Kaze Uta Budo Kai Forum Archive

I wrote this in 1999 just after taking over running the dojo:

Open letter to Windsong Dojo

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been so supportive to the dojo and to me personally over the past few weeks. We are in a state of transition as Chuck moves on to pursue his dream in Colorado and I take over the responsibilities of running the dojo. I ask you all for your patience and understanding while I make this transition. We shall all miss Chuck; No one more than I, but you can rest assured that we will go forward together with the dojo here, and I shall do my utmost to maintain the high standards of quality in our practice, and in our relations to one another.
I aim to be open and up front with each and every one of you. I aim to be available for you when you need me, as a teacher or as a friend. I aim to resolve all conflicts that arise in an open, direct, and fair manner. I aim to do my best to lead us toward the highest quality Budo training possible. I aim to instill a foundation of technical excellence in every facet of our training. I aim to keep our facility clean and well maintained. I aim to make each student’s experience with us as authentically positive and affirming as possible. I aim toward Jigiro Kano’s ideal of “Jita-Kyoei,” literally, you , I , shine together. I aim to keep our technical curriculum interpretively open, and I will not impose my technical opinion as the “right” way or “best” way. I ask each of you to help me stay on target with these high aims, let me know if I stray too far off the beam. I can only lead effectively if I have honest feedback from those I am trying to lead.
Nick Lowry