How do I join?
- You must have a sincere interest in the performance, history and/or collection of magic memorabilia and magic effects.
- You must join the International organization, International Brotherhood of Magicians
- You must perform at least once at a club meeting*
- You must be voted in by the existing club members (don't worry, this sounds scarier than it is)
* The objective is that you demonstrate some skill and/or knowledge about magic. It doesn't have to be a polished routine. As an example, I joined by doing a simple card trick.
What is the cost?
In addition to the initial and annual costs to be an I.B.M. member, you must also pay annual dues to the Ring. There are two levels of membership - Active and Junior. For the "Use of the Hall," the Mission Oaks Community Center also has a $15.00 annual membership.
Active Membership
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and become and maintain Active Membership in the International Brotherhood of Magicians. Dues for Ring 192 are $25.00 and are due annually in January. For members joining in the last half of the year (June - December), dues are prorated to $15.00 for the first year. Active members may vote, hold office, and participate in all club functions.
Junior Membership
Applicants must be at least 12 years old, but less than 18 years old and become and maintain Junior Membership in the International Brotherhood of Magicians. Dues for Ring 192 are $15.00 and are due annually in January. For members joining in the last half of the year (June – December), dues are prorated to $10.00 for the first year. Junior members are allowed to participate in all Junior member activities, all Ring 192 open sessions and competitions. Junior members will be allowed to participate in certain closed sessions by invitation only. For example, the Inner Circle of Magic (see "What is a typical meeting like?").For liability purposes, all Junior members must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
What happens with the Dues?
We use the dues to hire professional lecturers, pay for supplies related to the club (such as office supplies), rent rooms for special events, and sponsor prizes for contests. Members of the club often enjoy discounted entrance to the lectures and sometimes free entrance to special events.
Who are the professional lecturers and how often?
We have had the following in the last several years: Jay Scott Berry, Jay Sankey, Joshua Jay, Jim Jays, Cellini, Docc Hilford, Bob Sheets and others.
Normally, we sponsor from 2 to 5 outside lectures per year.
Is this a secret society?
No! However, we do keep secrets! To join I.B.M., you agree to follow I.B.M.'s Code of Ethics. On May 8, 1993, the I.B.M. Board of Directors approved the following Code of Ethics jointly with the Society of American Magicians. This was the result of a cooperative effort to work together for the betterment of magic.
All members of the International Brotherhood of Magicians agree to:
- Oppose the willful exposure to the public of any principles of the Art of Magic, or the methods employed in any magic effect or illusion.
- Display ethical behavior in the presentation of magic to the public and in our conduct as magicians, including not interfering with or jeopardizing the performance of another magician either through personal intervention or the unauthorized use of another's creation.
- Recognize and respect for rights of the creators, inventors, authors, and owners of magic concepts, presentations, effects and literature, and their rights to have exclusive use of, or to grant permission for the use by others of such creations.
- Discourage false or misleading statements in the advertising of effects, and literature, merchandise or actions pertaining to the magical arts.
- Discourage advertisement in magic publications for any magical apparatus, effect, literature or other materials for which the advertiser does not have commercial rights.
- Promote the humane treatment and care of livestock used in magical performances.
What is a typical meeting like?
- Meetings begin at 7:00 PM.
- We generally average from 10 to 25 people present (more at special events).
- Membership age range varies from 12 to 80.
- The first half hour is a closed session (active members only) and is used to conduct business (let people know about club activities, club status, allow the members to share information about resources and events of general interest to the club).
- At 7:30, we have our open session (open to all members and guests) where the magic happens! Members who want to perform, put their name on a sign-up sheet. Performing is not required except for when you join the club (see "How do I join?" above). Generally there is a performance theme for the open meeting but it is NOT necessary to perform an effect that is in keeping with the theme. On most nights when members perform, an award is given to one or more of the perfomers.
- At 8:30, the meeting is once again closed (active members only) as we hold our "Inner Circle of Magic." This is where we share information and conduct workshops.
- After the formal meeting some of the members are in the habit of retiring to one of our local coffee shops to continue our discussions and have dinner/dessert - sometimes into the wee hours of the morning!