The First Half of 1999 has been AWESOME! After moving the USJJF National Headquarters to Reno, Nevada, we activated a very Progressive Membership Campaign and Expansion of USJJF Regional Ju-Jitsu Organizations throughout the USA. In just the past six months, we have added to nearly twenty (20) new Regional Ju-Jitsu Organizations to the “USJJF Family”. Also, this past spring, the World Ju-Jitsu Congress hosted by the Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF) was held in Jerusalem, Israel. At the Ju-Jitsu Congress, the JJIF announced that all requirements have now been accomplished for Ju-Jitsu to be recognized as a Full Olympic Sport by the International Olympic Committee. This is GREAT NEWS! Congratulations to all the Ju-Jitsu Leaders that worked to accomplish this wonderful step for Ju-Jitsu! Today the JJIF now includes over 65 countries in its membership. The USJJF is the USA National Federation of the JJIF.

As your Federation’s President, I have been in frequent contact with as many Ju-Jitsu Leaders across the USA as possible. During the past four months, I have traveled to five states conducting USJJF “Gatherings” and Competition Orientation Programs and Referee Courses. The reception throughout this Great Country has been wonderful! A Special Thanks to all of the Hosting RJJOs! A Very Sincere THANKS to all of the Ju-Jitsu Leaders throughout our Great Country. Ju-Jitsu is continuing to grow in strength and popularity across the USA!

I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS MY MOST SINCERE APPRECIATION TO A FEW OF OUR GREAT JU-JITSU LEADERS:

A Special Thanks to...

Hanshi George E. Anderson (our Federation’s Founder) for your wonderful insight & foresight in furthering the development of Ju-Jitsu “Nationally” & “Internationally”. With your “Long Standing” Leadership, we have made Great Progress in the most important project.

Shihan Joseph F. Connolly, II for your Encouragement and Strong Support to the USJJF & to me as I “took the reins” as our Federation’s new president.

Sensei Robert M. Carver for your Outstanding Leadership, as our Vice-President, & your “Great Talent” in developing the Most Dynamic Website for all Ju-Jitsuka.

Shihan William Connolly for your Exceptional Leadership, Foresight and Financial Management of our Federation as a Non-Profit Organization.

Shihan Ernest G. McPeek for your Dynamic Leadership in building NEW YORK JU-JITSU, one of the Nation’s Fastest Growing Ju-Jitsu Organizations with the USJJF.

Shihan Toshiaki Takikawa for your Dedicated Efforts to provide Technical Excellence & Historical Significance to US JU-JITSU.

Shihan Edward E. Wilkes & Shihan David Dye for your Dynamic Leadership in developing US JU-JITSU of SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

Shihan Ron Chandler, Sensei Delva R. Mandrell & Sensei R. Charles Jernigan for your Outstanding Support & Leadership in developing US JU-JITSU of OKLAHOMA.

Shihan Carl Wilcox for your “Stepping Forward” to organize US JU-JITSU of NORTH CAROLINA, serve as our S.E. Regional Director of USJJF and for your building the S.E. National Ju-Jitsu Training Center.

Shihan Terry Bryan, Shihan William Connolly & Shihan Larry Lamz for your Insight, Teamwork & Dynamic Leadership in developing US JU-JITSU of COLORADO.

Shihan Dayn DeRose for your Aggressive & Positive Leadership in developing US JU-JITSU of NEW JERSEY.

Shihan Michael J. Dunphy & Shihan Michael Piaser for your Leadership in directing the USJJF 1999 OPEN JU-JITSU CHAMPIONSHIPS

These are a few of our “Special USJJF Leaders” that I wish to recognize in this President’s Newsletter! My most Sincere Gratitude goes out to these Dedicated Ju-Jitsuka!

I have many important and exciting topics to address in this newsletter!

Here’s the latest UPDATE on our USJJF Programs, Events and Policies. This Newsletter covers the following topics:

The “GROWTH” of our USJJF Official Website.
UPDATE on co-sponsored USJJF/JJIF Programs.
Upcoming USJJF Events & Seminars
JJIF International Events.
EMGAM (“Every Member Get a Member”) USJJF Membership Campaign!
1999’s Successful Nation-Wide Growth of USJJF “RJJOs” - Regional Ju-Jitsu Organizations.
JJIF / USJJF Referee Training & Certification Program.
USJJF Program Update.
Expansion of USJJF “Partners & Affiliates”.
US JU-JITSU National Rank System.
New USJJF Certificates & Cards are now available!
USJJF’s Policy on Ju-Jitsu Rank Promotions.
Update on USJJF’s Sportswear and Awards Merchandise Program.
Update on USJJF’s Police Self-Defense Instructors (PSDI) Program
USJJF Insurance Program

(USJJF Official Website) Although our Federation’s Website is only six months old, we have already had nearly 8,000 visits! USJJF’s Official Website has become a major vehicle in “Sharing Knowledge” to Ju-Jitsuka all over the World. Our Website has become the “Ju-Jitsuka Communication Vehicle” on the World Wide Web. Our Webmaster, Sensei Carver continues to do a GRAND JOB developing & expanding the USJJF Official Website! If you don’t have internet access at work or home, ask a student or associate to show you USJJF’s Website (www.usjjf.org) on their computer. There is a “TON” of FREE Resource Materials available to you and your students on USJJF’s Official Website just waiting for you to “download” on the printer. “Student handouts”, Articles (written by Ju-Jitsu Leaders), Photographs, Clip Art, Rank System Information, History & much more are all available “FREE” to anyone interested in US Ju-Jitsu! This is a wonderful Opportunity to express yourself as a “Author” of Ju-Jitsu Philosophy, Technique, History or other interesting Ju-Jitsu subjects. Keeping visiting the “News & Events” section as well as the Seminars, Clinics & Tournaments section on your website. Please send Sensei Carver your “Club Updates”, Events & Photos so we can post them on your Federation’s Website!

(UPDATE on USJJF/JJIF Affiliation) The United States Ju-Jitsu Federation was founded in 1971, and is the National Governing Body of Ju-Jitsu in the United States under the Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF). The USJJF is the USA National Member of the Ju-Jitsu International Federation, the North American Ju-Jitsu Union, General Association of International Sports Federations and the International World Games Association. What does National Governing Body mean? Simply, if Ju-Jitsu is to receive recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), then the IOC requires that International and National Governing Organizations be established to standardize rules and other requirements. The Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF) is the officially recognized international organization while the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation is the national organization for the United States of America with the JJIF. The JJIF is a Full Member of the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), the International Federations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). While Ju-Jitsu has not yet become a Full Olympic Sport, it has already become a member of the Olympic Family of Sports through the GAISF, and has conducted international and world level championships of its own and in the World Games. The JJIF will again conduct world level competition in the World Games 2001 in Japan. At the Ju-Jitsu Congress held in Israel this past spring, the JJIF announced that all of the requirements have now been accomplished for the IOC to Recognize Ju-Jitsu as a Full Olympic Sport! This is Great News! While the ancient art of Ju-Jitsu is much more than a (soon to be) Olympic Sport, the Olympic Program will certainly help promote the Growth & Further Development of the Art.

(Upcoming USJJF Events) Our Federation is dedicated to uniting American Ju-Jitsuka with a foundation of mutual respect for all styles or systems and providing guidance in Technical Excellence, Fellowship and Human Character Development. With this Mission in mind, we are conducting various Technical Seminars, Clinics & Tournaments across the USA!

Our Upcoming Events are as follows: (DETAILS ON OUR WEBSITE)

1999:

July 31 - August 2. US Ju-Jitsu of New Jersey is hosting a USJJF “Gathering”, Competition Orientation Program & Referee Course.

August 21 - 23. US Ju-Jitsu of Colorado is hosting a USJJF “Gathering”, Competition Orientation Program & Referee Course at the US Air Force Academy!.

September 18 - 20. US Ju-Jitsu of New York is hosting a USJJF “Gathering”, Competition Orientation Program & Referee Course.

September 25 - 26. US Ju-Jitsu of Northern California is hosting a USJJF “Gathering”, Competition Orientation Program & Referee Course.

October 16 - 18. US Ju-Jitsu of Wisconsin is hosting a USJJF “Gathering”, Competition Orientation Program & Referee Course.

December 11 - 12. North American Ju-Jitsu Union Conference.

2000:

February 10-13. USJJF Winter Training Camp 2000! in Reno Neveda!

April 15. Sierra Invitational Ju-Jitsu Championships

July 14 - 16. USJJF National Championship, Canton, OH.

July 22nd and 23rd. Masters 2000 Ju-Jitsu Championship in Irvine, California.

(JJIF Upcoming Events) Over the past 28 years, the USJJF has conducted Regional and National Championships under the guidance of the JJIF Rules of Competition and has sent National Teams to both JJIF International and World Championships. This past November (1998), as Vice-President of USJJF, I was honored to represent the United States as the Official Delegate to the JJIF World Championships in Berlin Germany and the international JJIF Referee Training Camp in the Italian Alps. Since March 99, the USJJF Central Technical Committee has completed the new “Train the Trainer” Referee Course and we have conducted several “State Level” Referee Certification Courses across the USA!

Upcoming JJIF Events include:

JJIF Continental Championships in England from 26 to 28 November 1999.

JJIF Winter Training Camp and Open Championships in Italy from 20 to 26 February 2000.

JJIF General Assembly (JU-JITSU CONGRESS) in Paris France from 21 April to 23 April 2000.

JJIF Summer Training Camp in Spain from 23 to 29 June 2000.

JJIF World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark from 24 to 26 November 2000.

The World Games (Ju-Jitsu) in Atika, Japan, August 2001. Conducted by the JJIF & hosted by the All Japan Ju-Jutsu Federation.

(“EMGAM” - USJJF Membership Campaign) On behalf of the USJJF Board of Directors, I am pleased to report that the our 1999 EMGAM Campaign has been a Great Success! Remember, “EMGAM” means Every Member Get A Member! I have been asking every USJJF Leader to make the commitment to recruit at least one New Member per Month during 1999! The GROWTH of your USJJF has “Jumped” to a Membership Level that is approaching the level we need to ensure the ACHIEVEMENT of ALL our USJJF Goals & Objectives! As a Special Recognition, all USJJF Members that serve as “Membership Ambassadors” during this year’s EMGAM Campaign, have been receiving additional credit on their Membership Status towards becoming LIFE MEMBERS or achieving “Higher Level” LIFE MEMBERSHIP Status! Each “Ambassador” will receive credit on their membership equal to the dollar value of newly recruited memberships. This is a great way to become a USJJF Silver Life Member or Higher! THANKS for your Great Efforts!

(Growth of US Ju-Jitsu “RJJOs”) The “BACKBONE” of National Federation are USJJF Regional Sport Organizations. This is where much of our National Programs are carried out by Dedicated American Ju-Jitsuka! For many years now, the RJJOs have organized and conducted much of the business of our Federation. This year, the Board of Directors has placed a “Special Emphasis” through its newly Elected Officers and Nation-Wide Leaders to expand the number of RJJO’s throughout our Great Country for the Betterment of American Ju-Jitsu! Currently, we are contacting as many Ju-Jitsu Leaders and Martial Arts Organizations throughout the USA, offering to “WORK TOGETHER” in a GRAND ALLIANCE of American Ju-Jitsuka.

Again, I would like to take this opportunity to personally invite you to “step forward” and become a National Leader in the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation.

Please Note: All USJJF Leaders are Dedicated Volunteers working in accordance with the Constitution & By-Laws of our Non-Profit Corporation.

(Expanded Referee Training & Certification) The new National “Train the Trainer” Referee Program is in Full Swing! We are conducting Referee Certification Courses in many major cities around the USA. The concept is to train “Trainers” who are qualified to conduct USJJF Regional Referee Certification Courses to as many Ju-Jitsuka and other interested Martial Artists as possible. The USJJF is training and certifying State, Regional and National Referees. Higher Level Referee Certification are also be available through the JJIF. Please visit our “Information” section of our website for more details at www.usjjf.org

(USJJF Program Update!) As noted in our Mission Statement, the Unification of American Ju-Jitsuka is our “Top Concern” with a foundation of Mutual Respect for all styles or systems. Next, the USJJF is very concerned with providing Technical Excellence in Ju-Jitsu.

“Technical Excellence” simply means providing the best possible information & training to assist Ju-Jitsuka across the USA reach their full potential as dedicated martial artists. Currently, the Central Technical Committee is updating the US JU-JITSU Rank System, developing plans for providing more outstanding Ju-Jitsu Training Videos, CDs, Books, Seminars & Training Camps. This year, there are several USJJF Special Events every month. Next year, we are planning the USJJF Winter & Summer Training Camps. The Winter Camp will be conducted in February in Reno, NV. The location of our Summer Ju-Jitsu Training Camp will be announced soon! These Camps will be designed as Technical Training Events providing detailed information & “hands on” experience on various Ju-Jitsu skills, rank requirements, and many continuing “Ju-Jitsu Education” subjects for serious students and teachers. Please keep visiting the “News & Events” section on our Website!

(Expansion of USJJF “Partners & Affiliates” Update) The United States Ju-Jitsu Federation is more than just a centralized national organization. Instead, the USJJF is composed of many Regional Ju-Jitsu Organizations (RJJO), that serve as State and Regional Organizations under the USJJF banner. Additionally, the USJJF has other affiliate and partner organizations that work with us to achieve our goal to promote Ju-Jitsu in the United States. Visit our official Website at www.usjjf.org for a complete listing of our affiliates and partners. If you are interested in becoming an affiliate or partner of the USJJF, please contact our National Office at natlhq@usjjf.org or 775-851-8875.

(US JU-JITSU National Rank System Update) The USJJF Central Technical Committee is finishing the “Up-Date” to the US JU-JITSU Rank Requirements. As the USA National Member of the Ju-Jitsu International Federation, the USJJF has established a National Standard for Ju-Jitsu Rank Requirements. This National Ju-Jitsu System is known as US JU-JITSU. The USJJF National Rank System was established so to provide a comprehensive Ju-Jitsu Rank System from White Belt to 10th Degree Black Belt for all USJJF members. The US Ju-Jitsu System is provided for any USJJF Ju-Jitsuka that wishes to utilize the program. It is by no means, a required “system” that must be followed by USJJF members. The Mission of the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation is to unify American Ju-Jitsuka with a foundation of mutual respect for all styles or systems of Ju-Jitsu and to provide services and guidance to foster Technical Excellence, Fellowship and Human Character Development. With our Mission Statement in mind, it is important to remember that there are many established ju-jitsu systems, as well as rganizations throughout the USA. Ju-Jitsuka that are members of USJJF may use the US Ju-Jitsu Rank System or use their own systems. USJJF respects all styles or systems of Ju-Jitsu. In fact, USJJF invites all Martial Artists to include those from the Korean Martial Arts Community which train in such systems as Hapkido and Yudo. Any martial artists that wishes to participate in the USJJF/JJIF Ju-Jitsu Programs is very much WELCOME to join our Federation! Currently, many of our members regularly train in Hapkido and Yudo as well as Ju-Jitsu. Any form of “Jitsu” or “Jutsu” is WELCOMED in the USJJF. The “update” to the US Ju-Jitsu Rank System should be completed in approximately 60 days and will be published on our Website.

(New USJJF Certificates & Cards Update) With the move of the National Office, the Board decided it was time to update our Federation Certificates! The new USJJF Rank Certificates for Mudansha & Yudansha have been printed and are currently being used to recognize USJJF Members’ Rank Credentials (see these certificates in the “Membership” section on our Website). Soon, new Life Member Certificates, Charter Club Certificates & Instructor/Examiner Certificates will be printed and provided to our members.

(USJJF’s Policy on Ju-Jitsu Rank Promotions) I would like to comment on USJJF’s Policy on Ju-Jitsu Rank Promotions to ensure that all USJJF members understand the program. First of all, I want to emphasize that USJJF’s Rank Promotion Program is based on Non-Politics and is designed to ensure Fair Promotions for all USJJF members. The “Key Point” to remember is that Instructors test & promote their students in their own particular systems, and “IF” the USJJF members want to, they can also be promoted or register that Ju-Jitsu Rank by the National Office. All of the “Control on Promotions” is left in the hands of the Certified Instructor. However, some members don’t have a current sensei and that is where the USJJF Central Technical Committee can help to recognize Time in Grade, Technical Skill, Leadership, etc. of these individuals and make USJJF Rank Promotions when needed.

One last but very important Point. The USJJF National Office will never directly contact a Sensei’s students and offer to promote them without the coordination and approval of the student’s Sensei. Although this practice does happen in some other organizations, it is our belief that Trust, Honor and Integrity must be upheld in the Martial Arts.

(Official USJJF Sportswear & Awards Update) Official USJJF Patches and Lapel Pins are now available! Soon USJJF will be making available through our website “Official USJJF Sportswear and Awards Merchandise”! Currently, we are working with a large sportswear and trophy company to provide “Top Quality” products for USJJF Members to enjoy and show off their pride in USJJF. Examples of the sportswear are such items as; USJJF Polo Shirts, Sweatshirts, Jackets, Bags, Hats, to mention only a few. We are also preparing to have “Custom Designed” Olympic-Type Medals made for use as Awards in USJJF Competition Events and other awards. More Details Soon!

(Update Police Self-Defense Instructors) We are pleased to announce that the Police Self-Defense Instructors (PSDI) Institute once sponsored by the United States Karate Association is now “Back In Force”. PSDI has been reorganized and revived by the USJJF! The “Details” of this comprehensive program will soon be announced on our Website!

We are pleased to announce that the USJJF Executive Board has inquired into an Insurance Program for our Federation. The USJJF has submitted the JJIF Competition Rules to the Insurance Company for their review and proposal for an Individual Accident Policy and a Liability Policy for our Clubs & Leaders. I am pleased to inform you that our Competition Program has been received "positively" and we are expecting to be able to provide an Insurance Program similar to (USJA & USMA) in the near future! We will advise you as more details on the Insurance Program become available and, the "start date" of the policy is finalized.

Well this has been another “LONG” President’s Newsletter… Again, I had a lot of important information to pass on to you!

As Always, THANKS for all of your SUPPORT to your Federation.

Yours In Ju-Jitsu,

Bruce R. Bethers

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