REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP
If one is applying for membership as a founder of his / her own system with
the Soke Menkyo Kai, The following requirements must be met.
1.
Must have held a black belt grade for twenty years in any art / way.
2.
Must hold a fifth degree black belt or equivalent in a martial art similar to
that of the system you have founded.
3.
Must hold an additional fifth degree black belt or equivalent in an additional
art / way.
4.
Must hold two additional black belts in other martial arts. ( Any Degree / Dan
)
5.
Must provide copies of certificates for all black belt grades. Must provide all
lower black belt certificate copies as well.
Example: For a fifth degree black belt, one must submit copies of first through fifth
degree certificates. One must also provide contact information for the instructor and / or issuing authority of the certificates.
Note: The reason for the additional grades is to demonstrate that one has a good foundation
in the martial arts with an overall understanding of the martial arts in general.
6.
Criminal background check. In order to expedite your membership application.
Any recent criminal history check you can provide, including that of an approved application for a handgun
permit ect. Will be helpful. Also any letter of introduction from your local minister or Chief of police can also be used.
7.
A completed 1,000 word thesis on the martial art / way you wish to receive full foundership
accreditation in.
8.
A completed Soke Menkyo Kai application and the membership proper fees.
About the Soke Menkyo Kai......
The Soke Menkyo
Kai is one of the few Sokeship associations to offer it's members accreditation in a license form for their years of hard
work as a founder or heir of a martial arts system.
Accreditation is issued by " Head Family Soke " who are masters that not only
have earned their grades up to Judan 10th Dan or Menkyo Kaiden, but then became the heir to the system they had received their
grades in.
Only a Soke ( Head Master of the martial arts system ) with this " Head
Family Status " can issue such accreditation. Certification or recognition by non Head Family Soke is just that. It is not
accreditation which is what is truly required for ones life long work. The only other way one could receive such true
accreditation would be to receive Sokeship recognition through a royal family (ie; Japan and or Okinawa) which has not been
done in many years.
The Soke Menkyo Kai has as it's president a Soke who has " Head Family "status.
Master Donald P. Jeffrey. Jeffrey Soke received the grade / title of kaiden ( 10th Dan ) prior to becoming the heir ( Soke
Nidai / 2nd Gen. Successor ) to the
O' Kando Ikiru - Ryu martial arts system. He is also the 5th Gen. Soke ( Soke
Godai) to the Motto Chi - Te Ryu martial arts system and Soke Shodai to the O' Ki Jutsu Ryu and the Chinmoku Kaze Ryu
Batto Jutsu.
Operating as an association as opposed to a " Sokeship Board ", all members
of the S.M.K. have a say, a vote on all major topics that arise. Voting is done via e-mail and all e-mail is addressed to
all members voting. This way, there is no room for any misconceptions , misunderstandings and / or politics. The one thing
that NO member has a voice in however, is that of the acceptance of a applicant for membership who meets all of the S.M.K.
requirements, be it a founder or heir.
New members are treated the same as old members , whereas all are equal with
the S.M.K. and all members have a say. Any members who may have questions as to operational procedure of a Sokeship / Ryu
can easily contact the president as well as other members for advice. There are no secretaries or assistants that act as a
buffer between the members and the president.
The Soke Menkyo Kai is not only an association , but also acts as an agency,
an agency issuing accreditation through a form of license to those who apply and meet the requirements for membership.
If you believe you meet the demanding qualifications contact:
President, Donald P. Jeffrey at:
kdasoke@comcast.net
