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CONSTITUTION _________________________________________
ARTICLE I
Title and Headquarters This organization will be named the VIRGIN ISLANDS OLYMPIC COMMITTEE (VIOC). The headquarters shall be in the Virgin Islands as established by the Executive Committee. ARTICLE II 1. The aim and purpose of the VIRGIN ISLANDS OLYMPIC COMMITTEE is to develop and protect the Olympic Movement and it’s high ideals throughout the Virgin Islands, in accordance with the Olympic Charter. We undertake to participate in actions to promote peace and to promote women in sport. We also undertake to support and encourage the promotion of sport ethics, to fight against doping and to demonstrate a responsible concern for environmental issues.
a) Fundamental Principles 1. The Olympic Games are held every four years. Other Olympic-styled Games such as the Pan American Games and the Central American and Caribbean Games are celebrated every four years in between Olympiads. These Games assemble athletes of all nations in fair and equal competition. No discrimination is allowed against any country or person on grounds of race, religion or political affiliation. 2. The goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practiced without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. 3. The goal of Olympism is to place everywhere sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to encouraging the establishment of a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity. To this effect, the Olympic Movement engages, alone or in cooperation with other organizations and within the limits of it’s means, in actions to promote peace. 4. Only persons who are eligible within the International Olympic Committee’s definition may compete in the Olympic Games. 5. Any proceeds and/or profits derived from participation in and/or holding of the Olympic Games must be applied to the promotion of the Olympic Movement or to the development of sports. 6. The VIOC must be completely independent and autonomous from all political, religious or commercial entities and in a position to resist all political, religious or commercial pressure. 7. The VIOC shall observe and enforce the rules as laid down in the “Olympic Charter”. The rules of the “Olympic Charter” are incorporated into and made a part of this Constitution. 8. Should there be any doubt concerning the interpretation of this Constitution or omissions or discrepancies between it and the provisions of the “Olympic Charter”, the latter shall prevail. 9. The VIOC may submit proposals to the International Olympic Committee with regard to the “Olympic Charter”, the Movement in general as well as the organization and conduct of the Olympic Games. b) Olympic Day The International Olympic Committee suggests that all National Olympic Committees should celebrate the revival of the Olympic Games each year during the month of June in observing an “Olympic Day” or an “Olympic Week”. Special competitions in the various sports should be held and speeches on the Olympic Movement and its philosophy should be made in schools and clubs.
c) The Role of the Virgin Islands Government The VIOC and Virgin Islands Government should work together to initiate, promote and sponsor programs and activities for culture, recreation, competition and health for all residents of the Virgin Islands. Independent authority and control of competitive sports in local and international arenas are and remain with each member federation and the VIOC.
Teaching Olympic principles in the schools is recommended. This Committee will provide the necessary materials and encouragement. d) Olympic Spirit The VIOC will encourage the development of the Olympic spirit among the residents of the Virgin Islands and will promote a program of education for the public and the press on the philosophy of athletic competition and Olympism. Although athletic performance and improvement are goals of the VIOC, the VIOC will encourage the social, educational, aesthetic, ethical and spiritual values of sport. 2. Powers and Competence of the VIOC a) To be recognized by the International Olympic Committee the VIOC must be composed of the representatives of at least five national federations which in turn must be active members of the international federations governing their sport on the Olympic program. Furthermore, the VIOC shall conduct its activities in accordance with the Olympic Rules and Regulations and the high ideals of the Olympic Movement. b) The VIOC is the only authority permitted to enter competitors in the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, the Pan American Games and the Central American and Caribbean Games. c) The VIOC has as its purpose the development and protection of the Olympic Movement and all sports recognized by the VIOC. It shall cooperate with national federations in guarding and enforcing national and international rules. d) The VIOC may use, in its territory, the Olympic identifications, in accordance with the terms of the Olympic Charter. The Virgin Islands Olympic Emblem must be approved by the International Olympic Committee. e) The VIOC in cooperation with the national federations shall organize and control the representatives of the Virgin Islands at all Games in which it participates. It will also arrange to equip, transport and house these representatives. f) The VIOC is not formed for pecuniary profit, but is devoted to the promotion and the encouragement of the physical, moral and cultural education of the youth of the Virgin Islands for the development of character, good health and good friendship. g) The VIOC will refrain from affairs of a political nature. h) The VIOC, in cooperation with its member federations, claim jurisdiction over all aspects of sports recognized by the national federations in the Virgin Islands. Article III 1. Membership a) The members of the VIOC shall be citizens of the United States, residents of the Virgin Islands and persons of good standing or upright character, sound judgment and independent mind with a knowledge and belief in the Olympic principles. b) The VIOC must include in its membership: 1. member(s) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) living in the Virgin Islands, if any, who shall be voting members of the executive committee and the general assembly. 2. representatives of the national federations affiliated to the appropriate international federation whose sport is included in the Summer and Winter Olympics, the Pan American Games or the Central American and Caribbean Games; these representatives shall be of their own choice and be representatives of the national federations affiliated to the IFS governing sports included in the program of the Olympic Games (Summer and Winter) must constitute the voting majority at any general assembly and executive committee meetings
3. a representative of a Virgin Islands Olympian Association affiliated to the World Olympian Association.
c) VIOC membership is not restricted to representatives of national federations governing a sport which forms part of the Olympic program; multi-sports groups or other sport oriented organizations or their representatives may be included as members of the VIOC; sports not recognized by the International Olympic Committee may be included in the VIOC. d) The VIOC may determine on persons or federations as not eligible for membership or to serve as part of the VIOC. e) The VIOC does not recognize more than one national federation in each sport and that federation must be affiliated to the International Federation concerned. f) New federations seeking membership shall apply in writing submitting a copy of its constitution, affiliation to international federation, details concerning its organization and the current activity program. Membership applications must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the VIOC. 1. No federation shall be admitted unless it has satisfied to the Executive Committee that it is properly constituted. 2. All federations shall agree to abide by all provisions of the VIOC Constitution and any other regulations approved by the VIOC. 3. The federations shall agree that all open games, contests, meetings or tournaments held under its auspices or within its jurisdiction and the qualifications of all persons competing either as members of its own affiliated organizations or otherwise, shall confirm to the prescribe rules and regulations of that particular federation and it’s International Federation. 4. All federations must attempt to conduct activities in the Virgin Islands. g) If in opinion of the VIOC, any affiliated federation has infringed on the objects and regulations of the organization, the VIOC shall have power by two-thirds vote of those present and voting to cancel its membership after having given sixty (60) days written notice to the federation concerned who shall be requested to furnish an explanation. Any member expelled or suspended may appeal the decision to a special called General Assembly. The General Assembly shall conduct a full hearing on the merits of the appeal. The appeal decision shall be decided by two-thirds majority of the members present that are in good standing. h) The VIOC sitting in a General Assembly by two-thirds majority, present and voting, after due notice having been given, may confer honorary membership on such persons as have rendered outstanding service to any organized sport. Honorary membership may also include conferring the special title of “Honorary President” or “Honorary Vice President, Secretary General and Treasurer” on such persons who have rendered outstanding service to the VIOC. Such person(s) shall pay no dues nor have the right to vote, unless already a member of the VIOC. i) Members of the VIOC shall accept no salary or fee of any kind in respect to their positions. They may, however, accept reimbursement for transportation, lodging and other proper expenses incurred by them in connection with their duties. j) Membership in the VIOC shall cease or be suspended for any, or a combination, of the following: 1. Upon disbandment of the federation to which the member belongs; 2. Upon resignation from the VIOC or death; or 3. Upon expulsion or suspension by the General Assembly, upon recommendation of the Executive Committee, following a hearing conducted by the Executive Committee, or its designee(s), that gives the member concerned due process and for the following reasons:
I. Non-payment of annual dues three months after due date, or II. Infringement of this Constitution or the “ Olympic Charter”, or III. Other reasons not provided in “I” and “II” above.
ARTICLE IV
1. Organization and Administration a) The General Assembly is the highest authority at which all officers shall enjoy full voting rights and each member federation in good standing has one vote to be exercised by the member federation. In those matters that specially relate to the Olympic Program, only the voters of this VIOC, Executive Committee and the National Federations affiliated to an International Federation governing an Olympic sport, may be taken into consideration. b) This General Assembly shall elect an Executive Committee for a four (4) year term after each Olympiad consisting of: 1. President 2. Vice President for St. Thomas/St. John District 3. Vice President for St. Croix District 4. Secretary General 5. Treasurer c) Nominations for any office on the Executive Committee must be made in writing by a member federation whose dues have been paid for the current year. Such nominations supported by the candidates written consent shall reach the Secretary General twenty one (21) days before the General Assembly is to take pace. The nominations shall be circulated by the Secretary General to all members. The incumbent officers shall be automatically nominated for their posts unless specific notice to the contrary is received from that officer. All former presidents shall be members of the General Assembly without entitlement to any voting privileges. d) No member of the Executive Committee shall be president of a national federation (to avoid conflict of interest). e) Each member federation shall endeavor to have a representative from each island district present at the General Assembly. f) An annual General Assembly will be called no later than September 30. Special General Assemblies shall be called upon need and at the discretion of the Executive Committee or two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the General Assembly. The agenda of the General Assembly at its Annual Session shall include the following:
1. Submission and presentation of the President’s report. 2. Submission and presentation of the reports by each national federation. 3. Examination of the report on activities of the Executive Committee presented by the Secretary General. 4. Examination of the accounts of the previous financial year as presented by the Treasurer. 5. Approval of the budget for the following year. 6. In general, decided on all items on its agenda.
g) The General Assembly can validly act only on those items appearing on its agenda. Proposals appearing on the agenda must reach the Secretary General no later than seven (7) days prior to the session. Members shall be notified of the date for the session at least fourteen (14) days in advance. The General Assembly can act only if at least one-half (1/2) of its members are present. Decisions shall be made by a simple majority of its members present. h) Between sessions of the General Assembly the VIOC shall be administered by the Executive Committee or its designee. The General Assembly shall set and approve policy that is administered by the Executive Committee. VIOC members may attend Executive meetings but members cannot vote at the Executive meeting. The Executive Committee shall hold meetings at least once every two (2) months. It can validly act only if at least one-half (1/2) of its members are present. Decisions shall be made by a simple majority of the members present. i) Notice of an Executive Committee meeting shall be announced by the President at least three (3) days prior to the meeting and the convening notice shall include the agenda of the meeting.
ARTICLE V 1. Finance
a) The finances of the VIOC may be derived from: 1. annual dues 2. donations, gifts and bequests 3. fund-raising, including, but not limited to, proceeds from events like Olympic Day, from stamp issues, the sale of emblems, the publication and sale of printed material, the granting of licenses to third parties for the use of the VIOC official emblem 4. fees for service rendered 5. any other sources that do not conflict with the purposes and objects of this Constitution. b) The annual dues for each voting member federation shall be $100.00, which must be paid before the annual General Assembly. The first payment shall be made upon admission of a member. Failure to pay dues as prescribed shall deprive the member federation of the right of representation and, if not paid for a period of three months after the General Assembly, such non-payment may be cause for suspension or expulsion from the VIOC. c) If financial assistance is provided by the public authorities, it must not interfere with the independence of the VIOC. d) The Treasurer shall have charge of all funds of the VIOC and place them in a bank or banks as may be approved by the Executive Committee. Checks drawn on the accounts of the VIOC will be signed by the President and either the Treasurer or Secretary General. All expenses must be approve for payment by the Executive Committee. Any and all decisions regarding finances may be overruled by the General Assembly in two thirds (2/3) majority vote. No funds will be disbursed without the approval of the Executive Committee. The Treasurer will keep an accurate account of all transactions and render a detailed report at any meeting of the Executive Committee when requested and an annual report to the General Assembly each year. ARTICLE VI 1. Residency Requirements a) A resident of the Virgin Islands is one who dwells and has established an on-going physical presence within the Virgin Islands. Such resident must provide either a current voter’s registration card, a valid Virgin Islands driver’s license, or has public service utilities provided in his/her name for the last three years.
b) Residency requirements for athletes to represent the Virgin Islands at Central American and Caribbean, Pan American, Summer and Winter Olympics are as follows:
1) Persons born in the Virgin Islands or of a parent born in the Virgin Islands.
2) U. S. citizens by birth or naturalization who were not born in the Virgin Islands, but have resided for at least three (3) years continuously in the Virgin Islands before the date of the Opening Ceremony of the Games in which he or she wishes to participate.
3) Students residing abroad whose parents are residents of the Virgin Islands for three (3) continuous years, immediately prior to the date of the Opening Ceremony of the Games in which he or she wishes to participate.
2. General Provisions
a) The VIOC is responsible for the behavior of all members of its delegation and makes all arrangements for taking part in all Games. All communications on such matters shall be addressed to the VIOC.
b) A certified copy of this Constitution was submitted to the International Olympic Committee on December 3, 1974. Subsequent changes to this Constitution shall be reported to the International Olympic Committee for approval.
c) Certified minutes of the VIOC’s meetings at which member and officers are elected shall be submitted to the International Olympic Committee.
d) It is the duty of the members of the VIOC to report to the International Olympic Committee, in the event of any irregularity on actions of the VIOC, conflicting with International Olympic Committee rules or of any political interference in its operations. The President of the International Olympic Committee has the power to appoint a member from another country to investigate and report. e) This VIOC is, and must remain, completely independent and autonomous and must resist all political, religious and commercial pressures and pledges to conform to Rules and Regulations of the International Olympic Committee. It accepts the ruling of the International Olympic Committee that if the VIOC does not conform to the Rules and Regulations of the International Olympic Committee, it forfeits its recognition and its rights to send participants to the Olympic Games. f) The Executive Committee or appointed committee, has the power to recommend by-laws to deal with all matters not covered by this Constitution which must be approved by two-thirds of the members present at the next meeting of the General Assembly. g) The requirements of the International Olympic Committee shall apply, where there are no provisions in this Constitution on any matters whatever relating to the composition and proper functioning of the VIOC and shall supercede them when they seem at variance or in conflict.
ARTICLE VII 1. Incorporation The VIOC shall be incorporated as a non-profit corporation under the laws of the Virgin Islands. ARTICLE VIII Any proposed amendments to this Constitution may be introduced by any member of the VIOC at any General Assembly. A copy of proposed amendments shall be sent by either electronic mail, facsimile, United States Postal Service or by hand, to each member at least fifteen (15) days prior to the assembly meeting. This Constitution may be amended, or the VIOC disbanded, by a General Assembly convened especially for that purpose with the proviso that at least two-thirds of the members shall attend and that the decision shall be made by at least two-thirds of the members present. Should this quorum not be reached, the General Assembly shall be convened a second time, at least fourteen (14) days following the previous session and the amendments to this Constitution or the disbandment may then be carried by a vote of two-thirds of the members present, irrespective of their number ARTICLE IX Business of this organization shall be conducted in accordance with Roberts’ Rule of Order, except as otherwise provided herein. Any decision made by the VIOC Executive may be submitted exclusively by way of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, which will resolve the dispute definitively in accordance with the Code of Sports-Related Arbitration. The time-limit for appeal is twenty-one days after the reception of the decision concerning the appeal. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I hereby certify that this Constitution was amended, voted on, passed and adopted at a meeting of the VIOC held in Christiansted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands on June 8, 1985. __________________________________________________ President , Virgin Islands Olympic Committee I hereby certify that this Constitution was amended, voted on, passed and adopted at a meeting of the VIOC held in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands on September 27, 1986. __________________________________________________ President, Virgin Islands Olympic Committee I hereby certify that this Constitution was amended, voted on, passed and adopted at a meeting of the VIOC held in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands on September 27, 2003. __________________________________________________ President, Virgin Islands Olympic Committee __________________________________________________ Secretary General, Virgin Islands Olympic Committee
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