On the Cover

By Karl Rabe

Magic Messenger December 2024

Guest lecturer (left) Dreygon Hibbler with our youngest club member Lincoln Stone (right). Study the past to inform the present, but blaze your own trail to shape the future. These young magicians are doing just that. They embody the future of magic, and it looks quite bright.

President's Corner

By Dan Jones

Hello AAMC Members & Friends,

Well, here we are at the end of the year 2024. What a great year it has been. I am also at the end of my term as President of the Ann Arbor Magic Club and although I have enjoyed my time in office I gladly am stepping aside for a new leader. It is time for a change and some fresh ideas for the club. I think you all know from reading "The Magic Messenger" who our new leader will be and the other changes to the board as well. If not they will be announced at our December meeting and holiday party on the 11th at the Plymouth Community Arts Council. We will have pizza & pop and a few other treats and plenty of time to perform magic.

I would like to take some time here to thank our board for the great work they have done over the past several years to make our club the successful club that it has become. I don't believe any club or organization can grow and thrive when being run by just one person. I really don't.
I would like to thank Sean for his friendship, leadership and straight forward thoughts and opinions. Thank You Sean for leading the AAMC to the PCAC as our meeting venue and home base. It is a wonderful facility and I think most members would agree it has helped increase our numbers.
I would like to thank Karl for his outstanding skills as club secretary. Karl does an excellent job on our newsletter, on our website and social media presence and in promoting club activities. And so much more that I didn't mention here.
Thank You Rob for assuming the role as club treasurer. (The job that nobody wants.) Rob is always there at club meetings, shows and events with the money before and after and at the next meeting w/ a detailed report.
And lastly, thank you Mike for stepping into the role as Sargent of Arms when we needed it and inspiring the club with many new ideas. And for taking the lead on the procurement of many great lectures.

I am not going away but rather stepping back to see the new ideas and directions the club will take in the future. Let's all support the new president and board in the coming year and beyond.

One last word of wisdom from me that I take from one of my favorite Christmas movies: "Remember, no man is a failure who has friends."

Dan Jones, President
Ann Arbor Magic Club

: President Dan Jones

: Dan Jones What’s Next?

: President – Dan Jones

Secretary's Report

By Karl Rabe

November Meeting

We had a great turnout at our November meeting where we were treated to a wonderful lecture by Dreygon Hibbler. Dreygon had a very nicely structured lecture that not only taught some great magic, but also provided insight into his creative process.

Elections

The new board was announced at the November meeting. The Board was put in place by acclamation as all candidates ran unopposed. The board takes office on 1/1/2025.

Meet your new board. (L-R) Mike Bogdas (Vice-President), Tara McAllister (Sgt at Arms), Rob Krozal (Treasurer), Sean Howell (President) with Mirf (Club Mouser) and Karl Rabe (Secretary)

New to the board is Tara McAllister as Sgt at Arms. Mike Bogdas moves from Sgt at Arms to Vice President and Sean Howell, our former VP, steps up as President. Rob and Karl slog along in their same old roles as Treasurer and Secretary respectively.

The new board would like to thank Dan Jones for his many years of fantastic service to the club. Please join us in thanking Dan!

2024 Goals

In January of this year, the AAMC Board met face-to-face for a working session to plan for the year. Goals were set for the year. Here is a summary of performance against goals.

Administrative
Increase membership by 20% (54 members)	Exceeded. We currently have 61 members.
Implement Volunteer recognition program	Achieved. Announcements in January.
Consolidate book and video library (stretch goal)	Completed. Online catalog system implemented.
Self-Fund annual expenses to within 5%	Achieved. Pending year end numbers.
Professional Image
Purchase branded backdrop and flag	Achieved
Make branded swag available to members	Achieved.
Achieve 501(c)(3) status	Partially achieved. The existing Bylaws have been updated to conform to standards for tax exempt organizations. There is further work to do to add items required to be granted 501(c)(3) status and then we will need to have members vote to ratify the bylaw changes.
Purchase business cards	Not achieved.
Use name badges at club meetings	Not achieved.
Events & Activities
2 Lectures Close-Up Showcase Learning Sessions Spring & Fall Parlor Shows Perform at Pumpkin Palooza Library Open House Pop-Up Magic Shop PCAC Magic Camp Summer Picnic Holiday Celebration	Achieved and/or exceeded except for Pumpkin Palooza. We had 3 lectures this year. We had frequent learning sessions at our meetings. We put on two Parlor Shows and One Library Open House. Our Pop-Up Magic shop had a great turnout. The PCAC Magic Camp was a big success. We had a great picnic and are about to have a wonderful Holiday Celebration!

Around the Town

By Karl Rabe

Calendar of Events

Don't miss our December meeting. It will be a holiday celebration. Come hungry, we will have pizza and pop. Doors open at 7pm as usual.

We will have a White Elephant Gift Exchange. If you wish to participate, bring a new or gently used magic trick, book, or prop from your collection. ($20.00 limit). Bring it wrapped or in a gift bag as the contents needs to be secret.