Mr. Parker passed away on December 15, 1990 - leaving many voids in the world of Kenpo. One of these voids was an International Kenpo Karate Association, to which we could all belong.
Since that time many Associations, Federations, Organizations, and Societies have been created in order to offer instruction, services and promotional testing to Kenpo students worldwide.
I suggest the first thing you do when looking for an association to join is to read their mission statement. Regardless of what ever else an association offers its members it's their mission statement that defines the purpose of their very existence. If they don't have a mission statement or they have one you don't agree with, then there is no reason to even consider joining.
For example the mission statement of American Kenpo International is:
"To preserve and analyze the "original/traditional" version of Grand Master Ed Parker's American Kenpo Karate and continue the legitimate lines of rank and heritage Mr. Parker has left us."
Aside from having a mission an association should offer its members support materials like manuals, patches, membership cards, maybe a newsletter, seminars, certificates, camaraderie, leadership, and rank recognition.
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International Kenpo Karate Association |
