Friday, January 20, 2017

UIKA 2017 Kick off!!

UIKA Family:

Happy New Year to each of you!  I wish everyone the absolute best for this new year!  Last year brought us together,but was bittersweet.  We lost Sensei Mitcum in June making the year tough on a lot of us.  Sensei was close to the organization and had a special bond with many of the folks.  That was Sensei in a nutshell, making friends, mentoring, and doing his best for Isshin Ryu.

I remember one high ranking Dan approaching me and he said he asked Sensei Mitchum why he became so active in the past few years, Sensei answered and said, "it was for Master Shimabuku and Isshin Ryu".  In one seminar that I did with Sensei during a Q & A session a young person asked what he felt about Master Shimabuku.  Sensei paused, looked down for a moment and with those sparkling blue eyes said, "I loved the man".  I'll never forget that moment as I needed to back away for a second to gather myself.  But, that was Sensei, honest, caring, loving, and authentic.

Sensei would have us to be forward looking.  He planned and wanted the organization to improve and continue on.  One way we can do that is by taking his lead, and being the best we can be, then preparing and improving as we grow.  We are better together, stronger because we care.  We as UIKA members are united to the cause of preserving what Master Shimabuku taught through his student Harold Mitchum.  I'm all in, preserving the dream!!

As we look to membership a few things will change to improve the organization.  Memberships of one and five year are available as are "life time".  Details will follow as we massage some of the things we do to improve performance.  I appreciate all that folks do to help, everyone from the regional representatives to our social media and web guys, and sponsoring DOJOs, THANK YOU.

We'll see you soon, if you need anything your are welcome to contact the organization through Facebook, and the website.  Additionally, my number is available at: 248-505-4698.

Use the following new membership application link:

https://goo.gl/ybi3wQ

Dan Holloway