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FROM THE PRESIDENT

The IJA is going places, and it's going fast. There were over 300 jugglers at this year's convention, and that's more than we had in the IJA only a few years ago. In fact, there were only fifty jugglers at the 1974 convention in Sarasota; and at that time we had slightly over 200 members.

However, as welcome as our new growth is, it has also brought new problems and increased responsibilities for the organization. We may no longer be able to hold small, informal conventions. Future conventions will have to be planned (possibly two or three years in advance) to accommodate our new growth. For this year, even with the excellent facilities at the University of Delaware, we overflowed the practice hall for which we paid and used the equally large lounge area.

Some of our new problems are legal, but are more easily handled than organizing a convention. All future issues of the IJA Newsletter will be protected by copyright, legally preventing anyone from reprinting stories or articles without permission and/or payment. Also, I have recently incorporated the IJA as a non-stock organization. This protects us with limited liability in the event of a lawsuit and enables us to apply for a nonprofit status, allowing us to receive taxfree gifts or grants for the betterment of the IJA. As of now, the IJA may officially use the name, "International Jugglers' Association, Inc."

At present I am preparing the necessary documents to trademark the IJA emblem. In the past the IJA has allowed members to use the emblem on items that they have offered for sale, such as T-shirts, ironons, and buttons. In the future, however, any such use of the emblem by members for . "profit" will have to have the consent of the executive board. Each request will be judged individually, and there may be a one-time fee or royalty payment required. These measures are not intended to prohibit its use, but are necessary to protect our use of the emblem and to prevent it from being used in some uncomplimentary or unauthorized way. Of course, other "non-profit" uses of the emblem by members are still encouraged, as on business cards, promotional material, and brochures. All of these legal actions were unanimously approved at this year's convention.

The reason for all this legal mumbo-jumbo is to avoid legal problems as we continue to grow. It is not intended to hamper the membership in any way. The executive board has decided it is not the business of the IJA to endorse juggling products or to lend our name to outside juggling endeavors. Therefore, we have taken these steps to protect ourselves and to prevent others from using our name and emblem without our consent. The main purpose of the IJA, as stated on our membership cards, is to assist fellow jugglers, which we do as an organization through our newsletter and annual conventions.

Dennis Soldati

BARRETT FELKER, Club Juggling and Numbers Champion

I was first inspired to learn the art of throwing things in the air after seeing Bobby Sandler perform his comedy routine on television in November of 1973. Soon thereafter I began working out with ball juggling whiz Will Harmon. In April of 1976 I met Stu Raynolds who introduced me to club juggling. I owe a great deal to Stu and many other jugglers who have given me encouragement. At present I am working semi-professionally in and around the city of Tucson. Outside of juggling I am studying agriculture at the University of Arizona.

CLAUDE CRUMLEY, Auxilary Equipment Champion

I have been juggling for four years. I do not practice very much. I practice when I can. You see, I do a professional dog act. I am twelve years old, and I plan to juggle my way through college. I am studying to be a chemist. I am thrilled to death that I won the Auxilary Equipment Championship. It has inspired me to practice more. P.S., It took me twelve tries to write this letter.