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Daeld New user So far, I have about 84 Posts 
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I'm an amateur magician living in a city without a magic club (nearest one is an hour's flight away) and not even a magic shop!
For years I have mainly done close-up cards/coins/mentalism for family, friends, work-mates, random strangers, etc, but I'm starting to branch out to other things like IT, rope, fire, stage, etc. My question is this. Is membership in the I.B.M. worth it for someone like me (or with what info you have of me)? I'm guessing that the only real advantage is the magazine (and perhaps whenever I visit a city with a ring in it). How good is the mag? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks. |
hugmagic Inner circle 7665 Posts
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I would say yes it is worth it. The SAM is also worthwhile.
The Linking Ring has some of the best magic in it's trick parades. It also has a lot of other areas that may interest you. I would suggest that if you are on the fence about it you can do a couple of things. One write the main office and ask for a sample copy of the magazine. Or buy some older issues off the big auction site and decide for yourself. To me it is worth it but it is up to everyone's personal tastes. Richard
Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com email-hugmagic@raex.com Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's. |
Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts
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Personally I think the Linking Ring is the worst magazine out there at the moment. It's stuck in the past and could really use a face lift. Mr. Close has really done a bang up job on MUM. It's an outstanding magazine now and can hold it's own with Genii and MAGIC. Linking Ring just sort of seems to plod along. The brief time I was an IBM member I didn't even take the magazine as I knew I wouldn't ever read it.
Since you're not near any Assemblies or Rings. Membership in either organization for you will be little more than a magazine subscription. So go with the magazine you like the most.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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Daeld New user So far, I have about 84 Posts
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Two opinions like fire and ice! I appreciate both. Thanks.
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weidhaas Loyal user 271 Posts
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There are other benefits besides the magazines:
if you are a performer, there is insurance. The IBM has a quick website creator for your own site. SAM has a find a magician search engine There is the prestige of belonging to the largest (or oldest) magic organization. Savings in way of discounts if you attend another club lecture or function and the Annual convention. Access to an online library of past issues. Access to other members knowledge in web forums (SAM has SAMtalk, IBM has ring 2100). SAM has blogs online by famous magi; IBM has posts and news on their website. They support youth in magic There are scholarships to attend magic camps Magic week PR to keep magic in the minds of prospective clients SAM has the Houdini Fund that supports fellow magicians in time of need, such as Katrina and Sandy I enjoy reading both magazines. There are ups and downs, but in the long run, I always get at least 1 thing worthwhile every issue. You might be a full-time performer, or a part-time pro, or a hobbiest, but we are all students of magic. For me, it boils down to this, if you are a serious student of magic, you should belong to both the IBM and the SAM. Around $100 annual dues for both is less then $10 a month - 2 cups of Starbucks. Join them both. 20 years from now, you will be very glad you did. Mark Weidhaas Co-Chair of the IBM/SAM 2014 Combined Convention |
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Daeld New user So far, I have about 84 Posts
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Thanks for that! A lot more than I had considered.
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napbargasperez New user 9 Posts
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Well you have to be in it to know its benefits! I would say I have mine that lasted a long time!
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Thetruthteller New user 93 Posts
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Quote:
On 2013-03-21 19:41, weidhaas wrote: Which is good because the magazine isn't all that hot. Quote:
if you are a performer, there is insurance. Most club members don't perform professionally so they aren't in need of the insurance. Plus from what I've heard the insurance isn't all that good. It's only for a million dollars for everyone. A single pot from which everyone draws. So if two people in the same year have a claim for over a million dollars (not all that much in todays economy) the insurance isn't going to cover both of them. Quote:
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Daeld New user So far, I have about 84 Posts
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Even more to think about! Thanks
Gibeciere sound good, I'll take a look. |
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weidhaas Loyal user 271 Posts
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Some clarifications to Thetruthtellers comments:
Insurance is necessary if you perform in schools and larger venues. The price is astronomical if you do not get group coverage. The SAM policy (what I have) is for $3 Million per event and $5 Million per year. I cannot recall last time IBM raised its dues. The SAM raised their dues about 9 years ago due to the cost of the magazine. The electronic/paperless membership is a price decrease. Conventions are to be self-supporting, and in the case of the 2008 Combined Convention, brought in over $50,000 into the general fund where new member benefits could be developed. Gibeciere membership appears to be the same as membership to both the IBM and SAM combined. It does offer historic magazines, but does not include the most recent 3-5 years. Better magazines? Not according to this post: http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......m=197&11 Local clubs do get benefits for affiliating - see the other post I made in a previous thread. Stan Allen, Rrchard Kaufman, Bill Kalush are all members of both organizations. Thetruthteller is not a member, so his or her information may.be outdated - and since not a member, he or she has not seen a recent issue of the magazines. |
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Thetruthteller New user 93 Posts
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Quote:
On 2013-03-25 02:41, weidhaas wrote: that's the SAM insurance policy. which seems to be a lot better than the IBM's. The IBM plan is still a Million dollars, at least according to their website General Aggregate - $2,000,000 Products & Completed Operation Aggregate - $1,000,000 Personal & Advertising Injury - $1,000,000 Each Occurrence - $1,000,000 Fire Damage (Any one fire) - $50,000 Medical Payments (Any one person) - $5,000 They have at least increased the general Aggregate to two million so a single claim of a million doesn't wipe out the pot for everyone else. Performers insurance isn't all that expensive these days. There are plenty of agencies on the Web offering coverage at rates very competitive to the IBM's and SAM's policies. Some home owners insurance will even put a rider on their policy to cover performers for an additional fee. [quote] I cannot recall last time IBM raised its dues. {/quote] That would be 2007. they went up $10.00. And as stated part of the reason was for "Notice that we are now offering $5,000.00 for both the Gold Cups and the Gold Medal for our contest. The chance of winning a bigger pot is much more appealing to contestants. This reward should draw a higher caliber of contestants." http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......orum=196 In my opinion a poor reason to ding the national membership. Quote:
It is a matter of opinion. I've never liked the magazine and find the digest format off putting. But then I don't read the magazines for the club reports or tricks. But for the news and interviews. So Genii and MAGIC are all I really need, or have the time to read. And yes, I've seen recent editions of the magazine and again, in my opinion, it is still on the bottom of the magic magazine list. Quote:
None that I've ever been made aware of. There are possible benefits for the individual in belonging to SAM or IBM. But the club, or at least the club I belong to, has received no benefit from being affiliated. which is the reason why many of its current members are looking into ceasing the affiliation with the national organization and returning to being an independent club once again |
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GreenEggs New user Why have I got 65 Posts
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Another advantage is lecture discounts. I travel a lot for work and when on the road, I find the local IBM ring, and when they have lectures at the meetings, I play less for the lecture.
Hope that helps, Sam |
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Posted: Mar 21, 2013 12:28 am 
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