Bangladesh Emergency Flood Relief “Relay the Spirit” Marathon Seminar

J M

August 26th, 2007

Donation vessel is actually used by women in Bangladesh to carry water.

Donation vessel is actually used by women in Bangladesh to carry water.

We received calls of distress from Bangladesh early last August due to severe flooding in the region. Nippon Kan Headquarters in Denver heeded the call and quickly organized a fundraising seminar at the Nippon Kan Headquarters to raise support for badly needed flood relief supplies. Homma Kancho was already scheduled to teach a fundraising seminar in Rio de Janeiro so instructed his staff with the following words. “It does not matter if I cannot be here to help with this fundraising effort. We must do something quickly.” AHAN International Director and Nippon Kan Senior Vice President Emily Busch Sensei set to the task of quickly organizing the fundraising seminar event.

The seminar was held as a 10-hour marathon beginning at 9:00 am. and ending at 7:00 pm. Each rank level held practice for a two-hour session with NO breaks in between. Each next group passed the baton and the marathon continued until all attending students of all ranks had participated. The seminar marathon was instructed by Chief Instructor Rudy Landry Sensei, Scott Olson Sensei, Bryon Hays Sensei, Instructors Michael Barrera, Anthony Dolan and Jason Breitzman.

The seminar ended with the black belt student practice and closing ceremonies attended by Consul General of Japan at Denver, Consul Haruo Yamagami and his wife. At the end of the day, $5,000 was raised including a donation from Nippon Kan Youth Program members of $74.32.  This event was put on with only a few days notice, and many students that were unable to physically attend were able to support the effort with donations.

There were many important aspects of this event including the sense of teamwork it inspired and the exercise in planning for Nippon Kan staff and students in Homma Ranchos’ absence. Homma Kancho counseled “It will be too late to start training in dojo operations if for some reason I am no longer here. While I am here and in good health is the time for training in organizing and executing events of many kinds. This marathon seminar is not only a benefit for Bangladesh but is a team building activity for all Nippon Kan staff and members here at home.”

Nippon Kan students practice by rank to raise funds at the marathon.

Nippon Kan students practice by rank to raise funds at the marathon.

Homma Kancho’s seminar message

Aug 26th, 2007

Opening speech by Homma Kancho for all class openings and Black belt class closing

Dear Nippon Kan members,

Thank you for taking a day of your weekend to attend this Bangladesh Emergency Flood Relief fundraising seminar. You are here to raise funds to help the children at the Madrasah Orphanage, but that is not the only purpose or benefit of today’s event. This is an opportunity for us as a dojo to come together. Spending time together in motion and sweat for the benefit of others is an important opportunity for us to fortify our own members and our own community as well. For the needs of others we gather today and we will work hard ourselves in practice. This is very valuable for our lives, as well as the lives of those we have gathered to help.

One cannot put a price on the value of your efforts today, or the feeling of giving that we are creating.

I am now in Brazil, raising funds for the Renascer Shelter in Rio de Janeiro so I cannot be with you today in Denver. There is an emergency in Bangladesh, so it was necessary to schedule this Denver seminar during my absence. I leave you in very capable hands, and am very happy that all of our Nippon Kan instructors have come together to organize this wonderful activity today.

Get ready, to RELAY THE SPIRIT. Let Practice Begin.
Gaku Homma
Nippon Kan Kancho

Many thanks to everyone for all of your support!

Link here for the posted donations list for the Bangladesh Emergency Flood Relief Seminar