Welcome to,

The IKONA Mission Statement:

-To educate, inform, and promote the hobby of keeping, appreciating, breeding and exhibiting Koi.
-To disseminate information about the above to the membership;
-To build a "Koi keeping" network for mutual support of the hobby among its members and other clubs.
-To provide a "venue" for those Koi hobbyists in locations that are prohibitive to joining other clubs due to geographic concerns.
-To acquire and own such property as may be necessary for any or all of the foregoing purposes.

The role of IKONA as envisioned by its original members was really quite simple, and has since grown.

First to provide an AKCA affiliated club for persons wishing to join an AKCA club, but were not able to do so, because a club was not near to their location.

Secondly, to provide a sponsoring club for those wishing to become better and further educated by being able to enroll in the KHA program.

Thirdly, to provide a repository for other AKCA clubs who require manpower, ideas, equipment, etc in putting on and promoting koi shows, seminars, etc.

There are other points and of equal importance, but these are the "gosanke" of IKONA.

The first point came from my own personal experience, of wanting to join an AKCA affiliated koi club, but the closest one being originally 200+ miles away. Also Steve and Cheryl Childers having the same concerns, also wanting to be a part of a club setting, but unable due to being geographically challenged. How does this benefit the AKCA and KOIUSA? Simply by expanding the realm and outreach of both the AKCA and KOI USA, to other areas and folks that would be otherwise untouched. And a prerequisite of membership in IKONA is a subscription to KOIUSA magazine.

The second one also hits close to home for me. As you are aware a person wishing to take the KHA course requires a sponsoring club. This also again brings our first point back into play. IKONA can then be a vehicle to sponsor folks for the KHA program when an individual does not have or is not a member of an AKCA affiliated club that can provide that sponsorship. Again this benefits the AKCA by getting more qualified KHAs out within the koi hobby and into areas not currently having neither AKCA clubs nor KHAs. A more consistent spreading of health information within the koi hobby and for new individuals alike.

The third point is one that we feel is how IKONA can most benefit the hobby. By becoming a repository of information, manpower, services, etc within the koi hobby. IKONA has as its membership base persons who can take advantage of the "information highway" and all the benefits that has to offer. IKONA will be there to help and aide in anyway possible other AKCA clubs in the putting on of seminars, shows, etc. IKONA will also use whatever means possible to "get the word out" for other AKCA affiliated clubs in advertising and promoting said events at no charge through its website and affiliated sites such as Koishack.com. IKONA has the ability to archive and maintain a library of information on and within the internet for any and all persons to use and any given time. IKONA also has the ability to put on various venues for the spread of information with regard to the betterment of the koi hobby via online seminars, online wet labs, online discussions, online chats, etc. This again will promote the AKCA, KHA, KOI USA, and project KHV in spreading the information, making it available and reaching out to folks who otherwise would not be able to take advantage of the information and education that will be available through IKONA.

In IKONAs goal to serve the AKCA club community, it must be said and made known; IKONA will always help other clubs, via manpower, resources, etc. IKONA will not financially or monetarily aide other clubs. When IKONA helps or provides the aide, IKONA wishes nothing in return, financial or otherwise. All IKONA wishes to provide is an assurance that the clubs event is a successful one and the IKONA has done all it can to help make that happen. IKONA will not take over an event, but rather work in the background as support staff, etc.

IKONA wants to promote the hobby, promote a consistent flow of information and education, all for the betterment of the hobby, and through that ladies and gentleman, how can the AKCA and KOI USA not thrive and directly succeed.

See you at a Koi Show near you!

The IKONA Koi Club