Board Chair Update 07-15-2020
Dwayne Townsend, Sa Bom Nim
Greetings Federation Members and Supporters,
I hope this finds you and your families in good health and spirits.
This week, the Board of Directors met to discuss the previously targeted combined National event in the Fall as well as virtual classes, events, engagement opportunities and evolving COVID19 circumstances.
2020 National Festival and Ko Dan Ja Shim Sa
Earlier this year, member input via multiple polls informed the Board of Directors (BoD) and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) representatives that members preferred to postpone the National Festival until the Fall and to be conducted as a combined event with the Moment with the Masters and the 2020 Ko Dan Ja Shim Sa. Since that time, we have been monitoring the outbreak as well as local, state, and national guidelines in response to it.
Government officials continue to advise that gatherings increase the risk of spreading the virus and as a result have implemented various guidelines with disruptive effects on planning group gatherings.
As a result of the continued risk that the outbreak has on our health and travel capabilities and with the safety of our members at the forefront, the BoD passed a motion on Wednesday July 15 that defers the Ko Dan Ja Shim Sa and National Festival until a future date.
At this time, there will be no physical gathering for the National Festival, Moment with the Masters, or Ko Dan Ja Shim Sa in 2020.
This was a difficult and heavy decision to make, but we feel that it was the best way ensure the safety of our members and their families.
The TAC is working to determine next steps for those KDJSS candidates who were planning on testing this year and the BoD will be working with the TAC to determine dates and locations for the next scheduled event.
Opportunity and Unity
The local and global responses to the pandemic have had a tremendous impact on our families, schools, communities, and nation. This year has been a challenge to our health and our ability connect and relate as a people. Changes in awareness, policies and regulations have made us all reconsider our usual approach to providing quality instruction and how we can continue to effect our positive influence in our communities.
Although this year has created its share of adversity, we have also found new opportunities for us to rethink our approach to sharing and instructing our art and to search for growth in areas or mediums we may not have considered before. I have seen how many of our instructors, schools, and practitioners have continued to strengthen and inspire their communities by providing hope, consistency, and direction through online training and outdoor gatherings.
Video conferencing tools such as Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet have provided opportunities that allow us to connect in new and exciting ways. Opportunities such as online training with senior Ko Dan Ja from other states without having to travel, Regional Examiners training online with TAC members regularly without needing to travel, and practitioners coming together online from multiple regions as ONE Dojang with training and fellowship offered nearly every weekend. Our unity as a membership continues to grow despite the challenges.
In this uncertain time, members from each region have demonstrated our Action Philosophy in meeting the challenge and have persevered. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts some schools have had to close, at least temporarily, negatively impacting their families and communities. For those who have been impacted this way or who may be struggling at this time, please know that you are not alone. There are Moo Duk Kwan family members and resources that can help provide guidance through the difficulty. Above all, do not let setbacks or circumstances outside of your control define who you are.
Discounted Access To The Soo Bahk Do Institute Extended To Year End
We want to help you continue to have access to Soo Bahk Do resources and toward that end have extended the $1 subscriptions for the Institute through 12/31/2020. Ask your instructor for a UNITY discount code.
We are also launching exciting new online resources to help you stay connected and continue training your mind, body and spirit during these unusual circumstances.
New Virtual Training Opportunities and 2020 National Virtual Competition
The BoD Executive Administrator with the help of a few volunteers has been working on a new Federation platform that provides an easy way to participate in online courses, classes and events offered by Moo Duk Kwan® instructors and eventually earn points for doing so.
- You can explore the new site which is currently in beta mode here: https://soobahkdo.us/courses/
- You can take a quick tour here: https://soobahkdo.us/courses/tour/
The first event made available through the new platform is the Region 6 TAC Tour Seminar taught by Hays Sa Bom Nim on Saturday, July 25. This event is open to any adult red belt and above who wishes to attend. To help support your attendance, the Board adopted a unique "Name Your Own Price" model for the R6 TAC Tour Seminar to assure that anyone who wants to participate can do so at an affordable price they set.
All members are invited to attend.
Members receive a 40% discount even on the price you set by entering your Member Discount Code during checkout. To get your Member Discount Code email headquarters@soobahkdo.com or ask your instructor.
Check out the Region 6 TAC Tour Seminar and sign up to join in here:
The next virtual events scheduled to be hosted through the new platform begin August 1 when Hays Sa Bom Nim will host the Sip Dan Khum Seminar Series for Ko Dan Ja. He will be teaching five (5) Ko Dan Ja level seminars introducing Sip Dan Khum Hyung 6-10 during three (3) virtual Zoom sessions.
Sip Dan Khum 7-10 are being introduced for the first time ever and to date, only a handful of people in the world have been taught these Hyung. This historic event will be the first public opportunity for Ko Dan Ja to learn these Hyungs.
All Ko Dan Ja are invited to register and participate here:
In addition, the BoD has been working with the TAC to provide members with an exciting new Virtual National Competition this year!
And, stay alert for for information about the World Moo Duk Kwan Young Warrior Showcase Auditions.
Details coming soon!
Virtual National Member Gathering
Based on the positive feedback from the last National teleconference and in an effort to continue to focus on unity in our organization and membership, I will be hosting another Virtual National Member Gathering in August. I hope that you can attend as we discuss the latest updates, challenges, and opportunities as well as receive feedback as to how we can better serve our members. Details regarding the virtual gathering will be coming soon.
Thank you for allowing me to serve you in this way and I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Respectfully,
Dwayne Townsend
Board Chairman
