Constitution

Preamble

The first Deaflympics, known as the International Silent Games, were held in Paris in 1924. The Games were the first ever for any group of people with a disability and were the brainchild of Eugène Rubens-Alcais, himself deaf and President of the French Deaf Sports Federation. At a time when societies everywhere viewed deaf people as intellectually inferior, linguistically impoverished and often treated us as outcasts, Rubens-Alcais envisioned the international sports event as the best route to self-empowerment. Antoine Dresse, a young deaf Belgian, was instrumental in helping him accomplish his dream and vision.

After the initial Deaflympics, deaf sporting leaders assembled at a Paris café and established Le Comité International des Sports Silencieux (CISS), which was later renamed to Le Comité International des Sports des Sourds, and then to the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) when English became the official language of the organisation.

In 1955, ICSD was recognised and admitted into the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as an 'International Federation with Olympic Standing'. In 1966, the IOC awarded the Coubertin Cup to ICSD in recognition of its adherence to the Olympic ideal and its service to international sport. Finally, in 2001 the IOC granted ICSD the right to use the term 'Deaflympics' for its quadrennial summer and winter Games. The Deaflympics are distinguished from all other IOC sanctioned Games by the fact that they are led by members of the community they serve.

To celebrate the spirit of Deaf Sports worldwide and Deaf athletes as members of a linguistic minority, ICSD is deeply committed to advancing the Deaflympic movement and adhering to its motto: PER LUDOS AEQUALITAS (Equality Through Sport).

The ICSD Constitution and the associated Bylaws govern ICSD and the movement for Deaflympics.

The employment of the rights and freedoms set forth in this ICSD Constitution shall be secured without discrimination of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

Definitions, Interpretations and Abbreviations

Definitions

In the ICSD Constitution, the following definitions are used:

Abbreviations

In the ICSD Constitution, the following abbreviations are used

Article 1 - Name, Seat and Governing Law

1.1 The International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) / Le Comité International des Sports des Sourds (CISS) is an international sports federation governed by Hungarian law and registered by the Metropolitan Court of Budapest.

1.2 Any future transfer of the registered seat to another country shall require a decision of the Congress in accordance with this Constitution.

1.3 The seat of ICSD is located in Budapest, Hungary. The exact location of the seat within Budapest shall be determined by the Executive Board.

Article 2 - Vision, Mission, and Objectives of ICSD

2.1 The motto of ICSD is PER LUDOS AEQUALITAS (“Equality Through Sport”).

2.2 The vision of the ICSD is to inspire and enable deaf athletes to achieve excellence and enjoyment in the sport.

2.3 The mission of ICSD, as the recognised worldwide peak governing body for all Deaf Sports, is to promote the inclusion of Deaf Persons through sport.

2.4 The mission of ICSD shall be executed in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, specifically:

• Article 5 (Equality and non-discrimination): specific measures that are necessary to accelerate or achieve de facto equality of persons with disabilities shall not be considered discrimination.
• Article 30 (Participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure, and sport): persons with disabilities shall be entitled and empowered, on an equal basis with others, to recognition and support of their specific cultural and linguistic identity, including sign language and deaf culture and, where appropriate, measures shall be taken to ensure that persons with disabilities have opportunity to organise, develop and participate in disability-specific sporting and recreational activities and, to this end, provision, on an equal basis with others, of appropriate instruction, training and resources shall be encouraged.

2.5 The objectives of ICSD are as follows:

2.5.1 to act as the worldwide supreme governing body for all Deaf Sports;

2.5.2 to promote ethics and good governance in Deaf Sports, in accordance with the ICSD Code of Ethics, IOC’s Basic Universal Principles of Good Governance, Olympic Movement Code on the Prevention of Manipulation of Competitions, and WADA’s Anti-Doping Code, and ensure that the spirit of fair play prevails;

2.5.3 to encourage and support the participation of Deaf Athletes in all sporting competitions;

2.5.4 to ensure the growth and strength of the Deaflympic Movement through the development of National Deaf Sports federations in all nations, and support the activities of all members;

2.5.5 to supervise and ensure the organisation of successful Deaflympics, World Deaf Youths Games, World Deaf Championships and possibly other Deaf Sports competitions;

2.5.6 to sanction and promote international and regional deaf sporting events;

2.5.7 to encourage and support initiatives that blend sport with deaf culture and education;

2.5.8 to encourage and support the promotion of deaf women in sports at all levels;

2.5.9 to harmonise relations in Deaf Sports by sharing ideas and knowledge;

2.5.10 to promote sports for Deaf Athletes without discrimination for political, religious, economic, racial, gender, disability, or sexual orientation reasons;

2.5.11 to protect clean athletes and the integrity of Deaf Sports by supporting the fight against doping;

2.5.12 to oversee the rules and regulations of Deaf Sports;

2.5.13 to coordinate the calendar of international and regional deaf sporting events;

2.5.14 to liaise and collaborate with the IOC, ARISF and WADA;

2.5.15 to liaise and collaborate in the organisation of international deaf sporting events in partnership with recognised ISFs;

2.5.16 to lobby and collaborate with any relevant organisation or government on behalf of Deaf Athletes and Full, Associate, Regional, and Provisional Members;

2.5.17 to raise money and acquire such assets necessary to carry out the objectives of ICSD and to obtain all permits as may be necessary for that purpose; and

2.5.18 to do all other things necessary for or incidental to the pursuit of the ICSD vision, mission and objectives.

2.6. ICSD properties

2.6.1 The ICSD properties are:

• The ICSD symbol
• The ICSD flag
• The ICSD motto
• The ICSD anthem
• ICSD identifications
• ICSD emblems
• The Deaflympics flame and torches

2.6.2 The ICSD symbol, flag, motto, anthem, identifications (including but not limited to “Deaflympics” and “World Deaf Championships”), emblems, flame and torches and any other musical works, audio- visual works or other creative works or artefacts commissioned in connection with the Deaflympics and World Deaf Championships by the ICSD, the NDSFs and/or the Organising Committee, may, for convenience, be collectively or individually referred to as “ICSD properties”. All rights to the ICSD properties, as well as all rights to the use thereof, belong exclusively to the ICSD, including but not limited to the use for any profit- making, commercial, or advertising purposes. The ICSD may license all or part of its rights on terms and conditions set forth by the ICSD Executive Board.

Article 3 - Full, Associate, Regional, and Provisional Members

3.1 There shall be four (4) categories of Members of ICSD:

3.1.1 Full Members;

3.1.2 Associate Members

3.1.3 Regional Members; and

3.1.4 Provisional Members.

3.2 Full Members

3.2.1 A Full Member shall consist of a National Deaf Sports Federation (NDSF), which either was present as a founding member at the inaugural Congress of ICSD or was admitted for full membership by the Congress.

3.2.2 A NDSF may apply for full membership if it:

3.2.2.1 is a registered or recognised self-governing organisation of Deaf Sports in its country;

3.2.2.2 has a deaf president and a majority of deaf members holding executive positions;

3.2.2.3 is recognised by the respective national sports council or similar highest sports authorities as the sole representative of the Deaflympic Movement in that country; and

3.2.2.4 incorporated or has a constitution with appropriate aims, objectives, and purposes consistent with the intent and spirit of the ICSD Constitution, which shall be reviewed each time changes are made, following the ICSD’s recommendation.

3.2.3 The application procedure for full membership is provided for in the Bylaws.

3.3 Associate Members

3.3.1 An Associate Member shall consist of an International Deaf Sports Federation (IDSF) responsible one (1) sport, acting in pursuance with the objectives and the relevant principles of Olympism and shall be recognised as an international sports body with aims, objectives and purposes consistent with the ICSD Constitution.

3.3.2 An IDSF may apply for associate membership if it:

3.3.2.1 is a registered or recognised self-governing Deaf Sports federation;

3.3.2.2 has a deaf president and a majority of deaf members holding executive positions;

3.3.2.3 incorporated or has a constitution with appropriate aims, objectives and purposes consistent with the intent and spirit of the ICSD Constitution, which shall be reviewed each time changes are made, following the ICSD’s recommendation.

3.3.3 The application procedure for associate membership is provided for in the Bylaws.

3.4 Regional Members

3.4.1 A Regional Member shall consist of a Regional Deaf Sports Confederation, recognised by ICSD and operating as independently constituted organisation with a constitution that is not in contradiction or in breach of the ICSD Constitution and is consistent with the intent and spirit of the ICSD Constitution. Their constitution and regulations shall comply with the principles of good governance and with the objectives and the relevant principles of Olympism.

3.4.2 A Regional Member may apply for regional membership if it:

3.4.2.1 is a registered self-governing Regional Deaf Sports Confederation, recognised by ICSD;

3.4.2.2 has a constitution with appropriate aims, objectives and purposes consistent with the intent and spirit of the ICSD Constitution, which shall be reviewed each time changes are made, following the ICSD’s recommendation.

3.4.3 The application procedure for regional membership is provided for in the Bylaws.

3.5 Provisional Members

3.5.1 In order to help with their evolution and development, provisional membership may be granted to national or international Deaf Sport federations, if they fulfil certain criteria as evidenced by their application for membership, in particular:

3.5.1.1 to pursue non-profit status with bylaws acceptable to ICSD;

3.5.1.2 to have a deaf president and a majority of deaf members holding executive positions and

3.5.1.3 to maintain active participation and collaboration within the ICSD.

3.5.2 Provisional Members may be recognised with full rights within a five-year period.

3.6 Rights of Members

3.6.1 Full Members shall have the right to:

3.6.1.1 participate in all ICSD competitions, events, and activities;

3.6.1.2 conduct ICSD sanctioned competitions and events;

3.6.1.3 enter Deaf Athletes into competitions approved by ICSD;

3.6.2 Associate Members shall have the right to:

3.6.2.1 conduct their own ICSD approved competitions whilst aligning to the ICSD sports calendar, which takes precedence;

3.6.2.2 participate in all ICSD events, and activities.

3.6.3 Regional Members shall have the right to:

3.6.3.1 participate in all ICSD events, and activities.

3.6.4 Provisional Members shall have the right to:

3.6.4.1 enter their national Deaf Athletes into competitions approved by ICSD;

3.6.4.2 participate in all ICSD competitions, events, and activities.

3.6.5 Full, Associate, Regional, and Provisional Members shall be entitled to exercise all the other rights arising for them from the ICSD Constitution or other ICSD regulations.

3.6.6 Full, Associate, Regional, and Provisional Members shall only be permitted to exercise their rights under the ICSD Constitution (and/or other ICSD regulations) if they are in Good Standing and all outstanding fees, levies, and debts due to ICSD and any regional confederation have been paid in full.

3.6.7 The Secretariat shall make a list available at the end of each month of all Members with their respective outstanding fees, levies, and debts due to ICSD.

3.7 Roles and responsibilities of Full, Associate, Regional and Provisional Members (in general)

3.7.1 Full, Associate, Regional, and Provisional Members shall:

3.7.1.1 share and promote the ICSD vision, mission, and objectives;

3.7.1.2 abide by the ICSD Constitution, Bylaws, codes, rules and regulations and all of the ICSD decisions;

3.7.1.3 each establish its own appropriate Management committee with clear terms of office, roles and responsibilities, and election procedures. The Management committee shall meet at least two (2) times a year;

3.7.1.4 ensure 30 percent or more representation of each gender on its Management committee;

3.7.1.5 have a president and a majority of Management committee members who are deaf;

3.7.1.6 maintain regular and on-going communication with the ICSD and, in particular, respond to the ICSD’s official requests in a timely manner.

3.7.1.7 ensure all Deaf Athletes are represented with voting rights in the relevant decision-making bodies in their respective country and/or respective sport to participate; and

3.7.1.8 respect ICSD’s intellectual property rights.

3.7.2 Full Members, Provisional Members and deaf sports organisations recognised by them in their respective countries shall not participate in international competitions, events, or activities that are not approved by ICSD.

3.7.3 Full, Associate and Regional Members shall be competent and able to fulfil the obligations of their membership. Provisional Members shall be competent and fit to fulfil the obligations of their membership within a five-year period since the granting of their provisional membership in order to be recognised with full rights.

3.7.4 The ICSD President or his/her nominated representative shall have the right to attend all Members meetings.

3.7.5 Failure of a Member to fulfil any of its obligations pursuant to the Constitution and Regulations of the ICSD shall render that member liable to a sanction to be decided by the ICSD Executive Board. The ICSD Executive Board may delegate this power.

3.8 Further roles and responsibilities of Full Members

3.8.1 Full Members shall be members of the Regional Deaf Sports Confederation in which they are geographically located as determined by the Executive Board.

3.9 Further roles and responsibilities of Associate Members

3.9.1 Associate Members and Provisional Members shall be open to all Full Members and deaf sports organisations recognised by Full Members in their respective countries to join as a member organisation.

3.9.2 Associate Members overseeing sports on the Summer Deaflympics program shall have as members at least ten (10) Full Members in Good Standing from at least two (2) Regional Deaf Sports Confederations. Associate Members overseeing sports on the Winter Deaflympics program shall have as members at least five (5) Full Members in Good Standing from at least two (2) Regional Deaf Sports Confederations.

3.9.3 The relationship between ICSD and each Associate Member shall be governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) approved by the Congress that shall cover a period of up to two (2) Deaflympics (8 years).

3.10 Suspension of membership and expulsion

3.10.1 A Member may be expelled by the Congress, solely on the request of the Executive Board. For cause includes, but is not limited to:

3.10.1.1 breach of the terms of the ICSD Constitution and/or the Deaflympics regulations;

3.10.1.2 non-payment of the annual membership fee or any other levy (despite a reminder); or

3.10.1.3 dishonourable conduct or bringing Deaf Sports into disrepute.

3.10.2 Notwithstanding with Article 3.10.1, the Executive Board may, without a vote of the Congress, temporarily suspend with immediate effect a Member that seriously violates its obligations.

3.10.3 An expulsion of a Member by the Congress requires a three-quarter (3/4) majority of the Members present and eligible to vote, and requires the presence at the Congress of an absolute majority (more than 50 %) of the Members eligible to vote in order to be valid.

3.10.4 A Member who fails to pay annual dues by the day of the month in which they become due shall lose their Good Standing. Upon failure to pay dues for two consecutive years, the Member shall be suspended until repayment.

3.10.5 After four (4) years of continuous suspension due to the non-payment of the annual membership fee, a Member is automatically subject to expulsion by the Congress.

3.10.6 Expelled Members and Members under suspension lose immediately all rights and privileges of their membership.

3.10.7 The Secretary General shall remove the expelled Member from the register of Members after the vote of Congress, upon a review by the Executive Board.

3.10.8 A suspended Member may be re-admitted by decision of the Executive Board, when the reason(s) for its suspension has been resolved satisfactorily, by applying for re-admission to the Secretary General.

3.10.9 A Member shall be given the opportunity to be heard, either in person or in writing, before a suspension or an expulsion.

3.11 Resignation of membership

3.11.1 A Member may resign in writing to the Secretary General, giving at least three (3) months' notice, or such shorter notice as the Secretary General may determine. 3.11.2 Such resignation is not valid until the Member wishing to resign has fulfilled its financial obligations towards ICSD. 3.11.3 The Secretary General shall remove the resigning Member from the register of Members on the advice of the Executive Board upon a valid resignation under this Article.

3.11.4 The Secretary General shall inform the resignation to the next Congress.

Article 4 - Honorary Members

4.1 In recognition of an outstanding contribution to ICSD, the Deaflympics or international deaf sports, an individual may be nominated by the Executive Board to become an Honorary Member.

4.2 The honorary membership is granted by the Congress, with a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of Members present and entitled to vote at the Congress.

4.3 Honorary Members shall have the right to attend the ICSD Congress. They do not have the right to vote, nor are they eligible for any ICSD office.

4.4 Honorary Members shall adhere to and respect the ICSD Code of Ethics.

4.5 An Honorary Member may be suspended or expelled by the Congress in application of Article 0 by analogy (Suspension of membership and expulsion). She or he may resign in application of Article 3.11.1 by analogy.

Article 5 - Regional Deaf Sports Confederations of ICSD

5.1 The four (4) Regional Deaf Sports Confederations, recognised by ICSD, are:

5.1.1 Confederation of African Deaf Sports (CADS)

5.1.2 Asia Pacific Deaf Sports Confederation (APDSC)

5.1.3 European Deaf Sports Organisation (EDSO)

5.1.4 Pan American Organisation of Sports of the Deaf (PANAMDES)

5.2 The President of each Regional Deaf Sports Confederation is an ex officio member of the Executive Board, without voting rights.

5.3 Rights of Regional Deaf Sports Confederations

5.3.1 Regional Deaf Sports Confederations shall have the right to participate in discussions at the Congress, but shall not have the right to submit proposals, nominate candidates, nor vote at the Congress.

5.3.2 Regional Deaf Sports Confederations shall have the right to conduct ICSD- approved regional deaf sports competitions in compliance with the ICSD sports calendar, which takes precedence.

5.4 Roles and responsibilities of Regional Deaf Sports Confederations

5.4.1 Regional Deaf Sports Confederations shall share and promote the ICSD vision, mission, and objectives.

5.4.2 Regional Deaf Sports Confederations shall comply with the ICSD Constitution and the ICSD regulations. They shall adhere to and respect the ICSD Constitution, Bylaws, codes, rules and regulations and all of the ICSD decisions.

5.4.3 Regional Deaf Sports Confederations shall operate as independently constituted organisations with a constitution that is not in contradiction or in breach of the ICSD Constitution and is consistent with the intent and spirit of the ICSD Constitution. Their statutes and regulations shall comply with the principles of good governance.

5.4.4 Each Regional Deaf Sports Confederation shall establish an appropriate Management committee with clear terms of office, roles and responsibilities, and election procedures. The Management committee shall meet at least two (2) times a year.

5.4.5 The president and the majority of the Management committee members of the Regional Deaf Sports Confederations shall be deaf.

5.4.6 Regional Deaf Sports Confederations shall be open to all Full Members and deaf sports organisations recognised by Full Members in their respective countries to join as a member organisation.

5.4.7 Regional Deaf Sports Confederations shall be open and cooperative with all Full, Associate and Provisional Members in their respective region and maintain regular communication.

5.4.8 Regional Deaf Sports Confederations shall grant Full Members the right to vote and to be heard at their meetings.

5.4.9 Regional Deaf Sports Confederations shall be open to all Deaf Athletes in their respective region to participate.

5.4.10 Regional Deaf Sports Confederations shall be responsible for the qualifying rounds / matches to the World Deaf Championships and the Deaflympics.

5.4.11 The ICSD President or her/his nominated representative shall have the right to attend all Regional Deaf Sports Confederations meetings.

5.4.12 The Regional Deaf Sports Confederations shall provide minutes of each regional congress and regional executive board meeting, governance, and financial information, including the financial accounts certified by an independent body in English to the ICSD Executive Board within four (4) weeks of the meeting taking place.

5.4.13 The Executive Board may suspend a Regional Deaf Sports Confederation. The conditions and procedure are regulated by the Bylaws.

Article 6 - Structure of the ICSD

6.1 The bodies of ICSD are:

6.1.1 the Congress;

6.1.2 the Executive Board;

6.1.3 the Executive Team

6.1.4 the Secretariat;

6.1.5 the standing and ad-hoc Commissions;

Article 7 - Congress of ICSD

7.1 The Congress ('Meeting of the Members') is the supreme governing body of ICSD. A Congress may be an Ordinary or an Extraordinary Congress. A Congress may be held in person or by videoconference.

7.2 Ordinary Congress of the ICSD

7.2.1 The Ordinary Congress shall take place at least once a year.

7.2.2 The Executive Board shall fix the place and date. The Members shall be notified by the Secretariat in writing at least four (4) months in advance of the place and date of the Ordinary Congress.

7.2.3 Full Members and Associate Members may submit any proposals of items to be added on the agenda of the next Congress. Such proposals need to be submitted in writing to the Secretariat, with a brief explanation, no later than three (3) months before the month in which Congress is due to meet (unless such deadline is waived by the Executive Board in its absolute discretion).

7.2.4 The formal convocation shall be made by the Secretariat in writing at least one (1) month before the date of the Congress. This convocation shall contain the agenda, the Executive Board’s report, the financial statements, including the consolidated financial statements, and the certified independent auditors’ report.

7.3 Extraordinary Congress of the ICSD

7.3.1 An Extraordinary Congress may be convened at any time by either the Executive Board or if a one-third (1/3) of the Members eligible to vote make such a request in writing.

7.3.2 A request for an Extraordinary Congress shall state the reasons for such request, the agenda of the proposed Extraordinary Congress and be signed by the ICSD President or all the Members making the request for the Extraordinary Congress, as the case requires.

7.3.3 Provided that the above requirements are met, the proposed Extraordinary Congress shall be held within 30 days after the receipt of the request.

7.3.4 Members shall be notified by the Secretariat in writing of the place, date and agenda not less than 15 days before the date of the Extraordinary Congress.

7.4 Quorum & decisions

7.4.1 The quorum to hold a Congress is met when a simple majority (50 % +1) of the Members in Good Standing and entitled to vote, coming from not less than two (2) regions as defined in Article 5.1, are present.

7.4.2 Decision of the Congress shall be adopted by a simple majority of Full, Associate and Regional Members present and voting, except if explicitly stated otherwise in the ICSD Constitution.

7.5 Right to participate to the discussions and to vote

7.5.1 Full, Associate, Regional, and Provisional Members, as well as Honorary Members and Regional Deaf Sports Confederations, have the right to participate in discussions at the Congress at which they are present.

7.5.2 Only Full Members can vote, submit proposals and nominate candidates for the Executive Board and Commissions. Full Members shall be granted one (1) vote each. They are entitled to cast their votes only if they are in Good Standing and present at the Congress. Any voting by proxy is not allowed.

7.5.3 Associate and Regional Members cannot nominate candidates for the Executive Board and the Commission, but are eligible to submit proposals. Associate and Regional Members shall be granted one (1) vote each. They are entitled to cast their votes only if they are in Good Standing and present at the Congress.

7.5.4 Provisional Members and Honorary Members cannot vote, nor submit proposals, nor nominate candidates.

7.6 Delegates

7.6.1 Full Members, Associate Members, Regional Members, and Provisional Members in attendance at the Congress may be represented by delegates, all of whom may take part in the debates.

7.6.2 Full Members in attendance at the Congress may be represented by a maximum of three (3) delegates. Associate and Regional Members in attendance at the Congress may be represented by a maximum of two (2) delegates at the Congress. Provisional Members in attendance at the Congress may be represented by one (1) delegate.

7.6.3 If a Member in attendance at a Congress are represented by more than one delegate, the Member is required to have delegates of different genders. If a Member sends three (3) delegates, one of the delegates must be a Deaflympian who has competed in at least one of the previous three (3) editions of the summer or winter Deaflympics.

7.6.4 Delegates must be at least 18 years old, shall belong to the Member of their legal residence, they represent, and be appointed by the appropriate body of that Member.

7.6.5 Delegates shall be able to communicate in International Sign.

7.6.6 During their term of office, members of the Executive Board or Commissions may not be appointed as delegates.

7.7 The responsibilities and powers of Congress include namely:

7.7.1 to act as the supreme governing body of the ICSD;

7.7.2 to determine the direction for the development of international Deaf Sports;

7.7.3 to elect the members of the Executive Board, except for the Chairperson of the Athletes Commission;

7.7.4 to consider and approve proposals from the Members, the Commissions, and the Executive Board;

7.7.5 to decide on the admission or exclusion of Members and individuals;

7.7.6 to review and ratify the minutes of the previous Congress;

7.7.7 to consider and approve the certified independent auditor’s financial reports;

7.7.8 to consider and approve the rules of procedure for the election of the office bearers;

7.7.9 to consider and approve the annual membership fees;

7.7.10 to approve any change in the country of location of ICSD Secretariat;

7.7.11 to decide on the dissolution of the ICSD;

7.7.12 to consider and approve the Executive Board’s report;

7.7.13 to amend the Constitution;

7.7.14 to remove Executive Board Members, except for the Chairperson of the Athlete Commission;

7.7.15 to appoint the members of the Ethics Commission and the ICSD Ethics Officer; and

7.7.16 to exercise any other incidental powers necessary for the Congress to carry out its responsibilities pursuant to the ICSD Constitution.

Article 8 - Executive Board of the ICSD

8.1 The Executive Board of the ICSD shall consist of the following members:

8.1.1 the ICSD President;

8.1.2 the Vice President;

8.1.3 four (4) Members-at-large;

8.1.4 the Presidents of the four (4) Regional Deaf Sports Confederations; and

8.1.5 the Chairperson of the Athletes Commission.

8.2 The Executive Board shall consist of Deaf Persons, who are fluent in International Sign. The elected members of the Executive Board shall be admitted members of a Full Member of their country of legal residence. No more than one (1) elected member from the same Full Member may serve on the Executive Board simultaneously.

8.3 The members of the Executive Board are not entitled to any remuneration for carrying out their duties on behalf of ICSD. They are however entitled to reimbursement of their expenses (unless provided otherwise).

8.4 For all the Executive Board members, key skills and qualifications are required, such as:

8.4.1 an excellent understanding of the basic universal principles of good governance in sport;

8.4.2 empathy for international deaf sports;

8.4.3 excellent organisational and communication skills;

8.4.4 ability to effectively lead and manage groups of people and to foster the ICSD vision, mission, objectives, and goals;

8.4.5 will to serve on the Executive Board for at least for one full term (4 years).

8.5 Members of the ICSD Executive Board, elected by the Congress, shall be consisted with at least 30 percent of each gender.

8.6 Any candidate for the Executive Board shall not be older than the age of 70 years at the time of the election.

8.7 The Executive Board members are elected by the Congress. Other than the Presidents of the four Regional Deaf Sports Confederations and the Chairperson of the Athletes Commission, the Executive Board members shall normally be elected for a four (4) year term by the Congress to be held after the Summer Deaflympics in the same year. If elected at another moment, the Executive Board member’s term shall be for the remainder of the four (4) year period until the next Congress.

8.8 The elected members of the Executive Board are eligible for re-election with a limit of two (2) terms.

8.9 If a person’s election as President follows one or more terms on the Executive Board in another capacity, that person may serve as President for up to three (3) consecutive terms.

8.10 Upon being elected to office, every member of the Executive Board undertakes, and accepts to faithfully, loyally and independently act in the best interests of ICSD and the promotion and development of sports for the deaf. The members of the Executive Board must refrain from placing themselves in any potential conflicts of interests and must adhere to and respect the ICSD Code of Ethics.

8.11 The Executive Board shall hold at least one (1) physical meeting per year.

8.12 The Executive Board shall have the following responsibilities and powers:

8.12.1 to implement policies as agreed upon by the Congress;

8.12.2 to consider and make recommendations on all motions, proposals and amendments as submitted by Members and Commissions;

8.12.3 to formulate and approve rules of procedure and bylaws in accordance with the ICSD Constitution;

8.12.4 to forward, in due time, to all Members, Honorary Members and Regional Deaf Sports Confederations the details (including the date, the venue and the agenda with all materials) of every Congress;

8.12.5 to approve the ICSD sport calendar;

8.12.6 to apprise the ICSD President when liaising with other international sports organisations, as well as other bodies as may be necessary to achieve any objectives of the ICSD;

8.12.7 to appoint a Secretary General and an International Sports Director, upon recommendation of the Executive Team;

8.12.8 to establish, upon recommendation of the Executive Team, the duties, responsibilities, and employment conditions of the Secretary General, the International Sports Director and other employees in their respective employment contracts. Any contract or amendment thereto shall require the approval of the Executive Board and shall be recorded in its official minutes;

8.12.9 to appoint the Sport Directors;

8.12.10 to establish ad hoc committees as it may deem necessary for the carrying out of its duties and/or the objectives of the ICSD;

8.12.11 to pre-approve the budget and the annual financial statements and the annual report of the certified independent auditor to be submitted to the Congress for approval.

8.12.12 to exercise any other incidental powers necessary for the Executive Board to carry out its responsibilities pursuant to the ICSD Constitution.

8.13 If the ICSD President is unable to fulfil the duties of her/his position, the Vice President or, in the latter’s absence or incapacity, another Executive Board member replaces her/him until the ICSD President has recovered her/his ability or, if he is in a condition of permanent disability, until a new ICSD President is elected at the next Extraordinary Congress which shall be convened to elect its new President in 90 days after such an event.

8.14 Executive Team of the ICSD

8.14.1 The Executive Team of the ICSD shall consist of the following office bearers:

8.14.1.1 the ICSD President; and

8.14.1.2 the Vice President; and

8.14.1.3 the Member-at-large, appointed by the Executive Board.

8.14.2 The Executive Team shall hold at least two (2) physical meetings per year.

8.14.3 The Executive Team shall have the following responsibilities and powers:

8.14.3.1 concerning payment approval for tasks directed by the Executive Board;

8.14.3.2 to exercise any other incidental powers necessary for the Executive Team to carry out its responsibilities pursuant to the ICSD Constitution;

8.14.4 The members of the Executive Team and the Secretary General shall be entitled to sign on behalf of ICSD and to represent ICSD towards third parties by means of a joint right of representation. Accordingly, any two of them shall sign jointly on behalf of ICSD.

8.15 Roles and responsibilities of the ICSD President

8.15.1 The ICSD President shall:

8.15.1.1 represent ICSD towards stakeholders and partners;

8.15.1.2 lead ICSD, coordinate and support all office bearers and Commissions;

8.15.1.3 chair the Congress and the meetings of the Executive Board and the Executive Team, and – unless provided elsewhere otherwise – sit on Commissions and committees concerned with the functions of ICSD, with an exception for Ethics Commission, Legal Commission and Tribunal Commission;

8.15.1.4 provide direction to the activities of the Secretary General;

8.15.1.5 act as the primary liaison between ICSD members, Executive Board and the Secretary General.

8.16 Further roles and responsibilities of Executive Board members

8.16.1 The Executive Board members shall:

8.16.1.1 support and report to the ICSD President, and in her/his absence or upon designation, preside over meetings and represent the ICSD;

8.16.1.2 provide impartial advice to the Executive Board and the Executive Team; and

8.16.1.3 chair any other Commissions and committees as agreed by the Executive Board, with an exception for Ethics Commission, Legal Commission and Tribunal Commission.

8.16.2 The Vice President shall:

8.16.2.1 oversee, instruct and coordinate the activities of the International Sports Director and, through the International Sports Director, the Sport Directors; and

8.16.2.2 report the status and results of the ICSD sports and youth program to the Congress and the Executive Board.

8.16.3 The Members-at-Large shall set the broad goals of ICSD strategic plan and monitor the performance of the delivery.

Article 9 - International Sports Director

9.1 The International Sports Director is an appointed officer of ICSD.

9.2 The International Sports Director reports directly to the Vice President, who is responsible for the sports portfolio within the Executive Board.

9.3 The International Sports Director coordinates day-to-day sport-technical activities and supports all ICSD Sport Directors and acts as the primary liaison with the Organising Committees of the Deaflympics, World Deaf Youth Games and World Deaf Championships as well as with the ICSD Sports Commission and the International (Deaf) Sport Federations.

9.4 The International Sports Director is responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the Deaflympics Regulations, World Deaf Youth Games Regulations and World Deaf Championships Regulations and may issue instructions necessary for their execution. In all other matters, the International Sports Director acts in an advisory capacity unless otherwise instructed by the Vice President or the Executive Board.

9.5 The International Sports Director shall cooperate closely with the Secretary General to ensure effective coordination between sports operations and the administrative and financial management of ICSD.

9.6 The International Sports Director shall submit an annual technical report to the Vice President and the Executive Board, summarizing sport development, event outcomes, and recommendations. The report shall be made publicly available following approval by the Executive Board.

9.7 The Executive Board shall conduct an annual performance evaluation of the International Sports Director based on the objectives established at the beginning of each year and the reports submitted under Article 9.6. The evaluation results and follow-up actions shall be recorded in the Executive Board minutes and summarized in the annual report presented to the Congress.

9.8 The International Sports Director shall participate but have no voting rights at the Congress and at the Executive Board meetings.

9.9 The International Sports Director may be dismissed by the Executive Board in accordance with the applicable law.

9.10 The International Sports Director shall have the pre-dismissal right to be heard, either in person or in writing.

Article 10 - ICSD Sport Directors

10.1 The Executive Board shall appoint an ICSD Sport Director for each Summer and Winter Deaflympic sport for a four (4) year Deaflympic term.

10.2 The Sport Directors shall be deaf and meet basic professional standards and the requirements of the ICSD Code of Ethics.

10.3 The roles and responsibilities of the Sport Directors, as well as the procedure of their appointment is provided for in the Bylaws. The Sports Directors shall report to the International Sports Director.

Article 11 - Commissions of ICSD

11.1 The Executive Board shall establish and maintain the following standing Commissions, which shall report to the Congress:

11.1.1 Anti-Doping Commission

11.1.2 Audiology Commission

11.1.3 Athletes Commission

11.1.4 Ethics Commission

11.1.5 Legal Commission

11.1.6 Sports Commission

11.1.7 Women in Sport Commission

11.1.8 Tribunal Commission

11.1.9 Finance Commission / Audit Commission

11.2 The Executive Board may establish additional ad hoc commissions as the Executive Board may deem necessary.

11.3 The Executive Board shall appoint members for all Commissions, except for Athletes Commission and Ethics Commission.

11.4 The Athletes Commission members and the Chairperson of the Athlete Commission shall be elected for a four (4) year term by the Deaf Athletes at the Summer and Winter Deaflympics.

11.5 The Ethics Commission members shall be elected for a four (4) year term by Congress held in the same year as the Summer Deaflympics.

11.6 Vacancies on the Athletes or Ethics Commission occurring for any reason have to be filled with the next election.

11.7 All commission chairpersons and members are eligible for eight (8) consecutive years / for two (2) terms in the same commission.

11.8 The Executive Board shall ensure that the majority of the members of each Commission shall be deaf and that there is an appropriate gender balance.

11.9 Members of the Commission may at the same time be members of the Executive Board, with an exception for the Ethics Commission, the Tribunal Commission and the Legal Commission.

11.10 All Commission members must refrain from placing themselves in any potential conflicts of interest and must adhere to and respect the ICSD Code of Ethics.

11.11 Commissions shall act in accordance with the ICSD Terms of Reference established and approved by the Executive Board.

11.12 Copies of all minutes of meetings and records of the Commissions shall be forwarded to the Secretary General as soon as is practicable.

11.13 Each Commission shall at the completion of every calendar year furnish to the Executive Board a report detailing the year's activities. Each Commission shall also report their activity to the Congress.

Article 12 - Secretary General and Secretariat of ICSD

12.1 The Secretariat shall strive to achieve the ICSD vision, mission, objectives, and goals and shall act in a professional and ethical manner at all times.

12.2 The Secretariat shall support the Executive Board and keep them informed of all issues that may impact ICSD.

12.3 The Secretary General leads the Secretariat and manages the day-to-day administrative and operational activities of ICSD. She/he is responsible for all matters except sport- related matters, which fall under the responsibility of the International Sports Director. She/he shall cooperate closely with the International Sports Director on matters relating to the organisation and administration of ICSD-sanctioned events.

12.4 The Secretary General shall report to and take direction from the ICSD President and the Executive Board.

12.5 The Secretary General may appoint and delegate tasks to staff, volunteers, and consultants to the Secretariat in accordance with ICSD policies. Such appointments shall be made in accordance with ICSD employment policies as approved by the Executive Board.

12.6 The Secretary General may recommend the termination of staff contracts, with notice to the President and subsequent ratification by the Executive Board at its next meeting. In urgent cases, termination may take immediate effect, provided the Executive Board is informed within ten (10) days.

12.7 The Secretary General shall participate but have no voting rights at the Congress and at the Executive Board meetings.

12.8 The Secretary General may be dismissed by the Executive Board in accordance with the applicable law.

12.9 The Secretary General shall have the pre-dismissal right to be heard, either in person or in writing.

12.10 The Secretary General shall submit to the President and to the Executive Board an annual report covering administrative, financial, and governance matters. The Executive Board shall review and approve this report, after which it shall be published on the ICSD website within sixty (60) days.

12.11 The Executive Board shall conduct an annual performance evaluation of the Secretary General based on the objectives established at the beginning of each year and the reports submitted under Article 12.10. The evaluation results and follow-up actions shall be recorded in the Executive Board minutes and summarized in the annual report presented to the Congress.

Article 13 - Certified independent auditor

13.1 The certified independent auditor shall perform all audits of ICSD’s accounts and financial statements and present a report to the Executive Board and the Congress in accordance with the applicable law.

13.2 The certified independent auditor shall be elected by the Congress. The term of the elected certified independent auditor is four (4) years. Their mandates may be renewed in accordance with applicable law.

Article 14 - Finances

14.1 The business year for ICSD shall be the calendar year (1 January to 31 December).

14.2 The funds of the ICSD consist of:

14.2.1 annual membership fees of Members and any levies; and

14.2.2 such contributions, donations, sponsorships, government grants and other income as may be received for use by or in connection with the ICSD.

14.3 Subject to any resolution of the Congress, the funds are to be used in pursuance of the ICSD vision, mission, objectives and goals in such manner as the Executive Board determines.

14.4 No portion of the funds is to be distributed directly or indirectly to any person except as a bona fide compensation for services rendered or expenses incurred on behalf of the ICSD.

14.5 Signatories to the ICSD bank accounts shall be dual and the person who sign is limited to ICSD President, Vice President or the Secretary General. The Executive Board shall approve any new signatory before the ICSD bank is notified.

14.6 The ICSD accounts and financial reports shall be submitted to the ICSD Executive Board annually and, at its request, at any time.

14.7 The ICSD projected budget shall be submitted to the Executive Board on an annual basis.

14.8 The ICSD accounts with Congress approval and the certified independent auditor’s report with Congress approval shall be submitted to the Members on annual basis.

14.9 The Euro shall serve as the official accounting currency of ICSD. ICSD shall keep its books and prepare its annual financial statements in Euro. The ICSD may use other currencies, such as the US Dollar, for operational and international transactions as needed.

Article 15 - Language

15.1 International Sign shall be the primary communication means.

15.2 English shall be used in the minutes, correspondence and printed materials of ICSD, as well as for the registration in ICSD.

15.3 Each Member is responsible for its own translations from English.

15.4 In the event of any differences in the interpretation of any text, the English version shall prevail.

15.5 This Constitution was prepared in English and Hungarian versions. In case of any discrepancies between the English and Hungarian versions, the English version shall prevail for purposes of interpretation within ICSD.

Article 16 - Dispute Resolution

16.1 Any dispute arising from the ICSD Constitution or other ICSD regulations and/or from any decisions of ICSD (and/or its bodies) shall be submitted exclusively to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

16.2 Recourse may only be made to CAS after all other internal appeals process have been exhausted, including Tribunal Commission.

16.3 The provisions of the CAS Code of Sports-related Arbitration shall apply to the proceedings. CAS shall primarily apply the various regulations of ICSD and, additionally, applicable law.

16.4 Appeals against final decisions passed by ICSD shall be lodged with CAS within 21 days of receipt of the decision in question.

16.5 The appeal shall not have a suspensive effect. The appropriate ICSD body or, alternatively, CAS may order the appeal to have a suspensive effect.

16.6 The ICSD will establish a process to enable any person in the Deaflympic Movement to raise confidentially any issues or concerns about alleged breaches of this Constitution or the Regulations (including in particular the Code of Ethics).

Article 17 - Dissolution

17.1 The ICSD shall be dissolved in the event of dissolution proposal being passed by a seventy-five (75%) majority vote of Members present and entitled to vote at the Congress.

17.2 Upon dissolution, the assets and all profits, if any, after payment of all expenses and liabilities shall be conveyed to the WFD or any other organisation having similar vision, mission, and objectives (and benefiting from a tax exemption on account of their public utility or public service purpose), chosen by a simple majority vote of the Members present and entitled to vote at the Congress. The assets and all profits can also be attributed to the Confederation, the cantons, the communes and their establishments. The ICSD's assets may not be returned to the Members, their successors and assignees or members of the Executive Board.

Article 18 - Amendments

18.1 Amendments to the ICSD Constitution shall be submitted to the Legal Commission by Members, Commissions, or the Executive Board at least six (6) months prior to the Congress, or such shorter notice as the Executive Board may determine.

18.2 The Legal Commission shall consider the amendments to the ICSD Constitution and make recommendations to the Executive Board.

18.3 The Executive Board shall consider the recommendations from the Legal Commission and shall add their own recommendations for consideration and approval at the Congress.

18.4 Amendments to the ICSD Constitution shall require a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of Members present and entitled to vote at the Congress.

Approved at the 53rd ICSD Extraordinary Congress, Zoom-Meeting on 4 March 2026.