Post by Jonathan Anderson on Jan 15, 2009 10:09:25 GMT -4
As most of you already know, I had some issues with the Northern Virginia Budokai, the dojo that has, for the past several years, been kind enough to allow us to send in our yearly SEUSKF membership dues through them, as we could not do so directly ourselves. I won't post the details here for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that it's over and there's no reason to re-visit it. What is of importance here is that this situation prompted me to contact Strawn Sensei, the president of the SEUSKF, directly to discuss the situation, as well as the direction I'd like to see our little group going. What came of our discussion is that I am going to formally request that our group be considered for recognition as a stand-alone club within the SEUSKF. This will make the SEUSKF leadership aware that there is a group in the Hampton Roads area, and should bring us a bit more support and assistance. I'll be preparing a request letter for them soon, probably once this trip to Brooklyn is done, or at least once the bulk of the planning is over. What we need in order to be considered is:
-Aforementioned letter to the SEUSKF president requesting membership including training location and POC information.
-A brief rundown of the training history and experience (to include all appropriate menjo) of the group leader.
-3-4 students (Strawn Sensei wasn't 100% certain of the number) that are current SEUSKF members.
I list all this so that everyone really knows what is required of us. Granted, the majority of it will be supplied by me, but I don't think it would hurt for everyone else to be informed. If for no other reason, this way should any of you find yourself in my position at some point in the future, that is to say, attempting to build a group on your own, you'll know what all is required.
Jason may have found us an organization willing to host our group, but I've got to show that I'm certified in some way to teach. I expect/hope that SEUSKF membership and recognition will serve that purpose. If it will, this will give us several benefits. Most obvious will be the fact that we will no longer be at the mercy of Mother Nature for our training schedule. This has worked against us on both ends of the spectrum. There have been days in July that all I want to do is don armor and, as Lovell Sensei used to say, "pick a fight." However, a dark, heavy knit jacket WITH armor on top of that, with strenuous activity in 102 degree weather is just begging for problems, so don't forget that rain and cold are NOT our only natural enemies when we train outside. An indoor site will also give us a bit more flexibility in our schedule (depending on availability of the site, of course.), as we no longer need to schedule a class when it will give best light all year long. On that note, I'll need to know from everyone what day(s) of the week, and what time(s) would work best for your own personal schedule for training. I don't know what kind of availability this place will have, but if they have a good range of time open, I'll need to know, going in, what kinds of times I need to bargain for. Also, being in a building, particularly a gym like this should attract new people to our group. The obvious pay-off on this is that a monthly tuition will likely have to be charged once we start there. I will try to keep it to a minimum as much as I can, and will, of course, keep everyone posted about it. I know that with the country's economy in the shape it's in, now's not the best time for a huge extra cost to be introduced, and even in the best of times, these are not cheap hobbies to have with bogu for Kendo or an iaito for Iaido. My ultimate goal is to get us a good place to train without anyone getting gouged in any way for it.
I am very hopeful and enthusiastic about these possibilities, as I hope you are. I know we can get where we all wish to be with a little effort.
[glow=green,6,300]Gambatte![/glow]
-Aforementioned letter to the SEUSKF president requesting membership including training location and POC information.
-A brief rundown of the training history and experience (to include all appropriate menjo) of the group leader.
-3-4 students (Strawn Sensei wasn't 100% certain of the number) that are current SEUSKF members.
I list all this so that everyone really knows what is required of us. Granted, the majority of it will be supplied by me, but I don't think it would hurt for everyone else to be informed. If for no other reason, this way should any of you find yourself in my position at some point in the future, that is to say, attempting to build a group on your own, you'll know what all is required.
Jason may have found us an organization willing to host our group, but I've got to show that I'm certified in some way to teach. I expect/hope that SEUSKF membership and recognition will serve that purpose. If it will, this will give us several benefits. Most obvious will be the fact that we will no longer be at the mercy of Mother Nature for our training schedule. This has worked against us on both ends of the spectrum. There have been days in July that all I want to do is don armor and, as Lovell Sensei used to say, "pick a fight." However, a dark, heavy knit jacket WITH armor on top of that, with strenuous activity in 102 degree weather is just begging for problems, so don't forget that rain and cold are NOT our only natural enemies when we train outside. An indoor site will also give us a bit more flexibility in our schedule (depending on availability of the site, of course.), as we no longer need to schedule a class when it will give best light all year long. On that note, I'll need to know from everyone what day(s) of the week, and what time(s) would work best for your own personal schedule for training. I don't know what kind of availability this place will have, but if they have a good range of time open, I'll need to know, going in, what kinds of times I need to bargain for. Also, being in a building, particularly a gym like this should attract new people to our group. The obvious pay-off on this is that a monthly tuition will likely have to be charged once we start there. I will try to keep it to a minimum as much as I can, and will, of course, keep everyone posted about it. I know that with the country's economy in the shape it's in, now's not the best time for a huge extra cost to be introduced, and even in the best of times, these are not cheap hobbies to have with bogu for Kendo or an iaito for Iaido. My ultimate goal is to get us a good place to train without anyone getting gouged in any way for it.
I am very hopeful and enthusiastic about these possibilities, as I hope you are. I know we can get where we all wish to be with a little effort.
[glow=green,6,300]Gambatte![/glow]
That, and I've got those pesky lawyer appointments I have to go to... 