IJA Board Elections

Hello IJA community,

I've been a juggler and IJA member since childhood, and have been attending the IJA Festival since 2004. I've had the privilege of serving on the IJA Board for three terms, and I'm hoping to continue for a fourth.

The IJA has been a major part of my life for a long time. As a lifelong juggler, festival core team member, and longtime board member, I hope to continue bringing continuity, institutional knowledge, and a deep commitment to the organization and the broader juggling community.

My juggling story started when I became involved with circus arts through unicycling in the late 90s.  More recently, my passion for juggling was ignited during the pandemic shutdowns.  Juggling became a way to stay active, safe, and have something to look forward to on a daily basis.

In June of 2021, I found the Minnesota Neverthriving at an outdoor event and have been an active member of the community since, attending regional festivals and the IJA.  Over the past several years, I’ve learned a great deal about how the IJA is run. Now I'm looking for more ways to support and render assistance to my fellow jugglers.  

If I have the opportunity to serve on the IJA board, my intent is to focus on the following areas:

—Developing new methods for welcoming participants of all backgrounds into our community. We have a lot to offer and finding ways to engage new members will keep folks involved after their initial spark of interest.   

—Providing insights gained from my work experience with many successful organizations and having a strong background in logistics and leadership roles, which I believe would be a valuable asset for IJA. I’ve seen the importance of communication and collaboration in many settings.

—Continuing to support the work of the current Board in honoring our past and looking ahead. To guarantee the IJA’s continued success, we can explore many avenues to expand and enhance our juggling community.

Since my previous candidacy I have attended many of the Board’s business and vision meetings.  It’s been a great way to start getting involved in a more active way and would mean that at the beginning of my term I’d be fully ready to bring value to the Board.  The juggling community is unique and wonderful and I’d very much like to give back to the community that has provided me with so much.

Thank you for your time and consideration!

My name is Jonathan Perry. I first became an IJA member in 1991 when I
was a regular at the MIT Juggling Club during high school. While being a
full-time performer for over ten years, I learned that traveling can be
fun but so can be staying home. I have performed/taught in many
different arenas... hospital clowning with the Big Apple Circus, working
with at-risk youth through Cirque du Monde and teaching at the
Philadelphia School of Circus Arts. I have also learned a lot from
navigating all those random gigs that being a working professional
demands.

Having successfully completed my first term on the Board, I feel like I
have a better idea of what goes on "behind the scenes" to make our
organization continue to flourish. I've learned how small we truly are
and how much each individual's contribution really adds to our
community. I firmly believe we all should step up and help where we can
and am using my actions to back those words up and continue to be part
of the shaping force of the International Jugglers' Association. I have
benefited from those who came before me and hopefully will be able to
continue to help those who follow.

Hello Everyone!

I have had the honor of being on the Board since 2021. I have been
serving as the IJA's Board Chair since 2024. The IJA is in a wonderful
position right now thanks to the dedicated volunteers all around the
world working together. We are working hard to continue generating
support for the IJA as an organization, creating spaces for jugglers to
come together.

When I first became Board Chair, I told myself I would commit to at
least four years, if possible. During these first two years, we have
made strides in creating operating systems to provide foundations and
guides for future IJA teams to run smoothly. Our work on website and
membership updates are creating a more streamlined user experience for
members and non-members. Our marketing teams are organizing and
planning up new ways to promote juggling happenings with all our
visitors. We are financially stable for the foreseeable future thanks to
thoughtful accounting and generous donations from members such as
yourselves. And there is so much more we have planned!

I would be honored to have your vote to continue being a Board Member
and continue working for and with all of you. Thank you for this
opportunity!