About the PMA...
The Harold Martin I.B.M. Ring
The J. Gary Bontjes S.A.M. Assembly
The Peoria Magicians Assembly is a social and educational club developed to encourage and promote public interest in the art of magic. We are based in Peoria, Illinois, USA. We gather to share our knowledge of the art, to teach and learn, to share our experiences, and to enjoy the fellowship of others interested in magic. Our membership is made up of hobbyists, amateurs, and professionals from throughout the central Illinois region.
Above: At a recent lecture, professional comedy magician, Fielding West, has our undivided attention. The lecture was attended by members of the PMA and many other guests.
The PMA is a local affiliate of both the Society of American Magicians (S.A.M.), and the International Brotherhood of Magicians (I.B.M.). Members of our local assembly are also required to be members of one of these parent organizations. Many belong to both.
The PMA runs on the volunteer efforts of our members. Everyone in the club is responsible for helping us meet our objectives, and all members are expected to be an active part of the group. Members offer to help when they want to make things happen. They volunteer if they are interested in the success of our projects. Participating members of the PMA take pride in helping to improve the state of the art of magic in central Illinois.
Purpose...
- To promote, popularize, and elevate magic as an art and sociability among magicians.
- To maintain the ethics and safeguard the secrets within the magical profession.
- To encourage and assist every effort, both individual and collective, which may tend to foster, elevate, and advance the art of magic in the field of amusement, entertainment, and culture, and to develop new sources of progress thereof, whenever possible.
Meetings...
We meet on the third Monday of each month. Look on the Meetings page to find out about upcoming meetings. Check the News page for information about previous meetings. Contact any club officer if you have questions!
How to Join...
If you want to find out more about the Peoria Magicians Assembly, who we are and what we're all about, we invite you to attend a meeting or two. If you like what we have to offer and want to join our organization, there are a few basic requirements for membership...
- Come to a PMA meeting and show us a trick! Or maybe your interest is not in performing magic but in another specific area such as the history of magic, collecting apparatus, or in one of the allied arts. Fine, present a short report on your area of interest. And since we also welcome members with interests in related fields, maybe you would rather demonstrate your juggling skills or show us your favorite ventriloquist routine.
- Contact the PMA Treasurer and arrange to pay the $20 annual membership dues. You can find contact information for our current Treasurer on the Members page.
- Since we are an affiliate of the Society of American Magicians and of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, you will be required to join one of those parent organizations.
- That's about it.
Dues...
Annual membership dues for the PMA is $20.00. You can pay your dues by PayPal. Click on the logo below to go directly to PayPal's site where you can make a secure online payment with your charge card.
You can also pay your dues by mail. Contact the club Treasurer for details. And of course, you can bring your check to any PMA meeting and pay your dues there. Any method is fine, just make sure your membership doesn't expire.
Magicians' Code of Ethics...
The I.B.M. and the S.A.M. have jointly developed the following Code of Ethics. Membership in either organization requires adherence to this Code.
All members of the International Brotherhood of Magicians or the Society of American 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.
As an affiliated organization, the Peoria Magicians Assembly endorses the Code of Ethics and our members are required to abide by its content.
Your Suggestions...
If you have any suggestions about this web site or any corrections to the content, send them to Greg McNeil. Please keep in mind that any suggestions or corrections must be submitted by email or in writing. Email submissions must include "PMA" somewhere in the Subject line. Thanks you!