We are hoping you may read this short paragraph and realise that it is a genuine approach in the hope to help the many children who are bullied in our society today. Many good causes have easily recognisable symbols such as breast cancer ribbons etc. We hope our simple logo to the right of this passage will gain the same and worthy type of recognition for what is a very serious situation today. MAAB, as we will be known, “Martial Artists Against Bullying” will return all year end profits back into this cause in many different ways whilst proving to be a very useful source of information and training in awareness and confidence building. We hope to unite all martial artists, whether as individuals or as a group in a FREE of charge membership that will allow us all to work together in harmony.

Working in line with other professionals in this field…… such as nationally recognised anti bullying charities along with a solicitor and accountant we will make sure all money raised is accounted for and put to the correct use. We propose to make a national database of Martial Arts Clubs and Organisations who will work in conjuction with us to help combat bullying through the confidence martial arts can give along with its many other benefits. Although we all may play our part in this at the moment, we intend to get everyone to pull together, share ideas and be part of a strong communial system where we all use our wealth of experience to help combat bullying on a national basis. MAAB will welcome all qualified CRB checked martial arts instructors to represent the system throughout the country and individual martial artists will be able to play a main role also.

Corporate Imaging and a national Identity for all to be proud of………. The full corporate logo is designed with meaning in mind and hopefully encapsulates what we are trying to achieve. The logo represents a person being open armed and confident, proud and ready to accept challenges and raise above everything, which is again symbolised by the mountainous effect of the MAAB lettering within the logo. Showing that any obstacle no matter how big or how high can be overcome. The words “Raising Confidence” show that martial arts is not all about fighting but instead emphasises the benefits rather than the stance of martial arts solely as a fighting system.

So what are we hoping to achieve……….. Basically national networking will allow us to develop firstly, the obvious, a campaign and then for MAAB to offer advice through its very own web site, which will work very closely with anti bullying sites providing on line help and contact numbers. MAAB will welcome regular input from others and will feature regular news items and success stories.

MAAB will develop promotional literature and MAAB promotional items (MAAB logo pin badges, MAAB sew on badges, Mugs, Key Rings, Mouse Mats, Pens etc etc and apparel (T Shirts, Sweat Shirts, Hoodies, Caps etc etc) all of which will be priced very reasonably. The profits from such items again will help others directly. Also MAAB will supply full advice to instructors who want to be involved with this national idea and will provide training courses, seminars and also provide MAAB certification for Instructors and also produce certificates for course participants etc. MAAB may propose a yearly competition with a difference, not a martial arts competition as such but a self defence type scenario. Also a year end awards dinner may be included.

MAAB will be looking for sponsorship and also companies who may want to support them with services etc. MAAB will also try to fund classes to teach underprivileged children who are being bullied, even if it is a short course which will enable them to get a taste of the benefits of martial arts.

MAAB's (Martial Arts Against Bullying) main aim will be to hopefully bring martial artists together in a nationally recognised campaign against bullying throughout the martial arts community. MAAB hope to secure support off nationally recognised authorities who deal directly with Anti Bullying. We will maintain this very informative web site and supply E-news letters and links to relevant help groups. (The MAAB logo will have restrictions imposed in its usage to enable the whole corporate image to remain at all times. This logo is now copyrighted).

The following bullet points will give an overall idea of what we aim to offer and achieve.

* A Web site with up to date information, advice, news and links to help organisations etc.

• A policy/guideline that all members will have to adhere to enable them to be part of MAAB and display the logo. (This includes CRB checking of course administering instructors and relevant qualifications).

• To supply and update relevant training notes for martial artists involved in the MAAB system.

• To actively involve the press and the media to raise the awareness on bullying.

• Distribute year end profits correctly into officially recognised/accepted children’s help groups, or to fund courses specialising in Anti Bullying.

• Official (Registered) apparel will also help raise additional income/profit for re distribution.

• To develop an AV presentation that can be used in martial arts schools and also shown to groups on seminars who require talks and further information.

• MAAB will continue to research and develop new ideas that will help convey this so important message.

• MAAB will look to professionals for voluntary support for services required in running such a concern.