Multi-nation working group proposes changes to IBF articles
January 31, 2023
VANCOUVER, Canada – An international working group representing seven countries is proposing a package of amendments to the International Bowling Federation’s Articles of Association. The proposed changes are intended to improve IBF’s governance practices, so IBF will operate with financial transparency and fair representation.
The package of amendments will be brought forward to IBF member federations for a vote at the next IBF General Meeting. This meeting has not yet been scheduled.
The working group included representatives from Canada, Costa Rica, England, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and the United States. The United States Bowling Congress provided administrative support for the working group, which was facilitated by attorney Scott Beightol of the law firm Michael Best & Friedrich LLP. Beightol is a leading expert in governance best practices, with extensive international business experience.
The working group has published full text of the proposed package of amendments for IBF member federations to review on BOWL.com.
IBF Athlete Representative Francois Lavoie of Canada, who was part of the working group along with Executive Director of the Canadian Tenpin Federation Cathy Innes, will be conducting a series of virtual meetings to present the package of amendments to IBF member federations. Following the presentations, federations are invited to provide comments on the proposed amendments.
Key points of the package of proposed amendments include:
Federations are invited to sign up to attend one of the virtual sessions at BOWL.com/IBF. The virtual meeting times are scheduled to allow all zones an opportunity to attend a session.
Virtual sessions will take place (all times Eastern):
The package of amendments will be brought forward to IBF member federations for a vote at the next IBF General Meeting. This meeting has not yet been scheduled.
The working group included representatives from Canada, Costa Rica, England, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and the United States. The United States Bowling Congress provided administrative support for the working group, which was facilitated by attorney Scott Beightol of the law firm Michael Best & Friedrich LLP. Beightol is a leading expert in governance best practices, with extensive international business experience.
The working group has published full text of the proposed package of amendments for IBF member federations to review on BOWL.com.
IBF Athlete Representative Francois Lavoie of Canada, who was part of the working group along with Executive Director of the Canadian Tenpin Federation Cathy Innes, will be conducting a series of virtual meetings to present the package of amendments to IBF member federations. Following the presentations, federations are invited to provide comments on the proposed amendments.
Key points of the package of proposed amendments include:
- IBF Executive Board members appointed through zones.
- Increased athlete representation on the IBF Executive Board.
- IBF Executive Board elects the IBF President.
- Term limits for IBF Executive Board members and officers.
- Zone Presidents prohibited from being IBF President or Vice President.
- IBF Executive Board required to meet regularly and publish meeting minutes.
- IBF required to publish financial statements.
- Automatic removal of IBF Executive Board members for failure to attend meetings or publish financial statements.
- Proxy voting at the General Meeting eliminated. Virtual voting will be allowed.
- Creation of Standing Committees, including Finance/Audit, Competitions, Athletes and Governance Committees with members appointed by zones.
- Competition Committee with authority to adopt tournament rules, formats and operating standards.
Federations are invited to sign up to attend one of the virtual sessions at BOWL.com/IBF. The virtual meeting times are scheduled to allow all zones an opportunity to attend a session.
Virtual sessions will take place (all times Eastern):
- Monday, Feb. 6 at 9 p.m. (10 a.m. in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Feb. 7)
- Sunday, Feb. 12 at 6 a.m. (1 p.m. in South Africa)
- Saturday, Feb. 18 at 8 a.m. (2 p.m. in Paris)
- Sunday, Feb. 19 at 11 a.m.
- Monday, Feb. 27 at 5 a.m. (10 a.m. in London and 2 p.m. in Dubai)
- Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 3 p.m.
- Thursday, March 2 at 1 p.m.
- Friday, March 3 at 8 p.m. (10 a.m. in Tokyo, Saturday, March 4)