Celebrating 50 Years - U.S. Federation Golden Jubilee
Greetings Federation Members,
On behalf of the Kwan Jang Nim, Board of Directors and Technical Advisory Committee we wish each of you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.
Indeed, 2025 is a special year as we celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the Moo Duk Kwan® established by the Founder Hwang Kee on November 9, 1945. Additionally, we also celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Charter Convention and the birth of the United States Federation, which was led the Founder, our Kwan Jang Nim and Charter Members highlighted in the picture below who worked to formalize our mission in the United States and develop our charter and bylaws.
Moo Duk Kwan Founder Hwang Kee accepting a ceremonial copy of the adopted Charter and Bylaws forming the United States Federation.
These Charter Members wear a gold patch in recognition of their significant contributions in growing the Art, many of whom continue to actively lead and contribute to our mission. We sincerely thank them for their stewardship, guidance, dedication and lifelong commitment to the success of the U.S. Federation.
The 1975 US Charter Convention clinic: Stand Rear; Robert Rondelli (17416), Psyche Smith (18143), Jame Lee (14317), Greg William (11695), Carl Jenkins (18983), Ron Savage (15879), Dennis Miller (18430), Peter Canciani (18911). Stand second row; CS Kim (2457), Paul Johnson (), Warren Adams (), Jeff Moonitz (17650), Andy Ahpo (10187), Joe Weeks (3596), Frank Bonsignore (15805), Arthur Pryor (), Benjamin Cortese (11689), Larry Seiberlich (1815), HC Hwang (509). The 3rd row seated; Robert Fernandes, Jr.,(17927), Holly Whitehouse (18943), Robert Fernandez, Sr. (14464), The founder, James Rushton (4130), Victor Martinov (10189), Fred Kenyon (14345), Young Ki Hong (9193). Bottom row seated; Joyce Keyes (19448), Russ Hanke (4137), Robert Beaudoin (5661), Ki Yul Yu (5311), Frank Trojanowiz (13333), Robert Shipley (4825).
50th Anniversaries are momentous and signified by gold as it is precious, lasting, represents strength and enduring value. As a result, we have kicked off our Golden Jubilee effort in honor of 50 years in the United States with the goal to celebrate the past achievements while embarking on initiatives that will secure our longevity and growth for the next 50 years. To that end, the initiatives pursued will focus on four themes: Simplify, Support, Innovate and Celebrate.
To accomplish our goals, we must all work in harmony. As such, the Board of Directors, Technical Advisory Committee, Executive Administrator and crucial volunteers have been busy driving needed change working collaboratively to secure the next chapter. Highlighted below are a few initiatives currently in process:
- Simplify: Refreshing our online presence to reorganize and streamline content for an improved user and member experience. The new website is targeted to go live in February with ongoing optimization planned as we continue to refine content. Also, as communicated to Ko Dan Ja members and School Owners already, we have streamlined the Kyo Bom and Bu Sa Bom certification process to remove bottlenecks and consolidate both with the existing Ko Dan Ja Shim Sa process.
- Support: Member Manual revisions are in process and due to be released in February for print and downloadable for members + developing initiatives focused on School Owner/Instructor development along with incentives to better support School Owners given their ongoing commitment to the Federation.
- Innovate: With the launch of the Gup Testing certificate generator, we are working on the next phase of this effort to launch the Member Portal focused on both member specific and Studio Owner needs. Furthermore, we will build out the Continuing Education Program for Instructors with content focused on both technical and business development areas on our new course platform.
- Celebrate: The Board of Directors has voted to extend the 30% discount on all instructor certification study kits for 2025 in celebration of our 50th Anniversary. This discount can be used to purchase a kit for yourself or to gift to another member you would like to support in their Moo Duk Kwan journey.
We will continue to communicate developments as the year progresses and our goals are realized.
As we look ahead in the near-term, please see the reminders below.
- Virtual Nationals: We will kick off this event by the end of January that will run through the end of March. Be on the lookout for this notification.
- National Festival: The room block for our Golden Jubilee National Festival is open. This is the year to budget the time and funds to attend, this promises to be a memorable experience. Training tracks are being developed to allow members a variety of seminar topics to choose from across multiple days. The event program is in process and will be communicated shortly.
We look forward to an exciting Golden Jubilee Year!
In Moo Duk Kwan,
Chair, Board of Directors
Chair, Technical Advisory Committee
