A. Work for a better understanding of Tang Soo Do and the many other systems of martial arts through the exchange of forms, techniques and ideas.
B. To educate the public and protect them from unscrupulous martial arts practitioners.
C. To lend moral support to all independent martial arts instructors via a fraternal organization.
In November, 2001 Teacher John Hancock took over as President of the NTSDA.
In December of 2001, the organization was renamed the International Tangsoodo Alliance. The ITSDA currently has members in the United States, the United Kingdom (England), Italy and the Czech Republic.
In 2002, Teacher Hancock wrote a constitution for ITSDA designing it upon the principles of democracy using the U.S. Constitution as the model. Members were asked to review and advise on it. The ITSDA Constitution was later ratified at the ITSDA Convention 2004 held in October 2004 in Charlotte, NC.
In early 2002, Master Jon Plyler was appointed as the Vice President of ITSDA
Also in 2002, Teacher Hancock designed the first logo for ITSDA. Input was taken from the members of the organization and a final design was decided upon late that year. In 2003, members pledged funds which allowed the first production of ITSDA Logo patches which were distributed to the various members.
In 2003, Teacher Hancock and Master Plyler began co-writing the ITSDA Instructor's Manual which was completed and published in April 2004.
On October 1, 2004, the First Congress of the International Tangsoodo Alliance was held in Denver, NC. In attendance were the following members (photo at left-pictured left to right): Dave Emert, Steve Riggs, Eric Vanderleek, Melissa Paone, Jason Ladd, Jon Plyler, Gary Horner, Tom Barron, Bill Church, & John Hancock. At that meeting, the ITSDA Constitution was put into its final draft and ratified. Additionally, elections were held and officers were selected to represent the organization:
President - Jon Plyler
Vice President - Jason Ladd
Historian - Bill Church (2005 replaced by Megan Johnston)
Sergeant at Arms - Steve Riggs
This transfer of power being a first among martial art organizations. The great experiment of democracy had begun for this fraternal order; an organization not based upon profit or control, not based upon a patriarchal or Confucian model, but one based upon a belief that participation always achieves liberty over a dictatorship.
John Hancock
ITSDA Logo
John Hancock
ITSDA President
2001-2004
International Tangsoodo Alliance Officers
(from left to right)
Sergeant at Arms Steve Riggs, President Jon Plyler and Vice President Jason Ladd.
*Historiean Megan Johnston not pictured.