Kenpo JuJutsu By-Laws
Mission Statement
The mission statement of the KJJA is very simple. The KJJA was founded to assist individuals,
groups, and Martial Arts Studios to attain a sound knowledge in Kenpo. To disseminate a
knowledge of the basic principles of self-defense so that the individual can feel confident about
their abilities to protect themselves. Unlike many karate Associations the KJJA is essentially
non-profit. We don’t wish to interfere or try to manage schools for instructors. Instead, we want
to furnish you with the necessary items so that you can teach and/or learn Kenpo. The KJJA will
provide any training necessary to assist any individual, group, or school with further certification
of rank in Kenpo JuJutsu. We value each member and seek to provide each with the best service
possible because the KJJA endeavors to give all members the knowledge they seek and require.
The KJJA will provide seminars and will provide many other services which will benefit the
individual or studio.
Article 1 - The Association:
1.1 The name of this organization is the Kenpo Jujutsu Association hereafter designated as the KJJA.
1.2 The headquarters of the KJJA will be located at a location indicated by the President.
Article 2 - Objectives of the KJJA
2.1 This association aims to promote and preserve the authentic Kenpo as practiced in its member studios.
2.2 This association intends to ensure high standards in the art of Kenpo by providing guidelines for practice of Kenpo in member studios. It will also provide guidelines for the conduct of its members.
The KJJA will:
2.2.1 Provide competent instruction for members in the art of Kenpo.
2.2.2 Develop training programs for students and instructors alike.
2.2.3 Improve the Kenpo standards of members with previous Kenpo training.
2.2.4 Award KYU and DAN grade ranking where earned by members
2.2.5 Provide for title recognition and appointment where earned by worth and merit.
2.2.6 Adjudicate in any conflicts between member strudios.
2.2.7 Organize methods of training and communications between member studios.
2.2.8 Assist studios in class curriculum, obtaining students, training methods, etc.
Article 3 - Organization of the KJJA:
3.1 The KJJA shall have a President, Senior Vice President, Vice President, Black Belt Advisory Board, Two Chief Training & Standards Instructors, Recorder, and any other positions to be determined as needed.
3.2 All appointment in the KJJA shall be made by the President from the membership at large. Such appointments shall be made by the President only.
3.3 An appointed Officer of the KJJA may hold more than one position.
3.4 The Position of President only, is a life-time position. Reasons for the vacancy of the position of President are as follows.
3.4.1 Voluntary retirement
3.4.2 Medical disability to the point where the President cannot fulfill his/her duties.
3.4.3 Death of the President
3.5 In the event the Office of President should become vacant, the Senior Vice President shall assume the duties of the President or appoint someone else to the Office.
3.6 All positions in the KJJA 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.
3.7 Reasons for dismissal from appointed positions:
3.7.1 Failure to abide by KJJA policies and guidelines.
3.7.2 Failure to satisfactorily perform official duties of the appointed office.
3.7.3 Insubordination to KJJA Officers or Senior position.
3.7.4 Verbal abuse of KJJA members of any rank or grade or practitioners of other systems.
3.7.5 Serious legal or moral infractions.
3.7.6 Drug or alcohol abuse
Article 4 - Duties of Officers:
4.1 All Officers of the KJJA shall abide by the rules and policies as set forth by the President.
4.2 The President
4.2.1 The President is the ultimate leader, arbitrator, and representative of the KJJA. He/she is responsible for its administration, policies, and it’s Officers. It is his/her task to see that the KJJA policies are set forth and maintained. He/she is also the Chief Public Relations Officer for the KJJA.
4.2.2 The President alone will appoint the Senior Vice President, Vice President, and Chief Training & Standards Officers and make other appointments as he/she sees fit.
4.2.3 KJJA members can submit, for recommendation, names to fill the Black Belt Advisory Board and Recorder, but it is the President’s final decision as to who will fill the positions.
4.2.4 The president has the right to delegate his/her duties
4.3 The Senior Vice President
4.3.1 The Senior 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 KJJA.
4.3.2 The Senior Vice President shall be the immediate successor to the President in the event of the President’s incapacity or death.
4.3.3 The Senior Vice President shall be the Chairman of the Black Belt Advisory Board.
4.3.4 The Senior Vice President shall also advise the president to the filling of positions from the membership at large for Offices within the KJJA.
4.3.5 The Senior Vice President shall give his recommendations for all appointments and title recommendations for KJJA members.
4.3.6 The Senior Vice President may delegate his/her duties, with the knowledge of the President.
4.4 Vice President
4.4.1 The Vice President shall hold a minimal rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt Nidan.
4.4.2 The Vice President shall be the immediate successor to the President and Senior Vice President in the event both of them are incapacitated or in case of an untimely demise.
4.4.3 The Vice President shall insure that all of the policies, as set forth by the President are performed by all other officers and members of the KJJA. He/she should also work to recruit new members into the KJJA.
4.4.4 The Vice President shall give his/her recommendations for all appointments and title recommendations for KJJA members.
4.4.5 The Vice President may delegate his/her duties, with the knowledge of the President and Senior Vice President.
4.5 Chief Training & Standards Instructors
4.5.1 The Chief Training & Standards Instructors shall be at least 3rd Degree Black Belts (Sandan).
4.5.2 The Chief Training Instructor shall assume the duties of the Vice President in the event of his/her incapacity or death, subject to the approval of the President.
4.5.3 The Chief Training & Standards Instructors shall receive their commissions by appointment from the President and designated as Standards Officers for the KJJA System. They will maintain and regulate requirements of both individual practitioners and member studios to insure the highest quality instruction by member studios and thus, the highest quality Martial Artists. They will present full details to, and advise the President.
4.6 Black Belt Advisory Board
4.6.1 The Black Belt Advisory Board shall consist of members who hold at least the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt (Shodan) in Kenpo. Appointment to the Board shall be made by the President from recommendation of the Senior Vice President, Vice Presidents, and Chief Training & Standards Instructors.
4.6.2 The Board shall have at least 4, but not more than 11 members.
4.6.3 The Board is the voting and advisory board to the President of the KJJA. It’s duties are to decide policies, to regulate member studios, and to advise the President on issues for his/her final decision. The Board is also a tribunal for settling major internal disputes, and for adjudicating grievances.
4.7 The Recorder
4.7.1 The Recorder shall be appointed by the Senior Vice President, with the approval of the President, and will be in charge of taking minutes at scheduled meetings and distributing those notes to all officers of the KJJA.
Article 5 - Meetings
5.1 The KJJA shall hold both general and Black Belt Advisory Board meetings.
5.2 General meetings may be held locally or regionally by appointed Representatives. 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.
5.2.1 A Recorder will be appointed by the Senior Vice President, with the approval of the President to keep the minutes of each meeting. A copy of the minutes will be forwarded to the President.
5.2.2 Meetings can be held for communication and to discuss issues that affect the KJJA. While decisions made at meetings do not reflect upon the membership of the KJJA at large, recommendations are to be sent to the President for his/her consideration. The President may choose to make such decisions binding if they are in the best interest of the KJJA at large.
5.3 Black Belt Advisory Board Meetings
5.3.1 The Black Belt Advisory Board shall be convened once per annum at a time and place as decided by the Board Chairman. (Senior Vice President) The location shall be determined by the Board Chairman.
5.3.2 All matters that are to be considered shall be issued to Board members at least 2 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.
5.3.3 Meetings can be called by the Chairman at any time deemed necessary for emergency situations. Notification of Date of meeting and issues for discussion shall be given to Members 1 week prior to he meeting.
5.3.4 No issue or policy of the KJJA can be recommended for change without a 50% +1 majority vote in favor of the policy change. Voting may be made by proxy if the member cannot attend.
5.3.5 The President retains full veto policy over any decisions made by the Board and may attend the Board meeting if he/she chooses.
5.3.6 The President shall issue all minutes of the meeting to KJJA member schools at large.
5.3.7 A Recorder shall be appointed to keep minutes of the meeting. The appointment of the Recorder is the responsibility of the Board Chairman.
Article 6 - Amendments and Special Authorities:
6.1 Any article or section of these By laws may be recommended for change by 50% +1 majority of the voting Black Belt Advisory board with final approval made by the President.
6.2 The President only has the final authority to change these By laws without the approval of the KJJA Officers.
6.3 Chain of Command in the KJJA
6.3.1 KJJA President
6.3.2 KJJA Senior Vice President
6.3.3 KJJA Vice President
6.3.4 KJJA Chief Training & Standards Instructors
6.3.5 KJJA Black Belt Advisory Board
6.3.6 KJJA Head Instructors of Schools
6.4 KJJA Officers List
1. President - Pat Munk
2. Senior Vice President - Marc Munk
3. Vice President - Dave Piar
4. Chief Training & Standards Instructors - Pat Munk, Advisor - Marc Munk
5. Black Belt Advisory Board - Marc Munk, Chairman - Dave Piar - Linda Fisher - Debbie Collier - Brian Moodispaugh
6. Head Instructors of Schools - Pat Munk
Article 7 - Membership:
7.1 Membership into the KJJA is achieved via guidelines as set forth in the General Handbook.
7.2 All members of the KJJA are expected to support this organization by attending and sponsoring functions for participation by the membership at large.
7.3 All Members are expected to uphold the highest standards of training and conduct as expected by the KJJA
7.4 Termination of Membership
7.4.1 Head instructors and their studios who fail to abide by the KJJA policy, or who fail to keep their membership active may be terminated from membership in the KJJA.
7.4.2 Individual 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 KJJA Officers or other appointed delegates verbal abuse of fellow students, or other Martial Arts disciplines, and/or other infractions.
7.4.3 Individuals who demonstrate a lack of Martial Art Attitude with their Seniors or their Peers can similarly be cut off from membership.
7.4.4 Terminations of individual membership shall be forwarded to the President so that he/she may make record of same. Representatives and Senior KJJA Officers are expected to make fair hearing prior to terminating any membership.
7.4.5 Officers may be dismissed and cut off from the KJJA for failure to abide by policies as listed in this document and the General Hand book, 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.
7.4.6 Officers who elect to resign their positions, or head instructors who voluntarily end their membership are expected to notify the President of the KJJA via certified mail or by Email with Return Receipt Request of their intentions.
Article 8 - Privileges of Membership
8.1 All members in good standing with the KJJA shall enjoy the full instructional resources and services of the KJJA.
8.2 The KJJA shall provide a full chain-of-command for members for instruction, advice redress of grievances, and other Association matters.
8.3 The KJJA shall provide for full certification of all members, belt ranking, and title recognitions that shall be recognized in the United States.
8.4 The KJJA shall provide qualified advisors for its member studios.
8.5 All member services shall be maintained at a reasonable cost to achieve one of the goals of the KJJA, which is to make Kenpo available to all.
Article 9 - Promotions in the KJJA
9.1 Black Belt Rank
Black Belts who have Kenpo Ranking 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 the satisfactory fulfillment of rank requirements. Additionally, the student must verify time-in-grade by certificate date, necessary for retention of rank and be a member in good standing in the KJJA. The member may wear the belt ranking of the previous training while attending or instructing a class with the approval of the Head Instructor of the school. All rank advancement in the KJJA regardless of grade, is dependent on demonstration of one’s current skill.
9.2 Testing for Black Belt and Other Ranks
Because of the high standards we have always demanded at each level of Black Belt, we pass the authority on to "Certified Instructors" to promote their own students, with the following restrictions:
9.2.1 The President of the KJJA may promote up to and including his/her own grade.
9.2.2 The Senior Vice President of the KJJA may promote up to one grade below his/her own grade. If the Senior Vice President holds the Rank of Rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt, or higher, he/she may promote up to his/her own grade with permission of the President.
9.2.3 The Vice President of the KJJA may promote up to one grade below his/her own grade. If the Vice President holds the Rank of Rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt, or higher, he/she may promote up to his/her own grade with permission of the President.
9.2.4 Members of the Black Belt Advisory Board may promote up to one grade below his/her own grade. If the Black Belt Advisory Board holds the Rank of Rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt, or higher, he/she may promote up to his/her own grade with permission of the President.
9.2.5 The Instructor must have an instructor diploma issued directly from our Headquarters, numbered and signed.
9.2.6 The Instructor must be on our family tree, with certification number, showing your direct lineage and authority to promote.
9.2.7 The MINIMUM age for the rank of Shodan is 16 years
9.2.8 Instructors under Black Belt can request a test to be given for a student that is one level below their current rank. This test will be conducted by a Certified Black Belt Instructor.
9.2.9 Instructors of Black Belts will be required to be a certified Black Belt and will be authorized to promote up to one grade below their own. If the Instructor is the President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, then this rule doesn’t apply.
9.3 Additional requirements for promotion test
9.3.1 For levels Yellow thru Green - The Certified Black Belt Instructor is all that is required to witness the test.
9.3.2 For levels 3rd Brown thru 1st Brown - Two Certified Black Belt Instructors will be required to judge the test. The students Certified Instructor & another Certified Black Belt Instructor.
9.3.3 For all Black Belt Levels - Three Certified Black Belt Instructors will be required. The Students Certified Instructor, who is at least one rank above student, & two other Certified Black Belt Instructors of at least the rank being tested for or the students Certified Instructor and either the President, Senior Vice President, or Vice President.
9.3.4 The President can promote up to and including his/her own grade without any other Judges present if he holds the rank of Rokudan, 6th degree black belt and a Master Instructor Certification.
9.3.5 The Senior Vice President and Vice President can promote up to one grade below his/her current grade without any other Judges present. If the Senior Vice President and Vice President hold the rank of Rokudan 6th Degree Black Belt and Master Instructor Certification, he/she may promote up to and including his/her own grade without any other Judges present with permission of the President.
9.3.6 All Instructors may promote up to one rank below his/her own Rank/Grade. Instructors who have been issued the Rank of Rokudan, 6th degree black belt, and also have been issued a Master Instructor Certificate may promote up to and including his/her own Rank/Grade.
9.3.7 All promotions must have the approval of the President.
9.3.8 The student must be on the Official Family Tree and in good standing with the KJJA.
9.3.9 The student's last (most recent) rank must have been issued from and registered with KJJA Headquarters.
9.3.10 Promotions must be submitted and approved by the immediate instructor, a registered Certified Black Belt
9.3.11 Promotions must be verified and approved by the President.
9.3.12 The diploma must be issued and registered from KJJA Headquarters
9.4 Instructor Certifications & Requirements
9.4.1 Instructor Certification
The President or Senior Vice President shall issue an Instructor Certification to any member in good standing who holds the rank of Green Belt or higher. Request for Instructor Certification can be sent to the President or Senior Vice President by the members Instructor or School Owner. Members who are approved for Instructor Certification shall complete an Instructor Training Course.
9.4.2 Senior Instructor Certification
The President only shall issue a Senior Instructor Certification. Senior Instructor Certification may be issued to an Instructor who holds the rank of at least Sandan, 3rd Degree Black Belt. However the rank of Sandan isn’t the only factor, the instructor should also demonstrate a level of understanding of Kenpo and teaching methods above that of the Instructor, and he/she should be willing to assist the Studio Owner in the day to day operation of the Studio.
9.4.3 Master Instructor Certification
The President only shall issue a Master Instructor Certification. Master Instructor Certification may be issued to a Senior Instructor who holds the rank of Rokudan, 6th Degree Black Belt. However the rank of Rokudan isn’t the only factor, the Instructor should also demonstrate a level of understanding of Kenpo and teaching methods above that of the Senior Instructor. He/she should have an understanding of the principles of Kenpo to a degree that he/she can be involved in designing classes and assisting in setting up seminars and assisting in the day to day running of the studio.
9.5 Time in Grade
The KJJA shall not attempt to define a definite time in grade for rank/grades of Black Belt that must be strictly adhered to. However the following is a guideline for instructors to follow.
Shodan to Nidan - 2 years in grade
Nidan to Sandan - 3 years in grade
Sandan to Yodan - 4 years in grade
Yodan to Godan - 5 years in grade
Godan to Rokudan - 6 years in grade
Rokudan to Shichidan - 7 years in grade
Shichidan to Hachidan - 8 years in grade
Hachidan to Kudan - 9 years in grade
Kudan to Judan - 10 years in grade
9.6 The time in grade is only a guide to be used by Instructors and Studio Owners. Time in grade will be considered as continuous training, IE. Not train for 6 months, stop for 3 months, train for 8 months etc. The time in grade may be shorter than listed with approval of the President.
Article 10 - Uniform Code for the KJJA
10.1 All KJJA members are required to wear a full and complete Karate Gi, traditional style, consisting of pants, top and appropriate belt. Members shall maintain proper uniform attire, no holes or tears, and only approved patches attached to GI top. The Karate Gi shall be kept clean and free of stains.
10.2 Belts should be worn at all times and should be of the appropriate rank/grade. Only approved belts may be worn.