Chairman's Report

by Perry Rubenfeld, IJA Chairman

 

I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season and that the upcoming year proves to be your best one yet. The past three months have been relatively quiet for the board of directors, with most activity concentrated on planning for projects to increase membership.

 

With very few changes in the board during the past three years, much has been accomplished for the organization. The new members met in Burlington at the festival, and held the first conference call of the new term in late November.

 

As promised, here are the results of the survey that was placed in registration package of each festival goer in Burlington. Of 110 surveys returned, the results are:

 

 · Most respondents (50) have been IJA members between one and five years.

 · 73 respondents were not Life Members, 30 were Life Members.

· 50 people did not want a permanent site for the festival, 28 did, and 28 had no preference.

· 96 respondents think there should be championships each year, 6 did not.

· 55 respondents prefer the current "ordinal" judging system for championships, 15 the Kappel system and 20 had no preference.

· The top three priorities of the lJA should be 1) staging festivals, 2) promoting juggling, and 3) membership increase.

· 70 respondents have had contact with an employee or board member of the IJA in the past year. All were satisfied with the response received, although two people circled both yes and no.

 

The survey gives us, to a small degree, an idea about the direction our membership wants the IJA to pursue. I thank all those who took time to respond and make your feelings and opinions known.

 

The following is a brief summary of the board of directors meetings that were held in Burlington during our annual festival.. .We are investigating updating our office computer and software... Art Jennings is working on a registry of juggling memorabilia... The policies and procedures manual will be revised to be consistent with lJA Bylaws... Deena Frooman will be affiliates director, and Mike Vondruska the membership director... The 1995 Roster was approved for publication.

 

Finally, I would like to again appeal to all members to help maintain the IJA by encouraging non-members to join us.

 

Juggler's World, the lJA Roster, the Clubs &: Affiliates Newsletters, two festivals a year, videos and membership in a professional association are just a few reasons why!

 

CAO's Report

by Norman Schneiderman

 

By the time you are reading this the rumor mill will be reporting that the lJA's Vegas Winterfest was the best yet, and I haven't even packed my bags to go there! Talk about jet lag!

 

IJA business is running smoothly and finances are in order. The year-end statement which will be published in a condensed form in the next issue of JW is shaping up to be a favorable report. All employees are working hard and diligently to keep the cogs well oiled.

 

I have joined the 21st century by obtaining access to the information highway

(still haven't found a washroom or rest area yet as I zoom down at breakneck speeds!). You can now e-mail me. I have been enjoying the increased contact with jugglers this brings, and the world suddenly seems a lot smaller.

 

As always, you may call write (and now e-mail me) at any time with any questions regarding the administration of the IJA and I will try to respond.