Updated 2019
CONSTITUTION / BYLAWS OF THE ASSOCIATION OF BOXING COMMISSIONS
ARTICLE I
NAME AND MISSION
Section 1.1 Name
The name of this association is the Association of Boxing Commissions (“ABC”).
Section 1.2 Non-Profit Organization
The ABC shall be organized as a non-profit organization.
Section 1.3 Missions
(A) To promote the continual improvement of, and for, professional boxing; professional and amateur mixed martial arts; and other professional and amateur unarmed combat sports (hereinafter, “combat sports”).
(B) To promote the uniformity of health and safety standards and other requirements pertaining to the conduct of combat sports events.
(C) To promote standard reporting of combat sports events between members, including results, injury reports, suspensions and other medical information.
(D) To encourage communication, cooperation and uniformity in the supervision and regulation of combat sports among the members of the ABC.
(E) To publish and disseminate medical and training information, and to promote and hold seminars for the continuing education of all officials, ringside physicians, commissioners and commission employees.
(F) To establish and operate a charitable foundation which will accept donations to a charitable fund for indigent boxers with elected officers and members of the ABC Board of Directors serving on the board of governors and as trustees of this fund.
(G) To encourage adherence to, and enforcement of, applicable federal laws by each member of the ABC.
Section 1.4 Code of Ethics
An ABC member shall at all times:
(A) Adhere to the principles and guidelines of the ABC;
(B) Display actions that are a credit to combat sports;
(C) Avoid both impropriety and the appearance of impropriety; and
(D) Uphold and enforce all suspensions and revocations at all times.
Article II
MEMBERSHIPS
Section 2.1 Eligibility
Membership shall be open to each of the states of the United States of America, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and any federally recognized Indian tribe which has formed a tribal organization to regulate professional boxing matches pursuant to 15 USC § 6312(b).
Any state or tribal organization requesting membership in the ABC shall allow an ABC representative to attend and supervise their workings at a minimum of three (3) professional combative sports events. The ABC representative shall, at the next annual meeting, make a recommendation to the membership in accordance with the adopted policy for “Organizations Seeking Membership into the ABC”; and upon the membership’s majority vote, the state or tribal organization shall be granted membership in the ABC.
At any time, the ABC may invite various guests to its conventions or to any other meetings scheduled by the ABC; however, the guests shall have no vote and may speak only when invited to do so by the ABC President.
Section 2.1a Associate Member
Subject to the conditions of this Section, Associate Membership may be granted to:
(1) Any organization whose purpose is related to the regulation or improvement of combat sports;
(2) Any state or Indian tribe that:
(a) Is considering the creation of its own commission to regulate one or more combat sports; or
(b) Has entered into a contract with an existing commission to regulate combat sports in their state or on their tribal land.
(3) An individual who has been, but no longer is, affiliated with an ABC member commission (“Emeritus Member”).
(4) An Emeritus Member shall:
a. Eligibility for Emeritus Status
In recognition of distinguished service to the Association of Boxing Commissions, a former member in good standing may be awarded emeritus status as a regular member, or at the highest title held in the organization.
In order to be considered for emeritus status, an individual must be appropriately recommended by the President of the Association and meet at least two of the following conditions:
1. The individual served as the Director of a state or tribal Boxing/Athletic Commission.
2. The individual has been a “member of the ABC in good standing” for a minimum of 5 years.
3. The individual was supportive of the ABC and took an active part on various committees, and made a positive impact on the ABC and the boxing community.
b. Procedures for Awarding Emeritus Status
The individual must be recommended by the President of the ABC.
Emeritus status will be conferred once each year by the Board of Directors.
c. Privileges of Emeritus Status
Emeritus status entitles the recipient to the following privileges:
1. Perpetual membership status, with no voting privileges;
2. Waiver of annual ABC membership fees;
3. Inclusion on the ABC web site commission contact list, and any other listings of members with a notation indicating emeritus status;
4. Eligibility to purchase and wear ABC apparel;
5. Open invitation to the annual conference with admission to ABC meetings and any associated seminars, activities and events;
6. Eligibility for enrollment in all ABC courses and seminars on a space available basis free of charge;
7. Take part in discussions and floor debate when recognized by the President or presenter.
d. Responsibility of Recipients of Emeritus Status
Emeritus members are expected to assist and support the ABC in their areas of competence, particularly in an advisory capacity, when requested to do so.
Emeritus members may assist in the oversight and supervision of state/tribal commissions when appointed by the ABC President. This will include, but is not limited to, new commission oversight for membership to the ABC, event supervision, or other areas in need of assistance. Any/all expenses associated with commission oversight or supervision will be paid by the commission requiring assistance as set by the ABC President or rule and regulation.
Emeritus members may hold positions on committees, and may serve as chairman of stated committee as appointed by the President.
Emeritus members will pay any, and all personal travel and lodging expenses associated with attending the annual ABC conference.
Section 2.2 Dues
Each member shall be required to pay reasonable dues. The amount of these dues shall be set by the membership with a minimum of $200 for regular membership and $100 for associate membership. Dues must be paid in full by a member in order for that member to be considered as a voting member in good standing, and dues must be current for at least three years in order to run for office.
Section 2.3 Member Conduct
After a thorough investigation by the ABC’s Disciplinary Committee of any complaint or allegation of wrongdoing, any member or associate member may be counseled, reprimanded, suspended or suffer loss of membership in the ABC upon a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Article III
VOTING
Section 3.1 Voting
Each member commission in good standing shall have one (1) vote pursuant to the constitution of the ABC.
Section 3.2 Voting Delegates
Each member commission shall have one (1) voting delegate. The voting delegate must be present at the meeting of the ABC in order to vote. Designation as a voting member shall be in writing on forms supplied by the ABC (ABC Voting Authority Form) and shall be in place before each meeting of the ABC.
Section 3.3 Plurality Vote
Unless otherwise indicated, in any matter in which the membership may vote, a simple majority of those voting shall be required.
Section 3.4 Quorum
The presence of a majority of those delegates entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of:
(a) The ABC general membership
(b) The ABC Board of Directors
(c) An ABC Committee
Article IV
OFFICERS
Section 4.1 Officers
The ABC shall have six (6) officers. These officers shall be affiliated with a member of the ABC. The officers shall be the President, Past President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. An elected officer of the ABC shall not be an officer or member of any “boxing service provider”, as that term is defined in 15 USC § 6301(12), during their term of office. A person shall not hold more than one elected office of the ABC at any given time.
No officer shall be personally liable for any monetary damages, or any other damages, for any action taken or not taken by the Association.
Section 4.1a Nominations/Elections
The Legal Committee shall oversee the election of officers and is responsible for counting the votes and delivering the results to the membership.
All nominations for any of the above offices of the ABC shall come from the floor by a voting delegate and must have a second. Once all nominations are presented for an office, the Chair shall move to close nominations. All balloting shall be by “paper ballot” unless only one candidate has been nominated. A simple majority of the votes cast are necessary for election of the nominee. All ABC elections shall be open only to ABC members in good standing.
Each voting delegate shall submit his/her completed ballot to the Legal Committee supervising the election without the delegate’s name being identified on the ballot. The Legal Committee supervising the election shall record the fact that a ballot was submitted by each voting delegate. Following the submittal of all ballots, the Legal Committee supervising the election shall tally the votes and announce the winner.
The positions of President, 1st Vice President, and 2nd Vice President shall not serve more than two consecutive terms in the same position. Any of these offices can complete an unexpired term of such office and then potentially serve their two consecutive terms in full, if elected as such.
The nominations for the positions of President, 1st Vice President, and 2nd Vice President shall be nominated and voted on independently and separately for each position.
Section 4.2 President
The ABC shall have one President. The President shall be elected for a two-year term. The President may complete the unexpired term of his/her predecessor and then serve a full two-year term. The President, in consultation with the other officers, may fill any vacancies that may occur for any of the elected offices.
Section 4.3 Duties of President
Unless otherwise indicated, the President shall preside over all ABC meetings. The President shall be responsible for appointing all committees. The President may call, at any time, special meetings to deal with emergency type situations. These types of emergency meetings, at the minimum, shall consist of the Elected Officers and a majority of the Regional Directors, as described in Article V. Any action taken at the special meetings may go into immediate effect but shall be ratified by the full membership at the next annual meeting. The President shall consult freely with all members between annual meetings and shall keep them informed on all matters of importance to the ABC.
Section 4.3a Past President
After the current President completes his/her term, that President shall assume the position of Past President. The Past President shall remain in that position for the duration of the current President’s tenure. The Past President shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors.
Section 4.4 Vice Presidents
The ABC shall have a First Vice President and a Second Vice President. The First and Second Vice-President shall be elected to a two-year term. The Vice-Presidents may complete the unexpired terms of his/her predecessor and then serve a full two-year term.
Section 4.5 Duties of the Vice Presidents
The First Vice-President shall preside over ABC meetings and act on behalf of the President in all other matters when the President is unable to do so. The Second Vice President shall preside over ABC meetings and act on behalf of the President in all other matters when both the President and First Vice President are unable to do so.
Section 4.6 Secretary
The ABC shall have one secretary. The Secretary shall be elected to a two-year term. The Secretary may complete the unexpired term of his/her predecessor and then serve a full two-year term.
Section 4.7 Duties of Secretary
The Secretary shall be responsible for the maintenance of all records and written materials related to the ABC. The Secretary shall, within three months following the annual meeting, publish the minutes of the meeting and make these minutes available to each member. The Secretary shall ensure that all disclosable records of the ABC are made available to the public upon request. A nominal fee, to cover copy charges, may be assessed by the ABC to any non-member individual or group requesting such records.
Section 4.8 Treasurer
The ABC shall have one Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be elected to a two-year term. The treasurer may complete the unexpired term of his/her predecessor and then serve a full two-year term.
Section 4.9 Duties of the Treasurer
The Treasurer shall have the responsibility of maintaining all the appropriate and accurate financial records of the ABC. The Treasurer shall give a financial report at every meeting of the ABC and at any other times as required by the President or the membership. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection of all fees due to the ABC and shall also be responsible for the deposit and disbursement of all revenue. The Treasurer shall make all financial reports available to any member in good standing upon written request.
The Treasurer, with the approval of the President and a Vice-President, may authorize all bonds, contracts, checks or other obligations in the name of the ABC.
ARTICLE V
REGIONS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 5.1 Regions
The ABC shall be subdivided into five (5) regions. The regions shall be as follows:
Region 1: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, Massachusetts, Mohegan Tribal Commission, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oneida Indian Nation, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Seneca Nation Athletic Commission, St. Regis Mohawk, Vermont, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia
Region 2: Alabama, Arkansas, Chitimacha Tribe, (Associate Member), Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Poarch Creek, (Associate Member), Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, The U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia
Region 3: Chickasaw Tribe, Citizen Potawatomi Nation Boxing Commission, Comanche Nation Sports Council, Fond du Lac Tribe, (Associate Member), Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Michigan, Mille Lac Band of Ojibwe, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Red Lake, (Associate Member), Wichita Tribe, and Wisconsin
Region 4: Idaho, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Siletz Tribal Athletic Commission, South Dakota, Three Affiliates Tribe, Washington, Wyoming, and the Yakama Nation Boxing Commission
Region 5: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Pueblo of Santa Ana Athletic Commission, San Juan Pueblo, Pascua Yaqui Tribe
The President of the ABC shall select one person from each region to serve as the Regional Director from that region. The term of each Regional Director shall be for a period of two (2) years. A Regional Director may complete the unexpired term of his/her predecessor and then serve the full two (2) year term.
Section 5.2 Board of Directors
The ABC’s Board of Directors shall consist of the President, Past President, First Vice-President, Second Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer , and five (5) Regional Directors.
No person serving on the Board of Directors shall be a member or officer of any “boxing service provider” as that term is defined in 15 USC § 6301(12).
The President shall serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and preside over all meetings of the Board of Directors.
Other than the Regional Directors who shall not have a vote, each member of the Board of Directors shall have one vote. The President shall cast a vote in the event of a tie vote by the other voting Board members.
Section 5.3 Duties of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall serve as an executive committee to the President.
Section 5.4 Removal of Officers/Directors
Any officer or director may be removed from his/her position for cause by a majority vote of the Board of Directors following a thorough investigation by the Disciplinary Committee. Any action taken shall be ratified by a majority vote of the membership attending the next meeting of the ABC.
ARTICLE VI
COMMITTEES
Section 6.1 Committees
There shall be the following permanent standing committees: Medical, Legal, Rule Making, Training and Education, Disciplinary and Retired Fighters Charity.
ARTICLE VII
MEETINGS
Section 7.1 Meetings
The ABC shall meet a minimum of once every twelve months to carry out its missions. All meetings shall be at a designated site with adequate notice given to all members.
Periodic meetings of the Board of Directors and the committees of the ABC may be conducted via teleconferencing.
All meetings of the ABC shall be conducted by Parliamentary Procedures as adopted by the majority of the membership.
Retired Fighter’s Charity Committee shall be allowed to distribute funds throughout the year, per Parliamentary Procedures consistent with these by-laws.
The officers of the ABC, as well as the Board of Directors, shall be empowered to hold special meetings as they deem necessary. Any actions taken at these special meetings shall be ratified at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the ABC.
Section 7.2 Correction
Upon the adoption of an amendment to the Constitution, the President or his/her designee may correct grammar or numbering where appropriate if such correction does not alter the meaning of the amendment.
Section 7.3 Interpretation
Any dispute or question as to the interpretation of this Constitution shall be resolved by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VIII
Amendment to the Constitution
This constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the members of the ABC. All amendments to change this constitution shall be in writing and submitted to the membership at least twelve hours prior to voting. The twelve-hour time frame may be waived if the members approve by a majority vote.
ARTICLE IX
DISSOLUTION
Section 9.1 Dissolution
If the ABC is dissolved, all of it’s property, if any, not needed for the payment of any debt and expenses of the ABC shall be transferred and conveyed to one or more organizations that engage in the betterment of professional boxing in the United States of America . The ABC, by a majority vote, shall select the organizations to which such transfer and conveniences shall be made and shall determine how the property is to be apportioned between them. In the event the ABC does not make such a selection; a selection may be made by a court of competent jurisdiction in the United States of America .
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