THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF BIOMECHANICS IN SPORTS CONSTITUTION

Article 1.0 NAME

The name of the organization shall be the International Society of Biomechanics in Sports (ISBS), hereinafter referred to as the Society.

Article 2.0 OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Society shall be:

2.1    To expand the knowledge of sports biomechanics.

2.2    To provide a forum for researchers, teachers, coaches and practitioners in sports biomechanics.

2.3    To encourage and assist in the development of technology that is needed to study biomechanics in sports.

2.4    To hold annually an international symposium and to sponsor workshops, seminars and other meetings whenever and wherever appropriate.

2.5    To gather and disseminate information and materials on the biomechanics of sports to appropriate organizations and individuals.

2.6    To carry out any other activities that will advance and promote biomechanics in sports.

Article 3.0 MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the Society shall be open to individuals, groups, and national and international organizations interested in the application of biomechanics to sports. The classes of membership and their terms of reference shall be as provided in the By-Laws of the Society.

Article 4.0 ORGANIZATION

The Society shall be an international, non-profit organization dedicated to carrying out activities to achieve the objectives previously specified. The official language of the Society, including the Annual Symposium will be English.

Article 5.0 ADMINISTRATION

BY-LAWS

1.0  MEMBERSHIP

Membership of the Society shall consist of the following classes: member, fellow, life member, student member, group member, and affiliate member. Other membership categories may be established by the Executive Council, provided that the membership class is approved subsequently by the general membership. Membership generally requires the submission of an application accompanied by the appropriate fee as prescribed at the time of the application.

1.01     Member

Membership shall be open to any individual who is interested in the application of biomechanics to sports.

1.02     Fellow

The Fellow award of the International Society of Biomechanics in Sports (ISBS) recognizes substantial scholarly and service contributions to ISBS and sports biomechanics. ISBS members may apply to the Awards Committee for review for Fellow status by showing they meet the minimum requirements for the award. Members receiving the Fellow Award may use the title Fellow International Society of Biomechanics in Sports (FISBS). Fellows elected prior to 2005 shall be exempt from Conference registration fees. The procedure for selection as fellow of the Society shall be organised and controlled by the Awards Committee.

Candidates for FISBS would normally have:

(1)     been an ISBS member for at least 4 consecutive years,

(2)     presented at least one paper each at two ISBS symposia,

(3)     published at least 5 sport biomechanics papers (minimum 3 as first author) in English, peer-reviewed scientific journals,

(4)     served ISBS as either, (1) conference host, (2) executive board member, (3) board director, (4) an executive member of the editorial board of Sports Biomechanics, (5) editor in chief of Sport Biomechanics journal or (6) a significant contributor to the application of biomechanics in sport,

(5)     been nominated by a board member, executive member, or Fellow of the Society.

1.03     Life Member

A special membership category reserved for members who have made outstanding contributions to the Society. Elected by the Executive Council, a life member has all the privileges of membership but does not pay annual dues.

1.04     Student Member

Membership shall be open to individuals who are attending institutions of learning as undergraduate or graduates. A student member has all the privileges of membership except those of voting and holding an elected office.

1.05     Group Member

Membership shall be open to groups of professional biomechanists and sports specialists that are duly constituted and recognized nationally, where the individuals making up the group are unable to become members in the Society because of national or monetary problems. Individuals in the group membership category shall have all the privileges of membership in the Society but the group shall have only one vote at any election of the Society.

1.06     Affiliate Member

Memberships shall be open to international and national governing bodies and societies that are interested in cooperating with the Society to achieve its objectives. An affiliate member shall have the privilege of appointing one delegate to attend and vote at meetings of the Society.

1.07     The membership year shall be the calendar year.

1.08  Only members in good standing may vote, stand for election or appointment to office.

2.0  ADMINISTRATION

The Executive Council shall consist of nine (9) officers, who together with up to twenty (20) Directors shall constitute the Board of Directors of the Society.

2.01  The officers shall be: President, President Elect/Past President, Secretary General, Treasurer, Vice President of Conferences and Meetings, Vice President of Research and Projects, Vice President of Awards, Vice President of Public Relations, and Vice President of Publications.

2.02  The Officers and Directors shall be elected by a simple majority vote through an electronic ballot submitted to the members in April of each year.

The ballot shall be organized by the Secretary General with assistance from the Nominations committee. Votes shall be returned to, and counted by, a designated member of the Executive council, who is not standing for election.

2.03  The Officers and Directors shall serve for two-year terms except the President Elect, who shall serve for one year as President Elect, two years as President and one year as Past President. The Officers and Directors are eligible for re-election on completion of their term of office.

2.04  Officers shall be elected each year. A President Elect, Vice President of Publications, Vice President of Public Relations and Vice President of Research and Projects shall be elected one year, and a Vice President of Awards, Vice President of Conferences and Meetings, Secretary General, and Treasurer shall be elected the following year.

2.05  Up to ten (10) Directors shall be elected each year. These directors will form the basis of the Committee structure for the Society.

2.06  Vacancies occurring on the Executive Council or the Board of Directors shall be filled by appointment by the Executive Council. Appointees shall serve only for the duration of the terms of the previous incumbents. Where appropriate, a member of the Board of Directors, who is appointed to a vacancy on the Executive Council shall, on completion of the term of office of that position, complete his/her term of office as a member of the Board of Directors. Should a member of the Board of Directors be appointed to a vacancy on the Executive Council, the resulting vacancy on the Board of Directors shall be filled when the term of office of the elected member is complete.

2.07  The Executive Council and the Board of Directors shall meet at least once annually.

2.08  Other meetings of the Executive Council and the Board of Directors may be called by the President or upon the written request of five (5) Officers and /or Directors.

2.09  The Board of Directors may empower the Executive Council to act with the full authority of the Board.

2.10  The Executive Council shall be empowered to appoint ISBS members to represent the Society at special gatherings and events.

2.11  All members of the Society may attend meetings of the Board of Directors, and may participate in the discussions, but only Directors may propose or second motions and vote.

2.12  The Board of Directors shall establish the dues for the various categories of membership.

2.13  The fiscal year of the Society shall be January1 to December 31.

3.0  DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

The duties of the Officers and Directors shall be as hereinafter provided.

3.01  President

The chief executive officer, the President, generally shall supervise the affairs of the Society and perform all duties incident to the office and those prescribed from time to time by the Executive Council and Board of Directors. Ex-officio, the President shall be a member of all Committees and shall chair the Membership Committee.

3.02  President Elect

The President Elect shall assist the President in the performance of his/her duties, and in the absence of the President, shall perform the duties of that office.

3.03  Past President

The Past President shall assist the President in the performance of his/her duties, and in the absence of the President, shall perform the duties of that office.

3.04  Vice President of Conferences and Meetings

The Vice President of Conferences and Meetings shall be responsible for planning, coordination and implementation of conferences, clinics, tutorials, workshops and meetings. The Vice President of Conferences and Meetings shall have the overall responsibility for the Annual Symposium, and shall function as Co-Chairperson of the local Symposium Committee, together with the local Symposium Chair.

3.05  Vice President of Awards

The Vice President of Awards shall function as Chairperson of the Awards Committee, which shall have responsibility for the selection of candidates for election of Fellows, Life Members, the Geoffrey Dyson Lecturer, NIA and other special awards as approved by the Society.

3.06  Vice President of Public Relations

The Vice President of Public Relations shall function as the Chairperson of the Public Relations Committee, which is responsible for the establishment of good relationships and affiliations with other organizations, and publicizing the activities and accomplishments of the Society.

3.07  Vice President of Projects and Research

The Vice President of Projects and Research shall be responsible for recommending research projects and research that should be endorsed by the Society, and for coordinating and assisting research when and where appropriate.

3.08  Vice President of Publications

The Vice President of Publications shall be responsible for the publications of the Society including the ISBS Newsletters, Sports Biomechanics journal and proceedings of the Symposia. These include liaising with the Editor of the journal “Sports Biomechanics” to ensure its timely publication. This person shall also liaise with the Annual Symposium Chair to ensure the publication of proceedings of the Symposium. The Vice President of Publications shall function as Chairperson of the Publications Committee of the Society.

3.09  Secretary General

The Secretary General shall be custodian of the seal of the Society as well as official documents and records and shall maintain the files of the Society, including the membership roster, which shall be maintained jointly with the Treasurer. The Secretary General shall be responsible for recording the minutes of meetings of the Executive Council and Board of Directors meetings, as well as those of the Annual General Meeting. The Secretary General shall distribute notices of all meetings and report on nominations and election results as prescribed, and shall perform all duties incident to the Society’s main office and such others as from time to time the President, Executive Council and Board of Directors may determine.

3.10  Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer, and shall maintain appropriate bank accounts and financial records of the Society, and shall jointly maintain the membership roster with the Secretary General. The Treasurer shall prepare a fiscal year-end audited financial statement, to be submitted to the Annual General Meeting. The Treasurer shall prepare a budget for the forthcoming year for approval by the Board of Directors.

3.11  Directors

The needs and interests of the Society shall determine the function of the Directors.

4.0  STANDING COMMITTEES

Committees named in these By-Laws shall be designated as Standing Committees, and shall function on a continuing basis. They shall carry out duties, and report as hereinafter specified.

4.01  Unless provided otherwise, the Chairpersons of Standing Committees shall select the members thereof, and shall report to the Executive Council, Board of Directors, or Annual General Meeting as appropriate.

4.02  The Standing Committees shall be: Nominations, Awards, Public Relations, Publications, Symposium, Membership, Projects and Research, and By-Laws.

4.03     The Nominations Committee

The Chairperson shall be the Past President/ President Elect. The Secretary General shall be members along with two Directors. The Committee shall receive and solicit nominations for the positions of officers and directors to ensure that all positions on the Board of Directors are filled. The Committee shall attempt to provide at least two nominations for each position.

The slate of nominees shall be submitted each year to the Secretary General by mid-January.

4.04     The Awards Committee

The chair shall be the Vice President of Awards. The Vice President of Conferences and Meetings and the Secretary General shall be members along with other Directors or members appointed by the Chairperson. If any of these individuals are not in attendance or are unable to serve on the NIA Committee, replacement(s) must be appointed by the President or designee of the President.

4.04.1  The Committee shall select the candidates for the Geoffrey Dyson Lecturer and Life Members of the Society, NIA and candidates for other awards the Society may establish and submit these to the Executive Council for approval. Fellowships of the Society shall be decided by this Committee following guidelines established in the By-Laws.

4.04.2  Members of the Society shall be solicited by the Committee for nominees of prospective candidates. The Committee shall establish a file of prospective candidates and their curriculum vitae.

4.04.3  Nominees for the Geoffrey Dyson Lecturer shall be obtained by the end of August, and selection made no later than October, of the year preceding the symposium for which the nominee was selected. The Committee shall select a reserve nominee in the event that the selected nominee is unable to accept the honour. The selected nominee shall be notified in writing by the President, who shall outline the nature of the honour, the duties involved, and the financial support and honorarium provided.

4.04.4  The Committee shall report the candidates selected for Fellow and Life Members to the President and Executive Council by April 30 of the year in which the Symposium is held, in order that announcements may be made at the banquet of the Annual Symposium.

4.04.5  The Committee shall organize the selection of the New Investigator Award during the Annual Symposium. The guidelines for the NIA have to be approved by the Awards Committee and are on the ISBS website.

4.05     The Public Relations Committee

The chair shall be the Vice President of Public Relations and shall include at least two members appointed by the Chairperson.

The Committee shall be responsible for determining ways and means of developing relations with other organizations and publicizing the activities and accomplishments of the Society.

4.06  The Publications Committee

The chair shall be the Vice President of Publications, who may function as Editor of the Society’s Newsletter. If the Chairperson does not function as Editor, the latter shall be a member of the Publications Committee. The Chairperson shall appoint at least one other member.

The Committee shall be responsible for the production of the Society’s Newsletter and other publications the Society may publish.

4.07     The Membership Committee

The chair shall be the President, who may appoint members as appropriate.

The Committee shall be responsible for recruiting members, maintaining a membership roster together with the Treasurer, and providing information to members through the ISBS Newsletter and other means.

4.08     The Symposium Committee

The chair shall be the Vice President of Conferences and Meetings, and co-chaired by the on-site Symposium Chairperson, who shall appoint committee members as required.

The Committee shall be responsible for organizing and carrying out the Annual Symposium.

4.09     The Projects and Research Committee

The chair shall be the Vice President of Projects and Research, who shall appoint at least two members.

The Committee shall develop strategies and carry out projects to advance the project and research areas of the Society.

4.10     The By-Laws Committee

The chair shall be the President. The Chairperson shall appoint members as required.

The Committee shall review the Constitution and By-Laws in relation to the current structure and functioning of the Society and propose appropriate amendments to improve the Society.

5.0  QUORUMS AND VOTING

5.01  A quorum for meetings of the Executive Council shall be five (5) officers.

5.02  A quorum for meetings of the Board of Directors shall be one third of the incumbent Directors plus one (1).

5.03  A quorum for the Annual General Meeting shall be twenty-five (25) duly qualified members in good standing.

5.04  Robert's Rules of Order shall govern proceedings at all meetings of the Society. If the rules of order are in conflict with the By-Laws, the latter shall prevail.

6.0  ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF ISBS

The Annual General Meeting of the Society shall be held in conjunction with the holding of the Annual Symposium.

6.01  The Order of Business at the Annual General Meeting shall be as provided in the Regulations.

6.02  Auditors shall be appointed for the next fiscal year.

7.0  HONORARY OFFICERS AND PATRONS

7.01  The Executive Council may appoint Honorary Officers of the Society from among persons, who, by their high office or unique distinction, may render kudos, service or assistance to the Society.

7.02  The Executive Council may appoint Patrons from among persons of high or unique office, or organizations that may render service to the Society by lending their names to special events or activities of the Society.

7.03  Honorary Officers appointed may include: (a) Honorary President(s), and (b) Honorary Vice President(s).

8.0  AMENDMENTS

8.01  The Constitution and its By-Laws may be amended with approval of 2/3 majority of the members voting in an email poll or at the AGM, providing a quorum of 25 votes is achieved.

8.02  All amendments to the Constitution or By-Laws must be provided to members one month prior to voting.

8.03  The email voting period is defined as 30 days from the posting of the email to all financial members.