The ASKA welcomes to membership groups and individuals who approve of the purpose of the organization. In addition to individual membership, there are three types of group membership:

Regular Membership Clubs or organizations that develop Shotokan-style karate students as their main purpose.

Affiliated Membership Affiliated membership is available to clubs or organizations that have a Shotokan-style karate program. These clubs and organizations have their own, independent technical structure for ranking, instructor licensing, certification of officials, and so on. Affiliated members, while retaining their own, independent technical structure, receive all the benefits of membership except for ASKA ranking certificates and technical licenses.

Allied Membership Allied membership is available to clubs, organizations, or individuals who approve of the purposes of the ASKA. Allied members may be corporations, booster clubs, non-Shotokan style karate organizations, and others. Allied members receive ASKA newsletters and invitations to ASKA events and activities. Basically, allied membership brings the allied members into the communications network of ASKA and keeps them informed of activities and developments in traditional karate-do.
 

Benefits of Membership

Allied Members receive ASKA newsletters and invitations to ASKA events and activities. Basically, allied membership brings the allied members into the communications network of ASKA and keeps them informed of activities and developments in traditional karate-do.

Affiliated Members, while retaining their own, independent technical structure, receive outstanding benefits of membership including the following:

• Central, computerized record keeping for membership and ranking.
• Uniform certificates of affiliated club membership and membership cards.
• Full participation in a communications network that encompasses all the major, traditional karate organizations in the U.S. and abroad.
• Recognition and qualification of judges and contestants.
• Unlimited opportunities to participate in local, district, state, regional, national, and international karate competition.
• Participation in seminars and clinics conducted by some of the world's leading authorities on traditional karate-do.
• Access to the latest research, developments, and collection of data relating to traditional karate-do.
• Access to manuals and newsletters relating to traditional karate-do.
• Full ASKA support for and promotion of the activities and events of affiliated members.
• The right to advertise "Affiliated with" (or "Affiliated Member of") the American Shotokan Karate Alliance," and the right to use this statement on all documents, literature, and certificates.
• The right to use the registered trademark logo of ASKA in a subordinate position to their own logo, provided its use is accompanied by the above statement.

How to Apply For Membership

Clubs or organizations seeking ASKA membership must submit the following documents to the ASKA:

• ASKA Group Membership Application
• Constitution and/or bylaws
• Current list of officials
• Current list of clubs/training sites
• Current total number of members
• Organizational history and technical standards

Within 30 days of receiving the application, except in special cases, the Executive Board will refer the application to the Membership Committee Chairman for further investigation.

The Membership Committee Chairman will investigate the applicant's qualifications and submit a report to the Executive Committee within 30 days of receiving the request of investigation.

Upon recommendation of the Membership Committee Chairman, the Executive Board may accept the applicant for membership until the next annual Board of Directors meeting.

Final decisions regarding affiliated and allied membership will be made at the annual Board of Directors meeting. Only applicants reported on 30 days prior to the meeting will be discussed.

There is no charge to become a Group Member.

Statement of Non-Discrimination

All membership applications are considered without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, or handicap.