MESSAGE FROM BU CHOONG JAE NIM MASTER JOE GOSS

FEDERATION (by Master Joe Goss)

fed-er-a-tion (fed' a ra' shan), n. [Fr. Federation; ML federatio<L. foederatus; see FEDERATE], 1. A uniting by compact; union of states, groups, etc. by agreement of each member to subordinate its power to that of the central authority in common affairs. 2. A federated organization; league; federal union of states, nations, etc. Abbreviated Fed. (In title or name).

The definition above is from the "Webster's New World Dictionary" and pretty much describes the International Tang Soo Do Federation™. As a member school we have subordinated our power to a central authority, that being the Federation. When we, as member schools, think of the Federation, the first thing, I am sure, that comes to most of the instructor's minds is Choong Jae Nim. He is, after all, the guiding force being the International Tang Soo Do Federation™. However the International Tang Soo Do Federation™ is more than just one man. It is an entity unto itself.

In 1984, I remember Choong Jae Nim telling me he was going to form an organization. I understood his reason for arriving at that decision. We were, after all, both on the board of directors for another Tang Soo Do organization. It was after attending the last meeting of that organization that he had made the decision to form the International Tang Soo Do Federation™ - although at that time he had not arrived at a name for it. His reasoning (which I agreed with) was that they were straying from the original Martial Art and becoming non-traditional. The traditional forms were being cast aside and were being replaced with forms that were designed for tournament. That, however, was not the only reason and there are too many to go into a newsletter article.

What we, as members of the International Tang Soo Do Federation™ must be aware of is that Choong Jae Nim and I will not live forever; however, the Federation can. The Federation can outlast an individual if its members cooperate for the good of the organization. An example of this is the United States of America. The first president was George Washington. At the time there were those in America who wanted to make him king. He refused, knowing that it would lead to the destruction of the country. Steps were taken to insure a smooth transfer of power so that the country would remain intact. This same train of thought must be applied to the International Tang Soo Do Federation™.

As the cover of the "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" says, "Dont' Panic!". Choong Jae Nim and I are not planning to die anytime soon. It is just prudent to think about the future. The International Tang Soo Do Federation™ was formed to promote traditional martial arts as it has been practiced for hundreds, or mayble thousands of years, and to keep it alive. Choong Jae Nim and I would like to see it continue long after we are gone and we are only a picture hanging in a Do Jang. This can happen only if the member schools, as "Webster's Dictionary" puts it, "subordinates its power to a central authority".