KOSHIN-HA CHITO-KAI CONSTITUTION
Effective January 18, 2005

ARTICLE I

I. NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Koshin-ha Chito-kai, hereinafter also referred to as Koshin-ha Chito-ryu, Koshin-ha Chito-ryu Karate-do Association or organization.

II. PURPOSE OF CONSTITUTION

The purpose of this Constitution is to create a text for the management of the organization membership.

III. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF ORGANIZATION

The purpose and objectives of this Organization shall be:

  1. To inform and educate the public about the founder of Chito-ryu Karate-do, Doctor Tsuyoshi Chitose.

  2. To organize an association of dojo that shares a common goal in continuing and furthering their knowledge of Chito-ryu Karate-do.

  3. To build a highly skilled core of individuals to serve as teachers within the organization.

  4. To insure that the training objectives of the organization's members are to develop skills in karate.

  5. To develop and instill the traditional martial virtues into the student membership.

  6. To train the minds and bodies of the members and educate them to become sound members of society.

  7. To expand the membership of the association.

  8. To enhance mutual friendship and trust among the members of the organization.

  9. To share information with other members of the Koshin-ha Chito-kai.

  10. To conduct research into the technical and historical aspects of Chito-ryu Karate-do.

IV. BASIC PRINCIPLE

To aid in obtaining the objectives of this organization it must be recognized that the Association is founded on the basic principle that organization policy is established and laid down by a select group of senior ranked members and individual dojo Chief Instructors who place the interest of the association before their own.

V. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

An Executive Committee shall be established to organize rank standards, methods of training, bylaws, and procedures. The Executive Committee shall be made up of two governing bodies: the Shihan-kai and Shibu-kai.

  1. The Shihan-kai also referred to as the Executive Technical Committee shall have the authority to implement all organizational policies concerning Koshin-ha Chito-ryu Karate Technique.

  2. The Shibu-kai also referred to as the Executive Operational Committee shall have the authority to implement all organizational policies concerning the daily management of the Koshin-ha Chito-kai.

  3. Any and all disputes between the Shihan and Shibu-kai, as to whether an section of the Constitution or Bylaws and Procedures is Technical or Operational shall be determined by majority vote of a full session of the Executive Committee.

VI. SHIHAN KAI

The Shihan-kai shall be composed of those association members who have attained the rank of godan or higher in Chito-ryu Karate-do and maintain individual Active Membership in accordance with this Constitution and the Association Bylaws and Procedures.

Authority and Duties

  1. The members of the Shihan-kai shall act as the Executive Technical Committee of the organization.

  2. The duties of the Shihan-kai shall be to maintain the training standards of the organization.

  3. The Shihan-kai shall have the authority to revise the training standards, methods, and rank requirements of the organization. All changes to the training standards, methods and rank requirements shall require a thorough discussion of all Shihan-kai members prior to any changes being implemented.

  4. Each member of the Shihan-kai shall have one vote. All discrepancies will be resolved by a majority vote of all members of the Shihan-kai.

  5. All changes to the training standards should be implemented in an orderly fashion.

  6. The Shihan-kai shall have the authority to issue Dojo Charters to those individuals who wish to include the Koshin-ha Chito-ryu Karate-do organizational standards and training methods into their dojo training curriculum.

  7. Shihan-kai shall be required to get the prior approval of the Shibu-kai before issuing a Dojo Charter.

  8. The Shihan-kai may issue Technical Directives to the Dojo Chief Instructors and/or Koshin-ha Chito-kai membership keeping them informed on subjects that may need their immediate attention.

VII. SHIBU KAI

The Shibu-kai shall be composed of those members who have obtained a Dojo Charter from the Shihan-kai and maintain Active Membership in accordance with this Constitution and the Association Bylaws and Procedures.

Authority and Duties

  1. The members of the Shibu-kai shall act as the Executive Operational Committee of the organization.

  2. The duties of the Shibu-kai shall be to maintain the bylaws and procedures of the organization.

  3. The Shibu-kai shall have the authority to revise the bylaws and procedures of the organization on any issue that does not involve the training standards, methods, rank requirements and the selection of the Koshin-ha Chito-kai Administrator.

  4. Realizing the need to properly fund the Organization, the Executive Operational Committee will have the authority to establish a system of fees by which the organization may remain solvent.

  5. Each member of the Shibu-kai shall have one vote. All discrepancies will be resolved by a majority vote of all members of the Shibu-kai.

  6. The Shibu-kai may issue Operational Directives to Dojo Representatives and/or the Koshin-ha Chito-kai membership keeping them informed on subjects that may need their immediate attention.

VIII. VOTING

The following provisions apply to all votes under this Constitution or Bylaws and Procedures.

  1. Unless otherwise specified in this Constitution or the Bylaws and Procedures, any matter that comes before the Shihan-kai, the Shibu-kai or full Executive Committee for a vote shall require the requisite number of votes of the full membership of said body in order to pass. Probationary members of the Shihan-kai or Shibu-kai shall not be counted for the purpose of determining the number of votes required for passage on a matter.

  2. A member of the Shihan or Shibu-kai may vote to abstain on a matter. Such a vote shall not be deemed to be a vote for or against a matter. A member who votes to abstain shall be counted for purposes of establishing a quorum.

IX. INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP

There shall be two types of membership within the Association: Active and Inactive.

  1. Active Members

    • Active Members shall include those students and teachers who engage in weekly practice on a routine basis and have met the requirements as set forth by this Constitution and the organization bylaws and procedures.

    • All Association Active Members must adhere to the training methods and rank standards as set forth by the Shihan-kai.

    • Only Active Members 18 years of age or older may be appointed, assigned, or elected to hold office in this Association.

  2. Inactive Members

    • Inactive Members shall be those individuals who do not engage in weekly practice on a routine basis, but still meet the requirements as set forth by this Constitution and the Organization Bylaws and Procedures.

  3. Revoking/Denying Membership

    • All members of the Shibu-kai shall have the authority to deny any applicant seeking membership as their direct student.

    • All members of the Shibu-kai shall have the authority to revoke the membership of any person who is recorded as their student on their dojo roster.

    • Any member of this Association may have their membership revoked by a 2/3 majority vote of the Shihan and Shibu-kai.

    • Any member who has had their membership revoked by their dojo Chief Instructor can file for an appeal of their dismissal to the Shihan-kai for review.

ARTICLE II

I. AMENDMENTS

This Constitution may be amended or repealed by a 3/4 majority vote of the Shihan-kai and by a 3/4 majority vote of the Shibu-kai.