Why I Joined the IJA

I have been an IJA member since I got into juggling in 1993. Why would anyone, especially a non-American resident join the IJA?

For a foreign member who doesn't travel to the IJA conventions, the main tangible benefit is the magazine (the roster isn't worth so much to most people). Juggle Magazine (and Juggler's World before it) is a well put-together journal of the world of juggling. There are conventions reviews, teaching sections, profiles of performers, book/video/prop reviews, historical information, photos, cartoons, essays on various topics from performance to math theory, and much much more. What does it offer that the Internet can't? It's really hard to express but I value printed magazines (Kaskade, as well). The writing is a bit more formal (and accurate) and it's written more thoughtfully than the lines people whip out on the Net. I'm fairly obsessed with juggling so I own every back issue of the magazines that they had available.

But my membership is much more than just a magazine subscription. I support the IJA because it's important that there's an organization for juggling. The basic mission of the IJA is "to render assistance to jugglers." Although I love juggling and improving my skills, it's a very important personal goal of mine to help jugglers and improve the state of juggling in the world (through websites, organizing conventions, contributions to rec.juggling, work at my local juggling clubs, and other outlets).

The IJA is for jugglers and by jugglers and therefore I know that not only is it going to do a lot of good, I can be a part of the action. As a member I can join committees, help at conventions, and volunteer on other projects for the good of jugglerkind. For the less involved, emailing in ideas or opinions can help make the juggling world a better place. Even for the non-activist, sending in dues certainly helps.

I also support the concept of a big convention which provides things that other conventions can't provide like world-class shows, workshops with some of the biggest names in juggling, and, of course, the competitions. The IJA puts out a wonderful set of videos every year chronicling the convention as a whole as well as a video (or sometimes 2) of the juggling competitions.

The IJA has a few other main benefits which are advantageous. They are accumulating a valuable historical archive which is preserving information about the art. The non-profit status of the organization can be harnessed to help smaller groups such as regional convention organizers and juggling clubs. Another advantage of a large organization is that it might eventually provide other services like liability insurance for performers or event organizers. All in all, there's a lot happening and potential for even more.

I've supported the IJA through many hard times and am optimistic that it will become a truly respectable organization that will everyone will be proud to be a part of.

Visit the IJA website.