Archtkd
3rd Black Belt
This ran in The Colorado Springs Gazette
Grievance calls for decertification of USA Taekwondo
BRIAN GOMEZ
2011-03-01 17:04:04
Financial troubles, administrative chaos and diminished accountability to its membership should cost taekwondos national governing body its certification with the U.S. Olympic Committee, and the boss of the Colorado Springs-based organization that runs the combat sport should resign his six-figure post, according to a complaint by a taekwondo referee.
USA Taekwondo has violated the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act that sets the code for NGBs, and its also in violation of USOC bylaws, as well as its own bylaws, under the wrongful and heavy-handed actions of chief executive officer David Askinas, alleges Bernard Robinson in a 22-page grievance filed last month with the NGB.
A referee the past 25 years, Robinson, of Chesterfield, Va., wrote to the USA Taekwondo judicial committee that the NGB no longer fulfills its mission and no longer meets the requirements to justify sanctioning from the USOC, accusing the NGB of evolving into the personal fiefdom of Askinas, who operates USA Taekwondo as his private club.
USOC spokesman Patrick Sandusky declined comment on USA Taekwondos standing. Askinas disputed the accusations, saying theyre the product of former USA Taekwondo chair Ronda Sweet, whose membership has been terminated by the NGB because of what Askinas dubbed false accusations repeatedly against good people in this organization. The allegations in Robinsons complaint are completely without substance.
The seven-person USA Taekwondo board, which includes former USOC president Marty Mankamyer of the Springs, contains self-interested members, Robinson writes, and the NGB exists mainly to serve a few insiders whose primary allegiance is to create benefits for themselves, to the exclusion of the membership and athletes it is supposed to serve.
Robinson bemoaned a dip in membership, a lack of athlete development and a disregard for strengthening coach and referee pipelines, and he wrote that competitors are kept in the dark with respect to (USA Taekwondo) decisions and athlete programs. He criticized the NGB for dissolving its nominating and governance committee, the group for which he was removed as chairman, and for bylaw changes without the necessary votes required.
A slew of what Robinson called financial shenanigans have crippled USA Taekwondo, which closed 2009 with $397,282 in net assets, according to its latest audit, in July. The NGB, with $342,599 in USOC funding in 2009, maintains sloppy recordkeeping, doesnt have an established travel policy for staffers and misspends USOC grants, Robinson said, even insisting the situation once was so dire, employees retirement accounts were raided.
For most of his five-plus years at the helm, Askinas, with total compensation of $146,566 in 2009, has ensured CEO-favored candidates are elected to board positions, Robinson wrote, in an attempt to systematically exclude and suppress independent-minded voices critical of his management and dominance of the board. In short, behind Askinas, USA Taekwondo cant move forward and function in any effective way, Robinson said.
Robinson accused Askinas of showing an unwelcoming attitude toward female athletes and volunteer administrators, illustrated by insensitive, crude, demeaning and offensive language, including language derogatory of women. He said the NGB doesnt provide equitable support and encouragement for participation by women, noting that disparities among male and female fighters are defended by the belief taekwondo is a mans sport.
USA Taekwondo board candidate Herb Perez said Robinsons accusations arent backed up by any facts. I would be surprised if Bernards complaint survives a motion to dismiss because its so nonsense. I dont think it gets past that level. It doesnt make the grade.
When you look at our record, Askinas added, our event participation is increasing, our athlete pipeline is getting better, our membership is growing. This is Rondas theories on why she should still be in charge. About the call for his resignation, he said, The board has the authority to hire and fire CEOs and there has been no request. I think they like the progress were making. I have no intention to resign on the basis of false allegations.
For more Olympic coverage, visit www.gazette.com/olympics. Check out our Olympics blog at http://gazetteolympics.freedomblogging.com.
Grievance calls for decertification of USA Taekwondo
BRIAN GOMEZ
2011-03-01 17:04:04
Financial troubles, administrative chaos and diminished accountability to its membership should cost taekwondos national governing body its certification with the U.S. Olympic Committee, and the boss of the Colorado Springs-based organization that runs the combat sport should resign his six-figure post, according to a complaint by a taekwondo referee.
USA Taekwondo has violated the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act that sets the code for NGBs, and its also in violation of USOC bylaws, as well as its own bylaws, under the wrongful and heavy-handed actions of chief executive officer David Askinas, alleges Bernard Robinson in a 22-page grievance filed last month with the NGB.
A referee the past 25 years, Robinson, of Chesterfield, Va., wrote to the USA Taekwondo judicial committee that the NGB no longer fulfills its mission and no longer meets the requirements to justify sanctioning from the USOC, accusing the NGB of evolving into the personal fiefdom of Askinas, who operates USA Taekwondo as his private club.
USOC spokesman Patrick Sandusky declined comment on USA Taekwondos standing. Askinas disputed the accusations, saying theyre the product of former USA Taekwondo chair Ronda Sweet, whose membership has been terminated by the NGB because of what Askinas dubbed false accusations repeatedly against good people in this organization. The allegations in Robinsons complaint are completely without substance.
The seven-person USA Taekwondo board, which includes former USOC president Marty Mankamyer of the Springs, contains self-interested members, Robinson writes, and the NGB exists mainly to serve a few insiders whose primary allegiance is to create benefits for themselves, to the exclusion of the membership and athletes it is supposed to serve.
Robinson bemoaned a dip in membership, a lack of athlete development and a disregard for strengthening coach and referee pipelines, and he wrote that competitors are kept in the dark with respect to (USA Taekwondo) decisions and athlete programs. He criticized the NGB for dissolving its nominating and governance committee, the group for which he was removed as chairman, and for bylaw changes without the necessary votes required.
A slew of what Robinson called financial shenanigans have crippled USA Taekwondo, which closed 2009 with $397,282 in net assets, according to its latest audit, in July. The NGB, with $342,599 in USOC funding in 2009, maintains sloppy recordkeeping, doesnt have an established travel policy for staffers and misspends USOC grants, Robinson said, even insisting the situation once was so dire, employees retirement accounts were raided.
For most of his five-plus years at the helm, Askinas, with total compensation of $146,566 in 2009, has ensured CEO-favored candidates are elected to board positions, Robinson wrote, in an attempt to systematically exclude and suppress independent-minded voices critical of his management and dominance of the board. In short, behind Askinas, USA Taekwondo cant move forward and function in any effective way, Robinson said.
Robinson accused Askinas of showing an unwelcoming attitude toward female athletes and volunteer administrators, illustrated by insensitive, crude, demeaning and offensive language, including language derogatory of women. He said the NGB doesnt provide equitable support and encouragement for participation by women, noting that disparities among male and female fighters are defended by the belief taekwondo is a mans sport.
USA Taekwondo board candidate Herb Perez said Robinsons accusations arent backed up by any facts. I would be surprised if Bernards complaint survives a motion to dismiss because its so nonsense. I dont think it gets past that level. It doesnt make the grade.
When you look at our record, Askinas added, our event participation is increasing, our athlete pipeline is getting better, our membership is growing. This is Rondas theories on why she should still be in charge. About the call for his resignation, he said, The board has the authority to hire and fire CEOs and there has been no request. I think they like the progress were making. I have no intention to resign on the basis of false allegations.
For more Olympic coverage, visit www.gazette.com/olympics. Check out our Olympics blog at http://gazetteolympics.freedomblogging.com.