Huron Valley Aikikai and its parent organization, the Michigan Budokan, are committed to providing our members and program participants a supportive and safe place to pursue training in various mind-body disciplines. In the course of such training, questions, concerns, and occasional personal and interpersonal challenges may arise. It is our hope that all our members and program participants will feel comfortable addressing these directly with their fellow members, participants, and the instructors and officers. 

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If, however, you are uncomfortable raising an issue or question, or have done so but find the response unsatisfactory, we encourage you to reach out to the Michigan Budokan Ombuds, Thea Oatman. Thea began training in 2007at Utah Aikikai in Salt Lake City.  She moved to Michigan in 2012 and found Lansing Area Aikikai in 2016 where she continues to train under Eric Doss Sensei. In 2020, Thea joined Birankai North America’s communications team; she is currently an active member of Birankai North America’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee (DAC).  When she’s not practicing Aikido and spending time with her family, she tries to make art. Thea is also now a member of the Board of Directors of the Michigan Budokan.

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Thea has kindly offered to field such questions and concerns confidentially, and with your permission bring them to the attention of the Budokan Board of Directors either anonymously or otherwise in accordance with your preferences, if you wish. 

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If you'd like to be in touch with the Ombuds please email Thea at MBKOmbuds@gmail.com. Thea is the only person withe the credentials to access this email. Please be patient as she has work, family, and training commitments!