From: miguel@aclcb.purdue.edu (PHILLIP_SANMIGUEL)
Subject: Re: How to run a Juggling Club (what they tell me)
Reply-To: miguel@aclcb.purdue.edu
Organization: Purdue University AIDS Center
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 14:35:58 GMT

In article <1992Sep9.222813.2774@wuecl.wustl.edu>, jhk1@cec1.wustl.edu (Jonathan Howard Krivitzky) writes:
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>	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.

	I can imagine a fest costing this much to host -- but the Purdue 
fest, for example, costs nothing near this.  Being a Purdue club entitles 
us to reserve space in the campus -- pretty much for free.  In our case we 
reserve the Purdue Armory.  That leaves the mailing (some clubs actually 
skip this step -- but I would not recomend it) of flyers.  Put an 
announcement in Jugglers World (free), announce the fest on rec.juggling 
(free) send off to vendors for raffle prizes (the price of stamps).
	T-shirts can be costly -- but better to only buy a few and sell out.
Or buy none -- Dayton has a great fest and they don't have t-shirts.  Ann 
Arbor didn't have a new shirt last year.  Akron hasn't had a new shirt in 
all the time I've gone there.
	Dayton found out that local businesses could be easily persuaded to 
sponsor the event to the level that they would print and pay for (I think 
I've got this right) the mailing.  Of course there was some advertising 
for these businesses involved.
	What you need the most is a good location -- i.e., one surrounded 
by jugglers.  Also a good place to juggle.  If you have that, then you 
should be able to put on a fairly economical fest.  
	Fests are expensive in terms of time and hassles.  To have a decent 
fest you do have to invest much time.  But this is the part which is 
"pulling the club together", right?  But it is nothing to consider doing 
lightly.
	
	About making money from the fest...  I, personally, have nothing 
against this -- but then I'm not a student with a very limited cash flow.  
Many jugglers are.  I find it unpleasant to go to a fest that charges large 
(i.e. $10-$15) addmission fees, because many of my buddies will be crying 
and moaning about this the entire fest.  Also, if even the slightest thing 
goes wrong the jugglers will feel very ripped-off.
	Our fest was free this year -- and I do mean free.  Free 
registration, one free raffle ticket for registering, pop sold at cost, a 
free public show, a free party with free pop, chips and beer.  We sold t-
shirts and extra raffle tickets.  When all the dust settles the club will 
be out less than $200.  
	


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