Dear Fellow Birankai Members, 

2022 was not just a light at the end of the tunnel; it was a revival. 

The Board of Directors continued to increase funding to seminars and regional events, in the absence of a Summer Camp. At the same time, we continued to keep expenses down by doing the work ourselves. This has been a strategic approach throughout the pandemic that has kept our organization afloat financially. We also funded seminars at Desert Aikikai and Multnomah Aikikai, and intensives at Eugene Aikikai and New Tampa Aikido.

We were able to cash out a significant donation of shares in a burgeoning Alzheimer’s treatment fund due to a generous benefactor, and double the T.K. and Mitsuko Endowment Fund for seminars. We also established an investment fund at Pasadena Community Foundation (https://pasadenacf.org) to ensure that our funds would grow over time, with low risk. I have to acknowledge Aikido Daiwa member, and Birankai North America Treasurer, Joshua Karlin for his steadfast and determined efforts to see this through. I can tell you first-hand it was a monumental lift, and would not have been possible without his specific non-profit financial expertise. 

We welcomed several new dojos as well! 

We also welcomed Nathalie Daux to the Board. She represents a younger generation with new thoughts and ideas, and is already making a positive impact on our work. We have an open seat on the Board and Mark Sharp is working hard, as part of the Leadership Committee, to strategize on how best to fill that seat. As I am sure you are all well aware, Suzane Van Amburgh is leading our communications team, and doing a fantastic job. The amount of work Suzane and her team (Carrie Parkinson and Thea Oatman) puts in is truly phenomenal. David Stier Shihan replaced Dennis Belt Shihan this year as the Senior Council appointee to the Board. While we all miss Belt Shihan’s sage advice and even-keel leadership, we have also seen great leadership and dedication from Stier Sensei. RC Miles splits his time between serving as a Board member and traveling the world in his work to eradicate AIDS. It is an amazing team, to say the least.

We have incredible support from Gerard Enriquez as Board Secretary, Suzanne Gonzales-Webb as Accounts Coordinator and of course, Joshua Karlin as Treasurer. And of course, there are the many, many other members who volunteer in various capacities to keep us on track, thank you to each of you for all you do.

It is never lost on us on the Board that the individual dojos and teachers are what makes us an organization. Thank you to all of you who have kept the fire burning; please know that we all volunteered our time to support you and to further Sensei’s vision.

Also, please do not hesitate to reach out to us directly with any input, ideas and suggestions on how we may better serve you. 

Lastly, as Chiba Sensei would say…“Are you ready? Let’s go!” 

Todd Fessenden, President
Birankai North America