2016 TES Election: Candidates & Candidate Statements

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TES Members who have put in to run for Arbiter:

  • Spike

TES Members who have put in to run for Parliamentarian:

  • MJ

TES Members who have put in to run for the TES Board of Directors:

  • Gigi
  • Hank
  • Madeline
  • Meatcandy (aka Mike/ kitten)
  • Zero

 

CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

 

I have served as the Parliamentarian for the TES board for the past two years and I believe that my ability to keep the meetings running smoothly has been a factor in the while I make sure that each member gets his or her time to state their case when there is a motion on the table.  I will admit that Robert Rules still confounds me at times, but overall, I run meetings that aren’t mired in procedure.  If re-elected, I will continue to ensure that every board member has equal time to speak on whatever issue is on the table.

My hope is that you, the members of TES, will vote to give me another opportunity to be of service to this organization that has made such a difference in my life

Thank you,
mj


I am amazed it’s been a year since I decided to run for a Board of Directors seat with our 45 year old organization. It was a good year. A solid year with an actual plan in place to make things at TES run smoother and hold people accountable for there actions and inactions.

A year where we reactivated the TES TNG SIG and introduced a new Fetish Workers SIG. In the works still is a volunteer bill of rights, planning more munches outside the Novice and Newcomers munch (attendance has doubled since taking over as co- facilitator), more volunteer appreciation activities, and working harder to repair relationships with other community groups, particularly professional fetish workers.

It has been rewarding and eye opening being the co- chair of the Novice SIG and Fetish Workers SIG, the vice chair of the finance committee, the chair of community relations and being available to listen to our membership when they feel their voices fall on deaf ears.

It would be an honor to serve as a Board member again and I humbly ask you for your consideration.

Thank you.
meatcandy  (aka Mike/ kitten)


 

Four years ago, I was appointed to the Board of Directors, then elected by the Membership. I’’ve been contributing as Programming Chair, Secretary, and for the past three years, TES Fest Vice Chair (among other roles). As our 50th anniversary approaches, I’m part of a Board united with a new mission and vision for TES, clear short and long term objectives with each Director held accountable. Yet there’s still much more to be done. With your support, I’ll continue efforts to make our organization the go-to resource for BDSM education and support, by remaining responsive to an ever-changing community and our growing membership. We will expand on workshops, panels, and new content, further community outreach especially among underserved groups, continue recognizing our volunteers, and increase overall TES visibility and marketing.

In the past year, our membership expanded, TES Fest 2016 raised the bar for excellence even higher, our Novice & Newcomers Munch attendance doubled, the TES website was redesigned and reinvigorated, the Oral Histories project launched, the Board met short term objectives and made huge strides towards long term plans such as finding a permanent home. People are proud again to wear a TES t-shirt and badge, and committed to making the organization better.  I’ve been involved in every part of this exciting direction for TES, keeping future-focused while honoring its core strengths. With your vote for me, I can continue to do so.

Thank you for your consideration.
Gigi


 

I’m Hank, and I’ve been a member of TES for 10 years.

TES Fest
I was Vice Chair of Safety for TES Fest 2015 and return this year as Chair of Safety for TES Fest 2016.  In this capacity, I believe it was my duty to staff the Dungeon Monitor team with the best qualified people and enable them with training.  This is why this year’s DM team had EMTs, CPR certified volunteers, and even a doctor on staff.  For those who wishing in-depth and more organized study of the issues related to Dungeon Monitoring, I organized five orientations and workshops training DMs leading up to this year’s TES Fest.

As former co-chair of TES IT, I helped push for our transition to WordPress for our web presence.


Friends, TES Members, Kinksters,

I cannot begin to describe how vital TES has been for me over the last two years. I have grown as both a top and a person, strengthened my relationships, and met both my wonderful partner, and so many of you I’m proud to call friends. I cannot imagine having entered the scene without TES. To ensure that others share this experience, I respectfully ask for your vote.

Many of you know me from numerous shifts on Ops at classes. Others know me as a Dungeon Monitor at parties and at TES Fest, where this year I served as Vice Chair of Safety. Still others know me as the facilitator of the TNG SIG. A few of you may have heard me read Go The Fuck To Sleep at TES Fest.

While I’m extremely proud of these accomplishments, there’s still more I want to accomplish at TES. Specifically:

1) Build on work already begun to create a standardized DM training curriculum by developing a series of online training modules, making accountable DM training available to all.

2) Revitalize the Socials Committee, providing social activities on par with our educational efforts, including parties for our members.

3) Increase outreach to previously underserved segments of the community through new and revamped SIGs.

And of course, I want to hear from you, bringing the best of your ideas to the board. This is my vision for TES; I humbly ask you to share it with me.

Thank you for your support,
Zero


My name is Richard, sometimes known as Spike.  I am running for my third term as TES Arbiter.  I have found the past two terms as Arbiter to be very rewarding and believe that I am well qualified for the position.  Professionally, I am an attorney with my own practice concentrating in commercial disputes and insurance law.  I also have experience in the areas of civil rights and intellectual property law.

In the kink community, I retired after 5 years as an emeritus board member of Long Island Leather ‘n Roses (LILNR), where I was charge of programming guest presenters for club meetings.  I am also a facilitator of Long Island Rope Revival (LIRR).  I have presented classes for TES, Dom/sub Friends, LILNR and LIRR and at TES Fest 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Outside of the kink world, I served as president of a local 300+ member ski club for three years and I had been on the board for more than ten years. I was also the treasurer of a 25 club ski council for three years.

In addition to my professional experience and the positions I have held in the organization and operations of not for profit corporations, I possess skills in investigating disputes and crafting ways to solve them.  Perhaps even more significant, is that I am willing and capable of making the sometimes difficult decisions that have to be made.

I look forward to again serving as the TES Arbiter and assisting in the continued growth and success of this great organization.

Spike


 

Greetings,

My name is Madeline, and I am running for the board of TES.  I have been a member of the public BDSM scene for 12 years and have served on the boards of other non-for-profit BDSM organizations over the years.  I have a deep commitment to community education and outreach, and have enjoyed teaching for TES and other organization in the past and plan to continue in the future.  I have greatly benefited as a member of TES and I would like to continue to support the organization in whatever way I can.
Thank you,
Madeline

 


Please Direct questions to: elections@tes.org