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1ST ICA ADVISORY BOARD MEETING

   The first ICA advisors board meeting was held at Joe Laney’s dojo Saturday November 22^nd. All members were present with the exception of geographically challenged Clyde Stanley and Wayne Wayland.

Front Row From L - R: Masters; Butch Hill, Denny Shaffer, Ron Honeycutt, James Ogle Back Row From L - R: Masters; Joe Laney, Tony Williams, Dennis Thomas, Cas Cox

   They say that the success of any meeting is judged by the results it produces afterwards. The promise of that production could be felt immediately in the enthusiasm, energy and decisiveness during the meeting. All suggestions ended in decisions.

   Below is a brief synopsis of the itinerary and subject matter of the meeting for members, friends and people who may be interested in membership.

FINANCIAL REPORT:

   Rick Long gave the financial report. Rick offered a copy to any member any time by just giving him a call. As treasure of the HLF he pledged an open book policy as it pertained to all financial matters. The financial report was straight forward but the emotion built into it was the jumpstart the meeting needed. Even though I have been there from the start, I don’t think that it had fully sunken in on me how passionate the Long family is about their dad’s memory. It was good for all of us to hear and it punctuated the necessity for the work that is being done, guaranteeing Mr. Longs memory. Later at lunch, several of the board members commented that they wish everyone could have heard Rick’s words and maybe it would make them feel differently about their position. At any rate, the financial portion paled by comparison to the satisfaction we felt about our commitment.

ASSISTANT ADVISORY BOARD:

   In order to get as many people in a position of participation and leadership, a sub board will be formed to assist the senior board and help in the planning of all activities. Each senior board member was asked to name his assistant advisor. An announcement will be made when all new assistants are named. 

   We also discussed an interest in forming an, all women’s board to act in the same capacity as planners and activity directors for women only.

   Kids 16 and below will be encouraged to become ICA members and we will conduct programs just for them.

   There was a lengthy conversation about older martial artist who could no longer take the wear and tear of some of the grappling, but are interested in the basic defense of it. Since half of us on the board are in the senior group, we are going to address that in our jams, with a modified approach for senior attendees and people who are training with physical problems.

   Again, our desire is to involve as many people as we can in a cross-training structure was evident in the meeting and everyone was willing to do their part to develop as many programs as people were interested in.

TOPICS AND METHODS OF TEACHING AT  ICA JAMS:

   Topics will be as varied as cross-training would indicate. It will be all things Isshin-ryu (kata, bunkai, weapons, point kumite, ect), along with as many relative martial art disciplines as we have qualified persons to demonstrate and teach. This will call for a very organized approach to these various disciplines. We are very committed to teaching these assorted approaches to self defense and will emphasize a concerted teaching method with each. We are not interested in just demonstrations, as they emphasize only the ability of the person giving them. Not everything you see or learn will be of training interest or will fit in the existing system you are working on. But as a martial artist, they will all be of interest and many will be very useful. At least you will not have to see these things for the first time in the street. Just keep and open mind and you will be amazed.

FUTURE BOARD ADVISORS:

   The overwhelming suggestions here were that they be of an open mind, are still training and still have an interest in learning new things. That even if they did not want to teach, they realize that learning is a contribution too. Rank was not a factor as long as the passion was in place.

OPENING UP OF MEMBERSHIP:

   That was the easiest to address. We want anyone who wants us as long as they understand our purpose. This is a good spot to display our purpose. Butch Hill just wrote this and covers it very clearly and concisely:

ICA STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
"To promote the personal and professional development of our members by encouraging the free exchange of martial art philosophy and methodology; regardless of style, system or affiliation."

  With the above in mind we are open for all new members unless they have been previously turned down for membership. The ICA is a fund raiser for the HLF and is presently subject to its bi-laws, non-profit status and board of directors.

PROMOTIONS:

The ICA board and advisory recognize that some people and/or associations have not only chosen not to assist or endorsed the HLF/ICA, are openly opposed to both. With this in mind, we have heard the concerns from our members and those that would like to become members. They fear a loss of promotional opportunity from those who object to our activities. We voted unanimously to use the collective rank of our senior advisors, to grant promotions to anyone who is deserving of such. At no time will rank be any kind of incentive for present or future membership. But it will not be used as a deterrent by our detractors either. As this is not something we anticipate will happen very often if ever, it is still an option that a lot of top ranking, men of integrity agreed was necessary in our meeting.

KARATE 5 OFFER AND OPPORTUNITY:

   Master Willie Wilson has most generously offered a free day of Military Arnis at his camp next April. It is free to all ICA members and is taught by the original instructor to several of the military branches. Watch Master Wilson’s site (http://www.karatefive.com) for additional details.

   We are also having t- shirts, long sleeve shirts, and sweat shirts, made up with the ICA logo and slogan (“Train for Reality”) on them.  They are as usual, a fund raiser for the HLF. There will be a picture of them on my site as soon as we can get them camera ready. We also will be selling the extra patches and you can enroll or renew your membership through “pay pal” as well as a check. Details later.

   For those members, friends and well wishers, we thank you for your support this past year. I know some of you joined in with me just because of a friendship and had no idea it was going to turn out this way. I think now everyone knows it was just the right thing to do for the man and his family that deserves to be remembered and honored. Now it is about all of us.  In a day when division, distrust, self serving and cynicisms, infests Isshin-ryu; In a day when those who wear the shame of phony rank question the legitimacy of someone else’s; In a day when time and money are in the shortest of supply and you are already over worked and over committed, you have chosen to reach out and do something to help a family honor a man that seldom gave them the time and energy he gave us. We have a great thing going with the ICA activity and the promise for making it bigger and better. I thank all of you for making it possible.