Quick Question

[John R. Schmidt]

I sent in my application a while ago and I haven't heard anything back, does that mean that I got denied or should I try again, I cant put tell yall enough how much I wish to be a part of your association. so what can I do to help the process?

thanks

[Aaron Pynenberg]

Hello John

Best advice is to wait to hear back. It may take a long time. If you hear nothing in 1 month, please e-mail me at iceman9108@yahoo.com. Just remind me that you are in the process and i will check on it for you- Thanks, AP

[Jonathan Newhall]

I sent in my application a while ago and I haven't heard anything back, does that mean that I got denied or should I try again, I cant put tell yall enough how much I wish to be a part of your association. so what can I do to help the process?

thanks

Aaron's right, I've heard that ARMA gets a lot of applications and I'm sure keeping a central database of them is a real pain, give 'em some time!

[John R. Schmidt]

Thanks guys, I will continue to wait then, what is the best thing to do training wise to do until then??

[Jonathan Newhall]

Personally I work on my footwork and basic cuts a lot. A well-practiced foundation is better than no foundation, as long as it's not an incorrect foundation

[Stacy Clifford]

If you're in Spring, get yourself to practice with one of the two Houston study groups here as often as possible. I grew up in Spring and I used to commute to practice in Missouri City from there, so I know how far it is, but it's worth it. You can learn a lot on your own, but there's no substitute for practicing with people with the level of experience we have here, and our recommendation for membership is helpful. If you can't make it due to scheduling conflicts, at least make an effort to try to meet some of the local people and arrange practice sessions with individuals here whenever you can. We don't bite... but that's about the only thing we don't do.

[John R. Schmidt]

I thought you had to be a member to go to the study groups, Hey Stacey do you still live around spring? if so perhaps we can get together a work on some stuff if thats cool with you

[John R. Schmidt]

Oops "Stacy" not Stacey sorry

[Stacy Clifford]

No, I'm living on the west side of town now. The Northsiders class is a public class offered through the Missouri City Civic Center every Wednesday evening, so you can attend at least one 8-week session as a non-member. If you plan to continue beyond that then we expect you to apply for membership before we advance you beyond the basic training level, but since you already have an application pending then that's not a worry at this point. Coming to class gives both you and us a chance to see how you would fit into ARMA, but generally people who attend regularly and get along well with the group have little trouble being accepted as long as you meet the Director's other basic criteria. Similar rules apply to Gene's Southsiders group, which meets in a private dojo on Saturdays, just contact him to request permission before attending and he'll let you know the rules there.

For others who may be reading this, this is just a reminder that each local study group meets under different circumstances and rules for attendance may vary due to facility rules, local member agreement or other circumstances, so always contact the group in advance to find out how they operate. We have a fair amount of local autonomy, though as a general rule we will all allow a new person to attend at least 2-3 practice sessions before requiring them to apply for membership.

By the way, thanks for correcting yourself on my name, that's rare.

[CalebSlagle]

I sent in my application a while ago and I haven't heard anything back, does that mean that I got denied or should I try again, I cant put tell yall enough how much I wish to be a part of your association. so what can I do to help the process?

thanks

Applying to ARMA is much like applying for a security clearance. There is a background investigation, some paper work, and a phone call to your neighbors and mother. Just like real investigations it takes a long time and you typically are left in the dark while it’s going on.

Actually I made up the part about the phone call to the neighbors and mother, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we do start calling people’s mothers in the future.

Do yourself a big favor and don't mess up like I have seen several other ex-members do; don't let your membership lapse. The reapplication process is worse actually.

[Vincent Le Chevalier]

Applying to ARMA is much like applying for a security clearance. There is a background investigation, some paper work, and a phone call to your neighbors and mother. Just like real investigations it takes a long time and you typically are left in the dark while it’s going on.

What, no blood oath? Access to the Arts is too open these days, really

[Stacy Clifford]

What, no blood oath? Access to the Arts is too open these days, really

How do you think the shirts get red?

[Randall Pleasant]

Applying to ARMA is much like applying for a security clearance. There is a background investigation, some paper work, and a phone call to your neighbors and mother. Just like real investigations it takes a long time and you typically are left in the dark while it’s going on.

What, no blood oath? Access to the Arts is too open these days, really

All large organizations have to do some type of background check on people who submit applications for membership. The last thing any organization wants is to find out that one of their members has a long crimial record and has just comitted another serious crime, or that the member is also a member of of some anti-social or anti-government group. In short, an organization has to protect itself. Plus, ARMA wants only people who want to do what ARMA does.

[Jonathan Newhall]

Jeez, that sounds pretty crazy.

Thankfully there's almost no record of me anywhere, clean slate is wonderful

[Jaron Bernstein]

Jeez, that sounds pretty crazy.

Thankfully there's almost no record of me anywhere, clean slate is wonderful

ARMA members wouldn't last very long on a Star Trek episode (red shirts and all that)