The Constitution

The constitution of Traditional Karate Great Britain is:


1. Name

The association will be called Traditional Karate Great Britain , herein referred to as TKGB

2. Aims and objectives

The aims and objectives of the TKGB will be: To act as an apolitical, non-profit, non-prescriptive body for Okinawan and Japanese traditional styles of karate throughout Great Britain by offering services based on equal opportunity, and through its representation, promoting and supporting high standards in our art. To encourage nationally recognised standards within the practice and study of traditional karate by facilitating good services for British traditional karateka, thus empowering and supporting individuals, clubs and associations to continually strive for proficient standards through safe and competent practice. To actively promote the benefits of the practice and study of traditional karate and associated disciplines. To educate the membership, general public and other groups regarding the history, development and methods surrounding the practice of traditional karate and associated disciplines. To ensure the needs of the traditional karate fraternity are met, their best interests represented and if necessary to act as a political voice to ensure the continuance of the practices associated with traditional karate and associated disciplines . To recognise grades, Dan & Kyu, conferred on and by members of other authorised bodies, this being subject to the approval of the TKGB Executive Committee.

2.1 Organisation of the TKGB

TKGB is a non-profit, self-governing body. The basis on which the TKGB is founded is that of a not-for-profit, co-operative society. All members contribute to the TKGB and consequently any profits are either re-invested or retained for reinvestment at the decision of the membership. All officer's posts are thus voluntary and unsalaried. Both liability and benefit is shared amongst the entire membership. Officers act on behalf of the membership and at their instruction, and cannot individually be held liable unless acting in their own interests and contrary to the wishes of the membership.

3. Membership

Membership should consist of officers and members clubs and associations. All member clubs/associations and officers will be subject to the regulations of the constitution and by joining the TKGB will be deemed to accept these regulations and codes of conduct.

3.1 Membership levels

Membership to TKGB will fall into one main categories ? Full members These are associations and groups with any number of members, a representative of which has full voting rights in all situations, including elections. Ballots will be held on a one group, one vote basis with the exceptions of referenda where the entire membership may be balloted.

3.2 Membership Criteria

Membership is offered to all associations, groups and individuals, who study Karate of Okinawan and Japanese origin, or associated disciplines, practiced in the traditional way (reflecting the 3K's - Kihon, Kumite and Kata), and where the group/individual understands and practices Budo concepts central to their training. Groups and associations applying for membership must meet the following criteria. A designated Chief Instructor or Chairman An up to date constitution A clearly defined grading syllabus for both Kyu and Dan grades Evidence of these will be asked for on application to membership of TKGB

4. Officers and Committees of the TKGB

The TKGB will operate under the guidance and auspices of Committees ? The Executive Committee and the Technical Committee. The membership will consist as detail below. NOTE: All officer posts are voluntary and unsalaried and are nominated at the behest of the membership at AGM. Committee member positions are to be reviewed by the TKGB membership annually. Re-election of current Committee Officers is possible at the end of the set period. 4.1 The Executive Committee The officers of the TKGB Executive Committee will be: In addition the following officers will be appointed as deemed necessary by the Executive Committee. Only these posts will have the right to vote at meetings of the Executive Committee. Other officers may be invited as necessary. The Executive Committee will be convened by the Secretary of the association and held no less than twice per year. The quorum required for business to be agreed at Executive Committee meetings will be: four officers. The Executive Committee will be responsible for all matters of management of TKGB adopting new policy (Child Protection, Health and Safety, Equality etc.), codes of conduct and rules that affect the organisation of the TKGB as a whole, whilst best serving its members. The Executive Committee will have powers to appoint sub-committees as necessary and appoint advisers to the Executive Committee as necessary to fulfill its business. The Executive Committee will be responsible for disciplinary hearings of members who infringe the club rules/regulations/constitution. The Executive Committee will be responsible for taking any action of suspension or discipline following such hearings.

4.2 The Technical Committee

The officers of the TKGB Technical Committee will be: In addition to the core officers above, there will be one representative from each of the member styles found within the membership of TKGB. These representatives must be able to demonstrate extensive experience of their style from a technical and instructional standpoint. The Technical Committee will be convened by the Secretary of the association and held no less than twice per year. The quorum required for business to be agreed at Technical Committee meetings will be: four officers. The Technical Committee will be responsible for all matters of a technical nature across the TKGB including: Establishment, maintenance and future development of nationally recognised teaching and coaching qualifications and standards applicable to traditional Karate Establishment and maintenance of a national Dan Grade Register for traditional Karateka Establish a grading panel and oversee the advancement and upgrade of TKGB Dan Grades in lines with guidance from the Federation of All Japan Karate Organisations (FAJKO) Establishment where appropriate of additional Karate qualifications such as Judge and Referee qualifications based on traditional Shobu Ippon lines The Technical Committee will have powers to appoint sub-committees as necessary and appoint advisers as necessary to fulfill its business.

A list of current officer holders for both the Executive Committee and the Technical Committee and summaries of their individual duties can be seen in Appendix 1 of this document.

4.3 General Meetings of TKGB Committees

Where possible online meetings will be called as and when necessary but no less than once each month. Minutes of meetings will be taken by the TKGB Secretary and published publicly on the TKGB website for the perusal of the membership. Members will have the opportunity to lobby officers to raise specific issues on their behalf at regular meetings or to make a request to attend an online meeting to raise a motion for discussion. Should there be a need for the executive to be called then an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be requested in this eventuality either by the Executive Committee or by the membership. Regular meetings will normally be held by the Management and Technical Committees on behalf of the membership as set out in 4.1 and 4.3 above. 4.4 TKGB Annual General Meetings Notice of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be given by the association Secretary. Not less than 21 clear days? notice to be given to all member groups. The AGM will receive a report from officers of the Executive Committee, Technical Committee and a statement of the audited accounts for that financial year. Nominations or re-elections for officers of the Management and Technical Committees will be sent to the Secretary prior to the AGM. Elections and re-elections of officers are to take place at the AGM. All member groups have the right to vote at the AGM as defined by their membership category.

5. Finance

All TKGB monies will be banked in an account held in the name of the association. ?Traditional Karate Great Britain ? ? T.K.G.B The TKGB Treasurer will be accountable and responsible to the Executive Committee for the finances of the TKGB. The financial year of the TKGB will end on 31 st March. An audited statement of annual accounts will be presented by the Treasurer at the Annual General Meeting. Any cheques drawn against club funds should hold the signatures of the Treasurer and one other appointed officer.

6. TKGB Fees

Fees levied within TKGB will be set annually and agreed by the Executive Committee or determined at the Annual General Meeting. The fees discussed and agreed will be:- *Payment of Officer expenses will be made only on production of necessary receipts. Two Committee Officers are required to approve all Officer expenses.

7. Discipline and appeals

All complaints regarding the behaviour of members and officers should be submitted in writing to the TKGB Chairman or Vice Chairman. The Executive Committee (or representatives) will convene to hear complaints within 7 days of a complaint being lodged. The committee has the power to take appropriate disciplinary action including the termination of membership (as set out in the TKGB Disciplinary Policy). The outcome of a disciplinary hearing should be notified in writing to the person who lodged the complaint and the member or group against whom the complaint was made within 14 days of the hearing. There will be the right of appeal to the Executive Committee following disciplinary action being announced. The committee should consider the appeal within 7 days of the Chief Instructor receiving the appeal.

8. TKGB Clubs

Only Dan grade Instructors of 18 years of age minimum can run Karate clubs under the banner of the TKGB ? as per insurance guidelines. All associations and Dojo locations must be registered with the TKGB. All TKGB club instructors must hold Professional Indemnity Insurance, obtained via TKGB or independently and must ensure that all students posses their own personal insurance/licence. NOTE: If instructor indemnity insurance is not obtained via TKGB then proof of cover must be provided to the TKGB Head Office. All TKGB instructors must be enhanced CRB-checked for working with children and young people with copies of these records being held by the TKGB Head Office.

9. Dissolution

A resolution to dissolve the TKGB can only be passed at an AGM or EGM through a majority vote of the membership. In the event of a vote for the dissolution of TKGB, any remaining funds after creditors have been settled will be distributed evenly between all of the registered groups, unless the membership decides to donate the remainder to charity.

10. Amendments to the constitution

The constitution will only be changed through agreement by all members of the Executive Committee.

11. Declaration

TKGB hereby adopts and accepts this constitution as a current operating guide regulating the actions of members.