Update on Board Elections
January 10, 2011
The USAT Board of Directors has decided unanimously to engage an executive search firm to evaluate the qualifications of candidates for open Board positions to ensure that the highest quality candidates are presented to our electorates. This change will occur immediately and replaces the former Nominating and Governance Committee. All pending candidacies shall be forwarded to the Search Committee for evaluation and interviews.
The Board decided to take this action to ensure that the process is fair, open and independent to all candidates. The Board strongly believes that every candidate for a directorÂ’s position deserves a full, thorough and fair vetting free of any possible claims of favoritism or cronyism. The Board made this decision after a thorough review of the candidate selection process and alleged improprieties. In conducting this review, the Board recognized that in a relatively small sports organization like USAT there are inevitably many close relationships between the various stakeholders and participants so greater independence was needed to eliminate potential claims of favoritism or cronyism. The Board determined that utilizing professionals with expertise in the executive search field with no ties to taekwondo was the best way to protect the process and all of the candidates. The BoardÂ’s underlying guiding principle was that to succeed and fulfill its mission, the organization not only must have professional quality people of high character and skill to serve on its Board but to be effective these individuals must not be tainted by claims of favoritism or cronyism. The Board views this action as another step in eliminating negative politics from the sport so that it can move forward, grow and provide the best possible environment for success for its athletes and other stakeholders.
The Board would like to stress that in conducting its review and making its decision it did not know the names of the potential candidates and no action has been taken with respect to any candidates – all of whom who’s candidacy will be forwarded to the new Search Committee for evaluation and interviews. The Board affirmed that it has no interest in learning the candidate’s identities as the process continues.
Further, USA Taekwondo is seeking additional candidates for the “Small Club” director position (i.e., the directorship for member club owners who have had at least 15 members registered with USAT in 2008, 2009 and 2010 but no more than 35 members registered in two of those years). Currently, only two qualified candidates have submitted their candidacy for that position and the bylaws requires that Search Committee submit two qualified candidates to the electorate. Additional candidates are being sought so that there may be an effective vetting process. Club owners interested are requested to please submit that application to USAT on or before January 17, 2011.
Additionally, USA Taekwondo is now seeking candidates for a second “Independent” director position on the Board. This position become open do to the resignation of Ron Getto. Any candidates meeting the definition of “independent” as set forth in our bylaws are requested to submit a full resume and a cover letter to USAT setting forth the reasons for their interest in serving on the USAT Board. Independent candidates shall submit their applications to USAT on or before January 21, 2011.
January 10, 2011
The USAT Board of Directors has decided unanimously to engage an executive search firm to evaluate the qualifications of candidates for open Board positions to ensure that the highest quality candidates are presented to our electorates. This change will occur immediately and replaces the former Nominating and Governance Committee. All pending candidacies shall be forwarded to the Search Committee for evaluation and interviews.
The Board decided to take this action to ensure that the process is fair, open and independent to all candidates. The Board strongly believes that every candidate for a directorÂ’s position deserves a full, thorough and fair vetting free of any possible claims of favoritism or cronyism. The Board made this decision after a thorough review of the candidate selection process and alleged improprieties. In conducting this review, the Board recognized that in a relatively small sports organization like USAT there are inevitably many close relationships between the various stakeholders and participants so greater independence was needed to eliminate potential claims of favoritism or cronyism. The Board determined that utilizing professionals with expertise in the executive search field with no ties to taekwondo was the best way to protect the process and all of the candidates. The BoardÂ’s underlying guiding principle was that to succeed and fulfill its mission, the organization not only must have professional quality people of high character and skill to serve on its Board but to be effective these individuals must not be tainted by claims of favoritism or cronyism. The Board views this action as another step in eliminating negative politics from the sport so that it can move forward, grow and provide the best possible environment for success for its athletes and other stakeholders.
The Board would like to stress that in conducting its review and making its decision it did not know the names of the potential candidates and no action has been taken with respect to any candidates – all of whom who’s candidacy will be forwarded to the new Search Committee for evaluation and interviews. The Board affirmed that it has no interest in learning the candidate’s identities as the process continues.
Further, USA Taekwondo is seeking additional candidates for the “Small Club” director position (i.e., the directorship for member club owners who have had at least 15 members registered with USAT in 2008, 2009 and 2010 but no more than 35 members registered in two of those years). Currently, only two qualified candidates have submitted their candidacy for that position and the bylaws requires that Search Committee submit two qualified candidates to the electorate. Additional candidates are being sought so that there may be an effective vetting process. Club owners interested are requested to please submit that application to USAT on or before January 17, 2011.
Additionally, USA Taekwondo is now seeking candidates for a second “Independent” director position on the Board. This position become open do to the resignation of Ron Getto. Any candidates meeting the definition of “independent” as set forth in our bylaws are requested to submit a full resume and a cover letter to USAT setting forth the reasons for their interest in serving on the USAT Board. Independent candidates shall submit their applications to USAT on or before January 21, 2011.
