1. APOLOGIES:
William Millerson-he had commitments in China as Olympics Delegate for his country
Robert Hamilton

Jon Wicks assumed Chair in absence of Mr. Millerson.

Suzuki Sensei spoke, “I'm back from Hell.” Sensei thanked everyone for their support of WIKF during his illness.

2. MINUTES FROM WORLD CONGRESS HELD AT PLANO, TEXAS, 2005
Motion to approve: P. Kear Second: M. Beyens Passed.

3. T. SUZUKI LETTER TO MEMBERSHIP
Sensei handed out copies of this letter and explained further its contents. He appealed to all present to keep the techniques as taught by Ohtsuka Sensei and passed on by him. We must stay true to Ohtsuka Sensei's way.
Sensei reiterated to all that he has no plans to retire. He will train as long as he is able.

4. COUNTRY REPORTS

SWEDEN
2000 members and 20 clubs. 10 members on Swedish all style team. For the first time a WIKF member from Sweden made all styles team for kata.

ITALY
10-15 clubs and 800-1000 members. They plan to host the European championships in 2010 in September or October.

NORWAY
the number of clubs and membership has doubled in size recently. They have WIKF members in positions of responsibility in all Norway WKF.

GREECE
They have been inactive for a few years but they are back! 10 clubs.

IRELAND
Very strong Wado.

NORTHERN IRELAND
10 clubs and about 300 members. They have members on the All Styles National Team.

GEORGIA
Wado is the strongest style in Georgia with 12 clubs and 400 members. They are currently organizing a European Championship.

PORTUGAL
Currently they have 18 clubs and 400 students. Portugal all styles coach is Tony Gonclaves.

USA
9 clubs and they hope to add member states of Tennessee and California this year. They hold the Suzuki Cup every year in Texas the first weekend in November. Sensei also teaches a two or three day course prior to the tournament.

AUSTRALIA
They have 9 clubs and all follow Sensei's teaching.

CANADA
the country is so large we divide geographically into the East/West. We currently have 9 clubs and 300 members. There has been increased efforts to bring the country closer together by finding ways to meet at national and international events.

SPAIN
There are currently splits within the country but Spain has brought a team of 70 people to this World Championships. Wim Massee extended an invitation to members to attend the 25th anniversary of his Summer course. Brochures were handed out.

VENEZUELA
Currently there is one strong club with over 60 members and 4 of the top fighters in the country are from this club.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
There are currently 12 clubs. The clubs bring in Sensei's Rodriguez and Girono to bring the level of Wado up. Due to the high cost of travel to Europe several Pan American Champions could not participate in this tournament.

CHILE
Latin American countries all face financial problems which prohibit them from attending these world championships. In Chile there are two clubs with about 200 students of which 8 are members of their National All Styles Team.
They are very happy to be back in the Wado family.

FINLAND
Currently there are two clubs with 250 students.

BELGIUM
There are currently 35 clubs and 1500 students. There are two Wado groups and they work harmoniously together.

FRANCE
There are 34 clubs in WIKF with about 5000 members. France brings 40 competitors to this tournament.

ENGLAND
There are about 2000 members and WIKF does very well on the All Styles team for England. Each year they host four courses with Sensei. Jeff Probst personally thanked the 100 plus people who came to England in April to help Sensei celebrate his 80th birthday.

SLOVANIA
Became WIKF members in 2004 and they have 4 clubs and about 100 members. Slovenia is a small country yet in a country of just two million people there are over 70 clubs from the various karate styles.

MADAGASCAR
4 clubs and about 200-300 students are wanting to join the WIKF.

CHINA
Mr. Christian has started a club at Beijing University and will be switching this club to Wado.

5. CONSTITUTION OF WIKF
Mr. Millerson was to bring it to this meeting but as mentioned he couldn't make it. The Executive will arrange to have it sent out to all countries for their perusal and then we will establish an electronic format to vote to accept this constitution.

6. WIKF MEMBERSHIP
European members pay a yearly fee to WIKF. Other continents have not done so. The discussion centered around two key points:
the need to have a constitution so all are clear on purpose of the yearly fees
Arturo Girona, WIKF Treasurer will investigate, once again, the feasibility of a World Bank Account and he will report back to the membership.

7. NEXT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: 3 OR 5 YEARS FROM NOW?
Moved by: Mr. Kear and Seconded by: Mr. Kosslow and unanimously passed that the WIKF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS are to be held in THREE (3) years. The next World Championships will be in 2011. Each subsequent Championship after 2011 will be every FOUR (4) years.
Minutes revised: Aug 19/08

8. LOCATION FOR 2011 WIKF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Several countries are exploring the feasibility of hosting the next World Championships: Holland, Norway and the U.S.A.

9. ELECTION OF WIKF OFFICERS
Letter of resignation from current General Secretary Bobby Hamilton was read to membership.
Chairman: William Millerson Moved by D. Wallis, Seconded by W. Massee: By acclamation
Vice-Chairman: Minoru Furakawa Moved by B. Burns, Seconded by F. Abreu: By acclamation
Vice-Chairman: Jon Wicks Moved by B.Burns, Seconded by D. Wallis: By acclamation
Treasurer: Arturo Girona Moved by J. Wicks Seconded by W. Massee By Acclamation
General Secretary: Dan Wallis Moved by A. Girono and Seconded by F. Abreu: By Acclamation

After the elections were held Frank Abreu volunteered to be Assistant General Secretary to help with communicating to those countries in Pan America. Approved.

10. WIKF CHIEF INSTRUCTOR
Suzuki Sensei is well enough to resume this role with thanks to Fukazawa Sensei for assuming this position while Suzuki Sensei was ill.

11. TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
Suzuki Sensei announced the creation of a committee that is charged with ensuring the pure Wado techniques are taught in their respective continents. Suzuki Sensei will remain responsible for examing students 4th Dan and above. The committee can undertake this responsibility if Sensei is unable to attend such a grading. The committee members are as follows:
Jon Wicks (England)
Wim Massee (Spain)
Tony Gonclaves (Portugal)
Ken Corrigan (Canada)
Tom Kosslow (USA)
Arturo Girona (USA)
Pedro Rodriguez (Venezuela)

Special Advisor to Technical Committee: H. Fukazawa (France)

12. REGIONAL COMMITTEES
Suzuki Sensei announced the creation of three regional committees whose mandate it will be to coordinate WIKF events within their regions:

EUROPE: Mathieu Beysen
ASIA/PACIFIC: Phillip Kear
PAN PACIFIC: Brody Burns

13. OTHER BUSINESS

Veteran Age Category for World Championships: There was a vote held that a member 35 or older, in either kata or Kumite MUST CHOOSE to either compete in 18-34 OR Veteran. He/she cannot compete in both.
Vote: Choose: 10 Can do both: 8

14. Motion to Adjourn: Moved by B. Burns Seconded by S. Shaffie

Meeting adjourned at 1:04 pm.


Minutes recorded by : Dan Wallis General Secretary