Seattle School of Aikido

STATE OF THE DOJO     July 2008

Rent is going up (as of July 1 we’re  paying almost $2,000/month), and our financial reserves have dwindled.   We have lost money every month since January.  We have worked hard to cut expenses, but we have not succeeded in increasing dojo membership or finding enough renters to help share the expense.

Seattle School of Aikido is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and donations above the regular dues amount are tax-deductible and eligible for matching funds.  An anonymous donor recently contributed money (with matching funds) which, with dues, will hold us for a few months, but our financial situation is precarious.

The board has decided that we must raise dues to $80/month as of August 1 – still the cheapest in Seattle.  Even so, this does not address our long-term financial needs.

The kids program is an important source of income, and it brings more people (kids and adults) to the dojo to train.  The dojo needs the kids program, and the kids program needs the support of the entire dojo; running the kids program should not be on the shoulders of just one person.  We recommend changing the way in which we have always viewed the kids’ program:  Rather than seeing it as the exclusive domain of one (even two) instructors, we need to run the program as we run the adults co-op, with multiple instructors through the course of the week.  

Zenith has agreed to continue teaching the Tuesday class but only if she has a co-instructor.  To have a viable program, we also need co-teachers for the Saturday classes.   We also need administrative assistant(s) for communication, photocopying, and event planning.  Without more people involved, the kids program will not continue, and the loss of the kids program would be a serious blow to the energy and finances of the dojo.

 Please review your commitment to the dojo to see how you can help with the kids program, and talk to Zenith or Christy about it.  Also, reflect on what brought you to aikido and to Seattle School (and what keeps you here), and consider how we might bring in more members.

The board welcomes your ideas and actions to keep the dojo solvent so we can all pursue our training.