USA Weightlifting Inc

“The association has individual and organization membership categories. The individual categories are athlete, technical, sustaining, olympic and general. The organization category is organizational grassroots membership.”

“Members of usa weightlifting, inc. Can elect certain members to the board in accordance with the bylaws of usa weightlifting. Athlete, technical, sustaining, olympic and general members have one vote per person. The organizational grassroots members have one vote per club or organization. In order to be eligible to vote in an election, an individual shall only be allowed to vote in one membership category; must be at least eighteen years of age; and must be a member of the association, with fully paid dues, sixty days prior to the date of an election. Any individual who is a member of more than one membership category shall designate the membership category in which he or she shall vote. Membership is open to individuals under age eighteen but they are not allowed to vote. Among the athlete members that are classified as usoc elite athletes as that criteria is defined by the usoc will hold an open election for its elite athletes to elect one elite athlete to serve as an athlete director. The nominating and governance committee shall solicit an unlimited number of nominations of individuals from the technical membership group who meet the definition of technical members and have obtained at least ten signatures of support from the current technical membership category. From the nominated technical members, the nominating and governance committee shall then consider and select at least three individuals who shall then stand for election as a technical director on the board. All current technical members, shall then each have the right to one vote, which they may use to vote for one of the nominated individuals. The individuals with the two highest vote totals shall be elected as the technical directors to the board. The nominating and governance committee shall solicit an unlimited number of nominations of individuals from the grassroots membership category who meet the definition of club organization members. From those nominated, the nominating and governance committee shall then consider and select at least three individuals who shall then stand for election as a grassroots director. All current grassroots members shall then each have the right to one vote, which they may use to vote for one of the nominated grassroots members. The individual with the highest vote total shall be elected as the first grassroots director. All current grassroots members shall also each have the right to a number of votes determined by the number of members of the organization 60 days prior to the day of the election as follows: a) up to 9 members one vote, b) from 10 to 24 members two votes, and c) 25 or more members three votes, which these organizations may use to vote for a second grassroots director of the board. The individual with the highest number of votes shall be elected second grassroots director.”

“Any amendment or repeal of bylaws that increases or decreases the number of directors, changes the membership categories, or changes membership voting rights, may only be voted on and approved by the members of the membership category or categories whose number of directors, category, or voting rights are affected.”

“All committees are advisory; no committees have the authority to act on behalf of the governing body.”

“990 draft will be sent to the board of directors for review. The preliminary audit report is reviewed by the audit committee, followed by the 990 and final audit report. The audit committee will advise the board of any issues. This process has not changed from the prior year.”

“Each affiliated individual will annually sign and submit to the ethics committee and usa weightlifting's ceo a statement, using the standardized form, affirming that they have received a copy of the conflicts of interest policy, that they will declare any direct or perceived conflicts of interest, agree to comply with the policy, and that they understand that usa weightlifting is a charitable organization and in order to maintain its federal tax exemption it must engage primarily in activites which accomplish one or more of its tax-exempt purposes. Each annual disclosure will be reviewed and addressed by the ethics committee. Usa weightlifting maintains copies of all annual statements submitted by each affiliated individual in accordance with the stated document retention policies and procedures. At the beginning of each board meeting, board members will verbally declare their noted conflicts, and these conflicts will be disclosed in the board meeting minutes. In the event a potential conflict of interest exists with respect to a proposed transaction or arrangement, then promptly and before any decision is made regarding the proposed transaction or arrangement, the potential conflict of interest will be addressed as follows: i. The interested person may make a presentation to the ethics committee, which will ensure only disinterested parties currently seated on the ethics committee, are included in discussions and decision making, which may be convened telephonically, regarding the transaction or arrangement involving the potential conflict of interest. Ii. The interested person will then recuse themselves from any and all discussion and approval (if applicable) of the conflict of interest. Iii. The ethics committee will determine whether an actual or apparent conflict of interest exists. For transactions, the ethics committee may consider whether a competitive bid or competitive evaluation exists. Iv. If the ethics committee determines that an actual or apparent conflict of interest exists, it will determine whether there are mitigating measures that can be implemented to alleviate the conflict and/or what steps the interested individual and/or usa weightlifting must take or not take in order to avoid the conflict. The ethics committee, composed exclusively of disinterested parties, in making the final determination on potential violations, including athlete involvement, may determine in some cases that the organization cannot engage in the transaction or arrangement at all due to the conflict or potential conflict of interest.”

“Ceo, or top management official - the committee makes a recommendation to the board of directors based on ceo compenasation history, survey data from various sources provided by usopc human resources and comparisons to other ngbs. Other officers or key employees - determined by ceo, based on comparisons to other ngbs.”

“The organization's form 990 is posted on our website. All forms available for public inspection are available at the organization's office during normal business hours upon request.”

“Governing documents, financial statements, and the conflict of interest policy are available on the organization's website.”

“Board members may be compensated for services provided to the organization such as referree fees or instructor fees. Board members who are athlete representatives may also receive various athlete stipends as part of their member athlete status. This compensation is determined based on the normal practices of the organization. No board member is compensated for their services on the board of directors. The number of board members listed may be higher than the number of board members at year end due to turnover throughout the year.”

“Other professional fees: program service expenses 1,469,599. Management and general expenses 402,547. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 1,872,146.”

“The process has not changed from the prior year.”