USAWA

The annual meeting is next month.  This is the draft agenda which will be approved by consent to start the meeting.  President Joe Garcia will preside over the Annual Meeting per the By-Laws Article 8.A. and Roberts Rules of Order.

Call to Order

Roll Call

Approval of 2025 Minutes

Minutes

Officer Reports

Officers and Special Assignment Directors should consider submitting their reports in writing to usawasec@gmail.com prior to the meeting.  This is not a requirement and during the past few annual meetings, reports have been given ad hoc during the annual meeting.

Treasurer Report – Bill Clark

Website Director Report – [by acting Secretary – Sanjiv Gupta] The website continues to be produced in WordPress with content being published by a handful of trusted servants.  The domain is registered with Network Solutions.  Curtis Cooper continues as the consultant that maintains the website and resolves issues.  The website was down earlier this year due to high volume access from overseas.  The website is now only accessible from the United States, UK, Australia and New Zealand.  No changes are planned for the upcoming year.

Awards Director – Tony Lupo

Record Director – Tony Lupo

Drug Enforcement Director – [vacant] – Two drug tests were performed at the 2025 National Championship.  One was positive, one was negative.  Once a new Director is appointed, they can establish an MRO account.

Officials Director – Joe Garcia – [per Sanjiv Gupta] – New Level 2 Officials – Jeff Wenzel, Jarrod Fobes; New Level 1 Officials – Jessica Hopps, Dan Jones, Kim Van Wagner; New Officials in Training – Philip Marlin

Postal Meet Director – Denny Habecker – 2025 Postal Series was a great success with (12) women and (36) men participating.  2026 is off to a great start with (4) women and (20) men competing in the Q1 Postal. The top five men so far are Barry Bryan, Jeff Wenzel, Riley Wenzel, Nils Larson and Anthony Hose. The top woman so far is Kim Van Wagner.

Social media Director – [vacant] – Facebook continues to be the primary social media platform.  It is a private group with 497 members.  Aside from USAWA business and announcement, some content is generated by non-USAWA members regarding historic all-round weightlifting and general odd lifting.  Reddit is active with minimal content.  The Instagram pages have been archived. 

VP to IAWA – Denny Habecker and Sanjiv Gupta – IAWA World Council Meeting – https://www.usawa.com/iawa-world-council-meeting/

VP to IAWA Technical Committee – Denny Habecker and Al Myers –

Old Business – Override Executive Board Decisions

Sanjiv Gupta intends to motion to delete Rule “Meet directors reserve the right to remove any athlete due to disruptive behavior.”  This rule was created on July 27, 2025 unanimously by the three-person board of Clint Poore, Tony Lupo and Kyle Frappier.  I don’t think it is necessary and can be used to by meet directors to discriminate against athletes.

Sanjiv Gupta intends to motion to delete addendum to Section IX sub-section 4 “at the meet director’s discretion, including all USAWA national events.” This addendum was created July 27, 2025 unanimously by the three-person board of Clint Poore, Tony Lupo and Kyle Frappier.  Official scoring is required per the National Championship guidelines Section X subsection 9 and this addendum creates a conflicting rule.  The 33% gender allowance was unanimously passed at the 2024 Annual Meeting to align the USAWA with the IAWA and allow for women to be part of a larger competitive field and should not be overridden by three male board members.

New Business

New Lifts

None have been proposed and approved by the Executive Board

New lifts proposals must be sent to usawasec@gmail.com by May 28^th to be considered by the Executive Board.  Historically the Executive Board has considered (1) is it a new lift, (2) does it represent an all-round movement, (3) can it be performed properly by the majority of members as described in this article by Al Myers.

Proposed By-Law Changes

Bill Clark intends to motion to change the By-Laws Articles 2-17. If seconded, these will be discussed collectively and will be voted on collectively.

“ARTICLE TWO

Drop Part One.

National championships may be a single meet site, multiple regional sites on the same weekend, held hybrid, or held virtual.

All championships will be awarded separately for men, women, male youths under 20, female youths under 20.  The various championships may be held separately or together.

ARTICLE THREE

Delete “executive board” from Paragraph B.

ARTICLE FOUR

Change membership fees for individuals and clubs to $30 and establish a family membership fee of $60, regardless of number of family members living in the same household.

ARTICLE FIVE

Replace it with the following:

A – The organization will elect a five-person executive board which will become the administrators of the directives of the membership.

B – The executive board will consist of a president, a vice-president, a secretary, a treasurer, and the recordkeeper. The positions of secretary and treasurer may be combined for convenience – in which case the fifth board member will assume an at-large position.

C – The executive board will be strictly administrative and will make no decisions regarding by-laws and/or rules changes – those decisions will be made the membership only.

D – Current Section H remains unchanged.

E – If a board member retires or dies while in office, he or she will be replaced by a vote of the membership.

F – Delete Article J.

G – Items K thru M will remain only until approved by the membership.

H – Item N remains.

ARTICLE SIX

Eliminate it and replace it with the following:

“There will be no annual meeting.

A – All decisions, other than administrative decisions, will be made by the membership by electronic media.

B – The membership will meet virtually six times a year or when the executive board deems it necessary or at the request of the membership for such a meeting.

Membership will be presented an agenda 15 days prior to general meetings which will be called to order and conducted by the president.

Regular meetings of the membership will be held the first week in the months of February, April, June, August, October and December.

ARTICLE SEVEN – Elections.

A – Elections will be held every two years – on uneven years.

B – Executive board members, except for the president, may serve unlimited terms in office.

The president may serve only two terms in that office, but may return to the bard in other capacities. The two terms may be intermittent.

C – Elections will occur at the December meeting online prior to the uneven year.

Nominations must be made 15 days prior to an election.

In case no nominations are received, nominations will be accepted from the floor.

Officers will take their positions on January 1 following election.

ARTICLE EIGHT

Duties of the President:

A – Preside at all meetings of the membership.

B – Prepare the agenda for the meeting of the membership.

C – Attend all meetings of the USAWA membership.

D – Represent the USAWA at the annual meeting of the IAWA.

ARTICLE NINE

Duties of the Secretary:

A – Take minutes at all meetings of the membership.

B – Issue sanctions.

C – Maintain individual membership lists, club membership lists, and officials lists which will be compiled by the treasurer and the officials’ chairman.

D – Attend all meetings of the USAWA membership.

ARTICLE TEN

Duties of the treasurer:

A – Attend to all financial matters of the USAWA, including receiving payments, paying expenses, keeping a ledger of all accounts, including individual and club memberships.

B – Maintain a bank account.

C – Present a treasurer’s report at all meetings of the membership.

D – Negotiate all contracts between the USAWA and other organizations or companies subject to approval of the membership.

E – Attend all meetings of the USAWA membership.

ARTICLE ELEVEN

Duties of the vice-president:

A – Fill the role of president when the president is not available to fill that position.

B – Attend all meetings with the USAWA membership.

ARTICLE TWELVE

Duties of the At-large member (if applicable):

A – Attend all meetings of the USAWA membership.

B – Fill the role of any other board member in case of need.

ARTICLE THIRTEEN

Duties of the Records Director:

A – Serve on the executive board.

B – Keep the USAWA record list.

C – Handle the USAWA records’ integration with the IAWA record system.

D – Make the USAWA records available for the USAWA membership.

ARTICLE FOURTEEN

Duties of the Website director:

A – Maintain the USAWA website.

B – Update meet announcements and post results.

C – Update the rule book.

D – Make contact information available for members, clubs, and officials.

ARTICLE FIFTEEN

Duties of the Officials Director:

A – Grade all officials’ tests.

B – Maintain a current contact list for all officials.

C – Share that list with the secretary.

ARTICLE SIXTEEN

Duties of the Awards Director:

A – All awards will be based on the calendar year starting in 2027.

+ The 2026 awards will include only the months from June 15 to December 31, 2026.

B – Oversee the Hall of Fame awards.

There are two categories for the Hall of Fame selections: Merit – based on a point total; Honor – for those who have been major contributors but lack the points required for Merit.

The Honor category will require the majority vote of the membership.

A lifter placed in nomination for the Hall of Fame will remain in nomination for five years and may be renominated.

C – Arrange for the presentation of the awards.

ARTICLE SEVENTEEN

Duties of the Drug Enforcement Officer:

A – Be responsible for making the arrangements for testing to be carried out at the direction of the membership.

B – Be responsible to the subjects being tested and the membership with the results of the test(s).

ARTICLE EIGHTEEN

Duties of the postal meet director:

A – Organize the annual four-quarter postal competition with champions – male and female – decided by the best composite total of the four quarters.

B – Supply the webmaster and the awards director with the summary of each quarter and the final summary.

ARTICLE NINETEEN

Duties of the Social Media Director.

Currently on hold. To be considered at a future date.”

Randy Smith is asking for a motion to change Article 7. Election. A. “Members of the executive board are elected every two years, on odd-numbered years, at the Annual National Meeting by vote of the membership present at the meeting.”  

Suggested change: ” President, Treasurer, and one at large member are elected on even-numbered years.  Vice-presideht, Secretary, and the other at large member are elected on odd- numbered years”. 

This would allow for change while maintaining stability and hopefully will encourage members to cooperate and work together.  I have no strong attachment to which three are elected as which time (although I do have reasons for listing them the way I did).  And I realize that we currently are “supposed to have” 5 members. So, the number of at large members could be changed depending on whether or not two of the position are combined (as provided for in the bylaws.  I.e., secretary/treasurer in the past).

Randy Smith is asking for a motion to change Article 7. Election. I. “Elected positions take effect immediately.”

Change to: “Elected positions take effect at the beginning of the second full month following the Annual Meeting.”   But…If there is objection to waiting a little over a month, “…take effect after the National Meeting and Associated National Championship are finished,” or something to that effect.

This will assist in promoting an orderly cooperative transition.  Comments regarding past history may or may not be appropriate or relevant depending on the discussion.

Randy Smith is asking for a motion to add a general provision.  Article 21 — Other General Provisions. Add a new general provision, “G”.

“G.  Any change, amendment, or addition to the USAWA bylaws must be submitted to the membership at least four weeks prior to the annual meeting, in a manner approved by the Executive Board (e.g., posted on the website).

It is important for bylaw change to be reviewed, discussed, and carefully considered prior to voting.  Bringing up something as important as a bylaw change without opportunity for careful consideration is not helpful for an organization.

Proposed Rule Changes

Bill Clark intends to motion the following rule changes. If seconded, these will be discussed collectively and voted on collectively.

“RULES FOR LIFT APPROVAL

No. 1 – OK.

No. 2 – New rules/lifts will be added when approved by the membership at the next membership meeting.

+ New rules/lifts must be submitted to the membership 30 days in advance of the next online membership meeting.

+ The record director will submit all USAWA records to the IAWA record director for world record consideration.

No. 3 – PARTICIPANTS

The USAWA will honor three age groups:

+ Junior – 11-under (new), 12-under, 13-under, 15-under, 17-under, 19-under in both genders. Note: The 11-under age group will receive an age adjustment of 42 per cent.  

+ Open – those lifters between the ages of 20 and under 40.

+ Masters – those lifters from age 40 to infinity, divided into five-year age groups beginning with the 40^th birthday anniversary. 

No. 4 – OK.

No. 5 – OK.

RECORDS

Add the following in regard to single body parts:

1 – All lifts for single appendages will be kept for both left and right appendages.

Also new:

No. 14 – The record director will be elected by the membership and will become a member of the executive board.

SANCTIONS:

No. 4 – All sanction requests must be sent and approved 14 days prior to the scheduled event.

THE COMPETITION:

OK.

OFFICIAL SCORING

Eliminate Paragraph 4.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (ALL NEW)

1 – The championships will have four divisions: Women, Men, Female Youth under age 20, Male youth under age 20.

2 – The championships in each division may be held separately or together in any combination of age and gender.

3 – The championships in each division may be held at one site, at regional sites on the same weekend, remote, or hybrid.

4 – The membership will choose the five lifts to be contested at least 90 days prior to the competition.

+ The championships may be held on one day for two days. An extra day for records is permitted.

5 – The USAWA executive board will appoint a meet director and will be responsible for the conduct of the national competitions, including the expenses of said competition.

6 – The dates for the competition will be between June 15 and July 15 annually.

7 – Awards will be appropriate and delivered by the USAWA executive board or its assigns.”

Sanjiv intends to motion to delete Rule VI. Equipment 27. “A certified scale is required for weigh-ins in competitions or events where records are set.  It may weigh in either pounds or kilograms. A scale certificate must be present with the scales and must not be older than 1 year.” Rationale – Modern digital bathroom scales are very accurate and I have not seen a scale certification in any of the events I have competed in.

Sanjiv intends to motion to remove “Level 1 – Experienced Qualified Officials” VII.9 and VII.15.  Experienced qualified officials gain Level 1 status by sitting in the chair next to a certified official for 25 competitions.  This has not been utilized since I have been in the organization and is unlikely to be documented and tracked well.  There is an argument for keeping it if an aspiring official does not have English language proficiency.

Sanjiv intends to motion to change the rules on the Habecker Lift. The new rule for height is consistent with the other OTSM lifts and removes the potential mobility challenge of taking the bar directly from the supports.

Current Rule: “The bar will be placed at a height of one third the lifters height, measured to the bottom of the bar. The lift begins at the lifters discretion. The lifter will take the bar in the inside of the elbows between the upper arms and lower arms as in the Zercher Lift. The bar is lifted to a position where the lifter is standing fully upright with legs straight and shoulders erect. The feet must not move position during the lift, but the heels and toes may rise. It is an infraction if the bar is supported by the lifters belt. Once upright and motionless, an official will give the down command. A one minute time limit is allowed for the lifter to make a legal lift, during which time a lifter may make multiple tries. No padding of any kind is allowed on the bar or on the lifters arms. The bar must be returned to the supports under control.”

New Rule: “The bar will be placed at a height no greater than one third the lifters height, measured to the bottom of the bar. The lift begins at the lifters discretion. The lifter will secure the bar in the inside of the elbows between the upper arms and lower arms as in the Zercher Lift either directly from the supports or after deadlifting and lowering the bar to the thighs. The bar is lifted to a position where the lifter is standing fully upright with legs straight and shoulders erect. The feet must not move position during the lift, but the heels and toes may rise. It is an infraction if the bar is supported by the lifters belt. Once upright and motionless, an official will give the down command. A one minute time limit is allowed for the lifter to make a legal lift, during which time a lifter may make multiple tries. No padding of any kind is allowed on the bar or on the lifters arms. The bar must be returned to the supports under control.”

New Business Brought up by Members at the Meeting

New business should be specific with references to the appropriate section of the Rulebook or By-Laws for which the change is being proposed.

Elections of Executive Board Members or Special Assignment Directors

• Website Director
• Drug Enforcement Director
• Social Media Director

Choose Location/Promoter of 2027 National Championship

• No bids received

Choose Location/Promoter of all other 2027 Championships, if not previously announced

• Club Championship – Clark’s Gym in 2026
• Grip Championship – High Country Vigour in 2026
• Heavy Lift Championship – Frank’s Barbell Club in 2026
• Presidential Cup – Joe Garcia TBD
• OTSM Championship – KCSTRONGMAN in 2025
• Team Lift Championship – High Country Vigour in 2025