IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE!

It's time for a change, and a positive one!

I support this petition.

I was the KAO Tournament Commissioner since 2009, then Executive Director in 2013. Working with the membership was excellent, and I received much feedback that I tried to build upon. Unfortunately, working with the Board of Directors was very difficult; poor or strange decisions were made and lack of protocol resulted in many problems. Coaches were unreasonably suspended, development and financial opportunities (with Ministry support) were blocked or lost, and focus/attention to the athletes’ requests were ignored. Finally I decided to resign in June 2015 and after 4 months of impeded deliberations, my resignation was finally accepted by the Board. It was a decision that I came to with heavy heart but out of necessity. Simply, the organization was heading downhill and I was at the limit of what I could do to improve it; membership dropped from 3500 to 2220 (Yes, by a third, and only during my time with KAO), training opportunities for athletes were reduced, high performance training was eliminated, NCCP and referee training/certification were reduced, and regional tournaments were never implemented. Recreational development was pretty much non-existent and there are no programs for members except the 4 Grand Prix Tournaments, which only benefits 15% of the total membership. I was held back and unable to act for the betterment of our members. At this point I had nothing left to do there that would be of help or progress, so I left and tried to develop my own tournaments this past year. KAO worked actively to block, discourage and punish its members' participation in those tournaments, and have tried to prevent our seminar training and assembly. They also worked to discredit me with a suspension. I have no faith in the current KAO administration. I do however believe the Ontario community has enormous potential, and it needs a completely different service from its PSO. I have a vision for this PSO that will be inclusive to all ages and backgrounds, accessi

I support the change

I support for change

Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Sport needs to put their athletes first. Demonstrate by action! The Government’s “GameOn” program outlines what Karate Ontario SHOULD be doing but is NOT. They are failing to provide the basics while the Government fails to provide proper oversight & enforce “Game ON”. Contact your local MPP – send them an email – ask them why KO is not following “Game ON” principles. They must respond to your inquiry. If enough parents/coaches/athletes/former athletes complain, things WILL CHANGE! Use your full name & ask them to contact you. Taxpayers have power & they are providing KO with taxpayer funds. Contact your MPP – Lookup by Postal Code https://www3.elections.on.ca/internetapp/fyed.aspx Contact the Minister of Ontario Ministry of Tourism Culture & Sport – Honorable Eleanor McMahon [email protected] Game ON - Key Failures of Karate Ontario: Priority One – Participation All athletes are better able to participate in safe, organized sport Opportunities are available for all Ontarians to get involved in organized sport Athletes participating in organized sport are provided with a positive experience *Karate Ontario Fails - Poorly run tournaments - lack of organization - failure to recognize success (no medals yet from Summer Games – 3 months ago) - participation levels are historically low / Ontario has lost its dominance at National level Priority Two – Development* Athletes receive the right support as their skills develop Athletes have access to trained coaches, officials and volunteers as they progress through the development pathway overseen by effective Provincial and Multi-Sport Organizations *Karate Ontario Fails - Karate Ontario fails to include multiple Dojos on its committees, on its Board - Many referees have left KO due to mismanagement, disorganization - Severe lack of quality tournaments / refusing to endorse tournaments - banning Dojos; changing rules every year; inc

I have mourned the general decline in Karate Ontario governance and hope a fresh start like this will provide a welcome change.

It is time for change.

I was a member of Karate Ontario for well over 40 years. I left because of the direction Karate Ontario was going. I look forward to rejoining when things get back on track.

This has been a long time coming! We need a PSO that looks out for its members and provides opportunity, rather than penalizing them and holding back to the bare essentials. I have been volunteering and working for Karate Ontario for more than 10 years and I’ve noticed many issues arose between its members and directors. I mainly worked with promoting and hosting tournaments and there were many opportunities to improve. I’ve received feedback directly from members and there wasn’t a shortage of complaints. Although, these issues were brought up, there were never real actions to see them through. As a result, the membership began to drop. Aside from the lack of positive communication and actions, my club and I were being targeted and affected due to personal issues within the organization. I have made efforts to resolve any issues that were brought forth, yet my club and I were suspended and still are. Karate is more than a hobby for me and I was eager to continue it as a business. But alike many others, my club membership has been negatively affected. This initiative is promising and we’re heading in the right direction! I have high hopes that a PSO for Karate will do what we all have been expecting and needing.

We need change to grow forward.

It is time for change

I left KO some years ago because it offered us nothing of any interest and it was a case of throwing good money after bad. Years ago KO offered interesting seminars by interesting people but today it's nothing but competition. In my world Karate-Do is an art and not a sport and this is especially true in our Dojo where most of the students are older and have zero interest in tournament. So that's my main complaint, why join a group that gives back nothing?

As a 4 time Canadian team member and 8 years of national level competition I have personally seen the decline in the KO organization. There is a reason less and less people are members and compete in KO. There are bullies in the association leadership, and it has to stop.

I joined in 2001 as a black belt but I left 5 years later. There was no reason for me to stay in this association as it really had nothing to offer me. With or without Karate Ontario I train every day and strive to improve. I don't need KO and YOU don't need them either. Just train. Karate-ka train and politicians talk. Which one are you?

30 years and 1 bully later here we are, such a shame

Don't allow current leadership to bully the hard working Dojo owners...

It is amazing to see that there are over a hundred signatures to this petition in only two days! I want to thank everyone that has signed on here, and ask that people keep on circulating the link in their communities. We need to hear the voice; we need it loud and clear. Change must come and this is the only way. I attended a Shivafighters tournaments tournament in mid-year, was invited to perform a Iaido presentation by Mr. Vadivelu. This was against the expressed position of KO who were threatening suspension for involvement. I did not let my students compete, as their memberships were at risk as was mine if I attended in capacity as their coach, however told KO that Iaido was not governed by their constitution or powers. My students and parents were disappointed and I was angered by the arrogance of KO! After presenting I spoke to the crowd, which I will paraphrase here: I said that I wished that the Provincial Sports Organization saw the value of this event for our community, but didn’t believe that they did. I then said that IF THEY WANT TO ACT LIKE GOVERNMENT THEY SHOULD EXPECT TO BE TREATED LIKE GOVERNMENT, WHICH MEANS THEY SHOULD BE READY TO HEAR TO WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY ABOUT WHAT THEY DO! It was a small crowd that day, I don’t know how many people heard me then. That’s not the case anymore. Please sign this petition. Continue to share your stories and concerns. Circulate the link to your networks and make your voice heard! I am a concerned dojo owner, and I thank you all for speaking up! Peter Klambauer, Yoshukan Karate Studio Mississauga ON

I would definitely support an organization that helped promote seminars and club level Tournaments!

As dojo owner and coach I am very disappointed in KO as Provincial Organization .Time to make changes!