The NAFAPA constitution and bylaws were adopted by the NAFAPA members present and voting at the business meeting on November 21, 2000, and became effective immediately upon adoption.

Article I. Purpose

The North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (hereinafter referred to as NAFAPA) is constituted as the North American branch of the International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (hereinafter referred to as IFAPA). It is an international organization dedicated to the conduct, implementation, and dissemination of research in the practice of adapted physical activity.

Article II. Membership

The membership consists of all persons who are committed to the conduct, implementation, and dissemination of research in adapted physical activity, and who participate in NAFAPA activities.

Article III. Officers

There shall be six officers:

1. President. The President shall serve a two-year term (following his/her term as President-Elect). This person shall be responsible for calling and conducting business meetings, facilitating communication with the NAFAPA membership, and shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Symposium Director.
2. President-Elect. The President-Elect shall be elected for a two-year term. This person shall assist the President as needed, and shall serve in an advisory capacity to the officers and members of NAFAPA.
3. Past President. The immediate Past President shall serve a two-year term (following his/her term as President). This person shall serve in an advisory capacity to the officers and members of NAFAPA.
4. Secretary/Archivist. The Secretary/Archivist shall maintain minutes of NAFAPA meetings and shall maintain a mailing list of NAFAPA members.
5. Symposium Director. The Symposium Director shall be elected for a two-year term. This person shall be responsible for conducting the next NAFAPA research symposium and shall have full authority, responsibility, and autonomy with respect to decisions about the symposium.
6. IFAPA Representative. The IFAPA Representative shall be elected for a two-year term. This person shall serve as a liaison from NAFAPA to IFAPA, and shall represent NAFAPA at IFAPA meetings.

Article IV. Operating Code

1. Biannual Research Symposium. The primary function of NAFAPA is to conduct a biannual research symposium.
2. Business meetings
3. A business meeting shall be conducted during each NAFAPA Research Symposium and, if needed, during research conferences held in North America by related organizations (e.g., the conferences held by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance or the Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance).
4. Primary items for discussion shall be elections of officers, location of the next NAFAPA Research Symposium, reports from the officers and IFAPA Representative, and revisions to the NAFAPA constitution and bylaws.
5. Business and elections shall be conducted by majority vote of the members present and voting.
6. Finances. There shall be no membership fees and no treasury. Symposium Directors are responsible for the financial management of NAFAPA Research Symposia.

Article V. Non-Discrimination

NAFAPA abides by principles of mutual respect and recognition, sovereignty, and non-interference into rights of its members. It recognizes rights of all adapted physical activity scientists and educators throughout North America to participate in international activities. It will strictly oppose every form of discrimination for reasons of ethnicity, cultural background, religion, political views, language, ability, sexual preference, or gender.