Continuing to work together for a great future for the ITF

Distinguished guests, Delegates, Grand Masters, and Masters,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you for the confidence you have shown by re-electing me to a second four-year term as president of the ITF, along with the other members of the ITF Board of Directors. We all consider it an honor and a privilege to continue the work of our Founder General Choi Hong Hi, and I can assure you that we take very seriously our responsibility as leaders of the ITF. We want to continue to be accessible to our members, working with mutual respect and transparency to reach our goals.

As you know, over the past four years we have made a number of important changes in the structure and operations of the ITF, and I must say that the results are very encouraging. The ITF now operates according to democratic principles, and uniform application of the By-Law and policies ensures fairness for everyone.

These changes were made in order to assure the stability of the organization and to allow continuing growth. Experience demonstrates that a democratically-run organization has benefits for everyone involved.

Although the changes were made after consultation and thorough discussion and they were in the best interests of the ITF and its members, there has been some natural resistance to the reorganization. But in order to progress, our organization had to become more efficient and democratic. I would like to reassure you that we will continue to listen to your concerns and suggestions, and we will continue to act as responsible heirs of the legacy of our Founder.

We are counting on your collaboration. By working together, we will continue to progress.

Our efforts to increase the visibility of the ITF have attracted a lot of attention. In fact, we have received numerous enquiries from people affiliated with other Taekwon-Do organizations who are now interested in joining the ITF. They are attracted to the ITF because they can see the positive results of the changes we have made and because it is a democratic organization.

A Great Future for the ITF

The theme we have chosen for the next four years is “continuity”, and we will be concentrating our efforts on development. This means we will continue to work to make the ITF bigger and better, to make it an organization that provides more of the services its members need and want, and an organization that its members are proud to belong to.

We will continue to develop and teach ITF Taekwon-Do in all four of its facets: as a sport, as a martial art, as a way of life, and as a tool for social development. This means increased emphasis on training for our teachers and on teaching the Do. It also means offering more leadership camps and more practical workshops.

I would like to give you a brief overview of some projects planned for our second mandate:

Over the next four years, we plan to assist all ITF-affiliated organizations, starting with the NAs, to implement democratic practices. All new NAs will be required to hold democratic elections and to treat everyone fairly and according to established policies and procedures.

We will be applying the new definition of “a member in good standing” of the ITF: To be considered “a member in good standing” an NA must be an active organization operating according to the philosophy of Taekwon-Do and the rules and regulations of the ITF, paying fees to the ITF as required for exams, certificates, etc. Only NAs/NGBs that meet the standard of “a member in good standing” will have the right to vote at future Congress meetings.

We also intend to offer identification cards to all holders of ITF teaching plaque certificates.

In keeping with the intentions of our Founder, we will continue the emphasis on teaching the Do; our goal is to integrate the teaching of the Do into courses at all levels, starting in 2007.

More International Instructor Courses will be offered and we are considering adding an advanced level IIC concentrating on teaching methods, targeting those who have already participated in two or three IICs.

The special section of the Web site reserved for holders of teaching plaque certificates is a priority project. Once it is operational, all ITF teachers everywhere in the world will have access to the same online training and resources.

We will be offering more workshops and seminars about business administration and business development and will be promoting teaching Taekwon-Do as a full-time career.

A Technical Conference is being planned in conjunction with the next World Cup competition.

Work will continue on the projects to produce an official Code of Ethics and a protocol manual.

Within the next couple of years we plan to offer training for examiners. The goal is to qualify more examiners and ensure the quality and the value of all ITF Black Belt degrees.

The ITF Year of the Family started in March 2007, and we have announced a contest to choose the Family of the Year. Suggestions for other activities and related action plans will be going out to the National Associations very soon.

More promotional materials and marketing tools will be developed by the ITF to be used by our NAs, schools, and groups. A media kit will be produced for distribution in 2008.

The official ITF Website is, as you are aware, an ongoing project. We will continue to update and add to the contents and improve the functionality of the site. It requires a lot of our resources to keep the site updated in three languages – English, French, and Spanish – and make sure it is user-friendly, but we believe it is essential for an international organization like the ITF.

A Kid’s Corner is in development and will soon appear on the Website.

The section reserved exclusively for holders of ITF teaching plaque certificates will be accessible starting July 1st.

Publicity and media coverage of the World Championship 2007 have resulted in increased visibility for the ITF, and we will continue to promote the ITF and Taekwon-Do. For example, a corporate profile on DVD will be available very soon.

Taekwon-Do Without Borders – a new not-for-profit organization legally separate from the ITF – will be given the mandate to send Taekwon-Do teachers to parts of the world where there is a need for teachers and potential for development.

Of course the ITF will continue to take legal action when necessary to protect its status as the original Taekwon-Do organization founded by General Choi.

Now, as I begin my second term as President, I would like to repeat the promise I made to you four years ago: “I promise to prove myself worthy of your trust, always working to the best of my ability and in the best interests of the ITF members”.

I am proud to say I have kept that promise, and I intend to continue working in the same way for the next four years. Thank you for your support and for the confidence you have shown in me and the entire ITF team.

We will continue to work together in harmony, with the same conviction and energy, to develop the ITF: the original Taekwon-Do organization, an authentic martial arts organization based on the philosophy developed by General Choi.

Our goal is to make the ITF an organization you can be proud to belong to. As I have repeated many times, the ITF belongs to its members and it must provide the services its members need and want.

I’m sure we can count on your support and collaboration.

Master Trân Triêu Quân
President