American Karate System

Welcome, and thank you for taking the time to get to know us. We appreciate your interest in our oganization. The A.K.S. is an organization that is recognized in numerous American states, as well as in various parts of Europe. The A.K.S. is the only American style of karate to be recognized by the German Karate Union (Deutsche Karate Verband), and the World Karate Federation. The latter organization is recognized and part of the Amateur Athletic Union. No other system or style of karate that considers itself American is so recognized.

The name of the organization is AMERICAN KARATE SYSTEM, hereafter referred to as the AKS.

The purpose of the organization is to preserve, perpetuate and advance the legacy of American Karate and its founder Ernest H. Lieb, for the betterment of the lives of those who train, and to contribute positively to human history.

The AKS is organized exclusively for educational purposes within the meaning of Section §501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as now enacted or hereafter amended, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that also qualify as Section 501 (c)(3) exempt organizations. All funds, whether income or principal and whether acquired by gift or contribution or otherwise, shall be devoted to the said purposes of the organization.

No part of the net earnings of the AKS shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its directors, officers, or other private persons. However, the AKS shall be authorized to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes as set forth.

The AKS shall not participate in any political campaign for or against any candidate for public office, either directly or indirectly, nor engage in any political activities that would be inconsistent with the requirements for maintaining tax-exempt status under Internal Revenue Code §501(c)(3) and related regulations, rulings, and procedures.

The International Headquarters of the AKS will be in Muskegon, Michigan, USA.

Leadership at the administrative level of the AKS is discussed under the following subsections of AKS Chief Instructor, AKS Executive Board, and leadership in International Settings.

AKS Chief Instructor: The AKS Chief Instructor is an elected position voted on by Black Belt members in good standing. The Chief Instructor will serve in this position until he/she is either no longer able to serve or resigns, or until the executive board calls for a vote of confidence/no confidence from the black belt membership where a majority (51%) of all eligible voting black belt members is necessary to remove the Chief Instructor.

Responsibilities - The Chief Instructor:

Shall be the Official Representative of the AKS and represent the AKS at all official functions.
Shall oversee all Black Belt testings and appoint a testing board as he/she deems appropriate. When the Chief Instructor is not available for a Black Belt testing he/she shall appoint a Black Belt of 5th Dan or higher to oversee the testing.
Shall oversee consistency of instruction at all AKS schools, assuring that all AKS schools are following the guidelines as defined in the updated AKS Rules and Regulations.
Shall preside over the AKS Summer Black Belt meeting or any AKS meeting that may occur on the interim.
Shall make decisions on all matters concerning the organization that do not require an Executive Committee vote or general member's vote as provided for or required in the Bylaws.
May create or dissolve any committees as deemed appropriate, and may appoint members to chair said committees.
Is the leader of the organization and shall abide by and enforce the provisions of the constitutions, Bylaws, and rules and regulations of the AKS.

Chief Instructor Emeritus: A Chief Instructor that is no longer able to serve or resigns their position and is in good standing with the AKS will be offered the position of Chief Instructor Emeritus.

Responsibilities - The Chief Instructor Emeritus:

Shall act as an advisor to the Executive Board.
Shall present prior meeting minutes for approval at all Black Belt Meetings.
Shall assure that all notices are duly given as assigned by President/Executive Board.
Shall assume other duties that may be assigned by the Chief Instructor.

Secretary: The Secretary shall be appointed by the Chief Instructor and will serve until replaced by the Chief Instructor.

Responsibilities - The Secretary:

Shall keep written minutes from all Black Belt Meetings.
Shall present prior meeting minutes for approval at all Black Belt Meetings.
Shall assure that all notices are duly given as assigned by President/Executive Board.
Shall assume other duties that may be assigned by the Chief Instructor.

Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be appointed by the Chief Instructor and will serve until replaced by the Chief Instructor.

Responsibilities - The Treasurer:

Is responsible for preparing the annual financial report for the annual meeting and will provide a copy to the AKS Executive Board.
Shall receive and make deposits of Black Belt dues, testing fees, payments for Student Handbooks, AKS patches, and other materials and supplies made available by the AKS.
Shall manage the checking account and purchase supplies (or reimburse for supplies purchased) for the organization.
Shall give notice of annual dues to registered Black Belts by email or regular mail if email is not available.

Executive Board: The Executive Board will consist of six (6) voting members, one of which is the Chief Instructor plus five (5) members appointed by the Chief Instructor from registered AKS Black Belts in good standing in such fashion as to ensure a fair representation of the AKS membership both geographically and by active members. The Chief Instructor has the right to adjust this total from time to time to more fairly represent the AKS membership as he/she deems necessary. However, the Board shall always be no less than six members and always consist of an even number of regular voting members including the Chief Instructor. The Chief Instructor shall have one vote, however, in the case of a tie, the Chief Instructor's vote will count as two. These members will serve until notice is given that they no longer wish the position, or the Chief Instructor decides that a different member would be best suited for the position. A chairman shall be appointed by the Chief Instructor to head the Executive Board. All ideas, requests and changes to the Bylaws shall be presented to the Executive Board for consideration. If the AKS Chief Instructor is either no longer able to serve, steps down or is removed from office, the Board will elicit nominations from all active AKS Black Belts and present the nominees for a vote by same to be decided by simple majority.

Responsibilities - The Executive Board:

Shall be the source of contact for members to present requests and ideas for the betterment of the AKS.
Shall be responsible for setting the rules and regulations for AKS members.
Shall be responsible for all AKS techniques and requirements. This includes any changes, additions, or deletions of the techniques and requirements.
Shall be responsible for all decisions that have not been outlined for the Chief Instructor, Secretary or Treasurer. The Chief Instructor may in his/her discretion request the Executive Board for a decision on any matters that he/she deems appropriate.

Executive Board: International Settings: Respective to various countries where the AKS may be practiced, or where there are martial artists who wish to establish a branch of the AKS, an advisory committee will be established, and will serve with an appointed director within the region or country becoming a member of the AKS. The committee will be made up of the five highest-ranking AKS black belts in the respective country/region (including the appointed director). This may also vary if a new branch has less founding members. Other nomenclature, such as "board chairman," may be used as appropriate. These appointments will be with the review, advice and approval of the AKS Chief Instructor and Executive Board.

It is advisable that each international setting, approved by AKS Headquarters, be so configured as to include a treasurer and a secretary. These appointments will also be with the review, advice and approval of the AKS Chief Instructor and Executive Board.

This committee will be responsible to the AKS Senior Leadership. No autonomous actions will be authorized. The appointed director will serve on the International Branch Advisory Committee. All said committees and members are directly responsible to the AKS Chief Instructor and Executive Board, USA. The AKS Chief Instructor and/or Executive Board will handle arbitrations in the event of disagreements between members in the respective area.

Promotion Eligibility Requirements:

Students eligible for promotion must be in good standing with their respective club or school.
Students eligible for promotion must have the approval and sponsorship of their club or school's Chief Instructor before they may review for promotion.
All students reviewing for promotion shall submit their copy of the AKS Handbook, duly signed by their instructor. This provides the review board with a record of when and where the student was tested for his/her current and previous ranks.

Black Belt reviews:

It is the goal of the AKS to conduct black belt review boards (and subsequent promotions) during the Annual Summer Camp in Muskegon Michigan. As this may not be possible in some cases, alternate review locations shall be during regional training seminars. No instructor shall conduct a promotion review for black belt level ranks at any other time, location or venue without first securing permission from AKS Chief Instructor.
The AKS Chief Instructor shall, as much as is possible, provide higher-ranking black belts to the local clubs for examination reviews in the event a review is to be conducted at a time and location other than as prescribed above.
AKS Review Board shall consist of no less than three black belts of 5th Dan or higher, when possible, to preside over the promotion reviews.
In the absence of the Chief Instructor, a local instructor of 5th Dan or higher may be authorized to conduct the promotion.
If additional local black belts of appropriate rank are needed to sit on the review board, the names, ranks, and organizational affiliations of said local black belts shall be provided to the AKS Chief Instructor for review and approval prior to the examination review.

Certification of Rank:

The AKS Chief Instructor shall be the ONLY issuing authority of official AKS rank certificates.
Locally devised certificates are NOT authorized as representations of or for AKS rank.
The Chief Instructor's signature must be on every grade (Kyu)Certificate, along with the Regional Director's and Instructor's signatures.
Black Belt Certificates shall contain the signatures of the AKS Chief Instructor and the Review Board members. At the discretion of the candidate, other black belts in witness of the review may also sign the certificate.

Open lines of communication shall exist and be maintained between all local clubs and schools, either national or international, with regional AKS leaders and the AKS Chief Instructor. Modes of communication may include, but are not limited to: email, telephone, written letters, faxes, and the like.
At a minimum, monthly correspondence contact is desired. Communication shall be actively maintained between the Chief Instructor and the regional AKS leaders.
Communication shall be actively maintained between the Chief Instructor and the respective overseas AKS representative.
Financial reports shall be made available on an annual basis. Reports of this nature include, but are not limited to: reporting of fees collected for registration of new AKS members, testing reviews, etc., requests for Dan and grade (Kyu) certificates, patches, student handbooks, logos, etc.

The website shall consist of information about the AKS, such as a brief history of the AKS and its founder, Current Chief Instructor, and other appropriate information and links concerning and related to the AKS, as deemed appropriate by the Webmaster.
All financial expenses of maintaining the website shall be paid for by the AKS.
The Webmaster is the primary contact person for the website, and in coordination with the Chief Instructor and Executive Board shall maintain and update the website to assure the information is current and relevant.
The term of service for the Webmaster shall be determined by the Chief Instructor as needed.

The name, American Karate System, and any derivative forms, nicknames, abbreviations, logos, and the like, are the property of the American Karate System.

The AKS uses the red, white and blue colors of the American flag in its patch. The letters "American Karate System" appear in gold letters.
Rights to the original AKS patch, from 1965 are also retained by the AKS. That symbol was a triangle, which had the letters "American Chi Do Kwan" on the outside of the angles.
Mr. Lieb also designed the original American Karate Association (AKA) patch in black and silver, with the fist breaking through the K. This includes the original AKA Dan certificate, on parchment paper using oriental symbols in the background. Only Mr. Lieb was permitted to issue AKA certificates. With his untimely death, these certificates will no longer be issued or used. Only those issued by the Founder will be considered valid and authentic.

Any use or sale of official AKS items without the express written consent of the AKS Headquarters is prohibited. Copyright laws shall be strictly enforced by our style.
All logos, patches, trademarks, grade/rank certificates, Dan rank diplomas, AKS patches, booklets, books, handbooks, historical statements, official records, pictures, videos, DVDs, and other like AKS information that strictly belongs to Mr. Lieb and the Headquarters of the American Karate System; upon Mr. Lieb's death shall leave all his history and rights to the USA American Karate System Headquarters.

The first summer camp was held in Muskegon in 1973. The head Instructors of the 13 AKS schools attended. This is now an annual event.
The annual summer camp and all regional training seminars are open to members of the AKS, as well as members of other styles and organizations.
The cost for participation in the AKS Summer Camps or any regional training seminar will be determined each year by the executive board.

Media: VHS tapes, DVD's, booklets, written material, and AKS requirements, will be made available for purchase to all members, American or foreign. Official release is copyrighted to the AKS HQ. Those purchasing media should ensure they have the correct equipment to view (what is now Region 1, NTSC formatted) materials. No other media shall be produced for official representation of the AKS without first obtaining permission for use of the AKS name from AKS HQ.
Other: Information on ordering jackets, t-shirts, and other items will be made available on the AKS website. All prices are subject to change. Items will also incur standard shipping and handling charges, taxes, etc. Sales of items will comply with US trade and tax laws.

The AKS Code of Ethics, Policies, and Rules of Karate (see Student Handbook) set a basic expectation of etiquette, professionalism, sportsmanship, ethical conduct and behavior for all members. Violations of standards may be dealt with in a variety of ways, ranging from discussion and reprimand, to suspension or dismissal from the AKS.
All AKS members and clubs, including international ones, agree to abide by the guidelines of the AKS Bylaws, as held on record by the American Karate System Headquarters, USA.
No fees are refundable to members dismissed for infractions of AKS policies and conduct.
Any member who knowingly supports, or is a member of a terrorist group, will be dismissed from the AKS.
Anyone who misrepresents or holds false rank from another martial arts organization may be dismissed.
Anyone who reproduces or uses unauthorized copies of AKS products, including promotional certificates, may be dismissed.
Anyone who consistently degrades other martial artists, or their styles may be dismissed.
Anyone found guilty of a felony having used their martial arts knowledge in the commitment of a crime will be dismissed.
Anyone who intentionally tries to injure others during normal training or at AKS events, may be dismissed from class or the event. The Senior Leadership Team and the Executive Advisory Committee will review the circumstances and decide on the best disciplinary actions to be taken.
Anyone who does not show proper respect to his or her senior AKS instructors is subject to disciplinary action. This area deals more with minor infractions rather than blatant ones previously mentioned. Such things as acting without regard for senior leadership, failing to keep the respective chain of command informed, etc, will be deemed a loss of regard for the chain of command. Incidents along these lines are subject to review and corrective action as deemed fit by the senior leadership and the advisory board.
Anyone who misuses the Art will be dismissed.

The AKS attorney will be provided a copy of all patches, symbols, certificates, handbooks, designs, logos, trademarks, etc, for registration on the international level.
Approval must be made to allow the use the Chief Instructor's signature stamp, in the event he is not physically able to sign the AKS grade or Dan certificates.
Any person(s), other than the Chief Instructor in control of this signature stamp and/or the AKS bank account to handle the everyday business of the AKS shall keep the Chief Instructor apprised of all AKS business on a regular basis.

Amendments shall be made to AKS Bylaws by first providing to the black belt membership a written notice setting forth the proposed amendment(s). Sufficient amount of time must be given for review, whether the vote is conducted by electronic means, including email, or conducted at the annual black belt meeting.
Amendments shall be made by either of two methods:

A non-meeting amendment requires a previous notice and two-thirds vote of approval of the responding blackbelt membership; or
An amendment may be made at the annual AKS Summer Blackbelt Meeting by a unanimous vote by all black belt members in attendance. An exception requiring written notice is waived at the Annual Summer Blackbelt Meeting. A written proxy vote may be accepted if a voting member is unable to attend, and if agreed upon by the Chief Instructor.