I just joined my local IBM ring, which is very strong. We also have a SAM chapter here.

I'm curious about other Café members affiliations. Is one organization better than the other? Is it good to join both?

Your views would be helpful.

:bikes:

I think it's extremely dependent on the local groups. Why don't you ask your fellow ring members if any of them also attend the local SAM assembly meetings. If not, why not? Then check it out for yourself.
:pepper:

Why not join both, surely it can't hurt to be a member of both, imho, the more time spent with other magicians the better "wot is a wise a man who learns from every one" wow, now I've added in my quote, I feel cool, lol No, but seriously, if you do have free time to go along to both, WHY NOT.

Depends on interests. I'm strictly close-up and into cards. When I did belong to particular groups I chose to select groups that catered more to close-up than to stage. Sometimes you can do this, sometimes you can't, depending on the groups.

I'm an associate member now. Not belonging to a particular group, but I can still receive the magazines.

Visit both without joining, then decide
Bob

Blackwood,

rgranville, is correct (it depends on the people in the group), and Wellington makes the best point, you can go to both meeting and make a decision on what to do after meeting the members and getting a feel for what they have to offer...

Good Luck!

Blackwood,
I belong to both, but there is no SAM Assembly near me; however, I do belong to the IBM Ring (as a matter of fact, I just realized there's a meeting tomorrow night!)
If you have two available, check them both out and the people, and then decide.
Some clubs are good, some are average, some are terrible. There's no way to tell in advance. And it all depends on the people.

Being a former junior member of IBM and a current member of SAM, I'd say they are both great to join because of the different opportunities and benefits the organizations in those terms.
But in terms of Rings and Assemblies, you have to be far more critial and remember... as Peter shows, you don't have to a part of a ring in order to be a part of the Organization but its always fun to have a place (besides us) where you can go and feel like you're among other creatures like yourself.

-Daniel GreenWolf

Visit Both in your area and then decide. They both have great conventions every year. A must see

I've joined the Chicago IBM ring and I was pleasantly surprised to find some truly interesting individuals who deeply knew magic. Some also had more wit than I've seen in years! I'm planning to join the local SAM as well. The meetings are only once per month so for 2 groups, I don't see 2x per month as excessive. One needs constant exposure to continue to think in magic and stay motivated.

Pretty much all that has been said is already said above.

I belong to both National SAM and IBM, Local SAM Assembly 4, and IBM Ring 165. Also in the area a little further is IBM Ring 6. Every year there is the Magician Alliance of Eastern States (MAES) with a $15 membership.

One magic show pays for them all, so cost is not an issue. I like the M.U.M magic magazine better than the IBM Linking Rings but this is a personal choice. Each have articles I read, however, in the M.U.M. I read more articles. (They are very close so this is not a reason to choose.)

Go to the area clubs, look at their web sites, look at their yearly agenda and mingle with the members. You'll probably come to the same conclusion, a lot of members belong to both.

Niether???

I don't know if its that important.
My father never could his three tricks
to get in. And he's probably one of the
most respected and well known
magicians our current history
in his generation.

I don't know. Ft. Collins has a local magic club that's an IBM Ring. I've joined this club and my membership is well spent. On the other hand, I'm not a paid member of IBM at this point. Aside from the magazine, I'm not sure what additional benefits I'd really accrue.

JesterJ

Join both- MUM is the magazing for SAM; good piece of reading each month. Then the "Link Ring," always is a great 'bedtime' piece. Our ring and assembly both meet on the same day- same time (combined)

Tomasko

I belong to both and have for a long time. If you can afford it join both.

Both Both Both Both,
I am a big promoter of the idea that to get anywhere in magic, you must spend time with magicians!! IBM and SAM provide that network, and a magazine to boot!

Yeah I think it's good to check out all clubs and decide later. Coz sometimes the level of intimacy and openness among the members would either hype you up or turn you down. (PS: Happened to me personally)

There is no requirement that a magician do three tricks to get into either SAM or IBM.

Some local clubs vary, of course, but in most cases, the clubs ask for "a performance." Usually, they set a length for the performance that has some flexibility to it -- 5 to 8 minutes, for example.

And a person who is a magic historian need only do a brief talk about some historical aspect of magic.

I belong to IBM, SAM and the Magic Circle of London. I don't go to many Magic Circle meetings, of course. ;-)