The Kenchikai Kendo Club is built upon five key Values.
Kindness
We are respectful to each other.
We encourage others. We support each other.
We are good listeners. We do not berate.
We do not bully, mentally or physically.
We show compassion to each other. Everyone's going through something, and we are there for each other.
We have good manners and show decorum in our speech.
We expect kindness over skill. You can be #1 in the world at kendo, but the expectation will still be kindness first.
Inclusivity
We believe that anyone can do kendo.
It goes without saying, but we welcome all kinds of people no matter their race, ethnicity, gender identity, orientation, and belief.
We also believe that kendo can be done no matter your age, gender, and physical capability.
We are student-centered, and each individual member moves at their own pace, on their own track. Someone who is 75 may be working towards different goals compared to someone who is 25, we believe that different kinds of members will make our club better through its diversity.
Joy
We get to be here.
Although we take things seriously, we also enjoy that we're doing it.
Ultimately, we're here to derive some sort of satisfaction from our activity.
We enjoy winning.
We enjoy losing.
We enjoy the process of getting better.
We enjoy spending time with each other, and helping each other improve.
We have a positive attitude as we go about our practice.
Responsibility
You are the central cause of your learning.
The sensei, as well as fellow members, may be here to support, but ultimately it is our responsibility to learn and change.
We do everything we can to prepare ourselves for practice, testing, and tournaments.
We don't blame others for outcomes.
We take responsibility for our own progress.
Family, Work, And Life
Family, work, and life are more important than kendo. One should never feel bad about prioritizing family, and members should encourage each other to prioritize in this way. Kendo may be a part of a good life, but it is not an entire life. We should do what we can to make kendo a positive part of each other's lives while maintaining a good balance for the individual.