At the USA Wrestling Board of Directors meeting on August 20, 2011, in Oklahoma City, Okla., the Board approved amendments to the By-Laws of USA Wrestling regarding Committees.  Several new Standing Committees were created, and the composition of other Standing Committees was changed.

A Special Election will be held for the Board of Directors to vote to fill positions on several Standing Committees of USA Wrestling.  Positions are available on the following committees: Freestyle Sport, Greco-Roman Sport, Women’s Sport, Audit, Governance, and Ethics. The Audit and Ethics Committee positions require almost a two-year commitment, with these positions beginning after the vote and continuing until the conclusion of the 2013 Board of Directors meeting.  Elected positions on the Freestyle Sport Committee, Greco-Roman Sport Committee, Women’s Sport Committee, and the Governance Committee will begin after the vote and continue until the conclusion of the 2012 Board of Directors meeting.  Most committee work is done by mail, email and telephone conference call. 

Duties of the Committees are as follows:

Freestyle, Greco-Roman and Women’s Sport Committees - The Sport Committees will make recommendations concerning selection procedures to be used to determine national teams and coaches. Each Sport Committee will recommend selection of volunteer coaches for assignments, and address short- and long-range issues for the national team program as related to each specific style. Three members of each Sport Committee will be elected.

Audit Committee - The Audit Committee will select auditors and ensure that the corporation has audited financial statements prepared annually.  The committee will be responsible for the acceptance of the annual audited financial statements and receive the auditor’s written and oral comments and findings. The committee makes recommendations and will keep the Board of Directors apprised of any audit issues.  Members of the Audit Committee will include three members of the Board of Directors and two At-Large positions who are not members of the Board of Directors. No member of the Finance Committee may be elected as a member of the Audit Committee.

Governance Committee - The Governance Committee will be responsible for the review of governance practices by the Board of Directors and committees. The committee will lead the search for individuals qualified to become members of the Board of Directors and Board Committees.  Three members of the Committee will be elected by the Board.  The Committee will develop and implement an appropriate orientation program for new directors and continuing education for existing directors. The Committee will review all applications for organizational membership in the corporation and all proposals for change in classification of organizational membership.  The Committee will consider and present in proper form for action all proposed amendments to the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws.  It will also review all operating rules of the corporation.  The Committee will conduct elections and make recommendations regarding candidates in association with the President and according to the provisions and limitations contained in the USA Wrestling By-Laws.

Ethics Committee - The Ethics Committee will oversee implementation of and compliance with the Conflict of Interest statements and Principles of Ethical Behavior Code as prescribed by the Board of Directors.  The Committee will review and investigate matters of alleged violations of the Conflict of Interest and Principles of Ethical Behavior Code and make recommendations on such matters to the Board.  The Committee will review and provide guidance on ethical questions presented to it by the Board, officers, committee and task force members, volunteers, staff and the corporation’s members. The Ethics Committee will not hear or investigate matters that are properly the subject of a grievance covered by Articles XII, XIII and XIV of the USA Wrestling By-Laws, or which were the subject of an investigation or inquiry by another committee or independent body within the corporation.  Three members of the Committee will be elected by the Board.

Any member with a current USA Wrestling membership card, with the above-noted restrictions, is eligible to serve on the standing committees for which elections will be held.  Any current member may also nominate another USA Wrestling member for these positions.  Prospective candidates may nominate themselves or be nominated by someone else.  A nomination form is attached.  Candidates will be notified by the Ad-Hoc Steering Committee to determine if they wish to serve (if nominated by someone else) or to confirm receipt of the nomination if they nominate themselves.

To become a candidate for these positions:

1. Completely fill out the nomination form attached.  You must be a current 2011-2012 USA Wrestling member and must provide your card number in the space provided.  If you are not a member, contact your state chairperson or www.themat.com for a card.

2. Send the nomination form (and any material reinforcing your candidate's qualifications) to the address below for receipt no later than October 15, 2011.  Once current membership is verified, the candidate will be contacted in confirmation of receipt of the nomination and to verify willingness to serve.

3. All verified nominations will be presented to the USA Wrestling Board of Directors.  The election will be held at that time with the vote conducted by the USA Wrestling Board of Directors via mail.

4. Any individual holding a membership card for the membership year September 1, 2011 to August 31, 2012 may nominate themselves or others with a current membership card. 

Click here for nomination form