Ontario Powerlifting Association

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12/28/2008

Updated: September 10, 2006

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Ontario Powerlifting Association - Constitution

ARTICLE I - Name

1. The Ontario Powerlifting Association (O.P.A.) is the name given to this governing body for Powerlifting in Ontario.

ARTICLE II - Official Emblem

1. The official emblem is that of the letters O.P.A. inset in the centre of a barbell with the words "Ontario Powerlifting Association" beneath or to the side. It will be displayed on the cover of the constitution and on all official correspondence as well as at all championship contests in Ontario. The official O.P.A. colors shall be red, black and white.

ARTICLE III - Duration

1. The O.P.A. duration is indefinite.
2. A unanimous executive vote is needed to dissolve it.

ARTICLE IV - Objective

1. To work in accord with the Canadian Powerlifting Union.
2. To promote, control and develop powerlifting on a provincial scale.
3. To promote an interest in and a dedication to better health and fitness through weight training.
4. To help in the development of new training techniques involving weight training for other sports.
5. To develop Powerlifting as a competitive sport in a high school and university level.
6. To set up and enforce rules for competition in accordance with I.P.F. rules.
7. To appoint qualified referees.
8. To regulate and control provincial championships.
9. To set up a committee to discipline clubs and individuals that do not follow the constitution.
10. To honour individuals in the form of special awards for exceptional work and achievement.

ARTICLE V - General Provisions

1. The O.P.A. forbids distinctions between individuals, for reasons of race, color, religion or politics.
2. The O.P.A. headquarters is situated in the town where the President lives.
3. The official journal of the O.P.A. is the "Ontario Powerlifting News", which will be published throughout the year at intervals determined by the Board of Directors.
4. The O.P.A. forbids sexual harassment whether it be of a verbal or physical nature to any individual.

ARTICLE VI - Official Language

1. The official language of the O.P.A. is English. All  publications, meetings and correspondence of the O.P.A. will be in English.

ARTICLE VII - General Provincial Meetings

1. An O.P.A. general meeting will take place every year by the end of April. All requests by members to the O.P.A. Secretary must be included on the agenda.
2. The general meeting is open to any member registered with the O.P.A. All present will be allowed to vote. Voting by proxy is not allowed.
3. Proposals for the meeting must reach the office of the Secretary at least one month before the date fixed for the meeting. The agenda must be prepared two weeks before the meeting. The meeting will only discuss items on the agenda.  Proposed changes to the Constitution and By-Laws will be considered every second year in the odd numbered years.  However, a change that is deemed necessary by the executive in the operation of the Association can be made any year.
4. Candidatures to open posts of the executive council and committee must reach the office of the Chairperson one month before the fixed date of the meeting.
5. The election of members of the executive council will be carried out by secret ballot.
6. All items passed at the AGM will become effective upon publication, in the next Newsletter or OPA Magazine, of the  AGM minutes with the exception of yearly fees.
7. A tentative date of the following years AGM is to be set with the hosting club, location and actual date to follow.

ARTICLE VIII - Special Executive Meetings

1. If requested by one half or better of the executive, the executive must meet within one month of the request being received.

ARTICLE IX

OPA Executive Council 

a) President
b) Past-President
c) Vice- President
d) Secretary
e) Treasurer

 OPA Officers

a) Officiating Chairperson
b) Records Chairperson
c) Registration Chairperson
d) Regional Chairpersons
e) Newsletter Editor  

2. During the period between general meetings, the O.P.A. is administered by the Executive Council. Executive Council, including OPA Officers, and Board of Directors are one and the same, hereinafter referred to as Executive Council and or Board of Directors.
3. Any registered member of the O.P.A. is eligible for election on a position of the executive.
4. The Executive Council is elected for a term of two years. Retiring members are eligible for re-election.
5. Any members regularly absent from the meetings unless on account of valid reasons, may be suspended by a decision of absolute majority of the Executive Council and replaced at the next general meetings.

ARTICLE X - Duties of the President

1. The President directs the debate and keeps order at the general meetings according to the traditions and rules of parliamentary debate.
2. In case of equal voting on a motion, the President will have the deciding vote.
3. The President will set up a committee that will be responsible for taking disciplinary action against any member whose conduct is considered prejudicial to the O.P.A. or has violated the O.P.A. constitution and rules.
4. The President shall present all awards at Provincial meets. The President may delegate this duty to other officials.
5. The President will issue all official notices of all meetings.

ARTICLE X (i) - Duties of the Past-President

1. The Past President will be an Officer without Portfolio and will carry out duties assigned from time to time as deemed necessary by the Board of Director.

ARTICLE XI - Duties of the Vice-President

1. The Vice-President shall perform all the duties of the President, whenever the President ceases to hold office for any reason or is prevented from attending to his/her duties.
2. The Vice-President will preside at all meetings of the Association in the absence of the President. The Vice-President will be responsible for fundraising
3. The Vice President will be responsible for fundraising.

ARTICLE XII - Duties of the Secretary

1. To make proper arrangements for keeping the records of O.P.A.
2. To conduct all official correspondence of the O.P.A.
3. To keep a complete record of athletic events held under the auspices of the O.P.A. These records will include the results of the Provincial Championships, newsletters and magazines
4. Delegating the aforementioned duties to such assistants as may be provided by the O.P.A. to perform same
5. To serve as Secretary of the O.P.A. Congress and any special meetings or hearings of the O.P.A.

ARTICLE XIII - Duties of the Treasurer

1. The Treasurer will be responsible for all provincial matters, expenses and receipts. He or she must keep accounts which will be verified by the creditors once a year.
2. Fiscal year end will be January 1st to December 31. Any other organization requiring a different period, such as April 1 to March 31 period, will be provided with such financial statements reflecting that period.
3. To be completed by an auditor as appointed from time to time by the Board of Directors.
4. Financial statements will be completed on a monthly basis and these monthly financial statements will be distributed to the Board of Directors within the month following the month end.
5. The monthly financial statements will include a copy of the current bank balance and will include prior period comparatives.

ARTICLE XIV - Duties of the Officiating Chairperson

1. The Officiating Chairperson will be responsible for all testing of provincial referees.
2. The Officiating Chairperson will keep in constant communication with the national officiating Chairperson on rules and referees.
3. The Officiating Chairperson will provide written notification to referees, Referee Newsletter or update, structured Level 1 and Level 2 Referee Training Program, distribution of ties, badges and cards.
4. The unofficial position of Assistant Referee Chairperson is created to share and learn the duties of the Officiating Chairperson.
5. The Officiating Chairperson will be responsible for a yearly report to be given at the provincial general meeting.

ARTICLE XV - Duties of the Records Chairperson

1. The Records Chairperson will keep the Provincial Records up to date and will mail updated record lists to the National Records Chairperson as well as the National Secretary every three months, plus a list for the provincial and national general meetings.
2. The Records Chairperson will keep in constant communications with the National Records Chairperson as to the development or records.
3. The Records Chairperson will be responsible for a yearly report to be given at the Provincial General Meeting.
4. The Records Chairperson will prepare a top ten Ontario Men's and Women's list for publication once per year.
5. The Records Chairperson will issue Merit Badges.
6. Upon obtaining the applicable Merit Badge total, the lifter will complete the Merit Badge Application and submit to the Records Chairperson. Merit Badges are free to the lifter
7. A lifter may apply for all Merit Badges below an attained Class at no charge.

ARTICLE XVI - Duties of Registration Chairperson

1. The duties of the Registration Chairperson is to handle all registrations of powerlifters and clubs in Ontario.
2. The Registration Chairperson is responsible for all registration cards issued.
3. The Registration Chairperson will issue all contest sanctions, club affiliations and other O.P.A. documents.
4. The Registration Chairperson is to ensure that there is a reasonable time between meets as laid out in ARTICLE XXX - Sanctions
5. The Registrar Chairperson will identify each incoming cheque with the members CPU card number and/or name, if not already clearly marked on cheque.
6. All membership and any other fees paid with an NSF cheque immediately terminates OPA membership until the fees, including bank charges, and an OPA administration charge of $5.00 is paid in full.
7. The Treasurer is to receive a list of members in good standing, members on temporary suspension and permanent suspension on a regular basis.

ARTICLE XVII - Duties of the Regional Chairperson

1. The duty of the Regional Chairperson is to run two contests in their region per annum.
2. To hold one Category I referees' clinic per annum and at least one coaching clinic per annum.
3. Hold a coaching clinic when deemed necessary by the OPA executive.
4. When referees are being selected Regional Chairpersons will contact referees in their particular area and submit the names of referees who have committed to work the competition to the Referee Chairperson for approval, at least four (4) weeks prior to competition date.

ARTICLE XVIII - Provincial Championships

1. OPA will determine qualifying standards and dates for all Provincial Championships. Masters/Juniors/Bench Press Championships to be held annually on the first weekend of December. Senior Men's/Intermediate Men's/Senior Women's Championships to be held annually on the third weekend in September commencing 2001.

 ARTICLE XIX - Provincial Records

1. Standard application form has to be submitted no later than 30 Calendar days from the date of the supposed record.
2. a) The Chief Referee's seat and two side judges' seats must be occupied by at least a Provincial Category I card holder.
   b) I.P.F. rules must be followed.
3. The lifter is responsible for completion and submission of the application form.
4. To set an Ontario Record the lifter must be drug tested at the time the record is set and must pass the drug test.
5. Any lifter who registers a positive doping test shall have all previous OPA records that he/she may have held removed. Records will revert back to the previous record holder.
6. Record Certificate designed by H. Rai is the Official Record Certificate of the OPA. The certificate will be distributed by the Records Chair for a fee of $5.00 each.

INTERNATIONAL RECORDS

1. A lifter can apply for his/her record(s) if the paperwork to backup a record set internationally cannot be obtained and there is no dispute that the lifter was tested. The Records Chairperson, upon conferring with the OPA President or others as may be decided at this meeting, can consider the lift or lifts as official OPA records upon the results being published in the IPF Newsletter and the lifter supplying proof of a negative drug test and the lifter applying for his/her records.

 ARTICLE XX - Provincial Referees

1. OPA OFFICIALS CAN ONLY OFFICIATE AT I.P.F./C.P.U MEMBER SANCTIONED CONTESTS.
2. Category I Provincial Referee (eligibility)
   - must attend a referee's clinic
   - must pass a written test
   - must pass a practical test with two Category I Provincial Referees or higher
3. Duties of O.P.A. referees - must be active and willing to participate in O.P.A. activities.
4. Referee Uniform - the uniform shall consist of grey dress pants, light coloured shirt with collar, dark coloured shoes with socks and dark blue blazer or suit jacket.
5. Referees are required to join the Ontario Powerlifting Association annually, as an associate member or higher.
6. Provincial referees who do not attend mandatory referee Rule Change clinics within 6 months of the IPF Rule changes, be dropped one Class in their Provincial Category standing until such time as a test is passed on the new rule changes with a score of 90%.
7. A goal of the O.P.A. is to increase our National Referees by two and our International Referees by one. To assist, the OPA will fund Provincial Referees, the same amount as lifters when they travel to competitions to obtain their National or International Referee's badge.
8. Ontario will use a two level referee system. Level 1 referee's remain the same. Level II referee's are only permitted to referee as side judges. Those referee's who have passed the written exam but not the practical will be classified as Level II referees. Once the practical portion has been passed the referee becomes a Level I referee.
9. Referees are eligible for expense reimbursement as per the schedules listed in ARTICLE XXVI, 1, 3.
10. A provincial referee must officiate at least two meets per calendar year to maintain active status subject to the availability of meets within their region. No referee will be required to leave their region to complete this quota provided the referee has made every attempt to officiate two meets within the region. Failure to comply will result in the referee being dropped to inactive status. An inactive referee shall maintain all qualifications but may not be considered for the purposes of a club sanction.

ARTICLE XXI - Definition of a Team or Club

1. The Club must be registered under a Provincial Organization.
2. In order to represent a club, the lifter must train with that club on a regular basis (at least once a week).
3. If, for any reason, the lifter wishes to change clubs or is unable to follow the above recommendations, he must send written explanation to the provincial registration chairperson and approval by the O.P.A. executive.

ARTICLE XXII - Levels of Competition

1. In Ontario there are five levels of competition:

i. NOVICE - is a lifter who has never made Class 3 in a sanctioned competition.

ii. JUNIOR - a junior lifter is from 14 to and including 23 years of age. The lifter must have attained minimum age on the day of the competition.

iii. INTERMEDIATE - is a lifter who has never totaled a Class I rating in a sanctioned contest.

iv. SENIOR - is a lifter who has made a Class I rating or higher in a sanctioned contest.

v. MASTER - a master is from 40 years to and include 49 years of age and from 50 years of age and over.

2. A lifter may remain in a particular category throughout the calendar year in which he reaches the stated upper limit of that category

3. QUALIFYING COMPETITIONS:

i. To compete in an Ontario Championship, the lifter must hold a valid Ontario issued CPU card and be an Ontario resident. Proof of residency must be provided to the Registration Chair if required.

ii. All lifters intending to compete at a National Competition ARE REQUIRED TO COMPETE AT THEIR RESPECTIVE PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

iii.  A lifter who has never made the qualifying total in order to compete in a particular Canadian Championships, and has not lifted at the respective Ontario Championships, can qualify for that Canadian Championships by making the qualifying total at one of the other Ontario Championships, prior to the Canadian Championships they wish to compete in.

Example: An open lifter who did not qualify for the open Canadian Championships and did not lift at the Ontario Open Championships. May qualify at one of the other Ontario Championships (Masters, Juniors, Sub-Juniors or Intermediate) according to age and provided they have made the total qualifications for these contests.

4. QUALIFYING TOTALS:

i. A contest for qualifying totals requires two qualified referees.

ii. Qualifying totals must be made at a sanctioned meet in front of two provincial level one or higher referees.

iii. Any lifter having competed at the World's or National's within the past 60 days or who will be competing within 60 days shall be exempt from the Ontario Championships and receive a "bye" to the next Nationals.

iv. MEN'S PROVINCIAL COMPETITION STANDARDS

v. WOMEN'S PROVINCIAL COMPETITION STANDARDS

Qualification Totals for Provincial and National Contests

NATIONAL

 
ONTARIO

Bench Press Qualifying Totals

vii. Additional Points to Remember:

a.       You must have qualified in the class in which you will compete in the previous 24 months from the date of the intended Provincials.

b.       The only exception to the above is if you lift in a lighter class you may use that lift or total to qualify for a heavier weight class. I.e. for an Open Class man competing in the 100kg weight class who records a total of 705kg he may then compete in the 110kg weight class if his bodyweight places him there on the day of the meet.

c.       If you lose weight and go down a class YOU MUST RE-QUALIFY at that lower class.

d.       A Master lifter must meet the minimum age requirement on the day of the meet, BUT must have previously qualified either as a MASTER, or within the 12 month period before meeting the minimum age requirement for the class they will compete in.

e.       A Junior lifter remains a Junior until December 31 of the year they turn 23 years.

5.    AWARDS:

a.       Meet Director's of Provincial Championships, namely: Intermediates, Senior and Masters/Junior/Bench Press, must award medals purchased from the OPA.

b.       The Ontario Bench Press Championship will have a separate medal from the 3 lift Championships.

c.       At all OPA competitions there must be a team award.  All teams include men and women with the exception of Ontario Senior Men’s and Ontario Senior Women’s.  At the Master and Junior Championships one team trophy will be awarded.

d.       Women competing will be awarded 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in their respective weight classes. Wilks formula will only be used when determining best lifter.

6.    TEAM SCORING:

Team scoring for all OPA competitions shall be 12, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 for the first eight places in any body weight category.  Only the point scorers of the 6 best placed lifters of each club will count for the team competition at all OPA contests.

ARTICLE XXIII - Drug Testing

1. The OPA reserves the right to perform drug testing for banned IPF substances at any contest under its' jurisdiction.
2. Any person that is under a current suspension from any sport federation for the use of banned substances will not be permitted to join the OPA.
3. A list of banned OPA members to be kept current and published on a regular basis.
4. Requesting a Drug Test:

                     i.            Lifters requesting a drug test any contest other than a National or Provincial Championship meet must apply IN WRITING to the Meet Director indicating that they intend to attempt a national/provincial record TWO MONTHS prior to the competition.

                   ii.            Requests MUST BE COPIED to the Officiating Chairperson by the lifter.

                  iii.            Requests MUST BE COPIED to the Drug Testing Official by the lifter.

                  iv.            A deposit of the required CPU fee plus a $5.00 administration fee, certified cheque or money order, payable to the OPA must accompany the copy of the Drug Testing Officials letter. The deposit is non-refundable subject to Number 7.

                    v.            Any lifter who sets a record and requests a drug test will be personally responsible to pay in cash/certified cheque/or money order, payable to the OPA, any difference in deposit to actual drug testing fee, at the time of test.

                  vi.            Any lifter who requests a drug test for a record and fails the attempt to set the record, will be responsible for paying all charges incurred by the OPA.

                 vii.            A written request for drug testing is subject to the availability of the proper referee officials and qualified drug testing personnel.

               viii.            A lifter who has not previously requested a drug test for an upcoming competition and requests a drug test on the day of the competition is subject to the availability of an extra test and personal payment in full to the satisfaction of the OPA, may then complete a drug test.

5.  The OPA may schedule out of competition testing.

ARTICLE XXIV - Fees

FEE SCHEDULE:

1. Effective January 1, 2002

a.       Individual registration - $60. 00 (No late fee)
OSO, SDO and Blind - $40.00

b.       Individual registration after July 1st - $40.00 - New members only
A NEW MEMBER that applies for a membership to allow him/her to enter a December competition will be given membership for the following calendar year if the full fee is paid.

c.       Club affiliation - $40.00

d.       Sanction fee - $40.00

e.       Associate member - $25.00

Effective January 1, 2006

a.       Individual registration - $60. 00 (No late fee)
OSO, SDO and Blind - $40.00

b.       Individual registration after July 1st - $40.00 - New members only
A NEW MEMBER that applies for a membership to allow him/her to enter a December competition will be given membership for the following calendar year if the full fee is paid.

c.       Club affiliation - $40.00

d.       Sanction fee - $10.00

e.       Associate member - $25.00

2. Drug Testing Fee:

a.       A Meet Director will charge each contestant an additional $5. 00 fee for the purpose of drug testing.

b.       This $5.00 per contestant fee will be forwarded to the OPA Treasurer to be used for drug testing purposes only.

c.       This drug-testing fee is to be paid within 30 days of receiving an invoice.

ARTICLE XXV - Equipment

1. If conditions for proper equipment and venue are not met, infractions will be noted and future sanctions will not be granted. Meet Directors will have to inform competitors about incorrect equipment, and that no records will be recognised.
2. Advertising

a.       Advertising may appear on T-shirts and other equipment providing there is no profanity and is not deemed inappropriate by the executive.

b.       IPF rules regarding size and placement of sponsor logos to be upheld.

c.       No fee will be required by the OPA.

d.       Sponsors and all logos are to be registered with the Registration Chair prior to use.

e.       The Registration Chair is to be given a copy of the proposed logo as is currently required for registered team logos.

f.         Registration is for one calendar year.

g.       Registration only applies to that one individual or club.

h.       The lifter will be responsible for presenting proof of registration to the equipment check official at every competition.

i.         Sponsor logos only apply to the Provincial level contests and below in Ontario.

ARTICLE XXVI - Travel / Accommodations / Expense Reimbursement

1. Within 30 days of the competition and upon submission of receipts to the Treasurer on the proper fully completed O.P.A. expense form, competing lifters will be reimbursed TWO-WAY TRAVEL and ACCOMMODATION to CHAMPIONSHIP MEETS ONLY effective January 1st, 2002 as follows : Provincials, Nationals 1001 km + = $100.00 Internationals 1001 km + = $200.00
2. Any lifter who travels to a National or International Competition that is selected to drug test and does not register a negative test will not be eligible to receive travel reimbursement from the OPA.
3. Provincial Referees will receive one-way travel reimbursement when travelling to competitions to obtain their National or International Referees Badge as per the above schedule (ARTICLE XXVI #1 - revised), provided they pass the test. Referees will also be eligible for reimbursement of expenses according to the following schedule:
   a. Travel up to 100 km = $35.00
   b. Travel from 101 km to 1000 km = 0.15 cents per km, and the cost of a hotel room up to $100.00 max. per day refereed
   c. Travel over 1000 km = as per schedule listed in ARTICLE XXVI #1 - revised
4. All reasonable expenses incurred in the operation of the OPA by its Board of Directors shall be reimbursed by the Association excluding travel and accommodation covered above.
5. Any Club which hosts a Provincial Championship Meet, i.e., Women's, Men's, Seniors and or Intermediates, finds that their costs have not been covered, may within 30 days of the competition date, submit a complete statement of revenue and expense to the Board of Directors. Upon review of the statement of revenue and expense, the Board of Directors, at its discretion, may or may not fund the Club an amount that may or may not equal the Championship Meet deficit.

ARTICLE XXVII - Complaints

1. Committee to deal with complaints shall consist of:

- One Executive Member and one lifter of choice;
- Complainant and one lifter of choice;
- Recipient of complaints and one lifter of choice;
- The Executive member will chair meeting.

2. Procedures to deal with complaints:

- All complaints will be submitted to the President in writing;
- Executive will determine if matter needs to be dealt with and how;
- Executive will appoint a member to sit on this committee;
- All decisions made by appointed Committee will be final.
- All complaints to be directed to the Executive and not to the Newsletter Editor. Names and details will be kept out of publication.

ARTICLE XXIX - Results

1. All sanctioned official scoresheet results, signed by three referees, held in Ontario, including World meet results, be distributed by the Meet Director within one week of the contest to:

OPA President
OPA Newsletter Editor
OPA Records Chairperson
CPU President

ARTICLE XXX - Sanctions

1. A sanction application must be received by the Registration Chair three months prior to the proposed date or the sanction will be denied. A sanction application will include a completed application form and payment for all fees.
2. Competition application forms must accompany the sanction request.
3. A competition cannot be advertised in the O.P.A. Magazine prior to the O.P.A. granting a sanction and approving the application form
4. Any club proposing a sanction for a meet shall provide one referee. This official must be an active referee, Level II Provincial or higher. The designated referee must be present at the meet to function in whatever capacity deemed necessary by the Referee Chairperson. The host club must provide one meal per day for each referee officiating.
5. Competitions within Ontario will not be sanctioned within 21 days of each other unless the majority of the executive votes to allow an exception. Sanctions will be allowed on a first come first serve basis.
6. The O.P.A. Executive at it's discretion may organise special contests for the purpose of introducing new lifters to the sport of Powerlifting (i.e. Students, Police and Fire personnel). Lifters must be Ontario residents but do not have to have a CPU card. These contests must be approved by applying to the O.P.A. Executive, (attention O.P.A. Secretary).

ONTARIO POWERLIFTING ASSOCIATION BY- LAW NUMBER ONE

A. MEMBERSHIP

1. Members - The members of the clubs consist of the subscribers to the constitution and by-law, and every other person, firm, club or corporation admitted as a member by the Executive Council.
2. Applications - All applications for membership shall be submitted to the Registration Chairperson and upon approval by the Executive Council, the applicant becomes a member.
3. Resignations - A member may resign by notification in writing and the resignation shall become effective upon acceptance thereof by the Executive Council. A member remains liable for payment of any assessment or other sum levied or which became payable by him/her to the association before acceptance of his/her resignation.
4. Expulsion - The Executive Council may by a vote of three-fourths of those voting members present and voting at a meeting of the members duly called for that purpose, expel or suspend any member whose conduct has been determined by the Executive Council to be improper, unbecoming, or likely to endanger the interests or reputation of the association of who willfully commits a breach of the constitution of by-law of the association. No member shall be expelled or suspended without being notified of the charge or complaint against him/her without having first been given an opportunity to be heard by the Executive Council at a meeting called for that purpose.
5. Any member of the OPA who is found guilty of bringing the sport into disrepute by means of his/her comments, published article, TV or radio broadcasts or for conduct of language judged improper, unbecoming or likely to adversely affect the interests and reputation of the OPA may be requested to appear before the Board of Directors. Should the Directors decide that a bonafide case of violation exists, the Directors will decide what punishment to be imposed upon the member.

B. DUES

1. Entrance Fee - There may be a membership entrance fee in such amount as is determined from time to time at a general meeting of the association.
2. Dues - The annual membership dues shall be determined by the members at the annual general meeting. All dues are payable in advance of the first day of January of each year. This is to include the default of a contest entry fee. All terminated memberships which do not appear to qualify for re-admittance will be published in the OPA magazine to ensure meet directors and officials are aware of the terminations. The Executive Council and meet directors reserve the right to request payment for charges incurred by the defaulting member before re-admittance is granted.
3. Default - If any member fails to pay their dues, fee or assessments, within thirty (30) days of the demand by the Registrar Chairperson, he/she thereupon automatically ceases to be a member of the association, but such a member may be readmitted to membership by the Executive Council upon such evidence as it considers satisfactory, upon payment of all arrears of fees, dues and assessments.  A member will be suspended for failure to pay fees at sanctioned events held by Regional clubs, including any charges incurred for NSF cheques (within 30 days).

C. GENERAL AND SPECIAL MEETINGS

1. Annual Meeting (AGM) - An AGM called for the purpose of electing directors and transacting such other business shall be held on or before the first weekend of December each year. Notice of the time and place of such meeting shall be published in the OPA Newsletter, last published and mailed to each member at least one month prior to the date of the AGM, or in such other manner as may be prescribed from time to time by the Executive Council.
2. Agenda - At every AGM, in addition to any other business that may be transacted, the report of the Executive Council, the financial statements and the report of the auditors shall be presented, a board of directors elected and auditors appointed for the ensuing year, and their remuneration fixed. In addition to any other business that may be transacted, the following business will also be transacted:

a.       Roll call

b.       Introduction of guests and tributes

c.       Reading of the minutes of the previous AGM

d.       President's report

e.       Past President's report

f.         Secretary's report

g.       Treasurer's report

h.       Auditor's report

i.         Member's request

j.         Unfinished business

k.       Amendments to Constitution

l.         Election of new Executive Council

m.     Appointment of Officers

n.       New business

3. Quorum - A quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting consists of a majority of the voting members of record in attendance, of the association.
4. Voting - With respect to the bi-annual election of Executive, voting privileges will be limited to one vote for each individual member. No proxies will be accepted.
5. Voting Procedure - At all other meetings of the association every question shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast by the members entitled to vote, including one vote from each member of the executive. Every question will be decided in the first instance by a show of hands unless a poll is demanded by any member. Unless a poll is demanded, declaration by the chairperson that a resolution has been carried or not carried and an entry to that effect in the minutes shall be sufficient evidence of the vote without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against such resolutions. In case of an equality of votes at any general entitled to a casting vote. Otherwise, the chairperson, who will be a member of the Executive, does not vote. This power of the chairperson is not exercised in the annual election of the Executive/Board of Directors. In the case of an equality of votes, with respect to the election of any member of the board, a runoff vote will be held as determined in such manner by the Executive/Board of Directors.
6. Vacancies - If any member of the Executive/Board of Directors resigns his/her office, or without reasonable excuse absents him/herself from three or more executive meetings, or is suspended or expelled from the association, the Executive shall declare his/her office vacated and may appoint a successor in his/her place to hold office until the next annual general meeting.
7. Indemnification - Every director of the association is deemed to have assumed office on the express agreement and condition that he/her and his/her heirs, executors, administrators, estate, and effects respectively shall from time to time and at all times be indemnified and saved harmless out of the funds of the association from and against all costs, charges and expenses which such executive sustains or incurs in or about any action, suit or proceeding which is brought, commenced, or prosecuted against him for or in respect of any act, deed, matter or thing made, done or permitted by him or any other executive member in or about the execution of the duties of his/her or their office, and also from and against all other costs, charges and expense which he/she sustains or incurs in or about or in relation to the affairs thereof except such cost, charges or expenses as are occasioned by his/her own willful neglect or default.

D. OPA Web Site

1. The OPA will assume the costs of the web site.
2. The OPA will receive any profits from advertising.
3. The web site will be run according to executive approved guidelines.

COMMUNICATIONS GUIDELINES

I. General Guidelines for the OPA Newsletter and OPA Web Page

1. No profanity.
2. No discriminatory or discriminating statements.
3. No derogatory statements.
4. All content must be able to be viewed by an unrestricted audience.

II. Specific Guidelines

1. Only official information, i.e. meet results, records and upcoming events are to be controlled by the OPA executive. All other information is at the discretion of the Newsletter editor and Webmaster.
2. Advertisement will be at the discretion of the Newsletter editor and Webmaster.
3. The Newsletter will be the OPA's primary form of communication. The Web site will be the secondary form of communication provided as an added service.
4. Prior to publication of the Newsletter, selected members of the executive will review all text information in an attempt to ensure accuracy.
5. Periodically selected members of the executive will review the Web page to ensure accuracy.

III. Information Collection

1. Upcoming Events - The Web Master and Newsletter Editor will receive information on upcoming events from the registration chair.
2. Tentative Events - One executive member will be appointed as meet coordinator. This person will assemble tentative dates for upcoming events and forward the information to the Newsletter editor and Webmaster on a regular basis. This is for information purposes only and is not to be confused with our sanctioned events. These events will be listed as tentative and pending sanction.
3. Meet Results - The meet director must send all meet results to the Newsletter editor and Webmaster. See the Meet Director's Hand Book for a complete listing.
4. Records - The records chair will provide the Newsletter editor and Webmaster with a full list of all provincial records once per year for publication. Amendments will be provided prior to the publication of each Newsletter to the Newsletter editor and Webmaster. No other mention of records shall be included in the Newsletter or Web page except as provided by the records chair.
5. Drug Testing - The drug testing contact will provide the Newsletter editor, prior to each issue, a list of all lifters tested and their results. Results not yet received and results under appeal will both be listed as pending. Positive results will also list the suspension received.