New Upcoming Association

[John A. Johnson]

Dear Fellow Hapkido-in,

Master Bae finally outlined some of his future goals last week. His first goal is to continue helping international Hapkido-in by creating a non-profit association of KHF members. While this association must be organized through a kwan in order to have individual dan and dojang certificates issued, it will be open to all KHF members, regardless of kwan status. The only exceptions will be individuals who have not trained in Hapkido, individuals who do not wish to join the KHF, or members the two other KHF kwans seeking international members.

This association is not a break-off organization. It will be an association under the KHF banner. Its goal will be simple: to provide professional services for those who wish to join a Hapkido organization based in Korea. The members of the organization will be held accountable not only for their skill in Hapkido, but also for their morality and decency. They will not be asked to join another kwan or change masters or instructors.

The association will have a headquarters in every country in which it has members. These headquarters will also use the KHF symbol. They will be responsible for testing and sending their rank requests to association’s headquarters in Korea.

As stated previously, the association will be a non-profit organization. The association will charge only a nominal fee for joining (I have already suggested the processing of $5-15 America to cover the cost of printing a certificate and postal charges). The entire purpose of this association is, once again, to offer a means for international Hapkido-in (people who practice Hapkido) to be recognized by the Korea Hapkido Federation. However, keep this in mind: we are only at the beginning stages of development and changes can (and will probably) occur. Therefore, I ask you understand if any information in this letter changes.

I hope Master Bae and I have shown you the professionalism needed to conduct an association of this magnitude. Master Bae has asked me to emphasize that this associate is a work in progress and will take time to elect officers and create the processes outlined above. Nevertheless, it will be our honor and pleasure to help those people who wish to join the Korea Hapkido Federation.

Sincerely,

John A. Johnson
4th dan, KHF

[John A. Johnson]

Here are some questions and answers from the KHF English Web site. I thought these would help shed some light on some of the issues.


“1.) If I am undersatanding you, Master Bae is introducing to the KHF another kwan at which he is the head. This kwan is in addition to the other 70-some-odd kwan already recognized by and organized by the KHF. The reason for the need for yet another kwan, even over and above the most recent Song Moo Kwan of Julian Lim (KHF-Malaysia) is that THIS kwan will provide service to and recognition of American Hapkido practitioners that can't be found---- in the other SEVENTY kwans?”

No, Master Bae is not creating a new kwan. What he is doing is creating a non-profit association for nearly all Hapkido-in inside or outside the KHF. Master Bae is one of the senior masters of UlJiKwan, one of the largest and oldest kwans inside the KHF. He has never stated he wanted to leave UlJiKwan, just as he has never stated any hopes or plans to make money off of this venture.

“2.) If appropriate regard and recognition of American practitioners can't be had among over 70 kwans including two large kwans already extant in the West PLUS a hierarchy of leadership already established by the KHF what hope is there that yet one more organization is going to do the job?”

The entire purpose of this association is to work within current KHF guidelines. When Master Bae came into the KHF office he tried to change the organization from a kwan-centered to an organization-centered federation. This proved too be impossible due to the loud voices of several influential people.

Therefore, Master Bae has decided to play the game by their rules. There is nothing preventing him (or anyone else) of creating their own group within the KHF. Consequently, by being a senior in the UlJiKwan Master Bae can still offer to help international peoples (not just Americans) to receive KHF recognition. However, I will state very clearly that I will push for stricter test procedures and policies than what he had in place as director of the KHF.

Once we have announced an American association, which I am hoping Master Harold Whalen will create, than whoever the president of that association is can decide the proper means for testing potential members in their country. As stated before, there will be an American organization, as well as organizations in other countries, that all answer to senior masters here in Korea.

One aspect I did not emphasize is that Master Whalen and Master Holcombe Thomas are not UlJiKwan. They are responsible for creating a good reputation for KHF Hapkido-in in America, and Master Bae and I would be proud to work with them again.

“3.) If I am understanding you announcement the new kwan will STILL be answerable to the umbrella organization --- the KHF. How does this get rid of the conflict or provide for a more equal treatment by the president and board of directors?”

The equal treatment comes from individual members joining the KHF under the association. Though I have stated they do not need to join a KHF kwan or change instructors, if they choose to do so they will have the protection of KHF senior masters. If this occurs, than the KHF office must meet the requests of the senior masters, since they have the most influence and power. This is what I mean by playing the KHF’s game on their terms.

“4.) If this venture fails, what recourse do people who have put their trust in yet one more kwan and Korean leader have? How about if Master Bae comes to the US and he organizes a completely American kwan independent of the KHF AND its kwans with a Western president and a Western board of directors? Why need the organization be necessarily oriented towards Korean management?”

The problem with your idea is that Master Bae is looking to help Hapkido-in of the world. While I am American, as International Relations Director I had almost weekly contact with people from Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, England, Belgium, Iran, Germany, and many, many other countries. These people deserve a chance to be recognized, too.

The reason for Korean management is detailed above. But, to state it even more clearly, without recognition from a senior master or an established kwan than someone cannot join the KHF. Also, your idea about starting an American kwan is exactly what Richard Hackworth attempted. I do not think the KHF will make that mistake twice.

John A. Johnson
4th dan, UlJiKwan

[kodanjaclay]

John,

You said "What he is doing is creating a non-profit association for nearly all Hapkido-in inside or outside the KHF".

It was my understanding from Master Bae's words that you had to be interested in receiving rank from KHF. Which is accurate, as surely they both cannot be?

[John A. Johnson]

Dear Frank,

What I meant was Master Bae will help those people who thought they were members of the KHF before and those who are not KHF members now to join the Korea Hapkido Federation. Once again, the whole purpose of the association is to help Hapkido-in receive recognition for their hard work from the KHF.

I can see where my words could be misinterpreted. I apologize for not being clearer.

John

[Mst Whalen]

John,

Please keep up the good work you are doing on our behalf and those of KHF heritage or roots, some of us behind the scene know what is going on and how frustrating it seems at times it is appreciated by those in the Know....

[kodanjaclay]

John,

No biggie. I just wanted to make sure I had not misunderstood something. Using a venue such as this, it is optentimes easy to do.

Thanks. I second what Master Whalen says. You have done a great job, so don't let any of these things get to you.

[John A. Johnson]

Dear Master Whalen and Frank,

I truly appreciate your accolades. It's been rough over the 18 months since I started helping the KHF. I only hope those who are in control now will help Hapkido-in across the world.

Best regards,

John

[modern hapkido]

Edited by Webmaster due to inappropriate content.

[Webmaster]

Victor: No Holds Barred Nonsense is no longer allowed.

[modern hapkido]

Edited by Webmaster due to inappropriate content

[Webmaster]

I guess you cannot take a hint Victor. If you have a problem with Richard, take it to Private Message or Email. If I have to edit another of your messages, I will also edit your membership.

[modern hapkido]

You have a choice and so do I. I will not be back.

[Webmaster]

Don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya. :D

[Kevin F. Donohue]

Robert,

I believe that Mr. Hackworths statement "Be glad that your grand children did not commit you to some kind of home for the elderly." is in poor taste. Why are his statements allowed to stand? Making fun of somebodys age is not funny and I don't think that it has any place on this board.

Kevin F. Donohue

[Webmaster]

Robert,

I believe that Mr. Hackworths statement "Be glad that your grand children did not commit you to some kind of home for the elderly." is in poor taste. Why are his statements allowed to stand? Making fun of somebodys age is not funny and I don't think that it has any place on this board.

Kevin F. Donohue

Agreed. Didn't see it the first time around, but it is now corrected.