NKKF By Laws
ARTICLE I., THE ASSOCIATION
sec. 1- The name of this Organization is the National Karate & Kobudo Federation (NKKF).
The National Organization for The Advancement and Promotion of all Martial Arts.Founded
in 1992 to eliminate Politics in Martial Arts Organizations and to Provide service to those
that are in need of such service, and worthy of membership.
sec. 2- The Headquarters of the NKKF is located at the Directors place of Business
(Honbu Dojo) or elsewhere as the Director may indicate.
ARTICLE II., OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION:
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sec. 1- This Association to promote and preserve authentic Martial Arts as practiced
in schools in the United States and Abroad.
sec. 2- This Association aims to insure high standards in the arts by providing guidelines
for the conduct of its members.
sec. 3- Provide through strength and unity of the members better recognition
of the Martial Arts.
Enhance the image of the serious Martial Arts Instructor.
Exchange of knowledge and experience between the different arts and systems
within the NKKF.
Improve the technical standards of NKKF members.
Set standards and regulate promotional guidelines of NKKF Members.
Award special Martial Arts titles and to commend the officials and members of the NKKF
when warranted
Adjucate in any eventual conflicts between schools and/or members.
Organize projects such as clinics, summer camps, tournaments etc. to achieve the
objectives of the NKKF and to assist individual schools reach their potential of success.
* The above objectives are to be pursued on a National and an International basis.
ARTICLE III., MEMBERSHIP:
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sec. 1.- Membership in the NKKF is open to all those who are actively engaged
in the study of authentic Martial Arts regardless of past affiliation.
sec. 2- Membership is extended to students through NKKF affiliated schools. Individual
memberships are extended to Instructors only under special circumstances.
A school receives its charter in the NKKF when its Head Instructor satisfactorily
completes an application and submits the appropriate credentials to the Director.
A School petitioning for membership must have a minimum of 10 members that Register
with the NKKF.
Once accepted, a school and its members will be issued appropriate credentials.
sec. 3- All members must pay the fees set by the NKKF in order to secure NKKF
certification and credentials. These fees will be disclosed fully and clearly to the prospective
member/s before their application for membership.
sec. 4- Membership may be revoked at the discretion of the Executive Director ONLY. such termination
of membership will be made only with proper cause, and will be issued in writing with full
explanation.
sec. 5- Proper cause for termination of membership shall be:
A.) - Failure to comply with NKKF regulations as specified by these articles and
other policy statements issued by the Director.
B.) - Failure to meet standards of conduct expected of NKKF members, School or Individual member.
sec. 6- Termination shall occur only after a member has had an opportunity to explain his
case in a hearing before the Director of the NKKF.
sec. 7- No Officer or Representative of the NKKF has the authority to expel a member school
without the express written permission of the Director.
sec. 8- In the case of Termination all privilage,
rights, and authority will be revoked. There will be
no refund of any fee paid to the NKKF or NKKF schools
involved in such action. No further NKKF membership
material will be issued to member of such action.
ARTICLE IV., ORGANIZATION AND OFFICERS OF NKKF:
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sec. 1- The NKKF shall have a DIRECTOR, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, CHIEF TRAINING INSTRUCTORS,
HIGH DAN BOARD, TECHNICAL ADVISORS, REGIONAL , AND STATE REPRESENTATIVES, FOREIGN
REPRESENTATIVES, and a RECORDER.
sec. 2- All offices in the NKKF must be filled from the membership at large. Such
appointments shall be made exclusively by the Director.
A single individual may hold more than one office.
sec. 3- All Officials in the NKKF, from the Assistant Director on down through the
Chain of Command, hold their positions by the will and appointment of the Director only.
Office holders can be removed from office by the Director only for any cause and at any time.
Barring such, the
office holder will serve until he is incapacitated or resigns.
The Director can only be removed by the Chief (Soke, Founder) in which time the Assistant
Director shall succeed to that position.
sec. 4- Reasons for Dismissal of Officers:
A. Failure to comply with NKKF regulations
B. Failure to abide by policy set by the Director.
C. Failure to perform to capacity the duties of the Office.
D. Insubordination to the Director or Assistant Director.
ARTICLE V., DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS OF THE NKKF.
sec. 1- All Officers of the NKKF will promote its ideals, carry out its policies, and conduct themselves to its credit. All will uphold its Charter.
sec. 2- The DIRECTOR is the ultimate leader under the CHIEF (Soke, Founder who oversees all chapters) he is the leader, arbitrator, and representative of the Country in which the chapter is located. He is responsible for its administration, its policies and its officers. he has complete control over all decisions in the best interest of the NKKF.
sec. 3- The ASSISTANT DIRECTOR shall assist and support the Director, and especially to insure that all of the policies as set forth by the Director are performed by all members and officers of the NKKF.
sec. 4- The CHIEF TRAINING INSTRUCTORS are selected by the Assistant Director, and appointed by the Director. Their main duties are to monitor the standards of instruction in NKKF schools, review school curriculum, and council the Director and Assistant Director on improvements to the NKKF program.
They may also be asked to serve on the High Dan Board.
sec. 5- The HIGH DAN BOARD shall consist of members holding at least the rank of 4th degree Black Belt who are appointed to the board by the Director. The Board will have no less than 4 nor more than 7 members. The Board is the voting and advisory body of the NKKF. It is also a tribunal for settling major internal disputes, and for adjucating grievances. Members on the Board are to support the Schools in their region. They are expected to be available to give Tests, clinics, and to instruct at Summer Camp.
sec. 6- TECHNICAL ADVISORS shall be senior Black Belts with special knowledge of specific martial arts or styles. They will be appointed by the Director and are to assist the Chief Training Instructors to maintain high standards for all NKKF schools.
* NKKF tries to associate with the best current and ancient legends of the Martial Arts to work with its members.
Sec. 7- REGIONAL AND STATE REPRESENTATIVES shall be at least the rank of first degree Black Belt, and be appointed by the Director their main task is to facilitate communication among member schools in their jurisdiction and between those schools and the higher officers of the NKKF. They are to assist the schools in their area in any way they can, help promote the NKKF, and strengthen the Martial Arts instruction in their regions.
ARTICLE VI., OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERSHIP:
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sec. 1- All members of the NKKF are expected to abide by its Charter.
sec. 2- All members are expected to participate in, and support, NKKF functions and activities.
sec. 3- All members are expected to uphold the high standards of training and conduct expected by the NKKF.
ARTICLE VII., PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERSHIP:
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sec. 1- All members in good standing shall enjoy access to the full instructional resources and services of the NKKF.
sec. 2- The NKKF shall provide full and proper credentials to its members.
sec. 3- The NKKF will provide to its members a clear organization for instruction, advancement, advice, and redress of grievances.
sec. 4- The NKKF will provide qualified advisors and representatives to assist its member schools.
sec. 5- The NKKF will provide clinics, workshops, seminars, summer camps, training films, pamphlets, and other services to its members.
sec. 6- The NKKF will provide all Association Documentation, and Foundation information at the request of its members.
sec. 7- All of the above credentials and services shall be provided at reasonable cost.
ARTICLE VIII., MEETINGS:
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sec. 1- The NKKF shall hold both general and High Dan Board meetings. that shall be prescribed by the Director, Assistant Director
State Representatives, Regional Representatives, High Dan Board , or Chief Training Officers and will be open to all members.
ARTICLE IX., STANDARDS AND CREDENTIALS:
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sec. 1- The NKKF shall provide all members with a clear statement of standards to be met in order to receive NKKF credentials.
sec. 2- Each member school may retain its own identity, manner of training, ranking system, class schedules, etc., so long as they meet the guidelines and do not controvert NKKF policies.
sec. 3- All NKKF Officers shall possess a complete set of training requirements for all of the Martial Arts practiced within the NKKF. Each member school shall send a set of his promotion requirements to NKKF Headquarters.
ARTICLE X., AMENDMENTS AND SPECIAL POWERS:
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sec. 1- Any article or section of these By-Laws may be amended by a 2/3 vote of the High Dan Board, and with the approval of the Director.
sec. 2- The Executive Director retains the power to alter this Charter without the approval of the NKKF Officers or Members. It is understood except in exceptional circumstances, he will consult with the Assistant Director and High Dan Board before making such changes, any and all changes will always be in the best interest of the NKKF.
PROMOTIONS:
STUDENTS:
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The NKKF sets a minimum time in grade for the promotion of students. Head Instructors do not have to promote students merely because they have achieved the minimum time in grade required. Time in grade for students begin from the time of enrollment or promotion, and is only in effect as long as the student is active.
Head Instructors may recognize the certified grade of new students from other organizations. Time in grade for these students will begin from time of acceptance. Head Instructors will be given authority to recogmend advancing students before time in grade is accomplished if deemed outstanding.
BLACK BELTS:
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All Black Belt Head Instructors who apply to this Association for membership, and are accepted can be eligible for promotion, provided they
1.- Have the time in grade for the rank of Black Belt they are eligible to receive. (assistant Instructors may be recommended for promotion by Head Instructors if time in grade was met prior to acceptance in the NKKF)
2.- Must have been a member in good standing for a minimum of one year with prior time in grade, and have supported of the NKKF for the duration of their membership.
TESTING FOR BLACK BELT RATINGS IS:
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1.- The DIRECTOR of the NKKF may promote up to and including his own grade. (for members with rank exceeding Directors the CHIEF has sole authority to review and promote).
2.- The ASSISTANT DIRECTOR may promote up to one grade below their own rank.
3.- The HIGH DAN BOARD may promote individually up to one grade below their own.
4.- Instructors 3rd Degree or Higher who are NOT members of the High Dan Board may promote up to 2nd Degree Black Belt, after receiving written approval from the ASSISTANT DIRECTOR of the NKKF.
5.- 1st or 2nd Degree Black Belts Instructors may promote up to the grade of first kyu only without the support of the State or Regional Representative.
* FIFTH DEGREE BLACK BELTS must Test either at summer camp or before the High Dan Board (under special circumstances High Quality Video may be submitted for reciew by the High Dan Board)
*** NOTE- in the case a High Dan Board is not of sufficiently high grade to promote to 4th Degree Black Belt, the DIRECTOR or ASSISTANT DIRECTOR has the right to personally substitute themselves, or designate a NKKF member of sufficant rank to test the aspirant for the Degrees.
RENSHI & SHIHAN TITLES:
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Special Recognition is often proffered to members of the 4th and 5th degree Black Belt ratings. This recognition, awarded by Certificate, is called the Renshi Sensei for 4th and 5th Degree Black Belts; Renshi Shihan is awarded to 5th and 6th Degree Black Belts by Special Charter.
TEST FEES:
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The Individual Instructor has sole authority to charge Test Fees to their personal students The NKKF shall not interfere or dictate the fee to be charged for KYU nor DAN rank. However the certification for each grade to the NKKF will be as follows:
1.- KYU PROMOTION CERTIFICATION $12.00
2.- DAN CURRENT RANK CERTIFICATE: $25.00
3.- DAN PROMOTION CERTIFICATION TO 4TH DAN: $50.00
4.- DAN PROMOTION CERTIFICATION 5TH DAN AND UP $100.00
*DAN (BLACK BELT RANKINGS)
*KYU (UNDER BLACK BELT RANKINGS)
**NOTE The above prices are for the Menjo(certificate only)that will be paid to the NKKF, and not to be confused with Testing fees that individual instructors may impose at time of testing.
MEMBERSHIPS IN THE NKKF:
CHARTER MEMBERSHIPS: Association/School
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The School applying for a School Charter Membership will receive a 1.Registered School Charter Membership Certificate, Head Instructor Current 2.Rank Certification, 3.Head Instructor Membership Certification and Certification for each registered Instructor and Student. All registered Black Belt Instructors are eligible to hold office in the NKFF.
The NKKF Fee for this Charter Membership shall be:
$ 150.00 (Yearly Dojo Fee and receive 1.,2.,3.)
$ 15.00 (Yearly registration fee to each Instructor & Student)
THERE IS NO FEE FOR HEAD INSTRUCTOR.(10 student minimum)
ASSOCIATE SCHOOL CHARTER MEMBERSHIP:
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This Membership provides Charter for School/Association and Head Instructor only. Registered School Certificate
$50.00 (Yearly Charter Fee)
$30.00 per year membership Fee for Instructor
INSTRUCTOR BECOMES RECOGNIZED MEMBER OF NKKF WITH ALL RIGHTS AND PRIVLEGES.(Instructors are not eligible to hold NKKF office (unless recogmended by the High Dan Board, or Board of Directors). students are only certified by schools instructor and do not receive NKKF Certification or recognition.
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP: (RONIN)
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The NKKF will allow individuals to register and advance after supplyng proper credentials, these Individuals will be allowed to advance after time in grade is accomplished.(Testing Done at Summer Camp, by State/Region Representative, or High quality video tape)
$40.00 per year membership Fee (Not allowed to hold NKKF office. Unless recogmended by the High Dan Board or Board of Directors)
OPEN BRANCH OF THE NKKF:
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The Director and Officers of the NKKF do recognize that the same needs exist for the elective stylist as the traditional stylist. Eventhough the NKKF was founded to preserve the Traditional Martial Arts of Japan and Okinawa, the Open Branch allows all other Martial Arts to belong and participate to the International Organization known as the National Karate & Kobudo Federation. The Membership fee will be the same for all branches and the NKKF will secure Qualified Representatives of all Martial Arts involved.
