Representatives of a martial arts organization appeared before the Student Service Finance Committee Monday to request close to $70,000 in funding for the next fiscal year, explaining multiple roadblocks the group has encountered in trying to serve students.
Two members of Western Martial Arts Society, previously called Medieval Warriorcraft League, presented their budget and explained how the organization directly serves students. Providing a direct service is a requirement of groups receiving SSFC funding.
WMAS’ Financial Officer Matthew Manes, who previously served as SSFC chair, said the group fulfills the direct service mandate with a regularly held historical fencing workshop “teaching both the physical skills of martial arts, the mental practical thinking behind martial arts and also the academic, cultural side.”
However, this workshop has not yet started. Manes said until recently, the organization was not able to find a company who would offer them liability insurance, which was a requirement to purchasing weapons.
WMAS has also struggled to acquire space to hold workshops. Manes said the group is in the process of working with Recreational Sports officials and hopes to get access to facilities in the next few months.
Manes said in the meantime he and other members are conducting research and doing other work that will benefit the organization 10 to 15 years in the future.
SSFC Rep. Callen Raveret asked the presenters to speak directly about how the funding they had received for the current year would be used to benefit students.
“This is not an investment in a 15-year company,” Raveret said. “This is an investment in an organization to provide a direct service.”
Manes said Raveret’s perspective was “not productive,” and other organizations have needed time before they were able serve students on a large scale.
WMAS’ budget includes funding for three “Warrior Training Coordinators” to develop curriculum at the workshops, and training sessions from an outside instructor.
The organization requested $11,176 in equipment funding for items including shields, swords and padded gloves, saying it was part of the second phase of purchasing start-up equipment.
Also at the hearing, SSFC unanimously approved Sex Out Loud’s budget after eliminating “yoga for better sex” program funding.
