ITF-TAO CANADA BY-LAWS
The ITF-TAO Canada will operate in accordance with the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) Constitution created by the Founder of Taekwon-Do, General Choi Hong Hi.
These By-Laws and any other policies, rules and regulations that may be set by the Board of Directors of ITF-TAO Canada or its membership supplement those of the international parent organization, ITF-TAO, whose mission is to promote the values, practice and teachings of Chang Hun Taekwon-Do, unchanged, as developed by the Founder, General Choi Hong Hi. In the case of conflict between these By-Laws and those of ITF-TAO, the latter shall prevail. As a member of ITF-TAO, ITF-TAO Canada is committed to preserving and promoting Taekwon-Do in its traditional, authentic and original form.
1. Definitions
Board of Directors – the President, Secretary, Treasurer, Senior Advisor, Technical Director, Tournament/Umpire Director, and Director of Special Needs elected or appointed from the membership and who, together, govern the affairs of ITF-TAO Canada.
Executive – a body comprised of the President, Secretary, Treasurer and Senior Advisor.
Main dojang – a dojang that is the first training school of a Head Instructor registered with ITF-TAO Canada and who has a rank of 4th Dan or higher.
Branch dojang – a dojang whose Head Instructor is registered with ITF-TAO Canada and has a rank of 1st to 3rd Dan.
2. Membership
2.1 Application
To apply to be a member of ITF-TAO Canada, the individual or group making application must:
i. Complete the ITF-TAO Canada application form;
ii. Fax, email or mail the application form to the Secretary; and
iii. Receive approval from the Board of Directors of ITF-TAO Canada.
2.2 Criteria
To join ITF-TAO Canada, a Taekwon-Do school, club or training centre must be led and directed by a qualified Instructor who:
i. Practices Chang Hun Taekwon-Do;
ii. Agrees to act in accordance with ITF-TAO Canada By-Laws, policies, rules, and regulations;
iii. Is in possession of a valid ITF Black Belt Certificate;
iv. Is in possession of a valid ITF International Instructor Certificate or is supervised by an International Instructor approved by ITF-TAO Canada; and
v. Operates his or her dojang for at least six (6) months a year.
2.3 Expulsion and Suspension
Membership in ITF-TAO Canada can be suspended or revoked if a member fails to abide by the By-Laws and other policies, rules and regulations of ITF-TAO Canada. Membership may be suspended if, in the view of the Board of Directors, a member is deemed to have acted in a manner that is inconsistent with the By-Laws and other policies, rules or regulations or is harmful to the reputation of ITF-TAO Canada, ITF-TAO and/or their respective members.
2.4 Meetings
2.4 (A) General
Members must meet at least once a year in-person during the Annual General Meeting. Members may meet at other times throughout the year. These meetings may be virtual, by teleconference or in-person on the margins of another event such as a tournament or training seminar. At the discretion of the President, members may also be consulted through email to decide on routine matters.
All official correspondence will be via email.
2.4 (B) Annual General Meeting
Each year, the Board of Directors shall, at a date, time and location set and communicated to members convene an in-person meeting of ITF-TAO Canada members. Prior to the date of the meeting, the Secretary shall communicate with the membership to determine if there are items to be placed on the agenda, which the Secretary shall then circulate to members prior to the date of the meeting.
2.5 Decision Making
Decisions shall be made by voting. Voting is normally conducted in an open and transparent manner such that members know how other members have voted; however, at the discretion of the President, a secret ballot may be permitted.
All main and branch dojangs, through their Head Instructor or delegate present during a meeting, have one (1) vote. In addition, members of the Board of Directors have the right to cast one (1) vote and, if applicable, name a delegate to cast one (1) vote on behalf of the dojang they represent. The President will normally vote last such that in the case of a tie vote his or her decision will carry the day.
Decisions of the membership are made during the Annual General Meeting of members or throughout the year during virtual or teleconference meetings. For in-person, virtual or teleconference meetings, voting may not be done in absentia. At the President’s discretion, decisions on trivial matters may also be made through email.
2.6 General Requirements
Members must agree to:
i. Purchase all Gup promotion certificates from ITF-TAO Canada;
ii. Submit all applications for promotion to Black Belt (inclusive of all Dan levels) to ITF-TAO Canada;
iii. Purchase all ITF-approved uniforms and sparring equipment from a supplier approved by ITF-TAO Canada;
iv. Within reason, support all ITF-TAO Canada functions and events;
v. Attend an annual technical conference organized by ITF-TAO Canada or ITF-TAO. All 4th Dan and above are required to attend (1) one Technical Conference every (2) two years to be eligible to conduct any gradings and to apply and issue ITF-TAO black belt certificates;
vi. Pay the annual ITF-TAO Canada membership fee; and
vii. Except in extenuating circumstances communicated in advance to the Board of Directors, attend the Annual General Meeting of ITF-TAO Canada.
3. Board of Directors and Executive
3.1 Meetings
The Board of Directors meets in-person, virtually, by teleconference or by email as often as necessary to manage the affairs of ITF-TAO Canada, execute its decisions or those of the membership, and fulfil the roles and responsibilities described below.
The Executive shall meet as often as required and in the manner they choose, to discuss ongoing matters, plan the meetings of the Board of Directors and/or the membership, and carry out any other business necessary to ensure the ITF-TAO runs efficiently and effectively.
3.2 Roles and Responsibilities
3.2 (A) General
i. Prepare and adopt action or strategic plans;
ii. Prepare budgets, policies, rules and regulations for subsequent presentation to the membership for approval and adoption;
iii. Appoint and oversee the affairs of ad hoc committees responsible for achieving a particular mission or mandate;
iv. Make decisions about admission, discipline, suspension and expulsion;
v. Set all fees and approve all expenditures of ITF-TAO Canada; and
vi. Remain accountable to the membership of ITF-TAO Canada.
3.2 (B) Position-specific
i. President – is voted on by the membership and serves as the official spokesperson of ITF-TAO Canada for all purposes, representing ITF-TAO Canada on the ITF-TAO Board and at all international events or functions. The President serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors and is responsible for leading or directing the execution of the decisions, and the management of the affairs, of both the Board of Directors and of the membership of ITF-TAO Canada. His or her role is to seek consensus on matters put before the membership in a constructive and respectful manner. The President is an ex-officio member of all ad hoc committees and may advise and consult members on ethical issues and related matters.
ii. Secretary – is appointed by the President and is the official record keeper of the Board of Directors and of ITF-TAO Canada. The Secretary receives all applications for new membership, events and functions, including tournaments, and communicates the receipt of such applications to the other Board members for decision-making purposes. The Secretary is responsible for preparing and circulating meeting agendas, leading logistics planning and preparation, processing membership applications and Gup promotion certificate purchases.
iii. Treasurer – is appointed by the President and is responsible for the financial affairs and all monetary transactions, inclusive of collection of monies owed and payment of monies owing, of the Board of Directors and ITF-TAO Canada. As such, the Treasurer shall maintain full and accurate records of all revenues, expenditures, assets and liabilities and shall report to the membership during the Annual General Meeting, or as otherwise directed by the President, on the financial status of ITF-TAO Canada. The Treasurer is also responsible for preparing budgets for approval.
iv. Senior Advisor – is responsible for being the moral guide and compass for ITF-TAO Canada. To fulfill this role, the Senior Advisor must attend any or all meetings held during the year. This is a non-voting position.
v. Technical Director – is appointed by the President and is responsible for ensuring all ITF-TAO Canada members adhere to the standards set by ITF-TAO and by the Founder of Taekwon-Do, General Choi Hong Hi, as pertains to training, instruction and promotion at both the Gup and Dan levels. To fulfil this role, the Technical Director shall schedule and lead courses, workshops, seminars and other training events that seek to ensure conformity to standards of excellence, as well as issue all related certificates. The Technical Director shall also field all technical inquiries from members and consult them on their technical needs.
vi. Tournament/Umpire Director – is appointed by the Technical Director and is responsible for establishing and monitoring standards for competitions, including standards for judges and umpires to ensure safety, fairness and professionalism. He or she shall schedule and lead courses, workshops, seminars and other training events to ensure conformity to standards of excellence, as well as issue all related certificates. The Tournament/Umpire Director shall consult members on their needs and provide advice and guidance on the planning of tournaments and on all matters pertaining to judging.
vii. Director of Special Needs – is appointed by the President and is responsible for establishing and administering on-line accurate, evidence based resources for TAO Canada instructors to assist with the diverse needs of their students. This may include managing the content of a webpage, providing resources to be shared virtually, or any other such means that are beneficial. He or she shall consult members on their needs and provide advice and guidance on all matters pertaining to special needs, while ensuring that TAO Canada members are still adhering to the standards set forth by ITF-TAO and by the Founder of Taekwon-Do, General Choi Hong Hi, as pertains to the training and instruction of students with diverse needs. This role is to be fulfilled by an individual who can provide a positive yet effective experience for any and all instructors who require or are interested in this additional support. In addition, this role is to be fulfilled by an individual of special needs who is a self-advocate of the special needs community.
4. Miscellaneous
4.1 Financial Year
The financial year of ITF-TAO Canada begins on January 1 of a given calendar year and ends on December 31 of the same calendar year.
4.2 Amendment of By-Laws
These By-Laws may be amended at any time by a majority vote of the Executive.
4.3 Membership Fees
Membership fees are set by the Board of Directors and must be remitted annually to ITF-TAO Canada through the Treasurer. Payments made be made by cheque, money order or e-transfer.
The annual membership fee is $200.00 for main dojangs and $100.00 for branch dojangs.
The membership fee applies to calendar years. It is due on the first day of January and must be paid in full no later than the last day of the same month. New members who join throughout the year will pay a pro-rated amount (i.e., their membership fee will be reduced proportionately for the year in progress).
4.4 Guiding Principles
i. Members of ITF-TAO Canada and their students recognize that they are forever students of the Founder of Taekwon-Do, General Choi Hong Hi. ITF-TAO Canada will preserve, strengthen and promote the legacy of General Choi as described in his Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do, 1999 (5th edition), notably the twenty-four (24) patterns and the philosophy.
ii. ITF-TAO Canada belongs to all its members; it must work for and with, and be responsive to, its members to provide the services they need and deserve.
iii. ITF-TAO Canada is, and must remain, free of political influence.
iv. All decisions made by the ITF-TAO Canada membership and Board of Directors must be fair, impartial and justified (i.e., made in the best interest of the organization and membership).
v. ITF-TAO Canada is committed to the preservation and promotion of traditional, authentic and original Chang Hun Taekwon-Do in its four facets: as a martial art; as a way of life; as a tool for social development; and as a means of self-improvement.
vi. ITF-TAO Canada must maximize efforts to build and maintain an efficient structure and professional operations.
vii. All promotions within ITF-TAO Canada shall be conducted according to merit and in conformity with its established criteria and standards of excellence.
viii. All Instructors, Masters and Grand Masters affiliated with ITF-TAO Canada recognize they play a vital role in establishing and maintaining the image and reputation of the organization as a purveyor of the teachings of the Founder of Taekwon-Do, General Choi Hong Hi, as well as in transmitting his legacy along to all students and future generations.
ix. Respect for hierarchical authority is an important principle of Chang Hun Taekwon-Do and is necessary to maintain the integrity of General Choi’s art, operate effective and efficient dojangs, and smoothly lead the business affairs of ITF-TAO Canada. All members of ITF-TAO Canada will respect those who are their seniors in the organization and in rank. Additionally, seniors shall treat their students and other juniors with integrity, respect and fairness.