REPORT FROM AZJ YUDANSHAKAI
The black belt board of American Zen Judo (AZJ Yudanshakai) held its annual meeting on Aug. 4 in conjunction with the Asageiko. Among the topics discussed were the non-profit status for our organization, selection of suppliers for American Zen Judo badges and dan patches, the number of annual trainings and the process for grandfathering Judoka from other styles. We discuss the last two items here.

The board is considering moving from sponsoring a single annual training (Asageiko) in Richmond to holding two trainings six months apart for all Zen Judoka. We would have the Summer training (Asageiko) in Richmond and perhaps the Winter training (Kangeiko) in Charlottesville.
The board also decided to hold four annual trainings for black belts only. The purpose of the black belt trainings would be to give dan grades a chance to work on their own progress, since most of us spend the year training others.
Finally, on the matter of grandfathering Judoka from other styles, the board decided that any Sensei who contacts us and wishes to join our organization will have to go through three steps -- first, read the materials about the system that we will provide; second, attend at least one of the four black belt trainings, where s/he can be properly introduced to the syllabus and to the ways we organize our workouts; third, s/he would be allowed to register his/her club with us (as well as his/her students) for one probationary year. During that year one of American Zen Judo black belts would visit the club to follow up on standards. After that the Sensei and the club would become full members of our organization.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS... BLACK BELT TRAININGS FOR AMERICAN ZEN JUDO YUDANSHA
The American Zen Judo Yudanshakai would like to invite all Zen Judo dan grades, and other black belts who might be interested in holding a rank with us to attend one or more of our black belt-only trainings. The first set of trainings is scheduled for the following dates: November 17, February 16, May 25, and September 14.

TRAINING AT "AMERICAN ZEN JUDO WEST"
By Sensei Vern Borgen, 5th Dan Zen, vborgen@uswest.net
We at the Gentle Ways family (Gentle Ways is Sensei Vern's Judo association) in Fargo, North Dakota would like to extend our heartfelt invitation to all Zen Judoka to attend a seminar with Sensei Steve Cunningham. Steve Cunningham's instructor, Sone-Sensei was a direct student of Jigoro Kano. Steve has a very interesting and fresh understanding of the under pinnings of judo... We think you would be impressed.

Steve Cunningham Clinic
Friday 21 September and Saturday 22 September

There will be a mini-clinic on Friday evening for black belts and others who are currently studying judo katas (for sure one or two people from each Gentle Ways dojo should try to be present. My garage dojo is small so a large number of people cannot be accomodated.) I have asked Steve to present a seminar about the Kodokan Kata and their integration into a training program. Most of the material presented will be about the Nage-no-kata and the Goshin-jitsu.
The seminar will start around 7:30 p.m. or so and will go until 9:30 or 10:00. Steve and crew are scheduled to arrive at 5:40 p.m.. I will arrange for a quick snack for them at my house and then we will start the clinic after that. Everyone, please stop by early to visit with our guests, they think of us as family.
The main clinic will begin on Saturday morning at the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse (old fieldhouse) at 8:00 a.m with final cleaning and setting up the mats.... we are going to need lots of hands. I would like to get the clinic going shortly after 8:30 a.m if we can. The clinic will run until 5:00 p.m with a one hour break for lunch. Steve is going to review some of the material we learned last time he was here by going over some combinations (I asked him if he would evaluate our understanding of the previous material) ... in any case that will cover only a small portion of the clinic and the rest of the time will be used for new material.
He is planning to cover the 3rd and 4th kyo of the gokyo no waza.Dinner will follow the clinic at Smokeys. After dinner we will meet at the Expressway Inn (I-94 and University Drive) for a social, Russell Sorenson has reserved the hospitality suite. It sounds like most people are planning to stay there (phone 1-800-437-0044). Cost of the clinic will be $30 for Saturday. No charge for the Friday night's clinic. Current membership in the USJA is required... this is a sanctioned event. Membership/Insurance renewal will be available at the clinic.