2019 Minutes
By Al Myers
Minutes from the 2019 Annual General Meeting of the USAWA
The annual meeting of the USAWA was called to order at 7:15 PM on Friday, June 21st by USAWA President Denny Habecker. The meeting was held at the home of Denny and Judy Habecker. Roll call was taken and these USAWA members were in attendance: Chris Lestan, Eric Lestan, Dean Ross, Aidan Habecker, Judy Habecker, Randy Smith, Al Myers, LaVerne Myers, Denny Habecker, Dennis Mitchell, and Frank Ciavattone. The minutes of the 2018 meeting were read by Secretary Al Myers 2018 USAWA Minutes. Dean moved to accept the minutes, with a second by Frank, and it passed unanimously. The report of the financial status of the USAWA were read by treasurer Al Myers. A breakeven year was reported for the USAWA. Dean moved to accept the report, with a second by LaVerne, and it passed unanimously. A report from website director Al Myers was given next. A full review of what the website offers the membership was given, along with a request that members contribute to the website if the could . Dean moved to accept the report, with a second by Frank, and it passed unanimously. A report from the Awards Director Al Myers was given next. Details of the Awards Program was explained. Dean moved to accept the report, with a second by Frank, and it passed unanimously. The report from the Records Director Al Myers was given. Details were given about the record list, and about the recent improvements of the record file. Dean moved to accept the report, with a second by LaVerne and it passed unanimously. The report by the Drug Enforcement Director Chad Ullom was forwarded and presented by Al Myers on Chad’s behalf, since he was not in attendance. Chad reported that 20 drug tests have been done in the last year with all negative results. Dean moved to accept the report, with a second by Frank, and it passed unanimously. The report by the Officials Director Joe Garcia was not given since Joe was not present, and the report was not forwarded to anyone to be given. The report from the Postal Meet Director Denny Habecker was presented. Denny reported that 26 lifters had participated in the postal meets, and he was very pleased with the participation. Frank moved to accept the report, with a second by Dean, and it passed unanimously. Dennis Mitchell, the IAWA Tech Committee Chairman, was next on the agenda and gave a report on the tech committee. He gave details on the Shank’s Lift, which is a new lift proposal to IAWA to be voted on at the IAWA meeting at Worlds. Dean moved to accept the report, with a second by Judy, and it passed unanimously. The first new business item was a discussion and vote on a rule change for the Strict Curl, Holdout Raised, and the Holdout Lowered. The Executive Board had presented that the rule be changed by removing the paper requirement, making the rule the same as the IAWAUK rule. It passed unanimously. The next new business item involved a discussion and vote on a bylaw addition allowing provisional USAWA membership to non USA citizens. The Executive Board had presented this stipulation – “Provisional memberships are allowed for non USAWA citizens. Provisional memberships are not eligible for USAWA records, but are eligible for IAWA records. All other benefits of USAWA memberships as outlined in the rule book and bylaws are allowed.” It passed with unanimous vote. The next new business item was making a change to the age allowance, whereas at the age of 66 years 2% per year is added to the age correction. This will make the USAWA age correction the same as the IAWA rule. It passed with unanimous vote. No other new business was brought forth by the membeship. Officer and executive board election was next. All of the current officers/EB members were asked previously if they wanted to run for another term and all had agreed to this. When the membership was asked if there were any nominations from the floor Chris Lestan nominated Frank for President. Frank declined the nomination. No other floor nominations were made. LaVerne moved to cast a ballot to retain all the current officers/EB members, with a second by Dean, and it passed unanimously. The officers/EB members for the next two years will be: Denny Habecker – President, Chad Ullom – Vice President, Al Myers – Secretary/Treasurer, Dennis Mitchell – EB member, Rocky Morrison – EB member. Accepting bids for the 2020 National Championships was next. Only one previous bid was put forth to the executive board, by Frank Ciavattone of Franks Barbell Club, to be held the last weekend of June, 2020 in Boston. No other bids were put forth. A vote was taken to accept Franks bid, and it passed unanimously. LaVerne then moved to adjourn the meeting, with a second by Dean, and it passed unanimously. The meeting ended at 8:00 PM.