GMA BLACK BELT CLUB

What is a GRIFFIN MARTIAL ARTS Black Belt Club?
The Black Belt Club (BBC) is not a way to buy or sell black belts. It is a recognition program for students who have made the commitiment to earn their black belt. The BBC is designed to keep them focused on achieving that goal. No other program is as effective for long-term retention as a well run BBC.
The commitment to black belt is very prestigious and is given tremendous reverence within the school ranks. Of course, we know that you should not be able to buy a black belt, I'm saying a student should not be able to even buy the commitment on behalf of the school to train them to black belt.
If the student says that he wants a black belt and they are willing to commit to that goal and fulfill all the qualification requirements, I know I have a committed student.
So the primary job of the instructors in the first 3 - 6 months of a student's martial arts life is to educate and motivate him to develop a burning desire for black belt. Then you have a student who will overcome obstacles that maybe he wouldn't have without that powerful goal. On the other hand, when a student enrolls in a Black Belt Club without having that seed planted and cultivated there is an attitude of training for the moment instead of the long term-goal. This student tends to view martial arts as an alternative to the gym and takes it one class at a time. Conversely, the black belt oriented student now has a strong reason for training and is less apt to be distracted by the inevitable temptations and obstacles that can pull a student away from the school.
For example, the student enrolls in a one year trial program to see if he can qualify for advanced training in the Black Belt Club. After three months a series of evaluations should begin with short surveys about progress and goals. Instructors should keep a list of these students and their place in the evaluation process. Some will stand out immediately as ready to renew while others will be much more difficult. The majority of students will be on the fence, waiting to be influenced by your example.
When a student makes the commitment to black belt, it extends his current program length from one year to three and a half or four years or whatever it's estimated to make black belt in your school.
There is no guarantee of earning the belt. Once the student makes the commitment of enrolling in the Black Belt Club, he qualifies for additional classes and seminars, special uniforms and patches. In addition, special social events for Black Belt Club members are a great way reinforce the commitment to black belt by creating an opportunity for them to socialize and bond.
The Black Belt Club is the innercore of the school, not a separate program but the only program. Student merely purchase portions of that Black Belt Club. Usually, a one-third or one-fourth initially with the remaining two-thirds or three-quarters as the follow up Black Belt Club.
White to green belt students are usually in the trial phase of their training. They are evaluating us to see if martial arts is for them and we are evaluating them to see if they fit into our culture and climate and demonstrate the attitudes necessary to earn a black belt. While it may sound pompous, that attitude of selectivity is very important in elevating the stature of black belt in your school.
The argument usually comes back, "Why not get a three year commitment when they enroll, then if they quit you have their money?" First, when your instructors are measured not by how many people they sign up and how much money they take in but by how many people they can get to share the vision of black belt, you will see a huge difference in their performance and the overall attitude of the school. Second, in the vast majority of cases, students that don't come to class don't pay.
Third, all this goes back to your purpose as a professional martial artist. If your goal is to help as many people as possible through the life enhancing qualities of the martial arts, then you realize that persuading someone to sign a contract for something they know nothing about is not in their best interest. Instead, we bring them along a course of education so that later, when they do have a clear idea of the wonderful benefits of martial arts, they can make a solid commitment, often at a higher price, than a wide eyed white belt with visions of Chuck Norris.
This process, of course, puts pressure on the instructors to do a great job. It shows tremendous confidence on behalf of the school to say to a student, "No, we won't take your money for a Black Belt Club until we feel you are ready and capable of making that decision."