Background

• Black Rose was formed in 1987
• By 1992 all presenters and many attendees were relatively experienced players
• The weekly number of first time attendees remained high but the number who chose to remain with the group seemed to be dropping
• This disturbing trend was noticed and an effort was initiated to identify the cause and take corrective action

The apparent problem

• Attendees were, in part, reluctant to ask for the information they most wanted. When this need remained unfilled they chose to seek answers elsewhere.

Why?

• Fear of appearing uninformed and thereby risking embarrassment
• Fear of large groups (30-50 attendees at a typical BR meeting in those days)
• Reluctance to reveal personal information to a large group of strangers

Related issues

• "Old" members tended to prey on newcomers
• Group’s primary focus must be on meeting existing members needs

Solution

• Gateway concept was developed and monthly meetings initiated in Nov. 1995
• Focus on people new either to BDSM or to Black Rose
• Limit attendance to new folks and two experienced facilitators
• Boardroom rather than lecture hall seating to promote informality
• Two hour (8 – 10 PM) guided discussion format
• Simple topic of general interest is used to stimulate questions and discussion
• Facilitators stress Q&A over topic

Topics that work well

• Defining Yourself (BDSM roles, activities and related concepts)
• BDSM and Your Family, Friends and Co-Workers
• Scene Etiquette
• The Many Variations of What We Do (focus on range of play activities)
• BDSM vs. Abuse
• Overview of BDSM

Results

• Gateway had been presented every 2^nd Thursday since Nov. 1995
• Over 50 meeting to date
• Typical meeting has 6 – 12 attendees
• Approximately 550 attendees to date
• Approximately 1/3 of Black Rose members attended Gateway at their first activity

 

For more information

• Jack McGeorge at Jack@br.org
• Rose Vergara at Rose@br.org
• Gateway@br.org

Web Questions - Email our Webmaster