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NWMAF March Newsletter
Training news and more!<!–
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March Newsletter
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March Reflection
As we head into April, here’s wishing everyone a beautiful, productive spring season! Lots of news and plans are afoot for NWMAF, so read on to learn about Board news, upcoming trainings, member brags, and more!
Board Update: *URGENT* Candidates Still Needed!
We have had self-nominations for two of our open board positions (huge thanks to those folks who have stepped forward!) However, several positions still lack candidates, most critically Chair and Secretary, which will be vacant at the end of the summer. These are in addition to the open roles of Events Coordinator, Marketing Coordinator, Development (Fundraising) Coordinator, and DEI Coordinator. Terms are for two years; the Board meets one Sunday a month via Zoom. Please reach out to chair@nwmaf.org if you might be able to serve and keep this storied organization going strong!
Board meetings are held on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 3pm Eastern/2pm Central and all members are welcome to attend. The next meeting will be Sunday, April 19th. Click here for the Zoom registration link for 2026 meetings!
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Weaving Strength at Brooklyn Martial Arts!
The first Weaving Strength Regional Training of the year took place this weekend at Brooklyn Martial Arts! Look for more pictures and a fuller recap of the event in our next newsletter. From the first images we’ve got, it looks like…well…they had a ball!
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Update: Weaving Strength Chicago!
We are so excited about the regional training being planned by the team at Thousand Waves to be held in Chicago, July 24-26th. It is shaping up to be the most ambitious Weaving Strength yet, with aspects both familiar and new. Mark your calendars and watch this space — registration will open during the month of April!
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Martial Arts News: FREE Online Training in April!
Our Martial Arts Coordinator, Shifu Emily McKee, will lead a training on Wing Chun Stance and Centre Punch on April 12th at 3pm ET. The training is FREE to NWMAF members. Click here for the Zoom registration link!
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Empowerment Self Defense (ESD) News
March re-cap
The March ESD Community meeting focused on ESD training and ICE Response. Diane Long of Kaleidoscope Healing Arts (MN), Meg Stone of Impact Boston (MA), and Clara Porter of Prevention. Action. Change. discussed the current state of non-local law enforcement activity in their states and the ways they have been using ESD approaches to support responders including legal observers, mutual aid volunteers, and businesses. This session was not recorded.
Upcoming Special Meeting
On Sunday, April 12th from 11:00am-12:30pm ET, NWMAF will host a meeting for all interested in discussing forming a year round standing ESD Committee to help guide this aspect of NWMAF’s work. In the past, a committee has been formed only in preparation for each annual conference. Here is the Zoom link for all interested in attending this special meeting.
Certification Update
As part of the certification process, all applicants must attend a Model ESD Course taught by a certified ESD instructor. This is most often achieved at the annual conference. As this is a Regional Conference year, we are working with applicants to connect to eligible classes in their region. We are also exploring offering a Model Class at Weaving Strength Chicago, July 24th – 26th.
ESD Opportunities at Weaving Strength may also count towards ESD professional development. For more info on that, contact Martha at certification@nwmaf.org.
April’s Monthly Meeting
In April, NWMAF member Carmen Alonzo will present on the Building Empowerment and Resilience (BEAR) curriculum that Jennifer Keller developed for women with a history of relational abuse (the three pillars of the curriculum are: mindfulness, healing from trauma, and ESD). All interested in ESD are welcome. We have over 200 people registered and receiving meeting notices. Generally between 15 and 40 people attend monthly.
Our monthly ESD Community Meetings (open to all – not just NWMAF members) are held the 2nd Monday of every month, generally from 4:00-5:00pm (EST). These sessions are open to everyone interested in Empowerment Self Defense. Please extend the invitation and registration link to anyone interested in participating. Zoom registration link for the monthly ESD Community Meeting.
Check Your Website Profile!
Another reminder that members can once again “opt in” to show up in the NWMAF’s member directory and/or our instructor directory. If you’re not displayed and you would like to be, simply log in to your account. It will immediately take you to a screen where you can select Update Profile.
Join Us on WhatsApp!
Just a reminder that we now have a permanent (not just conference-related) NWMAF WhatsApp group, which will be particularly helpful to join as the regional trainings get rolling!
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Member News: New Book by Meg Stone!
Please join us in congratulating NWMAF member, author, and ESD teacher Meg Stone on the upcoming release of her newest book, Don’t Fight Back.
We celebrate the concept of this book, which aims to “challenge some of the most harmful myths about violence —myths that shrink people’s lives, especially women’s, and stoke racism, ableism, and stigma. Viral horror stories shape what most people fear, even though these stories aren’t backed up by solid evidence. This book will flip that script. Real safety comes from critical thinking, accurate information, and the confidence to fight for change.”
Don’t Fight Back is currently available for pre-order at Amazon and Bookshop!
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Members in the News!
We were delighted to spot our Chair Connie Halporn recently in Hamilton Magazine, featured as a distinguished alumna of Hamilton College and with prominent mention of NWMAF and women in the martial arts!
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Member-Submitted News
We love hearing from you! Do you have news related to your practice in one of our three strands — Martial Arts, Healing Arts, or Self Defense? As an NWMAF member, you can submit material to be featured in our newsletter and/or on our social media pages! We love to share member news, photos, events, and brags! To contribute material to future newsletters, please send details to Tasca Shadix (secretary@nwmaf.org).
The requirements are: (1) Items must be member news/announcements, and be consistent with NWMAF mission and values. (2) Items that could be considered promotions of goods or services for sale (e.g. books, paid workshops, etc), are limited to 2 posts and/or newsletter items per member per year. (3) NWMAF cannot “endorse” member products or services.
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