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International Taiho Jutsu Federation Statutes

Table of Contents
  Background, Name, Logos  
Chapter 1 Mission and Essence, Head Offices, Language Article 1-4
Chapter 2 Membership, Conditions, Fees, Training Activity Article 5-8
Chapter 3 The Governing Bodies: Senior Leadership/
Technical Advisers, National Representatives
Article 9-14

Chapter 4

Operating Structure—Task Forces, Unions and Accounting Committee / Bye-Laws Article 14-17
Chapter 5 Accounting and Allowances Article 18-21
Chapter 6 Special Dispositions Regarding Modification and Dissolution Article 22-24

Background, Name, Logos
Article 1

In 2001, it became apparent that it was time to codify and unify a core discipline designed primarily for military and police actions. As a result of deliberations among our leadership it was decided that the proper place for our organization was to be an independent one. One reason for this was that other entities were issuing rank in the art without consultation with our organization and, in many cases, without the appropriate higher Dan grades to make appropriate decisions as to the suitability of candidates.

It became apparent that we needed an independent organization with a well-defined, ethical, and recognized martial arts disciple. This permits the role of Taiho Jutsu and police tactics to be defined by a technical group with the requisite experience. A number of organizations engage in training focused on improving the capability and efficiency of the law enforcement and military units that do not have the combined expertise found in our organization. With a wide range of experience and practitioners who have had actual training in the arts of Taiho Jutsu plus others adding techniques from other arts, the organization reached a level of maturity and a choice point for a clear demarcation from other organizations stating similar purposes. Although a number of arts inevitably share certain common elements and techniques with slight variations, many of them have a focus on form and/or competition using a set of rules to avoid injury to participants. Although one can profitably utilize many of these techniques in self-defense or police/military situations, the need exists for specialized techniques designed to apprehend, control and/or inflict injury on a perpetrator or enemy. Hence, an organization devoted to this unique purpose was founded.

The logo of the International Taiho Jutsu Federation has been crafted to show the joint influence of various national contributions, which has added versatility and diversity to the set of techniques available for our members to utilize. The International Taiho Jutsu Federation has its own logo to indicate its inclusive and distinctive character. This is important as different nations and cultures have standards which permit or restrict techniques which might be part of a complete curriculum. Hence, there is a sensitivity for a recognition of cultural differences in applicability of techniques.

Chapter 1
  Mission and Essence, Head Offices
Article 1  
  The mission of the International Taiho Jutsu Federation is to bring under one umbrella organization the many practitioners of Taiho Jutsu who are working or have worked in this jutsu. As a jutsu, we practice an art (Gei), science and series of techniques rooted in a tradition. It is only after long years of practice, training and study that one becomes adept in Taiho Jutsu since it requires a mastery of a combination of techniques taken from disciplines both ancient and modern. Different national practitioners will be bound to observe convention of both law and practice specific to their military or police organizations. The core elements have been developed from the Japanese and modified, where necessary, to meet the realities of each country.
Article 2  

 

 

Taiho Jutsu differs from its cognate disciplines in that it is designed primarily for specific, pragmatic military and police applications. Although its practitioners often come from traditional martial arts disciples that have stressed kata or competition, their objective in Taiho Jutsu is much more specifically focused on a tactical objective using a wide variety of techniques and weapons (both traditional and improvised).
Article 3 Head Offices

The ITJF leadership will choose the official location of the ITJF.
Article 4 Language


The official language of the ITJF is English, but our members possess a variety of linguistic skills and may utilize other languages or dialects depending upon the setting and purpose of the application. The Constitution of the National Organizations, which apply for membership, must be in harmony with the Statutes of the ITJF.

Chapter 2:
  Membership, Conditions, and Fees
Article 5 Membership

Any National Organization (also used interchangeably with Federation) of Taiho Jutsu can apply for membership to the ITJF. However for each country only one National Organization can become a member of the ITJF. In the case of two or more organizations existing in the same country, the ITJF will examine the history, practices, and national sport authority guidance before making a determination on which organization will be selected as a national affiliate. After being selected as a national organization in the ITJF, the senior leadership may determine that it is in the best interests of the ITJF to terminate such organization after examining its practices or charges that may have been brought against the leadership. In addition, certain geopolitical considerations may change the desirability of inclusion is rare instances. Nevertheless, a national organization may apply for reinstatement and its case will be considered if the circumstances, which caused the breach to occur, have changed.
Article 6 Conditions

The National Organization or the Associated Organization, which intends to become a member of the ITJF must apply to the President of the ITJF with the documents deemed necessary to ensure that the technical and organization capability exists for the level of membership requested.
Article 7 Fees

The fee structure of the ITJF will be determined annually by the senior leadership and may take into account the countryŐs economic condition as well as the number of potential and actual members.
Article 8

If fees are not rendered on the date specified, the senior leadership will make a determination whether the membership has any extenuating circumstances, which need to be taken into account. If no such circumstances are presented, participation in activities may be suspended until the fees are paid.
Article 9 Training


ITJF and ITJF will host official training seminars, which will be of three types:

(1)

Specific seminars to continue member development in learning a diverse set of techniques.

(2) Specific, focused training for police and military organizations.
(3) Training for martial artists in other disciplines to broaden their range of knowledge and technical skills.
Chapter 3
The Governing Bodies:
Senior Leadership, Technical Advisers, National Representatives
Article 10 The Governing Bodies

The Governing Bodies in the ITJF are

(1)

The Senior Leadership

(2) The Technical Advisers
(3) The National Representatives
Article 11 General Assembly

The General Assembly meets normally every year; it is composed of:

(1)

The Senior Leadership

(2) The Technical Advisers
(3) The National Representatives— Each member can be represented at the General Assembly by him- or herself or a proxy approved by the Senior Leadership. The General Assembly will determine any special circumstances, which might allow other members or potential members to attend. This will be done on a case-by -case basis.
Article 12
  The General Assembly will be presided over by the President of ITJF or, in his absence, by a Vice President or other designee if the Vice President is unavailable for any reason. The President of the General Assembly is helped by the General Secretary or, in his or her absence, by the Vice President or a suitable designee. Decisions made will only be valid in the presence of at least one third of the Assembly membership.
Article 13
  Voting procedures will be sent to the General Assembly delegates prior to the meetings or their review and comment.
Article 14
  Meetings will be decided a year in advance at the General Assembly convocation. Obviously, the President in consultation with his leadership will choose the first year. The General Assembly elects the Members of the Senior Leadership, approves the Statutes and Regulations modifying them, if necessary, and rules, as a last resort, upon any matters connected with Taiho Jutsu. The need for ratification, application for affiliation and similar matters are also under the purview of the General Assembly.
Article 15

The General Assembly meeting is called by notification sent at least one month in advance of the scheduled date and the notification should contain all relevant material to be under consideration. The date and place of the meeting will also be stipulated.
Article 16
  The Senior Leadership is composed of the President, Vice President, Technical Representatives and National Leaders. The term of the Senior Leadership is four years. In case of resignations, the members who have resigned will be replaced. Only two resignations will be accepted in any one year. Former members may reapply for a position in subsequent years.
Article 17
  The majority of votes in the General Assembly elect the President. He or she directs the ITJF and represents it before other parties. In the case of the PresidentŐs resignation, incapacitation, or demise, the Vice President for the balance of the year in which the event occurs will subsume his function. After that, the membership will hold an election for a new President. In the event of a tie vote during meetings of the General Assembly, the President casts the tie-breaking vote. The Treasurer is responsible for the funds of the ITJF and must keep a regular account. The President must authorize any relevant expenses.
Chapter 4
  Operating Structure —
Task Forces, Unions and Accounting Committee
Article 18
  With the anticipated growth of Taiho Jutsu as an international federation, it will be necessary at some point in the future to institute a mechanism for effective and efficient management to coordinate and utilize the expertise of national leaders. When the organization reaches this level of maturity it is anticipated that some sort of Union structure will be developed under the guidance and control of the Senior Leadership. The need for and actual structure of these unions will be determined by the General Assembly at future meetings when the time is considered to be propitious. Task Forces
Article 19  
In order to provide the necessary support and guidance in matters both organizational and technical, the ITJF will constitute Task Forces consisting of committees, working groups and similar organizational forms as deemed necessary for the efficient operation of the ITJF. These bodies will be comprised of members with the particular expertise necessary to achieve their objectives and will operate only as long as necessary to accomplish the goals set out by the Senior Leadership. The Accounting Committee, due to its fiduciary responsibilities, will be a standing committee and function throughout the life of the organization. Its members will be appointed and will have access to proper financial guidance from a certified professional.
Article 20 Accounting Committee

The Accounting Committee will serve for a term of one year after each General Assembly meeting. Its members may stand for reelection as interest and expertise in financial matters is limited to a subset of the total membership. Its members may not serve as a part of the Senior Leadership. The Accounting Committee will make regular financial reports to the membership and the proper authorities as appropriate.
Chapter 5
Accounting and Allowances
Article 21
 

As a nonprofit organization, the Senior Leadership gives their time free of charge and on an honorary basis. The President may have his or her travel and accommodation expenses paid by the Federation along with any other members deemed necessary to carry out a seminar or training function. Travel and accommodation expenses will be provided for technical counselors as needed. These principles apply to national organizations as well unless specifically waived due to unusual circumstances such as state sponsorship or similar facts.

The Accounting Committee will render an accounting of routine expenses and budgetary amounts annually to the Senior Leadership at the time of the General Assembly. The Senior Leadership or the President should previously authorize extraordinary expenses anticipated. Of course, in cases of national emergency and other exceptional circumstances, discretion must lie with the Senior Leadership to make expenditures, which are deemed absolutely necessary.

The Treasurer will submit a report in conjunction with the Accounting Committee each year to the General Assembly. The usual accounting documents, a Profit and Loss Statement and a Balance Sheet are the minimum requirement. The Treasurer will also at the time of the Annual Meeting present an up to date budget for the year in progress and the year to follow.

Article 22 Task Forces
  For accounting purposes our fiscal year will be from January 1 through December 31. Our initial operating year will, of necessity, begin upon implementation of the legal documents authorizing our existence as a nonprofit organization under American law.
Chapter 6
Special Dispositions Regarding Modification and Dissolution
Article 23 Modifications to the Statutes

These statutes will be in force from the date they are approved by the Senior Leadership for the initial operating period. Subsequently, they will be subject to modification based on voting membership of the General Assembly by majority vote. Modifications proposed should be presented to the President at least one month in advance of the annual meeting.

Article 24 Dissolution


Upon dissolution, the ITJF properties will be shared among the Senior Leadership and any others for whom it is appropriate (such as members who have donated specific items or particular sums of money for the purpose of furthering the organization or its mission) at the time such decision is rendered.
National Delegate
  A Delegate will formally represent his/her National Organization in the General Assembly and other formal ITJF meetings where deemed appropriate by the Senior Leadership. The President of his/her National Organization must designate the Delegate.
Technical Representative
A technical representative is a person who formally represents his/her National Organization in Technical meetings where matters related to Technical programs, training, practice, seminars, and similar matters are discussed. As in the case of the National Delegate, the President of their respective National Organization must designate the Technical Representative.
Honorary Fellow Members
  It is customary for organizations to recognize retiring officials who have rendered outstanding services to an organization with a title of Honorary President or Honorary Member. The ITJF General Assembly may grant this recognition. An individual so honored may attend the annual meetings of the General Assembly and speak on issues, but will not have a vote. The Honorary Members may be asked by the President to offer their specific experience and expertise on issues vital to the operation of the ITJF.
Task Forces
  Task forces will be established by the General Assembly at their first meeting.