The UBBT Schedules Another House Build for April 21-25 2010 in Rural Alabama with Pam Dorr and John Bielenberg's Project M

See the article this image was taken from by clicking the photoThe UBBT goes to Alabama every April.

Why?

To honor a great teacher, to help people in need, to learn how to do what we do there in our own communities (it's a hands-on master teacher training program conducted by Tom Callos / team),

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A Call to Action Based on Richard Louv's "Last Child in the Woods."

Tom Callos of the Ultimate Black Belt Test in Search of Help

If you're a martial artist -or a martial arts enthusiast, and have read the book "Last Child in the Woods," I am ready to engage in a project designed to bring Mr. Louv's ideas to 1000's of martial arts schools around the world. I need a little help organizing, brainstorming, and initiating this idea. If you're a fan of the work, you're a friend on mine. Contact me.

Coach Tom

Forming the UBBT Alumni Assoc. - To Provide Connection and Inspiration

John Bielenberg, Sambo Mockbee, Pie, "Project M," Greensboro, and The Ultimate Black Belt Test

Of all the work the Ultimate Black Belt Test -and it's members -have done, our once-a-year projects in rural Alabama, in Greensboro, have offered the most poignant and valuable lessons / experiences.  UBBT designer Tom Callos read about and was inspired by the architect and social activist Samuel "Sambo" Mockbee  ---who also inspired a world reknowned graphic-designer, activist, and teacher John Bielenberg (wait! That's "architecture," "martial arts," and "graphic design/art" ---THIS is the UBBT!).

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Convincing Dr. Jane Goodall. The 1000 Projects "Project."

Free Teacher Resources and Projects, Via Martial Arts Teachers from Tom Callos on Vimeo.

The UBBT on "Speaking of Faith" with American Public Media

Out of the Dojo from Speaking of Faith on Vimeo.

In 2008, Krista Tippet's show on American Public Media featured an interview with Ultimate Black Belt Test coach Tom Callos.

Rosa Parks -and Tom Callos' Work; The Connection

Tom Callos Explains His Work (w/ Rosa Parks) in the Martial Arts Community from Tom Callos on Vimeo.

Peace is More Important Than Punches. 1st Video of 12 from Tom Callos

Peace is More Important Than Punches from Tom Callos on Vimeo.

The project was to create a set of flashcards (easy to use, store, gift, keep, & teach others from) about PEACE that would allow even the most novice

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UBBT Team 1 Member LT Gary Khoury is Helping His Men (Soldiers). Can you Help Too?

LT Gary Khoury is seeking pads and training gear to help soldiers in his command -and beyond.

Here are the details:

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Rita Rose Pasquale - One Hard Working Community Activist

Rita Rose Pasquale is one of handful of gung fu practitioners who've joined and made it thru the UBBT. The photo to the left is of her performing, lean and mean, on her graduation.  Her husband, watches in the background.

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The Ultimate Black Belt Test's Matt Brown - and The Girl Scouts (LINDSAY!)

Ultimate Black Belt Tester Matt Brown (Team 6!), has a student who was inspired to create a Girl Scouts Merit Badge --and did! Kudos to Matt Brown and Lindsay Kusnarowis for a job well done.

So here is the story of the Girl Scouts Merit Badge, described by Matt Brown:

Last year, Lindsay Kusnarowis, one

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The Black Belt Garden Project

For information on how to participate in this project, log-in to the UBBT member's site (to the right), and visit Resources for Members Only. If you are NOT a UBBT member (current, alumni, or student member) but would like to particpate, send an e-mail to Team Coach Tom Callos (e-mail form is also to the right).

Brian Williams and Rori Goetze, In the News with 7000 Pairs of Shoes

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4 Lessons for School Owners and Teachers from Tom Callos (in 60 Seconds)

Alicia Kastner - Hempen, $78,000 to Charity and a LOT of UBBT Action

Alicia Kastner with classmate Chris NatzkeAlicia Kaster (Hempen), the first woman to join the UBBT, is one amazing teacher and activist.

She's done a lot of things as a UBBT multi-team member, including dragging her husband, Jim, mother, brother, and students to and through the UBBT. She was also the first person to earn a 6th dan in the program.

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Fariborz Azhakh, There From Day 1, and Co-Founder of International Acts of Kindness Website

Fariborz Azhakh Works Behind the Scenes

Master Teacher Fariborz Azhakh of Thousand Oaks, California made the Ultimate Black Belt Test come alive with his behind the scenes work on the website and in promoting the project. In fact, Fariborz, a UBBT Alumni and renown Master Instructor, has been, for YEARS, "behind the scenes" for a long list of "who's who" in the martial arts world.

He co-founded, with Tom Callos, the first website in the world that tracked individual acts of kindness --a site that was responsible for thousands upon thousands of acts.

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Brian Williams and Rori Goetze Take it Out of the Dojo & Into the World

These two UBBT participants have embraced and absorbed the ideas behind "My life is My Dojo." Watch this video and see two black belts exercising new muscles --and view a kind of martial arts activism 10 years ahead of the curve. Good work you two!

The Role of the Master Teacher (By Coach Tom Callos)

The Technical Specialist and The Humanist

There are no rules or guidelines for being a master teacher of the martial arts.

There’s no book to buy that tells teachers what to do, focus on, or what they should –or should not –be good at.

All the Master Teacher has to be good at is teaching his or her system, style, or method. The lesson starts on the mat, involve the art, and everything else is superfluous.

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UBBT 6 Member Rori Goetze Gets INVOLVED - in Kenya

Rori Goetze gets going

-she's a woman on a mission and has joined forces with UBBT'r Brian Williams.

See what they're doing here.

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UBBT Team Members Step In To Fund Phone / Camera for Junk Raft / Ocean Project

www.junkraft.comThe project is about plastic pollution in the ocean. If you haven't seen this TED video, click here (it's a must see). The Junk Raft Project sailed 2600 miles from Calif. to Hawaii to raise awareness for the plight of the world's oceans --and the junk we throw in it.

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