Dear Friends,

Information for the 2008 USMA events is now available! Past events have been successful and I want to share the details of this year’s events with you! As always, we have a special offer for our great 2008 USMA International Training Camps which are to be held from July 16-19, 2008:

 BRING FIVE STUDENTS (AND YOURSELF) TO THE USMA INTERNATIONAL TRAINING CAMP, AND YOU TO ATTEND FREE!

 All Camp participants will be able to train in a variety of different martial arts with a tremendous group of high level instructors. Details are included below, so please read through this information carefully. As always, your loyal support and friendship means everything to the USMA staff and our great association. I very much hope that you can join us. 

Information on all events can also be found on our USMA website at: www.mararts.org . See you in St. Louis!

Your servant and friend,

Philip S. Porter, USMA Founder

2008

USMA International Hall of Fame
and

USMA International Training Camp,

USMA International Law Enforcement Training Camp

We have assembled an outstanding team of leaders to conduct our 2008 USMA Events. The USMA International Training Camps will be held July 16-19, 2008 under the guidance of USMA Director of Operations, Sensei Donn Schucker ynkyinc@earthlink.net , USMA International Training Camp Director, Mr. John Georgevitch trainingcamp@mararts.org, Director of the USMA International Hall of Fame, Sensei Dave Lewis halloffame@mararts.org and Director of the USMA International Law Enforcement Training Camp, Grandmaster Steve Jimerfield. In addition, Sensei Dave Lewis promotionboard@mararts.org, performs double duty as Chairman of our USMA International Promotion Board. 

Our USMA events have always been a good value, but we do realize that some of the additional costs involved such as airfare, hotels, food, parking, etc. quickly add up and can add considerably to our participant's total financial output. To help with this, the site of the 2008 USMA International Training Camps will be St. Peters, MO (a suburb of St. Louis). There are many affordable restaurants very close by, so the lunch and dinner breaks will provide ample time for meals – without breaking the bank!

The 2008 USMA International Hall of Fame Banquet and Training Camp will be held at the Holiday Inn Select Banquet Center located at 4341 Veteran's Memorial Parkway in St. Peters, Missouri. As in previous years, we have secured a very reasonable room rate at the hotel, so be sure to mention the USMA to get this special rate!

Call (636) 928-1500 to make your room reservations at the Holiday Inn! As always, room availability is limited, so make those arrangements as soon as possible!!!

USMA International Hall of Fame fees are: 

$225 award fee for Adults or Youth, (if received before July 1, 2008…$275 if received after July 1, 2008)
$60 for all banquet guests. (if received before July 1, 2008…$85 if received after July 1, 2008)
(Award fee includes banquet fee and/or shipping if not present, and your award)

USMA International Training Camp fees are:

$100 training fee for Youth, (ages 16 and younger)
$150 training fee for Adults, (ages 17 and older)
$150 training fee for Law Enforcement (open to anyone interested in Law Enforcement tactics)

We will have many leaders for training in all phases of Martial Arts for youth and adults, as well as Law Enforcement defense systems. In addition, evaluation for promotion will be available to those who desire this service.

Training Camp fees may be paid at the door or paid in advance by sending directly to Sensei Donn Schucker, USMA Director of Operations at the USMA Administrative Office in Florissant, Missouri.

All paperwork for the USMA International Hall of Fame and USMA International Training Camps should be sent to our USMA Director of Operations:

Sensei Donn Schucker
P.O. Box 2171
Florissant, MO 63032-2171

The USMA International Training Camp registration form is found at the end of this announcement or on our website at http://www.mararts.org/2008ihoftc/2008USMA-ITC-RegForm.pdf   Please print amount paid on the back side of the form in the space for “Other (USMA Training Camp, Seminar, etc.)”

DO NOT send your award or banquet fee to Phil Porter! These go to Sensei Donn Schucker in Missouri!

If you are to receive an award, you need not be present, as Sensei Schucker will see that your award is sent to you after the event. If you know of anyone who has made some meaningful contribution to the martial arts, we request that you prepare a list of deserving nominees to send to Sensei Donn Schucker, USMA Director of Operations so they may be recognized.

Please email or surface mail your name and surface mailing address and the names and addresses of all your nominees to halloffame@mararts.org or mail to:

Sensei Donn Schucker
P.O. Box 2171
Florissant, MO
63032-2171

Recognition awarded by our USMA International Hall of Fame is for everyone, not for just a few celebrities.  In fact, we believe that the true celebrities of the Martial Arts are the unsung leaders who devote so much time and effort to the training of their students in clubs all across the country. We will recognize individuals of all ages as outstanding technicians and competitors, as well as those who have given a lifetime of effort to their own clubs and students.  All who have made some meaningful contribution to the Martial Arts should be nominated and ultimately recognized.  This is a great family gathering for our Association, as well as a chance to meet and work with world class instructors!

You may accept recognition our great USMA International Hall of Fame even if you cannot be present. Sensei Donn Schucker, USMA Director of Operations  ynkyinc@earthlink.net will see to it that your awards are sent to you after the banquet is held if you cannot attend.

Master Instructors teaching a variety of arts including:

Aikido, Kenpo, Hapkido, Kenjutsu, Kickboxing, Karate, Judo, Tai Chi Chuan and many others!

Testing for rank promotion in all Martial Arts will be conducted by high ranking instructors who are present by their personal observation during camp sessions and/or by actual physical test. Sensei Dave Lewis is Chairman of the USMA International Promotion Board so if you are due for promotion in any art, be sure to contact Dave Lewis promotionboard@mararts.org before or during the camp.  He will handle all arrangements necessary to facilitate your evaluation.

Law Enforcement Martial Arts Training by Grandmaster Steve Jimerfield.  Outstanding law enforcement training will again be held along side the martial arts training.  This has been called the finest training ever in past years, and promises to be even more of the same for this year.  We ask that our law enforcement members, leaders, and contacts nominate deserving law enforcement personnel for recognition at the USMA International Hall of Fame. Again, you need not be present to accept the award.

For 2008, The USMA International Hall of Fame banquet will again honor the late Chris Canning. This special award has been created for the most outstanding young martial artist and is to be known as the Christopher Canning Youth Excellence Award. This will be awarded to the individual who most closely meets the criteria established by Mr. Art Canning, father of the award’s namesake. Criteria can be found on the USMA website at: http://www.mararts.org/CanningReqs.shtml

Additional USMA Special awards and their criteria include (in order of prominence):

Philip S. Porter Lifetime Achievement Award – the USMA’s highest honor. Awarded for a lifetime of dedication to excellence in all facets of the martial arts!

T. P. Leggett Distinguished Service Award – in honor of those who serve the martial arts at the highest level, as O-Sensei’s revered teacher, T. P. Legget did for so many years.

Walter Todd Instructor Excellence Award – Walter Todd was O-Sensei’s very first martial arts teacher. This award is in recognition of the debt that can never truly be repaid to one’s instructor and will be awarded to an outstanding martial arts teacher who personifies the character, wisdom, technical and administrative skills of a top instructor.

Donn E. Schucker Award of Merit – this award is for workers; those who are in the trenches, getting their hands dirty! The family motto “Nec Sorte, Nec Fato”…not by chance, nor by destiny, but by HARD WORK…applies.

If you know someone who you think is well suited to receive one of these awards, please submit their name by sending a nomination form to our Director of Operations, Sensei Donn Schucker at:

We would very much like to have each and every state in our great country represented by both youth and adults in the 2008 event.  We count on USMA club leaders, instructors, and friends, students, or parents to nominate individuals who are outstanding kata champions, technicians, and competitors, as well as dedicated instructors, humanitarians, and others who have contributed to the martial arts in some way for these outstanding youth and adult events.

(Please check one)

YES  ______   I plan to attend and accept my Award. Check for $225 ($275 if paid after July 1) is enclosed.

YES  ______   I accept my Award, but cannot attend. Check for $225 ($275 if paid after July 1) is enclosed.

NO    ______   I am not to receive an Award, but will attend the banquet. Check for $60 ($85 if paid after July 1) is enclosed.

Number of additional guests attending the banquet: _________ @ $60.00 per guest. ($85 per guest if paid after July1)

Guest Name(s):_____________________________________________________________________________________

TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED$_____________ (Award & Guest Fees)

_____________________________________________________
Signature of Award recipient

Please complete this form and mail with check before July 1, 2008.  Make check made payable to:

Sensei Donn Schucker
P.O. Box 2171
Florissant, MO 63032-2171

For all class ranks below black belt, and for First Degree Black Belt, the required time in grade is two months.  For the Black Belt ranks of 2^nd through 10^th Degree, the time in grade requirement is the same number of years in grade as the number of the rank held.  That is, from 2^nd to 3^rd Degree, the time in grade is two years, and so forth.

USMA promotion fees for all class ranks below Black Belt are $25 per rank.  1st Degree Black-$100, 2nd-$125, 3rd-$150, 4th-$175, 5th-$200, 6th-$225, 7th-$250, 8th-$300, 9th-$350, 10th-$400.

Name: __________________________________________________________________________________________ Date: _____________________
 (First, Middle, Last)

Address:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Street and Number)                                                                          (City and State)                                                            (Zip Code)

Date of Birth: ___________________ Age: ____ Present Rank: ________________________ in (Martial Art):______________________________________

Home Phone: ________________________________ Work Phone: ______________________________ Fax: _____________________________________

E-Mail: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Club Name:_________________________________________ Club Teacher’s Name: _________________________________________________________

Club Teacher’s Address: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By signing this application, I hereby certify that the information enclosed herein is true and correct, and understand that any false statements or omissions will be grounds for immediate expulsion from the Association, loss of all USMA awarded ranks, certifications, and recognitions. Furthermore, I understand that there will be no refunds issued for membership, ranks, or other certifications if expelled from the Association.

Signature of above USMA  applicant: ________________________________________ Date_____________

Registration Fee ($25) For __________________ in___________________________________ date _______________ _______
                                                                     (Present rank)                                                  (Martial Art)                                                                     (date of rank)           (amt. paid)

Registration Fee ($25) For __________________ in___________________________________ date _______________ _______
                                                                      (Present rank)                                                 (Martial Art)                                                                      (date of rank)           (amt. paid)

Registration Fee ($25) For __________________ in___________________________________ date _______________ _______
                                                                       (Present rank)                                                (Martial Art)                                                                       (date of rank)          (amt. paid)

Registration Fee ($25) For __________________ in___________________________________ date _______________ _______
                                                                        (Present rank)                                                (Martial Art)                                                                       (date of rank)         (amt. paid)

(See other side of form for USMA promotion fees)

Promotion To ___________________ in ___________________________________________date_________________ _______
                                            (New rank)                                                                                (Martial Art)                                                                 (date of rank)                (amt. paid)

Promotion To ___________________ in ___________________________________________date_________________ _______
                                            (New rank)                                                                                (Martial Art)                                                                 (date of rank)                (amt. paid)

Promotion To ___________________ in ___________________________________________date_________________ _______
                                             (New rank)                                                                                (Martial Art)                                                                 (date of rank)               (amt. paid)

(See  http://www.mararts.org/programs/certprog.shtml  for certification eligibility information)

Certification as Certified Instructor ($50) in (Print Arts): ____________________________________________________ _______

Certification as Certified Examiner ($50) in (Print Arts): ____________________________________________________ _______

Certification as Senior Certified Instructor ($75) in (Print Arts):  ______________________________________________ _______

Certification as Senior Certified Examiner ($75) in (Print Arts):  ______________________________________________ _______

Certification as Certified Master Instructor ($100) in (Print Arts):  _____________________________________________ _______

Certification as Certified Master Examiner ($100) in (Print Arts):  _____________________________________________ _______

Certification as Certified Senior Master Instructor ($125) in (Print Arts): ________________________________________ _______

Certification as Certified Senior Master Examiner ($125) in (Print Arts): ________________________________________ _______

Certification as Founder, Grandmaster, etc. ($100) in (Print Arts):  ____________________________________________ _______

Certification as Renshi, Kyoshi, or Hanshi, etc. ($100) in (Print Arts): __________________________________________ _______

Certification as Sensei, Sifu, Sabumnim, Guru, etc. ($100) in (Print Arts):  ______________________________________ _______

Certification as _____________________ (fee varies) in (Print Arts): __________________________________________ _______

Other (USMA Training Camp, Seminar, etc.):______________________________________________________________ _______

                                                                                                                                                                         Total Fees:  ____________

I certify that I have examined this USMA member for promotion to the ranks indicated and that they have demonstrated the required
USMA techniques for the ranks indicated in Section 5 above.

Signature of Teacher or Examiner: ______________________________________________________________________________

Printed Name, club name, and mailing address of Teacher:___________________________________________________________

Date Recommended:   ________________________________________________________________________________________

Please send certificates to: Individual Member: ___________________________ Teacher: _________________________________

Please charge my: Visa □ Master Card □ Card #: _________________________________________________________________

Name as it appears on card (please print): _______________________________ Expiration Date of Credit Card ________________

Your signature: ____________________________________________ Total amount charged: $_____________________________