Updated: September 10, 2006
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Ontario Powerlifting Association -
Constitution
ARTICLE I - Name
-
The Ontario Powerlifting Association (O.P.A.) is the
name given to this governing body for Powerlifting in
Ontario.
ARTICLE II - Official Emblem
-
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
-
The O.P.A. duration is indefinite.
-
A unanimous executive vote is needed to dissolve it.
ARTICLE IV - Objective
-
To work in accord with the Canadian Powerlifting Union.
-
To promote, control and develop powerlifting on a
provincial scale.
-
To promote an interest in and a dedication to better
health and fitness through weight training.
-
To help in the development of new training techniques
involving weight training for other sports.
-
To develop Powerlifting as a competitive sport in a high
school and university level.
-
To set up and enforce rules for competition in
accordance with I.P.F. rules.
-
To appoint qualified referees.
-
To regulate and control provincial championships.
-
To set up a committee to discipline clubs and
individuals that do not follow the constitution.
-
To honour individuals in the form of special awards for
exceptional work and achievement.
ARTICLE V - General Provisions
-
The O.P.A. forbids distinctions between individuals, for
reasons of race, color, religion or politics.
-
The O.P.A. headquarters is situated in the town where
the President lives.
-
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.
-
The O.P.A. forbids sexual harassment whether it be of a
verbal or physical nature to any individual.
ARTICLE VI - Official Language
-
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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
The election of members of the executive council will be
carried out by secret ballot.
-
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.
-
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
-
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
-
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.
-
Any registered member of the O.P.A. is eligible
for election on a position of the executive.
-
The Executive Council is elected for a term of
two years. Retiring members are eligible for re-election.
-
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
-
The President directs the debate and keeps order
at the general meetings according to the traditions and rules of
parliamentary debate.
-
In case of equal voting on a motion, the
President will have the deciding vote.
-
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.
-
The President shall present all awards at
Provincial meets. The President may delegate this duty to other officials.
-
The President will issue all official notices of
all meetings.
ARTICLE X (i) - Duties of the Past-President
-
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
-
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.
-
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
-
The Vice President will be responsible for fundraising.
ARTICLE XII - Duties of the Secretary
-
To make proper arrangements for keeping the records of
O.P.A.
-
To conduct all official correspondence of the O.P.A.
-
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
-
Delegating the aforementioned duties to such assistants
as may be provided by the O.P.A. to perform same
-
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
-
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.
-
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.
-
To be completed by an auditor as appointed from
time to time by the Board of Directors.
-
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.
-
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
-
The Officiating Chairperson will be responsible
for all testing of provincial referees.
-
The Officiating Chairperson will keep in constant
communication with the national officiating Chairperson on rules and
referees.
-
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.
-
The unofficial position of Assistant Referee
Chairperson is created to share and learn the duties of the Officiating
Chairperson.
-
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
-
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.
-
The Records Chairperson will keep in constant
communications with the National Records Chairperson as to the development
or records.
-
The Records Chairperson will be responsible for a yearly
report to be given at the Provincial General Meeting.
-
The Records Chairperson will prepare a top ten Ontario
Men's and Women's list for publication once per year.
-
The Records Chairperson will issue Merit Badges.
-
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
-
A lifter may apply for all Merit Badges below an
attained Class at no charge.
ARTICLE XVI - Duties of Registration Chairperson
-
The duties of the Registration Chairperson is to
handle all registrations of powerlifters and clubs in
Ontario.
-
The Registration Chairperson is responsible for
all registration cards issued.
-
The Registration Chairperson will issue all
contest sanctions, club affiliations and other O.P.A. documents.
-
The Registration Chairperson is to ensure that
there is a reasonable time between meets as laid out in ARTICLE XXX -
Sanctions
-
The Registrar Chairperson will identify each
incoming cheque with the members CPU card number and/or name, if not
already clearly marked on cheque.
-
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.
-
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
-
The duty of the Regional Chairperson is to run
two contests in their region per annum.
-
To hold one Category I referees' clinic per annum
and at least one coaching clinic per annum.
-
Hold a coaching clinic when deemed necessary by
the OPA executive.
-
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
-
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
-
Standard application form has to be submitted no
later than 30 Calendar days from the date of the supposed record.
-
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.
-
The lifter is responsible for completion and
submission of the application form.
-
To set an Ontario Record the lifter must be drug
tested at the time the record is set and must pass the drug test.
-
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.
-
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
-
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
-
OPA OFFICIALS CAN ONLY OFFICIATE AT I.P.F./C.P.U MEMBER
SANCTIONED CONTESTS.
-
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
-
Duties of O.P.A. referees - must be active and willing
to participate in O.P.A. activities.
-
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.
-
Referees are required to join the Ontario Powerlifting
Association annually, as an associate member or higher.
-
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%.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Referees are eligible for expense reimbursement
as per the schedules listed in ARTICLE XXVI, 1, 3.
-
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
-
The Club must be registered under a Provincial
Organization.
-
In order to represent a club, the lifter must train with
that club on a regular basis (at least once a week).
-
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
-
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.
-
A lifter may remain in a particular category throughout
the calendar year in which he reaches the stated upper limit of that
category
-
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.
-
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
|
Wt. Class |
52 |
56 |
60 |
67.5 |
75 |
82.5 |
90 |
100 |
110 |
125 |
125+ |
|
ELITE |
482.5 |
525.0 |
565.0 |
632.5 |
692.5 |
745.0 |
785.0 |
827.5 |
857.5 |
882.5 |
917.5 |
|
MASTER |
445.0 |
482.5 |
520.0 |
580.0 |
635.0 |
582.5 |
722.5 |
760.0 |
787.5 |
810.0 |
842.5 |
|
CLASS I |
400.0 |
432.5 |
465.0 |
522.5 |
570.0 |
612.5 |
645.0 |
682.5 |
705.0 |
725.0 |
757.5 |
|
CLASS II |
352.5 |
380.0 |
410.0 |
457.5 |
500.0 |
540.0 |
570.0 |
600.0 |
620.0 |
640.0 |
667.5 |
|
CLASS III |
305.0 |
332.5 |
357.5 |
402.5 |
437.5 |
470.0 |
497.5 |
525.0 |
542.5 |
557.5 |
580.0 |
|
CLASS IV |
267.5 |
290.0 |
312.5 |
350.0 |
380.0 |
410.0 |
432.5 |
455.0 |
475.0 |
487.5 |
507.5 |
v. WOMEN'S PROVINCIAL COMPETITION STANDARDS
|
Wt. Class |
44 |
48 |
52 |
56 |
60 |
67.5 |
75 |
82.5 |
90 |
90+ |
|
ELITE |
290.0 |
310.0 |
332.5 |
355.0 |
375.0 |
412.5 |
445.0 |
477.5 |
512.5 |
540.0 |
|
MASTER |
262.5 |
282.5 |
302.5 |
322.5 |
340.0 |
375.0 |
405.0 |
435.0 |
465.0 |
490.0 |
|
CLASS I |
235.0 |
255.0 |
272.5 |
290.0 |
305.0 |
337.5 |
365.0 |
392.5 |
417.5 |
440.0 |
|
CLASS II |
210.0 |
225.0 |
242.5 |
257.5 |
272.5 |
300.0 |
325.0 |
347.5 |
372.5 |
392.5 |
|
CLASS III |
182.5 |
197.5 |
212.5 |
225.0 |
237.5 |
262.5 |
282.5 |
305.0 |
325.0 |
342.5 |
|
CLASS IV |
157.5 |
170.0 |
182.5 |
192.5 |
205.0 |
225.0 |
242.5 |
260.0 |
280.0 |
295.0 |
Qualification Totals for
Provincial and National Contests
NATIONAL
|
Category |
Women |
Men |
|
Open |
Class III |
Class I |
|
Master 40-49 |
Class III |
Class II |
|
Master 50+ |
Class IV |
Class III |
|
Master 60+ |
Class IV |
Class IV |
|
Master 70 + |
- |
Class IV |
|
Junior |
Class III |
Class III |
|
Sub-Junior |
Class IV |
Class IV |
ONTARIO
|
Category |
Women |
Men |
|
Senior |
Class III |
Class I |
|
Master 40-49 |
Class III |
Class II |
|
Master 50+ |
Class IV |
Class III |
|
Master 60+ |
Class IV |
Class IV |
|
Master 70+ |
- |
Class IV |
|
Junior |
Class III |
Class III |
|
Sub-Junior |
Class IV |
Class IV |
|
Intermediate |
- |
(Class III + 4%) <
Class I |
Bench Press Qualifying Totals
|
Wt. Class |
52 |
56 |
60 |
67.5 |
75 |
82.5 |
90 |
100 |
110 |
125 |
125+ |
|
Men |
80.0 |
87.5 |
95.0 |
105.0 |
115.0 |
125.0 |
130.0 |
137.5 |
142.5 |
147.5 |
152.5 |
|
|
|
Wt. Class |
44 |
48 |
52 |
56 |
60 |
67.5 |
75 |
82.5 |
90 |
90+ |
|
|
Women |
40.0 |
42.5 |
47.5 |
50.0 |
52.5 |
57.5 |
62.5 |
67.5 |
72.5 |
75.0 |
|
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
-
The OPA reserves the right to perform drug
testing for banned IPF substances at any contest under its' jurisdiction.
-
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.
-
A list of banned OPA members to be kept current
and published on a regular basis.
-
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:
-
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
-
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
-
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.
-
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
-
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
-
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.
-
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
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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.
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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
-
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
-
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.
-
Competition application forms must accompany the
sanction request.
-
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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
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.
-
Applications - All applications for membership
shall be submitted to the Registration Chairperson and upon approval by
the Executive Council, the applicant becomes a member.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
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.
-
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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
The OPA will assume the costs of the web site.
-
The OPA will receive any profits from
advertising.
-
The web site will be run according to executive
approved guidelines.
COMMUNICATIONS GUIDELINES
I. General Guidelines for the OPA Newsletter and OPA Web Page
-
No profanity.
-
No discriminatory or discriminating statements.
-
No derogatory statements.
-
All content must be able to be viewed by an
unrestricted audience.
II. Specific Guidelines
-
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.
-
Advertisement will be at the discretion of the
Newsletter editor and Webmaster.
-
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.
-
Prior to publication of the Newsletter, selected
members of the executive will review all text information in an attempt to
ensure accuracy.
-
Periodically selected members of the executive
will review the Web page to ensure accuracy.
III. Information Collection
-
Upcoming Events - The Web Master and Newsletter
Editor will receive information on upcoming events from the registration
chair.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.