BBB for the martial arts.

[Martial_Artist]

BUt who's to say, outside of currently established organizations, if A's 123 are valid? That's where I could foresee issues arising. If you stick to mainstream arts and organizations then I don't see a problem, but proposing it encompass everybody--and believe me if a parent knows nothing about martial arts and their kid wants to attend classes at Teacher A but A is not listed with the BBB of MA, but is valid in his own right, they won't let their kid attend A because nothing he does is listed with the BBB of MA because he's not TMA or a confirmable validity through traditional means.

 

For example, I taught martial arts a few years back. I charged $100/hr for my instruction(in the US, I taught for different circumstances in the Philippines). I had ten students in the US. I am not in any way affiliated with any established organization. I have no rank identifiable with any organization. How would someone like me fit in a BBB of MA? Who would be the one to verify if what I taught was legit or not?

 

How can I be assured fairness in a highly jealous industry? Who would be appointed to the council of a BBB of MA? If they are TMA's I would most certainly not be allowed to be listed.

 

Martial arts are different because it's more than a tangible product. It is an artform and varies greatly from art to art, even idealogies. Who can judge that, unless it's already in an established organization. And in that case just call the organization and ask.(As with Teacher C & 678. The current organization should be able to provide validating information concerning this teacher C. And it's the responsibilty of the consumer to be sure he his making a sound purchase.)

 

perhaps something more of an internet reference site with schools listed and various ratings assigned by current, past, or present students. Also a listing that presents a verified rank of the instructor or a statement that the instructor is not affiliated with a validating organization, or a statement that says the instructor claims to be C but according to C Organization is not.Something like would be a better option than a Bureau designated to regulate the industry, act as a reporting agency, and as enforcement.

 

Just my thoughts.

 

All in all, though, I do see your good intentions. And I'm not putting those ideals down. Like I said maybe a reference site might be a better option, with personal ratings versus bureacratical reporting/validating.

 

In any case I don't teach for profit anymore and it wouldn't concern me, personally. However, the thoughts just entered my mind if something like a BBB of MA existed when I did teach....

[miguksaram]

Well after much sifting through emails, feedback and other research, I will abandon what seems to a fruitless effort. As much as I would like to pursue such an endevour, it seems the MA community in general just doesn't seem to be too receptive to the idea. Thaank you all for your feed back, it was much appreciated.

 

On another note, I do like the idea of a reference site, perhaps something that might list the major organizations list of known instructors or something of that nature.

 

With respect,

 

Jeremy

[kempocos]

miguksaram - I stand with the grant idea from yesterday on THAT OTHER BOARD.

 

"So, I, Teacher A starts school B, an invented system. I am the highest rank in School B because I founded the martial art. I am the head of Organization B that oversees my other schools. Who verifies my rank? Who invalidates it? "

 

If I get the concept , Most teachers who invent claim some prior training that is the basis for the the new style. Verify the prior to see if they have the knowledge to invent a valid style. Do not judge just verify claims of RANK , STYLES TRAINED, YEARS WITH WELL KNOWN INSTRUCTORS who the present as creadentials. Let the public known the info has been tracked down and confirmed. Although everyone knows it is a good idea before training, not many know how to go about it.

[Shorinryu Sensei]

I hate to be the "doomsayer" here, but I see all kinds of loopholes with any sort of checking organization in regards to the martial arts.

 

There are many people out there that have gone to one eminar with some artist of note, and then put it on their "resume" that they trained extensively with that person. For example, I was invited to meet and attend a seminar by the late Ed Parker about 2 years before his death. I did, it was interesting, but so different from what I do that I got nothing from it.

 

Regardless..to me, I attended one, two hour seminar with the man. This is not, IMHO, enough to justify saying I've trained with the man, nor studied under him..yet many would I think. But assuming that I DID claim this, how would you verify, or disprove it?

 

Also, who's going to fund an organization to check up on instructors credentials? We're talking a lot of time to do this, stamps/envelopes, long distance phone calls, etc. I used to do some checking on new instructors that came into this area, just to make sure they were legit..and it can be a very time consuming process to tack down references. That's assuming of course, they will give them to you. Many won't when they find out you are just verifying that they are who they say they are. My personal experience anyway.

 

Again, I like the idea of it, because fakes in the arts hurt all of us that truly are legitimate..but I see no resolution short of the government *shudder* stepping in and licensing all of us and setting standards. There are just to many variables involved in the different arts to be able to do this fairly just for the legitimate TMA's, let alone for all the "new and improved" arts that spring up everytime you turn around.

[miguksaram]

miguksaram - I stand with the grant idea from yesterday on THAT OTHER BOARD.

 

"So, I, Teacher A starts school B, an invented system. I am the highest rank in School B because I founded the martial art. I am the head of Organization B that oversees my other schools. Who verifies my rank? Who invalidates it? "

 

If I get the concept , Most teachers who invent claim some prior training that is the basis for the the new style. Verify the prior to see if they have the knowledge to invent a valid style. Do not judge just verify claims of RANK , STYLES TRAINED, YEARS WITH WELL KNOWN INSTRUCTORS who the present as creadentials. Let the public known the info has been tracked down and confirmed. Although everyone knows it is a good idea before training, not many know how to go about it.

 

You nailed it. That is exactly how I would have handled that situation.