From: vogelges@bohr.physics.purdue.edu (Ralf Vogelgesang)
Newsgroups: rec.juggling
Subject: on how to keep new members
Date: 11 Sep 92 05:40:36 GMT
Organization: Purdue University Physics Department


  Having been at Purdue for a year now, I think, I can add some
first hand info on how a "novice" feels when joining a juggling
club...

  Because I'm still a member, I must have been able to juggle
a three cascade before I joined the club-- according to Phil's
theory.  And right he is!  I learned it a long time ago from
a friend, who basically identified "juggling" with doing the
three ball cascade... She was satisfied with being able to do
that.  When I was playing around to "find more" (columns, reverse
cascade, half shower, cascade while lying on the floor; now I
do know the names...) she was not interested at all to follow.

  Once arrived at Purdue, I wanted to "do something different".
Occasionally I saw some club members passing clubs.  It was
fascinating.  I wanted to join.  Wanted to be able "to do that",
as well.

  I distinctly remember the first evening I had to bring myself
through that door to the "Armory", where the club's practicing
-- I stopped and actually had to push myself into it.  And then
inside the building; yes, it was intimidating to see some of those
people juggling 5 things *just* to warm up for 7.  And literally
everbody could pass clubs.

  But really, that was not so much of a problem.  I regarded their
abilities more as a challenge.  I don't believe in "I can't do
that".  It's only a matter of time till I get it down-- that's
my kind of attitude.

  A much bigger problem was to realize that it would be a lonely
trip to learn the basics.  At least till I was able to do some
club passing.  The old members seemed to gain lots of fun out of
passing.  I simply was unable to participate.  Now, that's shaking
your confidence.  And if at this point someone gives you the
impression that he "has to slow down for you" if you ask him
to practice passing-- that can be so embarrassing.

  Did you realize?  Nobody wants to work on balls, unless he or
she's into numbers.  Can you still imagine how it feels when all you
can do is balls?  And then try and ask someone if he wants to
pass-- balls!

  I felt like there wasn't really much to do for me but to practice
alone.  Hardly anyone seemed to be interested in teaching me.  Maybe
they did not know what?  Maybe they had better things to do, I can't
tell.  (Certainly it had to do with my rather quiet personality at that
time.  Since I came to the states I'm changing quite a bit.)

  Fortunately I became interested in something else that isn't
really popular in our club.  It helped me quite a bit to find out
that I was able to do some tricks with the devil stick that nobody
else (around here) could do (at that time).  Chances are much bigger
to find "completely new" tricks if you don't pick up clubs!  And
doing so assures you of your own abilities.

     *     *     *

  Meanwhile I developed my skills to a point that I can comfortably
join a feed (being fed, still; but -- to be able to feed is just
a matter of time, and lots of practice :)  Those "gods" of juggling
have become pretty normal people.  My first impression that "everyone
of them can do everything" was disproved!  Maybe I shouldn't say that,
but it feels good when you learn, that you can idle on the uni and
someone else can't.  Of course, there are still tons of things he can
do that you can't.

  I think that's an important thing.  To not frustrate new people
with your overwhelmingly versatile skills.

  If you are truly interested in holding newcomers then you are up
to make them become someone like you.  You can do a lot that they
can't.  But it must be your ultimate goal to make them learn some-
thing you can't do!

  How to do that?  I don't have any 'recipies'.  But there are a
couple things that I noticed make it easier on the 'learning'
side:
	*  mention well done tricks, be silent about 'mistakes'
	(unless these become a bad habit)

	*  recognize and emphasize development, even the smallest
	steps taken can be worthwhile mentioning.

	*  display your own limits.  Try to not establish your role
	as an omniscient and omnipotent teacher. (Try not to be pushed
	into it either)

	*  be patient.  Don't stop coming up to new people, if you
	feel that they are a bit shy, until you see them asking
	people actively.  I guess you remember those times when you
	where sitting in class, completely lost, and you couldn't even
	think of what to ask...
	And -maybe even more difficult- try and find the right time
	when to quit 'teaching'.

	*  push the novice to be inventive.  Encourage learning
	tricks that you can't do yourself (if interest in such a
	direction is present)

	*  drag him or her into things happening other than just
	meetings:  partys, shows, conventions (my first convention
	gave me a certain thrill!)

	*  a club is not only a number of skilled people, but also
	a social event.  I'm not getting into this (too much to say.)
	I think, I would have a very hard time getting into 'your'
	club at IU, Steve.  Somewhere I have to see a place where
	I can be.  Even without expensive props or brilliant routines.

	*  eventually there shouldn't be a learning side and a teaching
	side anymore.

  So much of my $0.02 worth about people joining a juggling club
after they have learned 3 balls.  To keep these, IMHO, one "just" has
to reinforce the excitement they already bring along and to try and not
scare them away.  They shouldn't have to be "tough" to become an accepted
juggling club member.

--Ralf