Member News
April 25, 2006
USA Judo Board Approves New Bylaws
In what looks to be one of the most significant organizational changes in USA Judo’s 26-year history, the Board of Directors met April 20 in Houston, Texas and adopted a new governance structure through approved revisions to the USA Judo Bylaws.
The bylaws provide for a new structure of governance and organizational management that is fully compliant with all aspects of the U.S. Olympic Committee’s "best practices" governance recommendations.
"I am extremely happy that the vision of USA Judo and the USOC was supported by our membership last week in Houston. The new governance structure will allow our Chief Executive Officer to implement the necessary change to a professionally staffed NGB at the management, operations and coaching levels of USA Judo,” said USA Judo President Dr. Ron Tripp.
The final draft of the new bylaws comes as a result of an exhaustive, yet cooperative, effort between USA Judo and the U.S. Olympic Committee.
“Within USA Judo, the new governance structure will streamline decision making and will increase both the responsibility and the accountability of the National Office,” said Lance Nading, former USA Judo Vice President and current Board Director. “The increased efficiency of all USA Judo operations will further enhance the return on the investment of the revenue and services that the U.S. Olympic Committee contributes to USA Judo each year.”
Among other significant changes, the revised bylaws replace the previous Board of Directors that seated more than 100 members with a streamlined 10-member Board.
The new Board will consist of most of the previous members of the USA Judo Executive Committee as well as the USOC Athletes Advisory Council Representative, 2004 Olympian Rhadi Ferguson, and two independent Directors to be selected at the October 2006 meeting.
In October 2008, an entire new Board will be seated in accordance with procedures laid out in the bylaws. The new Board will continue to have a minimum of 20% athlete representation.
“It is also important we acknowledge and extend our appreciation to our many volunteers who have been the backbone of the organization for over 25 years. They remain an essential part of our organization and we will continue to count on them for support and their experience in the development and operations of USA Judo as we move ahead,” Dr. Tripp said. “We have had the opportunity to identify those volunteers who embrace the long term vision of USA Judo and look forward to empowering them to be a part of the future of taking our sport to the next level of succes |
