The benefits of association
by Bino Felix
Gima-Ha Shoto-Ryu Karatedo Association is incorporated in British Columbia as a non-profit society. With this comes many benefits, some are monetary and some are associated to membership privileges.
The monetary benefits are easy to define and include the right to apply for and to receive casino funding. This funding enables the Association to provide programs that would otherwise be available only by taxing each member additional participation fees.
Although monetary benefits are desirable, the benefits of membership privileges are even more important. For example, our constitution states that a voting member has the right to run for office and, if successful, that member will be part of the decision making process that will determine the future of the Association. In the old days, clubs did not function in a democratic environment, unless the Sensei willingly allowed for it.
A non-profit society promotes a structure in which an elected board run the affairs of the Association for the benefit of all. This board does not receive compensation, unlike a corporation that pays a fee or salary for the services of its directors. Each member of the Executive Board is a volunteer and freely donates his or her time to the Association, quite often at some personal expense.
The Association establishes various committees such as the Technical Committee, the Grading Board, the Tournament Committee, and the Newsletter Committee. It also provides financial support to its members for their participation in national and international endeavors.
The Executive Board, in consultation with the Technical Committee, determines the necessary criteria to ensure that students receive top level instruction in every aspect. These criteria include the minimum NCCP level required to grade for certain Dan levels or to become a chief instructor of a club.
The Board also organizes events such as the Gima-Ha Summer Camp and the annual Black Belt Seminar. These events are provided to the members at nominal fees which would otherwise be very costly if not for the subsidization received from the Association.
Gima-Ha has come a long way from the days of Narumi Sensei (as good as they were). With more than thirteen dojos in British Columbia, we play a major role in the existence of Karate BC, and the National Karate Association. Gima-Ha is highly respected in Canada and abroad, greatly because of the unselfish work put out by its members.
With over thirty years involvement in karate, I can honestly say that I am proud to be associated with Gima-Ha Shoto-Ryu Karatedo Association and its members.