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 April 21, 2010
In this issue...
1) 2010 Educator's Conference, 9/17-19, Brattleboro, VT
2) New Strategic Plan for AYCO
3) New Board Member -- Chuck Johnson
4) New AYCO Executive Director
6) Membership Changes
7) Help AYCO Set the Stage for the Next Ten Years8) Circus Jobs
9) Circus Equipment For Sale
10) News from the world of youth circus
SAVE
THE DATE!!!!
AYCO
2010 Educators Conference
Friday, September 17 - Sunday, September 19th.
New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA)
Brattleboro, VT
 Join youth circus coaches, directors, and
administrators for a weekend of engaging
workshops, discussions, and skill building.
This year, along with
opportunities to learn new teaching techniques and build your skills, we will be
rallying our members to build AYCO’s strength for the next decade. It’s a
conference not to miss!
In partnership with the New England Center for Circus Arts,AYCO is offering a Professional Trapeze Teacher Training with NECCA Founders Elsie and Serenity Smith, September 14 - 17th. Registration includes Educators Conference Weekend.
More details coming soon. We hope you'll make your plans and
reserve the dates.
Those interested in presenting at this year's conference should save
the dates and contact David Hunt: david@americanyouthcircus.org
Are you interested in getting more involved
with AYCO this Spring and Summer?
We are seeking inspired and enthusiastic people to fill the following
volunteer position:
- Programming Manager - Assist with program
content, scheduling, and workshop logistics
Please email David for more details: david@americanyouthcircus.org
__________________________________________________________________
New
Strategic Plan for AYCO
At the start of April, the AYCO Board of Directors endorsed a new, five year strategic plan. This represents a roadmap for an exciting new stage in AYCO’s life. The plan is the product of several months of work by the AYCO Strategic Planning Committee. Highlights include:
- A major upgrade
to the AYCO website
- Enhanced
service offering to members, through the website, events and advocacy
- Growth in
membership across the whole youth circus sector
- Creation of two
staff positions, Executive Director and Operations Director
Read
a
summary of the plan
AYCO
members
may request access to a copy of the full plan from zoe@americanyouthcircus.org
_____________________________________________________________________________
New Board Member
 AYCO is delighted to welcome Chuck Johnson to the Board of Directors. Chuck is the Director of Programs at the School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts in Seattle, WA. Chuck has also been appointed Chair of the newly formed AYCO Safety Committee. We look forward to working with Chuck as we implement our strategic plan.
____________________________________________________________________
New Executive Director
 AYCO is delighted to announce the appointment of Zoë Brookes as Acting Executive Director. Zoë has agreed to fill this position on a voluntary, part-time basis to lead AYCO through its transition phase. Zoë is the Director of Stone Soup Circus in Princeton, New Jersey and a former consultant with Bain & Company, The Bridgespan Group and Wellspring Consulting. She brings 15 years of for-profit and non-profit management experience to the role. Welcome Zoë! You can follow Zoë’s news of changes at AYCO on her blog.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Membership Changes
We are delighted to announce the School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts (SANCA) and Circus Smirkus as the first Partner level members of AYCO. This commitment represents these organizations’ strong support for AYCO as we embark on a new direction for the next ten years.
From June 2010, membership of AYCO will follow a new structure, with enhanced member benefits and opportunities to participate at different levels. Details of the new structure will be published on the website in May and included in the next AYCOGram.
Organizations wishing to show leadership support for AYCO can join as partners now. Contact zoe@americanyouthcircus.org.
____________________________________________________________________________
Help AYCO Set the Stage for the Next Ten Years
In order to create a new website for AYCO and to provide the funds that allow us to commit to hiring our Operations Director, AYCO needs to raise $25,000 this summer. We are reaching out to corporate sponsors, supporting organizations and members to help us reach this target. Please do your part to help AYCO get to the next level. Here’s how you can help:
- Send us a personal
donation. Send a check payable to American Youth Circus Organization, to AYCO,
29 Dempsey Avenue,
Princeton, NJ
08640, or go to our
website, www.americanyouthcircus.org and donate online.
- If you’re not a paid
up member, join AYCO now. Despite the large number of supporters seen at
festivals, only a small proportion of our supporters are paid up members. From
the fall, we will be charging an annual subscription to access AYCO services.
Sign up before May 31 and you will receive 18 months’ membership for the price
of 12. You can join through our website, www.americanyouthcircus.org
.
- Organize a
fundraising event. If you are part of a performing organization, please
dedicate a spring or summer performance to raising money for AYCO. Sell
tickets, pass round a hat, put on a fancy dinner, whatever suits your
organization.
- Tell a friend. If
every member brings one new member to AYCO, we double our membership
income!
- Volunteer. We will
need help in every corner of the country, using every skill. From quick help
with graphics to organizing regional festivals, from serving on a board
committee to calling to welcome new members: we need you all. E-mail zoe@americanyouthcircus.org to
find out how you can help. We have a long list of
jobs!
___________________________________________________________________________
Circus Jobs
AYCO Operations Director
AYCO is now undertaking a search for a paid part time Operations Director beginning September 1 2010. Applications are invited: deadline May 15th. Job description and application details.
Circus Teacher: Palestine
The Palestinian Circus School - PCS - is looking
for a full time female circus trainer for 1 year from September 2010
till August 31, 2010. See www.americanyouthcircus.org/bb.htm
or www.palcircus.ps for more.
FabricsTeacher: Simply Circus - Newton, MA
Seeking a part time (6-12 hours a week) teacher in the Boston area to teach beginning to advanced fabrics at our Newton location. Starting September.
Send resumes to: info@simplycircus.com
_____________________________________________________________________________
Equipment For Sale
Want to buy a 3 ring circus? AYCO is selling a treasure trove of used circus equipment including 3 x 40 foot box style ring curbs, some Star blocks and tackle and Quartz lighting. See pictures of what’s available. The equipment is currently stored in Miami, Florida and transportation will be the responsibility of the buyer. Everything must go! Interested parties should contact zoe@americanyouthcircus.org for prices.
___________________________________
News
from
the world of youth circus...
A nice article on the neurological research being done on equilibrium, modularity, and training the brain-body: see http://neuroanthropology.net/2008/11/30/balance-between-cultures-equilibrium-training/AYCO founder Kevin O'Keefe's "Circus Around the World" program is highlighted in article. Circolombia:
From street urchins to circus stars. Youth from Colombia go to the United Kingdom to perform in CircusFest 2010. Prescott Circus Theatre performs on stilts at Oakland City Hall -- see video and story. The
circus finishesTallahassee.com
Break out the trapeze, please, and send
in the clowns when The FSU Flying High Circus takes to the air for its
final weekend of 2010 Home Show Series ...
Spring
Youth Circus Extravaganza Presented byThe Latest
News on Spring Youth Circus Extravaganza ... My Nose Turns Red
youth circus students showcase array of circus skills.
...
www.cinstages.com/Onstage/proddetail.asp?ProdID=115359
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