President's Report

 

By Gene Jones IJA President

 

Welcome to 1981. 1980 was not a particularly good year for the world in general, but I'm happy to report it was a banner year for juggling and the IJA.

 

IJA membership increased more than 20 per cent. A major network televised our annual convention in Fargo, ND, on prime time television. It also received excellent notice in local papers and news programs. After numerous meetings with the publi­shers of the Guinness Book of Records, we have established a working relationship. Guinness will expand its categories in the juggling section of the next edition of the book. In addition, it has authorized the IJA to judge world record attempts. This means that jugglers wanting to establish a world record of their own should be prepared to attempt it at the 1981 convention in Cleveland.                                 "

 

The new Guinness Magazine, which appears in March, will include a story on juggling illustrated with a picture of Bobby May juggling five balls while standing on his head. Another new magazine, Juggling, A Magazine of Movement (JACS Publications), published its first issue in December. This magazine will focus on juggling, and touch on all allied arts and philosophy.

 

All these exciting developments breed complications. Increased membership means more paperwork and correspondence intemally. Increasing inquiries about the IJA necessitate more answers. Many times, the requested information is not readily available or requires consultation among the board members. Being President has become a full time job, and I see an important trend toward consolidation occurring in IJA management. Furthering this move to efficiency has become my primary goal for the remainder of this convention year. We are now undergoing the transition from a social club to a bona fide international organization. This change should not change the warmth and informality of the IJA. Rather, it should help preserve that atmosphere by providing for the proper environment for those interactions among growing numbers of members. The increased demands placed upon the

Board and members this past year have spotlighted structural weaknesses in dealing with outside interests. Fears of growing big seem paradoxical and claustrophobic in light of the fact that most jugglers delight in sharing their talent. Since the sharing spawned the growth in the first place, the growth must be accepted. It is reasonable to assume that informality and warmth will survive the transition.

 

What does all this mean? Hopefully, nothing more than a few new rules and a quicker response to most affairs. We want to cover the Newsletter with better paper stock and give IJA competition champions high quality plaques. It should all enhance the prestige of juggling and professionalize the IJA. I hope you will be pleased with the direction that has been chosen and wish you all a pros­perous and fulfilling new year.

 

(Comments welcome! Write Geno at Kenmore, NY)

Cleveland planners reveal 1981 convention details

It's never too early to begin planning for the next IJA annual convention. Here are a few things to do in preparation for the 34th this summer:

 

Find Cleveland, OH, on a map. Figure out the best way for you to get there and make those arrangements.

Consult your pocket planner and reserve the week of July 14-19 (Tuesday - Sunday) for juggling only--- in Cleveland, OH, of course.

 

Send a $25 deposit by June 14 to "IJA Convention '81", Kenmore, NY. The early deposit will assure you of all available discount rates.

 

Decide if you want to participate in the competitive events at the convention. There will be a juniors juggling less than three years) event, team event, and joggling races on Thursday, July 16.

 

Seniors competition will be the next day. If you're planning to compete, practice like mad!

 

Most convention activities will occur in Adelbert Gym on the campus of Case Western Reserve University. A 1,500 square-foot mini-gym is located in the same building.

 

Ten four-floor dormitories on campus can ac­commodate 1,100 jugglers for about $5 a day.