We have a senior board who’s credentials, experience and success record is superior to any other group I know of. They are as progressive as they are traditional. Sound like a conflicted description? Not if you understand cross training and people who are not, “one trick ponies”. Their interest is as expansive as their skills. Because they have remained active in teaching and training themselves, they have stayed current and have developed a great versatility in their martial arts knowledge. Don’t misunderstand me. I find no fault in teaching only one discipline. That is the choice of the instructor. I just wouldn’t want to be a student of theirs for the purpose of preparing for all phases of street defense. That is the common denominator for the leadership of the ICA. Apparently others feel the same as our membership has grown to 128 at last count, in nine months. As Chuck Reynolds said in the last JAM: “people who say they can’t be taken off their feet are living in a dream world.” He went on to say that he could have a fifteen year old high school wrestler put them on their tail and keep them there.” Every one laughed because everyone knew it was true. In Dragon Sen-I as in Isshin-ryu, we train to stay on our feet. But what if you don’t? Those what if’s were what started me on my cross training and the inclusion Sen-I Jutsu.

  At ten thirty, the assistant ICA board (see their individual pictures on the ICA page on this site) arrived for a meeting and informal Jam. This division of the ICA board is designed to give younger dans a chance to directly contribute by making suggestions and decisions. Sure we have senior dans but that is the problem. Except for a couple, we are very senior. That speaks to the short term. Not that everyone is ready to die or break down. However, why wait?? Mr. Long gave several of us a chancre to get invaluable experience at serving on a board and taking a teaching role in seminars. I’m sure we were not as good as we thought we were but we got the chance. Organizations can get old no matter how smart the leaders. After listening and watching this group of young people Saturday morning, I can tell you that they are better than we ever thought about being. They are more knowledgeable, better trained and they are ready to show it. I can’t even describe how astute they were in the meeting and how good they were in their demo’s. Each person was to give a ten minute demonstration of a technique and then have another ten minutes to assist the group in performing it. All demos went loner due to their valuable content.  They demonstrated everything from take downs and penetration for a take down (Jason Vance), to avoiding take downs (Leon Scott), to inside power punching (Woody Wood),to slipping punches to attain a choke hold (Jason Anzur),to gaining control in the street (Wade Honeycutt), to using what you are holding as a weapon, as well as a mean double block/ strike for a woman (Nancy Anderson), to choosing your empty hand weapons as the situation dictates and not tipping off your moves (Theresa Barnette). Dann Commerford who had worked 24 hours was let off the demo hook. He gave a very good testimonial as to what the training and opportunity to participate meant to him. He got an ovation as everyone felt the same way, but Dann had put it to words.  It was the assistant board only. No senior board members were allowed. I had only one regret: that every one did not see these talented and dedicated young peoples demonstrations. They will… it is time for the young people to be recognized.

  As I said, no senior members attended.  I wanted them to have a chance to spread their wings without anyone around to steal their thunder. They made some terrific suggestions and as I said, made some straight forward decisions. Below are some of the topic and responsibilities they took on.

1) Organizing and developing a kids program and jam.

They will be surveying the dojo’s to see what interest there will be in just a kids jam. They were so sold on the idea they set a date for June 27^th. For those of you who are reading this, it would be very helpful for you to email me with you own estimate of how many kids you have that would want to participate.

2) A ladies board and Jam: They were very interested in developing a forum and training syllabus for women only.

For this we also need an estimate of interest and women who would want to serve on that board. It should be middle to high dan women who want and have the time to spend on a new program. Please contact me if you have an interest. This is an area that has had little or no representation on boards or in any decision making capacity. Even some that do are little more than token, who perform duties no one else wants, or menial “womanly” tasks.

3) They selected the topics and teachers for our next Jam May 23^rd. I was gratified by the good choices they made and how they based their selection. The selections will be announced when and if the teachers accept.

4) Improved Tee shirts sales were a big topic as it is such a significant money raiser for the Harold Long Foundation. I pointed out that we will receive little if any additional revenues until it is time to renew in October. As the much needed shadow boxes to display and protect Mr. Longs articles are 200.00 dollars a piece and we have about 25 articles that we need protected, we have little else until October to acquire the necessary revenues to start encasing the most important memorabilia. We had some good suggestions and we will proceed with them immediately.

5) A general conversation on our first ICA SHIAI, October 24^th.. Dennis Thomas asked to hold the event.

  Last but not least, the group recognized the support the Karate 5 has given to the HLF and ICA. At every Jam Master Wilson and most of his dojo is standing outside having their prayer and making sure they are organized. They have ordered more tee shirts than the next ten dojo’s combined. Master Wilson is offering a 150.00 dollar Arnis seminar, FREE TO ALL ICA MEMBERS. He has quietly been the guardian angel of the HLF/ICA with his generosity of money, time, and all the resources the Karate Five has to offer. On behalf of the Long family, the HLF/ICA, it’s members and directors, we thank and salute you.