Society of American Magicians

The Society of American Magicians (S.A.M.) is the oldest fraternal magic organization in the world. Its purpose is "to advance, elevate, and preserve magic as a performing art, to promote harmonious fellowship throughout the world of magic, and to maintain and improve ethical standards in the field of magic."cite news | url=http://www.magicsam.com/about.asp | title=About the Society of American Magicians | publisher=Society of American Magicians |date=2007 | first= | last= | accessdate =2007-06-05] To promote these endeavors the S.A.M. presents awards and fellowships in recognition of outstanding achievement in the Art of Magic.

Membership in the S.A.M. is open to professional magicians, amateur magicians, youth magicians, magic collectors, magic historians, magic inventors, magic manufacturers and magic dealers. Over 30,000 people worldwide have been members, and currently the S.A.M. has 7,000 members worldwideFact|date=June 2007. The current President of S.A.M. is Bruce Kalver.

History

Founded on May 10, 1902 in the back room of Martinka's magic shop in New York, the Society expanded under the leadership of Harry Houdini during his term as National President from 1917-1926. It now numbers 250 assemblies throughout the world.

It pays tribute to Harry Houdini on the day of his death every year at his grave in Machpelah Cemetery in Ridgewood, Queens, New York City in a ceremeony known as the "Broken Wand Ceremony". [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=509]

Publications

* "M-U-M", is a monthly print magazine published by SAM. M-U-M stands for Magic, Unity, Might, a slogan of the SAM.

Vision Framework For Twenty-First Century

Twenty-five members of the S.A.M. National Council met at the end of March 2004 to decide the direction and the future of the Society. They decided it should be the same as when it was founded. They also created a Vision Framework For the Twenty-First Century. It has three main sections: Core Values and Beliefs, Purpose, and the Mission.

Core Values and Beliefs

1. We believe that magic should be accorded the dignity and respect deserved by all performing arts.

2. We believe that magic as an art requires thoughtful study and practice with attention to both technique and performance.

3. We believe that magic can and should enrich the lives of both magicians and their audiences through education and entertainment.

4. We recognize and grant equal respect to:

* Professional magicians
* Amateur magicians and enthusiasts
* Youth magicians
* Collectors and historians
* Inventors, manufacturers and dealers.

5. We actively seek representation in our membership of all groups of people who agree to uphold the purpose and objectives of our society.

6. We believe that the history and traditions of the society should be an integral part of our culture.

7. We are opposed to the exposure of magic whether by purposeful acts or through careless or ill-prepared performance.

8. We are opposed to the piracy of magical creations.

9. We believe that magic can and should contribute to those in need through charitable and/or therapeutic performances.

10. We believe in the joy of magic.

Purpose

The purpose of this society shall be to advance, elevate, and preserve magic as a performing art, to promote harmonious fellowship throughout the world of magic and to maintain and improve ethical standards in the field of magic.

Mission

1. To become the premiere magic organization in the world as evidenced by:

* Being the organization to which professional and amateur magicians want to belong.
* The admiration and respect accorded to us by all those interested in magic.
* Worldwide recognition for its good works in the field of magical arts.

2. To double existing membership in both S.A.M. and S.Y.M. while reducing attrition by 50%.

3. To achieve S.Y.M. assembly representation in every major population center.

4. To make a national headquarters for the society a reality.

5. To change the nature of communications to reflect the increased opportunities made possible through expanding technology.

6. To define, maintain, and preserve a continuity of operations.

Popular Culture

S.A.M. was parodied in the Fox television program Arrested Development as the Magician's Alliance, to which GOB Bluth was an infrequent member. Their motto was "We Demand to be Taken Seriously."

References

External links

* [http://www.magicsam.com/ Society of American Magicians] - Official website of the Society of American Magicians