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 may offer its members support materials like manuals, patches, membership cards, maybe a newsletter, seminars, certificates, camaraderie, leadership, and rank recognition.
Additional Information on Associations
Below I have listed many of the most well known Kenpo associations. I suggest you visit each of their web sites and see what they have to offer you and/or your school. You will notice that not all associations have an informative web site, but this doesn't mean they don't have something to offer. Often times it's a friend or student who has built the site for their teacher and just as often they neglect or abandon the project leaving the site unfinished or out dated. Please take this into consideration when evaluating their site.
If you are a member of an association that would like to be listed the Pacific Kenpo web site, you are welcome to submit your crest and information by clicking the "Contact" button.
