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amakar Loyal user 235 Posts |
What experiences have you had fixing clubs in a decline?
Several years ago, we had a very strong club. Membership was over 50 reoccurring members each meeting. Teach A Trick sessions, collaboration, and fun were found among the club members. Without getting into too many details that would spark a flame on the board, cliques emerged, strict parliamentary procedure was followed, business meetings dragged on, and in general people voted with their feet and stopped attending. It was no longer important to encourage each other to learn more about magic. It was more about debating what we were going to eat each month and was every decision voted upon. Consequently, the club membership dwindled. I was one of the many who left the local organization. Consequently, I also left the National active membership. A number of the members who left wouldn't mind starting another assembly and keep the old traditions alive. Have you seen this situation before? How have you fixed it? Andy P.S. For the members who coincidentally read this post and are from that assembly, I'd be interested in discussing your perspective. |
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Father Photius Grammar Host El Paso, TX (Formerly Amarillo) 17161 Posts |
This sort of thing unfortunately happens in magic organizations as it does in others. There is no rule against starting a new club, especially if the old one doesn't seem to be fixable. I'd recommend starting a local magic club first then later deciding whether to affiliate as an assembly or a ring. Sometimes by-laws can be written to limit some of the bad things that can happen in clubs, but the main thing that makes them go wrong in the first place is that the majority gives the power to a minority group, then by apathy fails to do anything against the moves of the minority, thus the minority rules, and the majority walks.
"Now here's the man with the 25 cent hands, that two bit magician..."
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
Our local KIDabra group opted to handle all local business via email...leaving the monthly gatherings for education, problem solving and networking. We have members traveling up to two hours for these gatherings. We want every one to be productive and worthwhile.
The local IBM Ring and SAM Assembly still hold their business meetings at the start of the gathering...but they strictly limit all business sessions to 30 minutes. Skip
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
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mrunge Inner circle Charleston, SC 3716 Posts |
Hi Andy,
We had that same problem in my area, not with the SAM (there is no Assembly in our area), but with that other club. What did we do??? Exactly what Photius suggested. We left that Ring and started our own club. We are not affiliated with any organization, although many in our club are members of National organizations. Myself? I belong to both the SAM and IBM at the National level and do my own thing at the local level. What was the result? It was the best decision we ever made. We actually support each other, no ego's are allowed, we created our own Constitution (as we wanted it) and generally have a great time. We have been involved in several community outreach events, have hosted lectures from the "Pro's", held open magic shows for the public (was written up in our local paper as a result) and actually learn lot's of magic each month from each other. Give it a try. Contact a few of your "magical" friends and start your own meeting. Set your ground rules on the front end and stick to them. The main thing is to have fun, learn from (and teach) each other, and enjoy getting together. After all, it's a magic club and is supposed to be fun! Mark. http://www.RMSMagic.com |
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amakar Loyal user 235 Posts |
We actually started our own informal club a few years back and it is actually much better than the local assembly debacle. Today we meet at a restaurant once a week and it is very casual with no rules / no business...just a bunch of magicians eating, drinking, and sessioning.
Actually, it is much more than that since Ron Bauer (www.thinklikeaconjurer.com) frequently attends and contributes his experience to the group. Milt Kort and Bob Longe frequently attended before they passed on. We would never have that kind of experience in the previous club. We get a good number of the old SAM guys, the meeting is actually better than the original club, although the size is smaller. It is amazing how a small minority can ruin the majority. People vote with their feet...hence the decline. |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
The best way to fix a bad club is to be active in it. Fight fire with fire.
1) Study Parliamentary Procedure, so you know your onions. 2) Do whatever it takes to be elected to the board of the club. 3) Once you are in and established as one of "their" members, suggest to them that they have a separate board meeting to take care of all the niggling stuff that keeps members away. If that doesn't work, then start your own club. If you live in a major metropolitan area, go to a suburb to start a new assembly. When you start it, set it up so the business meetings are done by the board -- see the thread I posted this to earlier. This works and it works well.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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MintonMagic Regular user South Lyon, Michigan 131 Posts |
Sounds like what I am going through! I am thinking about starting a new local club...
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Small magic man New user 5 Posts |
Yes, should get the new local club will better!
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thumbslinger Elite user This is a good number: 458 Posts |
It's a shade of what happened at the Magic Castle when I was there. Many of the above suggestions happened at various levels. The cliques ran high but luckily, there were many cliques!
Now, it seems to be a little more solid. From my limited viewpoint, not like it was a couple of years ago, but not bad. We just moved to Austin, Tx and I'm in the midst of finding out my dues as a non-resident so there's still some heart left in it for me.
Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed and Tommy Emmanuel are all you need to study to learn to play guitar.
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Mozart New user Rochester, MN 80 Posts |
We're running into the same problem. A once-great assembly is in danger of dissolving because of apathy and a lack of membership. Our solution is to employ basic marketing techniques to attract new membership (free community calendar ads word-of-mouth, bring a friend, etc.) We're also trying to produce a community performance to give the group a common goal to work toward. If anyone can suggest other avenues to pursue - I'd appreciate the advice.
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djrdjr Loyal user Austin, TX 226 Posts |
Hey Thumbslinger … welcome to Austin!
--Dale. |
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mystic shriner New user Midwest, USA 64 Posts |
Great advice on this thread!
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
One thing that all the clubs must do, and quickly, is to figure out how to market club membership to all of those who have learned their basics from DVD's purchased from mail order houses and web sites. Because of a number of ill-informed statements by a rather prominent busker on this very forum, many of the new magicians are under the impression that both national organizations are rife with corruption and do nothing to teach magic.
One SAM member in Florida carried this to an extreme during the 1970's with a campaign to attract all of the oldies in the St. Pete area to the clubs. He increased membership quickly, but the new members were not interested in anything they had to practice. So they stayed for about a year, then left. The new crop of magicians that we haven't tapped are different from this. They want to learn. They need guidance. And some of them have some great ideas. If you can go out and bring some of these people in, you can help your club grow and you can help these new guys learn some magic.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Craig Dickson Veteran user Pleasant Valley, NY 353 Posts |
Great advice Bill, as always. We had that problem, and it cycles everywhere. One thing I did was hook up with an adult education evening program at a High School in our area. What it did was draw in people with more that a mere curiosity, but willing to learn. Of the initial 10 students, 9 joined the SAM, and 4 went on to running the assembly. I passed the baton on for the adult education course some 15 years ago, and the gentleman I passed it onto is still teaching it. Other assemblies have members doing the same, with similar results, if they are interested, they want more.
We also went to regional conventions and met with other assemblies, set up exchange nights, and when we could, co-sponsored some lectures, workshops etc. This was great where neither had the funds to afford all the expenses, but combined it worked for everyone. We did this not only with SAM Assemblies but IBM Rings as well, which is a no brainer. The younger magicians need to feel welcomed, which doesn't happen all the time. As a dealer I notice other dealers blowing them off for things like "stupid questions". Heck I learn more from young performers than old fools. But that is the future of magic.
Craig R Dickson
Website: www.wizardcraft.com Blog: http://wizardcraftmagic.blogspot.com Magicalendar: http://allmagicguide.com/c.html |
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housermagic New user In the mountains 71 Posts |
We have, locally, an independent magic club and a SAM Assembly It is rumored that there is also an IBM Ring in the works. I am a member of the independent group.
I agree that sometimes it is better to have an independent group for those not happy with the local ring/assembly, or those who do not wish to become affiliated with a ring/assembly. My two cents worth. Bill |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
There are four magic clubs in the Greater Houston area. We have IBM Ring 39, SAM Assembly 19, SAM Assembly 111 and the Houston Association of Magicians. We also have a number of independent groups.
One thing that can cut into attendance is that some hobbyists (note spelling. This is the correct way to spell hobbyist.) restrict themselves to one meeting a month. So, if you want them to come to your meetings, you need to provide them with something worthwhile. Lectures, door prizes, contests, mini lectures and a performance venue, however humble, will all help meet the needs.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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rick727 Regular user Houston, TX, USA 188 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-12-10 13:08, Bill Palmer wrote: Bill, One of the reason that hobbyists / semi-pros (such as myself) only come to one meeting a month is because that is all we have time for. Houston has 4 clubs, but there is no way I could attend 4 meetings a month. Heck, sometimes I can't even attend the 1 meeting a month for the club of which I am a member (SAM 19 / HAOM). Be careful when considering to start another club. Too much of a good thing can be bad. Personal note to Bill Palmer: I will not be at the next SAM 19/HAOM meeting (Jan 8, 2007) - I will be in Florida on a business trip
Practice what you present.
Present what you practice. |
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truthteller Inner circle 2584 Posts |
A note re: Parliamentary procedure-
I am not interested in being on a board of directors for a company, nor am I interested in being a Senator. What I want from a magic meeting is, well, magic. I have seen very good clubs nearly killed because of too much business. At one club, one of the old timers and myself used to stand up in the middle of the business part of the meeting, clap our hands and say, "Ok, time for the magic." We, essentially, took away the conch. Was it appropriate? Well, yes. A 45 minute business meeting was not what anyone signed up for and had we not said something it could have easily gone on for an hour or more. While it is critical that the club have a plan, and something scheduled to present for the meeting, I think most people (at least of my generation and younger) have no desire to "play politics" in any form. Parliamentary procedure is fine for the executive committee (and I think that was the point to which Bill was alluding), but keep it out of the main meeting. We're here for the magic. Brad |
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JohntheMagician Regular user Mechanicsburg, PA 157 Posts |
I am currently serving my first term as President of our local joint SAM/IBM Ring, and here are a few things that I learned in my rise thru the ranks from New Guy to El President.
1. Respect Everyone’s Point of View ~ Even if you don't agree with it, this is especially true if serving on a Board or Officer position. 2. Always Be Available ~ Have a way for the members in your group to contact you 3. Treat Everyone As An Equal ~ From the guy who just learned a double lift to the guy who can do a 4ft Muscle Pass, everyone is there because they love Magic. 4. Keep the Business End Short ~ We have separate Board Meetings and our monthly Group meeting has about 10 min worth of Business items then BOOM off to the Magic part. 5. You Can't Please Everyone ~ That’s not to say don't try, but in the end you may lose 1 or 2 people if they feel for whatever reason their needs are not met. 6. Never Loose Sight ~ You’re all there for a reason, and that is a strong bond, build on it and it will grow That’s my $.02
“The hard must become habit. The habit must become easy. The easy must become beautiful.” ~ Doug Henning
<BR>____________________________________________ <BR>WWW.ILLUSIONDELUSION.COM |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-12-16 23:41, rick727 wrote: I understand that kind of situation, and it's not uncommon. And, of course, it is unavoidable. But it wasn't what I was referring to. For example, several of our members are very committed to their families, so they have chosen to attend one magic meeting or event per month. there is nothing wrong with that at all. In fact, I applaud that. (Not that I am the great judge of why someone should go to a magic club meeting!) But if you want people to come to your club meetings, you have to market your club to them. I'm retired, so I don't have any particular pressure on me not to attend a meeting. But I missed almost two months of meetings recently because of a very difficult translation project that had a deadline of April 30, which I was able to meet.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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