1. Status
A. The Budokwai Martial Arts Association is a non-profit making organisation.
B. The Budokwai Martial Arts Association is a membership association, run by martial artists for martial artists.
C. The Budokwai Martial Arts Association does not discriminate on the grounds of Style, Grade, Sex, Race, Religion or Political Bias.

2. Aims & Objectives
A. To provide quality high-grade instruction in martial arts to all its members and member groups.
B. To maintain high technical and ethical standards throughout martial arts.
C. To promote friendship and co-operation between members and member groups throughout the World.

3. Membership
Membership to the Budokwai Martial Arts Association is available to all practising martial artists, martial arts clubs, groups or associations irrespective of style, grade or affiliation.

3.I Individual Membership
A. Senior Member - Practising martial artist over the age of 16.
B. Intermediate Member - Practising martial artist aged between 12 & 16
C. Junior Member - Practising martial artist aged between 5 & 12

3.II Club Membership
Membership is available to all martial arts clubs subject to the following.
A. The clubs senior instructor is a member of the Budokwai Martial Arts Association and has instructors indemnity insurance (copy to be submitted with application).
B. The club submits full details of all active instructors (including proof of grades).

3.III Associate Membership
Associate membership is available to all groups or associations who have an active interest within martial arts.

3.IV Life Membership
Life Memberships will be granted from time to time by the associations executive committee

All members, clubs, associations and organisations must agree to abide by the constitution and rules of the Budokwai Martial Arts Association.

4. Gradings
The Budokwai Martial Arts Association will only conduct gradings within its own member groups subject to the conditions and guidelines laid down by the association's technical grading panel.

5. Technical Grading Panel
The technical grading panel will be made up of Senior Instructors from within the Budokwai Martial Arts Association.

6. Courses
The association will host annually a two-day multi-style martial arts course; this course will be open to all association members.
The association will host annually a one-day weapons course; this course will be open to senior members only.

7. Equipment
The association will from time to time acquire or purchase equipment for the use of members and member clubs.
All use of association equipment is to be authorised by the management board or executive committee.

8. Costs
Costs of membership, gradings, courses etc. will vary from year to year and the association's executive committee will determine these costs.

9. Affiliations
The association will link up with or affiliate to other groups or associations for the benefit of the membership, the final decision for such affiliations to be determined by the executive committee.

10. Accounts & Finances
A. The association's treasurer will be responsible for the day to day up keep of the association's accounts and finances.
B. Balance sheets to be made available to the management board on a monthly basis.
C. All finances are to be accounted for.
D. Final accounts to be available for inspection by the membership at the associations Annual General Meeting.

11. Bank Accounts
The association will open and operate a bank account in the name of the "Budokwai Martial Arts Association".
All funds are to be deposited into the associations bank account (save that required for petty cash)
Signatories on the bank account will be the treasurer plus one of either the secretary or the chairman
Only the executive committee can effect changes to the associations banking procedures.

12. Expenses
All out of pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the association will be reimbursed providing that.
A. The expenditure was authorised by the executive committee.
B. A valid receipt is produced to the secretary or treasurer.
C. The expenditure is not deemed to be excessive.

13. Executive Committee Meetings
These will be held as and when required without formalities and any decisions made affecting the membership will be brought to the attention of the management board at the earliest opportunity.

14. Management Board Meetings
These will be held monthly as and when required, there are no formalities for a management board meeting as much of the business will be conducted on a day to day basis.

15. Annual General Meeting
The association will hold its annual general meeting the weekend before Easter (coinciding with our two day course) giving all members suitable notification of date, time and location.
At least one member of the executive committee must be present to chair the meeting.
All issues affecting the constitution and rules of the association are to be submitted in writing to the association's office at least one month prior to the AGM.
Nominations for Treasurer and Secretary to be submitted at least two weeks prior to the AGM. If no nominations are received members of the executive committee will take up the positions until such time as a suitable candidate can be found.
The management board will present to the AGM a list of suitable causes or charities that the association will support during the following year, this list to be approved by the membership.
All issues discussed at the AGM and decisions reached will be recorded in the minutes of the AGM.

Officers of the Association

16. Management Board
The day to day running of the association shall be via a management board consisting of the executive committee, senior association officers and one representative from each member club, group or association (the representative must be a full or life member of the association).
The management board will consist of the following officers.

16a. Executive Committee
The executive committee will be formed from the associations founder members and consist of no less than three officers.

16b. Chairman
The Chairman will be appointed by the Executive Committee and be responsible for overseeing the day to day running of the association (the chairman must be a full or life member of the Budokwai Martial Arts Association).
16c. Secretary
The Secretary will be appointed by the membership and will be responsible for the day to day requirements of the association's members. In the secretaries absence the position will be taken up by a member of the executive committee.
16d. Treasurer
The Treasurer will be appointed by the membership and will be responsible for the finances of the association. In the treasurers absence the position will be taken up by a member of the executive committee.
16e. Senior Officers
The Senior Officers will be responsible for the representation and technical advisement regarding their respective martial arts discipline. Promotion to Senior Officer in no way implies an endorsement of that representatives association or style (the representative must be a full or life member of the Budokwai Martial Arts Association).
16f. Club/Association Representatives
Each member club or association will appoint a representative to act as a liaison between their group and the Budokwai Martial Arts Association (the representative must be a full or life member of the Budokwai Martial Arts Association).

19. Rules of Conduct

19.I Etiquette
Dojo and Mat Etiquette will be observed at all times during training.
Respect your Sensei and always show respect to higher grades than yourself.
The Instructors commands must be obeyed at all times.
No student will join or leave the class while the session is in progress without the instructor's permission.
There will be no noisy or unruly behaviour in the Dojo or training hall.
Instruction must only take place under the supervision of an authorised instructor.
19.II Personal hygiene
Students will keep their bodies and their training clothes clean at all times.
Students will keep their finger and toenails short and clean.
Students will not wear watches, rings, chains, earrings, nose studs or any other kind of jewellery or body decoration that may cause harm or injury to themselves or others.
19.III Personal Safety
Students will not train while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
All injuries must be immediately reported to the instructor and recorded in the club book. If a student suffers an injury prior to training then this must be reported to the instructor and also recorded in the club book.
Strangle and sleeper holds must never be practised except under the supervision of an instructor.
Students will always exercise care when training
19.IV Misuse of Skills
Students will not misuse their knowledge or skills.
Students will not demonstrate techniques outside the Dojo to people not authorised to receive them.
If required to defend ones self then the student will only use such force as is necessary.
19.V Instructors Rules
Always treat your students with respect.
Do not abuse your position as an instructor.
Exert only the minimum of force when demonstrating techniques.
Always carry a first aid kit when teaching.
All instructors must adhere to the guidelines laid down in the Budokwai Martial Arts Association's 'Child Protection Policy' document.

20.I - Association Address
The current address of the Budokwai Martial Arts Association is:
30 Oaktree Drive, Ecclefechan, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire, DG11 3EH, Scotland, UK.
Tel: 07979 417560 (mobile)
Email:

20.II - Management Board
The current management board is:

Executive Committee
Shihan Alan Scott - Chairman/Secretary.
Shihan Ronnie Whittle - Technical Advisor.
Sensei Casey Janssen-Steenberg - Overseas Representative.

Senior Officers
Soke Tom Baldwin (W-B FoMA) - Ju Jitsu Representative
Hanshi Mick Benfell (Ryu-Kyu Association of Karate & Gung Fu) - Karate Representative
Shihan Rob Martin (Kyu-Shin-Do International Budo Society) - Judo Representative
Master Mark Kemp (Shin-Ga-Do Martial Arts Association) - Gung Fu Representative
Shihan Dave DeGrouchie (World Budo Alliance - WBA) - Budo Representative
Giuseppe Vitolo (Capoeira Abolicao UK) - Capoeira Representative

Club/Association Representatives
Budokwai Bu Jutsu Kai Representative - Sensei Donna Hurd
Edinburgh Bushido Academy of Martial Arts Representative - Sensei Ray Sheerin
Gretna Youth Activity Centre Representative - Derek McKinney (YAC Chairman)
Northern Eagle Ju Jitsu Club Representative - Sensei Richard Hodgson
International Association of Black Belts Representative - Sensei Stuart Bird
Sakura Ju Jitsu Club Representative - Sensei Gordon Scott
Sands Centre Ju Jitsu Club Representative - Sensei Mike Tedham
Seaham Ju Jitsu Club Representative - Sensei John Tully
Sho Shin Budokai Judo Representative - Sensei Dave Cantana
Sho Shin Budokai Ju Jitsu Representative - Sensei Keith Mewes

20.III - Technical Grading Panel
The current technical grading panel is:
Soke Tom Baldwin.
Hanshi Mick Benfell.
Shihan Rob Martin.
Master Mark Kemp.
Shihan Ronnie Whittle.
Shihan Alan Scott.
The Budokwai Martial Arts Association's technical grading panel is authorised to conduct gradings on behalf of the following licensing bodies:
Kyu-Shin-Do International Budo Society under the direction of Shihan Rob Martin.
The World British Federation of Martial Arts (W-B FoMA) under the direction of Soke Tom Baldwin, Hanshi Mick Benfell or Shihan Alan Scott.
Ryu-Kyu Association of Karate & Gung Fu under the direction of Hanshi Mick Benfell.
Shin-Ga-Do Martial Arts Association under the direction of Master Mark Kemp and Hanshi Mick Benfell.
Each licensing body has their own rules and conduct regarding gradings and the Budokwai Martial Arts Association's technical grading panel is only authorised to conduct gradings within those guidelines.

20.IV - Licensing Bodies
The following licensing bodies are affiliated/linked to the Budokwai Martial Arts Association.
The World & British Federation of Martial Arts (W-B FoMA) - Ju Jitsu/Multi-Style
Kyu-Shin-Do International Budo Society - Judo/Budo
Ryu-Kyu Association of Karate & Gung Fu - Karate/Gung Fu
Shin-Ga-Do Martial Arts Association - Gung Fu
The World Budo Alliance - Budo/Multi-Style
Capoeira Abolicao UK - Capoeira

20.V - Affiliations
The Budokwai Martial Arts Association is currently affiliated to or members of.
The World British Federation of Martial Arts (W-B FoMA)
Kyu-Shin-Do International Budo Society
Ryu-Kyu Association of Karate & Gung Fu
Shin-Ga-Do Martial Arts Association
The World Budo Alliance (WBA)
The British National Martial Arts Association (BNMAA)
World Martial Arts Information Centre

20.VI - Links
The Budokwai Martial Arts Association currently has links with the following groups.
The United Kingdom Martial Arts Forum (UK MAFF)
International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF)
The International Association of Black Belts (IABB)

20.VII - Instructors

All Budokwai Martial Arts Association Instructors are subject to the following policies and guidelines.
a) The instructor is a full member of The Budokwai Martial Arts Association.
b) The Instructor agrees to abide by the constitution and rules of the Budokwai Martial Arts Association.
c) The Instructor carries insurance to a value of no less than £2,000,000.
d) The Instructor agrees to background checks being carried out in line with our "Child Protection Policies"
e) The Instructor is competent in Basic First Aid and Resuscitation.
f) The Instructor has demonstrated the ability to teach his or her art in a competent and safe manner.
g) The instructor is undergoing or has completed either the IABB or MASTAAR coaching award course or equivalent.

This Section Was Last Updated On The 22/08/02