify all African records and maintain an up to date register of all records in all categories. African records can only be confirmed if IPF drug testing requirements for the acceptance of African records have been complied with. Pending the confirmation of a negative drug test by the analysing laboratory records shall be shown on the register as being "pending" for a period of not more than six months from the date of the performance. If the record is not confirmed within this period it shall be erased from the register. 12.3 Championship Secretary 12.3.1 Shall maintain a Calendar of Events covering all major events for a period of not less than 24 months from the date of the Calendar. In normal circumstances, all African championships shall be allocated dates within the calendar that fall at approximately the same time each year. This principle shall be adhered to wherever possible. For example, the Men's Open African Championships should be staged in May each year. The major events in the APF calendar are as follows: African championships for Men (Open), Women (Open), Junior (Men and Women) and Masters (Men and Women). European bench press championships for Men and Women (Open) and Masters (Men and Women). Southern African championships. Other international events as approved. The Championship Secretary shall ensure that major international events do not clash. If necessary, sanction may be refused in order to achieve an orderly calendar. Shall distribute to affiliate federations the invitation and details of major events at least six months prior to the event. He shall also distribute team nomination forms and other necessary documents to affiliated federations. The invitation will be based upon the answers to a standard questionnaire sent to the host national federation and/or promoters of the championship when a bid is accepted. Closing dates for African championships are 6 to 8 weeks prior to the contest dates. If special hotel and transport booking forms are required, a draft copy of these forms shall also be sent to the Championship Secretary in order that they may be distributed with the invitation. Nomination forms for African championships must provide columns for the following information (which may be used for OCT [out of competition testing]): Lifter's family name. Lifter's first name in full. Lifter's best total performed within the preceding twelve months at national or international level. Lifter's year of birth. In the case of Masters and Juniors, the actual date of birth is required. Lifter's passport number, address and phone number, for OCT testing. Shall collate all team nomination forms and ensure that they are fully and properly completed. He shall then prepare a full list of lifters nominated for the event. A copy of this shall be sent to the Internet Officer, the General Secretary and the President. Prepare or obtain from the responsible event official, the full results of the event and distribute this to the persons specified in the preceding section. Pending the final drug testing results championships results shall be published as "Provisional Pending Final Drug Test Results." Shall sanction African competitions on an international level. This applies to any competition between two or more nations, which is not open to all nations within African. Previous to such sanction, he must consult the GS to be informed about the applicants conditions related to his APF obligations. Before a sanction for a major event is granted he must ensure that the applicant has the capacity for successfully promoting the event and the ability to comply with all the requirements of the APF. 12.4 Doping Control Officer 12.4.1 Arranges and co-ordinates drug testing for all African Championships. 12.4.2 Liases with the analysing laboratories to collect all drug testing results. 12.4.3 When all testing results have been finalised he shall communicate these to the Records Registrar, the General Secretary, Disciplinary Committee Chairman and the Internet Officer. 12.5 Internet Officer 12.5.1 Maintains the APF Internet site. 12.5.1.1 The Directory 12.5.1.2 Constitution and By-Laws 12.5.1.3 Drug testing Protocol 12.5.1.4 African Records 12.5.1.5 Calendar of Events 12.5.1.6 Invitations and details on forthcoming events 12.5.1.7 Results of major events 12.5.1.8 Drug testing results 12.5.1.9 Authorised material from the President or Executive 12.5.2 Other than replies to routine enquiries he shall not post any other material without the written consent of the President. COMMITTEES 13.1 General Provisions Each committee shall consist of a chairman elected by the Congress and a maximum of four (4) members from various nations who shall be appointed by the Executive in consultation with the Committee Chairman. 13.2 Technical Committee The Technical Committee shall be entrusted with the examination of all requirements and proposals of a technical nature submitted to the APF by affiliated federations. The decisions of the Technical Committee are subject to approval of Congress, and if accepted, they will be presented to the succeeding IPF Congress as proposals. The Committee appoints the chief and side referees for African championships and the members of the jury. The Committee trains and instructs referees who have not reached the international level and re-examine those who have already reached it. The Committee shall inform the Congress of the names of referees qualified to officiate at international championships and of those who need to be re-examined. Organises courses for referees before important competitions such as the African championships. The expense of organising courses or clinics shall be borne by the host national federation. It shall establish procedures for the training 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. Establish a code of ethics and good behaviour for the use of all officials. Infringements of the code may be referred to the Executive Committee for appropriate action. The Committee may, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee, publish material of a technical nature, which deals with methods of training and performance of the power lifts. Such material shall be sent to all affiliated federations. Ensure that the equipment used by member nations and at African championships conforms to the specific detailed requirements of the APF and IPF. Disciplinary Committee 13.3.1 Disciplinary hearings The following provisions shall apply to Disciplinary hearings. 13.3.1.1 DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS The Disciplinary committee shall investigate the case of any affiliated federation, lifter or official accused of any of the following: I) Bringing the APF or the sport of Powerlifting into disrepute. II) Acting in a manner that is contrary to the best interests of the APF. III) Contravening any of the provisions of the Constitution or By-Laws. IV) Contravening any of the rules or regulations governing the accepted behaviour of members of the APF. Following such investigation it may impose an appropriate penalty. 13.3.1.2 Representation The nation, the concerned lifter or official has the opportunity to let himself be represented at the Disciplinary Committee by an authorized person, e.g. lawyer. The costs for the representative have to be paid by the nation, the lifter or the official himself, regardless of the outcome of the hearing. 13.3.2 Duties The Disciplinary committee (DC) shall be entrusted with the examination and decision of all disciplinary cases within the APF. The General Secretary mandated by the Executive Committee shall send such cases to the DC. Disciplinary cases also can be sent to the DC by a national federation. The DC shall further collect all relevant information needed to deal with the case as mandated in the various parts of the Constitution and By-Laws. All sensitive information shall be treated confidential within the parties involved. The Disciplinary committee consists out of the Chairman elected by Congress and 2 members. The Disciplinary committee must decide about all suspensions. 13.3.2.1 Doping cases The procedure to deal with doping cases will be the following: 1) All relevant papers regarding a positive doping sample shall without delay be sent to the Disciplinary Committee Chairman by the Doping Control Officer. A copy must be sent to the General Secretary by the Doping Control Officer. 2) The DC shall inform the national federation, in which the lifter that tested positive is a member, to ask for any explanation or comments regarding the positive sample. The national federation shall be given a time limit of maximum 1 month to answer the request of the DC. 3) If appealed by the national federation, in which the lifter that tested positive is a member, to have the B-sample analysed, the DC will organise with the laboratory to have this carried out. The fee for appeals is according to By-Laws 103.2.10 to be paid to the APF-Treasurer prior to any analyses of the B-sample. 4) After examining all facts and documents the committee makes its decision and send this to the APF-Executive and the concerned national federation of which the suspended lifter or official is a member. The judgements must be published in the APF-Newsletter If in doping cases the APF-Constitution or APF-By-Laws have no rulings, the IOC Olympic Movement Anti-Doping Code (OMADC) in the current version will be the guiding document to be followed. Note. When the WADA World Anti-Doping code (WADC) will take effect in lieu of OMADC, the current version of WADC is the guiding document to be followed. Appeal Committee 13.4.1 Appeal hearings The Appeal committee shall receive all documents relating to any appeal. Such appeals must be lodged with the Appeal Committee Chairman within one month of the written notification of the decision on which the appeal is based. A copy of the appeal must be sent to the General Secretary. The Appeal committee shall within one month of receiving all documentation relating to the appeal examine and investigate the matter and decide on an appropriate penalty. Appeals lodged with the Appeal Committee and appeals to the Congress must each be accompanied by payment according to By-Laws 103.2.11 if they relate to suspensions or fines for drug offences, or according to By-Laws 103.2.12 for other appeals. If the appeal is successful no financial claim or other petition for damages may be made against the APF. Following successful appeals, half of the fee paid for the appeal will be refunded. An appeal against any decision of the Appeal Committee may be made to the Congress. Such appeal must be lodged with the General Secretary within one month of the written decision of the Appeal Committee, and not later than six weeks before the date of the Congress. The appeal shall be lodged with the General Secretary who shall then include the appeal on the agenda to be considered by Congress. Within a one month period following the decision of Congress on an appeal, there shall be a right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne / Switzerland. The Appeal Committee may, in its absolute discretion, waive or vary the time limits contained herein. 13.4.2 Duties The Appeal committee consists out of the Chairman elected by Congress and 2 members. The members must not be simultaneous a member in the Disciplinary Committee. Duties are described in the in the APF-Constitution 13.4.1 „Appeal Hearings“. After examining all facts and documents the committee makes its decision and sends this to the APF-Executive and the concerned national federation. The judgements must be published in the APF-Newsletter. Law and Legislation Committee Shall receive any proposals regarding Constitution and By-Law documents of the APF from member nations within the proper time frame, evaluate accordingly and suggest to the APF Congress alternative courses in action. Shall serve as the parent committee in further amending the Constitution and By-Laws. Is responsible for updating the Constitution and the By-Laws. Shall study the Constitutions of new applicant nations and report the results to the General Secretary. SUBSCRIPTIONS AND FEES Subscription The Congress will determine the amount of the annual subscription to the APF from time to time. The subscription is payable during the first month of the year. Upon receiving payment, a certificate of membership will be issued by the Treasurer. Any country, which has not paid its subscription for the current year, cannot participate or vote in the various meetings of the APF. Its lifters cannot take part in competitions or meetings organised under the rules of the APF and IPF, nor obtain ratification of their records. A reminder letter shall be sent to every national federation, w