WASM Constitution - 2019

CONSTITUTION

of the

World Association for Sport Management

“WASM”

Adopted

27 April 2012

at

Aletheia University

Taiwan

Revised 20 January 2016

1.Name

1.1 The name of this organization shall be the World Association for Sport

Management hereinafter called “the Association” or “WASM.”

2. Definitions

2.1 In these rules, unless a contrary intention appears:

“the Association” means the above named association (WASM);

“corporate member” means any corporation or association as permitted and

approved under this constitution;

“the Executive” committee of the Board shall consist of the President, the Vice

President, Secretary, and the Treasurer;

“the General Assembly” means all the members of the Association (including

representatives where relevant);

“individual member” means any individual as permitted and approved under this

constitution; “meeting” includes a physical gathering or telecommunication;

“Notice of Motion” is a Notice to move a Motion that must be proposed and

seconded by two members of the Association

“Officer” means the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer

“Regional member” means a regional association as permitted and approved under

this constitution;

“representative” means the person nominated and advised by the Regional or

Corporate member association to serve on the Board or Executive or represent the

association at a General Meeting and who must be a member, volunteer or

employee of the member association;

“special notice” means the notice of a meeting of which not less than forty-two

days’ notice is given to the Board or General Assembly specifying the intention to

propose a Special Resolution, the text of which is contained in the Notice;

“special resolution’ means the resolution required to be passed by a majority of not

less than two-thirds of the Board or General Assembly who are in attendance;

“writing” means all forms of communication including facsimile, email and other

forms of electronic transmission.

2.2 The general working language of WASM and any publications is English.

Additional languages may be employed according to the events and major

participant groups.

3. Vision and Mission

3.1 Vision: A united and engaged global community of sport management

academics.

3.2 Mission: To facilitate sport management research, teaching and learning

excellence, and professional practice worldwide.

4. Purposes/Objectives

4.1 The purposes and objectives of the Association are to:

4.1.1. Facilitate, strengthen, and support international cooperation in sport

management;

4.1.2. Exchange information among all countries concerning the results of research

in sport management;

4.1.3. Convene international congresses, seminars or symposia on aspects of sport

management;

4.1.4. Oversee and co-ordinate the official publications of the Association

including the preparation and circulation of newsletters and reports on sport

management from around the world;

4.1.5. Enhance the global development of sport management through the growth of

knowledge, skills, and professional practice;

4.1.6. Promote scholarship and education in sport management;

4.1.7. Facilitate and strengthen cooperation among the regional members and the

establishment of other continental, regional and/or national sport management

associations;

4.1.8. Liaise with international sport organizations that further the Association’s

vision and mission

4.1.9. Celebrate diversity and foster cross-cultural comparison of sport

management behaviour and practice.

4.1.10. Increase the organizational capacity of the Association.

4.3 Principles

In pursuance of its mission and objectives the Association shall abide by the

principles of mutual respect and recognition, sovereignty and non-interference into

the rights of its members. WASM shall strictly oppose every form of

discrimination for reasons of race, colour, ethnicity, national origin, sex, age,

religion, political view, language, disability, sexual orientation, and gender.

4.4 Non–profit

The income and property of the Association however derived shall be applied

solely towards the promotion of the objects of the Association and no proportion

thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by dividends, bonus or

otherwise to any member of the Association, except when the payment is made in

good faith by way of remuneration for goods or services provided to the

Association by the member of the Association or the Executive.

5. Affiliations

5.1 The Association may affiliate with other organizations having a similar

purpose to that of the Association. Any such affiliation must be by Special

Resolution of the Association.

5.2 The Association shall endeavour to maintain close co-operation with:

o the United Nations and its specialised agencies, particularly with UNESCO and

any of its cognate Intergovernmental Committees for Sport and the World Health

Organisation (WHO);

o international organisations in the field of sport, sport management and cognate

areas;

o international sport federations and organisations;

o national institutions working in the field of sport, sport management and cognate

areas;

o individual experts selected on the grounds of their international reputation or

outstanding

o contribution in the Association’s fields of activity;

o relevant corporate partners.

This co-operation may take the form of specific agreements.

6. Members

6.1 Membership

The Founding members of the Association are:

o North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM)

o European Association for Sport Management (EASM)

o Sport Management Association of Australia and New Zealand (SMAANZ)

o Asian Association of Sport Management (AASM)

o Latin American Association for Sport Management (ALGEDE)

o African Sport Management Association (ASMA)

6.2 New Members:

6.2.1 New Regional members shall be admitted by special resolution of the

WASM Board, and unanimous approval of the founding members, by

demonstrating that their charter is consistent with the objectives and purposes of

WASM and this Constitution generally and upon payment of a fee as established

by the Association or as otherwise determined by the Executive.

6.2.2 New Corporate members shall be admitted by the Executive upon payment of

a fee as established by the Association or as otherwise determined by the Executive

provided that the Executive is satisfied that their charter is consistent with the

objectives and purposes of WASM and this Constitution generally.

6.2.3 New Individual members shall be admitted by the Executive upon payment

of a fee as established by the Association or as otherwise determined by the

Executive.

6.3. Each member shall pay annual fees (if any) as established by the Association.

6.4 In due course and upon a Special Resolution of the Association, the members

of the Regional members of WASM will be deemed members of WASM.

6.5 Fees

6.5.1 The annual membership fee (if any) of the Association is that amount

determined by resolution of the Association based on reasonable estimates of

anticipated expenditures and membership projections based on principles of

prudent financial management.

6.5.2 The annual membership is payable on the 1st January in any calendar year.

6.5.3 Members who have not paid their annual subscription by the 28th February

are deemed to be non-financial and not eligible for any member entitlements.

6.6 Members Commitment.

6.6.1 Members undertake to be bound by this Constitution

6.6.2 Members undertake to work towards the continued well-being and viability

of the Association

6.7. Indemnity

Every member shall indemnify and save harmless the General Assembly, Board of

Management, Executive Committee and all employees of the Association from and

against all claims, suits, actions, demands, damages and loss whatsoever which any

such person may suffer arising out of any negligent, fraudulent, unlawful or wilful

act or omission of the member and all members shall be deemed by their affiliation

to this Association to have waived all such claims, suits, actions, demands and

damages which they may thereafter have had against the Association in respect

thereof. It shall be the duty of the Board out of funds of the Association to pay all

costs, losses and expenses which any member or employee of the Association may

incur and be liable to by reason of any Contract entered into or act or deed so done

by that person as such member or employee of the Association in discharge of that

person's duties as authorised by the Association.

6.8 Conflict of interest

In the event that there is a conflict of interest between an individual or

representative and the Association, that individual or representative shall

immediately declare to the members of the General Assembly or the Board the

conflict of interest that exists and, if deemed appropriate by the members or the

Board, the member with the conflict shall refrain from any further involvement

with the Association in relation to the relevant matter.

6.9 A member whose conduct may have been detrimental to the good of the

Association may be removed from membership and from any office by a two-

thirds vote of the Board, provided that the member has been notified at least forty-

two (42) days in advance of the meeting as to the charges against the member and

has been given the opportunity to answer the charges, in writing, or by an

authorized representative. A member who has been removed from membership

may be reinstated to membership by normal membership approval procedures by

the Board.

6.10 Member Benefits

The benefits which shall be afforded to each category of membership shall be as

detailed in Schedule 1 hereto and as provided elsewhere in this Constitution.

7. Finance

7.1 The funds of the Association shall consist of membership subscriptions

together with such grants, contributions and other forms of income as the

Association may receive from time to time.

7.2 The funds of the Association shall be lodged in a current bank, building

society, or credit union account or invested with the approval of the Executive and

reported at the Annual General Meeting.

7.3 Any two of the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, or Business Manager may

operate the account.

7.4 Audited statements of account shall be presented by the Treasurer or Business

Manager to the Annual General Meeting.

7.5 An Auditor shall be appointed by the Executive Committee with the approval

of the Annual General Meeting.

7.6 The Board shall determine expenditures on behalf of the Association.

7.7 The income of the Association shall be used solely for the administration of the

Association and the Objectives of the Association.

7.8 No officer or member of the Association shall enter into contracts or incur

debts on behalf of the Association unless that person acts with the express written

authority of the Executive Committee of the Association.

7.9 The financial year of the Association shall commence on 1st January and end

on 31st December.

7.10 Expenses incurred in carrying out authorised Association business may be

reimbursed from time to time with the approval of the Board of Management.

8. Governance

8.1 The Board

8.1.1 The Association Board shall consist of:

(a) the Regional members of the Association who shall each be represented by one

person as nominated and advised by the member’s association;

(b) the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer who shall be elected by

the members of the Association and who must be either a member of a Regional

member, a representative nominee of a Corporate member, or an Individual

member; and

(c) two persons who shall be elected by the members of the Association and who

must be either a representative nominee of a Corporate member, or an Individual

member.

8.1.2 The members of the Board of the Association are responsible for decision-

making and conducting the business of the Association but shall solicit the

opinions of their associations and the members on matters of policy and change.

8.1.3 The representative of the Regional and corporate member association must be

a nominee of the Board of Management (or equivalent thereof) of that member

association.

8.1.4 The member association may determine their representative by such means as

they deem appropriate. Over time, each member association shall endeavour to

attain gender balance and diversity of national representation.

8.1.5 When required, the Board may use sub committees, made up of two to seven

persons, not necessarily on the Board, but charged with making specific

recommendations to it. The duration of such ad hoc committees extends to a

maximum of two years.

8.1.6 If there is a vacancy on the Board, where relevant the Regional or Corporate

member association shall nominate a representative to fill the vacancy. If the

vacancy is of an individual member, the Board shall appoint a replacement

individual member of the Association. The Term of any person who fills a vacancy

shall be the same as the person they have replaced.

8.2 The Executive

8.2.1 The Executive of the Board shall consist of the President, the Vice President,

Secretary, and the Treasurer . These office-holders shall be elected from the

individual and nominee representatives of the members at the AGM and shall hold

office for two years. A Regional Member may nominate a member of its

association for the Executive in addition to the person nominated as the RA

representative on the Board.

The Business Manager shall serve as an ex-officio non-voting member of the

Board.

8.2.2 Only one person from each Regional or Corporate Member Association may

be a member of the Executive.

8.2.3 At the end of each term (of two years) there will be a rotation of positions

such that at least two members of the executive shall stand down. If two members

of the Executive are not willing to stand down, then the rotation shall be

determined by ballot by the current Executive. Subject to the Constitution, those

members who stand down may seek re-election.

8.2.4 No person shall remain on the Executive for more than two terms in the same

position unless a Special Resolution to the contrary is passed by the Association.

8.2.5 The President shall submit an annual report to the Board on behalf of the

Executive, and present that report at the AGM.

8.2.6 If there is a vacancy on the Executive, the Board shall elect a representative

to fill the vacancy in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.

8.2.7 The Executive shall meet as required by the members thereof or the direction

of the President.

8.3 Officers of the Association

8.3.1 The President represents the Association in all matters. The President signs,

together with a member of the executive, agreements with other groups. The

President may ask another member of the Executive to represent the Association in

case they are prevented.

8.3.2 The Vice President shall be assigned special duties including relations with

other bodies and organizations. In the absence of the President, meetings will be

chaired by the Vice President.

8.3.3 The Secretary is responsible for executing the proceedings of the Executive,

the Board and the General Assembly. In agreement with the President, the

Secretary is responsible for the correspondence of the Association, and prepares

the minutes of the meetings of the General Assembly, Board and Executive. The

Secretary reports all decisions of the Executive and the Board to the members of

the Association.

8.3.3.1 Subject to these rules, the Secretary shall keep custody and control of all

records, books and other documents relating to the Association other than those

relating to the funds of the Association which shall be kept in the custody of the

Treasurer unless otherwise agreed.

8.3.3.2 The records, books and other documents of the Association shall be open to

inspection, free of charge, by a member of the Association at any reasonable hour.

8.3.4 The Treasurer is responsible for all financial matters pertaining to the

Association. In addition to the administration of membership fees, the Treasurer

solicits financial support from other sources, provides an annual budget, and

arranges for auditing of expenses.

8.3.5 The Board may appoint an Business manager and Secretariat to assist in the

administration of the Association on such terms and conditions as the Board deems

appropriate.

8.4 Secretariat

8.4.1 The Secretariat shall comprise the Business Manager and the necessary staff

to fulfill the work to be undertaken.

8.4.2 The Business Manager is responsible for the work of the Secretariat and for

the organization of the Association’s meetings as directed by the Officers of the

Association, as well as for the follow-up of any decision taken during those

meetings.

8.4.3 The duties of the Business Manager shall be determined by the Board and the

Executive.

8.5 General Assembly

8.5.1 The General Assembly shall comprise all the members of the Association as

approved under this Constitution.

8.5.2 The General Assembly shall be the ultimate authority of the Association and

shall make the final determination on all matters of the Association.

9. Meetings

9.1 Board Meetings of the Association

9.1.1 The Board of the Association shall meet (either in person or

virtually/electronically) at least once, preferably twice, every year.

9.1.2 Additional meetings of the Board may be convened by request of not less

than half the members of the Board.

9.1.3 At least twenty-one (21) days’ notice should be given to Board members of a

Board meeting and the notice should specify the nature of the business to be

discussed.

9.2 Annual General Meeting (AGM)

9.2.1 There shall be an Annual General Meeting of the members of the Association

(either in person or virtually/electronically). The AGM shall be held at a time and

place determined by the Board.

9.2.2 The business of the Annual General Meeting shall include:

• Confirmation of the minutes of the last meeting

• Reports from the Regional member representatives on activities in their region

* Report from the President on behalf of Executive

• Reports from the Journal, Newsletter and Web editors (if any)

• Presentation of the audited statement of accounts and a forward estimate of

expected revenue, expenditure and surplus or budget for the forthcoming financial

year (if any)

• Election of the relevant Board members every second year.

• Acknowledgement of Expressions of Interest for nominated positions (if any).

• Other Business

9.2.3 The AGM shall be open to all members of the Association and members of

the Association’s members.

9.3 Special General Meetings

9.3.1 A Special General meeting of the Association shall be convened at the

request of not less than ten percent (10%) of the members of the Association or the

President.

9.4 Meeting Protocols

9.4.1 All meetings may take place electronically, via e-mail and other electronic

communication strategies.

9.4.2 The agenda for meeting shall be arranged by the Secretary in accordance with

the directions of the Association.

9.4.3 All meetings will be chaired by the President. If the President is absent, then

the Vice-President will chair the meeting. In the event of both being absent they

will consult together and nominate a stand-in Chair. In the event that neither is in

the position to nominate a stand-in chair, the chair shall be chosen by consensus of

the remaining association members.

9.4.4 Only one person from each member of the Association shall be eligible to

vote at meetings. Each Regional and corporate member must nominate the voting

representative.

9.4.5 Decisions shall be taken by a simple majority of all those present and voting

unless otherwise provided in this Constitution. In the event of a tie, the chair shall

have a casting vote.

9.4.6 Voting by way of proxies shall be allowable.

9.4.7 Voting rights for General and Board meetings shall be as stated in Schedule

One hereto.

9.4.8 Voting rights for Executive meetings shall be one vote per office bearer.

10. Quorums

A quorum for meetings shall consist of the following:

10.1. General Assembly (including Special Meeting)

Not less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the members (including postal or

electronic votes and proxies).

10.2 Board of Management

Not less than half the members in person or by electronic link.

10.3 Executive

Not less than two of the Officers of the Association in person or by electronic link.

11. Elections / Rotation

11.1 Nomination and Election

11.1.1 Elections for the Board are held every two years at the AGM. The call for

nominations for each of the positions on the Board are sent out to the members by

the Secretary at least three months prior to the election. All members are eligible to

nominate one person for any position. Each member can nominate a maximum of

two persons. Names of the nominated persons shall be published prior to the

election.

11.1.2 An election supervisor, identified by the Board, should be in place prior to

the election. Letters of nomination should be sent to the Business Manager and

election supervisor

11.1.3 The individual with the highest number of votes will assume the role on the

Board. However, duties assumed by the Board and the Executive may vary

following discussion and agreement by the Board and the Executive respectively.

11.2 Election Protocols

11.2.1 Nominations of candidates for election to the Board of the Association shall

be made in writing, and accompanied by the written consent of the candidate

(which may be endorsed on the form of nomination); and shall be delivered to the

Secretary of the Association not less than fifty-six (56) days prior to the date of the

Annual General Meeting.

11.2.2 If the number of nominations received is equal to or less than the number of

vacancies to be filled, the persons nominated shall be deemed to be elected.

11.2.3 If the number of nominations exceeds the number of vacancies to be filled, a

ballot shall be held.

11.2.4 If the number of nominations is insufficient to fill a Board vacancy,

nominations for those positions for which no nomination was received in

accordance with the rules of the Association may be received at the AGM.

11.2.5 The ballot for the election of officers of the Committee shall be conducted

at the AGM in such usual and proper manner as the Board may direct.

12. Vacancies

For the purpose of these rules, a vacancy in the Executive or of the Board occurs if:

12.1. the member’s representative dies; or

12.2 the member ceases to be a member of the Association; or

12.3 the member becomes an insolvent under administration within the meaning of

the Law; or

12.4.1 the member representative resigns office by notice in writing given to the

Secretary; or

12.4.2 is removed from office under these rules; or

12.4.3 becomes a mentally incapacitated person; or

12.4.4 is absent without the consent of the Board from all meetings of the

Board held during a period of twelve months.

13. Notices

General

13.1.1 A notice may be served by or on behalf of the Association upon any

member either electronically, personally or by sending it by post to the member at

the address shown in the Register of Members.

13.1.2 Where a document is properly addressed prepaid and posted to a person as a

letter, the document shall, unless the contrary is proved, be deemed to have been

given to the person at the time at which the letter would have been delivered in the

ordinary course of post.

13.1.3 Where a document is posted electronically to a member the document shall,

unless the contrary is proved, be deemed to have been given to the member at the

time at which the electronic communication was made.

Notice of Meeting

13.2 Annual General Meeting

13.2.1 Notice of the date, time and place of the holding of the Annual General

Meeting of the Association and of the proposed business, including a call for

nominations for election to the Committee of Management, shall be given in

writing, either by post or electronically, by the Secretary to all members at least

three months prior to the date of the meeting.

13.2.2 All items of General Business, Notices of Motion, and Nominations shall be

submitted in writing (including electronically) to the Secretary not less than fifty-

six (56) days prior to the AGM. All such items shall then be circulated (including

electronically) to the members not less than forty-two (42) days prior to the AGM

13.3 Special Meeting

13.3.1 The Secretary of the Association shall, at least forty-two (42) days before a

date fixed for holding a special meeting of the Association, cause to be sent to each

member of the Association at the address appearing in the register of members, a

notice by pre-paid post or electronically stating the place, date and time of the

meeting and the nature of the business to be transacted at the meeting.

13.3.2 No business other than that set out in the notice convening the special

meeting shall be transacted at the meeting.

14. Conferences

14.1. An international conference of the Association shall be held at such time and

place as determined by the Board.

14.2 At each conference, a host organizing association will be responsible for the

finances, the physical location, and domestic arrangements as approved by the

WASM Board.

14.3 The Executive shall appoint a chairperson of the program committee who will

be responsible for the scientific program and will be an ex-officio member of any

organizing committee.

14.4 The organizing association shall submit a budget for the international

conference to the Treasurer of the Association. If the budget is balanced, the

Executive committee may approve the budget. If the budget is not balanced, the

Executive committee may approve the budget if the deficit is not larger than the

sum stipulated by the Board.

14.5 WASM shall at all times have the right to require the WASM conference

organiser to observe WASM’s policy and constitutional obligation to implement

diversity practices.

15. Policies and Procedures

15.1. The Association shall develop, maintain and promulgate a Manual of Policies

and Procedures. The manual shall include rules for the operations of committees;

procedures for papers, meetings, publications and sub-committees; and procedures

related to awards.

16. Interest Groups

16.1 The Association may facilitate and assist where possible, the formation of

interest groups. These interest groups may organise common themes and panels for

the conference and other forums.

17. Reports

17.1 Every year each member association will be asked to provide reports (in

English) to the AGM in relation to their association’s activities, which shall

include but is not limited to:

- Changes in constitutions or by-laws

- Names of officers

- The number of members

- Noteworthy activities of the association

- Conference details past and future

- Other information as reasonably required by the Secretary.

18. Brand and Intellectual Property

18.1 In all cases, unless otherwise approved by the Board, whenever the

Association is a party to or providing support, be it monetary or in kind, to a

project or venture the beneficiary or partner shall acknowledge the involvement of

the Association as appropriate. Branding and public recognition in such

circumstances shall in addition be as agreed by the parties.

18.2 All intellectual property created by or for the Association shall remain the

property of the party who created the intellectual property unless otherwise agreed.

19. Amendments to the Constitution

19.1 Amendment of the Constitution may only be made by a Special Resolution

and decided by no less than a two-thirds majority of votes by members in

attendance (either physically, electronically or by proxy) according to the voting

rights in Schedule One hereto.

20 Dissolution

20.1. The Association shall be dissolved in the event of the number of members

falling below two (2) or upon the vote of sixty-six percent (66%) of the persons

entitled to vote present at a Special Meeting convened for that purpose and of

which notice incorporating this proposed Dissolution is given in accordance with

this Constitution.

20.2 In the event of the Association dissolving, the remaining funds (if any), after

all debts are paid, will be returned to the current member associations in equal

amounts unless otherwise decided by a two-thirds majority of the Association.

SCHEDULE 1

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

CATEGORY BENEFITS OF MEMEBRSHIP VOTING RIGHTS AT GENERAL MEETINGS

BOARD POSITIONS

Regional Member

One Automatic Position on the Board

10 Votes per Regional Member

1 Position per Regional Member + may occupy the Executive positions

Corporate Named on Website

Can nominate a member/representative of the Organisation for and be elected to WASM Board

2 Votes per Corporate Member

Up to 5^

Individual

Can nominate for and be elected to WASM Board

Membership certificate upon request

1 Vote per Individual Member

Up to 5^

^ Total of up to 5 positions on the Board between Individual and Corporate Members – i.e. two

dedicated positions plus the three Executive positions.