CONSTITUTION

of the

NORTHERN IRELAND POWERLIFTING FEDERATION

Constitution for NIPF, V2/APR2017

Page 1 of 22

Table of Content.

  1. Objective
  2. Organisation
  3. Duties and competence
  4. Membership
  5. Subscriptions
  6. Economic compensations for honorary posts
  7. Inability
  8. Disciplinary cases
  9. The National Congress
  10. Congress Representation
  11. The power of the Congress
  12. Order of votes at the Congress
  13. Extraordinary Congress
  14. Powers of the Executive
  15. Committee Structure & Job Roles
  16. Constitutional changes
  17. Dissolution

Attachments:

  1. NIPF Structure & Relationships
  2. Dual Membership Agreement
  3. Child Protection Policy
  4. Anti Doping Policy

  1. Objective.
    The objective of the Northern Ireland Powerlifting Federation (hereafter NIPF) is be recognised as the governing body for powerlifting in Northern Ireland and Ulster. It will promote and organise the powerlifting sport and support general power training across any sport. Part of this duty is to stimulate cooperation between the members and to represent the federation in international bodies.

The work shall have a character of voluntariness, loyalty and equivalency. All sport activity shall be based on fellowship, health and honesty.

  1. Organisation.

2.1 The NIPF represents a Home Nation Member of GB Powerlifting Federation Limited (company number 06625045, trading as British Powerlifting andas defined within the GB Powerlifting Federation Articles of Association). The NIPF agrees to at all times act in accordance with the Articles of Association (including the furtherance of those objects), the By-Laws and any requests of the Board of GB Powerlifting Ltd (the “British PowerliftingMemberLaws’).

For avoidance of doubt, should this Constitution or any other by-law or direction of the NIPF conflict with any British Powerlifting Member Laws, those laws shall be the prevailing position.

2.2 Under the agreement between British Powerlifting and Irish Powerlifting Federation set out in Attachment 2 of this consitution, and due to the unique political status of Northern Ireland citizens, the NIPF is recognised as a province of the Irish Powerlifting Federation. Members of the NIPF are afforded full membership rights as per the agreement and must abide by the Constitution of the Irish Powerlifting Federation.

For avoidance of doubt, should this Constitution or any other by-law or direction of the NIPF conflict with any Irish Powerlifting Member Laws, those laws shall be the prevailing position

2.3Where there is conflict in constitution or disciplinary action the NIPF will escalate jointly to the British and Irish Powerlifting Executives and expects that where necessary these National Governing Bodies will communicate together to meet a suitably acceptable resolution for the NIPF.

2.4NIPF follows and accepts the anti-doping rules as specified by WADA .

2.5Powerlifting is practised in accordance with the IPF Technical Rules.

  1. Duties and competence.
    The NIPFshall develop activities, organisations and good economic systems to meet requirements from the members, the National umbrella sport federation, the Government and International sport federations.

Education, training and the opportunity to build experience of elected people, serving in the Executive or Committees, is an important part of the duties.

  1. Membership.

All drug free lifters within clubs/teams practising powerlifting or weight training and recognised by the Community or local sport authorities have the right to become a member of NIPF.

All members accepted by the NIPF have an obligation to comply with the rules of the British Powerlifting, Irish Powerlifting Federation and the International Powerlifting Federation.

In order to set records a lifter must be a member of the NIPF/GBPF/IrPF and hold a valid membership card.

  1. Subscriptions.
    The National Congress decides about the subscription and fees during the Annual General Meeting held once per year. Unpaid subscriptions and fees result in loss of votes and rights at the Congress.

The Executive members may suspend members that owe subscription or fees for more than 1 year.

A percentage of each NIPF subscription will be paid to the National Governing Bodies (British and Irish Powerlifting), at not more than quarterly intervals during the calendar year.

  1. Economic compensations for honorary posts.
    Elected people in the Executive and committees may receive a reasonable compensation for their work and documented expenses.

Such compensations shall be approved by at least 1 Executive member and will be included in the budget and the annual accounts for the NIPF.

  1. Inability.
    A person employed by the NIPFcan not simultaneously hold an honorary post in the federation.
  2. Disciplinary cases.
    A disciplinary committee shall be entrusted with the examination and decision of disciplinary cases.

Any disciplinary action will be undertaken using the guidelines as defined by the relevant committees in British Powerlifting and Irish Powerlifting Federation.

  1. The National Congress.
    Annual:

The National Congress is the supreme governing body of the NIPF. The Congress shall meet annually at the end of each calendar year ie December or January.

Notice:

The Executive shall notify the members a minimum of 6 weeks ahead of the Congress.

Proposals and amendments must be received by the Executive latest 4 weeks prior to the Congress.

Complete Agenda must be sent to all members latest 2 weeks prior to the Congress.

Votes.

At the Congress, a quorum will consist of the authorised delegates present.
No delegate shall have more than one vote as they can not carry votes for persons not present at the Congress.

Law changes.

Proposals to change the law of NIPF can only be examined if included in the Agenda distributed to all members and requires 2/3 majority by the delegates presentto be accepted.

All accepted proposals will be in power from the first day after the Congress if not otherwise stated.

  1. Congress representation.
    Any NIPF member with a valid and current membership card will be able to vote.
  2. The power of the Congress.
    The duties of the Congress are:
    1. The delegates elect one person to preside at the meeting, one secretary to record the meeting and two persons to sign the secretary protocol.
    2. Roll call of delegates.
    3. To accept the Agenda
    4. To examine the Executive report.
    5. To examine the Treasurers report.
    6. To examine proposals and amendments.
    7. Decide about membership fees and other fees.
    8. To examine the budget
    9. Election of Executive Team:
  3. CEO
  4. Finance Director
  5. ??

10. Election of the Operational Team

  1. IT Director
  2. Marketing Director
  3. Events Director
  4. Communications Director
  5. Performance Director
  6. Technical Director
  7. Antidoping Officers

11. Sub-Committees and support officers where appropriate.
NIPF adheres to current Equal Opportunities legislationwithin Northern Ireland and will make every effort to have equality in the committee structure.

  1. Order of votes at the Congress.
    If not otherwise decided, a proposal is accepted by a majority of votes. However, Constitutional changes require 2/3 majority.

Election of candidates shall be in writing if there is more than one candidate for a duty. If there are more candidates but no one gain majority, a new election between the two candidates with most votes shall take place. In case two candidates gain equal number of votes, a draw shall be made to decide which one shall be elected.

If more candidates shall be voted, all must gain more than 50% of the total votes to be elected. If necessary, additional rounds of votes must be made to achieve the 50%

  1. Extraordinary Congress.
    Extraordinary Congress may be called by the Executive with at least 14 days notice if:
    a) Required by a superior Sport organisation or the Government/National umbrella organisation
    b) Decided by the Congress
    c) Decided by the Executive
    d) Required by at least 25% of the members.
    An Extraordinary Congress shall only deal with cases included in the agenda when called.
  2. Powers of the Executive.
    1. It shall be the governing body of the NIPF between Congresses.
    2. It shall carry out decisions made by the Congress.
    3. It shall carry out daily management of the federation, represent the federation and practise skilled authority.
    4. Appoint members in committees others that elected by the Congress and work out guidelines for such committees.
    5. To maintain running control of the expenditures of the NIPF, in accordance
    with the budget approved by the Congress.
    An executive meeting will be held after each NIPF competition at a minimum. Additionally an Executive Meeting may be called by the Director or if a majority of the Executive members ask for a meeting.

A quorum is formed if a majority of the Executive members are present.
Decisions are made by a majority vote of the Executive members present. In case of an equality of the votes, the vote of the Director is determining.

  1. Committee Structure and job roles

The committee needs to be voted in each year and therefore we encourage all interest ahead of time. The Positions for the NIPF leadership committee are as follows:

a) CEO - leads the NIPF and committee, setting the culture and strategy for the following year. Is usually the NIPF Director sitting on GBPF Executive committee. Offers casting vote when committee hasn’t a majority.

b) Finance Director - maintains the accounts, defines/monitors budgets and is central to grant/sponsorship applications and followup.

c) Communications Director - key link between committee to the membership managing direct email and facebook queries. Proactively communicates out using membership information to ensure membership has all GBPF info and updates on competitions etc

d) Events Director - responsible for coordinating each NIPF competition including venue, setup/teardown, paperwork, software and support eg loaders.

e) Performance Director - responsible for team and lifter development to ensure NIPF has a sustainable delivery of motivated and knowledgeable lifters across both genders in junior, Senior and Master divisions. Select NI squad and Team Captain.

f) Marketing Director - responsible for developing and maintaining the "NIPF brand" as it relates to powerlifting and sport using all relevant media (website, newspaper/magazine articles etc on a local competition and national scale. Works with Finance Director.

g) Technical Director - must be a referee (preferably of National or International level) and will ensure NIPF compliance with GBPF and IPF rules and regulations. Links to GBPF for development of rules and proposals to IPF. Manages technical updates each year, liaises with Divisional referees to ensure common referee experience for lifters and facilitates exams in NIPF.

h) Antidoping Officer - independent role to committee and manages the antidoping education of lifters and coaches. Manages WADA testing schedule, budget and communicates with GBPF during resolution of issues.

NOTE:

Each Director is responsible for the delivery if the objectives for that functional unit and can second in help/assistance as relevant when agreed with the committee.

All assistants can attend committee meetings and give input, but can’t vote on final decisions

Sub Committees
a) Technical committee
b) Disciplinary committee
d) Appeal committee
a) Technical Committee.
- The committee shall consist of 3 members of elected by the Executive.
- The committee shall educate and instruct referees, organise referee clinics, and appoint referees at national championships.

- The committee shall evaluate all new Constitutional proposals and amendments and state their conclusions to the Congress. Further, the duty is to update and maintain the Constitution and interpret the content if required.
b) Disciplinary Committee.
- The Disciplinary Committee (DC) shall consist of 3 members elected by the Executive based on experience and impartiality.
- The DC shall be entrusted with the initial examination of disciplinary cases within the federation handed to them by the Executive. The DC shall collect all relevant information needed to assess a case according to the Constitution.

- Sensitive information shall be treated confidential within the parties involved.
- Collated information will be passed to the relevant NGB DC by the NIPF DC ie British and Irish Powerlifting DC’s for assessment.

- Decisions will be made by the relevant NGB DC and communication mediated by the NIPF DC where relevant.

- Appeals will follow the relevant NGB Policy.
c) Appeal Committee.
- The Appeal committee will be either from the British Powerlifting or Irish powerlifting NGB as relevant to the original disciplinary decision.

- They shall receive all documents relating to any appeal and within one month examine and investigate the matter and decide on an appropriate penalty.

- Appeal requests against a sanction by the Appeal Committee may by both parties be made to British Powerliftingand/or Irish Powerlifting Federation for final decision. Such appeal must be lodged to the Executive within 1 month after the decision is made by the Appeal Committee.

  1. Constitutional changes.
    Constitutional changes are only possible at the ordinary Congress or at an extraordinary Congress. Such proposals must be included on the agenda when the Congress is called and require 2/3 majority of the delegates present.
  2. Dissolution.
    A proposal to dissolute the federation must first be discussed at an ordinary or extraordinary Congress. If a decision is made in favour of a dissolution by a 2/3 majority, it will be considered as a final decision and the ExecutiveCommittee will undertake any actions applicable to fulfil the decision.

Any remaining equipment and/or funds of the NIPF shall come to a superior sport federation or to a charity organisation as decided by the Congress once all dissolution activities have been invoiced.

Attachment 1 –NIPFStructure


Attachment 2 – Dual Membership Agreement


Attachment 3 – Child Protection Policy

Northern Ireland Powerlifting Federation

The policies and guidelines referenced within this document and its various appendices are those of the Northern Ireland Powerlifting Federation and all member clubs. The principles of both the policy and the appendices are based on our moral and ethical duty to ensure all our members can enjoy the sport of Powerlifting in a safe environment and as such they reflect current best practice.

General

The Northern Ireland Powerlifting Federation is fully committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of its members. Every individual member of NIPF should, at all times, be shown respect and understanding in relation to their rights, safety and welfare. All members should conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles and standards of the NIPF within the guidelines contained in the NIPF Code of Ethics.

The Northern Ireland Powerlifting Federation will promote a policy of non- discrimination in terms of age, race, religious background, ethnic origin, nationality, gender, physical appearance, abilities, marital status, or sexual orientation. For this reason the NIPF will not allow in any of its activities- flags, emblems, bunting, graffiti, offensive pin ups, sectarian banter/songs or anything that depicts a belonging or support solely to one section of the community.
To ensure that the Northern Ireland Powerlifting Federation follows best practice the committee reserves the right to remove any lifter/s from competition for safety and/or misconduct matters. During all NIPF competitions the Head referee will have also have this authority.
Drug testing - The Northern Ireland Powerlifting Federation operates under IPF rules and guidelines and requires all members are responsible for ensuring they are compliant with current WADA regulations. The NIPF will provide a first point of contact for queries and/or concerns only.
All NIPF members are responsible and liable for fines or legal action resulting from failed drug tests or misconduct when representing NIPF or GBPF at National or International level. Any NIPF members failing anti doping will be subject to a ban in line with WADA regulations current at the time and may be subject to a lifetime ban from the Federation until such times as outstanding fines are paid.
In any event a positive drug test will result in the loss of all records at NIPF level and the recommendation that all GBPF and international records are annulled.

Child Protection

To ensure that the Northern Ireland Powerlifting Federation follows best practice, we shall work closely with our Governing Body. In order to promote the best practice in children's sport, we shall comply with the guidelines of the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children's Sport, as set out below:
•Adopt and implement the 'Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children's Sport in Northern Ireland’ as an integral part of its policy on children in the Federation.
•If required adopt and apply a safe and clearly defined method of recruiting
•Clearly define the role of committee members
•Appoint a Children's Officer of each gender would be recommended.
•Designate a duly elected person to act as liaison with the Statutory Authorities in relation to the reporting of allegations or suspicions of child abuse. Any such reports should be made according to the procedures outlined in this Code.
•This code of conduct should also be posted in all facilities used by Northern Ireland affiliated clubs.
•Have in place procedures for dealing with a concern or complaint made to the Statutory Authorities against a committee member or other members of either the individual / club. Regulations should stipulate that a member who is the subject of an allegation, which has been reported to the Statutory Authorities, should stand aside, while the matter is being examined. S/he should be invited to resume full duties immediately if s/he is vindicated.

With this in mind the NIPF recognises that they have a duty of care towards all those taking part in the sport of powerlifting within the policies and rules of the NIPF and also to any membership club providing coaching, venue and competition opportunities ensuring that support is provided to ensure all can do so with the highest possible standards of care.

All coaches and clubs should have a clear understanding of operating within an appropriate code of ethics, aware of what their ‘duty of care’ is and how this relates to their position in providing any activities associated with powerlifting and being responsible for others.