whitematt

While I admire your position, always remember - people rarely value something they get for free. Strangely enough, one of the better ways to retain students and encourage their attendance is to charge them. Matt White

Please note - most of these are geared towards kids. Put together a "Christmas Wish List" for your students. Show pictures of gear, apparel, and other MA items that your students can request for Christmas - all ordered through you of course. Do a "Karate for Christmas" promotion. People come in and sign-up their kids and prepay for lessons - you determine how much. You send them home with a gift-wrapped uniform to put under the tree. Day After Thanksgiving seminars work really well. Weapons, Anti-Bully, Stranger-Danger, etc. The kids learn something productive while mom and dad are holiday shopping.

Don't assume you can make this happen. I took over from my instructor and thought the same thing. I did a direct mail campaign that targeted every student that had ever been on record - even offered an incentive for them to come back. I didn't get a single person to come back. Realize that when people move on, they move on and often find other interests.

Please understand that "Eternal" Grandmaster was not a title that GM H.U. Lee granted himself. At the time of his death he was ranked as a 9th degree black belt, the highest rank attainable in our style, and held by a single person. He was awarded his 10th degree posthumously. I wish I had the article handy, it mentioned the names of the other TKD Grandmasters that awarded him that rank/title. Matt White

Eternal Grandmaster Haeng Ung Lee and Grandmaster Soon Ho Lee are both with the American Taekwondo Association. I have had the opportunity and privilege of meeting both, though only once. In 2000 Grandmaster H.U. Lee was a special guest at our annual winter black belt camp. He lead work-outs and judged testing. I tested from 1st degree to 2nd degree rec. black belt in front of him - talk about pressure. After testing, we walked up shook the judges hands and thanked them for the opportunity to test. I remember him telling me that I did very well. He made me feel really great. During the course of the camp it was obvious he had a great sense of humor, and truly cared about his students and taekwondo. After we bowed out he stayed and posed for pictures with anyone that asked. He passed away the same year. I met Grandmaster Soon Ho Lee the following year at the same camp. He told some really great stories about EGM Lee (his brother), and led us on a "traditional" taekwondo workout.

Aside from the fact that the length of the contract is a bit long IMO, and the price is very high - what other experience do you suggest he communicate to the press? That he didn't read the fine print? Did he say Maryland...? http://www.oag.state.md.us/consumer/edge112.htm If so, it doesn't look promising.

[i would just like to add my "opinion" which is; Cost is not relative in fact it is generally a good sign of the quality] I would definitely agree with your opinion. Just because you pay more, doesn't mean you will get more. [if said instructor makes a decent living teaching TKD find another dojang. The hack who see dollar signs and not potential friends or family are giving the art a bad name. Get a life get a job and teach because you want to.] Here's where we vary significantly... your saying that no martial arts instructor should make decent money teaching - no matter how good they may be? Just because an instructor is able to support themselves solely through their art, it does not mean they don't care about their students, or are ripping them off. I agree that you should teach because you want to, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to make a decent living. Matt White

[The titles ar * lets just say it right out. They have no real purpose in Martial arts.] You're entitled to your opinion. Here's another opinion that floats around... belt ranks in martial arts are *. Due to the differences in styles and schools, whatever color material you wear around your waist is not a true indicator of your skills. Matt White

[A) how much do you pay monthly/per session?] $40.00 per month for two classes per week. [b) how much do you pay for advancing to new belts?] Colored belt ranks are $30-40 per testing. [C)Cost of 1stDan and above?] Testing for 1D is $120.00.

[i have read in TKD magazines such idiotic titles as Great Grandmaster and Eternal Grandmaster. All i can do is laugh.] I don't know about other styles, but after his passing, our grandmaster (Haung Ung Lee, the founder of our organization) was elevated to the status of eternal grandmaster. This was done to honor his life and dedication to his art and students. In this instance I don't find the title either idiotic, or laughable. Matt White

[its all in how you train.] That is simply my point as well.

Ronryu: While it can be argued that *some* ATA schools are business-oriented, and I have heard that earning your belt just requires the right $$ - it is not true of all. You have to remember that the ATA is an extremely large organization, and basically just a governing body - much like the WTF or ITF. Instructors that run ATA programs are allowed to train their students as they see fit. The organization does not determine how you should run your school. Many of us work very hard to earn the respect of our fellow martial artists, and are devoted to our students. My most important responsibility is to properly train my students. This training can run the gamut, as I am there to help them attain their personal goals. Some people are interested in tournaments, others pure self-defense. Some are looking for improved self-confidence, or to get in better shape. To say all ATA schools are out to make a buck and hand out belts by the dozen is an unfair, and inaccurate generalization. I've trained in several styles, under some very good instructors. But some of the very best I've had the pleasure of training with are longtime ATA people. Just adding my 2 cents. Matt White

Old thread, but I'm an ATA'er. Happy to answer any questions you guys might have. Matt White