taiji fajin Posted July 31, 2005 Author Share Posted July 31, 2005 Thank you to everyone for your advice, I have read and reread everyone's comments. I agree that all of us need to sit down and have a talk about it, and I'm hoping we will be able to sort through any problems. I would rather not go off and start my own school (I wouldn't even be allowed to do this in the same art in the same town) because I enjoy the friends I have in this one, and think it can be good. However, if things cannot be straightened out, I may have to take a break from this art, focus on my other martial arts, and when I move to a new area start up my own school. This way I could continue to be in the organization, but would not be a part of a McDojang. Hopefully it will not come to this.One thing no one mentioned, and this might be because there is no good solution, is what to do about the current students regarding the new black belt. All the questions I asked at the end of the first post. The only solution I can think of is to instill in them that they shouldn't worry about belts, they should worry about their own progress. That is true, but I can see problems occuring when they don't trust higher belts who are trying to help them. Also, there are the people who are very committed to the idea of a belt system. While I think that is not a good thing to be attached to by any means, if I lose them as students over this I will lose the opportunity to have them realize that martial arts are about their development, not what color they wear. Fetch Daddy's blue fright wig! I must be handsome when I unleash my rage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adonis Posted July 31, 2005 Share Posted July 31, 2005 Do you your best to give quality teaching and focus on that. There a good belt levels and not so good. So the women made black belt big deal, just get across to the students that belts don't matter and diffrent instructors have diffrent standards as what skill level qualify's for what belt. Eventually you work with the students enough they probably will surpass the crappy black belt who got promoted and she wouldn't able to hang with the other students because of your more strict, and detailed instruction. I seen other black belts leave schools before feeling inadequate because they weren't able to hang with the lower belts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Warlock Posted July 31, 2005 Share Posted July 31, 2005 Agree with Karate25 here. If you make it a big deal, so will your students. If you don't, neither will they. You set the example. Don't let it bother you and it won't bother them. They are your students, not hers. If she wishes to teach your students, then, if you feel it necessary, talk to her in private and tell her you do not want her teaching your students, as she is not 'ready' to teach. No need to insult her. In fact, in Judo, you are required to obtain a 3rd degree black belt, a teacher rank (you can have a 3rd degree black belt that is not a teacher rank), before you are allowed to teach 'officially' as a representative of the Kodokan. Although it is likely not the same for your school, it is nonetheless something to consider.I would rather not go off and start my own school (I wouldn't even be allowed to do this in the same art in the same town) because I enjoy the friends I have in this one, and think it can be good.I don't know where you are located, but i gather it is in the U.S. If so, then let me say this very clearly. It is illegal for anyone to 'prevent' you from opening up your own school in the same town. Monopolies are illegal, per the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890. If anyone were to take any actions against you, they could very well serve time in prison, as well as pay a hefty penalty. "When you are able to take the keys from my hand, you will be ready to drive." - Shaolin DMV TestIntro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasterH Posted July 31, 2005 Share Posted July 31, 2005 Agree with Karate25 here. If you make it a big deal, so will your students. If you don't, neither will they. You set the example. Don't let it bother you and it won't bother them. They are your students, not hers. If she wishes to teach your students, then, if you feel it necessary, talk to her in private and tell her you do not want her teaching your students, as she is not 'ready' to teach. No need to insult her. In fact, in Judo, you are required to obtain a 3rd degree black belt, a teacher rank (you can have a 3rd degree black belt that is not a teacher rank), before you are allowed to teach 'officially' as a representative of the Kodokan. Although it is likely not the same for your school, it is nonetheless something to consider.I would rather not go off and start my own school (I wouldn't even be allowed to do this in the same art in the same town) because I enjoy the friends I have in this one, and think it can be good.I don't know where you are located, but i gather it is in the U.S. If so, then let me say this very clearly. It is illegal for anyone to 'prevent' you from opening up your own school in the same town. Monopolies are illegal, per the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890. If anyone were to take any actions against you, they could very well serve time in prison, as well as pay a hefty penalty.No, unfortunetly the material he teaches may be under copyright protection. He may be able to teach the basics, even open a new school with the same style of MA. But the forms may not be taught in another forum without written permission. He may not even be able to use the Orgs name........it sucks but If I were to open an ATA school and teach ATA forms and ATA self defence and claim to be an ATA school in advertisements........I'd loose my shirt. Adam (Fluffy) Huntleyhttps://www.rleeermey.comhttps://www.martialartsindustry.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enviroman Posted July 31, 2005 Share Posted July 31, 2005 (edited) Agree with Karate25 here. If you make it a big deal, so will your students. If you don't, neither will they. You set the example. Don't let it bother you and it won't bother them. They are your students, not hers. If she wishes to teach your students, then, if you feel it necessary, talk to her in private and tell her you do not want her teaching your students, as she is not 'ready' to teach. No need to insult her. In fact, in Judo, you are required to obtain a 3rd degree black belt, a teacher rank (you can have a 3rd degree black belt that is not a teacher rank), before you are allowed to teach 'officially' as a representative of the Kodokan. Although it is likely not the same for your school, it is nonetheless something to consider.I would rather not go off and start my own school (I wouldn't even be allowed to do this in the same art in the same town) because I enjoy the friends I have in this one, and think it can be good.I don't know where you are located, but i gather it is in the U.S. If so, then let me say this very clearly. It is illegal for anyone to 'prevent' you from opening up your own school in the same town. Monopolies are illegal, per the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890. If anyone were to take any actions against you, they could very well serve time in prison, as well as pay a hefty penalty.No, unfortunetly the material he teaches may be under copyright protection. He may be able to teach the basics, even open a new school with the same style of MA. But the forms may not be taught in another forum without written permission. He may not even be able to use the Orgs name........it sucks but If I were to open an ATA school and teach ATA forms and ATA self defence and claim to be an ATA school in advertisements........I'd loose my shirt.That's a great point. I never thought about forms being copyrighted... Edited July 31, 2005 by Enviroman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasterH Posted July 31, 2005 Share Posted July 31, 2005 Agree with Karate25 here. If you make it a big deal, so will your students. If you don't, neither will they. You set the example. Don't let it bother you and it won't bother them. They are your students, not hers. If she wishes to teach your students, then, if you feel it necessary, talk to her in private and tell her you do not want her teaching your students, as she is not 'ready' to teach. No need to insult her. In fact, in Judo, you are required to obtain a 3rd degree black belt, a teacher rank (you can have a 3rd degree black belt that is not a teacher rank), before you are allowed to teach 'officially' as a representative of the Kodokan. Although it is likely not the same for your school, it is nonetheless something to consider.I would rather not go off and start my own school (I wouldn't even be allowed to do this in the same art in the same town) because I enjoy the friends I have in this one, and think it can be good.That's a great point. I never thought about forms being copyrighted...I don't know where you are located, but i gather it is in the U.S. If so, then let me say this very clearly. It is illegal for anyone to 'prevent' you from opening up your own school in the same town. Monopolies are illegal, per the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890. If anyone were to take any actions against you, they could very well serve time in prison, as well as pay a hefty penalty.No, unfortunetly the material he teaches may be under copyright protection. He may be able to teach the basics, even open a new school with the same style of MA. But the forms may not be taught in another forum without written permission. He may not even be able to use the Orgs name........it sucks but If I were to open an ATA school and teach ATA forms and ATA self defence and claim to be an ATA school in advertisements........I'd loose my shirt.Enviroman, did you mean to say something? Adam (Fluffy) Huntleyhttps://www.rleeermey.comhttps://www.martialartsindustry.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasterH Posted July 31, 2005 Share Posted July 31, 2005 My bad I jusrt re-read it. Adam (Fluffy) Huntleyhttps://www.rleeermey.comhttps://www.martialartsindustry.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enviroman Posted July 31, 2005 Share Posted July 31, 2005 My bad I jusrt re-read it.Whoa, I definitely wrote in your quote by accident. Let me fix that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KempoTiger Posted July 31, 2005 Share Posted July 31, 2005 Mutiny in the dojo. Good luck with that.Mutiny? Nah, I call it a necessary bargaining chip when you finally hit that point in your training when you realize that not everything about your dojo is all smiles and for lack of a better word, "kosher." I have the utmost respect and loyalty to my Sensei and my dojo, but as far as organizations go, I've never found one whether it be a karate school, or any other business for that matter that's truly put what's really important before the politics and the money. Although I have little to no problems at all with my school or system I know that if I were to dig a little deeper I'd find things I didn't like. It's human nature....or at least American businessman nature "Question oneself, before you question others" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KempoTiger Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 and for the record I take watering down systems and "Mcdojoism" very seriously, as they are some of the most pitiful things I've seen happen to some very great organizations. As it stands any changes that I'm told to make in the system to make it "easier" for students to learn, at the expense of effectiveness I simply ignore and don't make. Lowering the bar brings in more money, but devalues the belt, the system, gives students a false sense of security, and any respect a dojo can hope to retain. Call me old fashioned "Question oneself, before you question others" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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