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Winter Business Meeting highlights

AT ITS WINTER BUSINESS MEETING February 11 in Kenmore, NY, the IJA board of directors adopted changes in convention competitions and election of officers. In addition, Atlanta was chosen as the site of the 1985 IJA convention, authorization was given for funds to buy an UA computer, and direction was set for IJA sale of juggling videotapes.

These major decisions occupied most of the all-day meeting at the IJA office (home of secretary Rich Chamberlin), but other discussions centered on the 1984 convention and the future directions of the organization generally.

Present were IJA officers Barry Bakalor (video services coordinator), Bill Barr (president), Glenn Ceponis (vice president), Rich Chamberlin (secretary), Bill Giduz (publications editor), Holly Greeley (director), Greg Moss (championships director), John Robinson (correspondence secretary), and Ginny Rose (treasurer). Members attending were Alan Howard, Sue Kirby, Michael Marlin, Jack Mullen, and Andrew Schwartz.

The meeting began with discussion of the upcoming Las Vegas convention. More information is included elsewhere in this issue, but the only specific board action taken was approval of a $199 package plan price and agreement to let Marlin try to put together a Public Show of top professional jugglers.

Moss asked the board to consider the philosophy of IJA championships, and the board agreed on the concept of professionalizing the events. Again, more information is included elsewhere, but the board voted to set aside $1,000 for prize money in the U.S. Nationals and asked Moss to devise a judging system which weighs technical skill more heavily than performance. Also, U.S. Nationals competitors will have to qualify before a panel of judges, and qualifications for Juniors competitors was changed to include only those under 18 years old, with no limit set on number of years as a juggler. Numbers competitions will now include a category of most objects juggled in addition to the current five clubs and seven balls or rings categories.

Robinson recommended that the IJA purchase a home computer to maintain membership records and print mailing labels. Robinson currently prints labels on a computer at his work site in Boston, while Chamberlin partially duplicates that effort by maintaining membership records on paper in the UA office in Kenmore. After hearing the evidence, the board authorized Robinson to make the purchase.

Robinson further reported that only 1.300 of 2,438 members have so far renewed their membership this year. Chamberlin added that this about the normal number for this time of year. Robinson said the renewal system will be changed so that people renew on the anniversary of their joining, rather than all at once in January, to ease the early-year burden on the secretary.

It was agreed to annually mail extra copies of two issues of Juggler's World to IJA affiliates, with the understanding that these copies may be sold to raise money locally, or given away. Besides providing a service to affiliates, it is hoped this will help increase IJA membership.

On Barr's suggestion, the board voted to form a finance committee of Barr, Chamberlin, and Rose to explore non-dues ways of raising money for the organization. This committee will serve for 18 months, and anyone wishing to represent the IJA in seeking funds will have to have the committee's approval. Barr said his new membership in the American Society of Association Executives should help in finding these important resources.

A discussion of ways to strengthen the ties with IJA members in Europe produced no motions, but agreement to formulate ideas on the subject by this summer's general membership meeting. A motion passed to change the by-laws to eliminate election of certain officers, and make them appointees of the board. Those affected are historian, foreign correspondents, affiliate coordinator. video coordinator, honorary directors, and correspondence secretary. An additional change in the by-laws was made to state that directors (rather than honorary directors) are voting members of the board.

In accordance with new voting procedures, self-nominations for election to 1984-85 offices were received from Barr, Ceponis, Chamberlin, Dave Finnigan (education director), Giduz, Greeley, Moss, and Rose. No other nominations were received, so those received will therefore be the only ones appearing on the ballot to be mailed to all members in May. Further nominations and the formal election will be held at the summer convention.

Rose said the IJA has secured services of an accountant to oversee financial records and help maintain them in keeping with our non-profit status.

Bakalor said he is collecting releases from performers in past IJA conventions authorizing use of their act in tapes he plans to assemble for sale. He said he would like to see adoption of a policy which states that participation in competitions implies consent for use of that material in an IJA videotape. Barr agreed to work with Bakalor on the idea.

A written proposal to hold the 1985 convention in Atlanta was received from the Atlanta Jugglers Association, and a verbal proposal for Quebec or Montreal was received from Guy La Liberte. The Atlanta proposal was accepted.

The meeting adjourned in late afternoon. Following supper everyone went to the Serbian hall for an evening of juggling and more informal discussion, then a contingent viewed Bakalor's videotapes late into the night.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

A pat on the back for your loyal IJA servants...

By Bill Barr. IJA President Richland, Washington

THE IJA WINTER BUSINESS meeting was a wonderful time. A great deal was accomplished. We worked on many details of ongoing projects, especially planning of the 1984 Las Vegas convention, as well as considering long-range plans and goals.

Several things especially impressed me about the people at the meeting. The high levels of commitment and responsibility of the officers is particularly impressive. And the harmony with which the group works is encouraging, making it possible to get a lot done in a short period of time.

It is strikingly clear that each of the officers has in mind providing service to the members of the organization.

Rich Chamberlin is providing extensive and consistent service to the IJA in many areas, from the day-to-day work of the secretary to the responsibilities of the convention chairman. Rich has been working for the IJA for a long time, and I think Rich is to be congratulated by all for the fine job he is doing.

Ginny Rose is an excellent treasurer. She has taken several steps which will be of long term benefit to the IJA, among them establishing a professional set of books and having them audited. She produced a very helpful document, the IJA financial report for 1983. We are very lucky to have Ginny with the IJA.

Bill Giduz continues to do an excellent, professional job as publications editor. Bill's work is highly visible to all in the Juggler's World magazine, which gets better each issue, and which has been highly praised by knowledgeable people outside the IJA. Bill received an IJA president's award of achievement during the meeting.

Glenn Ceponis is doing a fine job as vice president. He is a very supportive officer, always ready and willing to help with whatever needs to be done. Glenn has been working for the IJA for a number of years helping with registration at conventions.

Greg Moss continues to do an outstanding job as championships director. His work is also highly visible, especially at convention time, and the admirable way he carries this responsiblilty is greatly appreciated.

Also at the Winter Business Meeting were John Robinson, correspondence secretary; Holly Greeley, director; and Barry Bakalor, video services coordinator.

John has labored long and hard in his position, and is currently in the process of helping the IJA obtain a computer to make the keeping of records even more efficient than it is now. Holly helped steer the helm at the meeting as director. In the short time that Barry has been video services coordinator, a position which he created, he has done a fantastic job of producing and showing an IJA video library highlighting many aspects of the organization, especially the conventions.

Dave Finnigan could not attend the meeting. However, he sent a thorough description of his activities as education director, focusing on extensive preparations for the upcoming convention in Las Vegas, July 16-22, 1984.

Andy Schwartz, sales manager for Juggler's World, had a number of good ideas for the magazine and organization.

I was pleased that several members, Mike Marlin, Susan Kirby, Alan Howard, and Jack Mullen, came from considerable distances to participate in the meeting.

All in all, it was a stirring time. In addition to the Business Meeting, a number of productive meetings took place between various groups of people to confer about specific details of such things as the Public Show, registration at the convention, and long-range plans. And thanks to the host Buffalo Juggling Club, everybody got together to juggle Saturday night.

And again, for the week of July 16-22, 1984, everybody will have a chance to get together and juggle at the Showboat Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. We're looking forward to having as many people there as possible, and having the best time possible.

The package plan is $199. For a week in Las Vegas, and the 37th International Jugglers Association, Inc., Convention, that's some bargain. Good food, good rooms, and good juggling. Plus the companionship of people from all over the world. See you all this summer in Las Vegas.