Section 1 -- The name of this organization is the Shinkyu Kenpo Association, hereafter designated as the SKA.

Section 2 -- The Headquarters of the SKA is located at the President's place of business, or elsewhere, as the President may so indicate.

Section 1 -- This Association aims to promote and preserve the authentic Shinkyu Kenpo System of Shinkyu Kenpo as practiced in its member schools in the United States and abroad.

Section 2 -- This Association intends to insure high standards in this ART by providing systematic guidelines for practice of Shinkyu Kenpo in member schools. It will also provide guidelines for the conduct of its members.

• Provide competent instruction for members in the art of Shinkyu Kenpo.
• Develop training programs for students and instructors alike.
• Improve the Shinkyu Kenpo standards of members with previous Kenpo training.
• Award DAN and Master grade ranking where earned by members.
• Provide for title recognition and appointments where earned by worth and merit.
• Adjucate in any conflicts between member schools.
• Organize methods of training and communications between member schools.
• Assist schools in class curriculum, obtaining students, training methods, etc.

Section 1-- The Governing Bodies & Chain of Commands within the SKA:

Subsection 1: Governing body of the SKA
The main governing body of the SKA shall be made up of a President, Senior Executive Vice President, Eastern U.S. Vice President, Western U.S. Vice President, Chief Training & Standards Instructor, Head Master of Schools, Black Belt Advisory Board, National Representative, Regional Representative, State Representative, and a Recorder. Together, these officers shall up hold and direct the standards of the SKA.

• SKA President
• SKA Senior Executive Vice President
• SKA Eastern and Western U.S. Vice Presidents
• SKA Chief Training & Standards Instructor
• SKA Head Master of Schools
• SKA Black Belt Advisory Board
• SKA Regional Representative
• SKA Regional/State Representatives

Subsection 2: Governing body of an SKA House
The governing body of an SKA House shall be made up of a Head Master, House Executive, and House Secretary. Together, these officers shall up hold and direct the standards of the SKA within the House. A Head Master is governed by, but not part of the SKA Chain of Command unless appointed to an office. A Head Master receives its direction from the SKA as a whole and may be directed by one office of the SKA at a time.

• Head Master
• House Executive
• House Secretary

Subsection 3: Governing body of an SKA Dojo
The governing body within an SKA Dojo shall be made up of a Senfu-sama and/or Senfu, Staff Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, Drill Instructor, and Instructor. A Senfu-sama or Senfu, is governed by the House Chain of Command.

• Senfu-sama
• Senfu
• Staff Instructor
• Senior Drill Instructor
• Drill Instructor
• Instructor

Section 2 -- Appointments
All appointments in the SKA governing body, SKA House governing body, and Senfu appointments shall be made by the President with advice from the Senior Executive Vice President, Eastern U.S. Vice President, Western U.S. Vice President, and from the membership at large. Final appointments will be made by the President only.

Section 3-- An appointed Officer of the SKA may hold more than one position.

Section 4-- If no blood relative of the Founder holds an appointed position in the main governing body of the SKA, then the highest ranking blood relative of the Founder will hold an advisory position in the main governing body of the SKA. The Founder's blood relative must be an active member in an SKA school and 18 years of age or older. The main job of this advisory position is to insure that the SKA up holds the standards and vision set fourth by the Founder.

Section 5 -- The Position of President only, is a life-time position. Reasons for the vacancy of the position of President are as follows:

• Voluntary retirement.
• Medical disability to the point where the President cannot fulfill his/her duties.
• Death of the President.

Section 6 -- In the event the Office of President should become vacant, the Senior Vice President shall assume the duties of the Director or appoint someone else to the Office.

Section 7 -- All positions in the SKA are appointed and held by the will of the President. Office Holders can be removed from their position by the President only, for any cause and at any time. Barring such, the Office Holder shall serve until such time as he/she is incapacitated or until he/she resigns.

Reasons for Dismissal from Appointed Positions:

• Failure to abide by SKA policies and guidelines.
• Failure to satisfactorily perform official duties of the appointed office.
• Insubordination to SKA Officers of Senior position.
• Verbal abuse of SKA members of any rank or grade or practitioners of other styles/systems.
• An additude that is cancurous the system in any way.
• Serious legal or moral infractions.
• Drug or alcohol abuse.

Section 1 -- All Officers of the SKA shall abide by the rules and policies as set forth by the President and Governing body.

Section 2 -- The SKA President:

The President is the ultimate leader, arbitrator, and representative of the SKA. He/she is responsible for its administration, policies, and its Officers. It is his/her task to see that the SKA policies are set forth and maintained. He/she is also the Chief Public Relations Officer for the SKA.

The President alone will appoint the Senior Executive Vice President, Eastern U.S. Vice President, Western U.S. Vice President, Chief Training & Standards Instructors, National Representative, and make other appointments as he/she sees fit.

SKA members can submit, for recommendation, names to fill the Black Belt Advisory Board, Regional Representatives, State Representatives, and Recorder, but is the President's final decision as to who will fill the positions.

The President has the right to delegate his/her duties.

Section 3 -- The SKA Senior Executive Vice President:

The Senior Executive Vice President is to support the President and more specifically, insure that all of the policies as set forth by the President are performed by all other officers and members of the SKA.

The Senior Executive Vice President shall be the immediate successor to the President in the event of the President's incapacity or death.

The Senior Executive Vice President shall be the Chairman of the Black Belt Advisory board.

The Senior Executive Vice President shall also advise the President to the filling of positions from the membership at large for Offices within the SKA.

The Senior Executive Vice President shall give his recommendations for all appointments and titular recommendations for SKA members.

The Senior Executive Vice President may delegate his/her duties, with the knowledge of the President.

Section 4 -- SKA Eastern and Western U.S. Vice Presidents:

The Eastern and Western U.S. Vice Presidents shall hold a minimal rank of 1st degree Master, preferably 2nd degree Master.

The senior or highest rank/grade of the Eastern and Western U.S. Vice Presidents shall be the immediate successor to the President and Senior Executive Vice President in the event both of them are incapacitated or in case of an untimely demise.

The Eastern and Western U.S. Vice Presidents shall insure that all of the policies, in their respective regions, as set forth by the President are performed by all other officers and members of the SKA within their respective region. These Vice Presidents will also act as SKA public Relations Officers within their area, and should also work to recruit new members into the SKA.

The Eastern and Western U.S. Vice Presidents shall keep both the President and Senior Executive Vice President apprised of the current status of SKA member schools, training programs, seminars, scheduled meetings, rank advancements, and other pertinent items as related to the growth and sustaining of the SKA and its interests in their respective regions.

The Eastern and Western U.S. Vice Presidents shall arbitrate any disputes arising in member schools within their regions and shall advise the President as to the nature of the dispute and its solution. If the dispute cannot be successfully arbitrated by the Regional Vice President, it shall be forwarded to the President.

The Eastern and Western U.S. Vice Presidents shall submit a list of at least 5 names from each of their respective regions, from the membership at large within the region, for consideration of appointment to the Black Board Advisory Board (see Article 4, Section 6) also; they shall make recommendations for Chief Training and Standards Instructors in their respective regions.

The Eastern and Western U.S. Vice Presidents shall give his/her recommendations for all appointments and title recommendations for SKA members within their respective regions.

The Eastern and Western U.S. Vice Presidents may delegate his/her duties, with the knowledge of the President and Senior Executive Vice President.

Section 5 -- The SKA Chief Training & Standards Instructor:

The Chief Training & Standards Instructor shall be at least 1st degree Master in rank, preferably 2nd degree Master.

The Chief Training Instructor shall assume the duties of the Regional Vice President in the event of his/her incapacity or death, subject to the approval of the President.

The Chief Training Instructor shall monitor all the standards of Shinkyu Kenpo of member schools, review curriculum, and council the President, Senior Executive and Regional Vice Presidents.

Chief Training Instructor shall receive their commissions by appointment from the President and designated as Standards Officers for the Shinkyu Kenpo System. They will maintain and regulate requirements within their regions of both individual practitioners and member schools to insure the highest quality instruction by member schools and thus, the highest quality Martial Artists.. They will present full details to, and advise the President.

Chief Training Instructors may appoint assistants and upon notifying the President of the SKA, the said appointed assistant will receive a charter of appointment. These individuals will work directly with their Chief Training Instructors accordingly. Such individuals may receive title recognitions as Senior Training Instructors by written request of their Chief Training Instructor to the SKA President, provided they have rank requirements for same.

Section 6 -- The SKA Head Master of Schools:

The Head Master of Schools shall be at least 1st degree Master in rank and head of their own house.

The Head Master of Schools shall assume the duties of the Chief Training Instructor in the event of his/her incapacity or death, subject to the approval of the President.

The Head Master of Schools shall travel to various schools/dojos and meet with schools/dojos heads to inspect the facilities.

The Head Master of Schools shall receive their commissions by appointment from the President. They will regulate and insure that all schools/dojos maintain the high standards of our facilities and equipment in the SKA, and recommend any maintenance or upgrades to a school/dojo, or replacement of any equipment and report any abuse of equipment and or facilities. Make recommendation for further inspection by the Chief Training & Standards Instructor. They will present full details to, and advise the President.

The Head Master of Schools shall travel to various regions and states to find new facilities when a new school/dojo is to be added to the SKA or if an existing school/dojo needs a new facility. The Head Master of Schools will over see any construction or refit of a facility.

The Head Master of Schools shall act as an investigator to any and all internal disputes between Dojos, Dojo and House, or Houses.

The Head Master of Schools may appoint assistants and upon notifying the President of the SKA, the said appointed assistant will help the Head Master of Schools in any capacity needed by the Head Master of Schools to complete the duties of this office.

Section 7 -- The SKA Black Belt Advisory Board:

The Black Belt Advisory Board shall consist of members who hold at least the rank of 3rd degree black belt in Shinkyu Kenpo. Appointment to the Board shall be made by the President from recommendation of the Senior Executive Vice President, Regional Vice Presidents, and Chief Training & Standards Instructors.

The Board shall have at least 7, but not more than 11 members.

The Board is the voting and advisory board to the President of the SKA.
Its duties are to;

1. decide promotions too and among Black Belt candidates. Recommendation to promote are passed on to the President of the SKA for final approval.
2. to award disciplinary action on Black Belts, Senfu, Masters, and Head Masters who have broken SKA policies and guidelines.
3. act as a tribunal for settling major internal disputes. Any disputes between Dojos, Dojo and House, or Houses, will be investigated by the SKA Head Master of Schools first. All findings will be given to the tribunal prior to it decision.

Members of the Board may give permission for Special Black Belt testing as designated by the President.

Section 8 -- The SKA National Representative:

The National Representative shall be at least a 3rd degree black belt in Shinkyu Kenpo.

The National Representative shall travel to various regions and states, meet with both member schools and prospective member schools and advise them of current SKA policy and guidelines.

The National Representative shall correspond with all interested individuals who wish to learn Shinkyu Kenpo and give them guidance on how to join the SKA, obtain training curriculum, and refer individuals and member schools to the appropriate officer in their region for other pertinent information.

The National Representative shall foster good will among all Martial Artists of all styles and systems. Additionally, this officer shall be appointed by the President.

Section 9 -- The SKA Regional and State Representatives:

The Regional and State Representative shall be at least a 3rd degree black belt in Shinkyu Kenpo.

These representatives shall have the same duties as the Regional Vice Presidents, except that these duties will only pertain to their specific geographically appointed region within the United States and abroad. These representatives shall have a rank of at least 1st degree black belt. If circumstances prevail which will not allow this rank due to distance from a qualified instructor, new geographic region wishing to affiliate with the SKA, etc., the President may appoint said representative without the required rank.

These representatives shall answer directly to the Regional Vice President, but shall keep the President advised of their activities.

These representatives will strive to foster high spirits and good will among member schools and shall adhere to the policies and guidelines set forth by the SKA.

The Regional and State Representatives shall be recommended for appointment by the Regional Vice President and by the Chief Training Instructor.

These representatives will act as SKA public Relations Officers within their area, and should also work to recruit new members into the SKA.

Section 10 -- The Recorder:

The Recorder shall be appointed by the President and will be in charge of taking minutes at scheduled meetings and distributing those notes to all officers of the SKA down to the State and Regional Representatives.

Section 11 -- Head Master:

A Head Master shall be at least 1st degree Master belt in Shinkyu Kenpo.

A Head Master shall receive their commissions by appointment from the President. They will regulate and insure that all schools/dojos in their house maintain the high standards of the SKA.

A Head Master shall be responsible for all persons in their house. To insure everyone receives proper training as set fourth by the SKA curriculum. To insure each dojo has the equipment and supplies needed to conduct said training.

A Head Master shall oversee all kyu testing and graduations and Black Belt testing.

A Head Master shall remove any Kyu level student from SKA training who does not abide by SKA policies and guidelines, and who has been council / write-up twice before by the students Senfu.

A Head Master shall inform the SKA Black Belt Advisory Board of any Black Belt in their House who is not performing up to or abides by SKA policies and guidelines.

Section 12 -- House Executive:

A House Executive shall be at least a Senfu in Shinkyu Kenpo.

The House Executive is to support the Head Master and more specifically, insure that all of the policies as set forth by the SKA and Head Master are performed by all Senfu and Dojo's in the House.

The House Executive will help the Head Master in any capacity needed by the Head Master to complete the duties of this office, and will be in charge of the house when the Head Master is away.

The House Executive shall answer directly to the Head Master.

Section 13 -- House Secretary:

A House Secretary shall be at least a Senfu in Shinkyu Kenpo.

The House Secretary is to support the Head Master, House Executive, and more specifically, insure that all of the policies as set forth by the SKA and Head Master are performed by all Senfu and Dojo's in the House.

The House Secretary will be in charge of taking minutes at scheduled meetings and distributing those notes to all Senfu of the House.

The House Secretary is the liaison between the Senfu of the House and the SKA, insuring all Dojo's have what they need for tests, graduations, and special events.

Section 14 -- Senfu / Senfu-sama:

A Senfu shall be at least a 2nd degree black belt in Shinkyu Kenpo.

The Senfu is to support the Head Master and more specifically, insure that all of the policies as set forth by the SKA are followed by the student body in their dojo.

A Senfu shall be responsible for the training of the student body in their dojo, insuring that each student receives proper training as set by the SKA curriculum.

A Senfu shall insure that each student receives credit for any awards or belt rank promotions earned.

A Senfu will write-up any student who does not perform up to or abides by SKA policies and guidelines.

A Senfu shall inform the Head Master of any Black Belt in their dojo who is not performing up to or abides by SKA policies and guidelines.

Section 1 -- SKA Owned Schools:

SKA Owned Schools/Dojos are owned and operated by the Shinkyu Kenpo Association. All Senfu, Senfu-sama, Masters, or Head Masters of SKA owned schools/dojos are employees of SKA and must abide the guidelines set forth by SKA policy

Individuals who are at least a 2nd degree black belt and have been an Instructor for two years may request to become a Senfu and operate their own SKA school/dojo within their present SKA branch.

Senfu-sama who run and operate a SKA school can apply to the SKA Board to operate a second SKA school/dojo under there charge.

Masters who run and operate a SKA school can apply to the SKA Board to operate a branch (more than two school). Once accepted the school/dojo the Master is in charge of will be removed from the branch it belongs to and become the head school/dojo of a new branch.

Once all the conditions as followed are fulfilled a branch school can be added.

• The school must have an adequate number of Instructors to run all schools (at least a 2nd degree and three Instructors for each school)
• The instructor(s) who have be chosen to become a Senfu must be accepted by the SKA Board to operate a school/dojo
• The school must have a large attendance.
• The school head Instructor must have been operating the existing school with out problem or serous incident and have consistently showed a profit.

The SKA will acquire the locations for schools, prepare the buildings, and set up all schools for use. The SKA will staff the schools with recommended individuals who have been accepted by the SKA Board to operate a school. All Senfu and Instructors will be employed by the SKA.

Section 2 -- Termination of Student Membership, Senfu, Masters, Head Masters, and Officers:

• Senfu, Masters, Head Masters and their schools/dojos who fail to abide by SKA policy, or who fail to keep their membership active may be terminated from there position.
  
  
• Individual student membership may be terminated by the governing body or head instructor for the following reasons; drug abuse, alcohol abuse, crimes of severe legal nature, insubordination and disrespect to SKA Officers or other appointed delegates, verbal abuse of fellow students or other Martial Arts disciplines, and/or other infractions.
  
  
• Individuals who demonstrate a lack of Martial Art Attitude with their seniors or their Peers can similarly be cut-off from the SKA.
  
  
• Terminations of individual membership shall be forwarded to the President so that he/she may make record of same. Representatives and Senior SKA Officers are expected to make fair hearing prior to terminating any membership.
  
  
• Officers may be dismissed and cut-off from the SKA for failure to abide by policies as listed in this document and the General Handbook, or for other violations as previously described. Officers shall be given a fair hearing by the Black Belt Advisory Board prior to final decision by the President.

• Officers who elect to resign their positions, or Senfu, Masters, Head Masters who voluntarily end their membership are expected to notify the President of the SKA via certified mail of their intentions 60 days prier to leaving their position.
  
  
• All Senfu, Masters, Shihan, or Head Masters resigning their membership will work with and help the replacement Senfu, Master, Shihan, or Head Master for a smooth transition.
  
  
• Any Instructor, Senfu, Shihan, or Head Master resigning their position as an instructor may continue to train as a student of Shinkyu Kenpo with the respect of the SKA.
  
  
• Any Senfu, Masters, or Head Masters who has resigned their membership with the SKA or has been terminated from there position with the SKA must relinquish all rights to their school(s), SKA documents, equipment, students, and any other SKA property.

Section 3 -- Independent Charter Schools/Dojos:

Independent Charter Shinkyu Kenpo Schools/Dojos are independent from SKA owned schools and are expected to maintain their own rent/mortgage, utilities, and payroll. They are expected to obtain and supply there own schools. The schools are to be laid out and supplied as to guidelines set forth by SKA policy, inspected and approved by the SKA Head Master of Schools before charter acceptance.

All charter Shinkyu Kenpo schools/dojos must agree too and sign a 5 year charter contract with the SKA. On competition of the 5 year contract the charter Shinkyu Kenpo schools/dojos will be reviewed by the SKA Head Master of Schools for re-charter and another 5 year charter contract.

Individuals who are at least a 3rd degree black belt in Shinkyu Kenpo and have been an instructor for four years may request to become a Senfu and operate their own independent charter school/dojo.

Charter membership as an independent charter Shinkyu Kenpo school/dojo is achieved via guidelines as set forth by SKA policy.

SKA Charter schools/dojos will be treated as a single school House with all the same guidelines and policies as an SKA House.

SKA Charter schools/dojos can request opining a second school/dojo after completing two charter contracts, or if the SKA charter school/dojo is doing very well and can support two schools.

All SKA charter schools/dojos are expected to support this organization by attending and sponsoring functions for participation by the membership at large.

All charter Shinkyu Kenpo schools/dojos are expected to uphold the highest standards of training and conduct as expected by the SKA.

All students joining the SKA though an independent charter Shinkyu Kenpo schools/dojos are SKA students and belong to the SKA.

Section 4 -- Independent Charter Schools/Dojos Termination:

• Independent charter schools/dojos who fail to abide by SKA policy, or who fail to keep their membership active may be terminated from there charter and cut-off from the SKA. Independent charter schools/dojos shall be given a fair hearing by the Chief Training & Standards Instructors prior to final decision by the President.
  
  
• Any independent charter schools/dojos terminated from there charter must explain to all students and or parents of younger students the reason the school has lost their charter with the SKA. Allowing students and or parents of younger students to make an educated decision to stay with the school or with the SKA.
  
  
• All students and or parents of younger students must be notify that a new Shinkyu Kenpo school/dojo will become available soon.

• Any independent charter school/dojo who wishes to resigning their charter with the SKA may do so after their 5 year charter contract is completed.
  
  
• All independent charter school/dojo resigning their charter with the SKA must notify the President of the SKA via certified mail of their intentions 90 day prier to leaving the SKA.
  
  
• All independent charter school/dojo resigning their charter with the SKA must notify the students and or parents of younger students of the schools self termination so they can make an educated decision to stay with the school or with the SKA.
  
  
• All students and or parents of younger students must be notify that a new Shinkyu Kenpo school/dojo will become available soon.
  
  
• All independent charter school/dojo resigning their charter with the SKA will pay the SKA a Student Acquisition Fee. That is $500 per student who leaves the SKA and stays with the resigning school on or before 30 days after leaving the SKA. If the Student Acquisition Fee is not paid on or before the 30 days then the Student Acquisition Fee will be $1000 per student who leaves the SKA.

Section 1 -- All members in good standing with the SKA shall enjoy the full instructional resources and services of the SKA.

Section 2 -- The SKA shall provide a full chain-of-command for members for instruction, advice, redress of grievances, and other Association matters.

Section 3 -- The SKA shall provide for full certification of all members, belt ranking, and title recognitions that shall be recognized in the United States and abroad.

Section 4 -- The SKA shall provide qualified advisors for its member schools.

Section 5 -- All member services shall be maintained at reasonable cost to achieve one of the goals of the SKA, which is to make SKA available to all.

Section 1 -- The SKA shall hold both general and Black Belt Advisory Board meetings:

Section 2 -- General Meetings:

General meetings may be held locally or regionally by appointed Representatives for each regional area. Provisions must be made for voting for members who cannot attend. Also, meetings will be held in different locations each time to encourage membership participation from all and so that members will have equal chance to attend each year.

A secretary will be appointed by the Regional Representative to keep the minutes of each meeting. A copy of the minutes will be forwarded to the SKA head office.

Meetings can be held for communication and to discuss issues that affect the SKA. While decisions made at meetings do not reflect upon the membership of the SKA at large, recommendations are to be sent to the SKA head office for his/her consideration. The President may choose to make such decisions binding if they are in the best interest of the SKA at large.

Section 3 -- Black Belt Advisory Board Meetings:

The Black Belt Advisory Board shall be convened once per annum at a time and place as decided by the Board Chairman (Senior Executive Vice President). The location shall change each calendar year for fairness to all.

All matters that are to be considered shall be issued to Board members at least 4 weeks prior to the meeting. No issue may be brought up that has not previously been mentioned in writing unless it is of extreme urgency.

No issue or policy of the SKA can be recommended for change without a two-thirds majority vote in favor of the policy change. Voting may be made by proxy if the member cannot attend.

The President retains full veto policy over any decisions made by the Board and may attend the Board meeting is he/she chooses.

The President shall issue all minutes of the meeting to SKA member schools at large. A secretary shall be appointed to keep minutes of the meeting. Appointment of the secretary is the responsibility of the Board Chairman.

Section 1 -- Any article or section of these By-laws may be recommended for change by a two-thirds majority of the voting Black Belt Advisory board with final approval made by the President.

Section 2 -- The President only has the final authority to change these By-laws without the approval of the SKA Officers.

Section 1 -- Testing for Black Belt and all Other Ratings:

The President of the SKA may promote up to and including his/her own grade.

The Senior Executive Vice President of the SKA may promote up to his/her own rank. This will require written permission if this officer has lower grade than that of the President.

Regional Vice Presidents may promote up to the rank of 3° Dan. Final approval of all ranking remains with the President.

Chief Training & Standards Instructors may promote up to the 2 grades below their own. Promotion is subject to approval by the President.

All other officers and Head Master of Schools may promote only non black belt ranks.

Section 2 -- Black Belt Rank:

All rank advancements in the SKA, regardless of grade, are dependent on demonstration of one's current skill, fitness, and the satisfactory fulfillment of the personal standards and conduct set forth in the SKA policies and guidelines.

Section 3 -- Black Belt Testing Eligibility:

Students who seek to test for 1° Dan or higher grades should have their names submitted in writing 120 days prior to the test date to their regional Chief Training & Standards Instructors. The application must be made by the students Senfu, Master or Head Master.

Black Belt aspirants who seek higher grades of rank equal to or higher than their Senfu or Master may be recommended by the Regional Vice Presidents and other Senior SKA Officers. Such recommendations must be made in writing.

Section 4 -- Black Belt Rank from Other Kenpo Organizations and Martial Arts Systems:

Black belts who have credentials from other reputable non Kenpo systems and who wish to retain an honorary SKA Black belt level (1° Dan) must be an active member of the SKA for at least one year's duration and also demonstrated that they are willing to teach his/her current system to the SKA Black Belt consortium wile satisfactory fulfilling requirements to the rank of 1° Dan.

Black belts from other reputable non Kenpo systems may be allowed to obtain SKA Black belt level (1° Dan) with SKA credentials and certification

• verify time-in-grade by certificate date of reputable system and or organization, necessary for retention of rank and
• be a member of the SKA for one year's duration, and
• Satisfactory fulfillment of rank requirements up to 1° Dan.
• have demonstrated that they have been willing to teach his/her current system to the SKA Black Belt consortium, Black belts who have Kenpo Karate ranking credentials from other organizations may be allowed to retain their rank as set forth in these by-laws. However, advancement to another, usually higher, rank depends upon:
• verify time-in-grade by certificate date of reputable Kenpo organization, necessary for retention of rank and
• be a member of the SKA for one year's duration, and
• Satisfactory fulfillment of rank requirements up to his/her current rank.

Honorary SKA 1° Black belt level does not guarantee the same rank privileges as full SKA Black Belt Ranks. This means a qualified and accepted student can wear a plain black belt signifyin rank equal to 1° Dan rank while attending class and fulfilling SKA rank requirements.

Honorary SKA 1° Black belt students can not be Instructors or hold any titles of honor until they receive their SKA certificate. Certificates will be issued only after student's satisfactory fulfillment of SKA rank requirements and successful passing of the Black Belt test.

Honorary SKA 1° Black belt students will test at scheduled SKA Black Belt test to receive SKA credentials and certification.

Students will receive their belts and certificates during the scheduled graduation with the rest of the student body.

Section 5 -- Master Belt Rank:

Black Belt aspirants who seek to test for a Master Belt Rank will test prier to the rest of the testing student body. After successful passing of the Master Belt portion of their test the students will join their fellow students and complete the black belt portion of their test.

Master level students will receive their belts and certificates during the scheduled graduation with the rest of the student body.

Section 6 -- Black Belt and Master Belt Titles and Honors:

Once a student has earned Black Belt status, titles or honors are also given. It is with respect that we refer to them with the title they have earned.

• Mr./Mrs./Miss. - All black belts and instructors
• Senfu - Head Instructor of a school
• Master - All students who have passed their final Masters test
• Head Master - Master Instructor of two or more schools
• Soke, Grandmaster - President of the SKA and Head of the system

Section 1 -- Non Black Belt Ranks:

All SKA members are required to wear a full and complete karate gi (traditional style) consisting of pants, SKA t-shirt, gi top and appropriate belt. Ranks up to gold belt are required to wear all white with out any SKA patches. All ranks up to black belt are required to wear all white with all SKA patches.

The patches which should be worn from gold belt and up are the SKA crest on the left breast, branch patch on right breast. Special teams and clubs such as SWAT, STORM, demo, and Black Belt Club patches are worn on the right shoulder. Special award patches are worn on the right leg of the pants. Any and all other patches is not allowed.

Juniors (6 - 10) who have been asked to join and have accepted membership in the Special Winning Attitude Team (SWAT) of their dojo may wear red pants with a white top with the SWAT patch on the right shoulder.

Teens (10 - 15) who have been asked to join and have accepted membership in the Special Team Of Role Models (STORM) of their dojo may wear blue pants with a white top with the STORM patch on the right shoulder. Teens who were SWAT members may not wear red pants or the SWAT patch.

Adults who have been asked to join and have accepted membership in the Black Belt Club of their dojo may wear black pants with a white top with the Black Belt Club patch on the right shoulder. Adults who were STORM members may not wear red pants or the STORM patch.

Belts should be worn at all times and should be of the appropriate rank/grade. Names of the individual should not be embroidered on any colored belts, they should remain plain with the exception of material learned stripes.

Section 2 -- Black Belt Ranks:

Black Belts are required to wear a traditional red gi top with black gi pants and red system t-shirt. The gi top has the School Patch on the left breast with the students name embroidered on the right breast. Embroidered on the back of the gi top is the systems eagle icon.

Master Belts are required to wear a traditional black gi and black system t-shirt. The gi top has the School Patch on the left breast with the masters name embroidered on the right breast. Embroidered on the back of the gi top is the systems eagle icon in metallic gold. Down the lower left side of the gi bottoms is embroidered in metallic gold the Shinkyu Kenpo kanji.

All Black Belts and Masters are required to wear dress gi (Hakama, Keikogi, current rant belt) to all graduations and special events when required.

Belts should be worn at all times and should be of the appropriate rank/grade. Names of the individual should not be embroidered on any colored belts, they should remain plain. Black Belts and Masters are required to wear only their plain black belt (belt with black embroidered) when participating in class as a student or practicing on there own. Belts with red or gold embroidered are only worn when work in a dojo, during special events and functions, or participating as an Instructor.

Black Belts and Masters are required to wear only their plain black belt (1° Dan belt with black embroidered) when participating in class as a student or practicing on there own. Belts with red or gold embroidered are only worn when work in a dojo, during special events and functions, or participating as an Instructor.

Section 3 -- Supply and Purchasing of Uniform and other SKA items:

To keep standards high and all schools uniformed though out the members of the SKA, all SKA members are required to purchase their karate gi's, SKA patches, and other items from the SKA store. There is no exception. Only items that are not available from the SKA store may be purchased else ware.

Section 1 --The Shinkyu Kenpo Association is an organization that has been established for the preservation of the Shinkyu Kenpo System and to provide members with thorough and competent instruction in this system.

Section 2 --The SKA is not affiliated with any other Kenpo Systems. However, it is our desire to promote good will among same.

Section 3 --The designated Officers of the SKA shall endeavor to "choose the right" and promote good will among all members and fellow Martial Artists from all styles.

Section 4 --All Officer Positions of the SKA shall be eligible for appointment by the President from the membership at large. All such appointments shall be earned by merit and hard work.

Section 5 --All head Masters are required to submit bi-annual reports to the SKA as established by SKA policy.

Section 6 --It shall be SKA policy that no student shall be allowed to test for 1° Dan and higher unless they have shown good attendance, high Shinkyu Kenpo standards, hard work in side and out of the dojo, and a willingness to help other, the dojo and the local SKA community.

Section 7 --Obligations of the SKA President and Senior Officers:

• To instruct members in a thorough and competent manner.
• To promote members and to make appointments in a fair and impartial manner using methods that are uniform and unbiased.
• To provide for bulletins to head instructors as deemed necessary.
• To insure for uniformity in training requirements and to make it mandatory that all promotion and rank requirements are standard and unbiased.
• To deliver all materials to head instructors in a prompt and efficient manner.
• To insure that all SKA fees are maintained in a fair and reasonable fashion to reduce cost to individual and schools.
• To arrive "on time" for all member school sponsored events.