American Armsport Association
Unify Info


The American Armsport Association has received the following proposal from the United States Armwrestling Association (USAA), Leonard Harkless, President and Denise Wattles, Executive Director.

Updated 12/14/01

Subject: message from USAA
Date: Fri, 16 Nov 2001 09:49:54 -0800
From: "Dave Devoto" <ddevoto@sonic.net>
To: "Karen Bean" <armsport@usit.net>

Hi Again......

Following is email Leonard requested I send to you on the Tuesday the 13th of the month.  I received it at
9:37am and it was sent to you at 10:14am, 11:33am and 11:36am.  It was twice returned to me with failure
notices.  I will send you copies of the failure notices is you so desire.

Dave
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Dear Karen and Frank.......

Leonard asked that I send you a copy of the USWA/USAA proposal.

Best wishes,

Dave

Frank and Karen,

  This letter is concerning the unification of Armsports in the United States.

  The United States Armwrestling Association proposal to AAA is as follows:

   1)      The AAA would become a member of the “umbrella organization” called U.S.A. known as United States Armsports.

   2)      The organization would observe “Roberts Rules of Order:”

   3)      The U.S.A. does not collect any dues from members.  U.S.A.’s only revenue comes from the 50% return of net
            profits from the Unified Nationals.

   4)      The AAA, USWA/USAA, WWC and IAF would be the members of the Executive Board of this organization. The
            AAA would have 6 people on the Executive Board, with WWC, USWA/USAA and IAF each having 2.

   5)      From that Executive Board of 12 they would elect a President.  Leaving 11 persons on the Executive Board plus a
           President.

   6)      Each association would retain their individual association structures including their Board of Directors and State
           Directors.

   7)      All other associations joining the United States Armsports would be general members.

   8)      The United States Armsports would represent all associations in the U.S. as a member of W.A.F.

   9)      The Executive Board, by a simple majority, would vote on the site for the Unified Nationals from bids submitted. All
            bids must adhere to the approved bid form.

   10)  All members of U.S.A. would be eligible to submit a bid for the Unified Nationals.

   11)  The President would vote only in the case of a tie.

   12)  The President would be voted to the position by a simple majority of the Executive Board.

   13)  The election of officers will be held every 2 years.

   14)  Any independent association can be a member of United States Armsports.  They can only be added to the Executive
         Board with a 2/3 majority.

   15)  All other duties and/or responsibilities must be voted on by the current Executive Board. Approval will be by a 2/3
          majority vote.

   16)  The President would be the U.S.A.’s representative to W.A.F.

         The need for unification has never been greater.  As you know U.S.A. and AAA are both representing the U.S. in two different WAF’s.  There are now two different European Armsports Federations.  It appears they are on the way to unifying.  Let us not be the only continent that has not made this step for our sport.

   The need for only one WAF is very vital for Armwrestling all over the world.

   Ignoring our problems in the U.S. has not been beneficial for Armwrestling.

   This proposal will not hurt AAA or change how you do tournaments, it will make a big difference in what happens through out the world.
 
 

    Leonard Harkless                                                                                   Denise Wattles

   President United States Armwrestling Association                             Executive Director USAA/USWA


November 24, 2001

Leonard & Denise,

We thank you for your proposal from the United States Armwrestling Association.  We appreciate your offer to become a member of the "umbrella organization" known as United States Armsports (U.S.A.).

As in every day business, any time one entity is approached to join/merge with another, there must be a complete and total knowledge of exactly who and what they are possibly merging with.  As soon as we know some details of the "umbrella organization" that you have asked us to join, then we will know how we may move forward to operate together.  Therefore, as you, the USAA, are already a member of the "umbrella organization" United States Armsports, we ask you the following:

1.  Who owns United States Armsports?
2.  Is it a legally registered company, corporation, LLC, or DBA?
3.  Who are the legally registered officers of United States Armsports?
4.  Is it legally registered as profit or non profit?
5.  Can you please provide us with a copy of the United States Armsports Constitution & By-Laws?

Please do not consider any of our questions as negative.  These negotiations must be considered business and are not personal.  We are merely trying to establish what exactly the umbrella organization (U.S.A.) is and how it operates before making any committments.

We look forward to your response,

Frank & Karen



Subject: Forwarded by DDevoto at the request of L. Harkless
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001 15:41:32 -0800
From: "Dave Devoto" <ddevoto@sonic.net>
To: "Karen Bean" <armsport@usit.net>

November 26, 2001

Frank and Karen,

First of all, we were glad to get your response so quickly.

We will answer your questions so you can make a more informed decision.  First let me say that the invitation is for AAA to join United States ArmSports. There is no merger part of the proposal.  I will send you a copy of the constitution of USA also.

Your questions are answered in the order that you gave them.  I will also send you the forms we use for bidding for the USA Unified Nationals and also the forms and regulations for joining United States ArmSports.

 #1  “Who owns United States Armsports?”

USA is not owned by anyone but is run by the Executive Board of  Directors.

#2  “Is it a legally registered company, corporation, LLC, or DBA?”

We are registered with the Federal Government and have a Federal tax ID number.

#3  “Who are the legally registered officers of United States Armsports”

 WWC – Dave Devoto, Bill  Sobranes,  USAA/USWA – Denise Wattles, Leonard Harkless,  IAF – Bill Cox, Gerri
Cox.

#4  “Is USA legally registered as profit or non-profit?”

Because the annual income is less than the minimum required to file taxes, the USA is not registered as non-profit. The USA has no payroll and no membership fees.  The only income generated is from half of the net profit from the Unified National tournament. In the past this income has totaled less than $1200 annually. The $1200 is distributed toward the annual WAF dues, postage, copies and phone calls.

#5  “Can you please provide us with a copy of the United States Armsports Constitution and By-Laws?”

Yes I will.

 We look forward to your response.

Leonard Harkless                                                          Denise Wattles
President                                                                       Executive Director
United States Armwrestling Association                        United States Armwrestling Association


November 27, 2001

Leonard & Denise,

We thank you for your answer.  We look forward to receiving a copy of the United States Armsport's Constitution & By-Laws.  We also look forward to receiving all other documents regarding bid procedures, application, etc.  Are we to receive this via email or postal mail?

You have answered question #1 and #2, stating "USA is not owned by anyone..." and, "We are registered with the Federal Government and have a Federal tax ID number".  As such, one person or multiple persons have to be registered as legal owner(s), and, in order to receive a federal tax ID number, United States Armsports much be a company, corporation, or LLC.
How and Whose name(s) is United States Armsports registered under?

You have answered question #3, stating the legally registered officers of USA are "WWC – Dave Devoto, Bill  Sobranes,  USAA/USWA – Denise Wattles, Leonard Harkless,  IAF – Bill Cox, Gerri Cox".
Are you telling us that United States Armsports is legally registered with the Federal government with all 6 people you have listed owning United States Armsports?

We are somewhat confused on one issue.  We received a proposal from you, Leonard & Denise, the USAA.  This proposal was sent to us from Dave Devoto, not you.  As we were having a problem with our email program, we assumed this must have been the reason.  We replied to you, Leonard & Denise, the USAA and we now have received your response.  Again, from Dave Devoto, not you.  What is the reason that you, yourselves, are not directly communicating with us?

This is not to say that the other entities involved, the WWC and the IAF, should not be kept abreast of these communications, however, we don't understand the necessity of a "middle man".  Could you please explain?

Frank & Karen



Subject: US ArmSports trust
Date: Tue, 04 Dec 2001 20:26:16 -0700
From: Denise Wattles <dmwatts@wtp.net>
To: armsport@usit.net

December 11, 2001

Frank & Karen,

I’m sorry that this response to your last letter has taken so long, Denise and myself had to prepare for Poland. We just got back last night and the paperwork will be sent to you today overnight U.S.P.S. .

In answer to your question about the U.S.A. umbrella; United States ArmSports is legally classified as a "Trust". The USA constitution governs how the "Trust" is operated. Our Federal ID # application was filed in 1999 as a "Trust" with Denise Wattles as the agent for the "Trust".
 

Leonard Harkless                                                Denise Wattles

President U.S.A.A.                                              Executive Director U.S.A.A.



 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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