Do we know what changes are being proposed to the Constitution?
Here's the information on it from the proposals for the 2024 Congress (
Communication 2629, page 8):
1. ISU COUNCIL
Resolution to empower the ISU Council to undertake preparation of a new Constitutional framework of the ISU and to submit it for discussion and adoption by an Extraordinary ISU Congress in 2025.
Reason: The constitutional framework of the ISU dates back to 1892 and consists of the ISU Constitution and General Regulations. Since 1892, the ISU Constitution and General Regulations have been amended 58 times to address issues on a piecemeal basis, which has led to overloading the Constitution and General Regulations with detailed provisions, thereby destroying its shape as the constitutional framework of the basic governance of an association organized under Swiss law. For example, as it exists today, the ISU Constitution and General
Regulations include many detailed sport rules and operations rules which are unrelated to the basic governance framework of the ISU and are more appropriately addressed in other parts of the ISU Statutes, policies, and guidelines.
The main objectives of the modernization of the Constitution and General Regulations will be:
1) Enhanced Clarity and Simplicity.
The current Constitution is difficult to read and is unnecessarily long. Examples of how it will be modernized include (a) grouping all rules governing a specific topic under the same Article or rules section; and (b) moving the sport-related rules from the General Regulations and incorporating them, as appropriate, into a general rules section for each of the Special Regulations and Technical Rules for Short Track Speed Skating, Speed Skating, Single & Pair and Ice Dance, and Synchronized Skating.
2) Improved Consistency.
The Constitution and General Regulations have internal inconsistencies in terminology and substantive provisions. The modernization will ensure consistency throughout the provisions of the Constitution in both the substance of the rules and the terminology used.
3) Increased Agility.
Excessive detail in the current Constitution and General Regulations hinders the ISU’s ability to adapt sufficiently quickly to a rapidly changing environment. For example, Article 38, paragraph 4 of the Constitution, which details specific job titles (ISU Event Managers/ISU Assistant Event Managers) and responsibilities of certain Secretariat staff positions, limits the ISU’s ability to have a Secretariat staff structure that meets the needs of the ISU. The modernization of the Constitution will allow for swifter adjustments to be made when needed.
The Procedures for the Modernization of the Constitution will be:
1) Drafting Committee to oversee the revision process - to be appointed by the Council following the Congress on June 15, 2024.
2) External Legal Counsel - the Drafting Committee will recommend the retention of a qualified law firm experienced in modernizing sports federation constitutions, subject to the approval of the Council.
3) ISU Member Consultation Group - an ISU Member Consultation Group composed of a maximum of eight persons will be appointed by the Council. The members appointed will reflect different geographical regions, ISU Member size, ISU Branch, and sport disciplines. The Drafting Committee will collaborate with the ISU Member Consultation Group to ensure ISU Member perspectives are incorporated in the modernization of the Constitution.
4) Engagement of ISU Members by the Council for their input at ISU Member Conferences and webinars.
5) An Extraordinary Congress will be held in June 2025.
By this Resolution, the Council requests the Congress to grant it authority to undertake preparation of a new modernized Constitutional framework for the ISU. Modernization of the Constitution will strengthen the ISU by ensuring it has a clear, consistent and adaptable Constitution. The new Constitutional framework shall be proposed for adoption to an Extraordinary Congress to be scheduled in 2025. The Council may assign the necessary budget amount to cover the expenses to undertake preparation of a new Constitutional framework
of the ISU.
