SMAA Training Camp instructors and award recipients DO NOT PAY to attend the SMAA Awards Dinner…quite the opposite! This is the day that we give back to them for all they have done for the martial arts. Fee for guests and others in attendance at the Award Dinner are:

Dinner only…$40

The SMAA Awards Dinner is a casual dinner. Appropriate dress includes casual pants, shirt, dress, skirt, etc. No shorts or t-shirts will be permitted. Suit and tie or tuxedo, evening dress, etc. is not necessary…if you wear these, you will be VERY overdressed!!!

Regarding awards, we will present a maximum of six awards per year at the SMAA Awards Dinner. Those nominated for one of the awards must be present or send a representative in their place or no award consideration will be possible. We will not ship awards, the recipient or their representative must be present to accept the award! There are NO FEES for awards, they will truly be a gift to those who have given something to the martial arts…you cannot under any circumstances BUY your way into receiving an ward. This is a dramatic break from the status quo in the martial arts award community, and for those of us in the SMAA it is a very big step in the right direction.

If you would like to nominate someone for an award, please be sure to read the following award categories and the criteria for each award. If the individual that you have in mind meets these criteria, please prepare a letter with their name, address, contact info, etc. as well as a full and detailed description of their martial arts background, rank(s), accomplishments, awards, etc. and why you feel they should receive this award. Nominations that do not include the above will not be considered.

Please send your nominations (with supporting documentation) to Sensei Tom Belt, Director of the SMAA Awards Dinner, and Chairman of the SMAA Award Selection Committee:

Sensei Tom Belt
PO Box 2171
Florissant, MO
63032-2171
tbelt@streamlinecorporation.net 

The Award categories (and appropriate criteria) are:

Lifetime Achievement Award…Awarded to an individual with 50 years or more in the martial arts, holds the rank of at least 8th dan (or the equivalent), and has made noteworthy contributions in all three of the following areas at the national or international level:

1. Competition (years of excellence as a competitor, promoter, director, official, etc.)

2. administration (years of excellence as a leader, motivator, organizer, contributor, active in association operations, events, etc.)

3. technical (advanced senior master level technical skills, advanced senior master level ability as a teacher or coach)

The individual must (of course) be of unquestioned character and ethics and must exemplify the highest possible standards in the martial arts and everyday life.

Distinguished Service Award…Awarded to an individual who has 40 years or more in the martial arts, holds the rank of at least 7th dan (or the equivalent), and has made noteworthy contributions in at least two of the three following areas at the national or international level:

1. competition (years of excellence as a competitor, promoter, director, official, etc.)

2. administration (years of excellence as a leader, motivator, organizer, contributor, active in association operations, events, etc.)

3. technical (advanced master level technical skills, advanced master level ability as a teacher or coach)

The individual must (of course) be of unquestioned character and ethics and must exemplify the highest possible standards in the martial arts and everyday life.

Outstanding Merit Award…Awarded to an individual who has 30 years or more in the martial arts, hold the rank of at least 6th dan (or the equivalent), and has made noteworthy contributions in at least one of the three following areas at the national or international level:

1. competition (years of excellence as a competitor, promoter, director, official, etc.)

2. administration (years of excellence as a leader, motivator, organizer, contributor, active in association operations, events, etc.)

3. technical (advanced senior level technical skills, advanced senior level ability as a teacher or coach)

The individual must (of course) be of unquestioned character and ethics and must exemplify the highest possible standards in the martial arts and everyday life.

Instructor Excellence Award…Awarded to a martial arts instructor who has 20 years or more in the martial arts, holds the rank of at least 4th dan (or the equivalent), and has made noteworthy contributions in at least two of the three following areas at the local, regional or state level:

1. competition (years of excellence as a competitor, promoter, director, official, etc.)

2. administration (years of excellence as a leader, motivator, organizer, contributor, active in association operations, events, etc.)

3. technical (advanced level technical skills, advanced level ability as a teacher or coach)

The individual must (of course) be of unquestioned character and ethics and must exemplify the highest possible standards in the martial arts and everyday life.

Martial Arts Excellence Award… Awarded to an individual who has 10 years or more in the martial arts, holds the rank of at least 2nd dan (or the equivalent), and has made noteworthy contributions in at least one of the three following areas at the local, regional or state level:

1. competition (years of excellence as a competitor, promoter, director, official, etc.)

2. administration (years of excellence as a leader, motivator, organizer, contributor, active in association operations, events, etc.)

3. technical (advanced level technical skills, advanced level ability as a teacher or coach)

The individual must (of course) be of unquestioned character and ethics and must exemplify the highest possible standards in the martial arts and everyday life.

Youth Excellence Award… This award is dedicated to the memory of the late Chris Canning, a young martial artist of incredible potential and is presented to an individual who is between the ages of 12 and 22, has 5 years or more in the martial arts and has demonstrated a capacity for excellence in all four of following areas:

1. competition (excellence as a competitor, etc.)

2. technical (excellent technical skills, ability as an assistant to their teacher)

3. academics (3.0 grade point average or better, good conduct, etc.)

4. community service (volunteer work in school, civic, church projects, etc.)

The individual must (of course) be of unquestioned character and ethics and must exemplify the highest possible standards in the martial arts and everyday life.

Send those nominations and related support documents as soon as possible! With a maximum of only six awards presented we must have plenty of time to carefully scrutinize each nominee’s credentials before reaching a final decision as to who will receive an award in 2009.

Make your plans to attend now! The location for both events is:

Holiday Inn Select
4341 Veteran’s Memorial Parkway
St. Peters, MO 63376
Please call (636) 928-1500 to make your reservations.