A Message from Yamada Sensei

Once again spring has arrived and that means there are many seminars all over the nation. I just finished another black belt seminar in Chicago, and I am very proud to tell you that it was another successful seminar. As you know, this black belt seminar is always conducted by one of Technical Committee members and me. This idea of having the Technical Committee involved in teaching gives a strong impression to many black belts that the USAF has many qualified instructors. This also gives black belts a way to learn for their own future improvement. I would also like to thank the Midwest Aikido Center for giving us the opportunity to use their wonderful facility, and I must say that they are very good hosts.

In my opinion, we now have an excellent Federation with a very smart and cooperative Board of Directors. This is helping create excellent and positive reactions from our members as well. I consider the Federation to be just like a labor union. Being a member of an organization gives protection and rights that you cannot easily acquire as an individual. In order to be a part of a big organization you cannot be selfish. You have to know that you must not always think of yourself, and give of yourself once in a while. On many occasions even I, as a leader, also have to give in.

In the end, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for caring about my health. Thank God everything is fine with me, so you don't need to treat me like an old man.

All my best wishes for a wonderful spring, and I'll see you at summer camp.

Yamada Sensei