HISTORY of the IAOCO

STATUTES

History

The IAOCO was unofficially founded at the same time as the official founding of the F.I.C.S. (Fédération Internationale de Chiropratique Sportive) in London in 1987. It was the concept of FICS's founder, Dr. Stephen Press. The idea was to replicate for Chiropractic Doctors, the IAOMO (International Academy of Olympic Medical Officers) already well recognized in Olympic circles.

Over the ten years in which the FICS was developing, the organization of the IAOCO was placed on back burners for many reasons, political, economic etc. But the number of DC's (Doctors of Chiropractic) who are now eligible for membership grows with every Games, and with every regional event.

On January 9, 1998 the five members of the Board of Trustees, consisting of three former US Summer Olympic Team DC's, one USSR Winter Olympic DC, and one US PanAM Games DC, signed the charter and function as an unincorporated, not-for profit International entity.

Today, the number of DC's who have served and are eligible for Gold Membership status in this élite organization exceeds 100....

Statutes

Constitutional Authority

This charter shall constitute the authority for the formation of
the International Academy of Olympic Chiropractic Officers, inc.
The Academy shall be incorporated in the State of New Jersey, in the 
United States of America. Incorporation, when possible, shall be
not-for-profit. The five DC's who signed the Charter of the
IAOCO, shall comprise the initial Board of Trustees, and 
shall be known as the founding members of the IAOCO.

Membership

This organization may admit members

Membership shall be limited to those DC's who have served in a
legal capacity at an Olympic Games, or IOC sponsored Regional
Games. 

Membership shall be in categories:

Gold Members: Shall be members who have been invited by a
National Olympic Committee (NOC) to serve as Official Team DC's
at an Olympic Summer or Winter Games. Such DC's shall be
automatically inducted into the IAOCO, and have a vote at all
meetings except those of the Board of Trustees, unless also a
Trustee.

Gold Members (Hon.): Shall be members in Silver, whose personal
sacrifices, contributions to the Olympic Movement in general and
the furtherance of Olympic Sports Chiropractic specifically, make
them candidates for elevation to Membership in Gold.

Silver Members: Shall be those DC's who have served in a legal
capacity at an Olympic Games, invited by an NGB, or other
Official body having authority to invite Doctors, and whose
applciations are approved by the Board of Trustees. Or, they
shall be those DC's officially invited by an NOC to serve as
team DC at any IOC sponsored Regional Games. Such DC's shall be
automatically inducted into the IAOCO as Silver members.

Members do not pay dues, though this will be subject to change at
the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Members may purchase an official pin which they alone may wear.

Members may purchase official goods from the IAOCO store, such
goods as are from time to time authorized by the Board of
Trustees.

Members term of membership is for life, unless removed for cause
by 2/3rds vote of the general membership at the recommendation
of the Board. 

Governing Body

The governing body of the organization shall be a board of
trustees, shall be composed of the following members:

The Board of Trustees shall be comprised of five DC's, at least
four of whom must be Gold Members of the IAOCO.

The Trustees shall elect a Chairman from among their ranks, a
Vice Chairman, and a General-Secretary. The other members of the
Board shall be known as Trustees-at-large.

Trustees shall serve five year terms, and may succeed
themselves. Election of trustees shall be by secret ballot at
meetings preferably to coincide with those of the FICS, or
called by the Board to be held at such other times and places as
are deemed most likely to yield the highest attendance.

A Quorum shall be present if all five members of the Board of
Trustees are available to discuss an issue electonically, or if
at a called meeting, and in personam; any three members of the
Board, and five other Gold members are present.No ad hoc
meetings shall be called except by majority of the Board and any
business transacted at any meeting other than as legally
organized pursuant to thes rules shall be considered null and
void, and not binding on the organization. 

The business of the Board of Trustees may be conducted through
electronic meetings on the internet, through e-mail or other
convenient vehicle mutually agreed to by its members. Facsimile
signatures shall be acceptable for all business except that
requiring 2/3rd vote of the membership. 

Purpose and Goals of the IAOCO

The IAOCO shall maintain archives containing the names and dates
of service of all DC's having attended Olympic and regional
games in a legal capacity. Such archives shall be made available
to the general public through mail, publications or the internet.

The IAOCO may, at the discretion of its Board, create awards
and or Fellowships to be conferred upon DC's for Honoris Causa
related to the Olympic Movement.

The IAOCO shall seek official recognition from the IOC (not to
interfere with the application of the FICS) and enact no rule or
regulation which may otherwise conflict with the Statutes of the
IOC.

The IAOCO shall cooperate in all respects with the FICS, and

WFC, and liaise with these bodies as well as with the IAOMO.