Board of Directors

This is the Leadership at World Sansei Koryu Gojuryu Karate & Kobudo Organization.

The World Sansei Gojuryu Karatedo & Kobudo Organization is pleased to announce the member of its newest board members - Together they bring expertise in a great management team, fundraising, events management, writing, law, and membership. They also share a history of service to the World sansei Gojuryu karatedo community. Please take a minute to learn more about their unique talents and what they hope to accomplish by serving on the board.

World Sansei Gojuryu Karate & Kobudo Organization is governed by a board of directors with fiduciary oversight responsibilities, as well as the responsibility to maintain and extend the vision of the Organization. The board shares in long and short term planning; with special attention to maintaining financial stability, strategic planning, fundraising and increasing member involvement in all organizational activity. 

 The organization is guided by its Chair, Kaicho Manny Saavedra and our International Board, overseeing the training of members, refine the organizational curriculum, mentor the teaching staff and personally engage with students of all levels. Senior black belts also play a critical leadership role in the organization. The lineage and rank-based structure, rooted in our martial arts history, encourages black belt students to assume responsibility for passing on the knowledge and skills of our art to future generations of students and for caring for the dojo space. The bulk of the work of World Sansei is administered by our dedicated staff. We also benefit from the substantial volunteer efforts of our training members, their families and the community at large.

 
Chairman Manny Saavedra, USA

Vice Chair James Vermaak, South Africa

Vice Chair Ray Feliciano, Puerto Rico

Board Director, Stanley Foodman CPA, (Organizational Accountant) USA

Senior Advisor to the Chair, Mike Mcgee, USA

Board Director, Juan Gonzalez, Chile

Senior Advisor to the Board, Nestor Matos, USA 

Board Director Camilo Castillo, Nicaragua

Board Director, Jose Ruiz, Dominican Republic

Board Director, Danny Reizner, USA

Board Director, Praduman Gaur, India

Board Director Olimpio Cezar da Neto, Brazil

Board Director Pablo Gines Garcia, Argentina

Board Director Noè Saùl Rodrìguez Silva, Venezuela

Board Director, Fazal Muhammad, Pakistan

Board Director Luis Enrique Loor, Ecuador

Director of Public Relations, Joe Amor, USA

Director of Membership, Javier Ortiz, USA

Marketing Director, Juan Perez, USA

Secretary, Melinda Gallop, USA

Communications coordinator, Jose Estrella, USA, Dominican Republic

Treasurer, Sonia Fernandez, USA

Law Enforcement ( background Checks) Leo Tapanes, Sensei USA

Organizational Counsel, Cristian Fernandez, Sensei USA (Organizational Lawyer)

What is the job description of a board chair?

• Oversees board and executive committee meetings 
• Works in partnership with the vice chairs to make sure board resolutions are carried out 
• Calls special meetings if necessary 
• Appoints all committee chairs, and with the chief executive, recommends who will serve on committees 
• prepare agenda for board meetings 
• Assists  in conducting new board member orientation 
• Oversees searches for potential members.
• Coordinates annual performance evaluation 
• Acts as spokesperson for the organization 
• Periodically consults with board members on their roles and helps them assess their performance.

What is the job description of a board vice chair?

• Attend all board meetings 
• Serve on the executive committee  
• Carry out special assignments as requested by the board chair 
• Understand the responsibilities of the board chair and be able to perform these duties in the chair's absence 
• Participate as a vital part of the board leadership

What is the job description of a board secretary?

• Attend all board meetings 
• Serve on the executive committee if one exists 
• Ensure the safety and accuracy of all board records 
• Review board minutes 
• Assume responsibilities of the chair in the absence of the board chair, chair-elect, and vice chair 
• Provide notice of meetings of the board and/or of a committee when such notice is required

What is the job description of a board treasurer?

• Attend all board meetings 
• Maintain knowledge of the organization and personal commitment to its goals and objectives 
• Understand financial accounting
• Serve as the chair of the finance committee 
• Manage, with the finance committee, the board's review of and action related to the board's financial responsibilities 
• Work with the chief executive and the chief financial officer to ensure that appropriate financial reports are made available to the board on a timely basis 
• Present the annual budget to the board for approval 
• Review the annual audit and answer board members' questions about the audit

Membership Director 

Attend all general and board meetings
Sell and process any membership request received at general workshops, by mail or on-line
Coordinate with Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer for workshop cash box and income turn-in. 
Prepare training certificates and evaluations for distribution at all meetings
Maintain accurate records of membership. 
Maintain PayPal account, transfer received funds on monthly basis to business account
Verify member attendance for post workshop training certificate requests and mail certificates if verified.
Provide Hospitality Coordinator with the names and addresses of new members for welcome cards.
Order yearly membership cards, select new color each year.
Be an organizational ambassador
Assist Chairman as needed
Maintain appropriate documentation on the website