CONSTITUTION(2024)

1. NAMES

1.1 The name of the Association shall be the Asia Surfing Federation(referred to as ASF) and it shall consist of all Asia countries (referred to as the Federations) affiliated to the International Surfing Association(referred to as ISA) who agree to abide by the rules herein and the decision of the Congress.

2. ACTIVITIES

2.1 The activities of ASF shall be governed by the rules of ISA as well as decisions taken by the Congress. In cases not provided for in these rules, ISA Rules shall apply.
2.2 The Congress may establish rules in accordance with the special interests of its member Federations.
2.3 The rules for the competitions or Championships authorized by ASF will be the rules of ISA in effect when the competition is held.

3. LANGUAGES

3.1 The official language of ASF shall be English. In the meetings a member or representative may speak in any other language, provided s/he provides translation to the official language.

4. OBJECTIVE

4.1 To promote and encourage the development of all ISA sports & disciplines in Asia and to adopt the necessary regulations and rules for competition in these disciplines.
4.2 To hold a mandatory congress on the occasion and at the city of which the Asia Championships are held.
4.3 To hold a congress as may be required at any other Regional Championships, World Championships or Olympic Games.
4.4 To promote and support the Asia Championships and other surf competitions in our region, as well as internationally.
4.5 Where necessary provide a selection method of athletes for representation of Asia at ISA events.
4.6 To provide a structure under which athletes will travel to represent this organization at ISA events.
4.7 To work with the ISA to deliver professional training of officials and coaches/instructors in our region.
4.8 To obtain ongoing recognition by the ISA of ASF as a continental surfing federation.
4.9 To support the ISA in delivering our sport at the Olympics and other national and international multi- sport events.

5. MEMBERSHIP

5.1 Subject to Clause 5.3, there shall only be two classes of membership of the ASF: “ ASF Member” (hereinafter referred to as the Member), “Associate Member” (hereinafter referred to as Associate Member)
5.2 To be a Member the Federation must represent a nation, country or region within Asia, either as recognized by the United Nations, or as recognized by a National Olympic Committee (NOC) recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in that country.
5.3 In order for a Federation to become a member of the ASF, it must submit to the ASF Executive Committee the following:

5.3.1 A valid constitution which inter-alia recognizes the authority, role and objectives of the ASF.
5.3.2 A list of office bearers.
5.3.3 A certificate of affiliation to its National Olympic Committee(NOC), where such a NOC exists.
5.3.4 A letter from its National Olympic Committee (or equivalent) recognizing the Federation as the sole governing body for surfing in that country/region.
5.3.6 Such affiliation fee as determined from time to time by the Executive Committee in accordance with this constitution.

5.4 In countries which are not recognized as full members by the ISA (as per Clause 5.2), but where a Surfing organization does exist, the ASF may grant Associate Membership on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Executive Committee and subsequently endorsed by the Congress. To become an Associate Member the Surfing organization must submit the following:

5.4.1 A valid constitution which inter-alia recognizes the authority, role and power of the ASF.
5.4.2 A list of office bearers and their contact details.
5.4.3 A letter from the appropriate Government Authority in that nation, country or region which recognizes the surfing organization as the sole governing body for surfing in that nation, country or region.
5.4.4 Such affiliation fees as determined by the Executive Committee from time to time.

5.5 All applications for membership shall in the first instance be submitted to the Honorary Secretary who shall forward the application within fourteen (14) days of receipt to the Executive Committee who shall consider the application and make a recommendation to the Congress to accept, reject or defer the application.
5.6 All members are expected to be, and to remain, members of the ISA or to seek affiliation with the ISA.
5.7 The ASF shall only recognize one Member or Associate Member in each nation, country or region.
5.8 The Honorary Secretary shall maintain a register of Members and Associate Members containing the following:

5.8.1 The name and address and contact details of the member and associate member.
5.8.2 The date the member was admitted as a Member or Associate Member.
5.8.3 The list of office-bearers and their contact details. This register shall be made available free of charge to all Members and Associate Members on an annual basis or as requested.

5.9 Only Members are able to elect members of the Executive.

6. DISCRIMINATION

6.1 ASF does not allow any discrimination against the Federations or individuals (athletes, officials, judges, delegates etc.) on the grounds of race, sex, religion or political affiliation.

7. CONGRESS

7.1 The Congress shall consist of the Executive and the members of ASF. The members at the Congress shall have one vote for each affiliated Federation. Proxies in writing prior to the Congress will be accepted delivered to the Secretary 24 hours prior to the meeting.
7.2 Each delegate of a Federation shall be a citizen or a resident of the country in which the Federation is constituted, and each delegate may only represent one Federation. Notice of appointment shall be signed by the President or Secretary of the Federation and provided to the Honorary Secretary of ASF before the commencement of the Congress.
7.3 The Honorary Members of ISA for Asia shall be an ex-officio member of the Congress, but unless an office bearer or a delegate of Asia, shall have no vote.
7.4 In all voting, the President shall have, in the case of a tie, a casting vote.
7.5 The following items shall be included on the agenda of all regular congresses: – Opening of Congress – Confirmation of the Register of Delegates – Confirmation of the Minutes of the Previous Congress – Presidents Report – Financial Report – Election of Officers (mandatory Congress only) – Proposals from affiliated Federations – Any other business for which due notice has been given – Date and Venue of next Congress – Closing of the Congress
7.6 Rules and amendments passed by Congress shall come into effect immediately.
7.7 On a motion of urgency approved by not less than two thirds majority of the delegates registered for the meeting, the Congress may also deal with any other matter.
7.8 Proposals for Congress shall reach the Honorary Secretary not later than one month prior to the date fixed for the Congress. They may only be submitted by an affiliated Federation or one of the office bearers. Any such proposals must appear on the Agenda for the congress, which shall be circulated by the Honorary Secretary at least fourteen days prior to the date fixed for the congress.
7.9 A Congress has a quorum if more than 50% of the members are represented.
7.10 Not withstanding Article 4.2 a Congress should be held at least every two years.

8 THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

8.1 The Executive Committee shall consist of:
– President
– Vice-Presidents (up to two)
– Secretary General
– And two to four other Members elected by Congress.
8.2 Term of the Executive Committee member shall be every 4 years.
8.3 The Executive Committee members shall be elected by the Members. The candidates shall be nominated by the Federation from which they come. The ASF believes in diversity and shall strive for gender and nationality equality in the filling of Executive positions.
President, Vice-President and Secretary General position will be decided by the new Executive Committee elected.
8.4 If there are more candidates than places available the vote shall be by secret ballot.
8.5 The Executive Committee shall remain in office to the conclusion of the next mandatory Congress at which new elections are held. At each Congress an election for only half of the Executive positions shall be decided.
8.6 The Executive Committee shall meet when required at a place and on a date as decided by the President. The quorum for such meetings shall be fifty percent + one. Electronic meetings shall be allowed.
8.7 The Executive Committee shall carry out such tasks as are allocated to it by Congress and other such matters of a routine nature as may arise from time to time.

9. SUBSCRIPTION AND DUES

9.1 The Executive Committee may recommend different levels of membership fees for different Members taking into account the status of development of those Members or Associate Members and any other matters deemed appropriate by the Executive.
9.2 Members and Associate Members must be given at least thirty (30) days’ notice of fees/levies due and shall be payable to the Secretary General before 31 July each year.
9.3 A Federation not having paid its subscription before 31 August or a Federation which has not paid any of its dues shall have no representation at any meeting and shall be regarded as unaffiliated until such time as outstanding dues are paid.

10. FUNDS

10.1 All funds and other property of ASF shall be applied to the furtherance of the objectives of ASF or for any other charitable purpose. No funds or other property of ASF shall be paid to or distributed among the members of ASF, without the authorization of the Executive Committee and ratification by the Congress. In the event of dissolution, the funds remaining shall be devoted to objectives similar to those of ASF.

11. HONORARY MEMBERS

11.1 In order to reward exceptional service in the advancement of Asia Surfing, (or a person of good standing), the Congress of ASF shall be entitled to elect Honorary Members who may attend all meetings of Congress without vote. The term of such Honorary membership shall be for as long as the Congress determines.

12. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

12.1 This Constitution may only be amended at a Congress for which due notice has been given as herein before provided. A seventy five percent majority is required for passage of such amendment.
12.2 Any change in the Constitution must be submitted to ISA for approval before it enters into force.