Constitution of

Eclectic Goju Karate

Last Updated 10/04/2015

Article I. Name
The name of this martial arts organization shall be Eclectic Goju Karate.

Article II. Affiliation

This organization consists of an eclectic gathering of martial styles that is constantly developing
alongside our members and their personal growth. We are strongly based in the teachings of Peter
G. Urbans USA Goju Karate as well as Okinawan Goju-Ryu as it was originally developed by
Chojun Miyagi. Though our members come from diverse backgrounds and personal affiliations,
Eclectic Goju Karate, as a whole, claims no direct associations or affiliations with any finite
global organization.

Article III. Mission Statement

Eclectic Goju Karate serves to promote the development and advancement of traditional GojuRyu karate practices for the primary purpose of providing practical and sensible self-defense
tactics to its practicing members and surrounding community. Through karate training, we aim to
educate our members to become respectful, honorable, and outstanding leaders within their
community. Development of the individual is strongly emphasized through relating personal
interests to martial arts development via common themes.
Eclectic Goju Karate is an evolving martial art system that aims to incorporate techniques and
philosophies from any other martial art style that will enhance the performance of the individual.
Individual development, research, and exploration into additional martial arts styles is strongly
encouraged to allow for a well-rounded understanding of ancient as well as modern martial arts
culture. An eclectic gathering of martial styles will be presented as available while maintaining
the original ideas and structure of Goju-Ryu karate as originated by Sensei Chojun Miyagi and
Peter G. Urban.

Article IV. Representation

Gis worn by members during training will be either black or white and bear the USA Goju karate
fist emblem representing our Goju-Ryu karate basis as well as an animal emblem adopted to
represent the organizations unique eclectic philosophies. Variation in the color of gis should be
avoided to maintain uniformity. Senior black belt members will be issued a formal black belt
with red embroidery.
Each student of Eclectic Goju Karate will share a common kata system consisting of the 12
primary katas recognized by Goju-Ryu karate systems worldwide including Sanchin, Tensho,
Gekisai dai Ichi, Gekisai dai Ni, Saifa, Seiyunchin, Shisochin, Sanseru, Sepai, Seisan, Kururunfa,
and Suparenpei. These kata may be recognized in any of their various forms including
Okinawan, Japanese, Chinese, or Urban variations. Additional katas are encouraged, but should
not replace the 12 core kata.

Eclectic Goju Karate is primarily a self-defense based fighting system and should be publicly
represented as such. Musical or acrobatic demonstrations are not advised during Eclectic Goju
Karate events to avoid misrepresentation. Inauthentic kata should not be publicly demonstrated.
Tournament participation and competitive involvement is left to the discretion of each individual
dojo, but is not required. Tournaments held between Eclectic Goju Karate branches for students
or junior black belts will be discussed by chief dojo instructors and Grandmaster Myers.

Article V. Membership
Section 1. General Requirements
No person shall be denied membership on the basis of race, gender, religion, economic status,
marital status, handicap, national origin, or sexual orientation. Members of Eclectic Goju Karate
can participate in all training activities, lectures, or events at the sole discretion of their dojos
chief instructor. Members must agree to, and continually display the ability to, not use fighting
techniques for deliberately harmful and destructive purposes. If a member is found to be in
violation of their promise and using their techniques in a destructive way for harmful purposes,
they will be subject to permanent dismemberment from the group. Any member associated with
legal accusations or conviction regarding, sexual, immoral, or unjust actions on their part will be
evaluated for permanent dismissal from the group.
Section 2. Non-exclusionary membership Clause.
Any member who refuses to abide by any rules, regulations and or policies set forth by their dojo
head is prohibited from joining in group activities.
Section 3. Black Belt Registry
Each student, upon earning their black belt under a certified Eclectic Goju Karate instructor, will
be entered into the systems black belt registry for authentication and contact purposes. For each
entry, the practitioners name, rank, date of promotion, phone number, mailing address, and
picture will be recorded. Please provide a high quality picture of the practitioner wearing their gi
if available.

Article VI. Executive Board Members

Section 1. Current Board Members
Official names of the Eclectic Goju Karate executive board are as follows:
William Myers (10th Degree) - Chief Grandmaster
Robert Bowers (9th Degree)
Leanear Randall (7th Degree)
Thomas Bowers (7th Degree)
Marc Cook (3rd Degree)
Section 2. Quorum of Five
In the interest of limiting our organization to a manageable size, the executive board will be made
up of a maximum of five individuals. Each member of the Eclectic Goju Karate organization
should be capable of tracing their martial arts lineage back to one or more members of the
executive board. All dojo branches should be directly overseen or approved of by one of the five
members of the executive board.
Section 3. Qualifications
Executive board members must have proficient knowledge, training, and understanding of the

Eclectic Goju Karate system and its applications as well as the leadership experience necessary to
safely instruct members in the style. Each executive board member will be voted into position by
the current board.
Section 4. Duties
Each member of the executive board will be responsible for overseeing the continual
development and advancement of Eclectic Goju Karate as a whole and make decisions regarding
the entire organizations advancement. Executive board members are to oversee all activities and
events of the Eclectic Goju Karate organization held between dojo establishments, assigning
duties and responsibilities as necessary. All black belt level promotions must be recognized in
some manner by executive board members.
The Chief Grandmaster of Eclectic Goju Karate is the systems senior advisor who helps to
oversee the activities of the executive board. The chief grandmaster acts as a knowledgeable
guide and mentor to the entire board in their decision making. The chief grandmaster shall be
recognized as the chief instructor over all dojo branches simultaneously. Should an impasse be
reached among the executive board, the chief grandmasters vote and opinion will carry more
weight than any other executive board member. The chief grandmaster shall designate their
chosen successor at a time they have deemed appropriate.
Section 5. Removal
Each member of the executive board will continue to retain their status over time unless removed
by an executive vote or personal resignation. If a member of the executive board refuses to abide
by any regulations and or policies of Eclectic Goju Karate or threatens to be a detriment to the
Eclectic Goju Karate system, he or she will be removed from their leadership position and
replaced by another eligible member. The removal process will begin with any member of the
executive board coming forward to another member of the board with a concern that they have
with one of the leaders. The concern will be considered and corrective action will be attempted
before removal. If corrective action should fail and removal is inevitable, the leader will be asked
privately to leave the executive board and a replacement will be decided on by the remaining
board members.

Article VII. Established Dojo Branches

Section 1. Current Established Branches
Dojo branches will be established as potential chief instructors are made available in a new
geographic location found to be inaccessible to the current branches. Current dojo branches and
their chief instructors include:
Iron Mountain Dojo (Stafford, VA)
Contact: 703-217-1113
Chief Instructor: Leanear Randall (7th Degree)
Mountain Valley Dojo (Harrisonburg, VA)
Contact: 540-810-1142
Chief Instructor: Bob Bowers (9th Degree)
Section 2. Branch Management
Each established dojo branch of the Eclectic Goju Karate system will be overseen by a designated
chief instructor. The chief instructor will be permitted to have complete autonomous control over
their dojos operations including, but not limited to, organizing and leading dojo training

practices, designating meeting times and places, incorporating methods of instruction, distributing
training equipment, overseeing student recruitments and dismissals, distributing colored belt
ranks, and distributing tasks to their Senior Black Belt members.
Senior black belt instructors will be in charge of assisting their chief instructors with the
administrative and instructional duties of their dojo as needed. Senior black belt instructors are
recognized as black belts within an established branch who are 3 rd degree or higher in rank.
Section 3. Dues
There are currently no annual dues each dojo branch is responsible for. Any member is welcome,
but not required, to donate funds by contacting a designated member of the executive board
directly. Funds will be used to directly advance the Eclectic Goju Karate organization as the
executive board sees fit. Each dojo branch is permitted to establish their own dojo membership
dues to be paid by active students respectively, within reason.
Section 4. Removal
In the event that a branch no longer has a chief instructor available to them and a suitable
replacement cannot be found, the branch will be dissolved. Branches that are found to be
detrimental to the advancement of Eclectic Goju Karate through inappropriate training methods
or insufficient management will be subject to dissolution from the organization.

Article VIII. Amendments

Amendments to the Eclectic Goju Karate constitution may be presented by any executive board
member. Members must have good reasoning behind the proposal and must have the
advancement of the group in mind. Amendments will be discussed by the executive board to
determine if the amendment helps positively advance the organizations efforts. If the
amendment has done that, it will be brought to the decision process where it must be passed by
agreement of the executive board through a vote. All revisions and nullifications of prior
amendments will be treated as a new amendment proposal.

Adopted____________________________________________________________
(Signature and Date)

Adopted____________________________________________________________
(Signature and Date)

Adopted____________________________________________________________
(Signature and Date)

Adopted____________________________________________________________
(Signature and Date)

Adopted____________________________________________________________
(Signature and Date)