If anyone is free on Tuesday 8 April at 10.30 am, we'll be having a tidy up and clean up of the MEAC storage space and the mats. Come along and lend a hand if you can. The more there are, the quicker we can attend to this important maintenance!
School holidays training
The Easter school holidays and USQ mid semester recess are over the next two weeks and we will have an opportunity to have a tidy up at the MEAC, as well as lay down the training surface today and pick it up again next Thursday night.
All classes will be as normal over the next fortnight, including Kendo at the CBRC Wednesday afternoon, Kendo Kata Thursday lunchtime at the Japanese Garden and the full compliment of classes at the MEAC. If in doubt, please contact the relevant instructor.
The Club Pro Shop open for business!
We've created a new feature in the Club's website so that you can pay for your monthly training contributions, courses, seminars and merchandise. This includes the new Club t-shirts (Dojo Daughters and Sons of Susano-o), our standard grey Club shirts and the new 3/4 sleeve Systema training shirts.
All you need to do is to point your browser to the Pro Shop. We are accepting both Visa and Mastercard.
Also, we have recently changed our banking details. While the old account will continue to operate for the next six months, we are wanting to phase all of our dealings through the new Heritage Bank account. If you are wanting to arrange for direct transfers to the Club's account, you can find the relevant details here.
Taste Tester this week
Last weeks Taste Tester session (Jujutsu) slotted well into the MEAC, sharing space with the regular Tai Chi and Iaijutsu classes. While the rain has been very welcome, I'm sure that it acted as a mild discouragement to some who might otherwise have come.
This Wednesday will be Systema. General Club members are very welcome to come along and participate (usual training contributions apply).
If you are just starting with the Club it is not too late to join up! You can do so through the Club's Pro Shop, or just turn up on the night.
Remember, if you need a lift out to the MEAC, make sure you contact Michael.Baczynski@usq.edu.au as he will be heading from Kendo at the CBRC around 5.50pm. And if you are at the colleges, make sure you arrange for a late dinner.
Training arrangements for Thursday 3 April
Just to let everyone know that there will be no Jujutsu class on this Thursday as Michael will be in Sydney attending a wedding.
For those still keen and able to train, it would be great to see you across on the other regular session in that time slot — Dragon Wrestling, with Stuart. Dragon wrestling is a competitive Chinese form of grappling that takes place in a small ring and starts from a standing position. The skills there are entirely complimentary to those in Jujutsu and it would be an excellent opportunity to give it a go!
Systema and Aikido will be on as normal in the second session of the evening.
AGM and elected Executive members
The AGM was successfully held on Friday at the USQ Refectory. Thanks to all who attended and to those who officially provided their proxies.
The main outcome of the meeting was the election of the Executive members. For 2014 they will be:
- President: Michael Baczynski
- Secretary: Sian Carlyon
- Treasurer: Brady Albrand
- Communications Officer: Maaike Stehouwer
Sian will also be continuing her role as the Club's Harassment Contact Officer, at least till her current term as a University HCO continues.
It looks like 2014 should be an excellent year for the Club with much planned across all disciplines!
Updates and availability of Club policies
The "boring", but vital, framework documents that outline acceptable behaviour for Club members is currently being revised and made available online.
These are very important statements of your obligations and rights as Members and especially when you train. In particular you need to take note of the General Code of Conduct, which has links to the University Harassment Policy and Procedures that we are governed by.
The Club only exists as the collective experience of its members. We strive for as supportive, inclusive and harmonious environment as we can create. However, from time to time, conflict will flare up. These policies are designed to ensure that there is clarity regarding the expectations we should all have of ourselves and our fellow members.
Please remember that if you have a concern, you can contact either Sian or Michael in their respective roles as an Harassment Contact Officer of the University (and for the Club) and as President of the Club. Your concern will be treated confidentially, expediently and thoroughly so that we can quickly resolve any issues.
The Club's preference is for mediation/remediation (as is the University's). However, under the USQ policy there are a range of staged responses that can be taken. Just as good fences make good neighbours, clear policies appropriately applied make for happy members!
Annual General Meeting for 2014
Just a reminder that the Club's AGM will be held on Friday. We have decided to have it at the Refectory so that the maximum number of people can come along. We will kick off at 6 pm.
Please let Sian Carlyon know if you are an apology for the meeting as we can allocate your proxy vote/presence.
Welcome Kyokushin Karate to the MEAC
Tuesday evening will be a trial for fitting in the Kyokushin Karate class into the MEAC.
Karate usually training up at Mt Lofty campus of Toowoomba State High School, but we are seeing if we can get all of the Club's disciplines to fit onto the one campus to take advantages to the economies of scale that it would produce. We have already had a successful start with Taewkondo on Mondays, so I'm looking forward to seeing if we can grow the MEAC family!
So Welcome Dave and all the Kyokushinkai-ka!
As a side note, I'd like everyone to join in the congratulations for Dave's confirmation (finally) that his San Dan grading was successful!
No training Thursday evening
Toowoomba Show Holiday is on this Thursday, and as a result we will be taking a break from training Thursday night. Any of you that might be interested in getting an extra training session for jujutsu in this week would be most welcome to come along to the Taste Tester session on Wednesday to help out!