Administration
Grandmaster
George E. Mattson
President
Committees
Chairperson of IUKF
Henry Thom
Duties: To maintain operation of all committees of the IUKF
Black Belt promotion Administrator
Dojo Administrator
Dan Maestas
Duties: To receive and answer all applications for IUKF dojo membership. To list and maintain all contact information of every IUKF dojo and to inform all dojo members of their yearly contributions. All reminders should be sent at the beginning of November and all dojo yet to send in their contributions should be reminded by email in mid-December. If we still have not received their commitment by the end of January, we should inform the delinquent dojos of their IUKF membership being suspended and all privileges on hold.
email: d_maestas@hotmail.com
Awards Committee
Bruce Witherell
Duties: Bruce and his team should review all the senior members in the IUKF and every 2 to 3 years, suggest a person worthy of a lifetime achievement award. All recommendations must be approved by both Sensei Mattson and myself before an announcement can proceed. All awards must presented at Winter Fest. I expect due diligence in their research.
Bruce and his team will also receive requests for any title dojos may want to award their students. We want to support all dojos and their request however, we urge the dojos to understand the titles and to remind all dojos upon their request what any particular title means.
Bruce also needs to list all possible titles and our expectations for awarding them. We will then allow dojos to make their own choices.
Click here to read brief bio – email: bruce.witherell@outlook.com
Oversight Committee
Alton Wharton
Duties: To receive requests from all candidates who feel they have been overlooked for advancement due to reasons beyond their control. “Time in Grade” has been a primary excuse for many applicants. However, “time in grade” should never be the reason anyone requests an advancement nor would we approve of an advancement due to “time in grade” alone. Candidates must also provide proof of their workout time. The dojo floor is the only place we can mature in our training and studies. I would also suggest an honest, vigorous test to verify knowledge and understanding of Uechi-Ryu.
I would also like to see their past grading, review of their past training, and with whom and their awarding organization. I have experienced many who lied about their training and years they claimed they have trained.
This committee is very important, as all candidates need to be investigated regardless of how well they smile. Friendship is never the reason we approve of anyone’s advancement.