STATUTES OF THE ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL BOXING COMMISSIONS (APBC)
ARTICLE I
NAME AND MISSION
Section 1.1 Name
The name of this association is the Association of Professional Boxing Commissions (“APBC”).
Section 1.2 Non-Profit Organisation
The APBC shall be organized as a non-profit organisation.
Section 1.3 Missions
(A) To promote the continual improvement of, and for, professional boxing.
(B) To promote the uniformity of health and safety standards and other requirements pertaining to the safe conduct of professional boxing events.
(C) To promote uniform reporting standards of professional boxing events between members, including results, injury reports, suspensions and other medical information.
(D) To encourage communication, cooperation and uniformity in the supervision and regulation of professional boxing among the members of the APBC.
(E) To publish and disseminate medical and training information, as well as to promote and hold seminars for the continuing education of all officials, ringside physicians, commissioners and commission employees.
(F) To establish and operate a charitable foundation that will accept donations to a charitable fund for indigent boxers with elected officers and members of the APBC Board of Directors serving on the board of governors and as trustees of this fund.
(G) To encourage adherence to, and enforcement of, applicable laws by each member of the APBC.
Section 1.4 Code of Ethics
An APBC member shall at all times:
(A) Adhere to the principles and guidelines of the APBC;
(B) Display actions that are a credit to professional boxing;
(C) Avoid both impropriety and the appearance of impropriety; and
(D) Uphold and enforce all suspensions and revocations at all times.
Article II
MEMBERSHIPS
Section 2.1 Eligibility
Membership shall be open to all recognised National and Regional organisations World-wide, including sub-divisions of National Boxing organisations, whether based in the same country or colony, that regulate professional boxing matches.
Any newly formed organisation requesting membership in the APBC shall allow an APBC representative to attend and supervise their workings at a professional boxing event. The APBC representative shall make a recommendation to the board in accordance with the adopted policy for “Organisations Seeking Membership into the APBC”; and upon the board’s majority vote, shall be granted membership in the APBC.
Section 2.1a Associate Member
Subject to the conditions of this Section, Associate Membership may be granted to:
(1) Any organisation whose purpose is related to the regulation or improvement of professional boxing;
(a) World and Regional Professional Boxing Championship Organisations.
(b) Manufacturers and distributers of Professional Boxing related equipment, clothing and/or related services.
(2) Holder of a Professional Boxing License, whether for a boxer, coach, agent, matchmaker, manager, promoter:
(a) Is considering the creation of its own commission to regulate professional boxing matches; or
(b) Has entered into a contract with an existing commission to regulate professional boxing in their region.
(3) An individual who has been, but no longer is, affiliated with an APBC member commission (“Emeritus Member”).
(4) An Emeritus Member shall:
- Eligibility for Emeritus Status
In recognition of distinguished service to the Association of Professional Boxing Commissions, a former member in good standing may be awarded emeritus status as a regular member, or at the highest title held in the organization.
In order to be considered for emeritus status, an individual must be appropriately recommended by the President of the Association and meet at least two of the following conditions:
- The individual served as the Director of a Professional Boxing Commission.
2. The individual has been a “member of the APBC in good standing” for a minimum of 5 years.
3. The individual was supportive of the APBC and took an active part on various committees, and made a positive impact on the APBC and the boxing community. - Procedures for Awarding Emeritus Status
The individual must be recommended by the President or Chairman of the APBC.
Emeritus status will be conferred once each year by the Board of Directors.
- Privileges of Emeritus Status
Emeritus status entitles the recipient to the following privileges: - Perpetual membership status, with no voting privileges;
2. Waiver of annual APBC membership fees;
3. Inclusion on the APBC web site commission contact list, and any other listings of members with a notation indicating emeritus status;
4. Eligibility to purchase and wear APBC apparel;
5. Open invitation to the annual conference with admission to APBC meetings and any associated seminars, activities and events;
6. Eligibility for enrolment in all APBC courses and seminars on a space available basis free of charge;
7. Take part in discussions and floor debate when recognised by the President or presenter. - Responsibility of Recipients of Emeritus Status
Emeritus members are expected to assist and support the APBC in their areas of competence, particularly in an advisory capacity, when requested to do so.
Emeritus members may assist in the oversight and supervision of commissions when appointed by the APBC President. This will include, but is not limited to, new commission oversight for membership to the APBC, event supervision, or other areas in need of assistance. Any/all expenses associated with commission oversight or supervision will be paid by the commission requiring assistance as set by the APBC President or rule and regulation.
Emeritus members may hold positions on committees, and may serve as chairman of stated committee as appointed by the President.
Emeritus members will pay any, and all personal travel and lodging expenses associated with attending the annual APBC conference.
Section 2.2 Dues
Each member shall be required to pay reasonable dues. The amount of these dues shall be set by the membership with a minimum of €100 for regular membership and €50 for associate membership. Dues must be paid in full by a member in order for that member to be considered as a voting member in good standing.
Section 2.3 Member Conduct
After a thorough investigation by the APBC’s Disciplinary Committee of any complaint or allegation of wrongdoing, any member or associate member may be counselled, reprimanded, suspended or suffer loss of membership in the APBC upon a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Article III
VOTING
Section 3.1 Voting
Each member commission in good standing shall have one (1) vote pursuant to the constitution of the APBC.
Section 3.2 Voting Delegates
Each member commission shall have one (1) voting delegate. The voting delegate must be present, whether in person or via teleconferencing, at the meeting of the APBC in order to vote. Designation as a voting member shall be in writing on forms supplied by the APBC (APBC Voting Authority Form) and shall be in place before each meeting of the APBC.
Section 3.3 Plurality Vote
Unless otherwise indicated, in any matter in which the membership may vote, a simple majority of those voting shall be required.
Section 3.4 Quorum
The presence of a majority of those delegates entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of:
(a) The APBC general membership
(b) The APBC Board of Directors
(c) An APBC Committee
Article IV
OFFICERS
Section 4.1 Officers
The APBC shall have six (6) officers. These officers shall be affiliated with a member of the APBC. The officers shall be the President, Chairman, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. An elected officer of the APBC shall not be an officer or member of any “boxing service provider” during their term of office. A person shall not hold more than one elected office of the APBC at any given time.
No officer shall be personally liable for any monetary damages, or any other damages, for any action taken or not taken by the Association.
Section 4.1a Nominations/Elections
The Legal Committee shall oversee the election of officers and is responsible for counting the votes and delivering the results to the membership.
All nominations for any of the above offices of the APBC shall come from the floor by a voting delegate and must have a second. Once all nominations are presented for an office, the Chair shall move to close nominations. All balloting shall be by “paper ballot” unless only one candidate has been nominated. A simple majority of the votes cast are necessary for election of the nominee. All APBC elections shall be open only to APBC members in good standing.
Each voting delegate shall submit his/her completed ballot to the Legal Committee supervising the election without the delegate’s name being identified on the ballot. The Legal Committee supervising the election shall record the fact that a ballot was submitted by each voting delegate. Following the submittal of all ballots, the Legal Committee supervising the election shall tally the votes and announce the winner.
The positions of President, Chairman, 1st Vice President, and 2nd Vice President shall not serve more than three consecutive terms in the same position. Any of these offices can complete an unexpired term of such office and then potentially serve their two consecutive terms in full, if elected as such.
The nominations for the positions of President, Chairman, 1st Vice President, and 2nd Vice President shall be nominated and voted on independently and separately for each position.
Section 4.2 President
The APBC shall have one President. The President shall be elected for a two-year term. The President may complete the unexpired term of his/her predecessor and then serve a full two-year term. The President, in consultation with the other officers, may fill any vacancies that may occur for any of the elected offices.
Section 4.3 Duties of President
Unless otherwise indicated, the President shall preside over all APBC meetings. The President shall be responsible for appointing all committees. The President may call, at any time, special meetings to deal with emergency type situations. These types of emergency meetings, at the minimum, shall consist of the Elected Officers and a majority of the Regional Directors, as described in Article V. Any action taken at the special meetings may go into immediate effect but shall be ratified by the full membership at the next annual meeting. The President shall consult freely with all members between annual meetings and shall keep them informed on all matters of importance to the APBC.
Section 4.3a Chairman
The Chairman shall remain in that position for the duration of the current President’s tenure. The Chairman shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors.
Section 4.4 Vice Presidents
The APBC shall have a First Vice President and a Second Vice President. The First and Second Vice-President shall be elected to a two-year term. The Vice-Presidents may complete the unexpired terms of his/her predecessor and then serve a full two-year term.
Section 4.5 Duties of the Vice Presidents
The First Vice-President shall preside over APBC meetings and act on behalf of the President in all other matters when the President is unable to do so. The Second Vice President shall preside over APBC meetings and act on behalf of the President in all other matters when both the President and First Vice President are unable to do so.
Section 4.6 Secretary
The APBC shall have one secretary. The Secretary shall be elected to a two-year term. The Secretary may complete the unexpired term of his/her predecessor and then serve a full two-year term.
Section 4.7 Duties of Secretary
The Secretary shall be responsible for the maintenance of all records and written materials related to the APBC. The Secretary shall, within three months following the annual meeting, publish the minutes of the meeting and make these minutes available to each member. The Secretary shall ensure that all disclosable records of the APBC are made available to the public upon request. A nominal fee, to cover copy charges, may be assessed by the APBC to any non-member individual or group requesting such records.
Section 4.8 Treasurer
The APBC shall have one Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be elected to a two-year term. The treasurer may complete the unexpired term of his/her predecessor and then serve a full two-year term.
Section 4.9 Duties of the Treasurer
The Treasurer shall have the responsibility of maintaining all the appropriate and accurate financial records of the APBC. The Treasurer shall give a financial report at every meeting of the APBC and at any other times as required by the President or the membership. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection of all fees due to the APBC and shall also be responsible for the deposit and disbursement of all revenue. The Treasurer shall make all financial reports available to any member in good standing upon written request.
The Treasurer, with the approval of the President and a Vice-President, may authorize all bonds, contracts, checks or other obligations in the name of the APBC.
ARTICLE V
REGIONS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 5.1 Regions
The APBC shall be subdivided into Five (5) regions. The regions shall be as follows:
Region 1: AFRICA
Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Såo Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Region 2: ASIA
Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen.
Region 3: EUROPE
Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
Region 4: AMERICAS
Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United States of America.
Region 5: OCEANIA
Australia, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Kirbati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua new Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wake Island, Wallis and Futuna.
The President of the APBC shall select one person from each region to serve as the Regional Director from that region. The term of each Regional Director shall be for a period of two (2) years. A Regional Director may complete the unexpired term of his/her predecessor and then serve the full two (2) year term.
Section 5.2 Board of Directors
The APBC’s Board of Directors shall consist of the President, Chairman, First Vice-President, Second Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer , and five (5) Regional Directors.
No person serving on the Board of Directors shall be a member or officer of any “boxing service provider”
The Chairman shall preside over all meetings of the Board of Directors.
Other than the Regional Directors who shall not have a vote, each member of the Board of Directors shall have one vote. The Chairman shall cast a vote in the event of a tie vote by the other voting Board members.
Section 5.3 Duties of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall serve as an executive committee to the President.
Section 5.4 Removal of Officers/Directors
Any officer or director may be removed from his/her position for cause by a majority vote of the Board of Directors following a thorough investigation by the Disciplinary Committee. Any action taken shall be ratified by a majority vote of the membership attending the next meeting of the APBC.
ARTICLE VI
COMMITTEES
Section 6.1 Committees
There shall be the following permanent standing committees: Medical, Legal, Rules & Regulations, Training and Education, Disciplinary and Boxers Pension and Trust Fund.
All committees must meet at least once before each annual APBC meeting and publish the findings of these meetings with the APBC membership.
In addition to the standing committees, the President may appoint such committees as he/she deems appropriate to promote the purposes of the APBC.
The President shall appoint the chairperson, and the members, of each committee. Such committees, their chairpersons and their other members shall serve at the pleasure of the President.
ARTICLE VII
MEETINGS
Section 7.1 Meetings
The APBC shall meet a minimum of once every twelve months to carry out its missions. All meetings shall be at a designated site with adequate notice given to all members.
Periodic meetings of the Board of Directors and the committees of the APBC may be conducted via teleconferencing.
All meetings of the APBC shall be conducted by Parliamentary Procedures as adopted by the majority of the membership.
The officers of the APBC, as well as the Board of Directors, shall be empowered to hold special meetings as they deem necessary. Any actions taken at these special meetings shall be ratified at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the APBC.
Section 7.2 Correction
Upon the adoption of an amendment to the Constitution, the President or his/her designee may correct grammar or numbering where appropriate if such correction does not alter the meaning of the amendment.
Section 7.3 Interpretation
Any dispute or question as to the interpretation of this Constitution shall be resolved by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VIII
Amendment to the Constitution
This constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the members of the APBC. All amendments to change this constitution shall be in writing and submitted to the membership at least twelve hours prior to voting. The twelve-hour time frame may be waived if the members approve by a majority vote.
ARTICLE IX
DISSOLUTION
Section 9.1 Dissolution
If the APBC is dissolved, all of it’s property, if any, not needed for the payment of any debt and expenses of the APBC shall be transferred and conveyed to one or more organisations that engage in the betterment of professional boxing in any country world-wide. The APBC, by a majority vote, shall select the organisations to which such transfer and conveniences shall be made and shall determine how the property is to be apportioned between them. In the event the APBC does not make such a selection; a selection may be made by a court of competent jurisdiction within the European Union.
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