EC of the BKA held at Cranford on Sun. 9th Sept 2007 at 1.30 pm.

Present G Salmon, D. Spacey, M. Smiley, V. Cook, P. Budden, A. Watson, G. Thriepland, J. Howell, E. Schofield.
Apologies T. Chapman.

1. Minutes of the meeting of July 14th were approved with a note that the Secretary would contact the Insurance Company, not the Treasurer.

2. Mr. Cook told the EC that at a meeting of senior Iaido and Jodo grades and Dojo leaders the main concern had been possible disenfranchisement of members if they were not full members of the BKA. It was accepted that great efforts had been made to allow autonomy to Iai and Jodo. The past misunderstandings over money, and the working and reason for the finance sub committee were discussed. It was agreed that past ways of accounting had, without intent, caused some of these concerns, and that money ‘belonging’ to any Bu had not been misused. It was agreed that autonomy implied separate constitutions which acknowledged the separate disciplines, allowed them responsibility for electing their own officials and responsibility for the collection and administration of their own funds. Such constitutions would each begin with a statement recognising the worth and authority of the other disciplines, underlining the fact that by agreed mechanisms all individuals were BKA members, and that status could not be changed except by mutual agreement or changes beyond BKA control at international level. Because of previous misunderstandings it was agreed that Mr. Howell, Mr. Cook and Mr. Watson would meet to rework the original paper so that it was clear to members what was on offer and what the implications of this were. After EC agreement, the matter would then to be put to members at meetings throughout the country. It was pointed out that until this matter was resolved there was no future in ‘Constitution writing’ meetings.

3. Treasurer told the EC that membership income was up on last year as a result of measures put into place. Some consolidation was a good thing with future events in prospect.

4. The October 21st EC would be replaced with the FSC meeting. An EC would be called at need.

5. Because some Dojo fail to comply with the laid down regulations, it was agreed that Dojo registration would be moved forward to the end of November. Members of Dojo failing to register would not be allowed to register their individual membership. This had implications for their insurance, practice and in extreme cases grading clocks. It was expected that pressure from members would ensure that Dojo did comply in time.

6. Because of pressure from the EKF it had become important that Courses qualifying Kendo Referees to National standard should take place so that referees to European level could become qualified. It was agreed that The President and the Kendo Bucho would resolve this situation subject to EC approval. People invited to attend the Brussels course would be subsidised. It was suggested that training for Timekeepers and Recorders should take place.

7. Mr Smalley was thanked for his membership report; as a result of restructuring, temporary membership was up, and junior membership down. This was not seen as a problem.

8. The service agreement for the new Kendo teacher was agreed and signed.

9. A request for the AGM to take place at Birmingham was made.

10. Being no further business the meeting closed at 4.10pm.