How to Start a New KIDabra Chapter

Have you ever thought:
"How would I go about starting a new KIDabra Chapter in my area?"

Well it's not hard to do. The most important key is to take action and just do it.

The only requirement for having an official "KIDabra Local Chapter" is to have seven (7) KIDabra International Members.

First: The Coordinator must be KIDabra International member.

For obvious reasons, if you are coordinator of getting a Local Chapter started, you should first be a member of KIDabra International. One must believe in themselves before they can convince others of joining.

Choose a Meeting Location:

This can be in someone's home, a local VFW, Firehouse, American Legion, Police Officer's Lodge, a Church, etc.

If you can get an organization to sponsor you for 10 months with an offer to do a free Holiday magic show to the local kids, that that would be great. (You could even do an ICE CREAM social for that organization and they could even make a profit validating a great relationship for a long time to come.)

Do you need to be members of KIDabra International to get started?:

No, because by habit, people need to visually see and feel good about something before they buy it.

Gather a group of individuals who have a STRONG desire to entertain kids. You can find them at local SAM, IBM, Clown Ally, or any other magic club or organization in your area. If you attend local clown or magic convention, seek out individuals who would be interested in joining.

Some local newspapers may allow you to place a free/low-cost ad and you ask for individuals who are interested in performing children's magic.

When guests get to the local meeting you would have KIDabra International membership applications in hand and a 3x5 index card to get their name, address, and email address. Email them and a postcard if possible of the next meeting one-week before the meeting date.

Meeting Format::

Well, there is no "cookie-cutter" format that is perfect, however, there are some actions which could make a meeting successful.

• Choose a day of the week that is best for you
  
• Meet 10 Months (None in July or August) KIDabra International meets in August
  
• Be excited about the meeting (Excitement breeds excitement...Enthusiasm breeds Enthusiasm)
  
• Focus Meeting on a single topic
  
• Set hours from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
  
• Keep Business portion of meeting to no more than 30 minutes. (Introduce new members and guests)
  
• Select something they can take home with them. (How-to, a Easy to do routine, Conversion of existing effect, etc.)
  
• Ask others if they would perform a routine, effect or lecture at the meeting.
  
• Have a pre-selected Marketing topic and discuss this topic for about 30 minutes.
  
• Have a plan and plan for success. It will happen.
  

It’s really that simple. The key is to DO, …not ask open-ended questions, like “Well, what should we have next month?”.

Become a KIDabra Chapter:

When you get seven (7) KIDabra International members, apply for a Chapter number.

Will this new organization conflict with other magic organizations?:

Most likely NO, because clubs like SAM and IBM have a variety of different topics which are not focused on children entertainment. There lectures generally do not focus on children magic, but card magic, mentalism, contests, banquets, etc. (Maybe one meeting for children entertainers)

The KIDabra Chapter will support the other organizations and eventually, when they realize you are not a threat to their existence, they will support you. This never happened to KIDabra Local Chapter #1. The other organizations are solidly established and no-threat existed. Each meeting they welcome comments from our meeting and news of the KIDabra International Conference in August.

Your KIDabra Chapter strictly focuses on KIDshow and family entertainment.

What are some good Topics for meetings?:

Below is a sample meeting agenda, More can be found on the KIDabra International Website Forum:

• September: Guest Lecturer (This is a draw for new members)
  
• October: Halloween Magic for Kids
  
• November: Holiday Magic for Kids
  
• December: Social Night with a Kids Show (Holiday Party)
  
• January: Kids Close-Up Magic
  
• February: Daycare Shows, School Shows or Birthday Party Show Development
  
• March: Audience Participation Techniques
  
• April: Marketing Schools, Daycare and Library Shows.
  
• May: Easy to perform Puppetry with CDs
  
• June: "Look No See" Routines
  
• July: No-Meeting, Vacation season
  
• August: Plan to attend KIDabra International
  

There are so many more meeting topics, just click on the link and set a yearly schedule. Magicians will come if you spark their mind into receiving good information, good marketing tips, good routines, free items, and a friendly environment. One month could even be set up as a club fundraiser.

Hopefully, the above will get you started on your way to monthly fun, excitement, and useful magic you can do to add that extra cash into your pockets.

If you have any questions, please PM or Email me.

Dennis Michael
Chapter Development Coordinator