From: jhk1@cec1.wustl.edu (Jonathan Howard Krivitzky)
Subject: How to run a Juggling Club (what they tell me)
Organization: Washington University, St. Louis MO
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1992 22:28:13 GMT




	Hello again.  About a week ago I made a post concerning the
overwhelming support for a juggling group on campus.  I asked for helpful
suggestions and supportive comments towards running a club.  I received
numerous replies, all welcome and appreciated.
	I also had one request that I post a summary of what I received so
that other can benefit from the information I received.  Here is that summary.
Special thanks to John Eric Sanders, Jody Lynn DeLong, David Naylor, Travis
Bear, and Ed Carstens for offering their help and advice.

	The most important function of the juggling club is to have regular
meetings.  They must be _very_ regular so that people know where to go and
how to get there every week.  If it rains or when it becomes to cold to be
outside, an indoor place must be decided upon.
	Weather permitting, the meetings should be in a very visible place
(around student housing, on main campus) so that people who aren't in the
group can witness the group and the club gets some free publicity.  Also
this is an effective way to attract new members to the group.
	Meetings are the integral part of the club.  Some people say there
should be two meetings a week, others one.  The frequency of the meetings
should depend on the interest of the members. 
        Meetings should attempt to involve every single  member who attends
the meeting.  This includes the serious jugglers who only need a few hours and
a high ceiling, but more importantly, the non-experienced jugglers who wish
to learn.  The latter is the most important for gathering and keeping new
members.  To teach new members, people must be willing (probably the officers)
to teach the "newbies" how to get started.  If you can get a new person
excited about juggling, you've got them hooked.
	The next most important thing about the meetings is supplying
enough props.  EVERY effort must be made to gather as much balls, clubs,
beanbags, and other equipment as possible at the meetings.  After all, new
jugglers can't learn if they have nothing to practice with.
	At the meetings, it is important to emphasize the point that this
is supposed to be FUN.  Juggling, despite the heavy involvement of people
like myself, is a recreational activity.  The intent of the club is not
only  to juggle, but to get t know other people as well.  I had a suggestion
for name tags at the first meeting.  If this is not possible, at least make
sure all people are introduced.
	I had several suggestions as to events the juggling club could
have.  Several people suggested video nights for both non-club members and
club members.  Popular movies could be shown, or just juggling videos of
the virtuosos.  Either way, a video is a great way to get people together.
	I also had many people mention putting on a show.  This involves the
group in a common goal and allows each mamber to be a part of the event.
Even if it just means throwing clubs into a pattern or standing between two
jugglers, everyone can participate.  It also advertises the group and
attracts new members.
	I had one suggestion that the group shoud sponsor a full blown
convention.  This is the most costly but the most effective way of
bringing the group together.  The figure quoted to me was between $1500 and
$2000 dollars.   Although the cost is tremendous, a convention actually
raises money for the group and helps to sponsor the next convention.
	As to the executive responsibilities, it was made clear that whoever
is in charge must be able to contact the members of the group easily.  Some
suggested a newsletter.  Email was also cited as a powerful and FREE mode
of communication.
	In conclusion, I would like to thank again all the people who
helped me out.  I'm feeling really great about the club and about the rest of
the year.
	Thanks again!
	-- Jon Krivitzky