Posted 5/31/2004 12:28:21 PM by Ed Limbach
Interview from CFA Website Editors viewed 806 times
Monday, May 31, 2004 - Online
The editor's of the CFA Web Site recently interviewed Colleen Stewart about her interest in the circus and her vision for her term as President of the Association. Colleen resides in Renton, Washington. Following are her comments.
MEET THE PRESIDENT ELECT
OF
CIRCUS FANS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
COLLEEN STEWARTThe editor's of the CFA Web Site recently interviewed Colleen Stewart about her interest in the circus and her vision for her term as President of the Association. Colleen resides in Renton, Washington. Following are her comments. Colleen how did you become interested in the circus?  I got involved with the circus when my husband, Ron, and I married. Circus was his hobby. He loved taking photos at the shows that played the Northwest United States. He really liked the elephants! When we attended shows with our children, the animals were always at the top of the list of things to see. When our children were grown and left home and Ron and I retired, we ran away and joined Carson and Barnes Circus as the 24-hour team. This experience resulted in my becoming a true circus fan. I learned that circus people are great and that made the difference for me.
Can you tell us about your involvement with CFA over the years? I have been a member of CFA for 18 years. I have held positions in the organization at all levels. I have been a tent Secretary/Treasurer, President, and Vice President/Treasurer. I was Chair of the 1989 Convention, which was held in Seattle. At the National level of CFA I have served on 8 committees, District Director, Western Vice President and President elect. I belong to five different tents and am a supporter of circus museums and festivals across America. I am very proud of our local Wenatchee Youth Circus and consequently support that as well. As you prepare to assume the duties of President of CFA, have you given any thought as to what you would like to accomplish during your term of office? Yes, I have given thought to what I would like to accomplish during my term in office. My goals are to sustain the organization. Across America I see fraternal organizations fighting to survive. Between the need for families to have double incomes and the support that they have to give to their children in time and attention, it leaves little time or excess energy for CFA. For the fan that occasionally comes along, we must have our group easier to find. All circus programs should have contact information for our Association. In the local communities we should be listed with other service groups at the chamber or city hall. If CFA is to survive, we need to be known. How are your plans coming for the 2005 CFA Convention to be held in the Northwest? Well, to be honest plans are proceeding slowly. I still have to find a place for the circus. This is delaying setting the exact dates of the convention. We do have a theme of the 2005 convention, ""The Circus is Alive in 2005". Colleen, in a perfect world what would you suggest circus fans do to support the circus industry? That's a good question and one that I have thought about. My thoughts come from my first hand experience with Carson and Barnes Circus. As the population in America becomes more urbanized, it is harder and harder for shows to find sponsors and lots. If fans can find a lot and a sponsor in their town and "bring the circus home" this would be a big help for many of the smaller tented shows. If a show or two is already playing your town be a supporter. Give the show a list of resources in your town: doctor, dentist, public health office, closely located laundry and grocery, animal feed outlet that won't gouge, propane, sewer pumper and any other services they may need while in your location. Offer rides for those who might need them. Do you have any other suggestions for fans? Yes, and I think this is very important. After the circus has left your town write letters of thanks to the sponsors and to your local papers praising the wholesome family entertainment that the circus brought to your community. Maybe all this is to pie in the sky. The bottom line is this is what I feel most deeply. All the membership campaigns in the world won't help if there are no shows left to see but Ringling and Soleil.
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