By-laws

Preamble:

The name of this Federation is Sekkinsen Goshin-Jitsu, hereafter referred to as SGJ. SGJ was established this tenth day of April 1995. SGJ was formed to promote and foster a spirit and understanding of Goshin-Jitsu. SGJ members will be encouraged to study, think, and question, and gain a real appreciation for their potential. A vital element of the SGJ Program is discipline. The principals and values of discipline are embodied in the required dedication, perseverance, determination, self-control, concentration, and respect. SGJ members shall obey the following principles

• Always seek truth and practice it.
• Promote the highest moral character through your training in the Martial Arts.
• Respect and obey your parents, teachers, and seniors.
• Love your country and contribute to your community.
• Develop both confidence and humility.
• Do your best to better yourself intellectuality.
• Do not hesitate to sacrifice yourself for what is right.
• Do your utmost to develop Martial Arts.
• Develop your endurance, and be calm and humble in mind and spirit.
• Remember that the ultimate purpose of SGJ is to promote both physical and mental health

The purpose of the dojo (Training Hall) is to make the art of SGJ available to everyone. SGJ shall offer information and lessons on fundamental and advanced in SGJ techniques and theories.

Section-1 -- General Laws

1. The SGJ is an organization designed to support instructors and students of Martial Arts by means of certification, technical assistance and training, advanced testing and group affiliation.

2. The SGJ is a democratic organization in which each individual instructor has a part in the making of policy, rules and regulations, and organizational structure. This includes submission of suggestions to the board of directors, and representation, by vote, in any general election.

3. The SGJ shall be governed by a board of directors, consisting of no more than four and not less than two ranking black belts. The Board my appoint one of its members from the community, someone with or without a Martial Arts back ground. Board members, once selected, serve an unlimited term, until such time as they choose to retire or resign. A board member may elect to retire or resign at any time. If a board position becomes vacant it shall be filled by a ranking black belt within SGJ, by general election and ratification by the remaining board members.

4. The SGJ shall be a non-partisan organization and shall in no way interfere with the running of any school, academy, or club.

5. To become an authorized member of the Sekkinsen Goshin-Jitsu Federation, an instructor or black belt must make an application to the board of directors. Once a school charter is issued to an instructor, the instructor automatically becomes a member of the Sekkinsen Goshin-Jitsu Federation. At this point all the instructor's students may join as individual members and receive further benefits. All color belts blue belt and above must join SGJ in order to receive Dan rank. If the black belt is independent, a letter of acceptance will be issued to the black belt.

6. The SGJ shall confer upon qualified black belts the honor of instructor based upon review of the black belt's ability and/or recommendation of the black belt's instructor.

7. All certified SGJ instructors are authorized to develop their own curriculum for the purpose of training and testing. Each instructor is responsible for the development of a systematic and progressive curriculum, up to one rank below their current rank. The curriculum should be both challenging and provide an opportunity for success.

8. All certified SGJ instructors are authorized to train and test their own students up to one rank below the instructor's current rank.

9. All rank advancement up to 4th Dan black belt will be based upon a formal test and instructor's recommendation.

10. All rank advancement for 5th Dan black belt and above is administrative and based not upon a formal test but upon one's contribution to the Martial Arts. Advancement will be granted after recommendation by the student's instructor or a member of the board of directors and ratification by the board of directors.

11. Black Belts holding the rank of 1st through 3rd Dan in need of testing may do so by contacting a SGJ instructor of one rank above that for which they wish to test, or may test under the board of directors by contacting one of the members of the board. Testing by the board may be done in person or by videotape.

When requesting a test, the black belt must demonstrate the appropriate requirements as specified by the instructor or board member under which they will test, and pay any appropriate fees.

12. The SGJ shall provide Dan testing at reasonable cost for all instructors. A nominal fee will be assessed to cover the reasonable cost of certificates, belts, related materials, time and/or rent.

13. Each individual instructor has the right to create their own test fee schedule as they deem appropriate to their situation. This test fee will be retained by the instructor for use in their school, academy or club.

14. Each individual instructor has the right to issue Kyu certificates in their own name but Dan certificates must be requested from the SGJ board of directors. Official SGJ Kyu certification is available from the board of directors if the instructor wishes to issue them.

15. The SGJ shall confer upon qualified black belts with the rank of 4th Dan through 6th Dan the title of Master Instructor.

16. The SGJ shall confer upon qualified black belts with the rank 7th Dan through 9th Dan the title of Grand Master Instructor.

17. The Founder otherwise known as "Kaiso" can promote anyone at any time to any rank Kyu or Dan grade (Honorary, Homologation or Verified).

18. All SGJ related materials including, but not limited to, Dan certificates, school charters, patches and belts will be provided to each individual instructor at reasonable cost plus shipping and the appropriate tax.

19. SGJ reserves the right to refuse service to anyone we deem irresponsible, or found in any way to be disgrace to the Martial Code of ethics, as an member of SGJ one must strive to preserve the traditional values of Martial Arts such as: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self control, indomitable spirit; with the goal of promoting martial art focusing on self defense, self confidence, physical fitness, mental conditioning, stress management, and self discipline. Otherwise Membership Will Be Terminated.

• White
• Orange
• Yellow
• Green
• Blue
• Purple
• Brown

Time between Kyu Ranks is about 4-6 Months

• shodan : first degree black belt (technically, shodan is "beginning degree" and ichidan is "first degree"; the latter term is less commonly used)

• nidan : second degree black belt

• sandan : third degree black belt

• yondan : fourth degree black belt

• godan : fifth degree black belt

• rokudan : sixth degree black belt

• shichidan: seventh degree black belt (also, nanadan)

• hachidan : eighth degree black belt

• kudan : ninth degree black belt

• judan : tenth degree black belt

Board of Directors