Shin Ken Kai Student Responsibilities and Code of Ethics

The Aims of Budo 

1. To act respectfully and with courtesy towards yourself, your tools, your fellow students, and your dojo.
2. To be self-disciplined and to practice to develop a strong and flexible spirit and body.
3. To develop trust and trustworthiness.
4. To develop self-confidence based on competence.
5. Know yourself and your art.
6. Act honourably, truthfully and sincerely, with compassion for all people and things.
7. Improve yourself in order to establish peace and harmony in your family, your society, and your world.  To be caring and compassionate.
8. Use attention and wholeheartedness in all that you do.

Student Responsibilities

1. To abide by the Shin Ken Kai Code of Ethics.
2. To respect their dojo, their sensei, their seniors and their juniors.
3. To attend all possible classes and be consistent in their practice.
4. To arrive at class and at seminars on time.
5. To try their best and participate fully in each class’s activities.
6. To understand that the level of student effort determines the level of instruction.
7. To understand that the teacher will teach the student at the level which they believe the student is ready for both technically and attitudinally.
8. To be self-disciplined.
9. To pay dojo and HSK fees promptly.
10. To provide the proper equipment for practice.
11. To keep their equipment in proper order and repair.
12. To practice at least once per week away from the dojo.
13. To notify the sensei if they must be away from class for more than two weeks.
14. To act honourably and sincerely both in and out of the dojo.
15. To be self-confident and stand up for themselves.  This includes approaching the appropriate dojo senior if a problem exists.
16. To take an active interest in the art; self-study and reading about Budo.
17. To faithfully follow the curriculum that the teacher teaches {shu ha ri}.

In addition to the above, SKK Teachers are expected to abide by the following: 

Teacher Responsibilities 

1. To abide by the Shin Ken Kai Code of Ethics.
2. To ensure a safe environment for learning by selecting activities and establishing controls that are suitable for the individual and the group.
3. To accept and promote students’ personal goals.
4. To treat all students with fairness.
5. To faithfully follow the curriculum that their teacher teaches {shu ha ri}.
6. To be responsible to continue their own learning both technically and philosophically.
7. To provide students with the information necessary to be involved in the decisions that affect the student and their development.
8. To at no time engage in a personal intimate relationship with a student.
9. To teach the correct techniques and to constantly be learning and upgrading their own skills and understanding through practice and study.
10. To understand and teach that Iaido is more than mere technique but rather a way of improving the person and their relationships.
11. To act honourably and sincerely both in and out of the dojo.
12. To have trust and be trustworthy.
13. To be accessible for issues that might arise in the dojo.
14. To show respect for all budo and budoka; including all members of SKK and other organizations

A – CODE OF CONDUCT 

Shin Ken Kai Iaido Dojo {hereafter referred to as SKK} is committed to providing an environment in which all individuals are treated fairly and with respect. Further, SKK supports equal opportunity and prohibits all discriminatory practices.

Membership in SKK offers many benefits and privileges. At the same time members and participants are expected to fulfill certain responsibilities and obligations, including complying with the Code of Conduct of SKK as well as with SKK’s other policies and procedures. SKK’s Code of Conduct identifies the standard of behaviour that is expected of me and other members and participants in SKK events.

All organizers, directors, officers, medical personnel, employees, instructors, officials, students, managers, volunteers, staff and other members of SKK have a responsibility to: 

1. Maintain and enhance the dignity and self-esteem of members and participants of SKK by:

1. Demonstrating respect to individuals regardless of gender, ethnic or racial origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, religion, political belief, disability or economic status;
2. Focusing comments or criticism appropriately and avoiding public criticism of students, directors, officers, managers, instructors, officials, organizers, volunteers, staff and members;
3. Consistently demonstrating the spirit of Martial Arts, Martial Arts leadership; that is, acting ethically and conducting ourselves honourably. 

In addition to the above, instructors and dojo leaders will have additional responsibilities. The instructor-student relationship is a privileged one. Instructors play a critical role in the personal as well as martial art development of their students. Instructors must understand and respect the inherent power imbalance that exists in this relationship and must be extremely careful not to abuse it. Instructors shall at all times:

1. Ensure a safe environment by selecting activities and establishing controls that are suitable for the age, experience, ability and fitness level of students, including educating students as to their responsibilities in contributing to a safe environment;
2. Create opportunities in the dojo for leadership development
3. Accept and promote students’ personal goals and refer to other instructors and Martial Art specialists as appropriate and as opportunities arise
4. Provide students and their parents/guardians of students who are minors with the information necessary to be involved in the decisions that affect the student and their development
5. At no time engage in an intimate or sexual relationship with a student under their guidance and teaching at any SKK dojo.