Agreement of Membership

 

 

We, the undersigned representatives of the national organizations of traditional horseback archery of the countries concerned,

 

are aware that individual countries have particular martial arts with unique forms and features, which originated and evolved over time in response to respective security needs of the people concerned, and that such horseback archery is an important cultural heritage in part formative of their national character and outlook,

 

note that horseback archery originated in past ages with various combinations of various horseback archery traditions and contributed in a significant way to the promotion of peace and security of the society, as well as the well-being of the people,

 

believe that an international union of horseback archery will provide to the world horseback archery community an institutional center, long since needed for its members, to organize better their efforts to contribute to world peace by promoting friendship between peoples through horseback martial arts and by spreading its underlying values of peace and justice worldwide.

 

are encouraged by the success of the Korean Horseback Archery Competition, an annual event at Sokcho, Korea since 2004, and desire to provide the competition with a supportive institutional framework to ensure the competition’s continued growth. The W.H.A.F. started the first international horseback archery competition on the 1st of October 2005 and it still continues successfully until this year, the year of the fifth such competition.  With the support of the W.H.A.F., it will prosper far into the future.  To encourage this prosperity, the W.H.A.F has the goals of changing the international horseback archery competition to a world championship, of consolidating existing organizations into the W.H.A.F., and generally promoting the values and traditions of horseback archery.  By achieving these goals, we, the W.H.A.F., desire to develop horseback archery and facilitate everlasting friendships between nations.

 

Hereafter lies the agreement towards achieving these goals.

 

Article 1 (Designation)

 

The organization established in accordance with the present agreement shall be called the “World Horseback Archery Federation” (hereafter in this agreement referred to as "the W.H.A.F."). The W.H.A.F is a worldwide federation of the national organizations of horseback archery and international organizations of a specific horseback archery. 

 

Article 2 (Purposes)

 

The W.H.A.F shall work to promote exchanges of personnel and information between the member organizations with the goal of helping development of their horseback archery skills and techniques and encouraging the world horseback archery community to contribute positively to global harmony.

 

Article 3 (Undertakings)

 

Serving its objective set forth under in Article 2 above, the W.H.A.F. undertakes to do, among other things, the following on or related to horseback archery.

 

(1) Organize study and research activities, such as, but not limited to, seminars and conferences for the sake of collecting, exchanging, and preserving materials and information on traditional horseback archery of each country.

(2) Make decisions regarding the basic or fundamental principles about the propagation and promotion of, education of any interested individuals in, and publication of materials related to horseback archery.

(3) Support technological research on horseback archery, instruction, training, evaluation on qualifications, and overseas dissemination business.

(4) Support business for organizations of each country and continental federations.

(5) Establish world horseback archery academies for the sake of fostering well-trained instructors, referees, and competitors.

(6)   Recognize individuals and organizations who have dedicated their lives to horseback archery through promotion and participation or who the W.H.A.F. deems has made an otherwise meritorious contribution to horseback archery.

(7) Hold world horseback archery events and traditional horseback archery events.

(8) Hold sport-style horseback archery based on tradition.

(9) Establish branch offices for the sake of facilitating good communication between countries and sound management of each country.

(10) Undertake any necessary work or business in order to accomplish the goals set forth by the W.H.A.F.

 

Article 4 (Membership)

 

(1) Membership in the W.H.A.F. is open to the national organizations of horseback martial arts of all countries on the principle of “one member for a country.”

 (2) The national organizations that have signed the present agreement between the 1st of Oct 2005, the founding anniversary of the W.H.A.F., to the 31st of March 2010 are entitled to be the original members of the W.H.A.F.

The original members are required to submit the following documents to the secretary-general of the W.H.A.F.:

1. Application form –attached document 1

2. Articles of association

3. Organizational Chart

4. Board member/Executive list

5. Introductory materials

The above documents, once submitted, should be reported to the general meeting for evaluation.

(3) Admission of members other than the original members shall be effected by a majority of the members at a general meeting.

Organizations other than original members are required to submit the following documents to the secretary-general of the W.H.A.F.:

1. Application form – attached document 2

2. Articles of association

3. Organizational Chart

4. Board member/Executive list

5. Introductory materials

The above documents, once submitted. should be reported to the general meeting for evaluation.

(4) In the case where there are more than one national organizations in a country each representing a tradition of martial arts distinct from the others, two of such organizations may become members independently despite Article 4(1) above.

 

Article 5 (Membership due)

 

(1) There will be annual membership dues. The details of membership dues, including the amount of money to be paid, shall be decided by the general meeting at its regular meeting each year.

 

(2) The W.H.A.F. may accept monetary contributions, donations, and subsidies of voluntary nature.

 

Article 6 (Members’ rights)

All members shall enjoy the following rights as members of the W.H.A.F.:

1. Participate at the general meeting, including speaking and casting votes.

2. Raise propositions and make requests.

3. Enjoy access to all events and activities organized and sponsored by the W.H.A.F.

4. May be a host organization or sponsor on business confirmed by the W.H.A.F.

5. Have access to information and materials meant for the general membership without favoritism or discrimination.

 

6. Membership shall come into force with the approval of general-meeting, last the term for two years and require the renewed agreement every two years.

 

Article 7 (Members’ obligations)

All members are responsible for the following stipulations.

1. Observe the agreement of the W.H.A.F.

2. Follow the matters for decision.

3. Make membership dues and share accordingly.

4. Make an immediate report of any changes on the Articles of an association, the Organizational Charts, and/or the Board member/Executive lists.

 

 

Article 8 (Membership withdrawal)

 

Any member that may wish to withdraw their membership to the W.H.A.F shall tender a written notification to that effect to the secretary-general of the W.H.A.F.  A withdrawal notice shall take effect ten days after its receipt by the secretary-general, who shall inform the intentions of the member state thereof to the president of the general meeting and all members immediately.

 

Article 9 (Members’ rewards and punishments)

As a member of the W.H.A.F., the one who contributes to the development of the W.H.A.F. shall be rewarded with the approval of the general meeting.

As a member of the W.H.A.F., anyone who violates the principles of the W.H.A.F, brings disgrace on the honor of the W.H.A.F., or is irresponsible for observing obligations under the article 7 shall receive appropriate disciplinary actions, such as dismissal from the membership or reprimands, with the consideration and approval of the general meeting.

 

Article 10 (Basic organs)

 

A general meeting and a secretariat shall be established as the basic organs of the W.H.A.F. Such other organs as may be found necessary for the purpose of the present agreement may be established in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Agreement.

 

Article 11 (Affiliated Organs)

Under the wing of the W.H.A.F., affiliated organizations shall be placed so as to foster excellent competitors and trainers of each country, as well as to manage organizations effectively.

 

1. Continental Federation: In the case of increasing numbers of organizations, continental federations shall be established for the sake of efficient management of each country, the member of the W.H.A.F.

2. World Horseback Archery Academy: This center of excellence is a place which trains and educates both competitors and referees who are fond of or interested in horseback archery regardless of nationality.

 

 

Article 12 (Regular general meetings)

 

(1) The general meeting, consisting of all members, shall be the principal deliberative and decision-making organ of the W.H.A.F.

 

(2) The general meeting shall meet once a year in a regular session in Korea. The meeting may be held during the period of the Korean International Horseback Archery Competition for the sake of convenience and the date for the meeting shall be made known to the members at least 60 days in advance by the secretary-general.

 

(3) An extraordinary session of the general meeting may be called by the request of one-third of the membership submitted to the president of the general-meeting through the secretary-general or any urgent or emergent matters raised by the secretary-general.

An extraordinary session of the general meeting shall be held through teleconference for the sake of convenience.

The item on the agenda shall be sent via e-mail by the secretariat.

The secretariat shall gather information and opinions for and against the item on the agenda within 20 days after it being sent and decide on the passage of the bill/agenda.

The item on the agenda and outcome shall be posted on the website of the W.H.A.F. and informed the representatives of each organization.

 

 

Article 13 (General meeting's decision-making)

 

(1) At the general-meeting, each member organization shall have one vote.

(2) The quorum for the meetings of the general meeting shall be a majority of the members. Decision by the general meeting shall be made by a majority of the members present and voting.

 

Article 14 (General meeting's competence)

 

The general-meeting shall deliberate, among other things, the following matters and make decisions thereupon, if necessary.

 

(1) Election of its president and vice president(s).

(2) Admission of new member(s) after the date 31st March 2010.

(3) Reward and punishment of each organization.

(4) Modification or amendments to the present agreement.

(5) Annual report of the secretary-general, which shall include the accounts for the membership dues for the reporting period.

(6) Program of work, especially those plans which are likely to incur financial obligations to the members.

(7) The amount of the annual membership dues for the next year.

(8) Review and evaluation of the International Horseback Archery Competition.

 

Article 15 (General meeting officials)

 

(1) The general meeting shall have as its elected officials one president and three vice presidents. The officials’ term of office is four years from the date of respective election to his or her successors election. The retiring president and vice president(s) shall be eligible for immediate re-election for a second consecutive term.

 

(2) The president is the presiding officer of the general meetings and represents the general meeting and the union of nations in the W.H.A.F.

 

(3) When the president is not available the most senior vice president on hand shall preside at meetings as president ad interim.

The seniority for this purpose shall be determined according first to the order of election and then of age.

 

(4) The president, the vice presidents and the secretary-general as a non-voting member constitute the steering committee, which may meet at the call of the president for consultation about business of the W.H.A.F. The outcome of the meeting shall be reported to the W.H.A.F. membership immediately following general meeting.

 

Article 16 (Secretary - general)

 

(1) The secretary-general, being the chief administrative officer of the union of nations in the W.H.A.F. and the head of its secretariat, is responsible for the general administration and management, for carrying out programs of work adopted by the general meeting, and other works to fulfill the purposes of the present agreement.

 

(2) The secretary-general shall submit an annual report to the regular annual session of the general meeting. Such reports shall cover the previous twelve -month period's events and activities sponsored or organized either by the W.H.A.F. or member organizations, and the account of the membership dues by an independent auditor, among other things.

 

(3) The secretary-general may be present in that capacity at the general meeting and other meetings without the right to vote.

 

 

Article 17 (Secretariat)

 

(1) The secretariat is the executive organ of the W.H.A.F., composed of the secretary-general and his or her staff.

 

(2) For the economy of the running costs of the office of the secretariat and other possible pragmatic advantages anticipated, the municipal government of Korea may be authorized to act as the secretariat for the W.H.A.F. by nominating the secretary-general and forming a special setup for the purpose.

 

(3) The secretary-general shall inform the members of the roster of the secretariat immediately upon its formation.

 

Article 18 (Amendments)

 

(1) Any member may propose an amendment to this agreement by presenting in writing to the secretary-general the text of the purposed amendment along with the reasons for the amendment, which the secretary-general shall communicate to the other members, as well as the president and vice presidents of the general meeting.

 

(2) The proposed amendment(s) shall be acted upon by the general meeting as the priority agenda item at its regular session meeting unless an extraordinary meeting is called for the purpose.

 

Article 19 (Incorporation)

 

The W.H.A.F. may be incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Korea, when the general meeting so decides.

 

Article 20 (Entry into force)

 

The present agreement shall come into force for and between those national horseback martial arts organizations the day it is signed for them.

 

Article 21 (Depositary)

 

The signed original texts of this agreement shall be placed under the custody of the W.H.A.F. in Korea. Each signatory member shall be provided with a certified copy of the original text in the English language (attached document -3) and Korean language (attached document-4).

 

Article 22 (Formulating regulations)
The regulations and detailed rules needed for enforcing this agreement shall be decided at the general meeting.

 

Article 23 (Date of enforcement)

This agreement shall be established and enforced from the date of the 1st of Dec. 2009.

Any changes after the establishment shall be enforced after the approval date of the general meeting.

 

Done in duplicate in Korea on October _______, 20  , in English and Korean languages, the English language version of the text being authentic and valid.

 

 

(The name of member nations)____________________________

(The name of organization)_______________________________

(The chairman signature )________________________________