Yudanshakai
A newly established Yudanshakai (black belt association) is initially granted Provisional Status and placed on a one-year probationary period. Upon successful completion of the probationary period, the Yudanshakai may advance to Full Status, subject to approval by the USJF Board of Examiners.
United States Judo Federation defines a Yudanshakai as a nonprofit association of judo clubs and judoka organized around common basis that promotes the interests of judo. A Yudanshakai must operate under its own written constitution, bylaws, or articles of association; it does not necessarily have to be incorporated or tax-exempt.
Steps to Establish a New USJF Yudanshakai
- Organize the founding group. Identify the clubs, judoka, and yudansha who will form the new association and determine its proposed field of membership. USJF permits a Yudanshakai to be geographically based or organized around common interest.
- Full or Provisional Status. For Full Status, the proposed Yudanshakai must have at least 100 members, including at least 15 members holding USJF-recognized yudansha rank. For Provisional Status, it must have at least 50 members but fewer than 100, including at least 5 USJF-recognized yudansha.
- Establish the organization as a nonprofit entity. The applicant must be a nonprofit entity and operate, or propose to operate, under organizational documents such as articles of incorporation and bylaws, or written articles of association and a constitution. Incorporation is optional under the USJF bylaws, although an incorporated Yudanshakai must remain in good standing in its state of incorporation.
- Develop the Yudanshakai’s governing documents. These should establish matters such as the organization’s name and purpose, membership, officers, Board of Directors, elections, meetings, voting, finances, committees, Board of Examiners, promotion procedures, amendments, and dissolution. The USJF Executive Committee must approve the organizational documents as part of the application process. (Template for Yudanshakai By-Laws)
- Elect or designate the initial officers and establish a Board of Examiners. The application specifically requires the names of the officers and an agreement to comply with USJF rules signed by the applicant’s officers and the Chairman of its Board of Examiners.
What is the Board of Examiners
The Yudanshakai Board of Examiners primarily responsible for technical standards, rank and proficiency, and the development of qualified judo instructors and practitioners.
The BOE’s core functions are to:
- Encourage the training and development of competent judo instructors and practitioners.
- Establish and approve rank and proficiency awards.
- Establish uniform technical procedures and standards. Rules properly established by the BOE have the same force and effect as provisions of the Bylaws.
- Yudanshakai Promotion Committee reviews such applications and makes recommendations to the BOE for action.
- Provide national technical oversight through the Yudanshakai. Each Yudanshakai in good standing appoints representatives to the BOE, and those representatives must be members of their Yudanshakai and hold at least USJF-recognized and registered Sandan rank.
Board of Examiners vs. Board of Directors
The distinction is important when discussing the formation of a new Yudanshakai.
- The Board of Directors is principally the corporate/governance authority of the Yudanshakai, while the Board of Examiners is principally the organization’s technical and rank/proficiency authority.
Important issue: Provisional vs. Full Yudanshakai
A new organization does not necessarily need 100 members to get started.
|
Status |
Total Members |
USJF-Recognized Yudansha |
Voting |
Promotion Authority |
|
Provisional |
50–99 |
5+ |
No |
Through Shodan |
|
Full |
100+ |
15+ |
Yes |
Subject to USJF promotion rules |
A provisional Yudanshakai may approve promotions through Shodan. Dan recommendations above Shodan can be submitted to the National Office at least 45 days before a scheduled Board of Examiners meeting for consideration by the USJF Promotion Committee and Board of Examiners.
Summary
The process can be defined into four phases:
- Phase I — Preliminary Review: Founding clubs submit a letter of intent, membership roster, yudansha roster, explanation for forming the Yudanshakai, and identify proposed leadership.
- Phase II — Organizational Development: Prepare constitution/bylaws, elect officers, establish the Board of Examiners, establish financial controls/bank account, determine dues, establish registration procedures, and develop a 2–3 year membership-development plan.
- Phase III — USJF Application:
- USJF Executive Committee reviews the governing documents
- Board of Examiners reviews technical leadership
- Application and supporting documents go to the President/Executive Director
- Applicant makes a presentation to the Board of Directors
- Board votes.
- Phase IV — One-Year Probation: USJF monitors membership, registration, financial/administrative compliance, promotion procedures, governance, club development and participation.
- At the end of the year, the Board confirms satisfactory completion and the USJF Yudanshakai Charter is issued.
