Dear Mithios:
"......Mr. Sim's, Are you talking about a study group approach(kwan?), where A group of people get together and exchange ideas, techniques, etc. Without worrying about rank or being in charge? I think that is what you are saying, But i don't think everyone is on the same page! I for one, am all for that sort of approach. It would be a nice change from most of the organizational crap i see today! A person could be a member of an org. for rank, etc. And still be a part of the study group, correct, or no ???........"
You are on the right track, but I need to tweak something here so that people don't develop a misunderstanding.
I belong to the Yon Mu Kwan, and as a traditionalist I believe in the "kwan" or "study group" model. GM Myung is the mentor for the Yon Mu Kwan and as such, if I had questions or needed guidance he is the person to whom I would turn. Having said that, I can say, "yes" to your question. However, participating in such an activity would not mean that a person was automatically a member of the Yon Mu Kwan. It doesn't work like that. I just want to make sure that while I am advocating a "kwan" or "study group" approach that it does not bespeak membership of some established group. A study group such as one that might get together would simply be the sort of experience you are characterizing with exchanges, comparisons and the like.
For instance, I could see people getting together to address a question such as "what ground-fighting techniques might reasonably be expected for a Hapkido practitioner to know". In the YMK Hapkido we do have ground-fighting techniques but nothing like say BJJ. Since the Minimal Standards project is not beholding to a particular Hapkido art or style there is no reason a person could not discuss or make a case for including material that might help make Hapkido ground-fighting safer or better trained, yes? Compare to this an event where things are conducted under the Yon Mu Kwan and one of the first strictures would be to work within the guidelines of that kwan ("Developement", "Training", "Integrity", "Service"). Similar but not identical. Just wanted to make sure everyone was clear on the difference. FWIW.
Best Wishes,
Bruce