FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- How do I schedule a gasshuku?
- How do I select a Gasshuku Manager?
- How do I select the Director of Instruction?
- How do I invite Instructors?
- How do I invite a Guest Instructor?
- How do I schedule exams?
- How do I invite a Guest Examiner?
- How do I schedule an Advanced Workshop?
- How do I select a Gasshuku Consultant?
When planning a gasshuku or workshop in your region, notify the Chair of the National Technical Council of the date you have planned, to make sure that no other gasshukus are scheduled for that same date. You will have access to the SoA mailing list to help you publicize your gasshuku.
When planning an inter-regional event, or when inviting an Instructor from outside your region to teach at a regional event, notify the Chair of the National Technical Council. This avoids scheduling conflicting events, and provides guidance on policy issues and event planning (such as financial issues.) A national Gasshuku is an opportunity to offer an advanced workshop and upper-level examinations.
As soon as your event has been scheduled, notify the SoA Project Manager so it can be publicized on the SoA website. (www.shintaido.org/docs/events.php)
In return for accrediting instructors who are qualified to teach at gasshukus, SoA asks that all gasshukus offer a registration discount for SoA members. Please plan this discount into your budget.
SoA encourages all gasshuku managers to schedule a group leaders‘ event (discussion and/or keiko) as part of the gasshuku.
HOW DO I SELECT A GASSHUKU MANAGER?
The group hosting the gasshuku selects the Gasshuku Manager. The manager should be a member of the host group and if possible, have acted as an assistant to a Gasshuku Manager at previous Shintaido workshops or gasshukus.
The Gasshuku Manager oversees the organization of the gasshuku and in conjunction with the Director of Instruction determines the budget for instruction and keiko schedule. The Manager or his/her designee (e.g., Exam Coordinator) reports examination results to the SoA Membership Secretary.
HOW DO I SELECT THE DIRECTOR OF INSTRUCTION?
The host group and the Gasshuku Manager selects the Director of Instruction. The Director should have extensive teaching experience and does not have to be a member of the host group.
The Director oversees all instructional matters and in conjunction with the Gasshuku Manager determines the budget for instruction and keiko schedule.
The Gasshuku Manager writes a formal invitation to the candidate, informing him/her of the gasshuku dates and remuneration.
If you plan to invite one or more Instructors from outside your region to teach at your gasshuku, you may consult the Chair of the National Technical Council if you wish. To prevent confusion, please always consult the Chair of the National Technical Council before inviting a Shintaido Instructor from outside the United States.
HOW DO I INVITE A GUEST INSTRUCTOR?
The Director of Instruction and the Gasshuku Manager decide who will be invited as Guest Instructor(s). Since the selection of Guest Instructors is an educational as well as budgetary concern, both the Director and Manager need to agree on the candidate(s).
The Gasshuku Manager writes a formal invitation to the candidate(s), informing him/her/them of the Gasshuku dates and remuneration. If necessary, be sure to include a request to serve as an examiner.
SoA exams may be given in conjunction with a gasshuku or independently. To schedule exams at your event, contact the Chair of the National Technical Council. One third of exam fees go to SoA, and the rest are divided among the examiners.
For requirements for examiners, contact the Chair of National Technical’ Council. For suggested fee schedules, see Appendix II.
HOW DO I INVITE A GUEST EXAMINER?
The Director of Instruction and the Gasshuku Manager decide who will be invited as Guest Examiner(s). When selecting the Guest Examiner(s), make sure to consider the level of examinations to be given. Refer to the Shintaido Qualification System for required qualifications of examiners. Since the selection of Guest Examiner(s) is an educational as well as budgetary concern, both the Director and Manager need to agree.
The Gasshuku Manager writes a formal invitation to the candidate, informing him/her/them of the Gasshuku dates, level of examinations to be held, examination schedule and remuneration.
HOW DO I SCHEDULE AN ADVANCED WORKSHOP?
SoA Advanced Workshops may be scheduled at any gasshuku with the approval of the Chair of the National Technical Council. As early as possible after this approval, send the date to the SoA Webmaster to have it placed on the SoA calendar of events. An advanced workshop is defined as a workshop led by a General Instructor or above, intended for Graduates and above, and open to others with permission of the instructor.
HOW DO I SELECT A GASSHUKU CONSULTANT?
The Gasshuku Manager decides who to invite as a Gasshuku Consultant. Historically, a Gasshuku Consultant has been hired only for large National and/or International events.
The Gasshuku consultant must have extensive experience in all phases of gasshuku management and must have acted as Director of Instruction for at least one National and/or International Gasshuku.
It may be helpful to hire a person who has exposure to the international Shintaido movement, especially if the gasshuku will include members from other countries.
The Gasshuku Manager writes a formal invitation to the candidate, informing him/her of the Gasshuku schedule and remuneration.
