Jan 2004 Warriors News Letter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


12  Jan. 2004

 Happy New Year

 Another new year has rolled in with a good taste of cold and snow.  So in regards to Weather closings etc. If the facility is open, I plan to be here.  However, please rely on your sound judgment and common sense as to what the road conditions are or may turn into during the evening.  Anytime the roads are expected to be icy-I will stay home regardless if they are open. 

Tournament News-  As most of you know, 31 Jan. is the Friendship TKD Tournament in Chesapeake.  For those that are competing, be sure and do additional aerobic and training other than what we do in class.  Remember:” The days you don’t train, you can bet  somewhere your next opponent is training.”  Don’t forget early registration is $60 and $75 at the door. 

Testing-  A Saturday in February (TBA later) will be the next promotion test.  Don’t ask-I’ll let the promotional candidates know when you get your test package.  Speaking of testing,  a new test fee of $25 will start this year for candidates.  Testing fee for each additional family member is $15.  Even though I may give you a test package, your parents have to sign your exam sheet allowing permission.  So if your grades at school, duties at home or your attitude is not what they expect and require, they may deny that you test at that time.  Promotional testing is not only how you perform in the dojang, but you daily activities.  Since I only see you a brief two hours a week, your parents are the ones I have to rely upon. 

Our club is a member of Grand Master John Pellegrini’s Independent TKD Association (ITA).  You may ask, “why do we need to be in an any association”? Here’s why...  Anyone can purchase a uniform and black belt and  they may convince people that they  can teach martial arts.  There are people around that really do that.  We have had folks that have tried to join our club who were phony as $3 treasurer note.  We belong to the ITA for several reasons.  One- it gives our club and members credentials.  ITA is a world renown known organization as well as its founder GM Pellegrini.  Two-I obtain your color belt promotion certificates from him as well as  your Black Belt certificates for those few that will make it.  Third- it allows me to have an instructor to look to for guidance and a venue for me to get promoted. Access to training seminars and networking with other schools  and  instructors. The same reason applies  to the ICHF Combat Hapkido program.   

The ITA program  has created a membership program like the Combat Hapkido program.  Unlike the Combat Hapkido program, it is NOT mandatory to join.  All are encouraged to join the ITA on a yearly basics.  The fee is $20 the first year and $15 for renewal. What do you get.... well mainly it supports our headquarters in Florida.  You also get  a Certificate of membership, ID card, and the large ITA patch.  I will no longer be purchasing the patches for all who passed their first promotional test. You may also purchase additional large patches at $5 and the new 2-inch patch for $3.  You may join on line or thru me or not at all.  This is not mandatory!!   For all Black Belts and color belts, regardless of age that join the ITA, I will be creating an ITA members council.   More coming on this later.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last year due to corruption and unfairness, I withdrew our club’s support from the United States TKD Union (USTU-$100 per yr) as well as the Virginia State TKD Association (VSTA-$30 yearly individual dues).  We were members primarily for our own state and national TKD competitions.  The USTU was also the official governing body for TKD in the Olympics. 

The ITA and ICHF each have a club  fee of $100 annual,  with only the ICHF having mandatory individual memberships.   

So in order for our club to participate in a state or national TKD competition, I joined our club in the Amateur Athletic Union. (AAU Club fees are $50 per year-Sept~Aug).  They represent just about every sport you can think of and host events for all.   The annual membership runs from Sept~Aug, and is $12 for youth  competitors and $22 for adults.  The youth membership also covers all sports.  As an AAU member and club member of SWC, it provides competitors and coaches with some insurance at tournaments and practices.  This can also be accomplished on line with a CC and you’ll need a printer to print your membership card. You can also enroll via the mail-I have the enrollment  forms.  You need to include our club membership number on the form (VATWWC4KA). It is only mandatory for AAU state and national competitors. 

On 24 April at Garfield HS in Woodbridge, Va. is the state AAU championship for TKD.  I  don’t have the details at this moment, however, this is a qualifier if you would like to compete in the National AAU TKD Championship.  I think the nationals this year is in Ft. Lauderdale, but not sure.

So now that I have told  you of several ways to spend yours or your parent’s money, here is a way you can raise some fund$ for the above memberships or contribute  to our clubs treasury.  ESPN has a fund rising program that you may wish to participate.  Here’s how it works. 

As students/parents, you sell subscriptions of ESPN and their choice of two additional magazines from the list at $40 (all three at $40) per year.  We get to keep $30 out of the $40.   I will set up a pool in our club so that the first $60. you sell  goes to you for memberships, test fees, or competition fees.  If you sell more than 2 subscriptions, the fund goes to a general fund to support our clubs annual membership  fees or if we travel to tournaments.   If you are interested, I’ll have a fund raising package for you.  This is a win for all  who wish to participate.  If you don’t care to peddle the magazines, then that’s ok too.  This past year I  didn’t  have the funds to provide the Christmas Skating party as in the past.  Perhaps this program will make it possible for the end of year Skating party for those that participate or something else special for those who go the extra mile.   

Note:  You may be enrolled in SWC classes just for the exercise and self-defense.  In that case, there is no memberships or dues or testing fees of any kind required.  Only to TRAIN HARD! 

Once again, Happy New Year!

Instructor Wayne Spencer

 

 

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