Five Vehicles for Sharing T’ai Chi Chih

The Vital Force Journal, Inc.

Email contact:

Information compiled by: Dora Wiemann, Board Member

• The Vital Force (VFJ) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

• History: Began in 1984 as humble, quarterly newsletter to help bring the T’ai Chi Chih community closer together at the behest of Justin. Complete archives are available free on the website.

• Services:

• Create and maintain ;

• Publish a 24-page quarterly journal for members;

• Generate social media on all major platforms to bring the community together and spread the benefits of TCC practice, particularly among a younger and more diverse population;

• Maintain a robust presence on Instagtam, Twitter, Flickr, and Pinterest;

• Maintain a dynamic Facebook page () (currently nurtured by Lisa Otero);

• Help fund the taping and production of YouTube teacher videos;

• Maintain the teacher database for the community.

• Revenue: The journal breaks even with membership fees. The website and all other outreach initiatives and products are entirely sustained by donations.

• Volunteer Board members: KG, Guy Kent, Lisa Otero, Dora Wiemann.

• Kim has been in charge of daily operations since early 2007. Mary Ruiz assists.

T’ai Chi Chih Association

Email contact: taichichihnm@yahoo.com

Information compiled by: Guy Kent, Board Member

• The T’ai Chi Chih Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

• History: Formed in 1995 after Justin Stone moved to New Mexico. When Justin wanted to create a common venue for TCC activities, the association began leasing and operating the T’ai Chi Chih Center.

• Focus: Educational, for sharing the TCC practice and the principles upon which TCC movements are based.

• Services:

• Rent low-cost space to teachers for teaching TCC;

• Host workshops, intensives, and accreditations;

• Offer free open practices;

• Offer a physical presence for T’ai Chi Chih-only activities;

• Produce the T’ai Chi Chih News, our monthly publication. Edited by Connie Hyde (with the help of numerous creative design assistants through the years), the News was created as a tool to share information within the TCC community.

• Sell books from Justin’s recommended reading list and other TCC-related materials.

• Revenue is based on memberships, donations, class fees, and events held at the center. The Association has been able to operate the center and produce the News for more than 19 years thanks to the continued support and generosity of the broad TCC community.

• Current volunteer Board of Directors: Judy Hendricks, Guy Kent, Mary Ruiz, Joyce Veerkamp, Mary White. The Center operates through the efforts of numerous volunteers who step forward to fill a need they identify. 

Good Karma Publishing

Email contact:

Information compiled by: Carmen Brocklehurst, Board Member

• Good Karma Publishing (aka GKP) is the for-profit publishing arm of T’ai Chi Chih.

• History: Conceived of and named by Justin in 1988.

• Focus: Publish (digitally and in print) and distribute (online and to bookstores, libraries and other channels) Justin’s teaching materials (DVDs, books, and CDs).

• Services:

• Aid and enhance the practice and understanding of TCC by students and teachers;

• Co-create and build the social media platforms with the VFJ;

• Co-fund and produce YouTube videos with the VFJ;

• Conduct national and international media outreach;

• Secure and legally protect the registered trademark of T’ai Chi Chih.

• Volunteer Board of Directors (named by Justin): Victor Berg, Carmen Brocklehurst, KG, Constance Hyde.

• KG has been the CEO since early 2004, in charge of day-to day operations. Mary Ruiz assists.

T’ai Chi Chih International Foundation

Email contact: , pamtowne@gmail.com, or

Information compiled by: Sandy McAlister, Guide

• The T’ai Chi Chih International Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

• History: Established July 2013 and formed due to needs in the TCC community.

• Services:

• Sponsor the annual TCC teacher conference;

• Provide scholarship funds for TCC teacher accreditation and continuing education;

• Sponsor events and projects that promote the knowledge of and practice of TCC worldwide as a service to humanity.

• Officers: Sandy McAlister (President, Guide); Pam Towne (Vice-President); Dorene Krause (Treasurer); Siobhan Hutchinson (Secretary).

• Board Members: Sandy McAlister, Daniel Pienciak, Pam Towne. More Board Members will be added, to a maximum of nine.

Editor’s Note: Full information not provided by press time.

Guide Newsletter

Email contact:

• Services: Monthly free e-newsletter by Sandy McAlister.

• Website maintained by Stephen Thompson.