Search Forum Home   Discussions  General  USAT Grassroots...  USAT Grassroots Director Endorsement    11/12/2008 11:04:32 AM RonMarlow 8 posts USAT Grassroots Director Endorsement November 11, 2008 From:    Clark County Taekwondo Club To:     USAT Member Clubs Re:    Endorsement of Ronda Sweet as Grassroots Director The last 10 years have been tumultuous for American Taekwondo. Taekwondo Kyurogi has been made an Olympic medal sport subject to regular IOC review, and Taekwondo poomsae has become an internationally contested sport. At the same time, the feudal United States Taekwondo Union (USTU) has been decertified as the National Governing Body (NGB) for Olympic Taekwondo and replaced by a more streamlined and professional U. S. A. Taekwondo (USAT) that is directly accountable to the U.S. Olympic Committee. Like the U.S. Taekwondo NGB, the World Taekwondo Federation, the International Governing Body for Olympic Taekwondo, is undergoing a process of reconstitution after a damaging series of corruption scandals. Those scandals have included efforts to put American athletes, coaches and referees at a disadvantage. As a USAT affiliated school, our primary concern is not small program perks, but reliable information, good communication, and fair access to national, international and Olympic competitions for athletes, coaches and referees.   We want our NGB to comply with the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act, to keep our national program in good standing on the international stage, and to work with the international sport community to keep Taekwondo as an Olympic sport.  If these things do not occur there is no reason for the USAT to exist. The USAT is now professionally administered and staffed, and lead by a CEO who is responsible for day-to-day operations. Policy is set and oversight exercised by the elected BOD. The members of the BOD should have as their primary objective setting policy and providing oversight for the USAT that will protect the interests of American athletes, coaches, and referees as part of the Olympic movement.   We appreciate the martial arts qualifications and the dedication to the sport and art of Taekwondo of all of the candidates for grass roots director; however published platforms of some candidates focus on small program details that have little to do with the larger issues facing the USAT or the responsibilities of the Board of Directors. In contrast, Ronda Sweet, current Grassroots Director and Chair of the USAT BOD, clearly understands that managing programs and providing member services is the responsibility of the CEO and the staff; while the responsibility of the BOD is to “establish policy, and provide strategic direction to management on significant issues facing USAT” (see appendix A).   Among the significant issues of concern to us are the establishment of a Martial Arts Commission (MAC) and the reestablishment of State organizations.  These actions may provide an opportunity for the return to the feudal system that undid the USAT and still threatens to destroy Taekwondo as an Olympic sport.   The USAT standards for transparency and accountability for these state organizations are commendably high, but these standards are useless without knowledgeable, experienced and aggressive oversight by the Board of Directors. Ronda Sweet has been an active and vocal advocate for a transparent, accountable and honest National Governing Body for Olympic and World Championship Taekwondo. She has lead, assisted, or supported, every effort in the last 10 years to reform and improve the USTU and USAT (see Appendix B). Ronda Sweet is the most effective advocate for grassroots issues on the USAT Board of Directors. Olympic Taekwondo and World championship Taekwondo Kyurogi and Poomsae have been, and still remain, in a critical state. The reformation of American Taekwondo is a work-in-progress and requires diligent oversight. The issues that face the USAT BOD in the next few years are urgent and complex and we cannot afford to lose the most experienced voice on the Board. For these reasons the Clark County Taekwondo Club strongly endorses the candidacy of Ronda Sweet for reelection as Grassroots Director on the USAT Board of Directors. Sincerely, Ron Marlow USAT Club Representative Clark County Taekwondo Club (USAT # 5233)   Appendix A. By-Law Description of the Duties of the Board of Directors SECTION 7. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Section 7.1. General Powers. 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 USAT shall be governed by, its Board of Directors. Section 7.2. Function of the Board. The Board of Directors represents the interests of USAT’s membership, the United States Taekwondo community and Taekwondo athletes by providing USAT with policy, guidance and strategic direction. The Board oversees the management of USAT and its affairs, but it does not manage USAT. The Board shall select a well-qualified and ethical Chief Executive Officer and diligently oversee the Chief Executive Officer in the operation of USAT. 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: a.    selects, compensates, supports, and evaluates the Chief Executive Officer and plans for management succession; b.    reviews and approves USAT's strategic plan and the annual operating plans, budget, business plans, and corporate performance; c.    sets policy and provides guidance and strategic direction to management on significant issues facing USAT; d.    reviews and approves significant corporate actions; e.    oversees the financial reporting process, communications with stakeholders, and USAT's legal and regulatory compliance program; f.    oversees effective corporate governance; g.    approves capital structure, financial strategies, borrowing commitments, and long-range financial planning; h.    reviews and approves financial statements, annual reports, audit and control policies, and, upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee, selects independent auditors; i.    monitors to determine whether USAT’s assets are being properly protected; j.    monitors USAT’s compliance with laws and regulations and the performance of its broader responsibilities; and k.    ensures that the Board and management are properly structured and prepared to act in case of an unforeseen corporate crisis.   Appendix B. Ronda Sweet’s activities in support of American Taekwondo •    Chair of the USAT Board of Directors for 2 years •    Grass Roots Director, USAT Board of Directors for 3 years •    President of Oklahoma state organization for 6 years •    Chair of the USTU Publication Committee, Webmaster, and Editor of the USTU Magazine. •    Chair USAT Awards Committee. Awards Committee created the USAT awards program, requirements and awards. Worked with USAT and Art Canning to bring the Chris Canning Award of Excellence to the USAT along with the annual scholarship. •    Appointed by the USOC Governance & Management Committee to create a Board seat elected by the State Associations. •    Worked with Bob Gambardella, USAT CEO in 2004 & 2005, along with others to mitigate the issue with the two US Congressmen wanting to eliminate all head kicks for those under 12 years old. Provided Congressmen with samples of USAT protective equipment, as well as pointed out problems with the studies upon which they were basing their decisions. This lead to the eventual head kick policy currently in place. •    Appointed by BOD Chair of the USAT Audit Committee. Worked with USAT & USOC auditors to review financials and possible problems. •    Worked with USAT CEO to create a more family friendly equipment and uniform policy permitting students to wear school uniforms and elbow and knee pads. Worked with USAT staff to allow black belts under 12 in the World Class division the opportunity to use Junior Safety Rules. •    Conceived and oversaw implementation of the USAT Grassroots Grants Program. •    Conceived and oversaw implementation of the USAT Dan Certification program. •    Conceived and oversaw implementation of the USAT Sexual Harassment Policy. •    Worked with USAT CEO and web staff to improve the USAT website. •    Conceived and oversaw implementation of the USAT Volunteer Committee and the newly formed USAT Women’s Committee. •    Conceived and oversaw implementation of Bracketed Forms in the 2008 USAT program.   •    Negotiated to bring the CIDP program back in-house instead of contracted outside the USAT. •    Conceived and oversaw implementation of the current interpretation of the competition protest procedures.  Page 1 of 1   Discussions  General  USAT Grassroots... Flat View Tree View Oldest To Newest Newest To Oldest