Bylaw(ver. 2020)

ASAPE Constitution and Bylaws (2020 version)

The ASAPE constitution and bylaws were adopted by the ASAPE Board Members present at the Board Meeting on August 01, 2014 during ASAPE2014 in Fuzhou, China, and became effective immediately upon adoption. Board Members present at the ASAPE Board Meeting on July 31, 2020 (with Skype) were invited to provide comments on this version and became effective once agreed thereafter.

Article 1. Purpose

The Asian Society for Adapted Physical Education and Exercise (hereinafter referred to as ASAPE) is constituted as the Asian branch of the International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (hereinafter referred to as IFAPA). ASAPE is an international organization dedicated to the conduct, implementation, and dissemination of research in the practice of adapted physical activity across countries in Asia to support physical activity opportunities for all individuals with special needs.

Article 2. Fundamental Activities

To achieve its purposes, ASAPE:

2.1. Initiates, coordinates, and organizes Pan-Asian/international conferences, symposia, meetings, seminars and clinics.

2.2. Supports and initiates projects for basic and advanced training of staff in the field of adapted physical activity.

2.3. Encourages and promotes the studies in adapted physical activity across countries in Asia.

2.4. Encourages and supports students interested in adapted physical activity to pursue study within Asia and internationally.

2.5. Encourages and promotes exchange of experts, as well as cooperation among institutions for higher education and research in adapted physical activity.

2.6. Promotes processing of information and documentation in adapted physical activity and their exchange among institutions and associations.

2.7. Encourage and disseminate examples of good practices in adapted physical education favouring inclusion of persons with special needs.

2.8. Cooperates with national and other international organizations.

Article 3. Membership

The membership consists of all persons who are committed to the conduct, implementation, and dissemination of research in adapted physical activity, and who actively participate in ASAPE activities.

Article 4. Officers

4.1. There shall be an Executive Board and an Advisory Board:

4.1.1. President. The President shall be elected by the Board Members. The elected President shall serve a two-year term, and can serve in two consecutive terms. Additionally, the President may serve beyond two consecutive terms with approval from the Board Members. This person shall be responsible for calling and conducting business meetings, facilitating communication with the ASAPE membership, and shall serve in an advisory capacity to the working groups.

4.1.2. Vice-Presidents. A maximum of six Vice-Presidents shall be elected by the Board Members. They shall serve a two-year term and can serve in two consecutive terms. They shall be in charge of disseminating and sharing any relevant materials and expertise with the Board members, and shall actively participate in ASAPE activities.

4.1.3. Secretary General. The Secretary General shall be appointed by the President, and shall maintain minutes of ASAPE meetings and shall maintain day-to-day communication

with the ASAPE Board Members.

4.1.4. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be appointed by the President, and shall develop and maintain membership and budget plan if any.

4.1.5. IFAPA Representative. The IFAPA Representative shall be elected for a two year term. This person shall serve as a liaison from ASAPE to IFAPA, and shall represent ASAPE at IFAPA meetings.

4.1.6. Advisory Board. A maximum of six members in the Advisory Board are appointed by the President based on their past knowledge and experience as ASAPE President,

and shall serve a two-year term as an advisory capacity to the officers and members of ASAPE. The person shall serve beyond two-years with an approval by the Board Members.

4.2 Director shall be appointed from each member country: Director shall be appointed as agreed by participating members of the respective member country and shall serve a two-year term. There shall be maximum of 2 members appointed per member country. Directors shall also maintain day-to-day communication with the President and the Executive Board. They shall assist in ASAPE activities and material submission upon request by the Secretary General. Directors shall also actively participate in working groups to share their expertise.

Article 5. Operating Code

5.1. Biennial Research Symposium. The primary function of ASAPE is to host a research symposium every two years.

5.2. Business meetings. A business meeting shall be conducted during each ASAPE Research Symposium and, if needed, during research conferences held in Asia or by IFAPA.

5.2.1. Primary items for discussion shall be elections of officers, location of the next ASAPE Research Symposium, reports from the officers and IFAPA Representative, and

revisions to the ASAPE constitution and bylaws.

5.2.2. Business and elections shall be conducted by a majority vote of the members present and voting.

Article 6. Financial Regulations

6.1. Sources of assets are: 

a. gifts and donations from physical and legal subjects,

b. gains from assets,

c. gains from fundamental ASAPE activities

6.2. ASAPE is a voluntary organization which its supporting member organizations shall collaborate in covering relevant costs related to managing ASAPE activities such as newsletter publications and communication fees with the Board Members as well as other members.

6.2.1. Member countries with established APA organizations (e.g. JASAPE, KOSAPE, TAPAS) shall, to the best extent possible, contribute financially to promote APA within their

country as well as across Asia.

6.3. Research Symposium Organizing Committee is responsible for the financial management of ASAPE Research Symposia, and shall submit a settlement of balance within 6 months following the symposium.

Article 7. Non-Discrimination

ASAPE abides by principles of mutual respect and recognition, sovereignty, and noninterference into rights of its members. It recognizes rights of all adapted physical activity

scientists and educators throughout Asia to participate in international activities. It will strictly oppose every form of discrimination for reasons of ethnicity, cultural background, religion, political views, language, ability, sexual preference, or gender.

Article 8. Termination

ASAPE can be terminated by voluntary termination or fusion with other organization based on the decision of General Assembly.

Article 9. Closing remarks

ASAPE can issue organizational and meeting guidelines based of the decision of General Assembly.