Public:Organization

From SCFwiki, the wiki for Salem Classical Fencing in Salem, Oregon

Contents 1 Mission Statement 2 Legal 3 Activities 3.1 Teaching 3.2 Competition 3.3 High school fencing 3.4 Middle school fencing 3.5 Fencing demonstrations 4 Financial assistance 5 Recognition 6 History 7 Board of directors 8 Affiliations 8.1 Sister clubs 8.2 Fencing organizations 8.3 Other affiliations

Mission Statement

Salem Classical Fencing (SCF) works to bridge barriers in our community by teaching honor, chivalry and respect through the art and sport of fencing.

Legal

SCF is a non-profit public benefit (non-membership) organization incorporated in Oregon and recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. We are registered with the Oregon Department of Justice's Charitable Activities Section. For copies of our IRS Form 990 and other operating information, visit our GuideStar listing.

Activities

Teaching

We teach fencing through group classes, individual lessons, and camps at our studio (and off-site, by arrangement). We also offer free lectures about fencing and swordplay from time to time, along with fencing programming for CCTV, our local cable access channel.

Competition

We host several American Fencing League tournaments each year. We also hosted the AFL National Division Championships in 2006, the AFL Pacific Northwest Divisional Championships in 2007, and the AFL National Championships in 2007.

In addition to AFL competition, we offer friendly tournament-style competitions (our "Braggin' Rights" competitions) several times a year as well as ongoing challenge ladder competition within the salle.

High school fencing

We are especially proud of our ever-growing program of high school fencing clubs, which provides professional instruction to high school students and supports a local league of high school team fencing competition. Currently, we have fencing programs established at West Salem High School, North Salem High School, South Salem High School, Sprague High School, and Blanchet Catholic School, as well as a group of homeschooled high school students. Ask us about how to get a fencing club started at your Salem-area high school.

Middle school fencing

In the fall of 2008, we launched our middle school fencing program. If you attend a Salem-area middle school (including homeschoolers) and would like to represent your school in competition, ask us to put your name on an interest list and we will provide you with more information about the upcoming season. You may also visit a middle school tournament to see if you want to join. Check out our current middle school schedule.

Fencing demonstrations

We really enjoy providing fencing demonstrations as a community service. Here are some of our activities:

• In August 2004, we provided three 30-minute fencing demonstrations a day during the 12-day Oregon State Fair. We directly reached over 1,700 audience members, along with thousands more passers-by. This effort involved more than 50 volunteers.
• In November 2004, we did a fencing demonstration for the elementary school-age after-school program of the Southeast Neighborhood Community Center in southeast Salem.
• In March 2005, we did a fencing demonstration for 90 middle-school students at Jane Goodall Environmental Middle School in northeast Salem.
• In June 2005, we provided hundreds of free mini-lessons and several fencing demonstrations at the annual Salem World Beat Festival.
• In October 2005, we provided numerous demonstrations and mini-lessons for the Santiam Council of Girl Scouts "Cool Activities for Teens" workshop.
• In November 2005, we provided an intimate fencing exhibition for the residents of the Springs at Sunnyview retirement center, as well as a field trip to the fencing studio for more than 40 homeschooled elementary students and a demonstration for West Salem Language Academy.
• In December 2005, we put on a fencing demonstration for the high school at the Oregon School for the Deaf, as well as a mini-class for a PE class there.
• In June 2006, we provided hundreds of free mini-lessons, a lecture, and several fencing demonstrations at the annual Salem World Beat Festival.
• In July 2006, we did a fencing demonstration for the Oregon School for the Blind during one of their sports camps.
• In June 2007, we provided hundreds of free mini-lessons and several fencing demonstrations at the annual Salem World Beat Festival.
• In 2007, we provided fencing demonstrations for the Gilbert House Children's Museum's Halloween and New Year's Eve celebrations.
• In May 2008, we provided an intimate fencing exhibition for the residents of River Road Assisted Living.
• In June 2008, we provided free mini-lessons and fencing demonstrations at the annual Salem World Beat Festival.

Financial assistance

Our scholarship and equipment grant programs allow us to help anyone learn to fence, regardless of their financial situation. We can always use donations to fund these programs. To apply for a scholarship or grant, just ask a staff member (currently, our funds for financial assistance are exhausted, but we hope to be able to offer financial assistance again in the near future).

In March 2005, we provided more than $500 in financial assistance to allow economically-disadvantaged fencers to attend Maestro Charles Selberg's seminar American Fencing: Past, Present, and Future. Without the generous support of donors to the scholarship fund, five people would not have been able to attend this world-class fencing seminar.

Recognition

In October of 2004, we were the proud recipients of a $500 Employee Volunteer Grant from Portland General Electric. These funds were used to purchase equipment to begin offering classes in epee in January 2005. Thanks, PGE, and thanks to PGE employee Tom Wilson!

In the spring of 2006, we were pleased to receive a $250 Employee Volunteer Grant from Portland General Electric. Thanks, PGE, and thanks to PGE employee Tom Wilson!

SCF and its staff, events, and fencers have been the subject of numerous feature articles in the Salem Statesman Journal, Salem Business Journal, East Salem News, South Salem Today, Salem Monthly, and Fencers Quarterly Magazine.

History

Salem Classical Fencing was founded in late 2003 to promote and support classical fencing in the Salem area. Our organization grew out of a local YMCA program into a self-sustaining, independent organization that is supported by local fencers who are not only interested in fencing with each other but who also share a keen desire to share the sport with others.

Board of directors

Our volunteer board of directors consists of:

• Michael Heggen, president
• Kimberly Heggen, secretary
• McKenzie Upkes, treasurer
• Kathryn Naugle
• Alex Kohan

• Articles of Incorporation (PDF)
• Bylaws (PDF)
• Rules of Order (PDF)

Affiliations

Sister clubs

We are pleased to be affiliated with several other fencing clubs in the Pacific Northwest. Visiting members of these clubs have floor fees waived at SCF (and vice versa).

• Northwest Academy of Arms — Eugene, Oregon, Sean Hayes, maestro
• Southern Oregon Fencing Center — Ashland, Oregon, John McDougall, maestro
• Studio of American Fencing — Portland, Oregon
• Metro Tacoma Fencing Club — Tacoma, Washington

Fencing organizations

• American Fencing League (charter member) — Salem, Oregon. The national organization for standard fencing in the United States.
• U.S. Fencing Association — Colorado Springs, Colorado. The national organization for electrical fencing in the United States.
• U.S. Fencing Coaches Association — The national organization for professional fencing instructors in the United States.
• Academie d'Armes Internationale — The international organization for professional fencing instructors, of which the USFCA is the United States member organization.

Other affiliations

• Selberg Fencing — Ashland, Oregon. Excellent teaching videos (now on DVD!) and other fencing resources.
• American Fencers Supply — San Francisco, California. Supplier of fencing equipment to SCF.
• Triplette Competition Arms — Elkin, North Carolina. The only supplier selling American-made fencing uniforms; supplier to SCF.