Orientation Meetings

You must attend an orientation session before becoming a contributor. The main purpose of the orientation is to ensure that you are genuinely interested in BDSM and becoming a part of BESS and that you understand the basic ethical values of the Baltimore BDSM community and your responsibilities as a contributor.

The Orientation also provides information about BESS and also gives you an opportunity to ask any questions that you might have prior to joining us.

Orientations are held at 7:00pm before each regularly scheduled BESS Education meeting which are held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Orientations are also held before our quarterly Saturday workshops (please consult the Event Calendar for further information). The orientations are held at the same location as the BESS meetings and there is no need to reserve in advance. Just be sure to arrive promptly at 7:00pm and inform the BESS staff that you wish to attend an orientation.

At the end of the orientation, you will be given an opportunity to become a BESS Contributor although there is no obligation to do so. If you wish to become a Contributor, you will be asked to fill out a Contributor application and sign the BESS Terms of Contributorship. The application requires your legal name, your scene name, your mailing address, and your home phone and/or email. BESS staff will also verify that you are at least 19 years of age. ** Please bring a photo ID. **

The Terms of Contributorship outlines your responsibilities as a BESS Contributor. The annual contributor fee of $25, payable by cash or check, accompanies your application. New Contributors joining BESS after July 1 will not have their membership expire until September 30th of the next calendar year.

Discretion is of primary concern to BESS, and all personal information we collect from you will be protected. BESS will only contact you by e-mail, unless you do not have email access and instruct us to contact you by regular mail or by phone.

BESS contributorships expire on September 30 of each year. The renewal process is easy and complete details are posted to this website.

For further information about becoming a Contributor, or if you have questions about the orientation, please contact the Contributor Team by sending an e-mail to [email protected].