CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
PROVISIONS RELATING TO PROMOTIONAL EXAMINATION
RESULTS OF THE EXAMINATION HELD AT THE NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
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CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
REVISED OCTOBER 1, 1995
ISSUED BY:
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS OF GOJU-KAI KARATE-DO, U.S.A. NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS: 187 MONTE CARLO WAY DANVILLE, CALIFORNIA 94506
OFFICERS:
N. GOSEI YAMAGUCHI, NATIONAL CHAIRMAN
H. DONALD BUCK, JR., SECRETARY GENERAL
DINH VAN NGUYEN, TREASURER
JON SYLVESTR, LEGAL ADVISER
© 1975 By Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A., National Headquarters
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I NAME OF ORGANIZATION
The official name of this organization shall be National Goju-Kai Karate-Do of the U.S.A., and shall henceforth be known as Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A. The Japanese translated name of this organization shall be known as Zen Beikoku Karate-Do Goju-Kai.
ARTICLE II PURPOSE
To encourage interest and provide instruction in the art and science of Karate-Do: concentrated in a particular institution known as Karate-Do Goju-Kai, which was founded by Master Gogen Yamaguchi and now is governed by his eldest son, N. Gosei Yamaguchi. Karate-Do Goju-Kai practices a style known as Goju-Ryu Karate-Do.
ARTICLE III JURISDICTION
For the purpose stated above Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A. shall establish and maintain international, national, and regional offices and claims jurisdiction over them regarding the following matters:
1. To provide guidance and a means for international and national standardization of instruction in general. To establish the teaching programs and conduct periodical group instruction for members with the most authentic and traditional materials of Goju-Ryu Karate-Do. To train qualified instructors and maintain high-standard teaching materials.
2. To conduct examinations and promote participants with ranks of Dan and Kyu. To authorize the ranks with uniform certification issued by the National Headquarters. To establish the standard criteria and systems for the promotional examination and train qualified examiners.
3. To foster and promote championship tournaments among the members on a high plane of sportsmanship and friendly endeavor. To establish the judging system and train qualified judges for such tournaments.
ARTICLE IV GOVERNMENT
A. Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A. shall be an independent organization, officially recognized by N. Gosei Yamaguchi, at the International Headquarters of Goju-Kai Karate-Do in the United States, and governed by its own constitution and by-laws.
B. Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A. shall be presided over by N. Gosei Yamaguchi, the first- born son of Gogen Yamaguchi.
C. The central office shall be known as the National Headquarters of Goju-Kai Karate- Do, U.S.A.
ARTICLE V MEETINGS
The National Headquarters of Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A. shall arrange meetings as follows:
1. General Instruction Meetings
2. Special Instruction Meetings for instructors
3. Promotional Meetings for Rank Examination
4. Clinical Meetings for Officials of Championship Tournaments
5. Championship Meetings
ARTICLE VI MEMBERS
A. The membership of Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A. shall consist of persons or groups advocating Goju-Ryu Karate-Do and others such persons who shall be recognized by the National Headquarters in accordance with Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A. regulations. No one shall be denied membership on the basis or their race, religion, national origin, or sex.
B. The membership of Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A. shall consist of two classes:
1. Group, which consists of the recognized Goju-Kai Karate-Do dojo, or club.
2. Individual, which consists of the recognized person who holds the rank of 9th kyu and above.
C. Dojo, or club, members are the recognized regional offices of the National Goju-Kai Karate-Do Karate-Do, U.S.A..
D. Both dojo, or club, members and individual members may lose their membership for any of the following reasons:
1. Petition for withdrawal
2. Incompetency
3. Expulsion or suspension
E. Only the National Headquarters shall make final decisions concerning the expulsion of an undesirable member.
ARTICLE VII OFFICERS
A. Titles of the officers of Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A. are the following:
1. Chairman
2. Secretary
3. Treasurer
4. Examiners
5. Directors
6. Assistant Instructors
7. Officials
B Chairman: N. Gosei Yamaguchi, who was appointed as the National Chief Instructor by late Master Gogen Yamaguchi shall be concurrent chairman of the Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A..
C Secretary: H. Donald Buck, who was appointed by the Chairman, shall be the Secretary of Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A..
D. Treasurer: Dinh Van Nguyen, who was appointed by the Chairman, shall be the Treasurer of the Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A..
E. Examiners: Black Belt rank holders shall be trained and nominated as examiners by the Chairman.
F. Directors: An instructor who represents his/her dojo, or club, shall be recognized as Directors.
G. Assistant Instructor: Black Belt rank holders of Shodan Ho and above shall be appointed Assistant Instructors by Directors.
H. Officials: Black Belt rank holders of Shodan Ho and above shall be recognized as Officials.
ARTICLE VIII GENERAL POLICY
A. Only the recognized regional offices and members of Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A. shall be entitled to the benefits and privileges of:
1. The official emblem of the clenched Goju-Kai fist.
2. The title of Goju-Kai Karate-Do.
3. Reference to Master Gogen Yamaguchi and other executive officers on any official occasions.
B. Limitations of the usage of the above are as follows:
1. The official emblem of the clenched Goju-Kai fist, a registered service mark at the U.S. Patent Office, may be used in the following ways:
a. An emblem patch may be applied to the left side of a top gi. (Only white top and bottom gi are allowed.) There shall be no other emblems or printings other than an official name of regional offices
allowed on the gi.
b. The emblem may be reproduced on a letterhead, envelopes, and other printed materials for official business.
c. Only the National Headquarters shall issue membership cards and diplomas imprinted with the emblem.
2. The organization name may be used in the following ways:
a. Only the National Headquarters shall use the name, Goju-Kai Karate- Do, U.S.A.
b. The recognized regional offices must use their official names in compliance with the By-Laws Section I-2b).
c. The domain names GOJUKAI and/or GOJU-KAI are intellectual property registered and owned by Norimi Gosei Yamaguchi. No regional offices or their members are permitted to register any domain names combined with or using GOJUKAI and GOJU-KAI. Additionally no regional offices and their members are permitted to create or publish a website that utilizes GOJUKAI and GOJU-KAI as part of its labeling, titling or headings. However, within www.goju-kai.com, the official Goju-Kai Karate-Do, USA website, there is a section, entitled, “SHIBU DOJO Schools, Affiliated with honbu dojo” which is available for regional offices to publish the details concerning their school, classes, hours and instructors.
3. The names of Master Gogen Yamaguchi and other executive officers may be used in print for official matters if a copy of the material is submitted to the Chairman for prior approval.
C. Dissolution
The Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A. organization shall be dissolved on the demise of Gosei
Yamaguchi, Chairman, or on his declaration of dissolution, unless otherwise stated to the officers and regional directors of Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A..
BY-LAWS
SECTION I REGISTRATION
A. Registration or certification of membership is required of all members, subject to rules and limitations imposed by Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A.
1. Duration of registration shall be for life.
2. Dojo or Club Membership
Application forms for dojos or clubs which qualify for group membership according to the Constitution (Article VI-B) shall be obtained from the National Headquarters. They must be fully completed and signed by the instructor who is responsible for instruction in the dojo or club.
a. Certified dojo or club members shall be listed under the standardized- format name of the regional offices of Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A..
b. A regional office shall be identified by first indicating the city, then Goju-Kai Karate-Do, then the state. For example:
San Francisco Goju-Kai Karate-Do, California
(CITY) (ORGANIZATION) (STATE)
In the event there are more than two dojos or clubs in the same city, minor schools shall be identified by the street or district, then Goju- Kai Karate-Do, then the city. For example:
Collingwood Goju-Kai Karate-Do, San Francisco
(STREET) (ORGANIZATION) (CITY)
c. The certified instructor of the dojo or club shall be listed as the director of the regional office.
3. Individual Membership
Application forms for individuals who qualify for membership according to the Constitution (Article VI-B2) shall be obtained from the National Headquarters. They must be fully completed and signed by each applicant for membership and must be endorsed by the director of the dojo or club. The completed forms must be collected and sent by the director to the National Headquarters.
Recognized members shall be certified by national membership cards issued
by the National Headquarters of Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A.
b. Each applicant must submit two copies of a full-face photograph measuring 1.5 square inches for his/her membership card.
B. Rank and Diploma
All individual members of Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A. must register their rank at the National Headquarters.
1. Directors of dojos or clubs or Examiners must report all results of rank examinations and renew the ranking records for their registered individuals at the National Headquarters.
2. Diploma
The rank of rokkyu, or 6th kyu, and above shall be certified by a diploma issued from the National Headquarters. Application forms for ranks obtained from the National Headquarters must be fully completed and signed by each applicant and must be endorsed by the director or examiner. The completed application forms must be collected and sent to the National Headquarters by the director of the regional office.
3. Standardized Ranking System
All members of Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A must follow the standardized system of the Goju-Kai Karate-Do ranking and belt system. No colored belts other than those listed below are allowed.
White Belt
Mukyu or 10th kyu – Beginners
Kyukyu or 9th kyu – White Belt with one green stripe
Hachikyu or 8th kyu – White Belt with two green stripes
Shichikyu or 7th kyu – White Belt with three green stripes
Green Belt
Rokkyu or 6th kyu – Green Belt with one brown stripe
Gokyu or 5th kyu – Green Belt with two brown stripes
Yonkyu or 4th kyu – Green Belt with three brown stripes
Brown Belt
Sankyu or 3rd kyu – Brown Belt with one black stripe
Nikkyu or 2nd kyu – Brown Belt with two black stripes
Ikkyu or 1st kyu – Brown Belt with three black stripes
Black Belt
Shodan Ho 1st Degree Black Belt Interim
Shodan 1st Degree Black Belt
Nidan Ho 2nd Degree Black Belt Interim
Nidan 2nd Degree Black Belt
Sandan Ho 3rd Degree Black Belt Interim
Sandan 3rd Degree Black Belt
Yondan 4th Degree Black Belt
Godan 5th Degree Black Belt
Rokudan 6th Degree Black Belt
SECTION II MEETINGS
A. The directors of clubs shall have periodic meetings as listed below:
1. Instructional meetings of the Goju-Kai Karate-Do
2. Promotional meetings for rank examination
B. Instructional Meetings
All directors and assistant instructors shall promote the Goju-Kai Karate-Do Instructional Programs standardized by Gosei Yamaguchi at the National Headquarters.
The outline of the programs are listed below:
Group 1: Jumbi Undo (Warm-up Exercises) – 18 items
Group 2: Kihon (Stationary Basics)
Kihon I – 13 forms
Kihon II – 13 forms
Kihon III – 20 forms
Kihon IV – 32 forms
Group 3: Ido (Motional Basics)
Kihon Ido – 8 forms
Kata Ido I, II, and III
Kumite Ido I, II, and III
Group 4: Kata
a. Fukyu Gata
1. Taikyoku Jodan (1 and 2)
2. Taikyoku Chudan (1 and 2)
3. Taikyoku Gedan
4. Taikyoku Kake-Uke (1 and 2)
5. Taikyoku Mawashi-Uke (1 and 2)
6. Gekisai I and II
b. Kihon Gata
1. Sanchin
2. Tensho
c. Kaishu Gata
1. Saifa
2. Seinchin
3. Sanseiru
4. Shisochin
5. Seisan
6. Seipai
7. Kururunfa
8. Suparunpei (Pecchurin)
Group 5: Kumite
a. Kihon Kumite
b. Yakusoku Kumite
c. Jiyu Kumite
3. Duration of meetings are as follows:
Regular Class: Two hours
Junior Class (Participants of 15 years of age and below): One and one-half hour
C. Promotional Meetings
Promotional meetings for rank examinations shall be organized by a director for a regional office periodically (a maximum of three times a year).
2. Promotion meetings must have a certified examiner or a certified group of examiners who are authorized by the national chairman to promote participants to specified ranks.
3. All individual members wishing to attain rank must participate in promotional meetings and are examined according to their demonstrated abilities to perform the techniques required.
4. The following items are provided by the national Board of Examiners for demonstration for obtaining rank:
a. Kihon
1. Sanchin-Dachi, Yoko-Uke
2. Shiko-Dachi, Haraiotoshi-Uke
3. Sanchin-Dachi, Seiken-Zuki
4. Shiko-Dachi, Shita-Zuki
5. Heiko-Dachi, Mae-Geri
6. Heiko-Dachi, Yoko-Geri
b. Kihon Ido
1. Sanchin-Dachi, Seiken-Zuki
2. Sanchin-Dachi, Seiken-Zuki, Mae-Geri
3. Zenkutsu-Dachi, Seiken-Zuki
4. Shiko-Dachi, Seiken-Zuki
5. Shiko-Dachi, Haraiotoshi-Uke
6. Shiko-Dachi, Age-Zuki, Ura-Uchi, Haraiotoshi-Uke, Seiken-Zuki
c. Shitei Gata (Required Kata)
1. No rank holder – Taikyoku Gedan
2. 9th, 8th, 7th kyu holder – Gekisai I
3. 6th, 5th, 4th kyu holder – Sanchin
4. 3rd and 2nd kyu holder – Saifa
5. 1st kyu holder – Seinchin
6. Shodan Ho and Shodan – Sanseiru
7. Nidan Ho and Nidan – Shisochin
8. Sandan Ho and Sandan – Seisan
d. Jiyu Gata (Optional Kata)
1. White Belt Holder – Any one of the followings:
a. Taikyoku Jodan I or II
b. Taikyoku Chudan I or II
c. Taikyoku Gedan
d. Taikyoku Kake-Uke I or II
e. Taikyoku Mawashi-Uke I or II
f. Gekisai I or II
2. Green Belt Holder – Any one of the above or any one of the following:
a. Tensho
b. Saifa
3. Brown Belt Holder – Any one of the above or Seinchin
4. Shodan Ho and Shodan – Any one of the above or Shisochin
5. Nidan Ho and Nidan – Any one of the above or Seisan
6. Sandan Ho and Sandan – Any one of the above or Seipai
No one shall be allowed to demonstrate the same kata for both Shitei Gata and Jiyu Gata.
e. Jiyu Kumite (Free Sparring)
No participants should be allowed to demonstrate a Jiyu Kumite.
5. Qualifications
a. All participants must complete at least twenty-five classes within a period of time that are stipulated by the National Headquarters, unless they are exempted by the Chair.
b. All black belt holders must participate in a promotional examination conducted at the National Headquarters. They are required to be recommanded by their Director and approved by the Chair.
6. Other National Policies
a. All application forms shall be subject to examination by regional instructors of participants or director. The regional instructor and director must approve each participant on the basis of his or her participation.
b. Candidates fifteen years of age and below shall be considered part of the Junior Class. No black belt rank (Shodan Ho and above) shall be awarded to any junior participants.
c. Beginners of no rank shall not be promoted to green belt rank (Rokkyu, or 6th kyu) and above at one examination.
d. No green belt rank holders shall be promoted to black belt rank at one examination.
e. No brown belt rank holders of Sankyu (3rd Kyu) or Nikyu (2nd Kyu) shall be promoted to black belt rank at one examination. Only Ikkyu (1st Kyu) holders can be promoted to Shodan Ho.
f. There shall be no demotion of rank as a consequence of an examinations.
g. Rank may be sustained at its present level as a consequence of an examination.
h. All results of rank above green belt shall be validated by a rank certificate issued from the National Headquarters.
i. No one shall be able to change or delete records of any rank holder whose rank has been validated by the national certificate, unless the Chair dissolves the rank due to a violation in its attainment.
SECTION III COMBAT MEETING – THE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
A. Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A. may conduct a national championship tournament and local eliminations for the purpose of friendly endeavor and sportsmanship among members.
B. For this occasion, all regional offices of the Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A. shall be organized into their state localities.
C. One of the active regional offices shall be nominated as regional headquarters for the state by the national headquaters.
D. The rules of kumite and kata matches, judging rules, and general tournament rules shall be provided by the national Board of Examiners.
E. A representative state team shall consist of various dojos or clubs that will be identified by the title of the team, listed by state, organization and country. For example:
California Goju-Kai Karate-Do U.S.A.
STATE ORGANIZATION NATION
SECTION IV FEES AND DUES
A. All regional offices shall be allowed to charge instructional fees according to their local situation.
B. Individual National Membership Fee: $ 10.00 per member for lifetime
(This includes membership card)
C. Group Membership Application Fee: $100.00 per club for lifetime
(Dojo, Club or a regional office)
Director’s Monthly Dues $ 70.00 per month
D. Entry Fee for a promotional examination: $ 10.00 per applicant
No directors shall be allowed to charge more than $10.00 for examination.
E. Rank Certificate Fees:
6th kyu
5th kyu GREEN BELT $ 10.00
4th kyu
3rd kyu
2nd kyu BROWN BELT $ 15.00
1st kyu
Shodan Ho 1st Degree Black Belt Interim $ 20.00
Shodan 1st Degree Black Belt $ 30.00
Nidan Ho 2nd Degree Black Belt Interim $ 40.00
Nidan 2nd Degree Black Belt $ 50.00
Sandan Ho 3rd Degree Black Belt Interim $ 60.00
Sandan 3rd Degree Black Belt $ 70.00
Yondan 4th Degree Black Belt $ 90.00
Godan 5th Degree Black Belt $ 110.00
No directors shall be allowed to charge nor issue any form of rank certification.
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PROVISIONS RELATING TO PROMOTIONAL EXAMINATION
Revised August, 1995
PROVISIONS RELATING TO PROMOTIONAL EXAMINATIONS
ARTICLE I.
JURISDICTION
1. Director. National Headquarters of Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A. recognizes only the officially certified director of a club as the authorized person to examine ranks of the members of the club. The director and recognized club shall be certified from the National Headquarters.
A. ASSISTANT EXAMINERS. The director may assign members of the club as assistant examiners. They, however, must be holders of the rank of Shodan Ho or above.
B. GUEST EXAMINERS. The director may invite directors from other certified Goju-Kai Karate-Do clubs as guests for the purpose of assisting in the examination of students.
NOTE: There shall be no officials other than directors who may be invited to participate in examinations until further notice from the National Headquartrers.
C. JOINT EXAMINATIONS. There shall be no joint examinations among clubs except at the National Headquarters.
2. FREQUENCY OF EXAMINATIONS. Promotional Examinations for rank shall be conducted by a club periodically, with a maximum of three times a year, depending on the frequency of instructional classes per week offered by the club.
A. THREE TIMES. Clubs offering three or more classes a week may conduct up to three promotional examinations a year at a frequency not to exceed once every four months.
B. TWO TIMES. Clubs offering two classes a week may conduct up to two promotion examinations a year at a frequency not exceed once in six months.
C. ONE TIME. Clubs offering one class a week may conduct one promotion examination a year at a freequency not exceed twelve months.
3. ADDITIONAL PROMOTION EXAMINATIONS. There shall be no additional promotional examinations permitted between those periodically conducted, unless it is arranged with and conducted by the National Headquarters as a special examination.
NOTE: No make-up examinations shall be conducted due to the absence of prospective candidates, regardless of the reasons. They must wait for the next scheduled examination.
4. LIMIT OF POWER. The highest rank any director can promote shall be restricted to Shodan Ho, or 1st degree black belt interim.
5. RECOGNITION OF RANKS. Any rank attained in organization other than Goju- Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A. shall be invalid and shall be considered as no rank.
A. VERIFICATION OF RANKS. Any rank claimed to be attained under the name of Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A. must be verified by an inquiry of its record at the National Headquarters. Without this record, the National Headquarters may renounce the rank.
B. CERTIFICATION OF RANKS. Rank holders of 6th kyu and above must certify the rank with a diploma issued by the National Headquarters.
ARTICLE II.
APPLICATION AND PARTICIPATION
1. Participation. Any member wishing to attain rank must participate in promotional examinations conducted by the club to which they are affiliated, and must be evaluated by their director.
NOTE; No one shall be permitted to participate in promotional examinations conducted by clubs other than his or her affiliated club under any circumstance, exceptblack belts being examined at the National Headquarters.
2. ELIGIBILITY. Eligibilities requirements for participating in promotional examinations are as follows:
A. NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP AND MEMBERSHIP CARD. Rank holders of 9th kyu and above must apply for National Membership and obtain a National Membership Card.
B. DIPLOMA. Rank holders of 6th kyu and above must have certification of their present rank by a diploma issued by the National Headquarters.
C. REQUIRED CLASS ATTENDANCES. All prospective candidates must establish a minimum of twenty-five class attendances within the period of four months, six months, or twelve months depending on the frequency regulated by their club.
D. WAITING PERIOD. All prospective candidates must fulfill the waiting period between promotional examinations as regulated by their club.
E. DIRECTOR’S APPROVAL. All prospective candidates must meet their director’s approval.
TRANSFERRING MEMBER. Members transferring from one certified Goju-Kai club must establish the required class attendances and fulfill the required waiting period with the new club.
A. Transferring members must establish the attendances established with the former club, and attendances established before the date of the new club’s last examination shall not be counted.
B. Transferring members must fulfill the waiting period between promotion examinations as regulated by the new club. The waiting period will count from the transferring member’s last promotion in an examination conducted by the former club.
4. APPLICATION FORM. Prospective contestants must fill and complete an application form provided by the National Headquarters. The director of the club shall keep as permanent record the completed application forms for every promotion examination.
5. ENTRY FEE. The contestants are required to pay a fee of $10.00 for participating in an examination that is officially regulated in the Constitution and By-Laws of Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A.. The director is not permitted to charge any additional fee for the purpose of the examination.
ARTICLE III.
EVALUATION
1. LIST OF CONTESTANTS. A list of contestants shall be made by the director on the proper form provided by the National Headquarters. The contestant number, full name of contestant, present rank, and names of both required and desired katas scheduled to be demonstrated shall be properly entered (typed or printed) at the head of the respective columns as shown in the attached examples.
NOTE: The list shall be provided to all assistant examiners, if any are assigned by the director.
2. JUNIOR DIVISION. The list for the junior division (contestants of 15 years of age and below) shall be listed as a separate group.
3. EVALUATION. The contestants shall be evaluated by the director and his assistant, if any, on their demonstrated abilities in performing the required techniques.
4. REQUIRED TECHNIQUES. The techniques required by the National Headquarters for demonstration for rank determination shall be those specified in the Constitution and By-Laws of Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A., Section II C. (Promotion Meeting), #4.
5. POINT SCORING SYSTEMS. The point scores counting for the rank evaluations shall be the total scores from the demonstration of 1) Kihon, 2) Kihon Ido, 3) Required Kata, and 4) Optional Kata. The point scoring systems are as follows:
A. KIHON, KIHON IDO, AND KATAS. The point scoring for the evaluation of each of the categories of Kihon, Kihon Ido, and Kata shall be within the
range of 0 to 5 points, with 5 points being a perfect score. The range of
points shall be divided in increments of quarter point as follows:
5.00 4.00 3.00 2.00 1.00
4.75 3.75 2.75 1.75 0.75
4.50 3.50 2.50 1.50 0.50
4.25 3.25 2.25 1.25 0.25
B. The point score in evaluating Kihon Ido of each contestant shall be equal to or less, but never more than the point score awarded for Kihon.
C. The point score in evaluating Katas of each contestant shall be equal to or less, but never more than the score awarded for Kihon Ido.
ARTICLE IV.
DETERMINATION OF RANK
1. CONTESTANT STANDING CHART. The director shall prepare a contestant standing chart according to the total scores from the four categories of Kihon, Kihon Ido, Required Kata and Optional Kata. The chart shall list contestants in descending order from the highest score attainer to the lowest. (Refer to the example provided from the National Headquarters).
2. NEW RANKS. The director shall determine new ranks for the contestants taking into consideration their placement in the standing chart and their previous rank.
3. ONE STEP ADVANCEMENT. Generally, promotions shall be one step advancement from the previous rank.
4. TWO-STEP ADVANCEMENT. Two step advancement may be permitted only in the following cases:
A. From 10th kyu to 8th kyu.
B. From 9th kyu to 7th kyu.
C. From 8th kyu to 6th kyu.
D. From 7th kyu to 5th kyu.
E. From 6th kyu to 4th kyu.
F. From 5th kyu to 3rd kyu.
5. THREE-STEP ADVANCEMENT. Three-step advancement may be permitted only in the following cases:
A. From 10th kyu to 7th kyu.
B. From 9th kyu to 6th kyu.
C. From 8th kyu to 5th kyu.
6. NO PROMOTION. The director may award no promotion if it is determined that the contestant has not demonstrated adequate progress.
7. There shall be no demotions.
8. Junior division. Junior division contestants shall be promoted one step only. Or, they may remain in the same rank if adequate progress is not demonstrated.
ARTICLE V
REPORT OF THE EVALUATION, AND RECOGNITION, NOTIFICATION, AND CERTIFICATION OF THE RANKS.
1. REPORT OF THE EVALUATION. The ranks determined by a director after an official examination must be reported to the National Headquarters in an original report of the examination.
2. RECORDS. All directors shall keep copies of the examination for their permanent records.
3. REVIEW AND SUPERVISION. The evaluation of all ranks shall be subjected to review and supervision by the national chairman before promotion of ranks is recognized. All clubs shall be notified of the recognition of ranks by the National Headquarters upon completion of the review.
4. CERTIFICATION. The recognized ranks of 6th kyu and above must be certified by a diploma issued from the National Headquarters. The ranks are unofficial without the certification.
ARTICLE VI.
PROVISIONS RELATING TO POLICIES FOR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL FUNCTIONS
1. STATUS OF ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP. Individual members of Goju-Kai Karate- Do, U.S.A., who wish to participate or officiate in periodic instruction, promotional examination, and any organizational meeting must be active members of an affiliated Goju-Kai Karate-Do club sanctioned by the National Headquarters.
EXTERNAL FUNCTION. Both individuals and clubs which are members of Goju-Kai Karate-Do, U.S.A. shall not be obligated nor regulated by constitutional and technical provisions set forth by any karate organization other than Goju-Kai Karate- Do, U.S.A..
A. CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENTS. Participation in an inter-style competitive karate tournament shall be prohibited unless the tournaments are conducted or are authorized by the National Headquarters.
B. RANKING EXAMINATIONS. Participation in any ranking examination conducted by a club or by an examiner who is not a member or not authorized by the National Headquarters is prohibited.
C. INSTRUCTIONS. Instructions of a system of karate programmed by other than the National Headquarters shall be prohibited.
D. VIOLATION. Any violation of any of the above committed by an individual or a member club shall be considered automatically as an intention of resignation.
3. LOCAL GOJU-KAI CHAMPIONSHIP. Conducting of a local Goju-Kai Karate-Do Championship Tournament shall be suspended until further notice.
4. UNIFORM. The uniform for wear during classes shall be a clean, white karate-gi (pants and jacket). During the class periods, the following items are prohibited for wear by both male and female participants:
4. UNIFORM. The uniform for wear during classes shall be a clean, white karate-gi (pants and jacket). During the class periods, the following items are prohibited for
wear by both male and female participants:
A. Headbands.
B. Protective devices such as helmets, masks, body armor, gloves, arm guards, shin guards, and foot guards.
C. Protectors for genital areas are excepted.
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