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BESS Candidates for the 2008 Elections
Board Nominees
(5 Open Positions)
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Ombudsman Nominees
(1 Position)
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Don : Board Nominee
Don's journey in the lifestyle began when he was eighteen years old and his journey of exploring and learning still continues to this day. He is also of the belief that we are never too old to acquire knowledge. He feels that there is much to learn by attending events sponsored by organizations such as BESS. As a retired educator, he appreciates the opportunity to help others explore, enjoy, and learn all they can in their exploration of BDSM.
Don is a member of a number of groups and organizations which includes MAsT DC Pan, BESS, Black Rose, and the Northeast Dominants Forum, as well as several private discussion groups. He will be bringing the experience of many years in the lifestyle to BESS. He and his partner have been invited to be presenters at the upcoming Black Rose XX event.
His professional experience that he feels would be beneficial as a BESS Board member includes being an officer (including president and vice president) in several organizations. He was president of his local union for fourteen years. For a number of years, he was a training and negotiations consultant for one of the largest unions in New Jersey. He was involved in volunteer community organizations as well.
He is the proud Master and owner of his cherished slave of twelve years, orja. It would be an honor to be a member of the BESS Board.
Harvey : Board Nominee
Harvey has been active in the scene for 22 years. He has had scene-based relationships ranging from casual to committed and has coached individuals and couples in their explorations of the lifestyle. He first joined Black Rose in 1987, is a member of the Crucible since its beginning, and has been a BESS contributor for 3 years. Harvey completed BR's DM training and was a DM for The Rose Garden when he worked in Southern California in 1999-2000. He is a published author of stories that realistically depict the connections and activities of D/s and BDSM practitioners in an SSC/RACK context. Harvey and his life partner, becca, have shared a D/s relationship for more than 6 years.
In terms of governance, Harvey believes that Board decisions should be based on reasoned analysis, not emotional impulse, and that all aspects and possible ramifications of an issue should be thoroughly explored before reaching a conclusion. He has successfully managed people and processes in the vanilla world for over 3 decades and has conducted technical classes and seminars. His relevant leadership experience also includes several years as president of a condominium association.
Harvey feels honored to have been nominated for the BESS Board and he respectfully asks for your vote of confidence.
Nina : Board Nominee
Nina has been in the scene since the spring of 2005 and has quickly immersed herself in the BDSM community. She is currently wrapping up a two year term on BESS�s Board of Directors and is looking forward to another term.
Nina�s background is in corporate training and human resources. Before coming to Maryland she was an internal consultant for a PA based Hospital. She now runs an Alternative Clothing Store in Fells Point with her Sir, Arthur of Play House Studios. Nina�s passion (which helps explain some of her commitment to BESS) is self expression!! Her goal is to create outlets, safe havens, resources, and social opportunities for those who identify as outcasts from mainstream culture. To this end, she actively contributes to the alternative lifestyle community by volunteering and teaching for organizations like BESS, BR, NCSF, Load of Fun, and Play House Studios.
If elected to another term, Nina promises to continue her kinky deeds. Her past accomplishments include: develop reciprocal agreements with other like minded community organizations, leading the social team, and flashing the members of the board and the community at large!! Her plans for 2008 are to continue to develop outlets, safe havens, resources and social opportunities for fellow kinksters, by (but not limited to) developing a partnership between BESS and the erotic arts festival, expanding the social activities for our contributors, and getting naked whenever possible.
Patty B. : Board Nominee
Approximately 5 years ago this wide eyed nervous girl stepped into a BESS meeting to meet some guy she had met online. She was new to the area, knew no one, and had very little experience in the *real* leather world. Now, she has leather friends across the country, is involved in NCSF, IMsL, Play House Studios, and BESS. It all started one day when she said �I want to volunteer for the Education Team� and found a welcoming home in BESS and continues to seek ways to continue growing the family of BESS. She has been a BESS board member for the past 3 years, she is the current team leader for the education team, has taught a class or two, and also helps with the outreach and social teams. BESS has been a large part of her leather journey, and she continues to grow, learn and serve the community.
Samantha : Board Nominee
I discovered the Baltimore Educational and Social Society in 2006 as a safe haven for exploration, completely unaware of how deep I would want to be involved once I knew how much of a great thing BESS truly is.
While it seems as though it was yesterday that I discovered BESS, today I coordinate The Next Generation special interest group as well as volunteer on the outreach team. I am devoted to BESS, to the idea of this safety net for exploration, to amazing new friends to share my experiences with and unique outlooks. I cannot think of any other atmosphere conducive of such diversity and tolerance. I can only hope that the time that i invest in the community through TNG, the outreach team and any other involvement helps to support this unique environment.
When I am not being willingly consumed by the world of kink, I work as a computer geekess for a printing company and playing photographer out of my studio.
Sean : Board Nominee
For many years I was out of the lifestyle because of some injuries. Then one day I went to Black Rose and asked if there was anything local in the Baltimore area. I was told of BESS so the next day I wrote an email to BESS and got a friendly reply back. So in March of 2004 I joined BESS with my wife Eye Candy and decided to go all in and give it my 110%.
Over the years I have been a BESS Volunteer, BESS Volunteer Coordinator, BESS BBL Volunteer Coordinator and have made it mandatory for myself to attend the BESS Board meetings even when I was not a Board member.
I am now the Outreach Team leader and serving on the Board. As for being on the Board I vote on the input members give me even they go against my personal beliefs. I wish to make BESS feel open to all.
Sherry : Board Nominee
Sherry has made her home in Baltimore for 3 years and came into the public scene 2 years ago through the DC Spanking group. She went on to join Black Rose, BESS, and MAsT Pan. She is a frequent guest at Cedar Lane House of Corrections and regularly attends many area munches. She has been hostess of a monthly munch in the Arundel Mills area for the past year. She also regularly attends the area kinky picnic and is on staff at the Crucible.
She has over 10 years professional experience in the field of community organization with extensive experience in customer service and volunteer management. She is a team player and often sits on collaborative committees for community projects. She is a proud graduate of the Chamber of Commerce's community leadership program and her core values are integrity, diligence, and respect for others. She has earned numerous awards for community development projects organized with the Junior Chamber of Commerce.
She believes in the value of educational workshops and regularly attends those held by BESS, BR, and The Resource Pool. Her educational background is in art education and graphic design and she currently works as an event planner doing educational events for 50 to 2500. She also volunteers for an environmental group using her visual creativity to edit and design a quarterly newspaper for 6000 members.
Tri : Board Nominee
49 Years old. Private school educated through High school.
United States Air Force 1975-79 ~ Oct. 2001 - Present (Consultant to DoD- Brevet Lt. Col.)
PhD., Political Science, Suffield University
D.A., History, Rochville University
M.A., Criminal Justice, All American University
B.S. Business Administration, Alemeda College & University
Community College of the Air Force. NCO Professional Development,
Command & Control School,
Military Experience
Para-Rescue, Security Police, Combat S.P. , USAF.
Investigator, USAF OSI
Licensed Private Investigator, State of Maryland, Personal Protection Specialist
Licensed Title Agency, State of Maryland
25 Years in the Insurance Industry as Claims, Claims Fraud Investigator.
Business owner, Executive Privilege Livery Service, Oct 1996-April 2004
Manager of oldest continuing Lifestyle club in US 1983 -2005
Lifetime kinky, out into the scene w/BR in 1990 as a Dominant male.
Member of Black Rose since 1990, with lapses during absences from area.
Member of BESS off and on since it's inception. Invited to return to BESS by Mistress Raven upon return from Time in Arizona.
Member of APEX(Arizona Power Exchange), TES, JANUS La until it's demise.
Attendee MsC, Bound By Love, TES 25, TES 30,
Independent training sought out and seminars thorough 17 years in lifestyle.
Lived in D/s, M/s relationships since 1992.
Experience in managing people, Operations and funds, Both in a lifestyle arena and in professional life.
Invited to Present at DomCon LA '08, LLC '09.
Have lived the lifestyle for nearly 15 years. Member of extended Leather family of Darkstar Castle, Atlanta.
Counselor to members of the community, both novice, Lifestyle and Professional.
Presenter, Lifestyles Convention, Reno, DomCon LA & Atlanta
Presenter BESS and BR. Presenter at BR Edge play Sig, Co-Coordinator BESS M/s Sig.
Prior Chair, Co-Chair, Registration Department for BR Annual event 3 Years running.
Volunteer at BR Event from 97-2002, 2006, 07.
As a candidate for the BESS Board, I come before the membership with no preconceived agenda. I hope to further the needs of BESS through the use of my experience in life and the lifestyle as a whole. I intend to develop a solid working relationship with the board and membership at large, advancing BESS as an outstanding regional organization both by local efforts and through my travels and contacts in the Regional and National community. In working to streamline the procedures and polices to the benefit of the membership at large, it is my goal to make BESS as good as it can be while still serving the customers BESS is obligated to serve. The Contributors.
David Cook : Ombudsman Nominee
David Cook aka Master David is a scene-friendly psychologist who first developed his appreciation for "the fine art of BDSM" while growing up in the San Francisco Bay area. He is a long-time contributor to safe, sane, pleasure-filled learning opportunities for adults to explore and expand their self-awareness. He has the ability to befriend people of all ages, enjoys the diversity found in the scene, and recognizes that "no one is perfect but, it's important to strive for excellence."
Sharon : Ombudsman Nominee
Sharon spends her time as a stay at home mom now, raising two children, but when she is working professionally she works as a psych technician working with various psychatric populations. Sharon has been a BESS contributor for over four years and the Contributors Team Leader for one. Sharon is a poly Dominant and enjoys hurting the pain slut. She has enjoyed running the Contributors Team and is an avid recruiter for new contributors to BESS. As Contributor Team Leader, Sharon serves as the Volunteer Coordinator. She is also working on the Safe Space Policy Committee. As Ombudsman, she wants to see this new policy used as little as possible, but supporting a safe, enjoyable play environment.
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