"CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS"

If you have read the IKCA Bylaws you know that once a student passes their Black Belt Test, in order to become a "Certified IKCA Instructor", he or she must then teach a student and bring them up through the ranks all the way through Black Belt using the same process they themselves had to complete. We think of it as the next phase in their training and another opportunity for us to critique not only their knowledge but their ability to pass on what they have learned.

Not long ago a question was raised by one of our in-house Blackbelts. His inquiry concerned the three year period between promotions for rank in Black Belt. He wondered why every Blackbelt held to the three year formula when some obviously put in much more time on a daily, weekly or monthly basis than others, thereby advancing at a more accelerated rate. A valid point to be sure.

We took the question to the Board of Blackbelts and examined it from all angles. It was readily conceded that some Blackbelts are more involved than others. Some putting in more time, because of teaching a youth outreach program, running a school or even a home program and others, not as much time because of personal considerations. Quite often, the amount of time difference could be very dramatic. So how does the IKCA do what's right for all parties concerned?

At first, it was thought that some plan could be formulated that would accelerate the time for some and justify the wait for others. The only problem was, that any such plan would require constant world-wide surveillance, and that's impossible! There would be absolutely no way for the IKCA to know exactly how much time a given instructor or private Blackbelt was putting in or how much faster they were progressing than their fellow Blackbelts. That's why a formula based upon time was devised in the first place. However, we did see the necessity for a way of distinguishing the more active participant.

A suggestion was made that a Certified Instructor should be able to show how many Blackbelt students he has taken through the system. It was brought up that, a method already exists, the Family Tree. Under each Certified Instructors name appears the names of his Blackbelt students. But the suggestion went further. How about a way of seeing it on his uniform, in the form of a patch?

I've said it before and I'm going to say it again. Whenever we need solutions for some of the complexities that confront us, all we have to do is go to the membership. We are blessed with some of the finest talent I've ever been exposed to. What a delight!

Now you can see, at a glance to his left sleeve, exactly where an Instructor stands. In addition you'll know that it is an earned title, not an arbitrary one. Here is a quick breakdown . A Certified Instructor, has from one to nine Black Belt Students to his credit. A Certified Senior Instructor, has from ten to nineteen. A Certified Master Instructor, has from twenty to twenty nine and a Certified Grand Master Instructor, has thirty or more Black Belt Students to his credit.

Many thanks to John Barnett (1st Dan, Kenpo) for initiating the inquiry and helping come to, I'm sure you'll agree, a perceptive, intuitive solution. One that fulfills the needs of the membership without compromising the integrity of the organization or the criteria on which the degrees in Black Belt are based.