By Laws of the tong hap kwan hapkido system/association
Effective as of November 1st.2025
Article # 1.) Name and purpose.
The OFFICIAL NAME IS THE TONG HAP KWAN HAPKIDO SYSTEM/ASSOCIATION.
Section 1. Name.
Section 2. Purpose
The Association Exists to.
1. Preserve and govern the tong hap Kwan hapkido martial arts system.
2. Maintain training, rank, instructor and ethical standards to name a few topics.
3. Protect lineage of Dojunim Paul C.Holley Founder and continuity of training and teaching and the Authority of chief grandmaster Ayotte.
4. Regulate and run the system and association, memberships, students, instructors, rank and certificate system and documentation of the tong hap kwan hapkido system.
5. Teach students and instructors and promote share the tong hap Kwan hapkido system nationwide and globally.
6.) Through these Records and Procedures we will secure the Tong Hap Kwan System/Association for generations to come.
Article #2.) Authority
Section 1. Founder Dojunim Paul C.Holley appointed Chief Grandmaster Brian Ayotte as Heir/President of the tong hap Kwan hapkido system/association. Has Full rights authority over all things tong hap Kwan hapkido system and tong hap Kwan hapkido association related. ranks, curriculum. Full Operational control.
Section 2. Final Decision and Authority. All decisions regarding rank, curriculum, instructor certification, affiliations, discipline or structure are solely determined by Headquarters who has complete authority over by laws, ethics, standards and all system/association operations. Headquarter s will be updating the system/association on upgrades in the future. Headquarters refers to the office of chief grandmaster Ayotte
Section 3. Succession of system and or association. Only Chief Grandmaster Ayotte has the Right to Appoint his Successor. And will do so when he determines, they will be appointed with signed official tong hap Kwan hapkido system and association Documents and with the chief grandmaster Ayotte's, signature and seals. As well as public announcements while together in person.
Section4. Changes to System/Association. Honor my Instructor Dojunim Paul C. Holley the tong hap Kwan hapkido system/Association. These By Laws Supersede all previous in Effect. When in doubt ask C.Gm.Ayotte. continue training ourselves and students for better quality of lives through tong hap Kwan hapkido.( bi lingual English/Korean Terminology. Members and instructors are not required to learn and teach the Korean terminology.But it will be available to others that wish to learn and teach the Korean terminology) This is a Flexibility growth for our System/Association.Our respect for the founder and what he has passed on hasn't changed.
(This Sets up apart from our sister Art/Association tong hap Kwan Hoshinsul/ Tong hap Kwan Hoshinsul Union.so the Arts/Associations don’t look like twins.)
Section 5 Amendments and future Additions changes. Only C.Gm. Ayotte may at any time/place Amend these bylaws, curriculum, issue revisions add new sections, expand system policy
Article #3.) Membership.
section 1. Almost any one after review and dues are met can become a member of the association if found to be of good moral character.
Section 2. Members/Instructors must follow the by-laws, rules, tenets, curriculum, ethics and standards of the t.h.k.h.a. and chief grandmaster Ayotte.Violating any of the By laws,rules,tenets,curriculum or disrespecting the System/Association,leaders is cause for expulsion and removal of all membership,rank amd teaching privalages.
Article #4.) Rank and Instructor Certification.
Section 1. Rank Structure.
All Gup and Dan Standards and the Curriculum are defined and regulated by Chief Grandmaster Ayotte/Headquarters.
Section 2. Certification and Authority.
Headquarters will oversee all State Representatives/Charter instructors and Headquarters personal students.all members will be recorded at headquarters.Or they will not be acknowledged .
Section 3. Who May Promote Students/Black Belts.
Active State Representatives/Charter School instructors are Authorized to promote up to one rank below themselves.
Section 4. Headquarters Only Promotions
Only Headquarters/C. Gm. Ayotte will Promote others to Instructor Status and Provide School Charters. We gladly accept referrals of instructor and potential charters from Our association instructors'
The Founder Dojunim Paul C.Holley is still teaching in his Dojang and he will promote his students/others in the Legacy Curriculum .All Ranks will say Legacy Rank and or be known as Legacy Ranks Registered with Headquarters.
Active State Representatives and charter instructors will be Promoted by Headquarters when Headquarters sees it’s fitting.
Headquarters will Honor Promotions of Active Instructors and support them as needed. We want active members, students, instructors who support the system/association. *All Instructors regardless of ranks must submit new members and future rank promotions of their students in this system to headquarters in a timely manner.*
Section 5. Time in Grade Promotions for all Gup/Dan ranks. please visit this site Official belt ranking page as all of your students with us will adhere to these protocols as will ours. These new changes keep the paper chasers away and help to define this association from others.These are Adhered to Association wide.
Section 6. Gup/Dan Rank Fees that go to headquarters.
All Gup Fees are $20.00 Each individual each Rank.
All Dan Rank fees are $100.00 each individual each rank. these are association wide structures. (State Representative s see below)
section 7. State Representatives that want fees waived will use their own gup/Dan certificates for their students.All New members/Rank promotions need to be sent and updated with headquarters so that we can keep Records. Look at the State Representative page and see Responsibilities and benefits. (State Representatives will cover their own Personal Rank Promotions fees incurred from Headquarters.*Lifetime State Representatives are now Referred to as Legacy State Representatives. And their students will be ranked/Registered with headquarters under Legacy Ranked.
Section 8.) These by laws and tenets are an association wide compliance.
Section9.) Members / Instructors/ State Representatives are all encouraged to recommend others in membership/merchandise purchases of Tong hap Kwan hapkido system/association.The Association gets its income from memberships/merchandise purchases.
Article #5.) Injury Waiver agreements/Liability rules.
Section1.All instructors of tong hap Kwan hapkido must use injury waiver releases of liability. For classes, seminars, demonstrations. these waivers should cover yourself and your school. at all times.
Section 2. TONG HAP KWAN HAPKIDO SYSTEM/ASSOCIATION AND C.GM. AYOTTE ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY INJURIES, ACCIDENTS, EMOTIONAL DISCOMFORT, ACTIONS OF OTHER STUDENTS, MEMBERS, INSTRUCTORS. EVERYONE TEACHES AND TRAINS AT THEIR OWN RISK.
Section 3.I Urge instructors to learn basic first aid ,cpr/aed training. And have a nice first aid kit inside each dojang.
Article #6.) All Members/Instructors Conduct.
Section 1. Uphold system/association standards.
maintain discipline, etiquette, lead by example, follow headquarters directives, support the system with loyalty and integrity.
Section 2. SOCIAL MEDIA POSTING.
Post positive pictures, reels, videos of your journey in this system, share training ideas, promote unity,
Section 3. Avoid Ego, drama conflict.
lead by example, rise above personal conflict, avoid gossip, drama, negative attitudes, disrespect. Don't involve yourself in online arguments if another member/instructor is disrespecting you and name calling you let Headquarters know. If any members/instructors bring shame/Dishonor to the association, system, leadership, members they will be removed and no longer be associated with system/association.
Section 4. Regardless of rank or membership.im always available if you need advice or just want to talk.
section 5. I'm Honored to walk this Path journey
with each one of you. Let's train hard have discipline, stay humble, protect yourself, others and carry the tong hap Kwan hapkido system/association into the future.