Elections

The Athlete Director nominations list was compiled by the USANKF administrative office and reviewed by the Nominating & Governance Committee.  The Committee reported to the Board that one nominee met the criteria to move forward in the process at this time.

Brian Hilliard is the nominee who meets the USANKF criteria to move forward in the process. Ballots for the Athlete Director position will be sent out as per the published schedule on 1/23/23 via YesElections. The voting period will remain open until 2/13/23.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact natoffice@usankf.org.

The At-Large Director nominations list was compiled by the USANKF administrative office and reviewed by the Nominating & Governance Committee as to the number of qualified nomination letters received by each nominee. Utilizing this information, the Committee reported to the Board that two nominees met the criteria to move forward in the process at this time. Senthil Thiyagarajan and Givonna Long are the nominees whose letters met the USANKF criteria to move forward in the process.

We apologize for the delay and appreciate your understanding. Ballots will be sent out on 1/17/23 via YesElections. The voting period will remain open until 2/7/23. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact natoffice@usankf.org.

The Board has postponed the announcement of candidates for the position of "Elected At-Large Director" for a couple of days as we are verifying that the process utilized to confirm compliance with our rules was proper. In addition, because of the holidays and staffing at our At-Large election administrator, the distribution of ballots and the final election deadline may be pushed back a few days as well. Thank you for your patience.

The USA National Karate-do Federation (USANKF) Board of Directors updated the USANKF Bylaws earlier this year to remove the Approved Sports Organization (ASO) Board position and add an Elected At-Large Board position.  We are pleased to announce the timeline for the election of the Elected At-Large Board position. The term of this Board position is until December 31, 2024.

The timeline for the election of the Elected At-Large Board position is as follows:

1. At least 18 years of age
2. United States Citizen
3. Active USANKF member in good standing
4. Current NCSI Background Check
5. Current Center for SafeSport training
6. Cannot be a banned member or listed in the US Center for SafeSport Central Disciplinary Database

1. The following information should be emailed to elections@usankf.org in one email with the subject line of "Nomination for Elected At-Large Board position”
1. Nominee Name
2. Nominee Date of Birth
3. Nominee Contact Information
4. Email addressPhone number
5. Nominee USANKF Member number
2. Nominees are also required to submit the following:
1. If nominated by another member, the nominee must accept the nomination via an email sent to elections@usankf.org with the subject line of “Acceptance of Nomination for Elected At-Large Board position”
2. Statement of Intent for the position – a brief statement of how you will serve the USANKF if elected.  This statement should be sent via email to elections@usankf.org with the subject line of “Statement of Intent for Elected At-Large Board position”.  This statement will be shared with all eligible voters.
3. Complete a Conflict of Interest Disclosure which will be reviewed by the Ethics Committee to confirm that no significant conflicts exist.
3. 25 signatures of support from current adult USANKF members are required for each nominee.
1. Each member’s statement of support must be sent via email to elections@usankf.org
2. The email should have a subject line of “Statement of support for Elected At-Large Board position” and include the following items:
1. Nominee name
2. Member name (sending the letter of support)
3. Member USANKF number
4. Member contact information
1. Email address
2. Phone number
4. The Ethics committee shall review the Conflict of Interest Disclosures for all nominees to confirm that no significant conflicts exist for the nominee.
5. The Nominating and Governance committee shall validate nominations as per the requirements listed above and approve the slate of candidates for the election.
6. All eligible nominees will be included in the slate of candidates for the election.
7. Only active adult USANKF members that cannot vote for another Board member position as individuals shall be eligible to vote for this position.

We are pleased to announce the timeline for the election of the Elected Athlete Board position. The term of this Board position is until December 31, 2026.

The timeline for the election of the Elected Athlete Board position is as follows:

1. 10-year athletes (as described in section 8.5 of the bylaws of the USOPC)
2. At least 18 years of age
3. United States Citizen
4. Active USANKF member in good standing
5. Current NCSI Background Check
6. Current Center for SafeSport training
7. Cannot be a banned member or listed in the US Center for SafeSport Central Disciplinary Database

1. Nominees are also required to submit the following:
1. If nominating another member, email to elections@usankf.org with the subject line "Nomination for Elected Athlete Board position”.
1. Nominee Name
2. If nominated by another member, the nominee must accept the nomination via an email sent to elections@usankf.org with the subject line “Acceptance of Nomination for Elected Athlete Board position” and provide the following information:
1. Nominee Name
2. Nominee's Date of Birth
3. Nominee Contact Information
1. Email address
2. Phone number
4. Nominee USANKF Member number
3. Statement of Intent for the position – a brief statement of how you will serve the USANKF if elected.  This statement should be sent via email to elections@usankf.org with the subject line “Statement of Intent for Elected Athlete Board position”.  This statement will be shared with all eligible voters.
4. Complete a Conflict of Interest Disclosure.
2. The Ethics Committee shall review the Conflict of Interest Disclosures for all nominees to confirm that no significant conflicts exist for the nominee.
3. The Nominating and Governance Committee shall validate nominations per the requirements listed above and approve the slate of candidates for the election.
4. All eligible nominees will be included in the slate of candidates for the election.
5. Only active USANKF members meeting the 10-year athlete criteria shall be eligible to vote for this position.

• The deadline to nominate a member for the elected At-Large position is Monday, December 12, 2022.
• Don't forget to renew your membership at https://usankf.sport80.com - All nominees and eligible voters must have an active membership in good standing.

The following sections of the Bylaws describe the function and qualifications of the Board:

Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the authority of, and the business and affairs of USA-NKF shall be governed by, its Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors represents the interests of USA-NKF’s membership, the United States Karate community and Karate athletes by providing USA-NKF with policy, guidance and strategic direction.  The Board oversees the management of USA-NKF and its affairs, but it does not manage USA-NKF.  The Board shall select a well-qualified and ethical Chief Executive Officer and diligently oversee the Chief Executive Officer in the operation of USA-NKF.  The Board shall focus on long-term objectives and impacts rather than on day-to-day management, empowering the Chief Executive Officer to manage a staff-driven organization with effective Board oversight.  In addition, the Board performs the following specific functions, among others: 

1. implements procedures to educate each director of the Board on the business and governance affairs of USA-NKF, to evaluate each director’s performance, and to orient new directors;
2. selects, compensates, and evaluates the Chief Executive Officer and plans for management succession; 
3. reviews and approves USA-NKF’s strategic plan and the annual operating plans, budget, business plans, and corporate performance;
4. sets policy and provides guidance and strategic direction to management on significant issues facing USA-NKF; 
5. reviews and approves significant corporate actions;
6. oversees the financial reporting process, communications with stakeholders, and USA-NKF’s legal and regulatory compliance program; 
7. oversees effective corporate governance;
8. approves capital structure, financial strategies, borrowing commitments, and long-range financial planning;
9. reviews and approves financial statements, annual reports, audit and control policies, and, upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee, selects independent auditors;
10. monitors to determine whether USA-NKF’s assets are being properly protected;
11. monitors USA-NKF’s compliance with laws and regulations and the performance of its broader responsibilities; 
12. ensures that the Board and management are properly structured and prepared to act in case of an unforeseen corporate crisis; and
13. monitors USA-NKF’s Compliance with the SafeSport Code and the Policies of the U.S. Center for SafeSport and USOPC.  

The Board of Directors shall be sensitive to the desirability of diversity at all levels of USA-NKF.  The Board shall develop and implement a policy of diversity, supported by meaningful efforts to accomplish diversity.  The Board shall develop norms that favor open discussion and favor the presentation of different views.

Each director of the Board must be a citizen of the United States and eighteen (18) years of age or older.  A director need not be a resident of Colorado. A director shall have the highest personal and professional integrity, shall have demonstrated exceptional ability and judgment, and shall be effective, in conjunction with the other directors, in serving the long-term interests of USA-NKF.  Directors should possess the highest personal values, judgment and integrity, understanding of athletic competition and the Olympic ideals, and have diverse experience in the key business, financial, legal and other challenges that face USA-NKF.  Directors should have a high level of experience and capability in Board oversight responsibilities, including in the areas of finance, legal, marketing, fundraising, audit, management, communications, and sport.  Either the Independent Director or at least one (1) of the At-Large Directors shall serve on the Audit Committee and have financial expertise.  

The Board of Directors shall consist of nine (9) total directors: three (3) of whom shall be Independent directors, three (3) of whom shall be Athlete directors, one (1) of whom shall be an Elected At-Large director, one (1) of whom shall be an Appointed At-Large director, and one (1) of whom shall be an Affiliated Organization director. If there is no Affiliated Organization member, then the Affiliated Organization director seat shall remain vacant and there shall only be eight (8) total directors. Athlete directors shall at all times comprise at least 33.3 percent of the membership and voting power of the Board as defined in Section 8.5.3 of the USOPC Bylaws. The alternate on the USOPC Athlete Advisory Council will be a non-voting ex officio member of the Board, provided that if the alternate is included as a full member of the Board with voice and vote, they will be included as part of the 20% 10 Year Athlete representation requirement.

1. The Board of Directors shall be elected/selected as follows:
1. Independent Directors.T he Board of Directors shall select, using whatever process the Board of Directors determines to be appropriate and considering the recommendation of the Nominating and Governance Committee, from among individuals considered to be independent, as that term is defined in Section 6.7. The number of independent directors will increase from one (1) to two (2) on 1/1/2019 and then to three (3) on 1/1/2021.
2. Athlete Directors. The three (3) Athlete Board directors shall be elected by athletes.The first Athlete director shall be USA-NKF’s representative to the USOPC Athletes’ Advisory Council, elected pursuant to Section 11.3 of these Bylaws.  If for some reason USA-NKF’s representative to the USOPC Athlete’s Advisory Council is unable or unwilling to serve, then USA-NKF’s alternate representative to the USOPC Athletes’ Advisory Council, also elected pursuant to Section 11.3 of these Bylaws, shall serve as an Athlete director. The second athlete director shall be elected by the 10 year athletes from the 10 year athletes in accordance with Section 8.5.3 of the USOPC Bylaws. The third Athlete director shall be elected by the 10 year athletes from 10 year and 10 year+ athletes in accordance with Section 8.5.3 of the USOPC Bylaws.
3. Affiliated Organization Director.  If there is no Affiliated Organization member, then the Affiliated Organization Board director seat shall be vacant.  If there is one (1) Affiliated Organization member, then that organization shall select a qualified individual to serve as the Affiliated Organization director. If there is more than one (1) Affiliated Organization member, then the Affiliated Organizations as a group shall nominate qualified individuals to be voted upon with each affiliated member entitled to one (1) vote. The individual with the most votes will serve as the Affiliated Organization director.
4. Appointed At-Large Directors. The Board of Directors shall select, using whatever process the Board of Directors determines to be appropriate and considering the recommendation of the Nominating and Governance Committee, from among individuals who are familiar with and have knowledge of the sport of Karate.
5. Elected At-Large Director. The Nominating and Governance Committee shall solicit nominations from the current membership and manage the election as follows:
1. All active Adult USANKF Members are eligible to run for the position
2. Any active Adult USANKF member can nominate any other active adult USANKF member if the nominee accepts the nomination in writing
3. All nominations must be accompanied with 25 signatures of support from current adult USANKF members
4. The Nominating and Governance committee shall validate nominations as per the requirements above
5. All eligible nominees shall be included in the election
6. Only active adult USANKF members that cannot vote for another Board member position as individuals shall be eligible to vote for this position
7. If one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in the election, that candidate shall be elected.
8. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the 3 candidates that received the most votes shall be included in a run-off election.
9. The candidate with the plurality of the votes in the run-off election shall be elected to the position.
6. Single nominations. In the event that only one person is nominated to serve as a Director, the Nominating and Governance Committee shall submit that individual’s name for election by the respective class, who shall have the right to approve or reject the nomination by a majority of votes cast by the eligible voters. In the event that the nomination is rejected, the Nominating and Governance Committee shall wait not fewer than three months before soliciting new nominations to fill the vacant seat.

If you have any questions regarding this matter, you may send an email to elections@usankf.org or contact me directly via email at eau@usankf.org.