Discuss

Reminders:
  • Proposal here is in it's original form as it was submitted. On this submittal each numbered item represents a separate proposal and vote
  • Executive Board - Voted the following way:
    1. 2 Yes, 2 No, 7 Abstain - Board No*
    2. 9 Yes, 0 No, 1 Abstain - Board Yes
    3. 0 Yes, 10 No, 1 Abstain - Board No
  • 2/3rds State Body Vote is required for passage for those items voted no by board. 50% + 1 majority vote by State Body for those voted yes.

* This vote ends as No because in Robert's a tie vote means the motion fails. USAWKS does not have a specific bylaw that gives the Chairman a tie-braking vote. Abstention votes only affects the majority needed for passage.

Notes: On proposal 1: In general most of the board did not feel one way or another about this proposal. There really is no point in closed meetings since business cannot be conducted in them so the current board has never had one. There are executive sessions in open meetings which would accomplish the same thing and they are not subject to public viewing or knowledge. These are generally used only for disciplinary discussions or topics that are not ready to be presented to the body at that very moment. Any action that would result from such sessions is always required to be done in an open part of the meeting regardless. For this reason this proposal isn't really needed, but it will be voted on by the body either way.

On proposal 2: As this most directly affects the individual districts and not really the Executive board itself for the most part, if this is what and how the districts would like to delegate themselves, then the board would give its vote in furtherance of the body voting for it.

On proposal 3: While there are perhaps some who might try to manipulate State Body and even District votes by way of establishing tiny clubs with virtually no membership, the board did not believe this was really an issue that was truly affecting the state body as a whole. Not that it isn't an important consideration or that it couldn't get bad at some point, only that it is not currently an issue. Moreover to start taking away very small clubs votes who legitimately only have say 8 to 14 wrestlers was not something anyone on the board was willing to do.

Quote
Proposal #1
1. ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVES, Section 11: Open Meetings:
#1: Policy Current Bylaw: "ALL USAWKS meetings are open to ANY and ALL USAWKS members. This includes the District Meetings, the State Body Meeting, ALL USAWKS Board meetings and any other USAWKS meeting where business is conducted. While closed meetings are absolutely discouraged, they can be held but business cannot be conducted in these meetings. A closed meeting does NOT require minutes, documentation, nor notice. In the spirit of USAWKS transparency these meetings are not encouraged.·

#1: Issue: This bylaw prohibits closed meetings from conducting any business while also allowing closed meetings to exist. If closed meetings cannot conduct business, then their existence is unnecessary and contradictory. Additionally, not requiring minutes, documentation, or notice for closed meetings contradicts the organization's transparency goals.

#1: Suggested Change: Remove or modify the statement to clarify the role of closed meetings. For example: "All meetings where official USAWKS business is conducted shall be open to USAWKS members. Any closed meetings, if held, must be documented and reported to the Board, except in cases of personnel matters or legal discussions.·
Here is one I would like to propose as a change:

Proposal #2
ARTICLE VI - BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Section 2: Number and Selection Procedure of District Directors
#2: Current Bylaw: The state shall be divided into four (4) geographical districts as determined by the Board of Directors. The chartered clubs within each District shall elect, from its member-chartered clubs, the following Directors on an annual basis: a District Director, a minimum of two (2) assistant District Directors and one District Olympic Style Director, Officials Director, and a Womens Wrestling Director. The Assistant District Directors shall report to their respective District Director. The District Olympic Style

Representatives, District Officials Director; and District Womens Wrestling Director shall report directly to the State Olympic Style Director."

#2: Proposed Change (Enhanced District Authority): The state shall be divided into four (4)
geographical districts as determined by the Board of Directors. The chartered clubs within each District shall elect, from its member-chartered clubs, the following Directors on an annual basis: a District
Director, a minimum of two (2) Assistant District Directors, a District Olympic Style Director, an Officials Director, and a Women's Wrestling Director. The Assistant District Directors, District Olympic Style
Director, Officials Director, and Women's Wrestling Director shall report directly to their respective District Director, ensuring that district leadership has direct oversight over officiating and women's
wrestling initiatives within their region.

I believe this helps each district retain decision-making authority over local tournament qualification procedures, youth development initiatives, and other district-level wrestling programs. Any decision made by a district may only be overturned by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors."

Proposal #3

#3: Proposed Bylaw Change: Minimum Membership Requirement for Club Voting Rights
Impacted Bylaw: ARTICLE Ill -MEMBERS, Section 2: Voting Members

Current Bylaw:
(a) Each chartered club whose charter was issued by USAWKS and paid for during the previous fiscal year by March 1.
(b) A chartered club must be in good standing with USAWKS to be eligible to vote.
(c) Each voting member shall have only one vote.
(d) In order to vote, each club director must have a current USAW Wrestling leader Membership before the State Body Meeting is called to order.

Proposed Change:
ARTICLE 111 -MEMBERS, Section 2: Voting Members
(a) Each chartered club whose charter was issued by USAWKS and paid for during the previous fiscal year by March 1, and which maintains a minimum of 15 registered USAWKS members (wrestlers, coaches, or officials) at the time of the State Body Meeting.
(b) A chartered club must be in good standing with USAWKS to be eligible to vote.
(c) Each voting member shall have only one vote.
(d) In order to vote, each club director must have a current USAW Wrestling leader Membership before the State Body Meeting is called to order.

Rationale for This Change:

1. Prevents "Shell" Clubs from Manipulating Votes -Establishing a minimum membership threshold ensures that clubs actively contribute to wrestling development rather than existing solely to influence state-level decisions.
2i Encourages Growth and Development -By requiring clubs to have at least 15 registered members, it incentivizes clubs to recruit and retain youth wrestlers, coaches, and officials
rather than just existing for administrative or political purposes.
3. Maintains Voting Integrity -This reduces the risk of fraudulent or disproportionate representation, ensuring that voting clubs are actively engaged in the sport.

Submitted by JC Christenson on behalf of Eric Fishe, Bobcat Wresting Club