AWSDA’s Blog

Andrea and I are the regional reps for northern Illinois.  Since the Board has decided not to run a national conference in 2009 we thought we might put together a small regional conference near Rockford, IL.

Our thought is to do a one day conference sometime in September or October 2009.  If you are in the area and would like to help organize the conference please contact us at GallowglassAcad@aol.com or call us at 815-973-1064.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness month.

As instructors and those interested in women’s self defense we should be promoting this important information to the general public, law enforcement and the media wherever we live.

Here are some statistics I found at at the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network website (www.rainn.org/statistics):

1 in 6 women are victims of sexual assault as are 1 in 33 men.
44% of rape victims are minors
15% are under 12
29% are between 12 and 17
73% of victims know their attacker
60% of sexual assaults are NOT reported to the police

Other organizations that have information on this topic are:

National Sexual Assault Violence Resource Center (www.nsvrc.org)
US Dept of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (www.ovw.usdoj.gov also for a poster to put up in your office or school www.ovw.usdoj.org/doc/ssaawarenessmonthposter.pdf)
National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center (www.safeyouth.org)

Allen Reed

While I respect Lisa’s opinion, I also know that it is just that.   I would strongly suggest people get facts prior to passing judgment or offering opinions.

For example, She states and I quote:  "It was this ignoring of written procedure and unprofessional method in which all this was handled by the board chair that resulted in the resignation of 6 out of 9 board members over a period of a few months." 

A previous post on a different website was: "Outright lies, half truths and spin (and then more spin)"  It is the challenge to the members to find out what the "truth" is.  Could it possibly be a portion of both?  Emotions are running high and the stakes are also high.  Who has the most to loose?  What could the Board loose?  What could the other loose ….  control over AWSDA….Money….   You choose!

Again a direct quote: "Do YOU have it in you to step outside of the closed General Membership Meeting and seek the other side’s view and position? It’s as easy as clicking your mouse."  I ask this same question to the one who spoke it.  Did YOU seek the other side’s view before publicly asserting your OPINION as fact?

Consequently, her comment was based on limited information.  I understand that it is easy to believe the one who speaks loudly but isn’t it also a responsibility to get all of the facts before you make a public statement?  Especially if that public statement is stated as factual.

Her other statement is and again, I quote: "The Board states sloppy record keeping. These are THEIR records - not the records of previous Boards."

Again a quote: "There was already an “independent investigation” performed by Ilsa vonLeden because of the way this Board had dealt with the matter at the beginning. She took it upon herself to find the truthful answers to ignored or redirected inquiries."  I will state that I was on the board during this same time and no "independent investigation" was attempted or conducted.  There was of course many opinions, emotions, and opposition to the forward movement of AWSDA!

The quote that I like the best out of the whole previous post is as follows:  "As AWSDA members, where do we go from here?" 

I will state with emphasis that ~
NEGATIVE ENERGY, PLACING BLAME, CONTINUOUS ARGUING, AND FOCUSING ON THE PAST WILL NOT MOVE AWSDA FORWARD!!!!

Respectfully,
~ Deanna
Humble 2008 Conference Coordinator
Proud AWSDA Member

Rape is a women’s biggest fear and the Rape Prevention Instructor Certification Course that was given at the AWSDA seminar yearly through 2007 gave us tools to defend and teach women how to defend and fight back - as is our absolute right.

This board took that away. Board members Sheila Haddad, Susan Baldwin and Jen Haas all voted NOT to give that course because of accusations from Carol Montoya, an officer of the Board, about then Defensive Tactics Strategist Phil Messina. While the Bylaws clearly state the procedure for such accusations, the Bylaws were not followed!

It was this ignoring of written procedure and unprofessional method in which all this was handled by the board chair that resulted in the resignation of 6 out of 9 board members over a period of a few months.

There was already an “independent investigation” performed by Ilsa vonLeden because of the way this Board had dealt with the matter at the beginning. She took it upon herself to find the truthful answers to ignored or redirected inquiries.

The Board states sloppy record keeping. These are THEIR records - not the records of previous Boards.

The Board states Modern Warrior monopoly. Kerry Copeland was not a Modern Warrior student and she was a phenomenal Executive Chair. Neither were several past board members direct Modern Warrior affiliates.

The situation AWSDA is in is NOT Modern Warrior produced. It is the result of fraudulence and blame casting, using Modern Warrior and Phil as scapegoats for indiscretions of this Board and one of its officers.

As AWSDA members, where do we go from here? We weren’t allowed to hear it, but you can read about it.

Do you have it in you to step outside of the closed General Membership Meeting and seek the other side’s view and position? It’s as easy as clicking your mouse.

Lisa Abbott  saildragon@yahoo.com

Hello AWSDA Members,

I would like to say thank you once again to those of you who made the conference.  The feedback that I have gotten has been that this was one of the best conferences.  I am happy and thankful that you all feel that way.  There are a lot of people behind the scenes that made the conference a success.  I got choked up at the Banquet Dinner and did not properly thank them publicly.  There were three awards that should have been handed out.  They are as follows:

Clare Stokes ~ She was instrumental in helping collect door prizes for all the participants and in getting the conference on the online calander’s at Greenville, Spartanburg, Asheville, and Hendersonville.  THANK YOU CLARE!!

Jodi Cooper ~ She was vital in helping me get information regarding membership, registration, processing applications, etc.  She also had a beautiful baby boy during the midst of July when things were the most hectic and still managed to find time to help!!!  THANK YOU JODI!!

Cristina Erikkson ~ She was tremendous in maintaining the website with the most up to date information regarding the Conference.  She was tireless when changing the conference schedule, instructor line up, etc.  "just one more time" LOL!!  THANK YOU CRISTINA!!

Those were the awards that should have been handed out and acknowledged which I failed to do.  My apologies.  These ladies have worked extremely hard behind the scenes to make the conference  a success.

There are also others that have worked really hard who did not receive an award though they should.  They are as follows:

Sheila Haddad

Susan Baldwin

Jennifer Hass

Carol Montoya

The above women worked incredibly hard to keep AWSDA together despite the turmoil that kept presenting itself and chose to continue on with the conference even though it would have been easier to quit!  Thanks for choosing the unpaved road!

There are yet more who helped out and lent a hand who should also be thanked.  They are as follows:

Christopher Smith

Ronald Baldwin

Dawn Young

Katie Montoya

Lisa Abbott

Thanks also goes out to all the instructors who volunteered their time and shared their knowledge.

 More thanks goes out to the members, corporate sponsors, and vendors whose support is greatly appreciated.

Lastly, THANK YOU to all the PARTICIPANTS new and old who came to this years Conference and made it the success that it was!

Respectfully,
~ Deanna