I.B.M. Ring 362 Policy and Program Manual

The purpose of the Policy and Program Manual is to provide working guidelines to our Ring's Board and Members in order to maintain a consistent direction and focus to Ring activities. The Policies outline a history of thoughtful decisions made by the Ring Board to delegate responsibilities and create actions. They should be helpful in guiding the Ring in future decisions.

The guidelines supplement and help interpret specific working actions to be taken as well as policies that are more broadly outlined in the Constitution and Bylaws. They are not substitutions for either, and in the event of any perceived conflict, the Constitution and Bylaws have precedence over the Policy and Program Manual.

At the end of each year, the Vice President and the Secretary shall review the minutes of actions taken by the Ring Board and Members and incorporate in this manual changes and additions that may be useful to future decisions and actions.

II. Officers

This section details the responsibilities of elected Officers.

President. The President acts as the chief executive and a proactive administrative leader of the Ring.

The President appoints Ring committees and persons (except where otherwise specified in this manual) to Ring responsibilities in consultation with the Board. The President has specific responsibilities outlined elsewhere in this manual to appoint Members to various offices and committees, to assist in the preparation of the Annual Budget, to appoint a committee for the annual Treasury Financial Review, and to serve as a liaison to the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Territorial Vice President.

The President is responsible for keeping the membership informed of decisions by the Board and Ring plans. The President should be a positive force for the Ring, encouraging full membership involvement in Ring activities, preventing and resolving conflicts, and encouraging growth of the Ring and the knowledge and skill of the membership in the magical arts.

Vice President. The Vice President has the following specific responsibilities: updates the Program and Policy Manual every year in conjunction with the Secretary; serves on the Budget Committee; jointly with the President recommends to the Board recipients of Ring Awards and verifies and reconciles Ring bank account statements monthly.

Secretary. The Secretary shall maintain and distribute a true record of the proceedings of all meetings of the Board and of the Ring. The Secretary shall in conjunction with the Vice President update the Policy and Program Manual at the end of each Ring calendar year.

The Secretary shall maintain a record of all Members of the Ring and assist in publication of an accurate Roster of paid Members. The roster of Ring Members and Officers with contact information shall be maintained on the Ring's web site. The Secretary shall process all applications to the Ring and the International Brotherhood of Magicians and be the lead person in answering questions by Ring members and the Board about membership qualifications and dues (see Dues).

It shall be the responsibility of the Secretary to inform Members in a timely way of the date, place and time of each meeting, whether directly or through another Officer, using mail, email or telephone.

In the absence of a Scribe, Editor of the Ring Newsletter, or Webmaster, the Secretary shall assume these duties.

Treasurer. The Treasurer shall maintain a record of income and disbursements and submit at least a bimonthly update of the income and disbursements against the annual budget to the Board twice a year for publication in the Ring Newsletter.

The Treasurer shall submit to designated Ring Officer the monthly bank statements of deposits and disbursements for verification and reconciliation of balances.

The Treasurer shall attempt to recover all bank service charges from Members who have checks returned for insufficient funds.

The Treasurer shall submit the annual reports required to maintain the Ring's Corporate Charter and Not for Profit Status.

The Treasurer shall chair the Budget Committee and in conjunction with its members consisting of the President and Vice President, shall submit an annual budget to the Board at the first meeting following the election. This budget shall be completed by the Treasurer after appropriate review by the Board. Actual expenses vs. budgeted shall be shown in reports in the Ring newsletter at least twice a year.

Sergeant At Arms. The Sergeant At Arms shall admit only paid members or approved guests to Closed Ring meetings or sections of meetings. If the Sergeant At Arms cannot attend a meeting where the Closed Meeting policy is in force, the Sergeant At Arms shall find a substitute or advise the President so that a substitute can be found.

The Sergeant At Arms shall also advise the Board and Members on proper parliamentary procedure during the conduct of meetings, ensuring that proper procedures as defined by Robert's Rules of Order are followed.

Board. The Board shall consist of elected officers and other Ring Members as defined by the Ring Constitution and Bylaws.

III. Committees and Appointments

Scribe. The Ring Scribe shall be appointed by the President annually. The Scribe should follow the general procedures outlined in the International Brotherhood of Magicians' Brochure, Ring Scribes' Guidelines for the Linking Ring.

The Scribe is responsible for submitting Ring reports to The Linking Ring by the deadlines established in that publication. If the Scribe cannot personally submit a report, the Scribe shall find a suitable substitute who will fulfill these duties.

The Scribe shall also submit to The Linking Ring articles on those major Ring activities and events that are acceptable under The Linking Ring editorial guidelines. In the event that the President does not appoint a Scribe, the Secretary shall serve as Scribe.

Editor. The Ring Editor shall be appointed by the President annually and is responsible for the publication of the Ring Newsletter. The final editorial policies are the responsibility of the Board. In the event that the President does not appoint a Editor, the Secretary shall serve as Editor.

Webmaster. The Webmaster shall be appointed by the President annually. The Webmaster is responsible for maintaining and updating the Ring web site. In the event that the President does not appoint a Webmaster, the Secretary shall serve as Webmaster.

Historian. The Historian shall maintain the historical archives and critical permanent records of the Ring.

Financial Review Committee. This Committee shall consist of three members appointed by the President, none of whom have power to withdraw funds from the treasury during the current year (see Treasury Financial Review). If the above criteria were met, desired members on this committee would be those with accounting experience, followed secondly by the President-Elect and the Treasurer-Elect.

Budget Committee. This Committee shall consist of the Treasurer as Chair, the President and Vice President (see Budget).

Contests. The President shall appoint a Chair for the Elliott Card Challenge, the Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition, the Max Malini Parlor Magic Contest, the Nate Leipzig Parlor Magic Contest, and any other contests conducted by the Ring, sufficiently in advance of each contest.

Nominating Committee. This Committee shall be appointed by the President four months before the annual election and shall consist of a minimum of three individuals, who will recommend nominees for each Ring elective office ( President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Sergeant At Arms).

Public Shows. For each Public Show presented by the Ring, there shall be a Public Show Committee. The Public Show Committee, appointed by the President, shall consist of three individuals who will coordinate subcommittees on: 1) Talent Coordination, 2) Publicity and Ticket Sales, and 3) Stage and Theater Management. One of these individuals shall serve as General Show Chair. The subcommittee chairs are responsible for appointing members to their own subcommittees.

The Talent Coordination Subcommittee shall select all the talent for a Public Show obtaining appropriate input from the Board and others prior to their selection. Where possible, winners of the Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition should perform in Public Shows. Generally only Ring members should be used as the talent; however, when deemed desireable by the Talent Coordination Subcommittee nonmembers may be used to add variety to the show or to take advantage of unique available talent. No members shall be paid for performing in Public Shows. Non-members can be paid only with prior approval of the Board.

The Chair of the Talent Coordination Subcommittee, or the General Show Chair, or both, shall have the option of requiring an audition of a performer, in order to determine the suitability of the proposed material, assess technical requirements, or review the quality of the performance, the appearance and costuming of the performer, and the appearance of the performer's props. The audition may be conducted either live in full dress, or reviewed through photographs, technical diagrams, or video, at the discretion of the General Show Chair. The General Show Chair shall generally have the final decision on the inclusion of any act in the show. Members who feel that they have been treated unfairly may appeal to the Board for a review of their case.

The Publicity and Ticket Sales Subcommittee shall have tickets printed and maintain a record of all sales. Where possible, names of ticket purchasers will be recorded for a mailing for future performances. The Publicity and Ticket Sales Subcommittee shall promote shows by assuring that information about the shows appears in newspapers, online events calendars, and other publicity outlets. The Subcommittee shall prepare and distribute posters and flyers, and encourage members to sell tickets. The Subcommittee will make additional publicity press releases or organize publicity stunts as appropriate. This Subcommittee is also responsible to provide personnel for ticket sales at the door on the day of the show, and to prepare a program.

The Stage and Theater Management Subcommittee will assure that there is sufficient and competent staff to handle sound, lights, curtains and backdrops, and other stage crew activities. They will also provide an experienced stage manager. The Subcommittee is responsible to assure that there are sufficient ushers to take tickets and to seat the house. It is mandatory that all those assigned theater activities take the initiative to work with performers to assure proper production values. This Subcommittee is also responsible for the house clean up after the show.

Public Shows provide an opportunity for members to present themselves to the public. While members are not financially compensated for their performances, they can expect to have the opportunity to advertise their availability for paid performances. Members may promote their work during a public show by having contact information or paid ads in the show program, on a lobby card that lists all performers, or in other promotional material distributed before, during, or after the show. Members who have not been selected for the show cast by the Talent Coordination Subcommittee may only distribute promotional materials with the prior consent of the Public Show Committee. All means of promotion shall be subject to the prior approval of the Public Show Committee, with the General Show Chair having final say.

Ring members must have the approval of the Public Show Committee for any performance at a Ring show. Members of the cast of a public show or properly registered contest participants are presumed to have approval. All other Ring members must obtain the prior approval of the General Show Chair.

Public shows will be documented by photography and video recording whenever possible. Ring members and other performers participating in a public Ring show are assumed to consent to photography and video recording. Photographs and video shall be disseminated to Ring members and the general public via publication in the Ring newsletter, The Linking Ring, on the Ring website, and other public resources on the internet. Photographs and video will not be sold for any purpose, and will be made available to Ring members at cost (if any).

Each of the Subcommittee Chairs should develop a calendar of activities and examples of their execution to be placed in a Show file which can be shared with future show planners. They shall also send "thank you" notes to all those who helped. Their responsibility is not ended until this is accomplished.

IV. Newsletter and Web Site

Newsletter. The Ring shall publish a Ring Newsletter at regular intervals that shall be distributed to Members. The Ring Newsletter shall contain a President's column, minutes of recent meetings, Treasurer's reports if available, a calendar of upcoming events, announcements from the Board, and other such items as deemed appropriate by the Board.

In the absence of an Editor or a Publications Committee appointed by the Board, the Ring newsletter shall be prepared by the Secretary.

The Ring's Secretary and Historian shall each maintain a file of past Newsletters in both print and electronic form. Because the Ring Newsletter will be freely available, care shall be taken not to expose the workings of magic effects in the Newsletter.

Web site. The Ring shall maintain a web site that is updated in a timely fashion. The web site shall always contain:

the Ring's Constitution, Bylaws and the Policy and Program Manual
current information on the date and location of Ring Meetings and other events
a current roster of Board and Members with contact information
a complete archive of the minutes of all regular and executive meetings and Ring reports
a complete file of Treasurer's Reports
a complete file of all Contest winners and Award recipients
the Hire a Magician page with paid ads
other such items as deemed necessary by the Board

In the absence of a Webmaster or a Web Site Committee appointed by the President, the Ring's web site shall be maintained by the Secretary.

V. Calendar

This section details events that occur throughout the year. As the new Ring develops a history, some of these events will regularly occur at specific times of the year.

Dues. Annual dues shall be payable January 1. See Finances.

Meetings. Monthly meetings shall normally be held the third Sunday of each month unless otherwise specified. It shall be the responsibility of the Secretary to inform Members in a timely way of the date, place and time of each meeting, whether directly or through another Officer, using mail, email or telephone.

Meetings may be designated as Open or Closed. The calendar section of the Newsletter and web site should always reflect whether the meetings are Open or Closed. Open meetings can be attended by anyone. Closed meetings are open to Ring members, and approved guests and potential members who are the Ring's guests. However, these last two groups may be charged fees for special events such as lectures. A section of an Open meeting may also be Closed, for example a Mentoring session, with attendance limited to members and special guests only.

The Sergeant At Arms or a substitute shall monitor the door at Closed meetings and allow only members or approved guests into the meeting.

Themes for Meetings. All members and guests are welcome to perform at each meeting. Each meeting shall have a theme for the performance segment, set by the Board upon consultation with the members. One person shall be designated as the emcee (this person may also perform). All performers shall give to the emcee:

Name
Title of their presentation
whether or not their presentation fits the theme

The emcee shall attempt to group the performers following the theme. Performers following the theme shall generally perform first.

Teaching Tables. The Board may schedule a Teaching Table at a Ring meeting. For a Teaching Table, a member of the Ring shall give a presentation of no more than 30 minutes duration on a magic-related subject of their choosing. Members presenting Teaching Tables are encouraged to distribute notes citing sources and references. These notes may be posted on the Ring's website at the discretion of the Board, as long as they do not expose magic secrets. Citation of a published work of magic or revealing the name of a commercial effect shall not be considered exposure.

Ring Name Raffle. The Ring shall have a descriptive term chosen annually by a Ring Name Raffle. A call for a descriptive term that is to be appended to the Ring name may be made at the yearly meeting or by a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors. Proposed names are to be given to the Board at least 60 days before the yearly meeting. The Ring Board shall review any proposed name to ensure that: 1) the proposed Ring name is not demeaning to magic, 2) the proposed Ring name is not in use by another Ring, and 3) the name is not unsuitable for any other reason as decided by the Board of Directors. The proposed names will be given to the members and each member will be given one entry for the fee of their yearly dues. Members in good standing (whose dues are currently paid as certified by the Treasurer) may purchase any number of additional tickets at $5 each. Entries may be mailed in but must be received at least 48 hours before the yearly meeting. Entries must have the proposed descriptive term, the date, and the name of the member.

As tickets are being purchased, a Ring Officer shall post the proposed names and the total funds collected on behalf of each name. Ring members may request that the specific name chosen on their tickets not be disclosed, and all funds from such tickets shall be listed in the category "undisclosed." When all members present have had the opportunity to purchase as many tickets as desired, a drawing shall be held to determine the name of the Ring. This descriptive term will be added to the name of the Ring for the next twelve months. The next Ring Name Raffle shall be held at the meeting date closest to the anniversary of the prior Ring Name Raffle. The names shall be preserved for the duration of the existence of the Ring by the Ring Historian, posted on the Ring's website, and published annually in the Ring Newsletter.

Raffles. Magic items donated by members may be raffled at a Ring meeting or other event.

Contests. The Ring shall hold Contests approved by the Board. The contests shall include, but are not limited to, the Elliott Card Challenge, the Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition, the Max Malini Parlor Magic Contest, and the Nate Leipzig Close-Up Magic Contest.

The Contests are a vital part of the Ring's activities in improving the skills of its members. Every effort should be made to assure that the contestants have a suitable venue in which to compete and that their efforts be suitably and consistently judged with appropriate feedback so that knowledge is gained to improve.

The Board shall also make every effort to promote the contests and to attract contestants and audiences. They shall review after each contest the net results, rules and procedures and improve these if possible. They shall provide feedback to all contestants who so desire it.

The Contest Chairs shall be appointed by the President in a timely fashion a suitable interval prior to the contests. The Board shall modify any rules of the upcoming contests and publicize the rules to the contestants. The current guidelines and further details of the contest procedures are in the Appendix.

Contests will be documented by photography and video recording whenever possible. Contestants are assumed to consent to photography and video recording unless special arrangements are made with the Contest Official. Photographs and video shall be disseminated to Ring members and the general public via publication in the Ring newsletter, The Linking Ring, on the Ring website, and other public resources on the internet. Photographs and video will not be sold for any purpose, and will be made available to Ring members at cost (if any).

Lectures. Lectures shall be Closed Meetings. Admission fees to lectures will be set by the Board.

The Sergeant At Arms or a substitute shall be present to check for Ring membership at the entrance to the lecture.

Shows. The Ring's shows are organized to either develop and showcase talent ( Elliott Card Challenge, Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition, the Max Malini Parlor Magic Contest, and the Nate Leipzig Close-Up Magic Contest) or to generate income to support Ring activities. In addition, shows not routinely scheduled may be performed to assist charitable organizations, secure a meeting location at reduced or no cost, or to increase funds available for Ring activities. While the opportunities to present additional income-generating shows are welcome, the Ring should not make excessive demands on the time of its Members or strain its organizational abilities. Each opportunity should be addressed by the Board based on the current situation. All Public Shows shall be organized by a Public Show Committee appointed by the President.

The Ring should avoid having conflicting and overlapping shows with other local magic clubs, including any other I.B.M. Ring or S.A.M. Assembly in Maine.

Auction. An auction may be scheduled at a Ring meeting or other event. Items donated by Members shall be auctioned by an Auctioneer appointed by the Board.

Banquet. The Ring shall hold an annual banquet open to Members and guests. The banquet shall be an occasion for the presentation of awards to Ring members. The Board shall designate a Banquet Chair or Banquet Committee to organize the event.

VI. Finances

This section contains policies on finances. Please see also the Constitution and the Bylaws.

Annual Budget. A Budget Committee shall create an Annual Budget. The Treasurer shall chair the Budget Committee and in conjunction with its members consisting of the President and Vice President submit a budget for approval to the Board at the first meeting after assuming office. Actual expenses vs. budgeted shall be shown in reports in the Newsletter twice a year and to the Board at least bimonthly.

Dues. Annual dues for 2006 and 2007 shall be $5, payable January 1 to cover the calendar year. Persons joining the Ring later in the year shall pay the full annual dues for any portion of the calendar year. Annual dues for 2008 shall be $10, payable January 1 to cover the calendar year. Funds derived from dues shall enter the Ring's General Fund.

Any member more than 90 days late in the payment of dues shall be dropped from the roster of members. If they apply for readmission to the Ring at any time subsequent to being dropped, they must pay a reinstatement fee of $10 in addition to their dues.

Paid Advertisements. The Ring shall offer the opportunity for Members to place paid advertisements on a specific section of the Ring's web site, event programs, and other means of communication as decided by the Board. Funds derived from advertisements shall enter the Ring's General Fund.

The Ring's website shall have a Hire a Magician page. An advertisement on the Magicians For Hire page shall be open to any Ring Member for a fee of $10 per year or any portion thereof, payable March 1 to cover the following twelve months. The order of placement of the ads on the Hire a Magician page shall be determined annually by chance. All members who have paid for ads on the Hire a Magician page by the March Ring meeting shall be entered into a chance drawing to determine the order of placement of the ads. Members paying for ads following the March meeting shall have their ads placed at the bottom of the page in the order received.

Endowments. The Ring may present awards to Ring members or other friends of magic as specified in the Policy and Program Manual. All awards requiring the expenditure of funds for the purchase of trophies, plaques, certificates, gifts, scholarships, travel awards or other items of tangible value shall be funded by special endowments. The members initially funding such endowments may chose to name the award to honor a person who has contributed to the art of magic. Proposed names shall be reviewed by the Board to ensure that the proposed name is not demeaning to magic. The Treasurer shall report on the status of each endowment in the Treasurer's Report. When the disbursement of any funds from an endowment is proposed, the Treasurer shall determine whether there are sufficient funds in the endowment for the proposed award. If funds are insufficient and Ring members do not contribute to the endowment, the award shall not be granted, and the Treasurer shall certify that the endowment for the award is depleted. Depleted endowments shall be announced to the membership to allow renaming, with any residual endowment funds being transferred to the new endowment. If the Treasurer has certified that an endowment is depleted, and there is no refunding or renaming of the award for twenty-four (24) months, any funds remaining in the award endowment shall revert to the Ring's General Fund.

Current endowments include:

Dr. James William Elliott Endowment - funds awards for the Elliott Card Challenge
Chung Ling Soo Endowment - funds awards for the Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition
Max Malini Endowment - funds awards in the Max Malini Parlor Magic Contest
Nate Leipzig Endowment - funds awards in the Nate Leipzig Close-Up Magic Contest
Ring Name Raffle Plaque Endowment - funds a commemorative plaque honoring past Ring Names and Presidents
Lecture Endowment - funds outside lecturers

Ring Name Raffle. All funds collected in the Ring Name Raffle shall enter the Ring's General Fund.

Raffles. The Ring shall periodically raffle donated magic items at meetings. All funds collected in such raffles shall enter the Ring's General Fund.

Income from Shows. Ring members performing in public in shows to benefit the Ring shall not normally derive any income from these shows. Income to the Ring derived from Ring fundraising shows shall normally enter the Ring's General Fund, unless upon recommendation by the Board and a majority vote of members at a regular meeting, the funds are directed to an Award Endowment. Income from contests shall normally be directed to the endowment supporting that contest, unless upon recommendation by the Board and a majority vote of members at a regular meeting, the funds are directed to the Ring's General Fund.

Auction. The Ring may facilitate an auction of magic items at a Ring meeting. For every item or lot auctioned, the Ring shall receive 10% of the purchase price for facilitating the auction. All funds collected in such auctions shall enter the Ring's General Fund.

Treasury Reserves. The Ring shall have as a goal to maintain at the minimum one half year's operating expenses as a reserve. The reserve funds shall be increased whenever income starts to routinely exceed annual operating expenses.

Reserve funds shall be invested in higher interest generating accounts. If reserve funds fall below the minimum, the Board shall execute a conservative spending plan or generate additional funds by raising dues, increasing fund-generating shows, or engaging in other fund-generating activities.

Funds shall be transferred from the checking account to the reserve accounts expeditiously when the former starts to exceed amounts needed for annual expenses.

Treasury Financial Review. A Financial Review Committee appointed by the President shall review the books at the close of the fiscal year. This Committee shall consist of three members, none of whom have power to withdraw funds from the treasury during the current year. If the above criterion is met, desired members on this committee would be those with accounting experience, followed secondly by the President-Elect and Treasurer-Elect and then others who are acquainted with Ring expenditures.

The results of the review should be reported by letter to the Board within a month of its completion. Any errors or corrections to the Treasury should be rectified within one month of this report.

The duties of the Financial Review Committee should not be taken lightly and there should be a conscientious effort to verify balances and accountability for expenditures.

Security Bond. A security bond, equivalent to the maximum annual amount in the treasury shall be carried on the Treasurer and any other individual with the capacity to write checks or withdraw funds from the Ring's accounts. The cost of this security bond will be the responsibility of the Ring.

VII. Contests

An overview of contests is given in the Calendar section. Rules for specific contests are described in the Appendix.

Dr. James William Elliott Card Challenge. This contest shall be held in April to mark the anniversary of the birth of Dr. James William Elliott on April 27, 1874. The contest emphasizes skill at card manipulation. Please see the contest rules in the Appendix.

Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition. The Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition is a vital part of the Ring's activities in improving the skills of its members. Every effort should be made to assure that the contestants have a suitable venue in which to compete and that their efforts be suitably and consistently judged with appropriate feedback so that knowledge is gained to improve.

The Board shall make every effort to promote the Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition and to attract contestants and an audience that includes nonmagicians. They will review after each contest the results, rules and procedures and improve these if possible. They will provide feedback to all contestants who so desire it.

Further guidelines on the Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition are provided in the Appendix.

Max Malini Parlor Magic Contest. The Max Malini Parlor Magic Contest is a vital part of the Ring's activities in improving the skills of its members. Every effort should be made to assure that the contestants have a suitable venue in which to compete and that their efforts be suitably and consistently judged with appropriate feedback so that knowledge is gained to improve.

The Board shall make every effort to promote the Max Malini Parlor Magic Contest and to attract contestants and an audience that includes nonmagicians. They will review after each contest the results, rules and procedures and improve these if possible. They will provide feedback to all contestants who so desire it.

Further guidelines on the Max Malini Parlor Magic Contest are provided in the Appendix.

Nate Leipzig Close-Up Magic Contest. The Nate Leipzig Close-Up Magic Contest is a vital part of the Ring's activities in improving the skills of its members. Every effort should be made to assure that the contestants have a suitable venue in which to compete and that their efforts be suitably and consistently judged with appropriate feedback so that knowledge is gained to improve.

The Board shall make every effort to promote the Nate Leipzig Close-Up Magic Contest and to attract contestants and an audience that includes nonmagicians. They will review after each contest the results, rules and procedures and improve these if possible. They will provide feedback to all contestants who so desire it.

Further guidelines on the Nate Leipzig Close-Up Magic Contest are provided in the Appendix.

VIII. Awards

Awards shall be granted for contests as described in the Appendix. Other awards may be made by the Ring and shall be described in this section as they are developed. The funds for any tangible recognition of the award, such as a trophy, plaque, certificate, gift, scholarship, travel award or other item of tangible value shall be funded by special endowments and not from the Ring's General Fund.

Dr. James William Elliott Award. The Dr. James William Elliott Award shall be presented annually to the winner of the Dr. James William Elliott Card Challenge. The award shall be publicized in a release to The Linking Ring. A list of the winners of the award shall be maintained on the Ring's web site, and shall be published annually in the Ring's newsletter.

Chung Ling Soo Award. The Chung Ling Soo Award shall be presented annually to the winner of the Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition. The award shall be publicized in a release to The Linking Ring. A list of the winners of the award shall be maintained on the Ring's web site, and shall be published annually in the Ring's newsletter.

Max Malini Award. The Max Malini Award shall be presented annually to the winner of the Max Malini Parlor Magic Contest. The award shall be publicized in a release to The Linking Ring. A list of the winners of the award shall be maintained on the Ring's web site, and shall be published annually in the Ring's newsletter.

Nate Leipzig Award. The Nate Leipzig Award shall be presented annually to the winner of the Nate Leipzig Close-Up Magic Contest. The award shall be publicized in a release to The Linking Ring. A list of the winners of the award shall be maintained on the Ring's web site, and shall be published annually in the Ring's newsletter.

IX. Shows

The Ring shall stage shows for contests or fundraising as described in the Calendar section. Shows shall be developed by a Committee.

X. Proper Conduct

Member conduct. The conduct of Ring members at open meetings, contests, and public shows reflects upon magic as a whole. In each of these settings, member conduct before guests and the general public must meet an acceptable standard. Examples of behavior that is disruptive, unruly, and demeaning to magic include:

1. Violation of the joint I.B.M./S.A.M. ethics statement, which currently recommends that all magicians:

Oppose the willful exposure to the public of any principles of the Art of Magic or the method 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, effect and literature, and their rights to have exclusive use of, or to grant permission for the use of by others of such creations.
Discourage false and misleading statements in the advertising of effects and literature merchandise or actions pertaining to the magical arts.
Discourage advertisement in magical publication for any magical apparatus, effect, literature of other materials for which the advertiser does not have commercial rights.
Promote the humane treatment and care of livestock used in magical performances.

2. Disruptive, unruly, or demeaning conduct at meetings, contests and public shows. This includes, but is not limited to, heckling, loud talking, comments directed at a performer intended to disrupt the performance, interference with a performer's movement or use of props, and deliberately disruptive entry into the performance space.

3. Deliberate and flagrant violation of contest rules. The Ring's contests have rules that are intended to provide a framework for fair competition. Deliberate and flagrant violation of contest rules is disruptive. This might include, for example, performing ten minutes of magic without using cards in the Elliott Card Challenge, or performing a ten-minute talking act in the Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition.

4. Substance Abuse. Substance abuse that interferes with a member's speech, movement or judgement is a hazard to others. Substance abuse that is grossly apparent to the general public is demeaning to magic.

Consequences of misconduct. Any member may bring a complaint about member conduct to the attention of the Board. If a majority of the Board determines that there is merit to the complaint, they may undertake the following actions, in order:

1. Written warning. A written warning detailing the improper conduct shall be written by the Board and given to the member.

2. Sanctions. In case of a second offense, or in the case of severe misconduct, the Board may impose sanctions on the member for the duration of six months to one year. Sanctions may include the loss of the right to participate in contests or public shows. If the member is a member of the Board, action may be undertaken to remove that member as an Officer as detailed in Article II of the Bylaws.

3. Suspension or Expulsion. In the case of a third offense, or in the case of grave misconduct, the Board may suspend or expel the member, as detailed in Article II of the Bylaws. This will result in loss of all member benefits, forfeiture of dues and advertisement payments, and prohibition from attending Ring meetings.

Appendix

This section contains the detailed rules for contests.

Dr. James William Elliott Card Challenge
Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition
Max Malini Parlor Magic Contest
Nate Leipzig Close-Up Magic Contest

Dr. James William Elliott Card Challenge

The Dr. James William Elliott Card Challenge honors the memory of Maine's foremost card manipulator. When exhibiting before the public, Elliott wore a handsome gold, diamond-studded Howard watch, attached to which was a fob of unique and (for a card manipulator) most appropriate design. This fob consisted of four gold frames which held, under glass, the four Aces of a Junior-sized deck. This beautiful fob was presented to Elliott in 1894 by the card manipulators of Boston; attached to its upper and lower ends by miniature gold rings were gold plates upon which were engraved his name and title-firmly linked together for over twenty-two years - "James William Elliott, Champion Card Manipulator of the World."

The Dr. James William Elliott Card Challenge shall be held according to the following rules.

Date of Contest: The Dr. James William Elliott Card Challenge shall be held at a Ring meeting in the month of April, to mark the anniversary of Dr. Elliott's birth on April 27, 1874.

Contest Officials: There shall be at least one Contest Official who is a Ring member. This Contest Official shall not be a contestant. It shall be the responsibility of the Contest Official(s) to see that the rules of the Dr. James William Elliott Card Challenge are correctly followed. A single Contest Official shall be responsible for security. Contest Official(s) shall be appointed by the President.

Contestants: Those wishing to attempt the Dr. James William Elliott Card Challenge shall be Ring members or guests; in either case, they must be members in good standing of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. There shall be at least two contestants.

Judging: The winner of the Dr. James William Elliott Card Challenge shall be determined by a secret ballot of the members witnessing the performances of the contestants. Contestants are entitled to vote. "Members," in this case, refers to members of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, who need not be members of I.B.M. Ring 362. Contestants are entitled to vote.

Official Decks: The Contest Official in charge of security shall acquire a suitable supply of quality decks of standard playing cards in either poker or bridge size. This Contest Official shall not communicate to any Ring member the exact card design until the beginning of the contest, and shall strive to avoid designs commonly used by magicians (e.g. Bicycle), in order to foil attempts to introduce extraneous cards during performance.

Rules: The order of performance of the contestants shall be determined by chance. Contestants shall be given a new deck of cards at the beginning of their performance and given up to ten minutes to perform. The deck shall have the plastic wrapper removed and the seal broken or removed. The deck shall be placed on the table provided for performers prior to the beginning of each performance. At the conclusion of each performance, the cards and card case may be collected and secured at the option of the Contest Official. Judges shall determine the winner, and in the event of disqualification, a new winner.

Disqualification: The Contest Official may, at his or her option, verify the integrity of each deck collected at the conclusion of the contest by, minimally, examining and counting the cards in each deck. Any evidence that foreign cards have been added to the deck shall result in immediate disqualification of the contestant. Removal of cards from the deck, for example the removal of advertising cards or Jokers, or the destruction of cards by signing, tearing, burning, or other means is permissible.

Award: The winner of the Dr. James William Elliott Card Challenge shall be noted in the Ring report to be published in The Linking Ring, and recognized in the Ring newsletter and web site. A list of the winners of the award shall be maintained on the Ring's web site, and shall be published annually in the Ring's newsletter. If there are sufficient funds in the Dr. James William Elliott Endowment, a trophy shall be awarded to the winner on a suitable occasion as determined by the Board.

The trophy shall be a traditional trophy not less than 12 inches in total height, topped with a Winged Victory and bearing an engraved message giving the I.B.M. Ring Number, the year, and the words "Elliott Card Champion."

Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition

The Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition honors the memory of of Chung Ling Soo, the Marvelous Chinese Conjurer. Chung Ling Soo was the stage name for American magician William Robinson, who, after a distinguished career as an assistant and builder for the stage shows of Harry Kellar and Alexander Herrmann, achieved the highest pinnacle of success as Chung Ling Soo.

Chung Ling Soo never spoke while performing, and frequently maintained his fictitious identity offstage. He appeared in Chinese makeup for press interviews, and spoke fake Chinese through an "interpreter."

Date of Contest. The Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition shall be held annually on a date set by the Board.

Contest Officials. There shall be at least one Contest Official who is a Ring member. This Contest Official shall not be a contestant. It shall be the responsibility of the Contest Official(s) to see that the rules of the Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition are correctly followed. Contest Official(s) shall be appointed by the President at least three months before the date of the competition.

Contestants. Those wishing to attempt the Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition shall be Ring members or guests; in either case, they must be members in good standing of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. There shall be at least three contestants.

Registration. Contestants shall register no later than 30 days prior to the competition by contacting a Contest Official specifically charged with registration. Contestants shall communicate their technical requirements to the Contest Official according to public written guidelines provided to all potential registrants by the Contest Official(s). There shall be no registration fee.

Order of performance. The order of performance of the contestants shall be determined by chance.

Silence. Contestants in the Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition shall honor the memory of Chung Ling Soo by performing silently, accompanied by music if they choose. Performers may communicate through gesture, movement, or pantomime. Performers shall not speak, use narration (either recorded or spoken by another individual), or communicate through writing during their performance. Any speech or other attempt to use verbal language (narration or writing) during a performance shall disqualify that contestant.

Judging. The Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition shall be viewed by a panel of at least three judges appointed by the Contest Official(s). Contest Official(s) are encouraged to select judges with a background in theater or the visual arts rather than judges who are magicians. Judges will be asked to evaluate several aspects of each performance in order to provide feedback, if requested, to contestants. These aspects include, but are not limited to, appearance, stage craft, stage presence, audience appeal, technical mastery, and the unity of the presentation.

There will also be a People's Choice Award. Each member of the audience, with the exception of the judges, is entitled to vote for a single contestant by secret ballot. The contestant with a plurality of votes shall receive the People's Choice Award.

Timer. There will be a timer, a Contest Official who is not a judge. The timer shall be responsible for recording the duration of each performance. Performances exceeding the maximum of ten minutes shall be disqualified from receiving an award, although they may still be evaluated by the judges.

Awards. If there are at least two contestants who have not been disqualified, the judges shall award a first place award. If there are at least three contestants who have not been disqualified, the judges shall award first and second place awards. If there are at least four contestants who have not been disqualified, the judges shall award first, second, and third place awards.

Awards for the Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition shall be recognized by the awarding of a trophy cup for first place (the Chung Ling Soo Award), and medals that can be worn about the neck for first, second, and third place. The exact design of these awards shall be up to the Contest Official(s). The award for People's Choice shall be up to the Contest Official(s).

Award recipients shall be recognized in the Ring report to be published in The Linking Ring, and reported in the Ring newsletter and web site. A list of the winners of the awards shall be maintained on the Ring's web site, and shall be published annually in the Ring's newsletter.

Awards shall be funded by a special endowment, the Chung Ling Soo Endowment, rather than from the Ring's General Fund.

Max Malini Parlor Magic Contest

Max Malini (1873 - 1942) was born Max Katz Breit in the small town of Ostrov on the border of Poland and Austria. His family came to America when he was young, and settled in New York City. While waiting on patrons in a bar in the Bowery as a youth, he began to learn magic under the instruction of Professor Seiden, a magician, fire-eater, and ventriloquist.

Malini was very creative, and favored working with simple, common objects. He is noted for his tremendous skill at misdirection, his audacity, and for having given command performances for the crowned heads of Europe and several American Presidents. Ironically, Malini never took part in magic conventions, and only very rarely entered a magic shop. Nevertheless, Ring 362 salutes his skill via this contest.

The Max Malini Parlor Magic Contest shall be held according to the following rules.

Date of Contest. The Max Malini Parlor Magic Contest shall be held annually on a date set by the Board.

Contest Officials. There shall be at least one Contest Official who is a Ring member. This Contest Official shall not be a contestant. It shall be the responsibility of the Contest Official(s) to see that the rules of the Max Malini Parlor Magic Contest are correctly followed. Contest Official(s) shall be appointed by the President at least three months before the date of the competition.

Contestants. Those wishing to attempt the Max Malini Parlor Magic Contest shall be members in good standing of Ring 362 of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. There shall be at least three contestants.

Registration. Contestants shall register no later than one week prior to the competition by contacting a Contest Official specifically charged with registration. Contestants shall communicate their technical requirements to the Contest Official according to public written guidelines provided to all potential registrants by the Contest Official(s). There shall be no registration fee.

Order of performance. The order of performance of the contestants shall be determined by chance.

Judging. The Max Malini Parlor Magic Contest shall be viewed by a panel of at least three judges appointed by the Contest Official(s). Contest Official(s) are encouraged to select judges with a background in theater or the visual arts rather than judges who are magicians. Judges will be asked to evaluate several aspects of each performance in order to provide feedback, if requested, to contestants. These aspects include, but are not limited to, appearance, stage craft, stage presence, audience appeal, technical mastery, and the unity of the presentation. There will be separate balloting for a People's Choice winner. All persons present with the exception of the judges, including contestants, may vote for the People's Choice.

Awards for the Parlor Magic Contest shall be recognized by the awarding of a trophy for first place (the Max Malini Award), and awards for first, second, and third place. The exact nature and design of these awards shall be up to the Contest Official(s).

Awards shall be funded by a special endowment, the Max Malini Endowment, rather than from the Ring's General Fund.

Nate Leipzig Close-Up Magic Contest

Nate Leipzig, (Nathan Leipziger), was born in Stockholm, Sweden in 1873, the third youngest of a family of eight children. He began his career in magic in Detroit, performing in theaters and clubs. In his early years his talent as an entertainer was evident, but his magic skills were humble. Upon seeing a theatrical performance featuring other magicians, he became devoted to sleight of hand, improving many effects that he learned, and inventing entirely new ones. Harry Kellar, Howard Thurston, and T. Nelson Downs taught him magic and became lifelong friends. Dai Vernon met Leipzig in New York City in the early 1900s, and admired him greatly. Leipzig granted Vernon permission to document his magic in the book Vernon on Leipzig.

Leipzig set himself apart from other magicians with his ability to entertain. His performances were noted for their easy grace and natural movement. His regal bearing and continental stage presence set him apart from most vaudeville entertainers, and he was swept up into performing prestigious engagements in Europe, including performances for royalty. Dai Vernon said of Leipzig, "there will never be another one like him."

The Nate Leipzig Close-Up Magic Contest shall be held according to the following rules.

Date of Contest. The Nate Leipzig Close-Up Magic Contest shall be held annually on a date set by the Board.

Contest Officials. There shall be at least one Contest Official who is a Ring member. This Contest Official shall not be a contestant. It shall be the responsibility of the Contest Official(s) to see that the rules of the Close-Up Magic Contest are correctly followed. Contest Official(s) shall be appointed by the President at least three months before the date of the competition.

Contestants. Those wishing to attempt the Nate Leipzig Close-Up Magic Contest shall be Ring members or guests; in either case, they must be members in good standing of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. There shall be at least three contestants.

Registration. Contestants shall register no later than one week prior to the competition by contacting a Contest Official specifically charged with registration. There shall be no registration fee.

Order of performance. Contestants shall move from one performing station to another in rotation. In the event that there are more performers than performing stations, the order of entry into the rotation shall be determined by chance.

Judging. The Nate Leipzig Close-Up Magic Contest shall be judged by balloting of all audience members present at the performing stations. Audience members must have witnessed each contestant's performance in order to vote. Each audience member shall rank the performers by secret ballot. The rankings on all the ballots shall be averaged by a Contest Official to determine the final rankings.

Awards. If there are at least two contestants who have not been disqualified, the Contest Official(s) shall award a first place award. If there are at least three contestants who have not been disqualified, the Contest Official(s) shall award first and second place awards. If there are at least four contestants who have not been disqualified, the Contest Official(s) shall award first, second, and third place awards.

Awards for the Nate Leipzig Close-Up Magic Contest shall be recognized by the awarding of a trophy for first place (the Nate Leipzig Award), and awards for first, second, and third place. The exact nature and design of these awards shall be up to the Contest Official(s).

Awards shall be funded by a special endowment, the Nate Leipzig Endowment, rather than from the Ring's General Fund.