Bylaws

ASAPE Constitution and Bylaws (2024 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 Board Meeting on August 2, 2024 were invited to provide comments on the previous version (2020.08.11), and this version as adopted took effect from August 11, 2024. 

Article 1. Purpose

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

2.3. Encourages and promotes the studies in APA across countries in Asia.

2.4. Encourages and supports students interested in APA 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 APA.

2.6. Promotes processing of information and documentation in APA and their exchange among institutions and associations.

2.7. Encourages and disseminates examples of good practices in adapted physical education favoring inclusion of persons with special needs.

2.8. Cooperates with national and other international organizations.

Article 3. Membership

The membership consists of all persons affiliated with an Asian program or institute who are committed to the conduct, implementation, and dissemination of research in APA, 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. One presidential candidate shall be elected by a majority vote of the Board Members before/during the Biennial Research Symposium (traditionally during the ASAPE Board Meeting at the Symposium). The elected President shall serve a two-year term, and can serve in two consecutive terms. 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-President(s). A maximum of six vice presidential candidates shall be elected by a majority vote of the Board Members before/during the Biennial Research Symposium (traditionally during the ASAPE Board Meeting at the Symposium). Up to one Vice-President per member country/region may be elected. The elected Vice-Presidents 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 elected President shall appoint a Secretary General in the year he/she assumes office. The Secretary General shall maintain minutes of ASAPE meetings and shall maintain day-to-day communication with the Board Members.

4.1.4. Treasurer. The elected President shall appoint a Treasurer in the year he/she assumes office. The Treasurer shall develop and maintain membership and budget plan if any. 

4.1.5. Student Representative(s). A maximum of three student representatives shall be elected by the Board Members before/during the Biennial Research Symposium. They shall serve a two-year term and can serve in two consecutive terms. They shall assist with developing and maintaining membership, overseeing the ASAPE website, and/or serving in an advisory capacity to the Executive Board.

4.1.6. IFAPA Representative. The IFAPA Representative (Asia) shall be elected for a two-year term. This person shall be elected by the Board Members before the IFAPA General Assembly, where the election of IFAPA Representative (Asia) is held. This person shall serve as a liaison from ASAPE to IFAPA, and shall represent ASAPE at IFAPA meetings.

4.1.7. Advisory Board. The elected President shall appoint a maximum of six members (former ASAPE Presidents) in the Advisory Board.  The person(s) 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. Directors shall be appointed from each member country/region:

Directors shall be appointed as agreed by participating members of the respective member country/region and shall serve a two-year term in the year that the elected President assumes office. There shall be maximum of 2 members appointed per member country/region. In case of unavailability (e.g., a new member country/region), the elected President may appoint directors with an approval by the Board Members. 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.

4.3. The Executive Board includes the President, Vice President(s), Secretary General, Treasurer, Student Representative(s), IFAPA Representative (Asia), and Advisory Board members. Board Members comprise both the Executive Board members and Directors.

Article 5. Operating Code

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

5.2. Business meetings. A business meeting (e.g., ASAPE Board 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 could include but not limited to 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.

5.3. Elections. All members affiliated with an Asian program or institute shall have the right to one vote presidential and vice-presidential candidates before/during the Biennial Research Symposium (traditionally during the ASAPE General Assembly at the Symposium) and decisions are made by simple majority. 

Article 6. Financial Regulations

6.1. Sources of assets are gifts and donations from physical and legal subjects, gains from assets, and 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/regions with established APA organizations (e.g., JASAPE, KOSAPE, TAPAS) shall, to the best extent possible, contribute financially to promote APA within their country/region as well as across Asia.

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

Article 7. ASAPE Fellow

7.1. The purpose of the ASAPE Fellows program is to recognize and promote outstanding accomplishments in scholarship and service by ASAPE members. Fellow status is presented to ASAPE members who have made significant and sustained contributions to scholarship and related service in the field of APA. 

7.2. Nominees for Fellow status must be current ASAPE members who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in APA through professional involvement over a period of at least five years and meet at least three of the following criteria: (a) service in the public or private sector within a community or educational setting; (b) significant contributions to the professional literature and/or creative works; (c) sustained involvement in leadership activities; and (d) other evidence of leadership including service to the community at large. 

7.3. A call for nominations will be made before the Biennial Research Symposium. Prospective ASAPE Fellows can be nominated by a current ASAPE member or self-nominated. The Executive Board will review and evaluate nominations and make recommendations for Fellow selection. There will be no limit to the number of Fellows that may be recognized.

7.4. The ASAPE President will notify and congratulate new Fellows by email before the Biennial Research Symposium. Each Fellow will receive a certificate during the Biennial Research Symposium. 

Article 8. Non-Discrimination

ASAPE abides by principles of mutual respect and recognition, sovereignty, and non-interference into rights of its members. It recognizes rights of all APA 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 9. Termination

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

Article 10. Closing remarks

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

ASAPE Constitution and Bylaws version 2024.08.10