Pledge Kit Month 2 Flashcards
State the chapter mission
ONYX Pearls NY-Northeast Mission
To build a Sisterhood that supports, educates, and empowers Women of Color (Black/African America, Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander) involved in Leather/BDSM/Fetish Lifestyles. As a responsible Leather Organization in the NYC Metro Community, we strive to engage in various social, educational, service, and charitable endeavors within the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut area that develop friendships and promote safety for women.
Demonstrate understanding of leather history and how leather ties into the sisterhood
Why all this emphasis on Sisterhood? A study of our Leather roots quickly reveals that the History of the Leather Lifestyle is more than just a string of names of titleholders and community influencers. For nearly a century, Leather Clubs were the ONLY place many had where they could be completely themselves and indulge in their true sexuality and kinks. Those member-only locations weren’t just a place for drinking, sex, and debauchery. They were a mental and emotional sanctuary of acceptance and understanding. In the Eighties and Nineties, the AIDs epidemic ripped through the Leather Community. Those who had been outcast by their biological families had no one to turn to when they fell ill other than their Leather Brothers and Sisters, who stood by them and eventually honored them after they passed. At the foundation of our Leather Values is this concept of a brotherhood/sisterhood that supports, educates, and empowers each other in any way we can through good and bad times.
Understand the meaning of safe space, we are responsible for helping to create a safe space, and name at least 3 kinds of events
Leather Events
as a broader Leather Community made up of many different clubs and chapters, we continue to strive to create Safe Spaces. In these Safe Spaces (see list below) we are free to express ourselves, our interests, our sexuality, our kinks without judgement no matter sexual or gender identity, race, religion, or kink interests. This full acceptance—not often found in our vanilla lives—creates a sense of freedom and a shared experience with one another. Each of us are responsible to help cultivate a space of acceptance for our Leather Sisters and Brothers.
● Business Meetings | Closed (not open to public) meetings to discuss organizational business such as finances, event planning activities, membership activities (i.e., pledging), marketing, etc. Meeting structures and rules are followed that allows members to discuss and approve/disapprove new business decisions. ONYX Pearls NY-NE abide by Robert’s Rules of Order | https://youtu.be/aSAN-_OKKNk
● Educational Sessions | Classes, demonstrations, panel discussions, discussion groups, etc meant to advance the knowledge and/or skill set on a particular topic related to Leather/Kink/Fetishes.
● Munches | Vanilla-type meetups typically held at a restaurant or bar that is open to the general kink community. Munches are meant as a doorway for newbies and other leather/kink members to socialize with the host organization and get to know the organization’s members, values, and goals.
● Bar Nights | In coordination/with permission from the home bar, a leather club hosts a semi-private event for a few hours. The club charges a cover which acts as a fundraiser for the organization. Bar Nights are often themed, and members of other regional clubs are invited to come together as a Leather Community. Other fundraising activities may include basket raffles, silent auctions, and drink specials (jello shots).
● Play Parties | Social events where attendees engage in BDSM activities (also possibly sexual activities) and socialize with like-minded people. Organizers often provide certain large pieces of BDSM equipment to which people can be bound or restrained. Attendees typically bring their own floggers, paddles, whips, canes, restraints, etc.
● Community Events | Broader lifestyle events with a much larger attendance such as Folsom East, Pride Parade, Black Pride, etc. Leather clubs typically host a booth/space/tent at these events to promote their organization, support the event, and be accessible to the broader community and potential new members.
● Leather Contests | Typically a 2-day event where contestants compete for an honorific title (typically based on a geographic region). Leather folks attend to share in the community and support. In addition to the primary contest activities, Leather Contests often include opening ceremonies, bar nights, socials, fundraising activities, classes/demonstrations, and breakfasts. Winners typically hold titles for a year and are required by the contest
● Conferences | 2-4 day events typically held at a hotel conference center or other larger venue that are BDSM friendly on some level. Conferences can be educational only or include play parties, contests, socials, and meals.
Outline the 3 Key reasons for understanding Leather Hierarchy
● To honor and acknowledge the Leather Men and Women, Titleholders, Bootblacks and Elders whose shoulders we stand on. Demonstrate respect.
● You can never erase history & facts. Don’t be ignorant.
● See a bigger/broader picture than today’s microcosm. Demonstrate perspective.
Hierarchy:
Founding mothers/Sisters – Leather Community Elders
Chapter | Founding Mothers/Sisters – Onyx Pearls National Council
Chapter | Board
Chapter | Members Full & Associate Sisters
Chapter | Big Sisters
Chapter | Pledges
8 Original ONYX Pearls | Founding Mothers/Sisters
Jill Carter
Mama Vi
Goddess Lakshimi
Mistress Lash
Lady Cocoa
Lady D
Queen Cougar
Stacey
Leather/Community Elders
Share knowledge, pass down Leather History, mentor, inspire
ONYX Pearls | National Council
Unanimity of thought and action in the conduct of the Onyx Pearls; to consider problems of mutual interest to its chapters; to support, standardized procedures,
preserve our history, and to be a resource to all chapters.
Chapter | Board
To lead the organization and manage chapter business with the memberships approval.
Chapter | Sisters
Full & Associate
To participate in Chapter Activities and serve the Chapter through volunteer efforts to the organization and to the community at large.
Big Sisters
To support and encourage chapter pledge in their pledge process; answer questions; mentor
Chapter | Pledges
To watch, learn, and work intentionally toward an understanding of the Leather Lifestyle and the Chapter’s Vision; to develop their sisterhood skills
Coalitions
Leather Houses of Color Coalition
Leather Houses of Color Coalition
Houses
Formal structures (often with M/s structures and protocols) typically decided upon by the Head(s) of Household. Members of a particular House typically are tightly aligned on values, vision, goals, and community efforts. Examples: House of Blue, House of Ra, House of Wu
Chosen Family
Informal non-biological families chosen in great respect and built through shared values, ideas, and approaches to the Lifestyle.
Peer Groups
Often organized by special interests. Groups meet to discuss and support Lifestyle related issues and education. Example: MAsT
Lineage
Many leather individuals strongly recognize their mentors, teachers, and other key individuals who helps influence their leather journey. Some consider their individual line of Big Sisters as part of their lineage.
