sensei8

Yard signs...flyers...newspaper ads...WORD OF MOUTH...demos...just a few ideas; ideas that I've tried, and have lived by!! Got to get your name out in the community so that its recognition is self-sufficient and long lasting!! A billboard ad might be, not always, expensive, but one can't deny its impact on consumers. I think you've found a gold mine of opportunities, as well as a gold mine of cash flow.

Thank you very much, MatsuShinshii!! Let me say this...WOW...you weren't by any chance hiding somewhere at the SKKA, were you?? You've pretty much explained our situation to the nth degree; kind of spooky, to me. Shindokan was founded in 1950. SKKA was founded in 1957. Shindokan is Okinawa based; Okinawa-te and Shuri-te based. Both our Soke and Dai-Soke were born and raised in Okinawa, what is now known as Nanjo. My Shindokan journey began in 1964 in Canoga Park, CA; suburb of the San Fernando Valley, just north of Hollywood, CA. I'm the highest ranking student, directly under our Dai-Soke; I'm in my 52nd year, this October. I'm the current Kaicho of the SKKA. I've a Kudan in Shindokan Saitou-ryu Karate-do, as well as a Hachidan in Shindokan Saitou-ryu Kobudo. My Shogo is Hanshi. Soke passed away of natural causes when he was 91 in 2008. Dai-Soke passed away after suffering two strokes, just months apart from each other in 2010. The SKKA/Hombu suffered some back in 2010 when our San Dai-Soke closed the them both, and tried to relocate them back to Okinawa without any notification and the like. Shortly thereafter, San Dai-Soke was expelled, left without any authority whatsoever, and a new SKKA/Hombu was established. That effort, was a shocking revelation, and things were done, like amending our By-Laws, By-Laws penned by our Soke, to secure as well as guarantee a long existence for the SKKA/Hombu. We've one fantastic Legal Team, which isn't associated directly with the SKKA/Hombu. That closing was an easy one to negotiate because all of the pieces were still intact. Just the San Dai-Soke was missing. In fact, part of our amendments include abolishing any and all Soke types, in the fear of a drastic repeat of history occurring. Fast forward to now. You, as well as many here, have advised me, and each will be considered wholeheartedly. Conversations, many conversations, are made everyday with those who are qualified. In that, these many conversations are revisited, and often, in the hopes that the few will reconsider their options, not for the one, but for the many. Our Student Body, network wide, at the time of this tragedy, was just shy of 10K. However, those number, as of now, seem to be standing on very thin ice, and they're just waiting for it to finally break, casting them into the abyss. Those that are qualified to step forward, cast their concerns, and they speak that their plates, both personal as well as professional, are full; too much for them to consider. I respect that! Each of them, after many, many hours, have spoken that they don't feel worthy to assume a position on the SKKA's Higher Hierarchy, and even more so, they feel that it's way to close since the passing of our Kancho and the Regents, to assume such positions; a mark of honor and loyalty to them. Time heals all wounds, however, time knows no limits!! The history's, yours and ours, are quite identical, yet, in ways, they're not. Albeit, I'll hold your proposal close to my heart, in that, I'll consider it, and bring it to our Legal Team as well as those remaining executives, for a possible solution(s), as I will for everyone here that's offered their valuable proposals. Soon the SKKA/Hombu will shut down, for an undetermined time, and what I fear is that after some time, the entire student body might not want to return to a ship that's sank, and let them down, twice. A ship without a port or a dock to call its own!! I'm afraid that a new governing body might emerge, and the SKKA will be no more. In which, I will have failed them all in more ways than I can ever think about. As Kaicho, the Student Body of the SKKA comes before ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING!! As I've said before, I don't need to be Kaicho or anything, and I'd step down in a quick seconds if it'll benefit the Student Body of the SKKA. I will fight for them to the nth degree!! Yet, I know change is inevitable, and I embrace change for the sake of the SKKA's Student Body!!

I'd usually close down for the entire Christmas week. I'd close for the day before, day of, and the day after, for Thanksgiving, and the same for New Years Day. That's about it. Our Hombu, under the directions of either our Soke and Dai-Soke, never closed down, not even on Christmas day because, to them, some student might want to train. Didn't want to disappoint any student a chance to train, even on the major holidays and the like. When they went to Okinawa, they too, had enough Sandan's and above to run the floor. The SKKA, it being more of an office than anything else, closed like any other office building; holidays and the like, and at times, for days and weeks at a time. Any other Holidays or SKKA functions or MA functions, I had enough black belts, Sandan and above, to run the dojo until I returned.

Isn't it true, that having two or more elements brought together, in one fashion or another, is, well, mixed?!?! There shouldn't, imho, be a cooperative model concerning the MA. If believe that if a MA school offers two or more types of the MA for its student body, then they should have the right to market an MMA, and not be subjected to someone else's interpretation and/or definition. Why and who authorized the word "MMA/Mixed Martial Arts" to exist only under the umbrella of ground fighting and boxing and whatever else they've branded/marketed it to be. Surely, there's no monopoly on the word MMA, and if there is, there shouldn't be one per the free enterprise model. If I were to market Shindokan and TKD together, on the floor, at the same time, that might be under the umbrella of MMA. If I'm offering Shindokan and TKD under the same roof in my dojo, that too might be under the umbrella of MMA. Perception is a fragile word, one that should ever be taken lightly. However, brand marketing could care less about that because what concerns them over anything else, is this... Is the bottom line being positive?!?! A positive bottom line is feed by the consumers, but consumers can be swayed to follow more than one ideology, and that ideology can include the word "MMA" and its like.

Good news, Brian; congrats on passing the test!! And you're right, anything tough is well worth it!!

Try it, you might like it!! Better yet, taste it to see if it's any good!! Experience it, and allow it to develop on its own naturally. Now, what I've just said, covers a wide plethora of subjects, and not just chi and the like. Not everything in the MA is either bad or good; it's up to the practitioner to decide on their own. That decision requires some thoughtful research to see if one likes it or if it's any good or if it'll develop on its own naturally; don't force it!!

Being self taught has its merits, I suppose, however, I'd tread those waters quite carefully as to not picking up any bad habits. Yet, how does one not pick up any bad habits when there's no qualified instructor in sight?!?! How'd they ever recognize a bad habit even exists?!?! If they, by chance, were to discover said bad habit did exist, how would they know how to correct it properly?!?!

Yeah, I've been beat with a Shinai for my entire MA career. It makes a great sound...it also make a great visual. For an occasional hit from a Shinai, it's no real big deal. However, hits with intent and long duration, can get your attention. For ME, I love to be hit with a Shinai, intentionally or not, it's no big deal!! But, that's me, I love the pain that a Shinai can bring; I'm sadistic that way. Besides, I WILL GET A TURN...TRUST ME!! Both Soke and Dai-Soke walked around the floor with a Shinai, more for the visual than for the intent. Sure, they'd use it to correct us, but it would be more like a loving light tap to an arm or stomach or back or leg or wherever necessary. Neither of them ever struck us with anger!! But Greg and I, and many others, would beat each other during drills and the like, however, we'd get carried away from time to time to all of the time!! Again, I'm twisted that way!!

It can be quite interesting when one considers the many ways one can sign any official correspondences, and then to have it judged by those outside of their immediate circle as directed by their governing body, can feel quite daunting. Sure, I can write and sign my name and the like just about anyway I want to. However, protocol dictates that any and all correspondences must be handled per the requirements of the recipient. If not, I run the risk of having the letter thrown out, and/or have my correspondence not given the proper consideration. For example, If I write correspondence to the President of the United States, I better follow protocol to the nth degree, or face the fate of not being taken serious at any level. Same might be said of the protocol at your governing body. How one's to address individuals as well as departments and the like must meet those expectations. One, it's polite, to do as required. Two, it's rude, to not do as required. If a governing body ignores someone just because they used the word "title" inappropriately, and that particular protocol is required, yet ignored, one can expect no returning correspondences anytime soon, if at all. Our own SKKA, has protocol, that can be for sure, but we're merciful on these type of mistakes because to ignore a possible important and vital correspondences on a technicality, even though an important technicality, can harm the SKKA one way or another, depending on the degree of seriousness. I'm a respecter of protocol!! Protocol was drilled into us all at the SKKA/Hombu, and oftentimes, leniency wasn't tolerated, not even the slightest.

That's good to know, Liam; thanks. On a side note...I wonder if Rika Usami will come out of retirement for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, now that Karate is in the IOC officially??

Time in rank is as important as it is to said governing body. Outside of that governing body, it might not have much value, if any. The governing body usually has the right to amend anything relating to rank without notice. Sure, there are written expectations per rank, and per title, and per teaching license, however, that reserved right of the governing body is preserved.

Welcome to KF, MatsuShinshii; glad that you're here!! Solid post!! Solid points!! My Hanshi is just that, as you've stated, a teaching license, and nothing more, bestowed upon me by our Governing Body. In that, I never refer to myself by my teaching license. In official correspondences, I might, and I mean might, tag my Hanshi at the end, just under my name, just above my rank. Never have I put my teaching license in front of or at the end of my name in any shape, way, and/or form. Why? Because that's not my name! Whenever I write an official correspondence for the SKKA, I'll close it with my name and my SKKA title of Kaicho. My title will go, again, under my name, and not before or after it...this is my choice. Both my Soke and Dai-Soke did the same: Name, then under that, their title, in any official correspondences. Neither of them or myself have ever added our teaching license on official correspondences and/or unofficial correspondences because it would be incorrect. Albeit, the context must be appropriate. Ever since I've been here at KF, 2008, I've addressed my Shogo, unofficially, as a title. I don't think that's wrong? No, not really, within this venue, imho.

Will there be a Freestyle Division for Kata?? This is just me, but I hope that the Kata will only be Traditional. The Freestyle Division might be for another venue, but not for the IOC.

Congratulations to your Sensei; Godan is a milestone, of a type!!

My style is Shindokan. It's an effective style. Shindokan's effectiveness lies within me, and not our Soke. If I'm not effective, yet the style is, then I've failed the style, and the fault is mine alone. Again, imho!!

One could, however, it would be incorrect. De Facto...no!! De Jure...yes!! Our By-Laws, through our SOP are formally endorsed, as well as, how the SKKA ratifies each SOP through its official procedures and gives the standards its stamp of approval. By title, I'd assume the CI post until a newly elected CI is sworn in. I've both the experience as well as the knowledge to assume the CI post, even if it's only temporary. The buck stops with Kaicho, but that's the Executive/Administrative portion, and not of the Technical Department. That buck, stops with the Kancho!!

Solid post!! The path you're proposing has merits!! What I need to separate myself from, in order to make a more clearer decision, is to look into the future, and stop living in the past. What our Soke created, and what we amended during a time of betrayal, in our Charter and the like into our current By-Laws, can still be upheld, but not forgotten. Our pass is, and can be the stepping stones done a renewed path that both honors everyone, and not just one, of the few. We've less than 30 days to rekindle the fire within the SKKA/Hombu, otherwise, closure, as the final solution, even though temporary, will occur, and that ship might not ever sail again. This is my responsibility! One I've accept wholeheartedly, and without any reservation and/or ambiguity along time ago; one I plan on upholding. The proposals that you've laid out, Bulltahr, afford me a new avenue to present to our Legal Team, as well as the few key individuals within the SKKA. Not even the Reconstruction company we hired, nor have our Legal Team, nor have anyone else for that fact, and I know for sure, I've not thought of it/them either. That's my fault, and my fault alone!! I've steered everyone, in-house as well as those that were out-sourced, to continue the By-Laws and the like as they've been established through all of the proper channels. I DIDN'T WANT TO INVEST INTO ANYTHING ELSE THAT MIGHT APPEAR AS THOUGH I WAS BEING UNFAITHFUL TOWARDS THAT WHICH WE'VE ONLY KNOWN!! To me, the By-Laws and the like weren't broken, therefore, there's no reason to fix it/them!! However, the deaths of Kancho and the Regents has made vital parts quite broken. Yet, plausible and viable and fixable!! Tomorrow, I'll make a conference call to those concerned party within the SKKA and provide them with your proposals with a firm, yet open heart. Still, the biggest issue I/we face is securing qualified candidates, providing we continue that paths unbridled and unmolested in our intents. Fingers crossed!!

When this type of class became more popular, I added it to my dojo. No, I didn't teach it because my teaching plate was quite full. However, I kept my eye on it, as I did with anything that I wasn't directly involved in; Management 101 teaches that. I was still liable for everything, even if I wasn't the instructor of said class. I didn't let those other classes fend for themselves!! I was quite supportive of them, and this included me supplying the necessary materials and the like, and not just the floor space and/or the time frames. My dojo's have always been full time, therefore, my only source of income. I was highly involved in everything from 'A' to 'Z' and back and forth; 24/7. I couldn't allow classes as this to go without my managing its daily operations. No, that, imho, would be irresponsible, which that would be unforgivable. Classes like this, added much to my bottom line. As I learned in college..."A penny turns into a nickel, and a nickel turns into a dime, and a dime turns into a quarter, and a quarter turns into a million dollars; all profits are tangible."

Solid post!! I'd rather a prospective student watch and ask a ton of questions, so as to be more informed, as often as felt necessary. Doubt can rear its ugly head if certain concerns are left to the wayside. Surely, it's not a good idea to buy the very first vehicle without first doing some serious investigation about any vehicle. Just buying the first vehicle one sees is a great way to get a lemon; who wants to buy a lemon?! If a prospective student just walks in my dojo without watching and/or asking any questions, I will encourage them to do so before they make their final decisions. And yes, by all means, taking the vehicle on a test drive answers so many questions. Same with a free trial lesson at my dojo!! Taste it to see if it's good!!

I'm always spouting this... The practitioner is why the style is ineffective; not the style. Aikido, and I'm not a Aikidoist at all, in the direct senses, but I believe that Aikido is an effective art. I tend to look at the practitioner first, and the style second. The fault of ineffectiveness, imho, lies within the practitioner, and in that, the practitioner is the proponent of its ineffectiveness!! Imho!!

Great topic, Spartacus Maximus; glad that you started it. Contact the police immediately, and not later. Later, to me, incorporates me collecting proof/evidence; I've not the time nor the luxury or the experience or the resources as Law Enforcement's have. The sooner that I make Law Enforcement aware of the possibilities, the sooner that Law Enforcement can being their investigations. Meanwhile, I'll not take the law in my hands unless it's a matter of life and death!! I will protect my family as well as myself to the best of my abilities with the intentions of finalized resolve. To do what I must, and no more!!

What would you do?? The SKKA/Hombu, for now, is a ragtag ship, kind of left adrift, with no save haven port in sight. While the ship might be kind of ragtag, it's core is still in tact. However, key positions are left unfilled. If these key positions can be filled by qualified people within the SKKA Network, it's very possible that the ship can be saved from the impending storms forecast. Needed: 1 Kancho, must possess, as a minimum, a Hachidan as well as a Shogo Title of Hanshi. This position is part of the Executive Team for the SKKA. This position is also the Chief Instructor of the Hombu. 5 Regents, must possess, as a minimum, a Hachidan as well as a minimum Shogo Title of Kyoshi. The Regents are the Administrative Team of the SKKA. We're, well I mean, I'm stuck in the mud, so to speak. These positions are as they are per how our Soke designed them to be. However, what was doesn't have to be; a new model can be adopted. *How to restructure those two teams? *How to restructure those two teams in a different manner? *How to entice those that are qualified in the SKKA Network to step forward? *How to choose those that remain in the SKKA with temporary voting authority? *Is temporary voting authority practical and/or necessary? If blessed enough to find, interview, and vote as de facto for these positions, all voting authority responsibilities will then immediately reside with the Executive and Administrative Teams, and them alone!! Hopefully, those here at KF can lend me some advice. After all, none of you have any ties with the SKKA, and that expels any preconceived notions as to any bias involvements. In short... HELP....any and all suggestions will be seriously entertained!! Thank you, in advance!!

Can you provide us a preamble of what you'd like to discuss, kenpo4life.

That's the beauty of Oyo; self expression!! Thanks for sharing, Noah. Your Sensei flows quite quickly and smoothly!!

I've been on Netflix for quite some time, and I JUST NOW found out that I can pick "English" and "Sub-Titles"!! Go figure!! Those features have been there FOREVER, and I never knew that. When I saw that box in the past, I thought that Netflix decided for its members how a film can be viewed. In short, I finally watched the movie, and it was ok, but not near as good as 1 and 2, imho.