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501(c)(3) Recognition Confirmed Ubuntu Channel Alliance Inc. is officially recognised by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity, effective September 1, 2026.
We are continuing preparations for our initial South African programme and welcome interest from learners, mentors, sponsors and industry partners.

Ubuntu Channel Alliance

Governance

Trust matters. Ubuntu Channel Alliance is governed by public policies focused on transparency, independence, and accountability.

Establishment Status

Ubuntu Channel Alliance Inc. is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation recognised by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, with an initial Board and adopted Bylaws and Board Policy Manual. The governance structure described on this page reflects our current governance framework. The initial learner program is being prepared for launch.

Document Library

Governance & Policies

Our Version 1.0 Company Bylaws and Founding Board Policy Manual were adopted by the Board on September 11, 2026 and are publicly available in full.

Bylaws v1.0 · Founding Board Policy Manual v1.0 · Secretary certification: September 14, 2026

Governance Structure

Ubuntu Channel Alliance is structured as a director-only California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation — there are no voting members. Governance authority rests with the Board of Directors.

Board Size

3–5 directors

Director Terms

3 years · maximum 3 consecutive terms

Meetings

Quarterly minimum

Quorum

Majority of directors then in office, never fewer than two

Director Compensation

None · directors serve without pay

Voting Members

None · director-only structure

Officer Roles

Current public officer roles are listed below. The Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer are separate roles.

Shane Betrix — Chair

Presides over Board meetings and provides Board leadership.

Dale Knowles — Secretary

Serves as Secretary of the Board.

Ramon Smith — Treasurer

Serves as Treasurer of the Board.

Vice Chair — Not Appointed

No Vice Chair has currently been appointed.

Executive Leadership

Tom Kucharski

Executive Director

The Executive Director manages day-to-day operations and reports to the Board. The ED attends Board meetings in an advisory, non-voting capacity (per Article VII of the Bylaws).

Board of Directors

The Board currently has three directors. The public Bylaws describe a Board size of three to five directors.

Shane Betrix

Board Member

Ramon Smith

Board Member

Dale Knowles

Board Member

Board Governance Principles

Governance requirements and UCA's public commitments. The adopted Bylaws and Founding Board Policy Manual provide the legal and policy framework.

  • Separation of Powers: The Board governs; Management executes. The Executive Director is not a voting member of the Board.
  • Conflict of Interest: A person with a conflict must disclose it, leave the discussion when requested, and abstain from voting. Annual disclosure is required of directors, officers, and key employees.
  • Employer Neutrality: UCA's public commitment is that no employer receives preferential or exclusive access to learners. Directors must also comply with the adopted conflict-of-interest requirements.
  • Learner-Centered Mission: Governance and operational decisions are guided by the impact on the learners the Corporation serves.

Operational Integrity

Transparency

Our public governance documents describe Board oversight and financial controls.

Employer Neutrality

UCA's employer-neutrality commitment means no employer can purchase exclusive access to learners. Learners retain full agency over their career choices.

Learner Privacy

Individual learner data is never sold. Any future employer visibility would require a learner's explicit opt-in consent.

Ethical Fundraising

We will not accept funding from organizations that impose conditions contrary to our mission, employer neutrality policy, or the best interests of our learners.

Have questions about our structure?

We welcome inquiries regarding our establishment process and governance framework.