I.B.M. Ring 362
The Maine Mystics
Bangor, Maine

Minutes of March 2007 Meeting
March 18, 2007

The March Meeting of I.B.M. Ring 362 was held at the Friars' Bakehouse in Bangor, Maine, on March 18, 2007, at 3:00 pm. The theme of the meeting was Impromptu Magic. The meeting began with member performances. Please see the Ring Report for details of the performances.

A raffle was held for a set of six magic videotapes, Creative Magic You-Can-Do, donated by Karen Zimmerman. Bryan-Keith Taylor won the raffle, which raised $22 for the Ring.

Danny Baker called the meeting to order. Sergeant At Arms Geoffrey Miller cited a set of simplified Rules of Order that have been made available as a PDF on the Ring's web site, which were adopted as the Rules of Order for the meeting.

The agenda for the meeting had been made available in advance, and Danny Baker called for the adoption of the agenda, which was approved without amendment.

The minutes for the February meeting were approved without amendment.

The Secretary reported on behalf of the Treasurer that the Ring's bank account has a balance of $875 and that there is $248 in petty cash, for a total of $1123. Expenses expected in the near future are $35 for incorporation and $35 towards the purchase of a plaque to be presented to the Rumford Town Manager. The Ring funds include the following amounts in endowments: Elliott Endowment ($10), Ring Name Plaque Endowment ($40), Chung Ling Soo Endowment ($20), and Parlor Magic Endowment ($20).

In Old Business, Danny Baker reminded attendees that membership in the International Brotherhood of Magicians is required as part of Ring membership. The Board has recently obtained the member list from the International Office and will be making sure that all Ring members are members of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.

In Old Business, the Ring Name Raffle was held. The Board had approved three names for the Ring Name Raffle: Dr. James William Elliott Ring (the current name), The Maine Mystics, and Chung Ling Soo Ring. Members were each given one free ticket, and $110 in extra raffle tickets were sold. The winning name drawn was The Maine Mystics.

In Old Business, three of the four members with ads on the Hire a Magician page had paid the $10 fee by the deadline of the March meeting. A drawing was held to determine the order of placement of the ads on the page. Professor Miller is to be listed first, followed by Dr. Wilson, then Conjuring Carroll. Wes Booth, whose payment was not yet made, was not in the drawing and shall be listed fourth. All persons placing ads during the year will be placed after Wes. The next drawing will be in March 2008.

In Old Business, Danny Baker announced that the first Annual Banquet will held on March 24 at 6:00 pm at The Muddy Rudder. The Installation of Officers and Induction of New Members will take place at the banquet. While there is no formal program of entertainment, members were invited to perform closeup magic. The Ring expressed its gratitude to Chris Florey, who secured us a room reservation free of charge, even though there is normally a $100 fee. Members will be able to order from the full menu for The Muddy Rudder; a link to the menu is posted on the Ring's website.

In Old Business, Paul Szauter reported on Rumford, Maine's Capital of Magic, the site of the Elliott Card Challenge. On April 13, Scot Grassette is organizing a show, An Evening of Magic and Superstition, featuring Kaitlyn Grassette at Mountain Valley High School in Rumford. Ring members Wes Booth, Professor Miller and Dr. Wilson will perform. During the show, a brass plaque proclaiming Rumford to be "Maine's Capital of Magic" will be presented to the Rumford Town Manager. This is meant as advance publicity of the Elliott Card Challenge on April 29 at the Hotel Harris in Rumford. Members were encouraged to compete in the Elliott Card Challenge.

In Old Business, Brother Don reported on the Parlor Magic Contest, to be held at All Souls Congregational Church. After some discussion, a consensus emerged that the date of the June meeting (June 10) was a good date for the contest, and that the normal program of magical performances would be displaced by the contest. Brother Don proposed contest rules based on the rules of the Ring's other two contests, the Elliott Card Challenge and the Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition. He noted that there is some disagreement on what constitutes Parlor Magic, but that the venue itself would limit the kinds of effects that can be performed, with perhaps a 12' x 12' performing area on the same level as the audience, without wing space or theatrical lighting. Fire and other dangerous effects cannot be used. He proposed a ten minute time limit with no restrictions on whether the acts are talking or silent, with the use of recorded music allowed.

Brother Don opened other aspects of the Parlor Magic Contest rules to discussion, and a consensus on several issues emerged. The event should be open to the public with the venue setting ticket prices and taking half the gate. The order of contestants should be chosen by chance on the day of the contest. Members favored a three-judge panel to select winners, with an additional single winner picked as the People's Choice by secret ballot. If there are enough contestants, awards for first, second and third place (as in the Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition) will be awarded. There was some discussion of the nature of the awards, whether they should be trophies, certificates, or something else. The Secretary reminded the members that awards must be purchased from the Parlor Magic Endowment, which currently contains $20.

Brother Don will formalize this discussion as written rules, to be posted on the Ring's web site. Danny appointed Kevin Roberge as the Contest Official; Kevin will therefore not be able to compete.

In the absence of General Show Chair Randy Von Smith, Paul Szauter reported on the All-Star Magical Revue, set for July 4, 2007, at 2:30 pm at the Criterion Theatre in Bar Harbor. So far, the performers who have volunteered are: Danny Baker, Kaitlyn Grassette, Scot Grassette, Kim Hawkins, Professor Miller, Alola Morrison, and Dr. Wilson. They will likely be joined by Eostara Dancers, and some of Kim's clowning students. The MDI YMCA Rhythmic Gymnastics Team has been invited to open the second act, and the Board is still negotiating with a sideshow performer from outside the Ring who will close the show if concerns about liability, technical feasibility, and compensation can be worked out. The MDI Rotary has agreed to allow Ring members to work the line at the Pancake Breakfast on the ballfield, passing out flyers and a limited number of kid's tickets. The Parade theme is "It's a Grand Old Flag," and the Ring will assemble a Parade Unit. All Ring members are invited to assist in the All-Star Magical Revue; there is a task to match anyone's talents.

Paul Szauter reported on the Worldwide Escape Artist Relay 2007, scheduled for October 27, 2007. There are currently 56 registrants from ten countries, representing fourteen different I.B.M. Rings. The Ring will build a public show around this event, although the venue has not yet been selected, nor has the show committee been appointed. Members interested in serving as committee chairs should contact Danny Baker.

In Old Business, Carroll Chapman, chair of the committee to write guidelines for youth magic instruction gave his report. In summary, the committee favored a program for persons 12 to 17 years of age, held at the same date and location as the Ring meeting, beginning perhaps 60 to 90 minutes prior to the Ring meeting, with Youth members permitted to attend the performance segment and Teaching Table of the Ring meeting. During instruction, a parent or guardian should be present at all times. The Youth Committee will develop a curriculum of basic magic, including theatrical technique and magic history. All effects with fire or other dangers will be excluded. Pending approval by the Youth Committee, there may be guest appearances by Ring members. A motion to accept the report was made and seconded; the motion passed.

In Old Business, Kim Hawkins reported on her magic class for the Summer Festival of the Arts (SFOA) at MDI High School in July. Kim has circulated a proposed curriculum via email. A public performance is scheduled at the end of the course. Kim will make sure that all students know about the I.B.M. and the Ring. Several members have donated magic supplies. Dr. Wilson will make two guest appearances to teach the Svengali Deck and basic Cups and Balls. Bryan-Keith Taylor recommended a Magic Camp product and offered to make up Professor's Nightmare Rope tricks with illustrated instructions for all students. Paul Szauter recommended the Fantasma Deluxe Legends of Magic Set (about $50; do a Froogle search), endorsed by the I.B.M. Several members thought that this might be offered as a contest prize.

Paul Szauter pointed out that this class is our current Youth Program and suggested that participation be documented for inclusion in a submission for the I.B.M.'s Ring Quality Program. In general, we should look at what members are currently doing that is of value in this regard. Kim Hawkins raised her participation in Caring Clowning, a volunteer program for hospital patients, as another example of something the Ring might enlarge into a Ring effort.

With no New Business, a motion was made to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.