[arriplify]

Howdy from Wyoming! I am long time lurker and have enjoyed reading many threads here at the forums, though I do not generally post, I figured I probably should before I get in too far over my head! On to the main reason for this post:

I am currently in the process of working with a group of university students(including myself) to establish a Kendo club in Laramie, WY. I did search this site for both university and college kendo clubs, and the results did not provide me with much information about creating a club. All of the AUSKF links or other links have very factual information about when a club was founded and who to contact, but we are hoping for a little advice! Here is some background information:

The group in Laramie has been training Kendo together for about 2 years, some much less, however most active participants who use bogu are members of AUSKF. Not all participants are students, as we have community members that practice as well. We adhere to, as best we can, the IKF and AUSKF standards as well as our regional requirements. Many have participated at regional training events including shinsa and a few of us went to AUSKF nationals this year as spectators or participants.

Given that each university club criteria may be slightly different here are the main objectives:

1. Most important aspect is to continue with IKF/AUSKF standards of Kendo. We wish to ensure that after our departure from our positions within a kendo club at this school that the students and participants continue to observe the national standards. I will only mention that the martial arts culture is very ...um...diverse, here in Laramie and good ideas have gotten together with not so good decisions.

2. Community member participation in training. We have a great connection with community members who participate in regular training and we do not wish to ostracize them. Of course, we hope to become a club sport and eventually compete against other collegiate teams, if the interest and fiscal means are available to us. We do realize that only students are allowed to represent their university, at least here in Wyoming, and this may preclude community member representation at a taikai, however we do not wish to keep them from training with a university club sport, etc.

3. Exchange student connection. At this point we are not sure how many students, if any, from other nations have practiced Kendo or Iaido and are attending school here. We hope to be a point of contact for those that are interested in continuing to practice Kendo or Iaido as they attend school here.

4. Non-profit. Ensuring that Kendo in Laramie continues to maintain a non-profit approach to all matters.

5. To beat all of our conference schools at Taikai! UNLV, U of Utah, BYU, Air Force, CSU, UNM, San Diego State, and TCU. (Actually I think we might be the only Kendo club in our conference). So we win by defaut! Finally Wyoming is number 1 in their conference for a sport. Okay, sorry about the delusions of Grandeur. Go Cowboys!

We are aware that a student run organization is defined by the level of interest, and we hope to generate interest and awareness in the general student body about Kendo and Iaido by occasional presence at our university common area(play videos, answer questions, hand out flyers etc.) demonstration at university events if the opportunity ever arises, and an independent web site presence (host server is being repaired at the moment). Also, within the state of Wyoming we hope to help organize and participate in demonstrations of Kendo or Iaido when requested. (Free of charge).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!