Response to San Soo history, association and lineage...
Hi. My name is Paul Borisoff, I have studied San Soo since 1975 and taught it from 1977...
I witnessed the 3 associations in action and perhaps can bring light on that subject. Also clarify JP Kings rank and his affiliation.
The Jimmy H. Woo association ended when Jimmy H. Woo retired. Members met tuesday eve and saturday afternoons. To be a member you had to take lessons from Sifu Master Jimmy H. Woo. You also were required to purchase school uniforms from him. When be "quit business", he had all sign a paper stating that they would not use his name on advertisements or articles... etc.
Thereafter the International San Soo Association formed offering classes and seminars. A board was elected. Several presidents were elected. Two shows 1985 and 1986 were presented. Many schools participated. I began to sense two agendas at work. The desires of the student body and the desires of the school owners. Sometimes the interests were symbiotic and at time there were tremendous collisions. In particular, how money would be spent.
Jimmy returned to teaching, stating that he was bored and that things needed cleaning up. He taught until his death. The association disbanded.
About a year later, I recall meeting with many at Bob Estrada's Covina studio.
Bernice Woo called Sharon Wikel and asked if we could hold off on the meeting. She felt that it had not been long enough since Jimmy's passing to start business as usual. We laid off.
Bernice began the International San Soo Association and various officials were elected. Many seminars were presented. At some point JP King stepped up to take his rightful lineage. To be frank, the presidency was an elected position and that position was usurped by him. His plans were fairly extensive and many failed to follow. Bernice created the kungfusansoo.com site and resurrected the Jimmy H. Woo Association. This time it was a loose affiliation of persons she trusted.
JP King kept the registered name of IKFSSA but heresay has it that the incorporation has lapsed.
JP King is a Master. At the receipt of that mastership, Sifu Master Jimmy H. Woo became Grand Master Jimmy H. Woo.
San Soo is a vast system mentored by the instructor. Many strong bonds are formed in the school environment. We do not do tournements. As such an association does not serve the same purpose as say one in kenpo or a karate affiliation. Promotion is also a school level event. So the events and meetings were attended but not to the extent seen in systems where the association plays a heavy role in the advancement protocol.
Hope this helps...
Master P.H. Borisoff