Karate By The Sea (KBTS) Dojos' Standard Operating Policies
Student Agreement/KBTS Code of Conduct
- All students will show proper respect to the Chief Instructor, as well as the assistant instructors.
- Students will address when at all possible ALL Black Belts as, “Sensei,” Mr. Conley as “Hanshi,“ and the Brown Belts as, “Sempai.”
- Students who use profane language will not be tolerated and could be sanctioned. Students will properly bow when entering and exiting the Dojo area (Hall Entrance). Students will wear proper training attire and maintain a clean uniform.
- Students will not abuse or display their KBTS training publicly for self-gratification, or to impress their peers. Students found to be in violation of the KBTS Code of Conduct may be sanctioned by the Chief Instructor, or face termination of their KBTS membership.
- Students, upon becoming a KBTS member, who become convicted of a crime, violent or other, could face sanctions or membership termination. Also, criminal conduct is not permitted upon, and thereafter, KBTS membership (i.e: illegal alcohol/drug abuse). ZERO tolerance! Furthermore, Criminal Conduct is prohibited by KBTS members.
- Student horseplay or unnecessary talking in class will not be tolerated. Students should treat KBTS training seriously. However, that does not mean training in KBTS cannot be an enjoyable experience. Students must always show respect to their Dojo: Presbyterian Greenock Hall.
- Student tuition will be due the first of every month, or whenever appropriate to student’s start-up time. Students whose arrears of two month's tuition have become overdue, will have to take a break away from their participation in class, until those arrears are paid in full. Further, students who are absent from class for two months, or more, and are in arrears in tuition, that are overdue cannot return to class and their Karate studies, until those arrears are paid in full. Each month absent will be listed as I/A>Inactive and are counter measured against time-in attendance, relative to Active Membership and Promotion.
- Student rank promotions are a privilege- not a right. Promotions are decided upon and granted by the chief instructor and instructor staff. The Chief Instructor can call a test period at any time. KBTS membership is also a privilege and can be terminated by the chief instructor at any time.
- Students who attend at least one (1) class or more in a month at the St Andrews Dojo/two (2) classes or more in a month at the St Stephen Dojo, must pay tuition for that month. Attendance of one class or less at the St Stephen Dojo/Zero attendance at the St Andrews Dojo, no tuition is due, BUT that month will be listed as I/A>Inactive and are as stated previous, counter measured against time-in attendance, relative to Active Membership. It is always advantageous for KBTS students to attend class as much as possible.
- Parents are asked, when at all possible, not to remain at the Dojo/Hall during their child(ren)’s class time. It can be disruptive. AND you may think you are talking low enough, but many times it becomes a distraction… And post-Covid we are always trying not to cram folks in, the halls are not big enough for a large group of spectators. Thank you!!!
- Karate By The Sea (KTBS) includes techniques that can cause physical injury. Karate By The Sea, its ownership, volunteers, or agents assume no responsibility or liability for any injury or damage resulting from the execution of techniques and exercises presented by the Karate By The Sea Dojo. Consult your physician before undertaking any physical activity.
- Students will address when at all possible ALL Black Belts as, “Sensei,” Mr. Conley as “Hanshi,“ and the Brown Belts as, “Sempai.”
- Students who use profane language will not be tolerated and could be sanctioned. Students will properly bow when entering and exiting the Dojo area (Hall Entrance). Students will wear proper training attire and maintain a clean uniform.
- Students will not abuse or display their KBTS training publicly for self-gratification, or to impress their peers. Students found to be in violation of the KBTS Code of Conduct may be sanctioned by the Chief Instructor, or face termination of their KBTS membership.
- Students, upon becoming a KBTS member, who become convicted of a crime, violent or other, could face sanctions or membership termination. Also, criminal conduct is not permitted upon, and thereafter, KBTS membership (i.e: illegal alcohol/drug abuse). ZERO tolerance! Furthermore, Criminal Conduct is prohibited by KBTS members.
- Student horseplay or unnecessary talking in class will not be tolerated. Students should treat KBTS training seriously. However, that does not mean training in KBTS cannot be an enjoyable experience. Students must always show respect to their Dojo: Presbyterian Greenock Hall.
- Student tuition will be due the first of every month, or whenever appropriate to student’s start-up time. Students whose arrears of two month's tuition have become overdue, will have to take a break away from their participation in class, until those arrears are paid in full. Further, students who are absent from class for two months, or more, and are in arrears in tuition, that are overdue cannot return to class and their Karate studies, until those arrears are paid in full. Each month absent will be listed as I/A>Inactive and are counter measured against time-in attendance, relative to Active Membership and Promotion.
- Student rank promotions are a privilege- not a right. Promotions are decided upon and granted by the chief instructor and instructor staff. The Chief Instructor can call a test period at any time. KBTS membership is also a privilege and can be terminated by the chief instructor at any time.
- Students who attend at least one (1) class or more in a month at the St Andrews Dojo/two (2) classes or more in a month at the St Stephen Dojo, must pay tuition for that month. Attendance of one class or less at the St Stephen Dojo/Zero attendance at the St Andrews Dojo, no tuition is due, BUT that month will be listed as I/A>Inactive and are as stated previous, counter measured against time-in attendance, relative to Active Membership. It is always advantageous for KBTS students to attend class as much as possible.
- Parents are asked, when at all possible, not to remain at the Dojo/Hall during their child(ren)’s class time. It can be disruptive. AND you may think you are talking low enough, but many times it becomes a distraction… And post-Covid we are always trying not to cram folks in, the halls are not big enough for a large group of spectators. Thank you!!!
- Karate By The Sea (KTBS) includes techniques that can cause physical injury. Karate By The Sea, its ownership, volunteers, or agents assume no responsibility or liability for any injury or damage resulting from the execution of techniques and exercises presented by the Karate By The Sea Dojo. Consult your physician before undertaking any physical activity.
Karate By The Sea is a division of Conley’s Martial Arts
ATTENDANCE IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE! Your training at the Karate By The Sea Dojos begins and ends WITH YOUR ATTENDANCE!!!
The Active status (Minimum 2 classes per month in St Stephen and minimum 1 classes per month in St Andrews) is not the minimum requirements for a test. Paid membership does not guarantee promotions. Tuition and test fees are separate: Tuition is for membership status and a test fee is paid after a student meets the test (and attendance) requirements and has earned it. Thus, the separation between the two. The minimum class attendance for paying tuition is below 50%. I do not know what other activity a student could be in (hockey, basketball, wrestling, etc.) where if their attendance was under half, that they would be able to play. Further, Karate is a perishable skill (especially with kids!), without consistent training, it can be lost. Hanshi C
The Active status (Minimum 2 classes per month in St Stephen and minimum 1 classes per month in St Andrews) is not the minimum requirements for a test. Paid membership does not guarantee promotions. Tuition and test fees are separate: Tuition is for membership status and a test fee is paid after a student meets the test (and attendance) requirements and has earned it. Thus, the separation between the two. The minimum class attendance for paying tuition is below 50%. I do not know what other activity a student could be in (hockey, basketball, wrestling, etc.) where if their attendance was under half, that they would be able to play. Further, Karate is a perishable skill (especially with kids!), without consistent training, it can be lost. Hanshi C
Requirements for the St Stephen Karate Group/Dojo (Either classification of: Match Attendance or Below Attendance)-
A candidate before being tested must first have the minimum active time-in for their present rank leading up to an announced test date. Time-ins for each belt rank can be found in our Karate Page. All (Jr & Adult) white to and including purple belts must have a minimum attendance of four (4) classes per month, and six (5) classes per month for brown and black belts: Classification of MATCH ATTENDANCE. This is based on an eight (8) classes per month average. Falling below the minimum requirements means a classification of BELOW ATTENDANCE. Vary it up or down proportionately if there are more or less classes per a certain month.
A candidate before being tested must first have the minimum active time-in for their present rank leading up to an announced test date. Time-ins for each belt rank can be found in our Karate Page. All (Jr & Adult) white to and including purple belts must have a minimum attendance of four (4) classes per month, and six (5) classes per month for brown and black belts: Classification of MATCH ATTENDANCE. This is based on an eight (8) classes per month average. Falling below the minimum requirements means a classification of BELOW ATTENDANCE. Vary it up or down proportionately if there are more or less classes per a certain month.
Requirements for the St Andrews Karate Group/Dojo (Either classification of: Match Attendance or Below Attendance)-
A candidate before being tested must first have the minimum active time-in for their present rank leading up to an announced test date. Time-ins for each belt rank can be found in our Karate Page. All (Jr & Adult) white to and including purple belts must have a minimum attendance of TWO (2) classes per month, and THREE (3) classes per month for brown and black belts: Classification of MATCH ATTENDANCE. This is based on an eight (8) classes per month average. Falling below the minimum requirements means a classification of BELOW ATTENDANCE. Vary it up or down proportionately if there are more or less classes per a certain month.
A candidate before being tested must first have the minimum active time-in for their present rank leading up to an announced test date. Time-ins for each belt rank can be found in our Karate Page. All (Jr & Adult) white to and including purple belts must have a minimum attendance of TWO (2) classes per month, and THREE (3) classes per month for brown and black belts: Classification of MATCH ATTENDANCE. This is based on an eight (8) classes per month average. Falling below the minimum requirements means a classification of BELOW ATTENDANCE. Vary it up or down proportionately if there are more or less classes per a certain month.
Necessary time-in training/attendance for promotion qualification-
All (Jr & Adult) white to and including purple belts must have said attendance each of the three (3) months, consecutive/contiguous, prior to an announced belt test date. (Jr students must also have all three of their corresponding stripes> as the stripe system has been eliminated in the adult ranks.) All (Jr & Adult) brown and black belts must have said attendance each of the six (6) months consecutive/contiguous, prior to an announced belt test process (first essay)/date>this will also apply to Junshidoin & Shidoin certifications! As Junshidoin & Shidoin should be correctly recognized as equal to a Dan rank respectively. What will be termed as, "Major Test Dates (all ADULT Black Belt Dans)," will be twice a year: May. June, or July (once) & November, December, or January (once). During any Major Test Date(s), lower rank tests can also be conducted at those times, as they apply. There will be, though, regular test dates announced at all locations/Dojos for lower ranks> Yellow thru Jr Black Dans. All tests for all ADULT Black Belt Dans must be conducted at the St Stephen Dojo, during the stated Major Test Dates. To continue, lower test dates will occur throughout each year, as they are needed and apply. Further, any and all Black Belts that become classified as Below Attendance will not qualify to be a member of a testing board (or teaching privileges and this would apply to Brown belts). Black Belts will now, in advance, receive invitations to take a seat on a testing board from the Group Senior Head Instructor for an up-and-coming test night. (At any time see me/Conley or in St Stephen, Treasurer Williams to get a take on where you or your child's attendance stands.) Any of the above attendance requirements can be, at some infrequent times, waived, appropriately (family function/issue, employment, or academics require you to not be able to attend class.), only by the Group Senior Head Instructor. Examples of unacceptable reasons: school socials/dances, other sports, or just taking the night/season off, no waiver… Further, a student who is in attendance deficit have the option of training additionally at any one of the other KBTS Dojos, to make up lost time/attendance. Also, additionally training at another KBTS Dojo can accelerate one's training, learning/understanding, and quite possibly promotion. Note: Even making the attendance quota does NOT guarantee a belt test/promotion! Entitlement thinking cannot be applied here. Those of you again, who may be wondering what the average/proposed active time between ranks are, they can be found in this website, go to the Belt & Ranking Systems page.
All (Jr & Adult) white to and including purple belts must have said attendance each of the three (3) months, consecutive/contiguous, prior to an announced belt test date. (Jr students must also have all three of their corresponding stripes> as the stripe system has been eliminated in the adult ranks.) All (Jr & Adult) brown and black belts must have said attendance each of the six (6) months consecutive/contiguous, prior to an announced belt test process (first essay)/date>this will also apply to Junshidoin & Shidoin certifications! As Junshidoin & Shidoin should be correctly recognized as equal to a Dan rank respectively. What will be termed as, "Major Test Dates (all ADULT Black Belt Dans)," will be twice a year: May. June, or July (once) & November, December, or January (once). During any Major Test Date(s), lower rank tests can also be conducted at those times, as they apply. There will be, though, regular test dates announced at all locations/Dojos for lower ranks> Yellow thru Jr Black Dans. All tests for all ADULT Black Belt Dans must be conducted at the St Stephen Dojo, during the stated Major Test Dates. To continue, lower test dates will occur throughout each year, as they are needed and apply. Further, any and all Black Belts that become classified as Below Attendance will not qualify to be a member of a testing board (or teaching privileges and this would apply to Brown belts). Black Belts will now, in advance, receive invitations to take a seat on a testing board from the Group Senior Head Instructor for an up-and-coming test night. (At any time see me/Conley or in St Stephen, Treasurer Williams to get a take on where you or your child's attendance stands.) Any of the above attendance requirements can be, at some infrequent times, waived, appropriately (family function/issue, employment, or academics require you to not be able to attend class.), only by the Group Senior Head Instructor. Examples of unacceptable reasons: school socials/dances, other sports, or just taking the night/season off, no waiver… Further, a student who is in attendance deficit have the option of training additionally at any one of the other KBTS Dojos, to make up lost time/attendance. Also, additionally training at another KBTS Dojo can accelerate one's training, learning/understanding, and quite possibly promotion. Note: Even making the attendance quota does NOT guarantee a belt test/promotion! Entitlement thinking cannot be applied here. Those of you again, who may be wondering what the average/proposed active time between ranks are, they can be found in this website, go to the Belt & Ranking Systems page.
Karate By The Sea Kenpo & LIONHEART Kenpo Jeet Kune Do are divisions of Conley's Martial Arts