Ises Posted September 23, 2003 Posted September 23, 2003 Hi Guys. I was just elected "president" of my dojo. I thought what I would do is pop out a message to see what sort of things/ideas you guys might have to share with me in regards to what would be good for me to use to enhance our dojo. What sort of things do you guys do at yours to make it more interesting and maybe even flexible for it's members. I'd really like to bring in visiting sensei's to demonstrate different styles but I'm not sure what the boundaries/guidelines are for this since there is competition between most dojos and we'd hate to lose members but I'd also like us to learn more about other styles and arts. Does anyone have suggestions at all? I'd appreciate your sharing.
miguksaram Posted September 29, 2003 Posted September 29, 2003 Perhaps a newsletter of upcoming events, people's b-day, self defense tip of the month or form tip of the month. It takes a big man to cry, but it takes an even bigger man to point at him and laugh
Sasori_Te Posted September 29, 2003 Posted September 29, 2003 President of your dojo? I've never heard of anything like that before. What about your instructor? He should be the one that makes decisions on visiting instructors and issues like that. Also, I'm just curious. If you do make a decision to bring in a visiting Sensei, where is the money going to come from to do this? Guys don't just step in to do seminars for nothing. I'm not berrating you. I'm really curious. If you explain more maybe I could suggest some other things. A block is a strike is a lock is a throw.
miguksaram Posted October 3, 2003 Posted October 3, 2003 Actually Sasori I believe the position is that of Dojo/Dojang manager. The Head instructor should in fact focus on curriculum, goals for the school and the student. People like Ises who are appointed school manager or in this case President, handles more of the tasks of making things happen to meet the goals. Ises, I know of several good instructors we can discuss offline or here. Howvever, Sasori is right, it will not be for free. Most all who seminars have a set price. What system do you teach Ises? It takes a big man to cry, but it takes an even bigger man to point at him and laugh
tommarker Posted October 3, 2003 Posted October 3, 2003 Interestingly enough, our school is a college club, and the student elected officers DO run the club. The head instructor teaches, and offers advice, but ultimately is there because they want him there. It is in our club constitution, which was written by the head instructor when he founded the club. Seminars can be very expensive when you go for the "big names." but if you can find another like minded instructor, you can do a little "give and take." Find a club that does something completely different for example, and send your students to their instructor and yours to theirs for a class. I'm no longer posting here. Adios.
Guest Posted October 3, 2003 Posted October 3, 2003 Actually Sasori I believe the position is that of Dojo/Dojang manager. The Head instructor should in fact focus on curriculum, goals for the school and the student. People like Ises who are appointed school manager or in this case President, handles more of the tasks of making things happen to meet the goals. Does this mean that you get paid? I think that if you are helping organize and accomplish the goals of the school, then you should get paid. You are providing a valuable service to your instructor. This service is going to add value to the school's services. Your services could perhaps even generate new business. You deserve compensation.
miguksaram Posted October 3, 2003 Posted October 3, 2003 Does this mean that you get paid? I think that if you are helping organize and accomplish the goals of the school, then you should get paid. You are providing a valuable service to your instructor. This service is going to add value to the school's services. Your services could perhaps even generate new business. You deserve compensation. Actually some do get paid, or some get free lessons or fee equipment. It is somthing that should be agreed upon between the individuals. Sometimes people do it out of kindness in trying to help the school. It takes a big man to cry, but it takes an even bigger man to point at him and laugh
Shorinryu Sensei Posted October 10, 2003 Posted October 10, 2003 Geeze, what a bunch of capitalistic money mongers you guys are! lol Sorry, but can't a person be the head of something, just because they want to help out, and not for compensation? Especially something like a college club? My opinion I guess. No wonder I'm broke all the time! lol Anyway, a few ideas for you. 1. A family night at the club. Pot luck, demonstrations, maybe get the family involved a bit with their kids/spouse, etc. 2. Unless you really want to bring in a big name instructor, ask your sensei if he/she is on friendly terms with another sensei nearby from another system and see if they will come in and do some things that you don't normally do in your class, but the other sensei does. I have given several seminars myself to TKD, Shotokan, Judo, Aikido and a "Freestyle" class. I always have a heck of a lot of fun in those!!! Money was offered to me for most of these seminars, and all I charge was $5/person for a 2 hour (usually runs more like 3-4 hours) seminar, and only for those seminars that involved my travelling and having to stay overnight, or to cover gas money for a truck that gets 16mpg! lol It usually ends up costing ME money to do those, but I don't mind (as long as it isn't to much!), because I was able to show interested people something about what we do that might be different from what they do. Just an idea. Where in Canada are you? PM me if you'd rather not be specific on here. My nightly prayer..."Please, just let me win that PowerBall Jackpot just once. I'll prove to you that it won't change me!"
battousai16 Posted October 10, 2003 Posted October 10, 2003 shorinryu sensei, i like your signature i also personally like you're family pot luck night thingy idea, our school does that too. it kinda brings people closer together and brings in a warmer environment, so it's not all blood, sweat, and tears. i second his idea although evidently canada is a bit different from WI here, because i don't think you could find another sensei here who would out of the goodness of their heart and in the interest of the martial arts do an open seminar. you'd be better off finding a talented student, they're the ones, at least around here, who tend to be the nicer guys "I hear you can kill 200 men and play a mean six string at the same time..."-Six String Samurai
Shorinryu Sensei Posted October 10, 2003 Posted October 10, 2003 Really? I find that interesting that other sensei in your area don't talk to one another and maybe share ideas (you don't have to agree, just talk). I try to meet every new instructor that comes into my area, introduce myself and give them a "Welcome to the neighborhood." sort of talk. I can't say that I like every instructor in my immediate area, but I try to stay on good terms with them all. My nightly prayer..."Please, just let me win that PowerBall Jackpot just once. I'll prove to you that it won't change me!"
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