Mon - February 14, 2005INTRODUCING the YUDANSHA EXTRANET.1.
The PRIMARY OBJECTIVE.
Gone are the days when the numbers of aikidoka attending each year for dan-grading in this Federation were so small that an off-the-cuff organisation, on the day, was satisfactory. Therefore the aim is to establish a LOGISTICALLY PROFESSIONAL DAN-GRADING ORGANISATION. This will be achieved by a system of REGISTRATION for any DAN-GRADING on the following web site. www.naf.org.uk/yudansha/ (To those not yet in the electronic communications era do not despair, help is at hand.) The intention will be to provide a two-way service that will benefit both the candidate and the dan-grading organisation. With this we have the opportunity to create a PERPETUAL COMMUNICATION LINK between like-minded aikidoka who have attained a certain standard. When successful this will provide an environment of CONTINUOUS CONVERSATION between ourselves as if we were ON THE MAT. 2. The BASIC DAN-GRADING FORMAT. The path of continuing education in Aikido in this Federation is by progressive levels of recognised targets of achievement. At this time, rightly or wrongly, these levels are recognised as 'gradings'. Note well that soon a nationally recognised coaching qualification will become a grading requirement, either additionally or perhaps as complete replacement. The dan-grading system in this Federation is as follows. SHODAN PREPARATION WEEKENDS are held at the Templegate Dojo Bristol, taken by selected yudansha (Nidan and above), under the direct supervision of Michael Narey Shihan. These two-day courses are primarily for those aikidoka preparing to attend for Shodan grading that same year. However they are invaluable training for a longer proposed preparation, and are open to any whose sensei believes they are suitable. NIDAN and BEYOND PREPARATION WEEKENDS are also held at the Templegate Dojo Bristol under the direct supervision of Michael Narey Shihan. These two-day courses are for those yudansha (aikidoka who have achieved shodan and above) and are primarily for those preparing to attend for a higher dan-grade that same year. However they are invaluable training for a longer proposed preparation for higher dan-grade. Those eligible for Nidan and Beyond Preparation Weekends are also eligible for PANEL PREPARATION, of which more will follow. SPECIAL NEEDS. This system will not be compatible to the circumstances of all aikidoka. Alternative dan-grading preparation possibilities do exist. The Templegate Dojo Bristol is open, with negotiation, seven days a week. Options may be discussed with Michael Narey Shihan. 3. REGISTRATION for DAN-GRADING. ANY aikidoka intending to present themselves for dan-grading MUST fully REGISTER. ALL aikidoka attending any preparation weekends MUST fully REGISTER. ANY aikidoka in the Federation MAY fully REGISTER. The aims of compiling a register are a) LOGISTICS; a professionally organised, administrative database of; ELIGIBILITY TO GRADE. Eligibility criteria required will include; Name. Communication details. Email address, mobile telephone no., home address, etc. Present grade and date awarded. Preparation history. i) Usual practice attendance (hours per week). ii) Dan-grading preparation courses attended. Consent to grade of relevant sensei [received]. Dan-grade essay [received]. Dan-grade fee [received]. Relevant medical and injury history. NAF membership number. BAB certificate number and expiry date. Coaching qualification. BAB professional indemnity insurance certificate number and expiry date. b) COMMUNICATIONS; We have the facility to develop and maintain a state-of-the-art communications link (email, mobile text, and more) with the purpose and advantages of; BOOKINGS. Courses (and Summer School). Please note that it is extremely helpful to inform Templegate Dojo of your intention and ability to attend dan-grade preparation courses. TIMINGS. Urgent, short notice changes (weather, sickness etc.). UPDATES. Technical and Syllabus. FEEDBACK. Not only from you, but also to you, after each dan-grading preparation course. You will like this! Q&As. c) EDUCATION and AIDE-MEMOIRE; The opportunities for easing the off-the-mat-Aikido learning process are many. PANEL PREPARATION. COACHING QUALIFICATIONS. FIRST AID QUALIFICATIONS. AIDE-MEMOIREs (Glossary / Dictionary). Terminology, Etiquette, History, Ethics and Philosophical thoughts. 4. The WAY THIS SITE WILL WORK. Registration of an email address and password of your choice will, by return email, allow access to the; YUDANSHA HOME PAGE. Within and from the Yudansha home page you will be able to enter the following ZONES; i) EDIT MY DETAILS. Only you and the site manager have access to your personal registration details. You are able to edit and update these. COMPLETION OF THIS PAGE IS MANDATORY FOR THOSE TAKING A DAN-GRADING. ii) DAN-PREPARATION COURSE DETAILS. Dates and details of dan-preparation courses will appear on the home page. iii) NEWS. News, dan-grading fee information etc. will appear on the home page. iv) SYLLABUS. Downloadable syllabus and updates. v) DAN-GRADE ESSAY. A little information, hopefully answering the question "What do I write?"“ and forewarning of the pitfalls not to write about. vi) "WHAT THE PANEL ARE LOOKING FOR". NOT just a list of the ELEMENTS, but also some inside information as to how the panel works. What specifically is interpreted as a demonstration of the elements and also what demonstrates the antithesis of the elements. vii) GRADING ETIQUETTE. An aide memoire of how the grading procedure is run. What is expected of each of the candidates, and what they may expect from the panel and the role each panel member plays throughout the grading day. ATTENDANCE of DAN-PREPARATION COURSES will be logged and this attendance log alone will allow access to PRIVILAGED ZONES. Within these PRIVILAGED ZONES will be; i) COURSE SPECIFIC FEEDBACK and TECHNICAL UPDATES. Hopefully video footage. The TECHNICAL updates will of course be essential for that year's dan grading. ii) PANEL PREPARATION ZONE. The presiding head instructor has in the past dictated the rights of passage to higher dan-grades. The time has come for a widespread education of this process. The criteria by which this assessment is made have never been evaluated, let alone taught, until now. As this has not been done before it will be a learning process from all aspects. Panel Preparation is a process of; 1) Evaluation of assessment criteria and assessment methodology. 2) Instruction of potential Panel Members. 3) Assessment of the competency of Panel Members. Those who achieve shodan are potential Panel Members, and will now be taught how to make this assessment as part of their continuing development. The stages of and at which an individual becomes competent to be a full Panel Member are still being evaluated. 5. FINALLY The Yudansha Extranet is the manifestation of months of discussions between Michael Narey and myself in the role of Dan-Grading Secretary. These are exciting times in the development of the Federation. There is much work to be done in order to make this scheme successful. Once up and running I feel the maintenance will be far less arduous. (Thanks almost entirely to the fabulous geeks behind the scenes.) I count on your support to help the Yudansha Extranet Team through the inevitable founding glitches. That support will be manifested by your efforts to develop a habit of paying attention to the site. In return we will try our utmost to make it an easy habit. Your Dan-Grading Secretary Ant Jackson Posted at 08:26 AM |