USAF I United States Aikido Federation
USAF Headquarters
142 West 18th Street
New York. NY 10011
212 242 6246 I phone
212 242 97491 fax
www.usaikifed.com
Please correspond to:
49 Maple Street
LitchfieId,Cr 06759
860 567 2416 I phone
860 567 24171 fax
laura@usaikifed.com
August 6 2012
Over the last several years, I have watched many changes in the Aikido world as many of my contemporaries have passed away. These sad losses have given me the opportunity to think a lot about planning for the future of the USAF and I would like to take this opportimity to inform you of my vision. I am still healthy and active, and I think now is the best time to express my ideas about setting things in place for our future.
The USAF is my family. I want to make sure that our family remains strong. In two years I will be celebrating my 50-year anniversary of teaching Aikido in America and running New York Aikikai. As President of the USAF, I feel that my anniversary will be a good time for me to relax from some of the day-to-to duties while I am still healthy and able to enjoy a more flexible schedule. In order to allow for a smooth transition, at my request and with the support of the Technical Committee and the Board of Directors, Skip Chapman has been named President-Elect. During the next two years, I will work closely with Skip to get him ready to take the position of President in 2014.
The Technical Committee will continue its role of overseeing the instruction, testing, licensing of instructors and promotions. Though I will no longer hold the title of President, I plan on remaining active and involved for many years to come.
This transition means that I can step back, enjoy my home, spend more time with my family, and rest assured that the future is in place. Now, with your support, we can continue on the positive path that has made our organization one of the best in the world.
As you may know, I have always said that the USAF should live by four principles: freedom, friendliness, fairness, and flexibility. I have been very lucky to have so many people help us achieve these goals for so many years, and hope that this transition will create the strong foimdation to support our principles for many years to come.
Sincerely yours.
Yoshimitsu Yamada
Aikido World Headquarters
17-18 Wakamatsu-Cho I Shinjuku-Ku I Tokyo, Japan
