The Constitution was approved at the Annual General Meeting in
Albuquerque 1994. It was amended at the AGM in Hammamet in
1997.

I) Name of the Association
1. The name of the association is the International Bridge Press
Association ("IBPA") incorporated under the Membership Corporation
Laws of the State of Montana on 21 August, 1984, the conditions
for which shall form part of the Constitution of the IBPA (see
section XII, Internal Affairs).
2. Registered Office and Agent: The address of the corporation's
current registered office and the name of its registered agent at
that address is:
Carr Law Firm PC, 611 Pleasant, Miles City, Montana 59301,
USA.

II) Objects
The objects of the IBPA are:
1. To assist its members to publicise throughout the world the
game of contract bridge ("bridge") in the print and electronic media.
2. To assist its members generally in their bridge-related professional
activities.
3. To liaise with the World Bridge Federation, WBF Zonal organisations,
national contract bridge organisations, state and regional
bridge associations and other sponsoring bodies in order to assist
in the publicising of bridge and in the provision of appropriate communication
facilities to members at bridge tournaments and for
other bridge activities.
4. To publish a bulletin ("the Bulletin") on a regular basis in order
to provide material for members and a forum for their views.
5. To publish, or otherwise endorse or lend its approval to the publication
and dissemination of, material relating to bridge.
6. To associate or affiliate with any other bridge body in the world
whether incorporated or unincorporated.
7. To conduct or authorise the conduct of bridge competitions.
8. To seek and accept sponsorship for the promotion of the activities
of the IBPA.
9. To support the principle of a free press and to oppose censorship.
10. Generally to perform such other acts as may be incidental or
conducive to the promotion or teaching of bridge and to the attainment
of these objects.

III) Membership
1. Any person of good moral character is eligible to membership of
the IBPA subject to the terms of this Constitution and any regulations
properly established by the Executive Committee. No person
shall be denied membership because of gender, race, colour or
creed.

2. Applications for membership
(a) Applications for membership shall be made in writing to the
Secretary or Membership Secretary and be accompanied by:
i) a description of the qualifications of the proposed
member;
ii) the written support of a full member;
iii) the prescribed initiation fee (if any);
iv) the appropriate membership fee.
(b) The names of all persons applying for membership shall be
published in the Bulletin as soon as practicable.
(c) Applications for membership shall be approved or rejected by
the Executive Committee or by a standing sub-committee of the
Executive Committee containing not less than three members. Any
person whose application for membership is rejected may appeal
that decision to the next AGM of the IBPA
(d) If an application has been accepted by the Membership Secretary
but has not yet been approved or rejected, the applicant may,
in the meantime, enjoy all the privileges of membership other than
voting at an AGM, including receipt of the IBPA bulletin, on a temporary
basis, from the time of his application until his membership
is confirmed or rejected by the Executive Committee (or the standing
sub-committee of the Executive Committee).
(e) Details of applicants for membership whose application has
been approved shall be given by the Executive Committee to the
Membership Secretary, who shall enter the same on the register of
members.

3. There shall be four classes of membership:
(a) Full members: Those eligible for full membership include
bridge journalists, writers and reporters, all publishers, editors and
regular contributors to bridge periodicals and to other periodicals
regularly publishing features about bridge and its players, all producers
of bridge TV and radio programmes, writers about bridge,
and any other persons as the Executive Committee may deem fit
and desirable, conforming by profession or interest to the aims
and objects of the IBPA. A candidate for full membership shall be
proposed by a full member in good standing.
(b) Associate members: All persons in good standing who have
an interest in the activities of the IBPA but do not have the qualifications
required for full membership. Associate members pay full
membership dues. They have no voting rights and are not eligible
to serve as officers or members of the Executive Committee. The
Bulletin is the only IBPA service offered to associate members.
(c) Honour members: Such persons, not necessarily confined to
the world of bridge, who are nominated by the Executive Committee
and confirmed at an AGM as honour members. Honour members
shall be for life without payment of dues.
(d) Sponsored members: Persons having the necessary qualifications
to be full members, but who would find it difficult or impossible
to pay the IBPA membership fees. A candidate for sponsored
membership shall be proposed by a full member in good standing,
and the Executive Committee shall decide the number and identity
of sponsored members. Sponsored members enjoy the same
rights and privileges as full members, but are required to write at
least one article in each year for the IBPA bulletin. Sponsored
membership is for one year only but may be extended by the Executive
Committee. A sponsored member in good standing whose
sponsored membership is not extended for a further year shall
automatically become a full member upon payment of the initiation
fee (if any) and annual membership fee.

4. Membership fees
(a) Upon becoming a member of the IBPA a full member and an
associate member may be required to pay such initiation fee as
shall be determined from time to time by the AGM.
(b) The annual membership fees for full members and associate
members shall be decided by the AGM at the proposal of the Executive
Committee and shall be paid to the Membership Secretary
or such other person as may be nominated for that purpose from
time to time in the Bulletin.
(c) The annual membership fee shall be payable on the first January
in each year, and no later than the 31st March in the year in
which it is due, failing which payment the defaulting member shall
no longer be entitled to receive the Bulletin.
29 IBPA Handbook 2002
(d) If the membership fee has not been paid by 30th June in the
year in which it is due, the defaulting member shall be deemed to
have resigned his membership of the IBPA on and from the said
30th June and no reminder notice or invoices shall be required, it
being the sole responsibility of the member to ensure that his
membership fee is duly paid.
(e) The initiation fees and annual membership fees shall be expressed
in a currency to be determined by the AGM. Conversion
to other currencies shall be determined by the Executive Committee
which shall endeavour to preserve the equivalence of fees in
all currencies.
(f) Persons applying for membership after 30th June but before
16th October in any year may pay (in addition to a full initiation
fee) one and a half times the then current annual membership fee
and such payment shall represent subscription until 31st December
of the following year.
(g) Memberships applied for after 15th October need be accompanied
only by the annual membership fee for the following year together
with the initiation fee.
(h) Full members requiring more than one copy of the Bulletin on a
regular basis shall pay an additional membership fee equal to half
the full annual membership fee for each additional copy supplied.

5. Membership continues unless a member:
(a) fails to pay his membership fees in accordance with this Constitution.
(b) Is expelled in accordance with regulations established by the
Executive Committee by a vote of two-thirds of the Executive
Committee members present.
(c) Resigns.

IV) MANAGEMENT
1. There are five officers of the IBPA consisting of the President,
the Executive Vice-President, the Organizational Vice-President,
the Secretary and the Treasurer. The officers shall be elected from
amongst full members. The election shall be at the AGM in even
numbered years for a two year term of office.

2. The President is the highest ranking officer of the IBPA, and its
head. He is the official spokesman of the IBPA on matters of policy
and its financial and organizational leader. If the President's position
falls vacant, he shall be replaced by the Executive Vice- President,
or, if he is not available, by the Organizational Vice-
President.

3. If the position of any other officer falls vacant it shall be filled by
the Executive Committee.

4. There shall be an Executive Committee consisting of the five
officers listed above, the Chairman (see paragraph IV) 6 below)
and nine members elected on a three year cycle. Three places
shall fall vacant each year, and shall be filled by election at the
AGM.

5. The Executive Committee shall appoint persons to fill the offices
of:
(a) Membership Secretary;
(b) Awards Secretary;
(c) Bulletin Editor;
(d) Clippings Secretary; Note: Zonal collectors removed
(e) General Counsel;
(f) Sponsored Members Secretary;
On such terms as are laid down from time to time by the Executive
Committee. Such persons need not be elected members of the
Executive Committee; where they are not, they may be co-opted
to the Executive Committee but without voting rights.

6. "The Chairman" is an honorary title given to an individual who
has done outstanding service for the IBPA. The title is awarded by
resolution at an AGM upon the prior recommendation of the Executive
Committee. The Chairman is a member of the Executive
Committee and has full voting rights. The Chairman heads the
Control Committee. The Chairman may act as chairman at an
AGM and (at the invitation of the President) at any meeting of the
Executive Committee.

7. The Control Committee consists of at least three members. It
consists of the Chairman and two persons appointed by the Chairman.
The Control Committee's function is to exercise supervisory
powers over the officers and the Executive Committee. As such,
the Control Committee has the power to:
(a) Nominate persons at the AGM for election as officers
and to the Executive Committee
(b) To call Extraordinary General Meetings of the IBPA
(c) To call for any papers, minutes and accounts emanating
from or which have been before the Executive
Committee

8. The Auditor is elected for each fiscal year at the AGM. He shall
report back to the AGM after having scrutinised the Treasurer's
fiscal account, all vouchers and bank statements.

9. “The President Emeritus” is an honorary title given to a Past
President of the IBPA. The title is awarded by resolution at an
AGM or EGM of the IBPA upon prior recommendation of the Executive
Committee.

10. "Zonal Vice-President" is an honorary title given to an individual
who has done outstanding service for the IBPA. The title is
awarded by resolution of an AGM upon prior recommendation of
the Executive Committee. The Zonal Vice Presidents shall be eligible
to carry out the duties of the President in his absence but only
in so far as they have been invited to carry out such duties by the
President. They may attend meetings of the Executive Committee
but shall not have a vote. A Zonal Vice-President shall do his best
to fulfil his obligations to the IBPA on such terms as are laid down
from time to time by the Executive Committee.

V) DUTIES
1. The respective officers shall exercise such powers and perform
such duties as are specified in this Constitution and as the Executive
Committee shall lawfully from time to time determine.

2. The Executive Committe shall exercise all the functions of the
IBPA between AGMs, but the President with the approval of two
other Executive Committee members shall be empowered to act
on matters that require immediate decision when time does not
permit consultation with the entire committee.

3. In all other matters the Executive Committee shall be polled,
whether in meeting or not, each member having one vote. Six
members responding to a poll (whether or not being present at a
meeting) shall constitute a quorum. Without prejudice to its other
powers the Executive Committee shall have the power to manage,
conduct, supervise and control the business and activities of the
IBPA and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute
or the Certificate of Incorporation or by this Constitution required to
be exercised by the members.

4. All actions of the officers and the Executive Committee shall be
subject to ratification by the AGM. Failure to ratify shall not invalidate
action taken by Officers or by the Executive Committee provided
such action was not contrary to this Constitution.

VI) MEETINGS
1. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is the highest authority of the IBPA.
There shall be an AGM once in every calendar year, or
at such time as is convenient, but in any event not more than 18
months after the previous AGM. Notice of an AGM must be published
by the Secretary in the Bulletin or otherwise at least 30 days
in advance, together with a preliminary agenda. Accidental omission
to give notice to a member or non-receipt of notice by a member
shall not invalidate the proceedings of an AGM.

2. Extraordinary General Meetings (EGM) can be called by the
Executive Committee at any time. The Control Committee has the
right to call an EGM. An EGM may also be called upon the written
requisition of not less than one third of the full members. At least
two clear months' notice of an EGM must be published in the Bulletin
or otherwise and the EGM shall be confined to the agenda
accompanying the notice of meeting.

3. AGMs and EGMs are open to the press and the public, but only
full members, sponsored members and honour members may
speak unless a majority of the meeting is in favour.

4. Issues to be raised at the AGM shall be sent to the President
not later than two months before an AGM. Only full members,
sponsored members and honour members have the right to raise
issues at an AGM.

5. The AGM shall:
(a) elect the chairman of the AGM upon a recommendation
of the Executive Committee or a nomination of not
less than five full members. In the case of more than
one nominee, a poll shall be taken.
(b) accept the summoning and the agenda of the AGM.
(c) pay homage to deceased members.
(d) receive the President's written report on the developments
since the previous AGM.
(e) receive the written financial statement from the Treasurer
and the Auditor's report and decide on acceptability.
(f) decide on proposals from full members and the Executive
Committee as stated in the agenda
(g) accept the proposed written budget for the coming
fiscal year from the Treasurer.
(h) receive the written report of the Chairman and the
Control Committee.
(i) receive the written report from the Organizational Vice
President (summing up the reports from the Zonal
Vice-Presidents), the Secretary, the Membership Secretary,
the Editor, the Clippings Secretary and the
Sponsored Members Secretary.
(j) Elect when the Constitution so requires for the term
specified: the President; the Executive Vice-President;
the Organizational Vice-President; the Treasurer; the
Secretary; the three members (out of nine) of the Executive
Committee for a term of three years; any further
vacancies on the Executive Committee for shorter
terms; the Chairman; the Zonal Vice-Presidents; the
Auditor; any Honour Members.
(k) hand out the IBPA awards upon the recommendation
of the Awards Secretary, ratified by the Executive
Committee.
(l) hear any other miscellaneous business not entered on
the agenda. No vote shall be taken under this point,
but the President may be required to enter the matter
on the agenda for the next AGM.

6. A quorum for an AGM shall consist of at least 20 full members,
and if less than this number is present the chairman of the meeting
shall call for an adjourned meeting within seven days. The quorum
for any such adjourned meeting shall be at least 20 full members.

7. Not less than two days before the AGM the Treasurer shall
make available copies of detailed accounts for the perusal of attending
members.

8. In matters not covered by this constitution, Robert's Rules of
Order shall apply.

9. Voting
(a) Only full members, sponsored members and honour members
have a vote. Resolutions put to a vote shall be decided by a
show of hands unless a poll is demanded by at least five members.
Such poll, if demanded, shall be taken as the chairman of
the meeting directs. In the case of a tie the President, or in his
absence the chairman of the meeting, shall be entitled to a second
or casting vote.
(b) The chairman of the meeting may declare an agenda item out
of order for stated reasons, and this may be overruled by a twothirds
vote of those present at the meeting. Non-agenda items
shall not be considered unless the chairman of the meeting and
two-thirds of those present approve.

10. Elections
(a) A proposed slate of nominees for officers and for members of
the Executive Committee shall be prepared by the Control Committee
and published in the Bulletin, or otherwise submitted to
members not later than one month prior to the AGM.
(b) Other nominations for these posts must be made not less than
two months prior to the AGM in writing to the President and must
be submitted by two full members. Such nominations shall also be
published in the Bulletin if made in sufficient time.
(c) Full members, not present at the AGM, are entitled to submit a
signed ballot by mail to the President, and such ballots shall be
included in the voting count at the AGM.
(d) Failure to publish a slate shall not invalidate an election. Other
nominations, for officers or for the
Executive Committee, may only be made at the AGM where the
slate is incomplete.
(e) Where there is only one candidate for a vacancy, the AGM
shall be asked to ratify the election, and if such ratification is withheld,
a new election for that post shall be held at a later date.
(f) A plurality of all votes cast is required to elect an officer and the
Chairman.
(g) Executive Committee vacancies shall be filled by those candidates
obtaining the highest number of votes. In the case of a tie
the President, or in his absence the chairman of the meeting, shall
have a casting vote.

VII) DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS
1.
(a) Upon the Executive Committee receiving a written
complaint, or
(b) upon the Executive Committee's own initiative
that a member has conducted himself in such a way which infringes
the IBPA's Constitution, or the IBPA's code of ethics or
brings the IBPA into disrepute, then the Executive Committee shall
constitute a Committee on Professional Discipline (CPD).

2. The CPD so constituted shall investigate the matter, and only
the matter, complained of. (It is not a standing committee of the
IBPA.) A CPD shall consist of not less than three nor more than
seven members. If the CPD consists of five or fewer persons, no
two of them shall be from the same NCBO. If the CPD consists of
six or seven persons no three of them shall be from the same
NCBO.

3. The CPD shall:
(a) give notice in writing of its enquiry and the substance of each
and every allegation to the member against whom such allegation
is made
(b) having made reasonable efforts to accomodate such member,
fix a date at which the enquiry into the allegation or allegations
shall be held.
(c) at the enquiry allow such member to defend himself against
each allegation and allow him to make a statement of his own
case and to call witnesses, but not allow him to be represented,
save at the CPD's discretion.
(d) determine the result of each allegation against such member.
In its determination the CPD shall seek to be unanimous, but if this
is impossible then the determination of the majority shall be the
determination of the CPD.
(e) in the event of the CPD finding that an allegation against such
member has been established to make a recommendation to the
Executive Committee that such member be reprimanded, censured,
expelled or any combination of the same or otherwise disciplined
as a member.

4. The decision of the CPD shall be communicated both to the
Executive Committee and to such member. The Executive Committee
may (but need not) consider further written representations
by such member concerning the CPD's decision. Any written representations
must be made to the Executive Committee within one
month of such member receiving notification of the CPD's decision.
The Executive Committee shall, not less than one month nor
more than two months after receiving written notification of the
CPD's decision either:
(a) ratify such decision or
(b) impose a lesser penalty than that adjudged by the CPD
and such decision of the Executive Committee shall be final and
binding on the IBPA and such member. Decisions reached by the
Executive Committee may be reached by majority voting, but a
member shall only be expelled from membership by the affirmative
vote of two-thirds of the Executive Committee members present.

VIII) CODE OF ETHICS not yet formulated

IX) BULLETIN
1. By consent, express or implied, the IBPA reproduces material in
the Bulletin to which it has no copyright. The IBPA does not and
cannot warrant the right of any member to reproduce material from
the Bulletin without the express consent of the person or persons
in whom the relevant copyright may be vested.

2. In special cases the IBPA may claim the copyright in Bulletin
material.

3. It follows from 1. and 2. above that members wishing to
use Bulletin material should observe the legalities and/or proprieties
which would apply were the material in question to be taken
directly from the original (copyright) source.

X) AMENDMENTS
1. No amendment or changes shall be effected to this Constitution
except by an affirmative vote at an AGM or EGM of not less than
10% of all full members who shall also number not less than two
thirds of the full members voting on the amendment.

2. Voting on amendments or changes may be recorded by letter or
telegram to the President.

3. Notice of proposed amendments or changes shall be circulated
to all full, sponsored and honour members at least 6 weeks before
the relevant AGM or EGM.

XI) DISSOLUTION
1. A proposal for dissolution of the IBPA can be made by any full,
sponsored or honour member.

2. Such proposal must be published by the Secretary in the Bulletin
or otherwise at least six months prior to the AGM.

3. The proposal will need a three quarter majority vote on two successive
AGMs to be put into effect.

4. If dissolution should be decided, paragraph XII) 5, lays down the
rules for the distribution of IBPA assets.

XII) INTERNAL AFFAIRS
1. No part of the net earnings of the IBPA shall inure to the benefit
of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other
private persons, except that the IBPA shall be authorized and empowered
to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered
and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes
set forth above.

2. No substantial part of the activities of the IBPA shall be the carrying
on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation,
and the IBPA shall not participate in, or intervene in
(including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political
campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

3. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Constitution, the
IBPA shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried
on:
(a) by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under Section
501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code 1954 (or the corresponding
provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) or
(b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under
Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code 1954 (or the corresponding
provision of any future United States Internal Revenue
Law).

4. The five elected officers of the IBPA constitute its Board of Directors,
and the number of directors constituting the board is five.

5. Upon the dissolution of the IBPA the Board of Directors shall,
after paying or making provision for the payment of all the liabilities
of the IBPA, dispose of all the assets of the IBPA exclusively for
the purposes of the IBPA in such manner, or to such organization
or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable,
educational, religious or scientific purposes as shall for the time
being qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under
Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the
corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue
Law), as the Board of Directors shall determine.

6. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed by the
court of general jurisdiction in which the principal office of the IBPA
is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization
or organizations, as the said court shall determine, which are
organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

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