Creating Safe Spaces

Novices come into the public lifestyle in search of positive experiences and a safe place to start their paths. Creating Safe Spaces is designed to help groups learn what it is that novices need to become successfully integrated into the BDSM community. Established members of BDSM organizations will be given the tools to implement a program that will both welcome novices and enhance group retention. In this program, we will explore a dynamic change in how we in the leather community work with and retain new people. We will identify the types of problems new people face: building trust, practicing patience and developing good judgment. Creating Safe Spaces will give you the tools to continue growing and strengthening our community by supporting and guiding novices, from their first munch to becoming volunteers and even leaders.


Working with conflict within your organization

The strengths of our organizations come from the diversity of our members - but this very strength often leads to conflict.  Understanding what conflict is, where it comes from, and how to work through and with the conflict can let any organization find strengths that were unknown and tap resources that were unavailable.  Conflict management should be more than identification - it should be working with conflict so the organization can experience success and growth.


Sales and marketing strategies and skills for non-profit organizations

Sales and marketing belong in more than the outside world – for any organization to be known, supported, and to experience growth and outreach it is critical to get out the message of who the organization is, what the goals and vision are, and how the organization will achieve those goals.  Sales and marketing strategies are inherent to effectively communicate this message to not only our alternative community but to the rest of the world.


Sensationalized Sex

NCSF has been actively debunking negative stereotypes about sex and BDSM for over 10 years. Susan Wright will show you how the opposition is fighting our events: from the Missouri State Senate Resolution banning BDSM that NCSF managed to get shelved, to the Concerned Women for America press release claiming My Vicious Valentine would be dangerous to the health of the community. Come learn the successful strategy and tactics we use to retain our rights.


Consent Counts: A Grass Roots Report

Last year activists gathered, a discussion began about a key issue impacting us all. The decriminalization of BDSM.  A grass roots project was born to examine the laws that make what we do illegal.  Data was gathered from around the country compiled into a report that can be used as a basis of future national and local networking.  We will present the findings and facilitate a discussion looking at the next step toward decriminalizing BDSM.


Your Family, Your Money

The presentation will cover often-neglected financial issues of importance to singles and any group of two or more adults who are in a living-together relationship and who would like to plan their financial futures together.  Topics will include why financial planning is important for your family, partnership agreements and slave contracts, ownership of family assets, income tax planning and how the IRS is gay-friendly, retirement planning, insurable interest concerns and insurance beneficiary designations, estate planning, living wills, and the importance of financial and medical power-of-attorney documents.  Important provisions of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 will also be discussed.


Changing hearts - TG Leathermen talk about their lives.

An open dialogue with a group of Trans-Gender Leathermen about their lives. This conversational, non- confrontational, non- threatening discussion with a group of openly TG. Leathermen will encourage interaction with the audience to create a sharing space and bring understanding and knowledge that creates a chance to get inside these men and help change hearts and promote full acceptance of  TG Leathermen. Not a debate, not a forum, this is a real chance to interact with and get to know four individual TG Leathermen.

Through discussion and interaction, presentation attendess will be introduced to resources to address these issues within their own communities.


I Must Hurry and Catch Up With the Others for I am Their Leader

Leadership and participation in any organization tends to follow certain patterns; patterns that we can find in our mythic literature, folk stories, fables, even in our collective dreams. Recognition of these patterns allows leaders to minimize the times they leave a meeting or event wondering, “what the hell just happened.” Exploring familiar patterns and successful responses allows us to avoid reinventing the wheel of torture that sometimes seems to characterize any volunteer work. We will explore how our role and the roles of those we lead often follow archetypal patterns. Being able to recognize those patterns allows us to respond creatively and effectively. We explore our shadow issues and how they can have a destructive impact on work for which we share.


Philanthropy in the Leather/Fetish Community

This panel will examine how philanthropy exists currently in the leather/fetish communities around the country. Additionally, we will explore various forms of effective fundraising (e.g. sponsorships) and grant making (e.g. priority setting), and how to maximize community impact. Different models will be shared so that philanthropy efforts may be bolstered at the local and national levels via better communication and improved community work.


Keeping it Fresh & Aroused: the art of producing an annual title contest.

The Mr. SF Eagle, Mr. SF Drummer, Mr. SF Cheeks and Chaps, Mr. Watering Hole, Mr. Folsom Bear, Ms. SF Leather and SF Dyke Daddy; these are just a sample of former titles that once started as annual titles contests in the City of San Francisco. So what happened? As the producer of all 16 Mr. SF Bear contests, the presenter will share some secrets to help boost, refresh and AROUSE your annual title contest.


How To Grow Your Event

If you produce a small leather/fetish event or are just looking to start one, find out the tricks of the trade from the infamous producers of Folsom Street Fair. Innovative strategies in the areas of marketing, promotions, fundraising, diversity/inclusion, and organizational structure and capacity building will be our focus. Additional areas of interest will be covered, per your interests. Find out what you can do to make your small event into a huge success!


Thank you for Being Such A Pain: Building Community with Difficult People

Getting along with people is not for pussies.  Difficult people are a pain in the ass AND can be an asset.  Ethics, leadership and working with difficult people takes trust, truth, tact and timing, let alone showing up at the next meeting.  How do I act instead of react? How do I deal with the different personalities of our community?  This is a workshop about power exchange in working relationships in the BDSM community. 


(Un)Common Ground: Intersections of Kink, Poly and Queer

Kinky, poly, queer... they're not one and the same, but they sure do overlap a lot! It's common knowledge that lots of people straddle the boundaries between these three identities and communities. Join us for a structured analysis of the issues common to all three in terms of political struggle, personal challenge and community-building. You'll come out with fresh insights and understanding to benefit your leadership work and activism.


Removing the Sexual Sadism and Sexual Masochism from the DSM

The DSM classifies Sadism and Masochism as mental disorders, which has been used to discriminate against BDSM practitioners (denial of child custody, security clearances, imply a propensity to commit sexual offenses, etc.).  This presentation will educate the activist on the issues, history of the DSM and these diagnoses, pertinent academic research, and will outline the plan to remove the diagnoses from the DSM.   No background required, but removal will take a broad coalition of activists to accomplish.


A Survey of Discrimination of SM-Identified Individuals: Preliminary Results

In September of 2007, Susan Wright launched the second Survey of Violence and Discrimination against Sexual Minorities.  Since that time, more than 1,600 respondents have completed the online version of the survey, which captures experiences of discrimination and sexual identity.  Join Susan Wright as she discusses preliminary findings from the data.  Larry Iannotti, who assisted in the design and collection of the survey, will be on hand to answer technical questions about the survey.


Finances for Leather Clubs

Although mundane, the financial health of any organization helps keep the group strong. The panelists will discuss strategies for fundraising, financial tracking, and keeping the books balanced. We will also discuss non-profit status (how, why, etc.).


BDSM Education: What does the community really need?

Jack Rinella, in collaboration with The Community-Academic Consortium for Research on Alternative Sexualities (CARAS), is conducting an assessment of the present state of educational practices in the BDSM community. Join Jack, Rob Bienvenu, and Richard Sprott to learn how this effort could form the basis for growth, development, and improvement in teaching within the BDSM community. Your participation in responding to the panelists will be welcomed.


submissives and slaves as Leaders: How We Do it

Let's face it. Service people are organized, tactful, budget conscious, gracious in the face of adversity, multi-taskers, responsible, and able to see "the big picture." Isn't that what we are looking for in our community and organizational leaders? While some organizations have learned to value the skills of all their members, others have not. What can we do to encourage submissives to step up and recognize their leadership skills? This panel will be composed of service folk (submissives, slaves and others) that have started their own organizations, taken the lead in established groups, and utilized their skills to the fullest all while serving their Dom. Yes, it can be done.  Questions and discussion will be encouraged.


Plan for the Worst: Avoiding and Managing Event Crises of All Sizes

Preparing for the unpredictable is not a contradiction in terms, it’s part of good event planning.

Many common event mishaps can be prevented through careful attention to detail. Other minor problems might not be avoided, but good planning will allow them to be handled without any trouble. Come learn the details you need to know, from first aid kits on up.

Delegation is crucial in handling crises of all sizes. Delegate in advance, by assigning a “just in case” staff person who is well-prepared and trained to handle minor and medium incidents, so that organizers are free to continue managing normal operations. Come find out what the specific skills are for this staff position, and how to do (or train) this important but often-overlooked role.

For large-scale emergencies, a clear, written disaster plan is necessary, with many roles pre-assigned to minimize confusion. Come learn how to create and, if necessary, implement an effective disaster plan. Finally, come gain insight into how to debrief after a major crisis, and pick up a few tips on how to take care of yourself and your staff throughout a stressful incident.


"Whack-A-Mole: Event Planning Without Tantrums and Tears"

Event planning need not be a painful chore. Separating the process into phases and manageable tasks can help smooth the workload and minimize the potential for drama when unexpected problems arise (much like the little furry varmints that pop up in the arcade game, "Whack-A-Mole").  Whether your event is large or small, this simple strategy is intended to provide a framework to reduce the stress involved in planning almost any event. Anyone can do it!


Let’s Get Organized!

A panel discussion with the leaders of our National groups about the current state of our communities and where we might be headed. Panelists will speak about the mission and goals of their organizations as well as their current projects; current and future challenges on the social, legal and political fronts; and what each organization’s part in meeting those challenges might be. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of the roles each of the national BDSM, Leather, Fetish and Sexual Freedom organization plays in our society today.


Creating Nimble Organizations

Several forces are transforming leather organizations.  We describe the "nimble" organization, and contrast it with six other models.  Through group activities, we'll see how to apply these insights to running events more easily and effectively.  We'll examine case studies from diverse parts of many leather and alternative sexualities communities.  Attendees will see how to adopt nimble practices to convert needs and fantasies into successful practical occasions.


The Town Hall Meeting: A Case Study in Tackling Community Issues

The Town Hall Meeting is an excellent way of bringing communities together to collectively discuss, explore and find solutions for the needs and problems in its midst. Our panelists are members of a team that produce such Meetings in the L.A. SM Community. This presentation provides a template on how to choose topics and panelists, handle positive and negative feedback, and present solutions. We will close with a mock Town Hall Meeting where YOU are the players!


“FILTHY” Event Planning in BUM-FUCK-NO-WHERE

With events named Sophisticated OINK, The Greasy Jockstrap Party, The Mr. Iowa Leather Contest, CORNHOLED and a presentation titled “Maintaining a Healthy Hole” advertised, there were many challenges to overcome to maintain the integrity of a pulsating HARD theme in a place like Iowa!  Gain knowledge as to how working with public officials and law enforcement agencies BEFORE hand, despite ill feelings towards the event, helped to ensure unnecessary and potentially humiliating problems.  Plus, educating those who work in HIV/STD education, outreach, and prevention fields to better understand the Leather/BDSM/Fetish community played an extremely important role.  And gain important fun tips like checking with your local GLBT media/marketing outlets prior to hiring AXEL to design a poster for an event titled CORNHOLED!  A corncob sticking out of a butt hole doesn’t fair to well in more conservative parts, even with in the GLBT community!


Early Leather/Early Kink

In this talk Chuck Renslow, whose history as a leader in the leather community dates from the 1950's, and sociologist Rob Bienvenu provide an overview of early leather/kink groups and the origins of our community. Come to learn about the early men and women who built our community, their struggles and accomplishments, which can provide inspiration and wisdom as we face new challenges today.  


How Research Works and why it is Important: A Primer for Kink Community Leaders

Professionally conducted scientific research produces the kind of “hard” knowledge that is needed to challenge discriminatory practices, win court cases, and conduct effective advocacy. This session provides a primer on how science works—from research design, funding, and institutional review to publication in peer reviewed media—and why it is important for the leather/kink community to support research today.


When the party if over… The Queen is dead long live the queen

Most leaders in our community are either pushed out or burned out. Why is that? Does it have to be that way? How do we let go of the reigns in a professional, controlled manner before we burn out or before the organization runs stagnant under the weight of the same person’s style and ideas? The best leaders know when to find their replacement and step aside without feeling like yesterday’s news.


It’s about Leather: Strategies for Working with a Radical Right Obsessed with Alternative Sex Practices!

What do we do as sex-positive activists when the Radical Right uses sex to depict the leather community as perverts and threats to American “ideals”?

Do we deny the value of sex to our communities and denigrate the diverse ways the leather community organizes their sex, desires, and emotional relationships?  Do we split our community into the good monogamous people and write off the polyamorous and kinky folks?   Utilizing real-life case studies from the presenters and participants, this workshop will be a place to think both strategically and tactically in addressing the Right's obsession with alternative sexualities.


Understanding sexual freedom as a leather leader.

This thought provoking and important topic addresses how sexual freedom issues, both our own sexuality and broader public issues, impact us substantially as political leaders of our various communities.  The group will discuss why it is important to be aware of and articulate about sexual freedom issues from a political standpoint, as well as how one’s own sexuality may be compromised as a political leader.

Religious political extremists continue to paint sex outside of marriage and sexual freedom quite effectively as “immoral” and the beginning of a slippery slope that will result in the decay of America.  The Leather community has shied away from discussing sex and sexual freedom as part of its political advocacy.  As a result, the opposition uses sex to attack us over and over again successfully, with little response from our movement.  They are setting the agenda, not us.  And, they are getting more aggressive than ever, changing their focus not just to oppose same sex marriage, but also to oppose being gay itself.

This interactive discussion will begin with actual case studies from each of the panelists as they share their own experiences, discussing how being organizational leaders both constrains them and gives them opportunities – expounding on why it is important to be able to discuss sexual freedom as part of your political advocacy and how it can enhance your current political advocacy efforts.  Participants will discuss effective ways to incorporate sex and sexual freedom into their current political agendas.  It will also address how one’s own sexuality can be compromised or can conflict with one’s image as a leather leader.


How to conduct a sexual freedom workshop

Learn how to design and conduct an interactive workshop on sexual behavior, consent and sexual freedom. Go step-by-step through the process of tailoring a workshop to your group and learn tips on how to facilitate this interactive workshop in your community. Participants will receive a facilitator's manual, which includes all the information you need to conduct this workshop yourself.


Putting sex back into leather

For the past couple years, we've been asking folks "Where did the sex go?”   In the push for acceptance, many organizations and communities have distanced themselves even more from frank discussions of sexuality.  Sometimes it appears that even leather groups are disavowing sex, in what we believe is a dishonest tactic to evade local zoning regulations and liquor laws. In this workshop, we will discuss how we can put sex back on the political agenda.


Diversity, Tolerance, Inclusiveness

How do we deal with the difficult issues of racism, sexism and biases in the scene?  How do we create awareness of these issues and environments that are inclusive and accepting of all, regardless of race, sex, disability, age, weight and scene play that others may not care for?  This diverse panel will lead an interactive discussion with the audience on these issues and attempt to reach consensus on a few actions that would help to improve inclusiveness of all in the leather/BDSM communities.


Attracting and Retaining Members:

Groups exist to meet the needs of their members. If you don't attract and keep new members your group may wither and fade away. Jack discusses techniques that facilitated Black Rose's growth from a few dozen members to over 900.


Leadership skills for community leaders

Leadership is more than just winning an election or contest. It means determining what should be done, inspiring people to help get it done and clearly communicating a vision of where your community should be going. This session will explore both what is expected of you as a leader and the attributes and skills you need for effective leather community leadership.

“Fanning the Flames”

This presentation offers some techniques of how to improve presentations as well as why one needs to do so. Insights into adult learning are offered. Examples of various tools including body language/gestures, static media, computer-assisted, and demonstrations to enliven a presentation are utilized. Discussion and questions on what has been presented as well as sharing info is encouraged.


How to Be a “Top” Presenter

Teaching workshops can be one of the most powerful tools for creating and sustaining a strong BDSM community. Being knowledgeable and passionate about your topics of interest is only the beginning. Developing an effective workshop is similar to creating a memorable scene with key ingredients that meets everyone’s needs. This workshop will familiarize you with the essential elements that will help you enhance your workshops and ensure that you become a “Top” presenter.


The Gender Galaxy

We trannies want to come out and play! Women’s spaces, men’s spaces – where do trans people belong? How can we create welcoming inclusive environments? Are there ways to create non-inclusive environments that are respectful? Trans inclusion brings up issues of community, safety, female and male energy and bonding, bodies, identities, fear of the unfamiliar, and genitals. How to navigate this terrain?!

With candor and humor. We start the workshop with a short film of eight fabulously dressed up genitals that speak about trans inclusion. (The award winning fairytale “Trannymals Go To Court”) Then, with group activities, we explore the inclusion of people with different bodies and identities in play spaces. The activities will include googley eyes, glitter, and group puppet theater. 


The Other Ties that Bind: Shared Stories and Community Cohesion

What binds a community together? Common goals? Common ideals? Common adversaries? Institutions? The lifeblood of Community is its people. Community building, like politics, is retail. What binds Community is what binds its people. Shared experiences are the binding factor at any given moment and shared memories extend those ties across time and space. In his presentation, Rich will explore how this subtle and pervasive concept applies in multiple situations and how awareness in this area can lead to beneficial changes for a community.


Trademark litigation: The Dykes on Bikes Supreme Court case

A case study of the legal battle to win U.S. trademark registration for the trademark DYKES ON BIKES, waged by the SF Women’s Motorcycle Contingent non-profit organization all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.