News

USANKF Opens Call for Nominations

sep. 22, 2021, 12:38 a.m. (ET)

by USA Karate

USA Karate has opened the nomination period through 5 p.m. MST on Sunday, Oct. 3, for the following board and committee positions (athlete eligibility is defined below):

Board of Directors:

USOPC Athletes’Advisory Council Representative

Candidate must be a 10yr athlete and current member
Elected by the 10yr athletes who are current members

Athlete Director

Candidate must be a 10yr or 10yr+ athlete and current member

Elected by the 10yr athletes who are current members

Independent Director

Candidate must meet the conditions of independence
Boardspan Independent Candidates will also be considered
Selected and recommended by the Nominating and Governance Committee and approved by the Board of Directors

Approved Sports Organization(ASO) Director

Candidate is a member of the Approved Sport Organization
Candidate has 5 signatures of support
Elected by the Approved Sports Organizations (1 vote per ASO)

Affiliate Organization Director

Candidate must be nominated by the Affiliate Organization
Elected by the Affiliate Organization voting members (1 vote per Affiliate Organization)

Committee Positions:

USA-NKF Athletes’ Advisory Council – 5 athlete members

USOPC AAC representative and the alternate are automatically members of the council
Candidate must be a 10yr athlete and current member
Elected by the 10yr athletes who are current members

USA-NKF Nominating and Governance Committee Athlete Representative

Candidate must be a 10yr athlete and current member

Elected by the 10yr athletes who are current members

Athlete Eligibility:

Athlete eligibility has been discussed and approved by the USOPC Athlete Representation Review Working Group.

10 yr athletes are athletes who have competed in Individual Kata or Kumite events at the Pan American Games, Olympic Games, WKF World Championship, PKF Championship or Stage 2 Sr National Team Selection Event in the past 10 years. For this election the eligible events are:

Olympic Games – 2020 (2021)
Pan American Games – 2011 through 2019
WKF World Championship – 2012 through 2018

PKF World Championship – 2011 through 2019
Stage 2 Sr National Team Selection Event – 2016 through 2020

10 yr+ athletes are athletes who have competed in Individual Kata or Kumite events at the Pan American Games, WKF World Championship or PKF Championship more than 10 years ago. For this election the eligible 10yr+ events as approved by the USOPC Athlete Representation Working Group are:

Pan American Games – 2007

WKF World Championship – 2008 through 2010
PKF World Championship – 2007 through 2010

Process to nominate an individual:

**Nominations will close at 5:00 PM MST on Sunday October 3, 2021**

The following steps should be followed and observed:

Nominees must be 18 yrs of age by 12/31/2021 and be citizens of the United States
Athletes, Independent Directors and ASO Directors may self-nominate
Nominees for Athlete positions or ASO Director must be members in good standing and be SafeSport compliant as of 9/30/2021.

Affiliate Organization Directors are nominated by the Affiliate Organization
Nominations should be emailed to elections@usankf.org and include:

Nominee Name
Date of Birth
Contact Information – email and phone

Membership Number if applicable
Position they are being nominated for
For athlete nominees the 10yr or 10yr+ events they participated in

ASO Director signatures of support should be sent to elections@usankf.org
Individuals can be nominated for multiple positions but only 1 nomination per email

Nominees will be required to submit the following:

Statement of Intent for the position they are nominated for

Brief statement of how you will serve the position

Complete a Conflict of Interest Disclosure and that disclosure will be reviewed by the Ethics Committee to confirm no significant conflicts exist
Submit an NCSI Background Check

Nominee cannot be a banned member or listed in the US Center for SafeSport Central Disciplinary Database
Candidates are reviewed and approved to the election slate by the Nominating and Governance Committee

About the Available Positions

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 6.2. Function of the Board.

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:

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

Section 6.3. Diversity of Discussion.

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.

Section 6.4. Qualifications.

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.

Board of Director positions available in this election cycle:

Affiliate Organization Director

Affiliated Organization members are those amateur sports organizations that register and are approved as affiliated organizations and which conduct, on a level of proficiency appropriate for the selection of amateur athletes to represent the United States in international amateur athlete competition, a national program or regular national amateur athletic competition in the sport of Karate.

To be approved as an Affiliated Organization both items must be true:

must have a process for selecting athletes to represent the United States in international amateur athlete competition
That selection occurs through a national program or regular national amateur athletic competition

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.

Approved Sports Organization

Approved Sports Organization members are those organizations that register and are approved as Approved Sports Organizations, and which agree to conduct their programs in accordance with and agree to be bound by the rules and regulations of USA-NKF. Approved Sports Organizations shall be the exclusive representative for their membership. Approved Sports Organizations shall have more than 100 registered members (full members) and 3 registered clubs. An ASO shall be entitled to 1 vote.

Approved Sports Organization Director. The Nominating and GovernanceCommittee shall solicit nominations of individuals from the Approved SportsOrganization members who have obtained at least five (5) signatures of support eachfrom current USA-NKF members within an Approved Sports Organization. Thenominees will be considered by the Nominating and Governance Committee. TheNominating and Governance Committee shall select at least two (2) individuals fromthose nominated who shall then stand for election. All current USA-NKF Approved Sports Organizations shall then vote for the Board director. Each USA-NKFApproved Sports Organization shall have one (1) vote. The individual with thehighest vote total is elected.

Athlete Director

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 the USA-NKF Bylaws. If for somereason USA-NKF’s representative to the USOPC Athlete’s Advisory Council isunable or unwilling to serve, then USA-NKF’s alternate representative to the USOPCAthletes’ Advisory Council, also elected pursuant to Section 11.3 of the USA-NKF Bylaws,shall serve as an Athlete Director. The Athletes’ Advisory Council shall elect from among its members, by majority vote, pursuant to Section 10.4 of theUSA-NKF Bylaws, an individual who shall be the second Athlete Director. The third Athlete Director will be elected by the 10 yrAthletes from 10 year and10 year+ athletes in accordance with Section 8.5.3 of the USOPC Bylaws.

The USOPC Athlete Advisory Council Representations and the third Athlete Director will be elected in this election cycle.

Independent Director

Section 6.7. Independence.

An "independent director" must be determined to have no material relationship with USA-NKF, either directly or through an organization that has a material relationship with USA-NKF or is a competitor of the USA-NKF. A relationship is "material" if it would interfere with the director's independent judgment. A relationship is “competing” if it involves any organization that is national or international in scope that conducts competitions and events involving the same talent pool of athletes, coaches, and/or referees, as does USA-NKF. The Nominating and Governance Committee shall determine the independence of a director after considering all relevant information concerning that director.

An individual may not be considered independent if, within the preceding two (2) years:

the individual was employed by or held any governance position (whether a paid or volunteer position) with the USA-NKF, the international sports federation for the sport of Karate recognized by the International Olympic Committee (currently the WKF), a Pan American Karate organization, or a competing national or international karate organization;
the individual is an immediate family member of a director and was employed by or held any governance position (whether a paid or volunteer position) with USA-NKF, the international sports federation for the sport of Karate recognized by the International Olympic Committee (currently the WKF), a Pan American Karate organization, or a competing or international karate organization;
the individual was affiliated with or employed by the USA-NKF’s outside auditor or outside counsel;
the individual is an immediate family member of a director and was affiliated with or employed by the USA-NKF’s outside auditor or outside counsel as a partner, principal or manager;
the individual was a USA-NKF coach, referee, developmental, or affiliated organization member, or a member of USA-NKF or the USOPC Athletes’ Advisory Council;
the individual receives any compensation from the USA-NKF, directly or indirectly;
the individual is an executive officer, controlling shareholder, or partner of a corporation or partnership or other business entity that does business with the USA-NKF;
the individual has ever been an employee of a national or international Karate organization. “Employee” is defined as a hired position for pay, whether as a consultant, coach, or any other paid position;
the individual has ever owned (in whole or in part) any karate school, dojo or studio;
the individual has ever received compensation as a karate instructor; or
the individual has ever been qualified to serve as an “athlete representative” under Section 8.5 (or any successor provision) of the USOPC Bylaws in the sport of Karate.

Independent Directors. The Board of Directors shall select, using whatever processthe Board of Directors determines to be appropriate and considering therecommendation of the Nominating and Governance Committee, from amongindividuals considered to be independent, as that term is defined in Section 6.7.

USA-NKF USOPC Athlete Advisory Committee Representative Election:

In accordance with Section 11 of the Bylaws the USA-NKF shall have a representative and an alternate representative to the USOPC Athletes Advisory Council. The current term held by Mr. Ramrup as the representative and Mr. Mertel as the alternate expires on December 31, 2021, after the delayed Olympic Games.

To be eligible for nomination or self-nomination an individual must have represented the United States as an athlete in a Delegation Event i.e. the Pan American Games (2011, 2015 or 2019) or Olympic Games (2021); or Elite Protected Competition i.e. the WKF World Championship (2012, 2014, 2016 or 2018) or Pan American Karate Championship (2011-2019); or Domestic Protected Competition i.e. Stage 2 Sr National Team Trial (2016-2020) in the sport of Karate within the ten (10) year period prior to December 31 of the year in which the election is held shall be eligible to run for election to the USOPC Athletes’ Advisory Council. Additionally, to be eligible to run for election, an individual shall be a member in good standing, a citizen of the United States and eighteen (18) years of age or older by December 31, 2021.

Those individuals who have represented the United States as an athlete in a Delegation Event i.e. the Pan American Games (2011, 2015 or 2019) or Olympic Games (2021); or Elite Protected Competition i.e. the WKF World Championship (2012, 2014, 2016 or 2018) or Pan American Karate Championship (2011-2019); or Domestic Protected Competition i.e. Stage 2 Sr National Team Trial (2016-2020) in the sport of Karate within the ten (10) year period prior to December 31 of the year in which the election is held shall be eligible to vote in the election. Additionally, to be eligible to vote in the election, an individual shall be a citizen of the United States and eighteen (18) years of age or older by December 31, 2021, and have a valid USA-NKF membership as of September 30, 2021. The ballot and voting instructions will be emailed from Yes Elections (Election America) in accordance with timeline below. The individual with the highest vote total is elected as athlete representative to the USOPC Athletes’ Advisory Council. The individual with the second highest vote total of the opposite gender, is elected as the alternate representative to the USOPC Athletes’ Advisory Council. Should there not be a candidate of the opposite gender the second highest vote total is elected the alternate representative to the USOPC Athletes’ Advisory Council.

COMMITTEES:

Athletes’ Advisory Commission 5 members

Only those individuals who satisfy the definition of a 10 Yr athlete, who will be at leasteighteen years of age on December 31, 2021, and who has been a member of USA-NKF for not fewer than the 30 days immediately preceding the election shall be eligible to run for election to the Athletes’ Advisory Council. The athletes shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that there is adequate representation on the Athletes’ Advisory Council of male and female athletes and of Kata and Kumite disciplines.

Seven (7) individuals shall constitute the Athletes Advisory Council. Five (5) members shall be elected after the conclusion of the Summer Olympic Games, but prior to January 1 of the year following the Summer Olympic Games in an election separate from (and after) the USOPC AAC representative election. To be eligible to vote for these candidates, an individual must be a USA-NKF member and must satisfy the definition of “10 Yr athlete representative”. To be eligible to vote in the election, an individual shall be a citizen of the United States and eighteen(18) years of age or older by December 31, 2021. Further, an individual shall be a member of USA-NKF sixty (30) days prior to the date of the election (record date) to be eligible to vote in the election. The sixth (6th) and seventh (7th) position on the Athletes’ Advisory Council shall be filled by USA-NKF’s representative to the USOPC Athletes’ Advisory Council and by the USA-NKF’s alternate representative to the USOPC’s Athlete Advisory Council.

Athlete Member Nominating and Governance Committee

With the shift to 33% athlete representation a second athlete member will be elected to the nominating and governance committee to be seated on the committee January 1, 2022.

The responsibility of the Nominating and Governance Committee is

identify and evaluate prospective candidates for the Board;
recommend individuals to serve on the Board as provided in the Bylaws;
recommend as requested by the Board individuals to serve on various committees;
consult as needed with the Ethics Committee with respect to vetting all nominations for potential conflict of interest or other problematic background issues;
develop and recommend to the Board for its consideration an annual self-evaluation process of the Board and its committees;
oversee the election for the Board, including supervising preparation of a list of members eligible to vote, supervising the issuance of ballots and supervising the counting of ballots to determine the election vote;
perform such other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.