OBW School Rules (DoJang)

I. Deportment and Tradition:

General Deportment and rules: All members, family members, and visitors shall conduct themselves appropriately while on school property or while representing the school in any manner. Appropriate respect is expected and shall be displayed towards students, and instructors. Inappropriate, abusive, or disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated. No member shall utilize abusive language or display behavior with the intention of causing discomfort, harm, mental, or physical distress. No member shall deliberately engage in any activity that could bring disrepute to the school. Any intentional breech of conduct may result in rank demotion or removal from school membership.

I. (a) – Health and Safety:

  1. No member who is sick, who has a sick family member, has been exposed to any communicable disease, or has a family member at home quarantining should participate in classes. Please be considerate of your fellow class members and stay home if you or a family member is ill.
  2. Members who have a specific illness or injury which may impact their training (but does not impact others) should contact their instructor to request modified instruction.
  3. Students that are absent from classes or required to leave class due to any significant injury/illness will be required to provide the school with a note from a physician allowing the to return to class. The note needs to include permission for a full return and/ or any restrictions.
  4. Students are required to report any injury they feel that has occurred on school property to the staff immediately. 
  5. Instructors and staff members shall not allow any individual appears to be suffering from any type of head injury to participate without medical release. 

I. (b) – Visitor Specific Information:

Visitors and Family members watching classes at Omaha Blue Waves shall be respectful of classes that are going on and should avoid creating unnecessary noise.

  1. No one that does not have a waiver on file shall be allowed on the workout floors without senior staff permission for to liability reasons.
  2. No non-participating member, family member, or visitor should ever enter the workout floor while a class is in progress without the class instructor permission.
  3. Parents (or designated responsible adults) should be present at least 5 minutes prior to the end of a scheduled class to pick up minor students.
  4. Please keep noise distraction to a minimum during classes. (i.e. talking, cellphones, games)
  5. Please limit the number of family members present to one person per student. This will help insure there is adequate space in the visitor area for individuals who wish to watch.

I. (c) – Martial Arts Floor Decorum:

Martial Arts Students entering or leaving the floor shall honor the tenets at all times, observe the student oath, and follow appropriate class etiquette:

  1. Uniforms shall be clean and pressed for class.
  2. Students belts shall be tied correctly.
  3. Students shall bow on and off the floor.
  4. Students shall show appropriate respect to seniors and instructors by bowing and turning away where appropriate.
  5. Students shall remain attentive during class and avoid disruptive behavior.
  6. Students shall wait to be recognized before speaking during a class.
  7. Students are responsible for learning appropriate theories, histories, and customs.
  8. Students shall follow the instructions of instructors and seniors as it relates to participation in a class or training event.

I. (d) – Uniforms, Gym Apparel, Safety Protocols, and Safety Equipment:

Martial Arts Uniforms: All uniforms worn at Omaha Blue Waves must meet minimum criteria for the art being taught. Uniforms should be clean and have all required patches affixed. Embroidery must be pre-approved by the senior staff. No member shall wear jewelry while on the floor and in uniform.

Gym Apparel: Gym apparel shall be appropriate for viewing by all ages and meet the necessary criteria for the class being taught. Members should not wear apparel that promotes other fitness businesses.

I. (e) – Floor Safety Protocols:

  1. Appropriate safety equipment and uniforms shall always be worn during class or at school sponsored events.
  2. No student shall knowingly allow harm to come to another member in class when it is in their power to prevent it.
  3. Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Students should report unsafe facility conditions or unsafe behaviors to instructors immediately.
  4. Be aware of your surroundings and your positional relationship to other students while training.
  5. Students should not engage in any training unless under the direct supervision of an instructor.

I. (f) – Safety equipment:

All safety (sparring or otherwise) should be inspected by the staff prior to use. Damaged sparring equipment should be removed from service once any tear becomes noticeable to avoid injury to other members. All members are required to utilize foam dipped sparring gear, mouth pieces, and groin cups (males) when sparring. No member shall bring a live or sharpened weapon into the school.

I. (g) – Classes, Open Gym, Non-Sanctioned Training, and Private Instruction:

Members may not attend any class for which they are not scheduled. All members shall listen to the directions of the staff while in class. Violations or refusal to listen to the staff during a class creates unnecessary risk and can result in disciplinary action including rank demotion or removal from the school. No student or instructor not enrolled in a specific class may be on the floor without the specific permission of the staff member teaching the active class.

Open Gym is a scheduled unsupervised opportunity to utilize the Omaha Blue Waves facilities to practice martial arts at the member’s own risk. Open gym is held only at times scheduled or allowed by the school. It is for the practice of the forms only. The absence of an active class on a floor does not constitute open gym time. No member shall engage in horseplay or unsafe activity during this time. No children under the age of 18 may be left at open gym without a parent or designated adult supervision.

Any training done off site, unless specifically approved of by the owners, is not considered sanctioned training and Omaha Blue Waves assumes no responsibility for the classes or training. No Omaha Blue Waves Instructor, assistant, or student shall engage in any off book training and represent the activity as being sanctioned by Omaha Blue Waves. No member should enter into a training contract with an Omaha Blue Waves Instructor outside of normal channels or risk entering into an unsanctioned or protected contract without careful consideration. All private instruction sanctioned by Omaha Blue Waves is booked through the main school and an official receipt is offered by the company for said training. Omaha Blue Waves will not accept any responsibility for any unsanctioned activities and strongly discourages it for safety and liability reasons.

Omaha-Blue-Waves-Martial-Arts---Instructors-and-Rank-Promotion

II. Definitions:

II. (a) – Member:
A member is any person currently registered as a martial arts or fitness student at Omaha Blue Waves.

  • Unlimited Membership refers to any martial arts student who is on a multiple day per week plan that allows them access to all core specific classes within their art.
  • One Day Per Week Membership refers to any martial arts student that is on a fixed one-day per week schedule where they attend their core class on the same day each week.
  • Special Classes Membership refers to any martial arts student who is signed up for a one-day per week special class not in the core curriculum of their art.
  • Fitness Membership refers to anyone holding an active fitness virtual punch card or who is on the unlimited fitness plan.

II. (b) – Student Instructor:

A student instructor is an advanced rank (martial arts) gup student who is going through instructional training with the goal of achieving their black belt. Student instructors are expected to mentor less advanced members during classes while focusing on individual technique development.

II. (c) -Assistant Instructors:

An assistant instructor is a low ranking black belt who is going through training to become an instructor. Assistant instructors are scheduled to participate in classes one time per week to develop instructional skills. This is part of the educational requirements of 1st and 2nd degree black belts. There is no charge to the student for the opportunity to hone their teaching skills at the direction of a certified instructor. Upon completion of this ‘internship’ successful applicants can achieve instructor status.

II. (d) – Instructor:

A certified martial arts instructor is an individual that holds the rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt or above who has completed the requisite training to regularly teach martial arts. He or she must hold a USKF Instructor License or approved equivalent. A certified instructor who is not employed by the school is considered a student. They are individuals who continue to take teaching classes to maintain perishable skills and teaching credentials, rather than as a vocation or avocation. A certified instructor employed by the school is considered staff. Paid instructors are hired or contracted by Omaha Blue Waves and are assigned or has asked to work a schedule teaching a skill beneficial to the operation of the school. Hourly employees are directly supervised by the senior staff and contracted instructors are required to follow the terms of their contract, but have no direct senior staff supervision.

A certified fitness instructor holds credentials from a nationally recognized organization such as NASM or ISSA.

Instructors who are employed by or contracted through Omaha Blue Waves are responsible for the safe instruction of the students in their charge.

All black belts and instructors shall maintain CPR and First Aid certifications from a recognized organization as prerequisite of rank, and shall attend annual training on the National Safe Sports Act.

II. (e) – Staff:

A person employed or contracted by Omaha Blue Waves.

II. (f) – Senior Staff:

A person employed by Omaha Blue Waves empowered to make supervisory or management decisions for the school.

II. (g) – Volunteer:

Any person who volunteers their times and talents for the betterment of the school or students without compensation. Volunteers are NOT employees of Omaha Blue Waves, are not supervised by the school, and function completely externally from the business. This may take the form of special event planning (parties, picnics, etc.) or any other activity for which the volunteer is passionate. We do ask that volunteers make the senior staff aware of any planned activities that require school participation.

II. (h) – Visitor:

Any person who visits Omaha Blue Waves, regardless of affiliation or relationship to a member.

II. (i) – Salutations and Honorifics:

  1. Mr., Mrs., or Ms. shall be used when addressing any black belt from 1st to 4th Degree.  Alternatively, the honorifics of Sabum may be used for 2nd and 3rd Degree black belts. 4th Degree Black Belts may be refereed to as Sabumnim.
  2. The honorific of Master shall be reserved for individuals with the rank of 5th and 6th Dan.
  3. Senior Master shall be reserved for and used the rank of 7th Degree Black Belt.
  4. Grandmaster is reserved for and shall be used when addressing 8th and 9th Degree Black Belts.
  5. Senior Grandmaster is reserved for and shall be used when addressing 9th Degree black Belts with more than 10 years in grade.

Please Note – Specific Rank Promotional Requirements are outlined in the Member Resource Page. [This includes: Skill Sets, Special Requirements (i.e. Tournaments, Seminars, Community Service, and Instructional Points) and Time -In-Grade. etc.]

III. Weather Closing Policy

(We generally follow the same weather closing schedule as Millard Public Schools)

Inclement Weather – Omaha Blue Waves generally follows Millard Public Schools for inclement weather closings during the school year and the recommendations of the National Weather Service during the remainder of the year. On occasion, Omaha Blue Waves may elect to close at times outside of the guidelines listed above. Whenever Omaha Blue Waves closes due to weather we will post the closing on the first page of our website, contact the press, posted on social media, and send out client email blasts. While we can not guarantee that every member will be notified, we will make a sincere effort to make the information readily available. Members should always use their best judgement when deciding if the weather is too severe for them to attend classes, even if the school is open. Omaha Blue Waves does NOT offer make up classes for weather related closings. Members who are on a restricted day plan during a closed class may request a temporary class attendance modification date that may be approved based on availability.

IV. General and Unforeseen Closing Policy

Omaha Blue Waves makes every effort to maintain regularly scheduled classes throughout the year. Part of this schedule includes closed dates and class cancellations. Every effort is made to contact our members to changes in our schedule. Most major foreseen closings will be posted on the white board at the main school, posted on social media, and sent to our membership via email. Seen below are types of closings which may effect our schedule.

IV. (a) – Business Necessity Closings

We close at various times throughout the year to accommodate business requirements such as; special events, tournaments, planned/unplanned repairs, seminars, and continuing education classes. These closings are rare and significant notice is given (where possible) for each date planned closing date. When appropriate, make up dates will be scheduled for classes impacted by these closings.

IV. (b) – Holiday Closings and Break Closings

Omaha Blue Waves closes on major holidays and for scheduled breaks each year. No make up classes are scheduled for these breaks. These holidays/breaks include, but are not limited to:

  • New Years Break (December 31 & January 1)
  • Memorial Day (last Monday of Each May)
  • SPRING BREAK (one week TBA each year)
  • 4th of July (3rd, 4th and 5th of July)
  • Labor Day (first Monday of September)
  • FALL BREAK (one week TBA each year)
  • Halloween (October 31)
  • Thanksgiving Break (This holiday break will run through the fourth Wednesday through the fourth Saturday of November each year)
  • Christmas Break (December 23, 24, 25, 26)

IV. (c) – Staff Respite

As with every business, Omaha Blue Waves has to be cognizant of the personal needs of its staff. This means that both staff require personal time off for vacations, health, and personal enrichment. While we make every effort to cover for these absences, we occasionally have to cancel classes or close the school due to these foreseen and unforeseen circumstances. When appropriate, make up dates will be scheduled for classes impacted by these closings.

V. Student Vacations, Absences, Student Requested Schedule Change Policy

Given the number of members, it is impossible for the school to schedule make up classes for student absences due to vacations or illnesses. On rare occasions, we are able allow students to switch attendance days on a specific week provided there is space available in the class they wish to attend. This requires significant work on the part of the staff within the scheduling system and is not always possible due to space or time constrictions. Requests for modifications should be made in writing and provided to the staff as early as possible. Permanent schedule changes require a 30 Day Written Notice by sent to info@omahabluewaves.com so that changes can be made within the on-line billing and tracking system.

VI. Auto-Payment Policy

We require all of our members enter into an autopay agreement to make the process of doing business easier for everyone. Omaha Blue Waves contracts are set up through our processor; these auto-payment contracts effectively take us out of the money collection business, and keeps us in the business of teaching.

LEGACY CONTRACTS (prior July 1, 2022)

Basic monthly contracts can be cancelled, suspended, or modified at anytime with a FULL Written 30 Day Notice prior to the next billing date or on an annual contract a FULL Written 30 Day Notice prior to the renewal date. Any member who attends classes without senior staff permission in addition or outside of their auto payment contract is liable for the excess costs and will automatically be upgraded to the appropriate auto payment fee schedule. We require all written notifications be sent by email to info@omahabluewaves.com. This requirement, also, is explained on the ‘Legacy’ Auto-Payment Form. Legacy premium annual auto payment contract members also receive a host of benefits included in their monthly costs that are not found in the basic month auto payment contract. This includes annual United States Kido Federation Membership, Testing Fees, Uniforms, and Sparring Equipment. All equipment and uniforms are provided by the school to the members at school discretion based on the use wear of the items. These items may be replaced by the school up to one time per annual contract period. On average student TaeKwon-Do uniforms are replaced one time per year, Hapkido and Black Belt uniforms are replaced on average every 2-3 years. Embroidery is provided by outside vendors and is not included in the contracts. Student sparring equipment is generally replaced every 1-2 years. (OBW will not purchase or replace groin cups).

*Any Legacy student who leaves and returns or modifies their account must do so under current contact requirements.

CURRENT CONTRACTS (After July 1, 2022)

BASIC MEMBERSHIP – All students begin their journey at Omaha Blue Waves Martial Arts with a basic or inclusive membership. The basic membership gives the students a true opportunity to explore the art, learn specialized life skills,  develop goal oriented work ethic, and build positive developmental assets. The premium option provides the member with one uniform, testing fees, USKF membership for one year, learning materials, and initial sparring equipment. A Basic “A’La Carte” Plan does not include anything but the monthly membership. 

PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP – Inclusive members also receive a host of benefits included in their monthly costs that are not found in the basic month auto payment contract. This includes annual United States Kido Federation Membership, Testing Fees, Uniforms, and Sparring Equipment. All equipment and uniforms are provided by the school to the members at school discretion based on the use wear of the items. These items may be replaced by the school up to one time per annual contract period. On average student TaeKwon-Do uniforms are replaced one time per year, Hapkido and Black Belt uniforms are replaced on average every 2-3 years. Embroidery is provided by outside vendors and is not included in the contracts. Student sparring equipment is generally replaced every 1-2 years for safety as determined by the staff. (OBW will not purchase or replace groin cups).

SPECIAL CLASS MEMBERSHIP – Special classes such as: Team Classes, Swords, Rotational Weapons, and Tumbling (etc.) are not included with either an A’la Carte or Inclusive Membership plan and must be registered/paid for separately.

All plans auto renew at the amount the original plan was purchased unless a written notice is sent to info@omahabluewaves.com a full 30 days prior to the expiration of the contract. (Plans can be modified or canceled during this window.) A copy of a blank auto-payment contract can be found here.  Members are provided with a reminder card in their sign up packet outlining the expiration of their original plan.

ACCOUNT HOLD 

Account holds may be offered at the discretion of the school owner.  Holds on Legacy and Current Contracts are limited to 30 days and may only be utilized one time with in a 12 month contract period.  A hold does not negate the terms of the initial agreement and the requestor agrees that time held shall be adjusted to include an extra-month at the end of the contract. 

PREPAYMENT POLICY / NON-REFUNDABLE FEES / LATE FEES / INSUFFICIENT FUND FEES

Prepayment is offered as an option on premium plans and are issued at a  discount. In consideration for this discount there are absolutely no refunds issued for individuals who choose to use this option as their payment method.

Admission fees on all plans are strictly non-refundable.

Fees that have been paid towards Legacy, Premium, and Basic-A’la Carte plans are non-refundable.

There is a $10.00 Late Fee after the 5th day of the billing cycle. 

Non-Sufficient Fund (NSF) Fees are $10.00 per attempted process

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES WAIVERS FOR MONTHLY AND ANNUAL MEMBERS

Contractual waivers are rarely issued and may only be granted upon written proof of exigent circumstances on auto payments provided at least 7 days prior to the next billing cycle. Examples of exigent circumstances include, but are not limited to:

  1. Proof of death or disability of member or contract holder.
  2. Proof of military transfer of member and/or contract holder.
  3. Proof of movement of contract holder outside of the metropolitan area. (35+ miles further than registration address).
  4. Closing of school due to unforeseen circumstances; such as a natural disaster, fire, lease termination, or other similar event.

VII. Financial Dispute Policy

Omaha Blue Waves contracts with a management and processing company to handle all the businesses financial transactions. On rare occasions individuals have deliberately attempted to circumvent contracts or the established policies which they agreed to when purchasing a product or service. This places a financial burden on the processor and the school to defend and/or collect monies owed through mediation and/or litigation. This can be an expensive process and it is the policy of the the company to seek legal action against any individual who knowingly and deliberately has caused financial harm by violating the terms of their agreements. Individuals found to be acting in bad faith shall, also, be reported to credit bureaus.

VIII. Store Purchase and Return Policy

We require that all items be paid for prior to pick-up for in-stock items AND all special order items must be paid for at the time of ordering. Any item being returned for cash or exchange must be in NEW condition. We can not accept returns on any wearable product once it leaves the facility. Please note, all items purchased must be picked up within six months of the order date or they will be considered abandoned property and returned to inventory.

IX. Weapons/Pet Policy

For the health and safety of our members:

IX. (a) – WEAPONS PROHIBITED

Weapons (except those traditional weapons specifically utilized in training) are prohibited on the premises. This includes weapons carried by lawful concealed handgun permit holders. EXCEPTION: On-Duty Law Enforcement Officers.

IX. (b) – PETS PROHIBITED

Pets are prohibited within the facility. EXCEPTION: Service Animals providing necessary physical assistance for the handler as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. (ADA)

X. Anti-Discrimination/Harassment Policy

Omaha Blue Waves Martial Arts does not tolerate discrimination based on protected characteristics.  This includes unlawful harassment and retaliation.  Protected characteristics include age, race, sex, gender identity, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship status, disability or covered veteran status.

X. (a) – PRONOUN USAGE

If any student, employee, or visiting family member does not want to be called Ma’am, Sir, he, she, they need to let the staff and/or students know what specific name to call them. [Gender Neutral Term or Other Preferred Term]

X. (b) – PRIVACY

Every employee and member of Omaha Blue Waves is entitled to privacy, including their sexual identity.  No manager or employee may discuss another employee’s or student’s identity/orientation or family dynamics without specific permission of that individual or family. Failure to adhere to these rules will result in discipline up to and including removal from the school.

It is unlawful and violates company policy to discriminate in any way against an employee because of the employee’s actual or perceived gender identity.  Additionally, it is also unlawful and contrary to this policy to retaliate against any person objecting to, or supporting enforcement of legal protections against, gender identity discrimination in employment.