HEMA Alliance - USA

05 September 2024

By joint decision of the HEMA Alliance Board of Directors and Governing Council, the general HEMAA GC Elections for the 2024-2026 term will not be held. There were five positions up for election and five eligible candidates.

Aidan Blake and Nickolys Hinton will continue in their roles on the GC. They both do a lot of work behind the scenes and we’re thrilled they decided to run for their third and second terms, respectively.

We're pleased to introduce our new GC members: Donald McKay, Edward Meyers, and DJ Nero!

Donald started HEMA in 2017 with an interest in I.33 and sword and buckler. He has been the president at Vier Blossen Historical Fencing since 2021. He loves the research side of HEMA and the community of people HEMA has brought together.

Edward briefly started HEMA when he co-founded a high school club back in 2009. Since then, he has trained with Dawn Duelists in Edinburgh, Scotland before taking a break for law school. He now trains with Black Cat Historical Fencing in Rhode Island.

DJ Nero has been studying HEMA proper since 2011 but has always had a fascination with swords and blades, slaying his first “monster” as a child with a stick of some sort. His parent club is Sword to Sword in Houston, but he was also formally adopted through blood, might and glory into Nachreisen (Formerly known as Ordo HEMA). He is a proud member of SHFL (Southern Historical Fencing League), a non-profit association with multiple clubs throughout the South. Outside of HEMA, DJ has nearly 30 years of martial arts experience, having dabbled at some level from Judo, Taekwondo, Karate and other Eastern arts. He is primarily an IT Admin, web developer &/or code scripter by trade during the day and a professional DJ by night. Throughout the HEMA-sphere he is known as “The King of Hugs” which if you meet him, you will nearly immediately understand why.

The HEMAA and the HEMA community are grateful for the work Jordan Hinckley and Michael Thompson have done during their time on the GC. Their efforts both behind the scenes and in public-facing roles have helped immensely and we wish them well as they move on to other endeavors in the HEMA community.

The GC handles the day-to-day operations of the HEMAA. This mostly includes answering questions regarding membership, policies, insurance, and event, promotional, and research support. Additionally, the GC works with the Curriculum Council to shape its programs, handles updates to the website and Club Finder, arranges discount codes with vendors, community outreach initiatives, and meetings with other martial arts and martial sports organizations to see how we can each best support and learn from each other.

To continue on our core mission, we need volunteers to help with these initiatives. Please get involved. The HEMAA is an organization tasked with providing services to the HEMA community. It is whatever we make of it. Volunteer for a project and help guide our course.

Regards,

HEMA Alliance Governing Council and Board of Directors

"If you’ve ever thought about starting a kids HEMA class, you’ve probably already looked at the basics like insurance and lesson plans. You probably even have a few students in mind for your class. But what can you do to ensure that your program lasts?"

Excerpt from: Four Tips for a Successful HEMA Youth Program
By Sean Ellis
Read more here: https://www.hemaalliance.com/kids-classes

Photo courtesy of Dan Halliday

Insurance, and What It's For

“One of the most basic elements of operating a HEMA club in the United States is that the club should carry insurance. “You need insurance” is often repeated as a truism, and indeed it is something of a red flag.”

Read more here:
https://www.hemaalliance.com/insurance

Photo by Janna Datahan
Event: Salt Lake Open 2023

"Fighting with a sword is inherently dangerous. Although serious injuries in HEMA are rare, they are not unheard of. Whether you are planning a fencing group of your own, or getting involved in leadership decisions at an existing club, the safety of your people should be your top priority."

Get more information here:
https://www.hemaalliance.com/training-safely

Photo by Ian Crowe

What Kind of HEMA Club Do You Want?

Our "How to HEMA" series has a helpful guide on how to build the kind of club and community you want. You can find the article here:
https://www.hemaalliance.com/what-kind-of-club

Photo from HEMAA club member True Edge Academy of Swordsmanship

Wondering where to start with HEMA gear? We got you: https://www.hemaalliance.com/club-gear

Photo credit: Ian Crowe at Iron Gate Exhibition Spring 2024

Confused as to what gear is required by the HEMAA insurance policy for the activity you have planned? Check out our Interactive Gear Check App!

https://hemaa-ic.github.io/Gear-Check-App/

Hello HEMA Alliance Members!

It’s already March and we have a number of updates and announcements we wanted to share! Find everything on this post at:
https://www.hemaalliance.com/

How to HEMA

The HEMAA recently launched How to HEMA to our website’s Resources section! This collection of articles and guides were written by experienced HEMAists who consulted with club runners, senior instructors, and veterans to compile information, experiences, and best practices. They are written for people who already know what historical European martial arts is as a hobby, and are looking for more information on either starting their own club, or developing the club they already are a part of. This is an ongoing project!

If you are interested in contributing to this growing resource, please reach out to Sigmund ([email protected]), who we thank for championing this project!

Membership Tracking for Affiliate Clubs

One of the requirements for HEMAA Affiliated clubs to be covered by the HEMAA insurance policy is for all of your active club members to maintain an active HEMAA membership. Ensuring compliance with this is the responsibility of the affiliate clubs. There are a number of ways this can be accomplished using the TidyHQ platform you are already part of! Please see the HEMAA Membership Tracking for Clubs resource for details.

HEMAA Event Support

The HEMA Alliance believes that events, from tournaments to workshops to exhibitions, are important to raising awareness of HEMA with the modern public. We offer support to events that align with our goals and promote HEMA as a legitimate set of martial arts to the public.The governing council votes on a support budget each year, and allocates funds based on availability and event need.

Event Calendar

The HEMAA provides an event calendar as a service to the global HEMA community. Not all events are HEMAA supported or run by affiliates. Though we do have a GC member actively adding events pulled from other sources to the calendar, you can also add them directly.

Club Finder

Another serice provided to the global HEMA community, is our Club Finder. This resource will be getting it's yearly overhaul over the next two months where we'll reach out to ALL of the listed clubs to identify incorrect contact information and remove defunct clubs. If you run a new HEMAA Affiliated Club, please fill out the from in the link to have your club added!

There are some other big announcements on the horizon, so stay tuned! If you have any questions, ideas, concerns, or would like to volunteer for a project, please reach out the the Governing Council at [email protected]

HEMAA The HEMA Alliance supports the Historical European Martial Arts community across the world.

LAST CALL!!!! Only 4 more days in the HEMAA GC Nomination period! Nominations close August 31st! If you're interested in joining the Governing Council, check your e-mail associated with your HEMA Alliance Membership! Self Nomination Form can be found in your recent e-mails from the HEMA Alliance!

One of the benefits HEMA Alliance members have is our vendor discounts. Our vendors give all active members a discount when you use the discount codes that have been e-mailed to the active TidyHQ e-mail. The HEMA Alliance would like to highlight our vendors as a thanks and will be sharing a vendor every week.

This week's vendor highlight is HEMA Strong (https://www.hemastrong.com/
). HEMA Strong is a community of fitness professionals with the goal of getting you in the shape you want to be. HEMA Strong is offering HEMAA members a discount when you sign up for fitness or nutrition coaching. Chuck Gross and Michael Adams, along with the community they've built, will help you with your fitness goals.

HEMA Strong® Courage and strength make your enemies hesitate

It's time for our yearly HEMAA GC Elections! Nominations for GC are officially open and will remain so until August 31.

The HEMA Alliance Governing Council is the group that facilitates the regular operations of the HEMAA. This includes things like event support, member outreach, insurance, vendor discounts, other HEMAA member benefits, as well as general community support projects like the Club Finder and the Event Calendar.

As a member of the GC, responsibilities include attending a monthly GC meeting as well as monitoring and responding the the HEMAA email one day a week. Other responsibilities get divided up amongst the GC, including drafting emails/social media posts, working with the HEMAA Board of Directors, updating the Club Finder, vendor requests, and processing new requests for insurance.

This year there are 4 seats up for election, including the elected position of President of the GC. Two out of three sitting members are not seeking re-election (there is currently one vacant seat). The term for the HEMAA GC is two years. After nominations close, all HEMAA members will receive an email with information provided by the nominees and later an email providing a link to vote for the 4 HEMAA members you think will do the best job.

Self-nomination forms can be found in the e-mail address associated with your HEMAA membership.

The Hema Alliance You need a TidyHQ to buy tickets, register for memberships and interact with your organisation. Having a TidyHQ Account lets us remember who you are so we can keep everything in one place for you ready to access and update at any time.

One of the benefits HEMA Alliance members have is our vendor discounts. Our vendors give all active members a discount when you use the discount codes that have been e-mailed to the active TidyHQ e-mail. The HEMA Alliance would like to highlight our vendors as a thanks and will be sharing a vendor every week.

This week's vendor highlight is Heroic Sport (http://heroicsport.com
). Heroic Sport lets you get started with Indian Clubs easily with their PahlavandleTM. The handles fit carbonated drink bottles made of plastic around the world giving you a whole range of indian clubs up to 3kg. Please remember to use your HEMAA discount code so they know their continued support of the HEMAA is appreciated.

Heroic Sport | Reboot your mind and body – Move better, feel better! Pain free shoulders, throw further, hit harder The continued success of our invention of the Pahlavandle™ being used as an easy, adjustable way to start with Indian clubs is overwhelming. Our Pahlavandle™ can now be found on eBay in the hands of our distributors. We are focusing on making people...

Here's your weekly reminder that the HEMA Alliance Governing Council Elections are coming up. The self-nomination period is open and we'd love to have you nominate yourself and join the GC.

This year there are 4 open seats up for election including the elected position of President of the GC. The term for the GC is 2 years. After nominations close, all HEMAA members will be e-mailed through their tidyHQ membership e-mail with information provided by the nominees and later an email providing a link to vote for the 4 HEMAA members you think will do the best job.

The HEMA Alliance Governing Council is the group that facilitates the regular operations of the HEMAA. This includes things like event support, member outreach, insurance, vendor discounts, other HEMAA member benefits, as well as general community support projects like the Club Finder and the Event Calendar.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. And if you'd like to nominate yourself, you should have the link to the self-nomination form in your e-mail.

The Hema Alliance You need a TidyHQ to buy tickets, register for memberships and interact with your organisation. Having a TidyHQ Account lets us remember who you are so we can keep everything in one place for you ready to access and update at any time.

One of the benefits HEMA Alliance members have is our vendor discounts. Our vendors give all active members a discount when you use the discount codes that have been e-mailed to the active TidyHQ e-mail. The HEMA Alliance would like to highlight our vendors as a thanks and will be sharing a vendor every week.

This week's vendor highlight is Hematees (https://hematees.co.uk/
). HEMA Tees is located in the UK and offers a variety of designs bringing a love of swords to t-shirts, rash guards, leggings and the like. You can see their limited edition designs on their website with new products appearing regularly. Please remember to use your HEMAA discount code so they know their continued support of the HEMAA is appreciated.

Hematees Hematees: UK designer, offering HEMA themed products for the worldwide HEMA community.

In case you missed out last post: it's time for our yearly HEMAA GC Elections! Nominations for GC are officially open and will remain so until August 31.

The HEMA Alliance Governing Council is the group that facilitates the regular operations of the HEMAA. This includes things like event support, member outreach, insurance, vendor discounts, other HEMAA member benefits, as well as general community support projects like the Club Finder and the Event Calendar. If you're looking to help the HEMA Alliance work better and do more things, becoming part of the GC is a great way to step up and help out.

As a member of the GC, responsibilities include attending a monthly GC meeting as well as monitoring and responding the the HEMAA email one day a week. Other responsibilities get divided up amongst the GC, including drafting emails/social media posts, working with the HEMAA Board of Directors, updating the Club Finder, vendor requests, and processing new requests for insurance.

This year there are 4 seats up for election, including the elected position of President of the GC. The term for the HEMAA GC is two years. After nominations close, all HEMAA members will receive an email with information provided by the nominees and later an email providing a link to vote for the 4 HEMAA members you think will do the best job.

If you are a HEMA Alliance Member, you should have received an e-mail with the self-nomination link. If you haven't received the e-mail, please make sure your TidyHQ membership is up to date with the correct e-mail address.

The Hema Alliance You need a TidyHQ to buy tickets, register for memberships and interact with your organisation. Having a TidyHQ Account lets us remember who you are so we can keep everything in one place for you ready to access and update at any time.

One of the benefits HEMA Alliance members have is our vendor discounts. Our vendors give all active members a discount when you use the discount codes that have been e-mailed to the active TidyHQ e-mail. The HEMA Alliance would like to highlight our vendors as a thanks and will be sharing a vendor every week.

This week's vendor highlight is Purpleheart Armoury (https://www.woodenswords.com/
). Purpleheart Armoury has been the leading supplier of HEMA Equipment since 1999. Their slogan "Training Begins Here" has been true for many members of the HEMA community. Most of us have purchased a piece of gear or book from Purpleheart Armoury. Give Christian and Natasha some love and check out what they have new in-stock. And if you do pick something up, please remember to use your HEMAA discount code so they know their continued support of the HEMAA is appreciated.

Purpleheart Armoury Wooden Wasters and Synthetic Training Swords

It's time for our yearly HEMAA GC Elections! Nominations for GC are officially open and will remain so until August 31.

The HEMA Alliance Governing Council is the group that facilitates the regular operations of the HEMAA. This includes things like event support, member outreach, insurance, vendor discounts, other HEMAA member benefits, as well as general community support projects like the Club Finder and the Event Calendar.

As a member of the GC, responsibilities include attending a monthly GC meeting as well as monitoring and responding the the HEMAA email one day a week. Other responsibilities get divided up amongst the GC, including drafting emails/social media posts, working with the HEMAA Board of Directors, updating the Club Finder, vendor requests, and processing new requests for insurance.

This year there are 4 seats up for election, including the elected position of President of the GC. Two out of three sitting members are not seeking re-election (there is currently one vacant seat). The term for the HEMAA GC is two years. After nominations close, all HEMAA members will receive an email with information provided by the nominees and later an email providing a link to vote for the 4 HEMAA members you think will do the best job.

If you are a HEMA Alliance Member, you should have received an e-mail with the self-nomination link.

membership management — HEMAA Governing Council

One of the benefits HEMA Alliance members have is our vendor discounts. Our vendors give all active members a discount when you use the discount codes that have been e-mailed to the active TidyHQ e-mail. The HEMA Alliance would like to highlight our vendors as a thanks and will be sharing a vendor every week.

This week's vendor highlight is SoCal Swords (https://socalswords.com/). SoCal Swords provides high-quality, affordable HEMA Gear, as well as training in the use of historical swords and other martial implements. They are constantly innovating, with hands on testing and improving their products. Please remember to use your HEMAA discount code so they know their continued support of the HEMAA is appreciated.

SoCal Swords Providing North America with high quality, affordable HEMA gear and offering HEMA classes in Orange County, CA.

One of the benefits HEMA Alliance members have is our vendor discounts. Our vendors give all active members a discount when you use the discount codes that have been e-mailed to the active TidyHQ e-mail. The HEMA Alliance would like to highlight our vendors as a thanks and will be sharing a vendor every week.

This week's vendor highlight is Superior Fencing (https://www.supfen.com/home.html). Superior Fencing is a manufacturer and supplier of HEMA Equipment. They offer a large range of products including full HEMA Kits. Please remember to use your HEMAA discount code so they know their continued support of the HEMAA is appreciated.

Historical Fencing Hema Equipment and Gear Supplier | Supfen Supfen is a top leading online shop of historical european martials arts HEMA equipment and historical fencing gear like protective jackets, pants, and kits in the United States.

One of the benefits HEMA Alliance members have is our vendor discounts. Our vendors give all active members a discount when you use the discount codes that have been e-mailed to the active TidyHQ e-mail. The HEMA Alliance would like to highlight our vendors as a thanks and will be sharing a vendor every week.

This week's vendor highlight is HEMA Strong (https://www.hemastrong.com/). HEMA Strong is a community of fitness professionals with the goal of getting you in the shape you want to be. HEMA Strong is offering HEMAA members a discount when you sign up for fitness or nutrition coaching. Chuck Gross and Michael Adams, along with the community they've built, will help you with your fitness goals.

HEMA Strong® Courage and strength make your enemies hesitate

One of the benefits HEMA Alliance members have is our vendor discounts. Our vendors give all active members a discount when you use the discount codes that have been e-mailed to the active TidyHQ e-mail. The HEMA Alliance would like to highlight our vendors as a thanks and will be sharing a vendor every week.

This week's vendor highlight is Heroic Sport (http://heroicsport.com). Heroic Sport lets you get started with Indian Clubs easily with their PahlavandleTM. The handles fit carbonated drink bottles made of plastic around the world giving you a whole range of indian clubs up to 3kg. Please remember to use your HEMAA discount code so they know their continued support of the HEMAA is appreciated.

HEROIC SPORT | Best shoulder exercises for health, strength & function Heroic Sport helps you regain and improve spine and shoulder health and mobility for pain free living and performance while training at home.

The Annual Raymond J. Lord Symposium on Historical European Martial Arts will be held at UMass Renaissance Center on April 29, beginning at 10 am.

This day-long Symposium will feature presentations of interpretive work on re-creating the historical martial arts and research conducted to better understand the contexts in which they existed.

Our keynote speaker this year is Tobias Capwell, former Curator of Arms and Armour at the Wallace Collection in London. He is the author of Armour of the English Knight 1450–1500, Arms and Armour of the Medieval Joust, and several other publications.

Pre-registration is required as there is limited space. Please email to register. There is no charge and lunch will be provided.

This year's Symposium is sponsored in part by the HEMA Alliance.

ttps://www.umass.edu/renaissance/event/hemasymposium2023

The presentations will be recorded and made available with transcripts and slides, where available.

Historical European Martial Arts Symposium : Arthur F. Kinney Center for Interdisciplinary Renaissance Studies : UMass Amherst Annual Raymond J. Lord Symposium on Historical European Martial Arts This day-long Symposium will feature presentations of interpretive work on re-creating the historical martial arts and research conducted to better understand the contexts in which they existed. Our keynote speaker this year is Tob...

One of the benefits HEMA Alliance members have is our vendor discounts. Our vendors give all active members a discount when you use the discount codes that have been e-mailed to the active TidyHQ e-mail. The HEMA Alliance would like to highlight our vendors as a thanks and will be sharing a vendor every week.

This week's vendor highlight is Hematees (https://hematees.co.uk/). HEMA Tees is located in the UK and offers a variety of designs bringing a love of swords to t-shirts, rash guards, leggings and the like. You can see their limited edition designs on their website with new products appearing regularly. Please remember to use your HEMAA discount code so they know their continued support of the HEMAA is appreciated.

Hematees Hematees: UK designer, offering HEMA themed products for the worldwide HEMA community.

One of the benefits HEMA Alliance members have is our vendor discounts. Our vendors give all active members a discount when you use the discount codes that have been e-mailed to the active TidyHQ e-mail. The HEMA Alliance would like to highlight our vendors as a thanks and will be sharing a vendor every week.

This week's vendor highlight is Purpleheart Armoury (https://www.woodenswords.com/). Purpleheart Armoury has been the leading supplier of HEMA Equipment since 1999. Their slogan "Training Begins Here" has been true for many members of the HEMA community. Most of us have purchased a piece of gear or book from Purpleheart Armoury. Give Christian and Natasha some love and check out what they have new in-stock. And if you do pick something up, please remember to use your HEMAA discount code so they know their continued support of the HEMAA is appreciated.

Purpleheart Armoury Wooden Wasters and Synthetic Training Swords

Hello HEMA Alliance Members! We sent this out in our TidyHQ e-mails about a month ago, but in case you didn't see it, It's time for our yearly HEMAA GC Elections! Nominations for GC are officially open!

The HEMA Alliance Governing Council is the group that facilitates the regular operations of the HEMAA. This includes things like event support, member outreach, insurance, vendor discounts, other HEMAA member benefits, as well as general community support projects like the Club Finder and the Event Calendar.

As a member of the GC, responsibilities include attending a monthly GC meeting as well as monitoring and responding the the HEMAA email one day a week. Other responsibilities get divided up amongst the GC, including drafting emails/social media posts, working with the HEMAA Board of Directors, updating the Club Finder, and processing new requests for insurance.

This year there are 5 seats up for election with two out of four sitting members not seeking re-election (there is currently one vacant seat). The term for the HEMAA GC is two years. After nominations close, all HEMAA members will receive an email with information provided by the nominees, and later an email providing a link to vote for the 5 HEMAA members you think will do the best job.

HEMAA GC Self Nomination Form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeKwHUU40tjw82SQtgmrnsLXJt7aibSZVf8yi9u7l-uSUslJQ/viewform

Thank you for your time, and we look forward to seeing the nominations!

-HEMA Alliance GC Team

2022-2024 HEMA Alliance Governing Council Self Nomination Form HEMAA GC terms run for two years. This election is for the 2022-2024 term GC members can serve a maximum of three consecutive terms. HEMAA Membership is a requirement for serving on the HEMAA Governing Council Elections will be held from September 15th through the 30th.