The benefits & advantages of joining arms...
Why join together under an umbrella alliance?
When you consider all the benefits —
Why not!...
In other words...
Brief Outline of the Purpose, Benefits & Advantages
- To move more positively and effectively into the future — Unified in Purpose — yet maintaining separate autonomy.
- To pool our talents and resources to create a national marketing campaign for Aikido.
- To be stronger and richer together rather than divided.
- For each member to have an equal seat and an equal say.
- To be inclusive — not exclusive.
- To set a good example for and mentor the next generation
- To have better communication to share ideas, strategies and methods.
- To come together and speak with one voice on matters of mutual concern and importance.
- To see our shared hope for the future of Aikido in the United States grow.
- To better address any issues and needs within our individual states and our local communities.
- To effectively and properly participate in discussions on the national and international stage that involve our shared interests and efforts.
A Simple, Egalitarian Structure
• A simplified coming together as friends in unity.
• A simple structure with minimal bureaucracy.
• Non-hierarchical - no one person or organization in power.
• Each member with an equal seat at the table and an equal say.
• Consensus-based — not authoritarian-based.
• Each organization/dojo would retain its complete autonomy and current status.
• Guidelines, bylaws and possible non-profit status to be determined by members.
• Inclusive intent with an acceptance and respect for the various approaches now inherent in the diversity of Aikido’s expression and practice within the United States and a recognition of everyone’s years of devotion to Aikido and their tireless efforts in doing their part in bringing Aikido to others.
Shared Minimal Cost
• Members can equally and easily share the simple financial support of basic administrative costs (website, part time administrator/secretary).
• Therefore, the more members, the less the individual contribution would be.
• The alliance would not be a money-making enterprise and would not financially benefit or favor any one individual/s or organization/s over another.
• Even if a national public relations campaign is decided on the shared costs would make such an option more viable.
• If a nonprofit status is created then donations, and possible grants, can also greatly help with these efforts.
No Interference
• Again, each member organization would retain its complete current autonomy.
• No interference with a member organization’s standards, structure, administration, etc.
• A recognition, acceptance, respect and celebration of the diversity of the alliance’s members.
Continued Direct Connections to Hombu/Aikikai/Etc.
• Members currently enjoying direct relationships with Hombu Dojo/Aikikai / or their parent organizations would continue those relationships in their present form with no interruptions, interference or changes.
Better Communication
• A centralized online presence for member contact info.
• The ability to communicate more efficiently to share opinions, information, news and updates.
Open Discussions, Voting, Sharing, Helping
• Members can be informed, submit, consider, discuss, come to a consensus and vote, or simply offer advice or opinions on subjects of mutual interest and benefit — such as further structural definitions, marketing strategies, methods, vetting of other organizations wishing to join, standards to be met, liaison/s, if needed, for representations, etc.
A National Marketing Campaign
• Its time we pooled our resources and talents and engage an effective marketing firm to create a national campaign for public awareness and advocacy of Aikido and its many benefits.
Solidarity — We’re All In It Together
• Would provide a cohesive structure to speak with one voice in unity & solidarity on issues of shared concern — both here in the United States and on the world stage.
• In these days there are no easy answers to the challenges we all face in our efforts to share the much-needed benefits that Aikido offers to both individuals and our communities. Our combined strength in numbers can make for effective change for both mutual and outreaching benefits.
• And, maybe most importantly, to foster friendships across the United States and abroad.
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Naturally, there will be details to be worked out, but this Aikido Alliance is the logical first step.
Aspects such as legal structure, By-laws and Guidelines will be shared and discussed and agreed upon consensus by the initial founding members and adjusted as needed.