9 - 11 December 2019 | Saligari Hotel, Verceia, Italy
9 December 2019 - The session started at 14:00
ICSD Workshop
Explains the progress, and they have had several meetings via online video conference to discuss several proposals and suggestions on ICSD Constitution, ICSD Bylaws, ICSD Regulations, and ICSD Rules.
Break
ICSD CEO Dmitry Rebrov gives some updates on IOC matters. He explained that ICSD had an MoU with IOC in 2016 in recognizing ICSD in the role of the Global Deaf Sports, and because of Dr. Valery Rukhledev's situation, IOC was concerned by this has asked ICSD about this situation. ICSD had explained to IOC that Dr. Rukhledev was not involved in the ICSD financial as it was in the All-Russian Deaf Society of the Deaf (VOG), so this was how the IOC began to investigate the ICSD financial and had requested for a full audited report. They had also advised ICSD to update their constitution with reform soon, and they were pleased with ICSD's progress.
ICSD IT, Ralph Fernandez explained that he has worked on Office Management System (OMS) for several years. He built it with a huge data of approximately 12 million covering everything ICSD needs to avoid the paperwork, including the athletes' details, audiograms, and forms for the Deaflympics and World Deaf Championships. The OMS has been improvised and can be accessed by the ICSD Secretariat and ICSD Executive Board members, National Deaf Sports Federations, and ICSD TDs to obtain several details and archives. Ralph Fernandez explained that the details such as the athlete's surname have changed due to marriage can be amended via the ICSD Secretariat if requested.
Dmitry Rebrov explains that the new audiogram policy was set up on 1 September 2015, and the official form can be obtained online only. He has pointed out that no handwriting on the form is allowed. All details must be typed and printed out before going to an official hearing clinic for the form to be filled in entirely in the red boxes. The form will be rejected if it is incomplete. He pointed out that if the form is complete at least three (3) months before the competition, no fee will be charged, but if less than three (3) months and more than one (1) month, $40 will occur. If less than one (1) month, $100 will occur. He advises all member nations to use OMS to enter their athletes' details, including attaching the official ICSD audiogram form. He will automatically get an alert to enable him to process it quickly.
Dmitry Rebrov explains that there are two separate sets of proposals from the federations:
The session ended at 18:00
10 December 2019 - The session started at 09:35
Seven (7) not good standing members present:
Vote required 75%:
Yes = 25 | Abstain = 0 | No = 13
Result - Not Passed
Vote required 75%:
Yes = 38
Result - Passed
Vote required >50%:
Yes = 30
Result - Passed
Lunch Break
The Legal Commission has reviewed and confirmed the prospective Full Members’ documents to meet the criteria for Full Membership. The votes of the Congress are as follow:
ICSD now has 117 active member nations.
The Legal Commission has reviewed the prospective Associate Members’ documents and found them to be insufficient. They did not meet the criteria to be passed to the floor for the Congress’s approval. Kang Chen explained that the ICSD Executive Board needs to have the approval of the Congress to give them the authority to review the documents again and determine if these organisations should be given Associate Membership. 50% of the Congress’s votes is required to approve giving the Board authority. The results of the votes are as follow:
ICSD now has 116 active member nations.
Vote required 50%:
Yes = 9, Abstain = 11, No = 20.
Result - Not Passed.
Vote required 50%:
Yes = 39, Abstain = 0, No = 0.
Result - Passed.
Finland withdrew it.
Finland and DIFA withdrew it.
Duplicated as Proposal 1.
Finland withdrew it.
Finland withdrew it.
This will be referred to the ICSD Reform Commission.
The session ended at 19:15
11 December 2019 - The session started at 09:20
One (1) not good standing member present:
Vote required 50%:
Yes = 25, Abstain = 8, No = 5.
Result - Passed.
Belgium withdrew it.
Since this has already been approved, Germany withdrew it.
Duplicated as Proposal 11.
1.1 Definition
1.1.1 For the purposes of this article, “individual” means:
1.1.1.1 An elected or appointed officer of the Executive Committee as defined in ICSD Constitution 9.3.1.
1.1.1.2 An employee and/or a volunteer at the ICSD Secretariat.
1.1.1.3 A Technical Director as defined in Bylaw 4.
1.1.1.4 A participant in any of the Commissions defined in Constitution 11.
1.2.2 A “relative” means a person who is related to the individual described in 1.1.1 as father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, niece, husband, wife, domestic partner, father-in law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, half-sister, the spouses, or domestic partners of any of the above. All relationships shall include those arising from adoption.
1.2 The relative(s) of any elected, appointed, or hired individual are disqualified from appointment, employment, and elected positions during a relative’s tenure.
1.3 Whenever any individual becomes related, either by election, appointment, employment, marriage, domestic partnership, or adoption, to another individual in one (1) of the relationships previously mentioned in this section, the affected individual(s) must immediately disclose the relationship.
1.3.1 The affected individual(s) shall be granted a grace period of thirty (30) days from the date on which the affected individual(s) became related, during which one of the affected individuals must depart their position.
1.3.2 At the end of the thirty (30) day grace period, if no determination has been made by the affected persons, the affected person(s) with the lower rank shall depart their position. Should the affected persons be of equal rank, seniority takes precedence.
1.4 If any individual fails to disclose a relationship described in 1.1.2, all affected individual(s) shall be immediately removed from their position(s) or be terminated by the Chief Executive Officer, Executive Committee, or Congress.
1.5 This provision applies to all individuals and positions outlined in 1.1.1.
Vote required 75%:
Yes = 47, Abstain = 1, No = 1.
Result - Passed.
1. Role Conflict
1.1 An elected or appointed officer of the Executive Board as defined in 9.3.1 may not be an active athlete or hold a position with a Full Member, a Provisional Member, an Associate Member, or with any organization or business whose interests or activities interfere with the interests of ICSD.
1.2 An employee at the ICSD Secretariat may not be an active athlete or serve with a Full Member, a Provisional Member or an Associate Member.
1.2.1 An individual serving with a Full Member, a Provisional Member or an Associate Member may assist or be contracted to assist the Secretariat with specific office tasks (i.e. note taking, filing, etc) for limited terms, but shall hold no decision-making authority. No one with a personal or business interest in the issue under discussion should be involved in the decision process.
1.3 A Technical Director as defined in Bylaw 4 may not be an active athlete, or serve as an officer with a Full Member, a Provisional Member or an Associate Member
1.3.1 A Technical Director must seek recusal in the event of a protest during competition involving a relative as defined in the section "Anti-Nepotism."
1.4 Any individual who is an active athlete or holds a position with a Full Member, a Provisional Member, or an Associate Member as defined in 1.3 cannot serve in one of the following Commissions defined in 11.1:
1.4.1 Legal
1.4.2 Audiology
1.4.3 Anti-Doping
1.4.4 Appeals
1.4.5 Medical
1.5 If a role conflict described in this section arises and the individual does not relinquish their additional role(s), the individual shall be immediately removed from their position(s) or be terminated by the Chief Executive Officer, Executive Committee, or Congress.
The United States requests for this to be referred to the Reform Commission to review and complete it.
Vote required 50%:
Yes = 33, Abstain = 8, No = 3.
Result - Passed.
Vote required 50%:
Yes = 43, Abstain = 0, No = 0.
Result - Passed.
DG12. TEAM SPORTS
1. The preliminary registration for team sports must be made two and a half years prior to the Summer Deaflympics and one year prior to the Winter Deaflympics.
2. Only one team per National Federation shall be admitted.
3. The number of teams for the final round, in each sport and gender will, as a rule, be up to sixteen (16) teams, to be determined by the EC, based on the recommendation of the Technical Director and the nature of sport.
4. Where there is less than allocated number of teams registered according to DG12.3, additional entries may be accepted until a maximum number allowed is reached six (6) months prior to the opening date of the Deaflympics. The entry of team sports will be made upon the date of receipt of the application with the ICSD office. Should the ICSD office receive more than one team on the same day, a ballot will be held to determine the order of entry.
5. Qualification for participating in the Deaflympics should automatically follow the results of championships within the regional federations unless a regional federation chooses to have qualifying rounds.
6. The most current World Champion team in that sport will be automatically qualified and seeded number one if the team meets the DG12.1 requirement. There will be no carry over to second (2nd) place winner if the World Champion team cannot attend. A fair draw method will be applied according to the relevant International Sports Federation rules. If there was no World Championship in that sport since the last Deaflympics, a previous Deaflympics Champion will be automatically seeded number one.
7. If more than the number of teams in DG12.3 register, the Technical Director shall announce qualifying competitions, including World Championships and Regional Championships, and regional allocations within thirty (30) days of preliminary registration.
8. Technical Directors must serve as ex officio members on the Organizing Committee of qualifying competitions.
9. ICSD Executive Board must approve dates of qualifying competitions and take every precaution to minimize scheduling conflicts.
10. A fine will be levied for the withdrawal of a team from the final round as well as from the qualifying rounds. The amount of this fine is to be determined by the Congress that is conducted four years prior to the date of the Deaflympics.
11. When a team is entered and is not required to participate in qualifying rounds before the date of the deadline for final registration entries, the team may withdraw without incurring a penalty from the ICSD.
Break at 11:15 / The session started at 11:50
Cancelled.
Cancelled.
Cancelled.
Vote required 50%:
Yes = 30, Abstain = 7, No = 10.
Result - Passed.
Since this has already been approved, Italy withdrew it.
Rules to change by adding these items:
Vote required 50%:
Yes = 28, Abstain = 5, No = 6.
Result - Passed.
Vote required 50%:
Yes = 24, Abstain = 11, No = 3.
Result - Passed.
This will be referred to the ICSD Reform Commission to work on the fees.
Slovenia withdrew it.
Slovenia withdrew it and requested an explanation of why this happened.
The Netherlands withdrew it as this has already been discussed.
The Netherlands withdrew it but notably ICSD Reform Commission to work with all four (4) regions to comply with the reform policy.
The Netherlands withdrew it as this has already been discussed.
Cancelled.
Vote required 75%:
Yes = 31, Abstain = 11, No = 1.
Result - Not Passed.
Kang Chen suggested referring this to the ICSD Reform Commission. All accepted.
Proposal 37: Sweden proposed that two delegates (one (1) male and one (1) female) from each country will represent at the ICSD Congress. If any male delegates are prevented, then another male will replace him, and the same in the situation for females, another female should replace the female delegates.
Sweden suggested referring this to the ICSD Reform Commission.
Proposal 38: ICCD proposed that the Deaflympics - Regulations DG.9, Article 3 add a subsequent edition: one (1) coach for one (1) athlete on a Winter Deaflympics.
Vote required 50%:
Yes = 18, Abstain = 13, No = 12.
Result - Not Passed.
Proposal 39: ICCD proposed renaming ICSD into the International Deaflympic Committee and developing a new statute, similar to the statute of the International Paralympic Committee.
Proposal 40: Croatia proposed Marijo Lusic to be a candidate for the ICSD President.
Croatia withdrew it.
Proposal 41: Croatia proposed the current ICSD members of the ICSD Board members be removed.
Croatia withdrew it as this has already been discussed.
Proposal 42: Croatia proposed a new ICSD President to fill the vacancies on the ICSD Executive Board.
Croatia accepted it.
Proposal 43: Croatia proposed to have a new ICSD CEO.
Croatia withdrew it.
Proposal 44: Croatia proposed to nominate Marijo Lusic to the Office of President of the ICSD for the 2019-2021 term.
Croatia withdrew it as it will be done during the election.
Proposal 45: Norway proposed "Discussion subject for the workshop - The future of the Deaflympics - Is it time for the Deaflympics to join the Paralympics."
Norway responded that this should refer to ICSD Workshop one day.
Proposal 46: Australia proposed that the status of all Commissions, including but not limited to the ICSD Athletics Commission, be reinstated.
Australia withdrew it as this has already been explained earlier.
Proposal 47: Australia proposed that Rebecca Adam be nominated for ICSD President until the 2021 Summer Deaflympics, where a formal election will occur.
Australia withdrew it as this has already been explained earlier.
Proposal 48: Australia proposed that all audited ICSD annual financial statements from 2011 to 2018 be fully released and submitted to all ICSD members.
Australia withdrew it as this has already been explained earlier.
Proposal 49: Australia proposed that ICSD Reform Commission tasks and timeframe be adhered to as a matter of priority.
Australia withdrew it as this has already been explained earlier.
Final Report from 2017 Summer Deaflympics Organizing Committee in Samsun
Progress Report from 2019 Winter Deaflympics Organizing Committee
OC President Pier Samueli gave a progress report:
Selection of the venue for 2021 Summer Deaflympics:
World Deaf Youth Games 2023:
Selection of the venue for 2023 Winter Deaflympics:
Selection of the venue for 2025 Summer Deaflympics:
2027 and beyond Deaflympics and World Championships plan:
Awards:
Best Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Award (2017 - 2019)
Rubens-Alcais Award:
Medal of Honour Award:
Election of the ICSD President for the 2019 – 2021 term:
The ICSD Legal Commission Robert Mather explained that according to the ICSD Constitution, the legal is responsible for dealing with the election procedure. He pointed out that ICSD Constitution 9.3.3 states that "The Executive Committee shall consist of persons who are members of the National Federation of their country of residence admitted to Full Membership under this Constitution." He pointed out that the ICSD Board member was looking for the persons to join the ICSD Legal Commission and found me who had no conflict of interest and asked him to come to this ICSD Congress. Robert Mather found that the election proposal had already passed the deadline and did not correctly follow the ICSD Constitution. He pointed out that we have five (5) nominations:
However, there is a problem as we have not complied with the ICSD Constitution as the forms were not submitted to the ICSD Legal Commission by the due date and suggested either we follow this ICSD Constitution. It would mean all nominations would be rejected, or we suspend the ICSD Constitution, which requires a 75% vote to approve it before continuing.
Hungary has pointed out that Robert Mather has made a correct comment by explaining that it is essential to vote for the ICSD President. Kang Chen has been the interim ICSD President since Valery Rukhledev's resignation as the ICSD President during this ICSD Congress. Those five (5) nominations for the ICSD President are not valid. It would mean there will be no ICSD President after this ICSD Congress. In the meantime, Kang Chen remained as the ICSD Vice President and asked if the Interim ICSD President could be continued to the 2021 ICSD Congress.
Robert Mather responded that the interim ICSD President cannot be continued and must have an election for a new ICSD President by order of IOC up to 2021.
Vote required 75%:
Yes = 41.
Result - Passed.
Robert Mather explained that there are many options to offer from the floor to nominate a person that requires a proposal and a second.
Belgium proposed to reveal a petition letter.
Robert Mather responded that he had read it and no need to reveal this, but Belgium can propose to nominate one a time from the floor to be voted. If the vote fails to pass the 50% majority, nominate another candidate until it has passed the 50% majority. This proposal requires a 75% vote.
Vote required 75%:
Yes = 42, Abstain = 2, No = 2.
Result - Passed.
Belgium proposed Kang Chen to be the ICSD President.
The United States proposes to accept Kang Chen, and no further discussion.
The vote was conducted by ballot.
Kang Chen has 37 votes out of 48, more than 50%, so he is the ICSD President.
Kang Chen thanked everyone and is looking forward to working with the ICSD Executive Board in the future.
Robert Mather pointed out that at the next ICSD Executive Board meeting, they will pick an ICSD Vice President until the next ICSD Congress in 2021.
The ICSD President declared the 47th ICSD Congress closed.
The session ended at 21:20