VIVF
Constitution of the Virgin Islands Volleyball Federation
FIVB-NORCECA-CAZOVA-VIVF CONSTITUTION

CONSTITUTION OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION VIVF

Table of Contents

Chapter I - Preamble----------------------------------------------------------1

1. • DEFINITIONS--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1
2. • FOUNDATION-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4
3. • HEADQUARTERS--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4
4. • OBJECTIVES--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4
5. • FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5
6. • OFFICIAL AND WORKING LANGUAGES------------------------------------------------------------------------6

1. • GENERAL PROVISIONS------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6
2. • THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS (NAs)---------------------------------------------------------------------------7
3. • THE CONGRESS----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8
4. • THE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION--------------------------------------------------------------------------------12
5. • THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15
6. • THE PRESIDENCY-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16
7. • THE COUNCILS----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------17
8. • THE COMMISSIONS----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------17
9. • THE CAZOVA SECRETARIAT---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------18

1. • FISCAL YEAR------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------19
2. • FINANCIAL RESOURCES---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------19
3. • BUDGET-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------19
4. • ANNUAL ACCOUNTS--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------20
5. • AUDITORS----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------20
6. • VIVF CONTROLLER----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------20
7. • REGULATIONS-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------21

1. • DISSOLUTION------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------21

FIVB-NORCECA-CAZOVA-VIVF CONSTITUTION

Chapter 1 – Preamble

1. • DEFINITIONS

For the purpose of the present VIVF Constitution and of the related legal instruments, unless otherwise stipulated in the text, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
“Board of Administration”
means the Board of Administration of the VIVF, the governing institution responsible for the administration and arrangement of the VIVF. It is composed of nine (9) members including the representatives of the federations, whose presidents are ex-officio members, with all the attendant rights.
“CAZOVA”
means the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association, a Caribbean, non-governmental, non-profit organization, composed of its affiliated national federations and regional members which have freely and voluntarily joined FIVB, NORCECA, and CAZOVA in order to administer and govern in the Caribbean, the sport of volleyball and all its disciplines (including notably beach volleyball and park volley) for male and female players.
“Commission”
means a permanent working group of specialists, proposed by the President of the VIVF and approved by the Board of Administration, with the responsibility of fulfilling certain duties as defined by the regulations.
“Congress”
means the assembly of delegates of all affiliated national associations in good standing with the FIVB, NORCECA, CAZOVA and the VIVF duly and statutorily convened by the competent authority as established by this Constitution. The Congress is the supreme governing institution of VIVF.

CONSTITUTION OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION VIVF
“Council”
means a board of managers proposed by the President of the VIVF and approved by the Board of Administration, to administer specific aspects of volleyball.
“Executive”
means the power entrusted by the constitution to the Executive Committee, when in session, and the Presidency outside the sessions of the Executive Committee.
“Executive Committee”
means the executive Committee of the VIVF: the governing institution responsible for the execution of the decisions of the VIVF’s Board of Administration and Congress. It is composed of at least five (5) members.
“Extraordinary Congress”
means a congress for a specific purpose by at least 50% of the affiliated NAs with no less than two from the Board of Administration. The quorum for such a congress must be two-thirds (2/3) of the eligible affiliated NFs and or regional members.
“Federation”
means a group of national associations assembled on the basis of their geographical proximity affiliated to the FIVB, NORCECA and CAZOVA in conformity with the FIVB, NORCECA and CAZOVA Constitution.
“FIVB”
means the Federation Internationale de Volleyball, an international non-governmental, non-profit organization, composed of its affiliated national federations and regional members which have freely and voluntarily joined FIVB in order to administer and govern worldwide, the sport of volleyball and all its disciplines( including notably beach volleyball and park volley) for male and female players.
“NORCECA”
means the North American, Central American and the Caribbean Volleyball Confederation, a continental, non-governmental, non-profit organization, composed of its affiliated national federations and regional members which have freely and voluntarily joined FIVB

CONSTITUTION OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION VIVF
and NORCECA in order to administer and govern in the continent (North America, Central America and the Caribbean), the sport of volleyball and all its disciplines( including notably beach volleyball and park volley) for male and female players.
“Governing Institution”
means an institution of the VIVF with specific responsibilities and decision-making authority to conduct affairs of the VIVF.
“IVT”
means the FIVB International Volleyball Tribunal composed of two chambers: Arbitration and appeal.
“NAs”
means the national associations: the national bodies legally recognized on their island or in the territory to administer and govern all forms of volleyball, structured and organized according to the spirit and provisions of the FIVB, NORCECA and CAZOVA Constitution.
“Presidency”
means the charge and functions exercised by the President of the VIVF.
“Supporting institution”
means an institution of the VIVF with an advising, counseling, controlling or guiding role in the affairs of the VIVF.
“Volleyball”
means a sport played between two or more players of two teams, throwing to each other, over a net, a ball which should not touch the ground. The term “volleyball” is meant to include all forms of the sport (notably beach volleyball and park volley), played in all parts of the world at all levels of competition by male and female players, whether played indoors or outdoors, on a hard, soft or sandy surface.





CONSTITUTION OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION VIVF

1. • FOUNDATION

1. • HEADQUARTERS

1. • OBJECTIVES

• Enforce the official FIVB volleyball rules, the official standards and specifications for volleyball equipment and facilities, and all internal executive regulations which must be applied, without exception, and on all occasions, particularly at regional, zonal, continental and international competitions, including championships and tournaments for which FIVB, NORCECA, CAZOVA and the VIVF must establish the corresponding competition and/or qualification system;

• Administer and govern volleyball in all its forms, professional and amateur, including the control of all its competitions and disciplines;

• Control and govern the appointment of the U.S. Virgin Islands and international referees of the VIVF, according to FIVB, NORCECA and CAZOVA Regulations;

• Control the transfer of players among the affiliated NAs of the VIVF and to assist the NAs with regulating and controlling the eligibility and transfer of their players;

• Promote the welfare of the NAs as well as the mutual respect and cooperation among them and assist the NAs in the development of their technical expertise;

• Take specific measures to maintain the authority, autonomy and exclusive competence of the NAs to administer and govern volleyball activities within their respective islands;

• Take all appropriate measures directly and indirectly related to the practice and promotion of volleyball and protect the best interest of the sport, the FIVB, NORCECA, CAZOVA and the VIVF.

1. • FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES

1. • • VIVF Mission

1. • • The VIVF, at a territory level, is the sole organization competent to administer in

1. • • The NAs are the basic components of the VIVF and as such, are affiliated to the FIVB, NORCECA, CAZOVA and the VIVF directly and not through any other institutions.

1. • • The VIVF shall make no discrimination between individuals or between nations and shall refrain from any involvements in political, religious, philosophical, or racial matters.

1. • • All violations of the provisions of FIVB-NORCECA-CAZOVA-VIVF’s legal instruments are subject to sanctions provided by this Constitution, the VIVF Code of conduct and the related regulations. The individual or organization being sanctioned is entitled to all due process guaranteed by the FIVB, NORCECA and CAZOVA Constitution.

1. • • In case of conflict or dispute in the interpretation of the constitutions, codes of conduct, regulations, official rules, decisions and legal instruments of FIVB, NORCECA, CAZOVA and the VIVF, the English version shall prevail.

1. • • In all circumstances, VIVF members must refrain from appealing to any civil, judicial, arbitration or sports authorities foreign to their national federations and regional members against decisions of whatever nature concerning them, and in particular against decisions resulting from their participation, possible participation or responsibilities in FIVB, NORCECA, CAZOVA and /or VIVF official or recognized competitions, or volleyball activities hosted by their national associations or the VIVF, CAZOVA or by NORCECA and the FIVB itself.

1. • OFFICIAL WORKING LANGUAGES

1. • • The official language of the VIVF is English.

1. • • Members of the VIVF’s Board of Administration, Executive Committee, Commissions and Councils must speak English.

Chapter II - Institutions and Members of the VIVF

1. • GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. • • The VIVF is managed by governing institutions which are assisted by supporting institutions.

1. • • VIVF’s members are:

• The affiliated national associations;

• The VIVF’s governing institutions (Congress, Board of Administration, Executive Committee, and Presidency);

• The VIVF’s supporting institutions (national federations, councils, commissions and secretariat);

• Persons elected or appointed to a position in any VIVF governing institution other than the Congress;

• Persons elected or appointed to a position in any VIVF supporting institution;

• Organizing committee of VIVF competitions;

• VIVF officials and referees;

• National leagues clubs, teams and their leaders, officials, managers, players, coaches and referees affiliated to the NA of their island.

1. • • An independent judiciary institution, the International Volleyball Tribunal (IVT) of FIVB is recognized in accordance with the provisions of this constitution.

1. • • An age limit of 75 years is established for all officials of VIVF or any of its officials elected or appointed to any position of responsibility for zonal, regional, continental and international FIVB, NORCECA, CAZOVA and VIVF competitions. Such age limit shall become effective on December 31 of the calendar year during which the official reaches the age limit or, at the latest, at the end of his or her term of office during the following VIVF Congress

1. • • The VIVF must elect or appoint at least two members of the gender in minority to both the Board of Administration and Executive Committee.

1. • THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS (NAs)

1. • • The VIVF is composed of the founding national Associations and of all other NAs affiliated to it thereafter.

1. • • The NAs must be legally constituted and recognized by the sports authorities of their countries or territories, as the case may be, as the sole entity competent to administer and govern the sport of volleyball at a national level.

1. • • The NAs affiliated to the VIVF mutually recognize one another as the sole volleyball authorities in their respective island or the territory.

1. • • The NAs must respect and implement FIVB, NORCECA, CAZOVA and the VIVF’s constitutions, code of conduct, regulations, official rules and decisions. Their own constitution must reflect the provisions of FIVB, NORCECA, CAZOVA and the VIVF’s constitutions and regulations as an integral part of their constitutions. In case of conflict

1. • • The NAs shall impose on their members (including but not limited to directors, executive members, administrators, officials, players, referees and coaches), respect for FIVB, NORCECA and CAZOVA legal instruments, including the codes of conduct.

1. • • The constitutions, codes of conduct and regulations of NAs may not be in conflict nor contradict with those of the FIVB, NORCECA, CAZOVA and the VIVF.

1. • • All NAs affiliated to VIVF shall have the same rights, obligations and responsibilities.

1. • • Affiliation

1. • • • The affiliation of an NA to VIVF is granted according to FIVB, NORCECA and

1. • THE CONGRESS

1. • • Composition and quorum

1. • • Competence

1. • • Accreditation

1. • • Agenda

• Amendments to the constitution as required;

1. • • Decisions

1. • • Elections to the Presidency and the Board of Administration

1. • • Special Provision

1. • THE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION

1. • • Composition and quorum

1. • • Competence

1. • • Competence

1. • THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

1. • • Composition and Selection

1. • • Competence

1. • • Specific competence of the members

1. • THE PRESIDENCY

1. • • Fulfillment of the charge

1. • • Competence

1. • THE COUNCILS

1. • • Upon proposal of the VIVF President, the Board of Administration may approve the creation of councils with direct responsibility for specific VIVF activities.

1. • • Such Councils may be structured independently from other the VIVF institutions, but shall always be subordinated to the VIVF administrative and judiciary structures.

1. • • The Board of Administration shall establish the limits of power, responsibilities and functions of each council through regulations.

1. • THE COMMISSIONS

1. • • Upon proposal of the VIVF President, the Board of Administration may establish commissions in order to facilitate the implementation of the objectives of the VIVF. The

1. • • The commissions shall be composed of a minimum of two (2) members and one (1) President. Candidatures for the commissions shall be submitted to the Presidency by the Board of Administration or NAs no later than six (6) months prior to the opening of the Congress. The Presidency proposes to the Board of Administration the commission members, including external experts when necessary.

1. • • The primary role of a commission is to make proposals to the Board of Administration and the Executive Committee on matters of a highly technical or specialized nature.

1. • • The Board of Administration shall establish the limits of power, responsibilities and functions of each Commission through regulations.

1. • THE VIVF SECRETARIAT

1. • • The functions of the Secretariat shall be the following:

• Arrange and organize meetings of the Congress, Board of Administration/Executive Committee, councils and commissions.

• Prepare reports for the work of the commissions at their meetings and for the implementation of projects approved by the Board of Administration, and any other reports required;
• Study the reports of the various meetings and request from the supporting institutions such further information as is necessary to ensure the implementation of this constitution;

• Perform the functions entrusted to it under the provisions of this constitution;

• Select and hire, subject to the approval of the Presidency, the required staff to execute, in a professional manner, the decisions of the VIVF institutions;
• Periodically publish and distribute to the board of administration members, NAs and the public the editions of all VIVF publications, together with any information which will facilitate the development and growth of volleyball;
• Perform any other functions as may be entrusted to it by the Congress, the Board of Administration, the Executive Committee and the Presidency.

1. • FISCAL YEAR

1. • • The VIVF fiscal year shall be the calendar year: January 1 through December 31 of each

Chapter VI - Special Provisions

4.1 DISSOLUTION
VIVF may only be dissolved at an Extraordinary Congress by the affirmative vote of 80% of all the eligible board of administration members, NAs of the VIVF. Voting at such a congress must be by secret ballot.

Chapter VI - Amendments

5.1 Only the Congress may amend this constitution. Amendments to this constitution may be moved only by:

• The Board of Administration; or

• By two (2) NA that together submit their motion(s) of amendment to the VIVF constitution to the VIVF Secretariat at least six (6) months prior to the opening of the Congress in order for the amendments to be distributed to all board of administration members and NAs.

Chapter VI - Entry into force

1. • The constitution has been amended by the congress in St. Croix, Virgin Islands on the 15th

of December 2008.

1. • This constitution shall supersede the previous constitutions and all amendments thereto,