2023 TES Elections

TES is an organization where you, our membership, get a voice in selecting our leadership. 

Meet the Candidates night is October 3rd. You can ask questions of each candidate to better understand their vision for the future of TES and the things they are passionate about.

TES Membership Meeting and BoD Election night is October 24th.

TES 2023 Election Ballot – Link Coming Soon

TES 2023 Ballot Instructions – Link Coming Soon

TES 2023 Proxy Instructions and Proxy Form

We have seven BoD seats open in this election. We have six BoD candidates. We need one arbiter and have one candidate. As per TES bylaws, a candidate would need to receive at least 50% of the vote in order to be elected.

Candidate Statements:


Candidate: Alex / NinjaJuicer

Position: Board of Directors

Email: Alex@tes.org

Pronouns: He/Him

TES has been a part of my life for over a decade.  I met many of my best friends, better understood myself, and made amazing memories through TES.  Now is the time for me to give back once again to an organization that has given me and the city of New York so much.

I’ve had many positions within TES over the years.  I have served on the Board of Directors (2015-2017).  I chaired the Bylaw Reform Committee, which researched issues with the current bylaws, authored amendments, and then ran a successful effort to get out the vote and provide our membership a voice in the process.  I have also served as a presenter for many TES Classes and TES Fests.  This year at TES Fest, I was Co-Chair of Customer Service and Vice Chair of IT.  I have also served or chaired on the following committees: DMs, Records, Grievance, Elections, and IT.  

If elected, my priorities are to get us back in person in and around New York, rebuild our volunteer base, and make TES a fun and supportive environment for all of us.  I intend to go about this by focusing on the pain points of our business operations: communication, documentation, and volunteer engagement.  I believe that by improving in these areas, we can make TES relevant and most importantly fun for another 50 years.  I’ll do the boring stuff so that new blood can fully engage with making their vision of TES a reality.


Candidate: Michelle / curious_kitti

Position: Board of Directors

Email: Michelle@tes.org

Pronouns: She/Her

Hello, my name is Michelle, also known as curious_kitti. I have been serving as an interim board member since April. I first learned about TES back in 2005 when I entered the local scene. I threw myself into volunteering at classes, co-hosting socials, and even as a co-facilitator of TES-TNG. I moved away from the tri-state area in the early 2010s and returned shortly before the pandemic. After things started back up with munches and events I found myself out and running into people I had known. 

An opportunity arose to help the organization that I found chosen family within and I stepped forward. I also became a staff member for TES Fest 2023 as Co-Chair of Volunteers. I am currently serving as Vice-Chair of the Finance committee where my professional experience as a Certified Public Accountant can be put to good use.

I care about this organization and want to help make it a community again. I will continue to assist whether as a board member or not. Some things would be easier being a sitting board member, but either way I commit to helping TES become better.

Thank you for your consideration!


Candidate: Matt / Danger Mouse

Position: Board of Directors

Email: bombshellbaby@inneedofachange.net

My name is Matt. I go by Danger Mouse in the scene. I’d like to be considered for a role on the TES Board of Directors. I’ve been a member of TES off and on since 2000. I’ve been a life member since 2018. I’ve been active in the scene on and off since 2014 and back full-time since 2019. The first event I ever attended was a TES class on navigating the scene as an introvert. I used to attend the weekly TES classes on 29th Street as well as the Novice Munch. I’m most active in the ageplay arena, but I’m a regular at several munches and a couple of parties. I’m most passionate about people and ways that the scene can allow members of the community to build authentic connections; feel seen, heard, understood, and valued; and realize their full potential as both kinksters and as people.

I’m an Eagle Scout with a history of leadership positions and I’ve managed people as part of my professional work. I work as a technical writer where I’ve demonstrated my ability to work with a wide variety of people and lean on my skills to communicate information to the people that need it.

If elected to the TES board, I would love to work towards finding ways to bring the in-person presence of TES including the novice munch as well as in-person classes to supplement the great stuff being done online. 


Candidate: Tom

Position: Board of Directors

Email: tom@tes.org

Hi,
I am Tom.  I am currently on the TES board, am an emeritus board member and am treasurer.   I was appointed to the board in April. I previously served on the Board and as treasurer from November,  2011 through December,  2015 and served as arbiter from 2019 through 2022.  I was vice chair of TES Fest from 2012 through 2015.  In 2012, following the failure of my predecessor to file tax returns which caused TES to lose its tax exempt status,  I was in charge of reinstating said status.  As you are aware, the same thing has happened again and I am working towards fixing that issue again.  Also the organization’s financial recording system has broken down again and I am working on it.  I want to stay on the Board so that I can complete this important work,  to help transition TES back to in person,  to improve transparency and lead TES into the future.
I thank you all for your consideration. 
Tom


Candidate: Chucky

Position: Board of Directors

Email: houseslave2000@gmail.com

No Statement Provided


Candidate: Joe / Namaah

Position: Board of Directors

Email: namaah@tes.org

Greetings and salutations, I’m Namaah.

I’ve been a TES member since around 2006. I stepped away from TES around 2015 for various reasons. Recent events and the resignation of multiple board members earlier this year led me to step forward. I offered my candidacy and was appointed by the remaining board members. I was worried TES would go the way of NLEA and dissolve due to not having enough board members to hold a quorum. TES has a rich history and has played a pivotal role in our community’s growth and education. I would like to continue to serve the community as a board member. TES needs work. Do I know how to fix it? No, I don’t know how to fix it nor, do I claim to have all the answers, but I firmly believe that my unique perspective and worldly experiences can breathe new life into TES.If entrusted with a board position, my primary aim is to help restore TES as a cornerstone of our community. I envision reaching out to various groups in our region, encompassing the kinksters of NYC, Hudson Valley, Long Island, Northern and Central NJ, CT, and PA. I want to create a space where individuals and community leaders can seek support, share concerns, and receive decisive feedback.\As a board member, I wish to rebuild the sense of community that our area has been missing for some years. Together, we can rekindle the spirit of TES and make it a thriving hub for education, support, and unity. I believe that genuine progress comes from honest dialogue, constructive criticism, and a commitment to making necessary changes. TES needs a fresh outlook, one that is rooted in preserving its legacy while adapting to the evolving needs of our community.

Thank you for your consideration.


Candidate: Matt / Reina’s Slave

Position: Arbiter

Email: matt@tes.org

Hello, I’m Matt/Reina’s slave and I am running for the position of Arbiter.  Since first volunteering in 2009, I have had the pleasure of serving TES and our community, including this past year as Arbiter. I’m a former member of the Board of Directors and have previously volunteered as chair of TES Fest, IT, Socials, and Elections.  I believe a good arbiter should be impartial and fair, make use of past precedent, and uphold virtuous community standards when making decisions.  We must always embrace the diversity of our community, respect our past, and work toward an active, safe, and vibrant future.

I respectfully ask for your vote and support.


IMPORTANT NOTICE:  If you have requested postal delivery, the ballot will be mailed to your address of record. If you are unsure or didn’t receive a ballot last year, please send your current information to: membership@tes.org  AND election@tes.org  Ballots will be made available as soon as possible following the filing deadline.

Please e-mail election@tes.org with any questions.