2012 USTF Maintenance Fees

It is time to renew your USTF memberships.  For all current members (Green Stripes and above are required to be members) that received a USTF Membership card last year, your 2012 USTF Maintenance Fee is $50.00 (same as last year).  If you have recently joined the USTF (Oct 2011 or later) you do not need to pay the 2012 Maintenance Fee.  The USTF is offering a family discount again this year:  $50.00 for the first student, $35.00 for the second, $25.00 for the third, and all other family members are FREE.  The fees are due to the USTF Headquarters by the end of March, so we are establishing February 29th as the cutoff date so all the appropriate paperwork can be completed and turned in on time.  Make your checks payable to AXE TKD.  Mr. Bushor will send one check for all memberships.

The USTF Headquarters has asked everyone to fill out a new membership form.  Mr. Bushor will fill out forms on all current members.  He tracks everyone’s USTF Membership Number (19-###), but he did not write down the latest group of new members.  Please let him know (email, phone, or in class) what your USTF Membership Number is. 

As mentioned earlier, all students Green Stripes and above must join the USTF to be able to test or participate in any USTF sponsored event (tournaments, instructor / referee / ho-sin-sul courses, etc.).  All students Green Stripes and above that are not currently members must join immediately.  The cost is $50.00 per student.  Sorry, there are no family discounts for new memberships.  If you are joining for the first time, you do not have to pay the maintenance fee until next January.

Please talk to Master Todd, Mr. Bushor, or Miss Bowing if you have any question about either the USTF Maintenance Fee or joining the USTF for the first time.

Dobok Wear

When you wear your dobok you should wear it proudly.  The Axe TKD Rules and Regulations states that “the Dobok (uniform) will be kept neat and clean at all times.  White is the only color authorized by USTF regulations.  There are no designs or extraneous patches authorized.”Your uniform should not have any stains (kool-aid, spaghetti, blood, etc.) or any major tears. If you wear an undershirt it must be white, no other color is acceptable. Women/girls are STRONGLY encouraged to wear one, and for the men/boys wearing one is optional.  No jewelry is to be worn unless you put athletic/cloth tape over the jewelry.  This is a safety issue.  If you have questions please refer to the student guide or ask Mr. Bushor or Miss Bowing.

Weather

As we all know, Nebraska weather can be unpredictable, especially in the winter.  If the roads are dangerous and you do not think you can make it to class safely, don’t attempt it.  If you are unsure if we are having class, call the Youth Center (402-294-5152) or one of the instructors to see if the Youth Center will be open and class will still be going on.  If the base is closed then the Youth Center will also be closed.  If you have questions talk to or e-mail one of your instructors.0

Net Etiquette by Master Todd

We are constantly inundated with emails, facebook posting, twitter and blogs. You can spend hours each day going through the postings and sometimes ranting’s of others. I continue to be amazed at what people will share or post. When you enter the martial art world of Taekwon-Do you do give up some of your ability to freely speak your mind. That is obvious when training in dojang and also applies outside of it. When you take to the internet to voice your opinions they are yours, but they now carry your Taekwon-Do title rather you intend that or not. Keep in mind when you “friend” someone what you are doing. You should not need this reminder as you should try to always be a gentleman or lady. If I see posts that in my opinion are not what a Taekwon-Do student, especially a black belt should be stating, I will talk with them.  Reputations are sacred and easy to damage. I would hate to see someone form their opinion of me because I posted something on facebook or some other blog. Every time I post something I ensure that if my fellow Taekwon-Do students and especially my seniors would be offended by anything I post, intentionally or not. If it's questionable I don’t respond or I delete it from my “wall”. I have friends outside of Taekwon-Do, which may not always follow the best rules of language and humor. I don’t engage in that because I am a Taekwon-Do black belt FIRST and their friend second.  Again my reputation is important to me and it should be to you also.  It doesn’t matter if my friends think something is funny or not. Remember when you entered the Taekwon-Do world you entered a martial art.  When you tie on that black belt you are a black belt always, if you are wearing the dobok or not. Your actions and words are seen by many.  Be a good example for others always.

Upcoming tentative dates for 2012

The following events were announced in last newsletter in January.  We did this to allow you plenty of time to schedule for this year.  This should be enough notice for students to plan or resolve any conflicts.

-Thursday, February 16th (Next Thursday!).  Promotion testing for all eligible and approved students.  Mr. Bushor has reviewed all attendance records, and test forms have been passed out in class. 

 The remaining events are listed on the website and have a more lengthy description in last months newsletter.-

April 27th – Axe TKD demonstration, headed by Mr. Bushor- April 28th & 29th – USTF Class C Instructor’s Course in Broomfield, Colorado.  Contact Master Todd

- Saturday, May 19th – 5th Annual AXE TKD tournament will be held at the Youth Center. 

- Thursday, May 31st – Promotion testing will be for all eligible and approved students.   

- Saturday, July 7th – USTF Advanced Ground Fighting Tactics Course in Kirksville, Missouri. 

- Saturday, August 18th – Promotion testing will be for all eligible and approved students.    

- September, Battle of the Belts.  This annual tournament will be in Kirksville, Missouri.   

- Sunday, October 21st

– Senior Grand Master Sereff’s tournament will be held in Broomfield, Colorado. 

- Thursday, November 15th – Promotion testing will be for all eligible and approved students.   

- Thursday, December 20th – Annual Axe TKD Holiday Party.   We are then closed the next week for the holidays. 

Respect

Our Student Oath tells us we must respect our Instructors and Seniors.  Respect doesn’t stop there though, you should show everyone, no matter their rank or age, the same respect you expect to receive.  That means no name calling, laughing at, making fun of, or being mean to ANYONE!  We will not tolerate this in our class.  If you cannot treat everyone in class with courtesy and respect, then you don’t need to be in our class.  The first time you are caught you will be talked to, the second time we will talk with your parents, the third time you will be asked to leave the class and not come back.  Enough said.

Axe TKD Jackets:

We have had a few more inquiries about the Axe TKD Jackets.  The jackets are black and red with the Axe Taekwon-Do patch on the chest.  Please email Ms. Bowing if you are interested in ordering a jacket.  (arbowing11@hotmail.com)