And so we come to the end of the show. We hope these 80 pages of birthday celebration have left you with some smiles, some new ideas and a better perspective on your personal involvement in juggling. On the occasion of the IJA's 40th anniversary, we should celebrate juggling's success by applying the ideals of the founders to new dreams and greater goals. Ideas are generated wherever jugglers meet and share their experiences. We hope you agree that this special anniversary issue of "Juggler's World" is one step in the right direction.
As you have read inside, the IJA grew from humble beginnings. But the nine founders acted firmly in establishing a philosophical direction for the IJA. Membership was opened to all who felt they belonged and the IJA was pledged to promote juggling by sharing its bounty through educational efforts.
Looking back from a membership level of almost 3,000 now, it's not easy to understand the tough times that the organization endured. Problems and apathy roughed up the founders' good intentions for a while, but the attractiveness of the ideal eventually triumphed. Juggling's popularity began to grow in the past two decades and many of the new proponents found a home for their enthusiasm in the IJA.
With the 40th Anniversary upon us, we should celebrate our success by harnessing the old ideals to achieve new dreams and greater goals. This anniversary issue of the magazine is just one step in that direction. Other ideas will be generated wherever jugglers meet and share their experiences. To continue its success, the IJA must be pledged to work as a team to realize the dreams that individuals cannot achieve alone.
We also urge those who believe in the IJA's work for the common good to support the organization with their energy and their resources. We hope this special issue of "Juggler's World" will prompt you to make a tax-deductible contribution to help defray its extraordinary expense. Better yet, take this opportunity to make a lifetime commitment and sign on for $250 as an IJA Life Member. As we hope we're demonstrating with every "Juggler's World" and annual convention, the IJA is dedicated to making you proud you're a juggler! If you'd care to put a "thank you" in our hat, please send it to: