Metro Vancouver Kink Newsletter
November 2008
Introduction
It’s been said that Hallowe’en is a gift for queer people, and
that should be expanded to include kinky people. Enjoy the one of the
few times of the year you can wear your fetish gear in public and
nobody notices or minds.
As you know, we’ve decided to forego our usual first weekend partyin
November and focus on creating an even better event for December 6th. We
really do miss you, and look forward to seeing you all for a great event in
December.
Those of you who volunteer or have thought about volunteer with us will
appreciate some exciting news about our storage solution! Checkout the
news section.
Messages from the Board
Annual General Meeting discussion
MVK had its second annual general meeting
on October 4th. Thanks tothe roughly 30 people who attended our year in
review, our open discussion and our election.
First on the Board’s agenda is financial stability. The MVK board has
committed to completing our incorporation as a non-profit society. This
will allow us to move ahead with many funding opportunities in the first
quarter, and to help clear the existing debt from the previous year.
Once those steps are completed, it is our goal to work towards building
stronger alliances with other like-minded organizations, increasing
opportunities for shared education, increased outreach and community
involvement, development of a broader variety of workshops and
demonstrations, greater visibility of MVK the non profit organization -
owned and operated by the community, and the replacement of present dungeon
equipment and introduction of new stations.
In the longer range plans are the creation of weekend destination events
with workshops and demonstrations.
Election Results
Our voting members made their voices heard and elected the
following people to the board of directors.
President:
ladyRose
Former acting treasurer and she will continue to work as our party
coordinator.
Vice-President:
Peter Tupper
Involved in the Vancouver BDSM scene for fourteen years, former President
of Metro Vancouver Kink, he’s served as the publicist for the National
Leather Association of Canada, BC chapter, and later the Other Side. He
wishes to apply his writing talent and contunie to serve as our
communication coordinator.
Secretary:
ginger
Experienced management administrator withp rivate and publicly held
organizations, she has many years as an active BDSM lifestyle volunteer in
Eastern and Western Canada organizations, as well as offering her time
while living in Seattle with the recent expansion of space for The
Foundation and The Centre,previously known as the Wet Spot. She is eager
to leave a legacy by sharing her experience and knowledge in the BDSM
culture, as well as bringing a solid administration knowledge, she will be a
great addition to our team.
Treasurer:
Greg
Former vice president and volunteer coordinator
Directors at large:
- Wrye
He is trained as a librarian and hopes to contribute his
organizational skills to MVK.
- Professor Oni
Kinbaku artist and the founder of Lifestyle Images, a fine
art photography project on alternative lifestyles. He has also served on the
boards of several local and national not for profit organizations,
professional lecturer and author.
- Gravedigger
Co-host of the Naughty Table Dinner, an established figure in
Gothic community, it is his intention to improve community cohesion and
communication.
- draya Interested in human interactions, ideas and consent development, it
is her goal to carry out the mandate of our organization, to provide
education and safe environment for us to explore the lifestyle of BDSM.
- Spencer Macdonell Fabulously queer, founding member of VASM and was
involved in various kink organization’s development. Believing in building
a community that he lives in, it is our pleasure to havehim back as
director and equipment coordinator.
The new and returning board members are honored to serve their community,
and thanks the community for their support.
In response to Community request, the Board has created the new elected
position of Ombud. The ombud is not a member of the Board, but rather an
impartial liason between the Community and the Board. If you have a concern
or issue with how MVK is being run, contact Ms. Ava in person or at
[mailto:mvk.ombud@gmail.com] mvk.ombud@gmail.comand she will raise the
issue for you with assurance of anonymity. She will then work toward
resolving the issue between you and the Board.
No Vancouver Dungeon play party in November
After some consulting with our
community, Metro Vancouver Kink has decided not to host the Vancouver
Dungeon play party in November 2008. However, don’t be sad. There will be
lots of ghost and goblins going onat other events:
October 31st, Ghost Ship III (www.cruiseyt.com/ghost-ship.shtml)
Nov. 1st, Sin City Halloween Night (www.sincityfetishnight.com)
Nov. 7-8: Sagacity 8th birthday bash in Victoria
(http://www.sagacitygroup.net/main/events/birthday)
Your new board is working hard on a spectacular event for December 6,
2008. Mark that date in your calendar!
MVK Events
Slick bath house party: we hope to be backDue to lost of our venue due to
issues beyond our control, Slick,our bath house event, will be put on
hiatus until further notice.
Vancouver Dungeon play party: Dec 6
Mark your calendars! Vancouver Dungeon is coming back for Dec 6. Look
forward to a great workshop and play party in the evening, plus a hands-on
event in the afternoon as well! Stay tuned.
Community Calendar
Ghost ShipA four hour party cruise through English Bay and beyond,
featuring house, goth and industrial music as well as MVK’s dungeon
equipment in the play area.
Date: Friday, October 31st
Boarding: 7 pm
Departure: 8 pm
4 hour cruise (back at midnight)
Partial proceeds to Greater Vancouver Food Bank
$30.00 before October 15th
$40.00 after October 15th
(Online, or at Little Sisters, Priape or Deadly Couture)
$45.00 dockside (if available)
Includes Light Meal
(GST included)
For more information, see [http://www.cruiseyt.com/ghost-ship.shtml]
http://www.cruiseyt.com/ghost-ship.shtml
Bizarre Fetish Ball Back for a second year, the Bizarre Fetish Ball
features Bianca Beauchamp, Empress Stah and Anastasia Pierce. Includes dance
floor,play stations and fetish vendors.
Saturday, November 15th, at the Biltmore Cabaret
For more information, see [http://www.bizarrefetishball.com/2008.htm]
http://www.bizarrefetishball.com/2008.htm
Features
BDSM organizations matter
By Peter Tupper
Metro Vancouver Kink began in 2007. Today, even mainstream book stores
carry manuals on BDSM play. The Internet gives people access to support and
instruction (and entertainment) for many forms of alternative sexuality.
Many cities have play parties. What is the purpose of a non-profit,
community-based BDSM organization, in the tradition of TES or the Society of
Janus, when other institutions provide many of the same services?
Organizations matter because they spread knowledge and demonstrate social
norms, neither of which are taught by mainstream culture. BDSM is not only a
body of procedural knowledge, such as how to bind or flog safely, it is an
ethos. That ethos is the difference between dominance and submission, and
abuse, and that is best taught by example.
Organizations matter because while people may be born kinky, nobody is born
a part of the kink culture. People need a helping hand to initiate them, to
make that step from contemplation to action. That hand should be from
someone who is not motivated by commerce or clique-building or pushing his
or her
