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Not For Profit Information
What is a Company Limited by Guarantee?
Guarantee companies are useful for non-profit organisations that require corporate status. This means that its profits are not distributed to its members but are retained to be used for the purposes of the guarantee company. Of course this does not mean that the guarantee company cannot make a profit, as indeed it is almost paramount that it can and does so. Where an organisation is likely to enter into contracts it may need the benefit of limited liability to protect its Board of Trustees and its members, who may be involved on a voluntary basis. The following are examples of these contracts:
- Employment contracts
- Purchasing land, buildings or property
- Contracting with service or product providers
- Contracts with fund raisers
- A guarantee company provides a clear legal identity. This provides the ability for the company to own property in its own name and a democratic structure where its participants are required to adhere to the strict laws and regulations governing limited companies generally.
What are the differences between a company that is limited by guarantee and a company that is limited by shares?
A guarantee company does not have shares. The members of the company do not own the company but are the decision makers for the company. This means that the profits of the company cannot be distributed to the members through dividends and that they do not have any claim upon the assets of the company. The members of the company may appoint Directors often called 'Trustees', who are given the responsibility for creating and implementing policies for the company. The Directors also enjoy limited liability, provided that they have not acted negligently, or fraudulently, and have not allowed the guarantee company to continue trading when it was insolvent (this is known as "wrongful trading").
What is the constitution of the company?
The constitution of the company limited by guarantee is the Memorandum & Articles of Association. The Memorandum sets out the objects of the company and the powers of the company may be exercised to meet these objects.
The Articles of Association state when meetings of the company will be held and proceedings of the meetings. They also state the voting rights of members, number of trustees and the powers of the trustees. The Articles also include the procedures for appointing and retirement of members and trustees. This is a brief overview to provide an understanding of the constitution of the International Pole and Aerial Sports Federation.
As part of becoming a recognised sport, the International Pole & Aerial Sports Federation is committed to increasing safety and continuity within pole and aerial sports. The IPSF has created a programme of certification that will be developed over the next three years in order to test and improve the safety of equipment required at all IPSF competitions and events.
The document outlines the IPSF Apparatus Norm's for Pole and Aerial Sports. These include both pole, aerial pole, hoop and truss specification for the coming year. Please be advised that all IPSF recognised competitions will be required to use the IPSF Apparatus Norms for all competitions. This includes using the pole, hoop, aerial pole, aerial silks and truss specifications listed. If you have any questions regarding the IPSF Apparatus Norms please contact us atapparatus-norms@ipsfsports.org.
You can Download the lates Apparatus Norms Here:
The International Pole and Aerial Sports Federation (IPSF) has established Apparatus Norms to ensure the safety and consistency of equipment used in IPSF-endorsed pole and aerial sports competitions.
This was updated in January 2026.
To become an IPSF Certified supplier, or to receive information regarding IPSF Certified suppliers, please contact us at apparatus-norms@ipsfsports.org.
Working with athletes towards the future of Pole and Aerial
MISSION
The mission of an IPSF Athletes’ Commission (hereafter “Commission”) is:
- To represent the views and opinions of the athletes ensuring their voice is heard within the IPSF;
- To inform athletes about the IPSF activities (i.e. educational tools, rules and regulations);
- To work with and support the IPSF in its mission to develop and promote the sport; and
- To encourage National Federations to develop Athletes‘ Commissions.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the Commission are:
- To consider issues related to athletes and provide advice to the IPSF;
- To Engage actively with initiatives and projects that protect and support clean athletes on and off the field of play;
- To represent the rights and interests of athletes and to make related recommendations, (for example the appointment of arbitrators by the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS);
- To consult with athletes in the evalution of the rules and regulations of their respective sport and subsequently provide feedback to the IPSF; and
- To maintain contact with the IOC Athletes’ Commission when appropriate.
ELECTION OF ATHLETES
IPSF National Federations are required to select athletes from within their country who meet the criteria in 3 to be put forward for the IPSF Athletes’ Commission. Each candidate will participate in an election. All athletes registered as members of a National Federation are eligible to vote.
Once the Commission members have been voted in, they will hold an internal election to determine the Chair.
Once the Commission members have been voted in, they will hold an internal election to determine the Chair.
For full details about the Athletes Commission, please download the document HERE.
The first meeting for the Commission will be held in October to vote in the Chair and set a schedule of work for the next competitive year.