Okinawan Goju Ryu Kenkyu Kai
THE CONSTITUTION
OF THE
OKINAWAN GOJU RYU KENKYU KAI
| Article I -
Name and Location The official name of the organization shall be the Okinawan Goju Ryu Kenkyu Kai. The OGRKK was officially formed in June of 1999. The organization may be referred to as the OGRKK. The organization's Hombu dojo address shall be: 3741 Columbus Country Club Plaza Bakersfield, CA 93306 The address for written correspondence for the organization shall be: 3301-12 Columbus Bakersfield, CA 93306-2770 Article II - Purpose The purpose of the OGRKK is to practice, teach, and perpetuate the historical, technical, philosophical, and social implications of Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate Do. Article III - Means A. Practice: Endeavor to train as we have been taught. B. Teach: Discipline ourselves to teach the Karate of Okinawan Goju Ryu without change and only with variations agreed to and not fundamentally erosive of the core materials. C. History and philosophy: These elements are key in developing the whole person. Without these most basic principles, karate would be only physical education. Article IV - Government The OGRKK shall be independent and governed by its own constitution. The organization shall abide by the provisions of this constitution, and in accordance with the laws of the United States of America. Members and member dojo of the OGRKK operating outside of the legal boundaries of the United States of America shall abide by the laws and regulations appropriate to their location. The structure of the OGRKK shall consist of the following: 1) Chairman - The Chairman and founder of the OGRKK is John S. O'Hara Shihan. He shall remain Chairman of the OGRKK and shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the OGRKK, until such time as he retires and appoints a new Chairman. The Chairman oversees the overall operation and administration of the organization. 2) Executive Committee - The Executive Committee is appointed by the Chairman and shall consist of members in good standing, who hold the minimum rank of Godan (5th Dan). The executive committee discusses and provides input regarding organizational policies, standards, events, schedules, and membership. 3) Organizational Secretary - The OGRKK shall have an Organizational Secretary who is appointed by the Chairman. At the time of formation, the Organizational Secretary is Catherine O'Hara Sensei. The Secretary supports and assists the Chairman with bulletins, memos, records, membership rosters, and the general administrative functions as requested by the chairman. 4) Grading Panel - The OGRKK shall have an Organizational Grading Panel to discourage favoritism, and ensure the quality and standards of the organization are upheld. The Grading Panel shall consist of members in good standing who hold a minimum rank of Yondan (4th Degree Black Belt), and who are appointed by the chairman. Grading Panel candidates are nominated by any member of the Executive Committee, with confirmation by the Chairman. The Grading Panel sits on all Dan level promotional examinations as requested by the Chairman, and for all gradings for the Rank of Sandan (3rd Dan) or higher. Candidates pass or fail based on majority vote. Article V - Functions of the Organization The functions of the organization include: * Reviewing membership applications and responding to the same. * Issuing membership cards to each member of the OGRKK. * Issuing Dojo Membership Certificates * Conducting Dan level promotional examinations. * Issuing rank certification for Kyu and Dan levels. * Collecting membership dues by June 1st of each year. * Creating and distributing a Quarterly Newsletter to all member dojo. * Conducting organizational tournaments as scheduled by the Chairman and Executive committee. * Researching and sharing information regarding and relevant to martial arts, specifically Goju Ryu Karate. * Hear and settle disputes or concerns from members and member dojo, regarding the organization or constitution (personal matters not withstanding). * Provide training at Hombu Dojo, and Gasshuku. * Solicit and consider input from the membership. * Advance the technical expertise and understanding of the membership. Article VI - Membership There are only two types of membership in the OGRKK. Each member dojo shall be referred to as a Shibu Dojo (branch Dojo). Each Shibu Dojo shall be required to register all students as members of the OGRKK by June 1st of each year. All students of Shibu dojo shall be considered members and shall receive individual membership cards. Individual OGRKK members shall be those members who do not have or belong to a Shibu Dojo, but desire membership in OGRKK. There are no other titles of officers in the OGRKK. There shall be no regional Chief Instructors. Each Shibu Dojo may have a chief instructors if his rank is 3rd degree or higher. The chairman must assign this office. All other Dojo heads are considered designated instructors. All members within the OGRKK are considered equal, although some may have higher rank. There shall be no other specific titles within the OGRKK. The Chief Instructor of Shibu Dojo may be designated area representative by the Chairman for administrative purposes. His title shall be Area Representative. Candidates seeking membership in the OGRKK who have a legitimate Goju Ryu background but who live too far away to travel to Hombu Dojo, may submit a resume, copies of their certificates, and a video tape to the Chairman for review. The above stated process may qualify one for acceptance into the organization. Dues shall be $15 per student per year. Each member dojo shall keep $5 of the fee to support their own dojo, and shall remit the remaining $10 per student, along with a student roster, to Hombu Dojo each year by June 1st. Students of Shibu Dojo enrolling between June and February (inclusive) are responsible for the $15 fee on June 1st of the current year. Article VII - Regulations Regulation 1 - Location of Shibu Dojo: No two Shibu Dojo are permitted to be within 20 miles of one another, unless an exception is made by the Chairman. Regulation 2 - Use of Organizational Material: Only current members shall be permitted to use the OGRKK emblem or name. Students of direct lineage to O'Hara Shihan shall be required to wear the OGRKK patch on uniforms at all martial functions or events. All other members may wear their dojo emblem. All emblems shall be worn over the left breast. Regulation 3 - Training amongst Shibu Dojo: Students of a Shibu Dojo shall not train with other Shibu Dojo without the permission of their Sensei. No student member shall be permitted to switch dojo among member Shibu Dojo without the expressed written consent from the instructors of both dojo, and notification to the Chairman. Regulation 4 - Grading Authorization: Shibu dojo Instructors shall be permitted to grade their own students up to two levels below their own rank. However, All gradings of Sandan (3rd Dan) or higher shall be conducted by the OGRKK Grading Panel, or the OGRKK Chairman. Regulation 5 - Certificates All Shibu Dojo shall purchase and use toe OGRKK Rank Certificates. Kyu Certificates are available at Hombu Dojo for $5.00 each. Yudansha Certificates are available from Hombu Dojo for $50.00 each. All Shibu Dojo are required to display the OGRKK Dojo Membership Certificate at their Dojo. Regulation 6 - Kata No member of the OGRKK or Shibu Dojo members shall be permitted to alter or combine kata, even for the purpose of competition. All OGRKK members are required to perform the traditional versions of Goju-Ryu kata, whether they are the traditional Japanese version (Goju-Kai), or the traditional Okinawan version (Higaonna, Yagi, Miyazato, Shinjo, or Toguchi versions). Regulation 7 - Character Values At all events and in daily life, members of the OGRKK shall conduct themselves in a moral manner that sets a proper example for students and the general public. Members shall not engage in street fighting unless to protect themselves, their family, or their country. Members shall not engage in any form of harassment whether verbal, mental, emotional, sexual, or physical. Members shall not be intoxicated at any OGRKK function. All Kohai are expected to treat their Sempai, Sensei, and the general public with respect in and out of the Dojo. No OGRKK members shall speak poorly of other members or other karate organizations. All members shall strive to develop positive relationships with other styles and organizations. No OGRKK members shall share organizational materials or information with non-members, without the express consent of the Chairman. No OGRKK members shall complain or argue with any officials, or engage in any form of disrespectful action at any event where the member is representing the OGRKK. Regulation 8 - Disciplinary Procedures the Chairman has the authority to discipline any OGRKK member for violation of the Constitution. The Chairman may ask the Executive Committee to hear the issues of an accusation and to make a recommendation regarding discipline. The Chairman may also dispense disciplinary action to any of the members of the Executive Committee. All members accused of committing a violation of the OGRKK shall be entitled to be heard in full, prior to any decision or action being taken against them. Members may also be disciplined for instigating and taking part in negative, non-productive gossip, which is unfounded and intended to hurt the organization or its membership. Regulation 9 - Affiliation with organizations: No member of the OGRKK shall be affiliated with any other Karate organization unless said affiliation is disclosed at the time membership application is filed with the OGRKK. Members of OGRKK are free to affiliate with other organizations teaching other traditional forms of martial arts, as long as they contain no form of karate-do, or they are only competition oriented. Accepted other forms of martial arts that members may engage in include Kodokan Judo, Aikido, Kobudo, Iaido, Tai Chi, or Japanese Jujitsu. Regulation 10 - Training Requirements: All OGRKK Shibu Dojo Instructors shall be required to train at Hombu Dojo at least once per year (if distance and expense of travel is reasonable), or shall have the OGRKK Chairman visit their dojo once per year. This will ensure that Shibu Dojo Instructors are maintaining the standards of the OGRKK, and that they themselves are advancing. Regulation 11 - OGRKK Funds: Membership funds shall be kept in a separate account from
Hombu Dojo funds. OGRKK funds shall only be used for expenses and functions that are
directly related and specifically for OGRKK activities. In July and December of each year,
the Chairman shall disclose to the Executive Committee, a financial summary of the
organization. By these means the Executive committee and the Chairman can review and
discuss the organizational finances to determine what improvements may be made, or whether
or not there are available funds to create additional programs within the organization. Article VIII - Ranks and Grading Fees: All OGRKK Shibu Dojo shall use a ten (10) Kyu ranking system. Each Dojo may use their own color belt system. However, all color belt systems must include a White belt representing a beginner, a Green belt representing an intermediate student, and a Brown belt representing an advanced student. Dojo are welcome to use junior ranks as well, which are not included here. However, all Junior Black Belt must re-test at the age of 18 for an equivalent adult rank. Below are the minimum requirements for gradings.
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