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We at Black RoseTM are always willing to help new groups get started or to over come some of the obstacles that beset organizations from time to time. The outline that you can download from this page should answer many of your questions. In the next few weeks we will be replacing this with a greatly expanded version which will include many examples of documents we use here at Black RoseTM.

A bit futher down the road we will be offering a guide to running an event. We learned quite a bit from running BR10 and will be sharing it with you.

 

ORGANIZING AND OPERATING A LEATHER GROUP
 
    I. DEFINE YOUR INTENTIONS
A. Why Am I Doing This?
    • Fulfilling a need vs. Ego gratification
B. What Am I Trying to Create?
    • Fraternal social group (Delta)
    • Educational group (Black RoseTM)
    • Political group (NY SM Activists)
    • For profit groups (PEP)
    • Regional/National association (NLA)
C. Am I Duplicating Something That Exists?
    • If so, why? 
     

    II. PLAN A FIRST MEETING
     

    A. Goal – Identify individuals with a similar interest

    B.  Topic – – Discussion, not demonstration -- General and Introductory in Nature

    C. Where – Neutral space, e.g., hotel, meeting room

    D. When – Try both weekday and weekend evenings

      E. Publicity – Local newspapers, Internet   F. Cost – Should not exceed $5.00  
              III. CONDUCTING INITIAL MEETINGS
      A. Atmosphere – Non-threatening, safe neighborhood   B. Discussion – As professional as possible   C. Define Future Direction – parties, education, social, etc.  
              IV. CREATE AN INFRASTRUCTURE
      A. Leadership Models
    • Autocratic – All power in one individual (efficiency vs. tyranny)
    • Leaderless – Ultimate in democracy and inefficiency
    • Elected officers or board – Compromise of representation and efficiency
    B.  Appointments or Election
     
  • First year -- appointment
  • Subsequent years -- election
C. Staff Responsibilities
  • Programs – Facilitates meetings
  • Secretary – Correspondence and administrative details
  • Treasurer – Deposits moneys, pays bills, maintains financial records
  • Membership – Maintains membership roster, prints labels, supervises mailings
  • Newsletter – Solicits contributions, editorial oversight, production and distribution
  • Others – Education, novice orientation, party captains, DM’s, etc.
D. Organizational Status
  • To incorporate or not?
E. Potential Pitfalls
  • Separating scene roles from group responsibilities
  • Stick to your niche
  • Factionalism – Potential for one person tyranny 

V. SUBSEQUENT MEETINGS
 

A.  Location
 
  • Bar, rented space, residence
  • Accessibility
  • Safety
    •  B. Type
    • Lectures
    • Panel discussions
    • Demonstrations
    • Socials
    • Play parties
    • Gateway – exclusively for people new to the scene
    • Flea market
    • Fund-raisers
      •  
      C. Effective Meetings
       
    • Facilitator
    • Presenter
    • Outlines and handouts
    • Equipment and assistants, as necessary
    • Start and end on time
    • Atmosphere – appropriate for topic
      •  

      VI. PUBLICITY

       
      A. Where
    • Internet – Web sites, bulletin boards, usegroups
    • Media – Local newspapers and magazines
    • Outreach – Attend functions at other groups, present at scene and non-scene functions
    B. What
    • Announce specific meeting or activity
    • How to get more info about the group 

      VII. FINANCE

    A.  Typical Expenses
     
  • Rent
  • Newsletter
  • Advertising
  • Voicemail
  • Reproduction
  • Postage
  • Web site
  • Party expenses
    • B.  Price Structure
     
  • Cover costs
  • Profit
  • Men vs. Women – equality of fees seems to work best
  • Couples and Leather Families -- discount
  • Hardships
    • C.  Treasurer
     
  • Integrity
  • Attention to detail
    •
    D.  Accountability
     
  • Fiscal responsibility is a responsibility of all officers
  • Keep track of typical cash flow
  • Audit vs. appropriate 
    •

      VIII. THE LAW

     A.  Know Local and State Law
     
  • Solicitation
  • Prostitution
  • Bawdy House
  • Sodomy
  • Pornography
  • Weapons
  • Masks and uniforms
  • Sex and money
  • Minors

    • B.  Liquor Control Laws/Regulations
     

  • Nudity
    •  C. Prohibited Activities
    • If it is against the law, DO NOT do it
      D.  Relationship with Law Enforcement
       
    • Establish liaison
    • Invite them to speak
    • Offer to educate on SM issues

      IX. NEWSLETTER

     A.  Define Purpose
     
  • Inform members – issues and events
  • Outreach – exchange newsletters with other groups
  • Profit – paid advertising, newsstand sales
  • Entertainment – fiction, cartoons
    •  
    B.  Define Content Objectives and Limitations
     
  • Group mission statement
  • Calendar of events
  • Activity reports
  • Features
  • Commercial advertising
  • ISO’s
  • Fiction
  • How to Articles
    •  C. Identify Someone willing to Assume Responsibility and Form a Production Team  
              X. PLAY PARTIES
     
    A.  Identify a Party Coordinator
     
  • Someone experienced at coordinating events
    • B.  When and Where
     
  • Bar, rented space, residence, campground
    • C.  Attendance Limitations
     
  • Members only
  • Guests
  • Public
  • Age Limitations
    • D.  Equipment
     
  • What is needed?
  • How much is needed?
  • How will we get it?
  • How will we transport it?
    • E.  Define general (etiquette) and special rules
     
  • DM’s enforce rules and ensure a clean, safe playspace
    • F.  Food and Drink
     
  • Type
  • Quantity
  • Alcohol Restrictions
  • Who provides
  • Timing
  • Clean-up
    •  
    G.  Activities and the Law
     
  • See law section
    • H.  Insurance and/or Releases
     
  • Accidents
  • Property damage
  • Food poisoning
  • Dram-shop rules
    •

    XI. ELECTIONS
     

    A.  Why
     
  • Empower membership
  • Limit tyranny
    • B.  Typical Criteria for Nominations
     
  • Member for x years – must understand group dynamics
  • Active participant – if one does not attend meetings, one is unlikely to contribute much as a leader
  • Useful skills – attorney, desktop publisher, leadership
  • Statement of candidacy – why one should be elected and what one brings
  • No felony record – convicted felons have no credibility with law enforcement and administrative bodies; may bring unwanted attention to the group
  • On-line access – increasingly important means to conduct group business
    • C.  Informing the Electorate
     
  • Meet the candidates meeting
  • Newsletter coverage
  • Special mailings to members
    • D.  Mechanics
     
  • Announce elections
  • Solicit qualified candidates
  • Mail ballot, statement of candidates, and return envelope to members
  • Count ballots
  • Publish results – winners only
    •    XII. AVOID GETTING IN A RUT
     
    A.  Maintain Variety
     
  • Mix of lecturers, demonstration, parties, etc.
    •  
    B.  Non-Scene Events
     
  • Lunch or brunch groups
  • Trips to Renaissance Fairs, etc.
  • SM related movies, etc.
    • C.  Special Events
     
  • Fashion Show
  • Flea market
  • Annual run
  • Fund-raisers
    •  D. Special Interest Groups
    • Women
    • Dominants
    • Submissives
    • Crafters
    • Bondage
    • Couples
      E.  Training Courses
       
    • Schools for Tops and Doms
    • Schools for Bottoms and Subs
    • Master classes
       
      XIII. MISCELLANEOUS CHARACTERISTICS OF SUCESSFUL GROUPS   A. Constant Influx of New People   B. Financial Checks and Balances   C. Deliberations Open to All   D. Everyone Treated Equally   E. Loyal Opposition is Healthy   F. Group and Leaders Must Provide Something to the Membership
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    This Page Last Updated: March 2, 1998
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