USRowing Board Endorses Governance Changes

During its June meeting, the Board of Directors of USRowing agreed, upon the unanimous recommendation of the Governance Committee, to actively pursue proposed governance reforms, including reducing and rebalancing the composition of the Board. Mandated in part by the 2020 amendments to the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act ("Ted Stevens Act") and newly instituted United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee ("USOPC") compliance and audit requirements, the changes will require amendments to USRowing's Bylaws by January 1, 2022.

The mandated changes include Increasing athlete representation on the USRowing Board and its committees from 20% to 33%, ensuring the appointment of at least one voting member on the Board who can provide an "independent perspective," and establishing an internal Athlete Advisory Council.

The proposed framework consists of reducing the size of the Board from 14 to 12, and rebalancing its composition to reflect 1/3 regional representation, 1/3 athlete representation and 1/3 at-large members. Under this structure, regional representation will be reduced from six to four, at-large representation (which will include at least one independent director) will increase from two to four, athlete representation will remain at four, and the two Vice Chair seats will be eliminated.

Certain Bylaw amendments to implement the new structure will require a vote of organizational members and athletes at a special meeting anticipated for this fall.

"After much debate and hard work, we've concluded this is the optimum structure to take USRowing to the next level," said Board Chair Nobuhisa Ishizuka. "A streamlined, proportional, and balanced Board will put us in a stronger position to address the needs of all our constituencies, facilitate implementation of our vision of 'one organization,' and help to align it more closely with our strategic and financial priorities, while being consistent with USOPC recommendations."

Amanda Kraus, CEO, added: "As we work to bring big and positive change to USRowing, this rebalancing of the Board provides a great pathway to gain the guidance and support from all our stakeholders needed to strengthen our programs. This change will increase diversity of voices, expertise, and connections with our sport, all of which are critically important for the execution of my vision for USRowing."

Informational sessions will be conducted on July 26 and July 29 at 3:00 pm EDT with USRowing leadership and members of its Board of Directors to explain the proposed changes.