Presentations
Here is a list of confirmed presentations descriptions
and presenters.
Go to the Schedule page for times.
Organizational (Crop Art Mosaic Track)
Managing the growth of an effective volunteer organization (ORG1)
Jonathan Krall
As an organization changes and grows, it can be difficult to keep
up with the expanded workload. As a group leader is called upon to
keep track of more and more details, he or she will eventually hit a limit--like
an athlete "hitting the wall." In a large organization
it is not enough to delegate the work. To a degree, one must also
delegate the need to think about the work. Based on nearly 20 years
of experience, this lecture will cover useful techniques for building a
scalable organization, creating a staff structure that makes sense, implementing
supportive decision-making protocols, and encouraging renewal. Class
materials will include a case study illustrating pathologies associated
with unfettered growth.
Accessing our alt-sex past in a digital millennium (ORG2)
Rick Storer
Does your organization have an appointed archivist that has all of
your electronic and paper records stored and easily accessible in one location? If
so, this session is not for you. However, if the records of your
organization are kept in the basements of multiple club members, electronic
files are stored on different members' computers subject to random deletion,
or some electronic records are stored on soon to be ancient floppy disks,
this session is for you. The volunteer and fluid membership nature
of most organizations leads to discombobulated record keeping. This
presentation (group dialog, really) will focus on practical applications
for keeping paper and electronic records that your group relies on to operate. Focus
will be placed on inexpensive or free simple record keeping systems for
both paper and electronic records.
Leadership Techniques for the Leather Community (ORG3)
Jack McGeorge
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.
Legal coverage &defense for the leather business or party:
what to do before, after & during legal crises (ORG4)
Panel Discussion - Master Conrad, cat, Allen Lichtenstein
Adult oriented businesses and functions face particular challenges
in the legal field arising from all sorts of sources, including invasive
law enforcement agents, zealous government officials, over reaching inspectors,
so-called "family value" activists and obtrusive neighbors. Given
the misinformation and prejudice which abound regarding BDSM and non-traditional
sexuality, the dangers and challenges only increase when dealing with a
leather related business, party, or other function.
When consent doesn't count - de-criminalizing consensual BDSM behavior (ORG5)
Panel Discussion - Sheryl Dee - Mod, Leigha Fleming, Judy Guerin, Rick Storer, Allen Lichtenstein, Conrad, Brie Baker
Think you know enough about consent? Join the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom for an examination of the role that laws pertaining to assault and consent play in our lives as individual BDSM practitioners, and as a BDSM/Leather community.
Leadership vs. management (ORG6)
Kim Attica
In this workshop we will present the framework used in the creation and
maintenance of Iron Rose. Iron Rose is an online leather community with
leaders, volunteers and managers. The attendees will have the
opportunity tolearn how online communities within the context of the leather community
creatively deal with issues of leadership.
Event Planning (Sand Mosaic Track)
Putting sex back into leather (EVT1)
Panel - Justin Tanis, Frederic Harwood, Philip Dietch
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.
Creating equitable educational events for any size community (EVT2)
Midori
Explore various successful models of education based special event
planning and interface models with presenters, conducted in various locations
from larger cities to small conservative communities. As a professional
speaker and sex educator Midori has been traveling and teaching since the
late 90's. She'll share her observations of what works and what doesn't,
keeping in mind realistic limitations of the local resources, ethical and
equitable treatment of all parties involved, to create a fulfilling event
to suit various goals.
Passion in the pitch - fundraising to believe in (EVT3)
Stephanie Lynn
Asking people for money sounds painful, but asking people
to share in your passion is a lot easier. Learn how to frame the passion
that drives you and your organization, and then turn it into support for
commonly held values. This novice to intermediate discussion will offer
attendees the chance to share their situation with others in class and develop
'passionate pitches' to use when the presentation is over.
Seminar budgeting – the event perspective (EVT4)
Larry Manion
Your group decides to produce a BDSM event
and wants you to arrange presenters. What will it cost? Can your event afford
it? Do you get exclusively big names? Do you have to pay them? How do you
ensure quality without breaking the bank? You will hear details about
presenter budgeting from an event’s perspective, including a sample
budget, suggestions for both big and small events, and questions and
answers.
Outreach (Quilting and Fabric Art Mosaic Track)
You say dungeon, I say play space. Are we in the same building? (OUT1)
Panel - Stephanie
Lynn-Mod, Glenda Rider, & Jazz Thomas
Language – it
unites us, defines us, separates us and drives us apart. Our language serves
as an important function in building community, but it can also hinder our
acceptance in society. How can we overcome our various differences? How important
is common language? Ho do we make it work for everyone? What are the consequences?
What are the benefits? A panel of individuals from around the country will
explore various themes and thoughts on language within an interactive format
designed to include all voices in the room.
Making space for diversity – overcoming myths and realit (OUT2)
Philip Dietch, Judy Guerin, Mistress Mir, Stacey Thomas
The goal of this session is that we focus on changing ourselves, for each of us 'in leadership' to become a change agent. Our sub-culture is divided by age, gender, gender identity, class, (dis)ability, national origin, religion, health status, and various combinations of these and other impacts which both connect and divide us. At the core of ‘Sharing Power' is being aware of the lack of diversity in our membership, leadership, programs and services and then having a positive impact on what holds us back from changing that dynamic.
Citizen kinkster: - developing community using tools of the
new media (OUT3)
Graydancer, Minx
Podcasting? Video
blogging? RSS? MySpace / Vox / Friendster / Napster / Great Googley Moogley,
whatever happened to our good old bulletin board and IRC channel? Graydancer
and Minx will give you their take on the plethora of Web 2.0 tools, and
how you can take advantage of them to build and enrich your community. Illustrated
with real-life examples and a valuable list of resources, Graydancer
and minx will also be asking the audience: what is it that isn't out
there yet that should be? Providing a solid "how-to-get-started
in new media", they will also cover the more important issue of
why you should use them, when you shouldn't, and some of the dangers
of What It Is We Do on the "internets". Hint: it's NOT a series
of tubes...
Working with the Media: The basics (OUT4)
Steve Lenius, Barbara Nitke, John Pendal, Graylin Thornton
Learn the basics on working with the media - what to do and what not to do - to get publicity for an event or cause. Topics include: meeting deadlines, what makes a good press release, what editors and writers need (neatness and completeness, for starters). Be nice to the media and they'll be more likely to be nice to you.
Presenters (Glass Mosaic Track)
The presenter's side of finances (PRS1)
Jack Rinella
Experienced presenters have learned the hard way
that speaking to our subculture is expensive. What are those expenses and
how can we find ways to make what we do affordable to everyone? As a freelance
writer and speaker, Rinella will present ideas to make the money side of
the equation work for everyone: organizer, attendee, and presenter
Developing skills-based presenters (PRS2)
Ms Cynthia
Wright
All organizations at one point or another find themselves looking
desperately for new and exciting presenters. While some people are natural
presenters, many more are not. Learn how to identify potential new presenters
and how to give them the skills and opportunity to develop into strong presenters.
Leave here knowing that you can indeed foster and create new presenters as
well as strength your own presentation skills.
Getting it out there (PRS3)
Mistress Amanda Wildefyre
Sharpen your skills as a public presenter
as we examine the challenges of bringing our material to both scene audiences
and to the general public. From
websites to workshops to performance art, find ways to develop your material
for different venues, overcome logistical pitfalls, and consider the leadership
responsibilities inherent in the public presentation of alternative lifestyles.
Understanding sexual freedom as a leather leader (PRS4)
Justin Tanis, Judy Guerin, Chuck Renslow, Philip Dietch
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 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 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.
Liability aspects of teaching "do try this at home” workshops (PRS5)
Jay
Wiseman
Your group gave a "do try this at home" presentation
on a risky practice. One of your members did exactly that, and now
their partner is in the intensive care unit. Huge medical bills. "Lawyer" is
being mentioned with increasing anger. What can you do? Attorney
Jay Wiseman will discuss your rights, your liabilities, and precautionary
measures you can take.
Newcomers (Tile/Ceramic Mosaic Track)
Supporting young adults in alternative sexual lifesytles (NEW1)
Jenn
W and Jae Januze
This program will cover some basics: Identifying resources
for communities --going over resources like TNG groups, special interest
nights/munches for younger members, website databases. Then explaining how
to go about developing these resources, as well as the obstacles one might
encounter in trying to create them. We will be sharing information that we
have gathered from our own personal experiences with running a TNG-type group,
as well as what we have learned from others involved in similar endeavors.
Creating the gender-safe kink organizations (NEW2)
Lady
D-Mod, Shane Morgan, Lady Raven, Josh B
When creating a pansexual
space that is "gender-safe," we make every effort to foster an
environment where our members feel safe to explore their personal identities. How
do we, as leaders, address our own fears or uneasiness about creating a "gender-safe" space
for trans and gender-queer members? How do we educate our membership? This
workshop will cover terminology, organizational support, backlash, and how
to facilitate discussion amongst members so that we can put what we preach
into practice. Participants will also receive contact information for local
and national resources about trans and gender identity issues.
Mentoring - sowing seeds to grow the next crop of leaders (NEW3)
Ms
Cynthia Wright
Mentoring is a viable and proactive approach to identifying
and nurturing our future leaders. Typically leaders don't just happen, they
are developed. This workshop will explore proven methods and models to enable
you to improve your skills and identify how you can help to grow the next
crop of leaders.
Leather youth leadership - organizing our community (NEW4)
Levi Halberstadt, Travis Creston, Jacob Richards
Like many communities, the Leather community
has a tendency to be run largely by the older segment of its population.
Youth and younger adults have an enormous potential to contribute, now and
in the future, but this resource is often untapped, for a variety of reasons.
Many younger individuals don't realize we can be leaders or don't know how
to get involved. The Leather community, with it emphasis on education and
expertise, can appear to or actually deter less experienced (and often younger)
individuals from leading. Panelists will share our personal experiences as
younger adults who are very actively involved in the leather communities
in a variety of ways, on a local, national, and international scale. We will
address specific issues pertinent to youth, current deterrents to youth leadership,
and specific assets youth leaders can offer to the community. Attendees will
gain detailed and applicable suggestions on the many ways the next generation
of leaders can become involved and how current, older leaders can recruit,
develop, and support younger leaders.
Foundations of the leather lifestyle (NEW5)
liz
Foundations of the Leather Lifestyle is an interactive workshop
on the importance of values, such as honor, respect and integrity in the
leather lifestyle. In recent years, teaching the importance of having
good values in our leather community has often been replaced by classes on
SM technique and newcomers often learn how to use a cane, flogger, or whip
without learning the value systems that are just as important to wielding
them.
Electives (Stone Mosaic Track)
Research on kinky sexuality - why it is important, how you can
support it (ELC1)
Richard Sprott, PhD, Jonathan Krall, PhD, Robert
Bienvenu, PhD
Research matters, because bad research can produce misinformation
that can be used to harm you and your family. This presentation provides
an overview and update on CARAS, the Community-Academic Consortium for
Research on Alternative Sexualities. The purpose of CARAS is to
bring community members together with researchers to promote relevant
and accurate research addressing the kink communities. An exciting
new period of research about the leather community is in the works--come
to learn what is going on and how you and your organization can help.
Let's get organized (ELC2)
Glenda Rider-mod, Judy Guerin,
Richard Sprott, Rick Storer, Larry Manion, Jack Rinella, NCSF rep
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.
Planning for relationship changes (ELC3)
Marj, Kivi
A workshop that deals with the realities of our community. Often
groups are run by "power" couples or families. As many relationships
change over time, how do we plan for the break-ups and other personal relationship
problems that affect the running of groups. Additionally, how do couples
who take on leadership roles include in their leadership positions in their
negotiations.
Submissives in leadership (ELC4)
Sheryl Dee
Submissives
continue to take on leadership positions in the leather community. The challenges
faced by submissives in leadership positions are unique as there is a need
to juggle the intrinsic balance of the power exchange that occurs within
Dominant and submissive relationships and the need to claim the power inherent
in the position of leadership. The participants in this workshop will have
the opportunity to discuss these unique issues, the challenges, the consequences
as well as the rewards of submissive leaders. Attendees will also gain tools
to help them overcome some of the stereotyping and prejudice they encounter
as submissive leaders
Sleeping with the competition -
Sharing Power with Rival Groups (ELC5)
Rita Seagrave
Affiliations
with other BDSM groups and leather clubs in your region can bring rewards
beyond reciprocal discounts at parties. By sharing resources with
sister groups, small organizations can expand their scope of programming
and cultivate political leverage, without sacrificing organizational mission
and foundational goals. Using as a case study the history and politics
behind several successful sister group relationships in the urban and rural
Midwest, this presentation will lay down guidelines for how to reach out
to even the most isolated groups in your region.
Early Leather (ELC6)
Chuck Renslow, Rob Bienvenu, Ph.D.
Various histories of the leather community date its origins from
antiquity to World War II. When talking about the origins of our
community it is important to separate myth and fantasy from evidence
based history. The latter indicates that today's leather community
originated in small networks of SM and fetish practitioners in Europe,
Australia, and the United States in the 20th century. 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
these early groups and the origins of our community.