sensei8

I was wondering that myself, but I've not found an answer to that, as of yet. And if I do, I'll let you know, but truth be known, I'll wish I hadn't found out because I forgot about his rank after I saw his videos, and when I first read his articles, I thought he was a loud mouth. Put the article and the videos together, I forgot about his rank almost immediately, but I'm as curious as any cat, just hope it doesn't kill me!!

To the bold type above... It's similar to the old saying... "You can please some of the people sometime. You can please some of the people all sometimes. But you can't please all of the people all of the time." What's one to do??

Interesting!! Did you see just how big the gusset was?? It's much bigger than from when it was before; which is good, because that change was needed quite badly, imho. Byw, for those who don't know what a gusset is...it's the part that's in the crotch area between the legs, that's found in pretty much all MA uniform pants. Without it, you'd tear the crotch area...and that would be embarrassing.

I wholeheartedly agree with this. Had I not had the MA training that I had, and whom I received it from, and all of that, I'd not have the confidence to do any public speaking and leadership; being Kaicho surely wouldn't have happened. I'm basically, not by choice, a very shy person, especially in my youth. However, and because of the MA, I'm no longer that shy young man, but a quite confident adult!! I say what I mean, and I mean what I say! The MA has allowed me to shrug off my shyness, and coat me with more confidence, and more respect for my fellow man/woman!!

The outcome doesn't matter?!?? Sure it does, especially in the MA. If it doesn't matter, than why are we on the floor?? If the outcome doesn't matter in the MA, then no one cares if whatever they've learnt is effective or not; just unimportant motions without cause. Perhaps, I'm misunderstanding that first line, but the intent of it sure did get my attention. And it caused me to pretty much, ignore the intent of the remaining lines in that message, in which I did get the intent, but it became lost to me once I read the first line of that message. The outcome doesn't matter!? It sure does matter!! Imho!!

As to the why? That's not been ascertained, as of yet, if at all. When the Legal Team, directed by Head/Lead Counselor, Hugh Beckworth, forms a sentence as he did,... "I believe that future Annual Testing Cycles conducted at the Hombu will be meet with this same abnormal temperature of expectations from those appointed to grade any and all students of the SKKA." I was of no other recourse and/or avenue but to vacate all Grade Officer posts immediately. Hugh found NO concrete evidence, yet, the way in which he decides to word the bold type above, the preponderance of the evidence might not have been specific enough for him to thoroughly indicate either way, but left me to proceed in the manner of which I acted in. Again, the why's might never be known!! What I think isn't important anymore because the Legal Team has made its final report; thereby, I must comply to its findings. If any sabotage was discovered by the Legal Team, then I would've not only vacated the aforementioned posts, but I would've expelled those proven to have been part of the sabotage, no matter their degree of their involvement. Just? No! Not that large of a failing ratio! Providing that all Grading Officers are taken through a detailed month long training as to the duties and responsibilities of said post. The Legal Team also inspected individual Shindokan dojo's that were owned/operated/managed by those who were SKKA Grading Officers; those Testing Cycles that are administered AT those dojo's. Hombu Testing Cycles PLUS Individual Testing Cycles EQUALS a more clearer answer. Still, I can't shake the wording..."same abnormal temperature of expectations" And when I asked Hugh directly as to why he worded it that way...his response...was a hammer on the head strike... "My wording coincides with my conclusions, in its totality, which were strained. I can't speak in half-truths, but only from what the facts reveal, and the facts reveal something's strange, yet very wrong, occurred, and might occur again if not addressed immediately. From what I know about you from the professional eye, I knew you'd get my intent without my violating any rule, and/or regulation, yet, in what I know about you from a personal eye, I knew that this wouldn't be unaddressed in a timely manner. You did what I thought that you'd do, without me pointing any libel and slandering fingers at anyone." I don't, for any moment, think that this was incompetence!! Not the way in which our Grading Officers are chosen, and finally, trained in being a Grade Officer.

Thanks, The Pred, that's what I'm hoping for. I expect that about 80% of the vacated Grade Officers will be exonerated during their appeal hearings. While I terminated all 200 Grade Officers, I needed to send a message across the board, that acts like this, WILL NOT be tolerated. Grade Officers are one of the following posts: *Hierarchy Grade Officer *Senior Grade Officer [Rokudan or Nanadan] *1st Junior Grade Officer [Godan] *2nd Junior Grade Officer [Yondan] *3rd Junior Grade Officer [sandan] *4th Junior Grade Officer [Nidan] *5th Junior Grade Officer [shodan] 4th and 5th Grade Officers are mainly used for Kyu Testing Cycles, however, having two of them, a Shodan and a Nidan or two of either, on a panel for Shodan are acceptable because of their combined experiences, AS LONG as a Senior Grade Officer is on same panel. It's rare, but it happens!! From Senior to 5th Grade Officer; that's the totality of what I've dismissed!!

The rumor is that the Red left arm is a replacement arm. If you all remember, C3P0 had his right leg replaced, and it was silver. Poor C3P0!! He just can't cut a break!!

Welcome to KF; glad that you're here!! Seeing that you've already been diagnosed, I highly recommend that you adhere to whatever your doctor has advised you. Short of that, further injury might occur. In that, I'm not qualified to advise against a doctors recommendations. I know I'm of no help to you, but hopefully you can understand why!! I do hope that you feel better quite soon!!

ATTENTION Until further notice, ALL Testing Cycles have been temporarily cancelled network wide due to unforeseen circumstances having occurred during the 2015 Annual Testing Cycle held at the Hombu. All Grading Officers, with the exception of Hierarchy Grading Officers, have been terminated, and their posts have been vacated. Replacements will commence immediately, and until all Grading Officer posts have been filled, there will be NO TESTING CYCLES allowed at the Hombu and at any individual Shindokan dojo. No Testing Cycle Petitions will be honored, accepted, or approved during this process!! The Hombu's desire is to reconcile this matter in a timely manner, however, an exact or proposed completion date isn't visible in the Hombu's horizon. The Hombu greatly appreciates your understanding during this difficult time. The Hombu requires that the student body exercises a modicum of temperance as well as unswerving patience! If you've any questions and/or concerns, please direct your enquires to either your Chief Instructor, and/or to the Hombu. As always; train hard and train well!! Thank you, Robert Mitcham, Kaicho Greg Forsythe, Kancho Hugh Beckworth, Legal Team, Head Counselor Greg Stevenson, Regents Chairman Mary Uptone, Executive Secretary "SEALS AFFIXED HEREUPON" This affirmation notice letter was sent to each and every Shindokan dojo within the SKKA network. Each CI was asked to post this notice on their respective Bulletin Board immediately.

Hopes everything works out, how any grading officers at the Hombu did you guys have? 200!! The Hombu has this many Grading Officers to primarily handle the Hombu's Annual Testing Cycle. However, we'll send some Senior Grading Officers to various Shindokan dojos throughout the year for a multitude of reasons. Grading Officers are chosen by the Hombu through a long and painstaking process, and at the end of being selected, and this takes often about 3 months to complete, they'll sign an Oath of Expectations letter, and their given a wallet card that identifies them as a Grading Officer. Btw, Grading Officers are compensated for their duties. After being selected, they go through a month long training, which, has the unofficial name of..."T's and I's", official it's called the Grading Officers Training Course. How many did I have to terminate?? 200!! EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM!! Having said that, I'm a Grading Officer, however, Grading Officers within the hierarchy are exempt from being released. In short, it's a Lifetime Appointment, however, if need be, they can be sanctioned, but "only for a moment."

A very moving as well as uplifting article; gives hopes to those MA students that are disabled. I agree that the MA provides a powerful therapy across the board. Over the many years that I've been teaching, I've been fortunate enough to have taught Shindokan to many disabled children as well as adults. A smile will light up a room, it's those AHA moments that bring me back to the floor to teach, both the disabled as well as those who are not disabled. Thank you, skullsplitter, for sharing the article!!

First of all...Welcome to KF; glad that you're here!! You'd have to contact the Sensei of the dojo in your area as far as to them accepting your cert/belt. Nonetheless, seeing that the cert/belt is just above white belt, and it's been so long since, I'd suggest that you just start back as a white belt. After all, if you've retained anything, the Sensei will be able to tell right off the bat. This is regardless of styles being similar to Shito ryu!!

Yeah, I find myself between them more than I prefer, it's to be expected in my position. The integrity is everything, and I believe it's being threatened, and I must protect it, as to the best of my abilities. And you're absolutely correct, without integrity, what do we have...NOTHING!! I'm not expecting any fallout, and neither are the three administrative branches, however, it's a viable possibility to keep taking the pulse from time to time. Yes, I will weather the storm, no matter how overwhelming it might be!! Seems all I received from every phone call I made was, "WOW...OK...I understand!" Hopefully, I can read into that that, while they're shocked, they supportive of my decision.

Thanks for the advice!! I know the dangers of cliché in my case are very present. I'm looking for something reflective without turning it into the dramatic, apocalyptic, life changing struggle between good and evil that seems to characterize so many of these types of essays. Seeing that you're that aware of the possible trappings that you speak towards in the bold type above, then I believe that your essay will be without any cause, and well received.

UPDATE: Just received the final findings via FedEx!! "There's no conclusive, or questionable evidence to further pursue." I read this and slumped in my chair as my head dropped into my hands; I was dismayed. This is not what I had expected. "Furthermore, I find no fault in the propensity of any of the grading instructors; their score cards were without any ambiguity. In interviews that my staff and I have conducted, we're of the same mind that the grading instructors had only increased the expectations of the students." After reading that, my mouth went agape in disbelief. WHY? ALL TESTING has always been conducted in the manner as set forth by SOKE!! We've the templates created by SOKE, and we're NOT to ever stray away from them, and to do so, only UNDERMINDS the integrity of ANY TESTING CYCLE!! Personal considerations are NEVER to interfere with the integrity of the EXACTNESS, as set forth by SOKE, of ANY TESTING CYCLE. Grade on the FACTS, and the FACTS alone!! This failure ratio, in my mind, is UNACCEPTABLE!! "I've no recommendations to offer, nor do I have any other conclusions to offer, short of this: As shocking as the ratios were, and are, I believe that future Annual Testing Cycles conducted at the Hombu will be meet with this same abnormal temperature of expectations from those appointed to grade any and all students of the SKKA." Abnormal temperature of expectations??!!?? Strange way to say that something is wrong and will be wrong in future testing cycles, especially, or if only, at the Hombu. As Kaicho, the buck stops with me. As Kaicho, I'm held responsible for everything. As Kaicho, all fingers point to me. As Kaicho, the unforeseen are my responsibility, and as Kaicho, the high failure ratio is my responsibility, and the burden rests upon my shoulders. I've sent to the following to any and all concerned parties within the SKKA... "It's quite disturbing that the Hombu's 2015 Annual Testing Cycle as been frothed with a disdained fever that has raped the integrity of its proceedings of late. Therefore, until further notice, ALL testing cycles at the Hombu are terminated, albeit, this is to include any, and all Shindokan dojo's!! No Testing Cycle Petition will be approved until further notice. In short, NO TESTING CYCLES are to be conducted whatsoever!! This is my decision, and this is without any contestation whatsoever. ALL current instructors that have been selected, as of 2015, and charged with the duties and responsibilities of grading any and all of the SKKA student body, as set forth in the SKKA By-Laws, are hereby notified that their position as a Grading Officer have, as of this date, been immediately terminated indefinitely. In which, those Grading Officers do thereby retain the unchallenged right to appeal my decision directly to the SKKA/Hombu Hierarchy line, being that of the Executive, Administrative, and the Regents, yet, and only in that chain of command. Commencing immediately, the aforementioned Hierarchy line will be conducting an extensive, and what I suppose, an exhausting search for new Grading Officers, and of, and in those now vacated posts. Once, and only then, and not until then, newly appointed Grading Officers have been sworn in, will the Hombu reassume any and all Testing Cycles forthwith. I greatly apologize to any proposed inconvenience that this might cause to the SKKA's entire student body, as well as those innocent in this tragic event. Testing Cycle integrity MUST be obtained, and held without cause. Let it be known that the overall Testing Cycles will reassume in a timely manner. Meanwhile, continue to train hard and continue to train well. Thank you for everyone's time and consideration as well as everyone's understanding to my decision. Hopefully, you'll each understand as to why this had to occur, and how it had to occur in the manner of which it has been. Sincerely, Robert Mitcham; Kaicho of the SKKA. SEAL AFFIXED HEREUPON" Phone calls have been made to all Shindokan dojo's, as well as the Hombu, about my decision, and they've all been appraised of my letter, and to be expecting it via FedEx immediately, and as soon as possible. Unfavorable decision had to be made, therefore, I've made it, as painstaking as it is, to all, including myself.

At times, people will come into the dojo or the Hombu and they think that just because their customers, and yes, students are customers too, that they can speak about and/or demand how it needs to be or how it should be and so on and so forth. Sure, I'm open minded, and welcome any and all suggestions, but not with a tone of ownership or with a tone of an ultimatum or any tone conceived as to being disrespectful. This is MY dojo...this isn't YOURS!! Your not part of the administration!! In their field, they are the experts, and I don't go to their place of business speaking and demanding in disrespectful tones; that would be rude, therefore that would also be unnecessary across the board, and that would get me nowhere quick. EVEN in respectful tones, don't demand and/or give me ultimatums, not in my dojo, and not in the Hombu, and certainly, not in my home! To do so, well, you'll be escorted to the door immediately, and without any haste or ceremony. If you don't know your role, I'll remind you, I'll teach you, I'll help you understand exactly just what your role is in MY dojo and in OUR Hombu and in MY home!! How does YOUR Sensei/Instructor/GM/Hombu deal with this/these type of things that I've touched upon in this thread??

Sounds to me that we all here have shown that we have something in common...we love to teach!!

Solid post!! Welcome to KF; glad that you're here!!

I do like the possibilities that you have all said, thus far, and I'm that cat...you know him...the curious one...the one that will not be satisfied until his curiosity is...just that...satisfied. C3PO's red left arm is the buzz around the internet, and I just saw a toy of C3PO and the left arm is RED too...selling for $99.99!!

Yes, it can be, and it can be..."Man, I miss THAT UFC!!"

Solid post!! Moved me, and gave me some goose-pimples because I, too, have been there, more than once, that's for sure!!

Thank you, Spartacus Maximus, for staring this thread!! All of the above. Yes, teaching was my choice, but only once the teaching bug bit me. And that took about 3-4 classes of assisting our Dai-Soke on the floor. My initiative that I was helping someone, no matter how small or large. I quickly realized that I was making a positive impact on someone's life; that was magic!! Yes, I was asked to teach, but it was under the very watchful eye of Dai-Soke. Under his watchful eye, he taught us how to teach, and then he'd allow us to discover our own teaching style. HE HATED COPYCATS..."Be your own teacher!!" Dai-Soke encouraged his Sankyu's to assist him on the floor. And as we gain confidence and all of that, he'd let us run classes for those ranks below us, but always under his watchful eye. At Rokukyu, he'd get us to assist the beginners that were brand new, to help them get acquainted to dojo life, and that included to help them with whatever they needed. HELP...BUT NEVER TEACH...that was his job if you're below a Sankyu. Of course there was; many times and quite often. I felt that I was all thumbs and carried around a dozen left feet, but no right feet; an awkward klutz. I doubted myself, and I had no business to teach anyone anything of value. Dai-Soke...that's how I dealt with it. He was very much a compassionate and nurturing Sensei. Never yelled, that's not his style; his glare was enough to make me pee myself. I learnt how to teach from the best in the business, imho, of course!! He'd counsel and always ask this..."What would you do?", and that gave us ownership...accountability...it was more valuable than all of the money could buy. I suppose the first time was when I was Rokukyu, and I was asked to help the brand new students dojo decorum and all, but when it came to show them the basics of the most basics...I was "DUH!!...which way did they go, George....which way did they go?!??". But with love and so much patience, Dai-Soke would GUIDE to loose the self-conviction, to loose the stiffness, to loose the blinders, and in that, confidence slowly floated to the top. I wanted to teach and own my own dojo at Sandan, but both Soke and Dai-Soke said that I wasn't ready, and that they'd not approve that until I had reached Godan. It was their way...and it was their rules...and it was there way or the high way. However, they softened when they came to my dojo...yes I opened it without their blessing because I'm not their property and I'm a grown man...but when they saw me on the floor in my own dojo, and with my own students, and they saw the glimmering in the eyes of my students under my watchful eye...they amended the By-Laws to Sandan, and that's because they had a soft heart inside that grizzled hard as rock exterior!! I can remember that I too said, "Me? Teach Shindokan? You've lost your minds" But I'm thankful to them both, especially Dai-Soke, for loving us enough to let us find ourselves, and our own teaching style. If not for them, I'd be just a student, and that would've been perfectly fine with me. But when I look in the eye of each and everyone of my students over these 35+ years that I've been teaching in my own dojo, then I'm so grateful that I stuck it out to learn how to teach. Nothing's more rewarding than seeing the AHA moment in a students eye...that look..."I got it!!", and they truly did get it!!

Solid post!!

Solid post!! Royce only wore his gi and belt; nothing else! Of course, early UFC had no weight divisions whatsoever...ah...those were the days!!