The Primer
Reading Your EhBC's

May '98 Volume 2.5

INSIDE

Structural Musings from the Admin

Play Party!

List of Local/Scene Contacts

Where to Find Us


Structural Musings from the Admin

Since Sue and others have been asking questions on the mailing list about the structure of the EhBC community, I thought I'd post here the answer I made on the mailing list a week or so ago.

Karen/Kitten posted:

"*shrugs* I have for a long time argued for a more formal structure for admin in this group and been voted down time and time again. I'm sure I'll be voted down again....big deal. I still like the bunch of ya, even 'though I have disagreements about how it's run."

As Hugh Gamble posted recently, those who can't abide by anarchy eventually go off and found (as in, "create from the ground up") something that provides them with a more formal structure.

The EhBC community was never envisioned as something that needed that kind of structure, for several reasons. First and foremost, the community is really nothing more than a shell. It is a concept, a mental gathering place for people who share like interests. It does not exist as a legal entity (which, based on the discussion recently about the hassles of "what if" situations, suits most of us just fine), and it does not exist as a financial entity.

I'll try to explain why in a bazillion words or less ;)

Bernie and I, as the longest-continuously-active members of the EhBC group, have always assumed that the people involved in the EhBC community have lives. Most of the people who are involved have only a small amount of time to offer to such a community, so we have worked very hard to see to it that the creation and maintenance of this "communal space" requires very little work from very few people.

(The only hard-and-fast-non-negotiable-admin role around here is Bernie's role as the technical List Administrator, since he's the Guy Who Controls the Physical Equipment On Which The Mailing List Server Resides. I serve a supporting role as List Administrator only by virtue of the fact that the physical list file of who's on the list resides in my account, also graciously provided by Bernie. On occasion, I can even log into my own account, so I fill in for Bernie when he's away. Beyond that, he and I are just insatiable despots with overweened urges to dominate the world one nepotistic mailing list at a time. I'm sure hearing that admission will make at least some of you very happy ... :-P )

In the sense of a true co-op, we do ask that people volunteer what help they can when it's needed - play parties being a prime example - but when you start to think of the community as being a formal thing, then you start thinking it needs a formal structure.

And the EhBC has never been intended as a formal thing.

We are, as we always have been, a group of individuals who share a common interest, and that's it. Perhaps Blaze made a mistake when he gave it a name waaay back when, but there it is. In a very real sense, everything we do is organized by individuals for other individuals, from the munches to the parties to the newsletter to roadtrips to ...

The original intent for the "admin" group at large was to take a volunteer group aside to deal with organizational questions that pop up from time to time, mostly dealing with party plans. The admin list was created because we discovered the mailing list in general didn't care to hear the 6 or 8 of us debating "how to organize" details ad nauseum. Mind you, now that we've got the party planning process down to a series of regular steps, the admin list doesn't get much of a workout these days, and in my mind, that's just fine J.

The other reason Bernie and I have deliberately steered the community clear of a formal structure revolves around the aspects of financial administration. We don't want a bank account. No, *really* J . We don't want to carry a financial balance, because we've all seen too many volunteer groups torn apart when financial accountability comes into question. Not everyone is as scrupulous and honest as Bernie is J , and nothing divides a group into camps faster than differing opinions over how to raise and how to spend money. A community that splits into different social sub-groups as varying "cults of personalities" emerge is one thing ... throw money into the mix and you have a very volatile situation that requires more work to manage than I would ask of *any* volunteer organization.

If that's what some of you want to find in your lives, that's fine, but I can personally guarantee you won't find it here J .

That's the reason why any money left over after play party expenses winds up being donated back to the Button Factory. We don't want to have to administer finances for a non-entity group like the EhBC, and it has the positive side effective of helping out the venue we currently rely on!

None of this is to say that there aren't volunteer groups who can and do make formal structures work. This *is* to say that the majority of people in the EhBC group who regularly do volunteer for things, those we have in the past polled on this topic, have felt it in our best interests to continue to keep the very loose arrangement we have now.

So far, it works. People who want to do things can, and those who want to suggest things, can. Those who just want to sit back and reap the benefits of an active social group can do that, too J . And since it has worked for us - and worked *well*, I might add - for 6+ years now, we've no indication that it needs to be changed.

Recent posts from Sue and Caro and one or two others do point up the fact that we need to continue to let people know that "admin" is a misleading concept around here, and that anyone can get involved, or organize something, whether they be "admin" or not.

I'm hoping this helps clarify to Sue and the others what we're all actually doing here :)

Arnora

Play Party!

Yes, that's right -- the EhBC group is holding a play party!

Anyone who's been to our previous parties can tell you how much fun they are. A play party is a chance for people to let their hair down and be themselves. Doms can be Doms, subs can be subs, and people are free to play with each other in a safe, supervised atmosphere. We provide suitable furnishings, but people are encouraged to bring whatever toys they have.

No one is ever required to play, or to do anything that they don't feel comfortable with. If all you want to do is sit and watch that's fine.

In order to help ensure the safety and privacy of everyone involved, we do have a number of rules. Some of those rules have to do with what is and is not allowed at the party. There'll be no alcohol, and if you appear to be intoxicated when you arrive you'll be asked to leave. No penetrative sex, and no exposed genitals. Basically, nothing that can get us in trouble with the law.

Other rules relate to who is and is not allowed to go to the party itself. The event is strictly invitation-only. If you've attended one or more of our munches, you're invited. You are also allowed to bring guests, but you are responsible for their behavior. You must also give us a list of their names before the party itself -- no last-minute surprises.

Although there's no "dress code" as such, we do ask that people bring suitable fetish attire. There'll be changing space on-site, so you can arrive in street clothes if you like. If you have questions about what to wear, or what not to wear, contact Arnora -- she's our resident expert on costuming.

The party will be held on Saturday, June 6th. Be sure to let us know if you're interested in attending. You can either email us at ehbc@golden.net, or talk to us in person at our brunch on May 16th or our munch on June 3.

We hope to see you all at the party!

Bernie Roehl

Scene Contacts

Madame X hosts a fetish night at Limelight, the nightclub, on the last Tuesday of every month. The Limelight is located at 250 Adelaide Street West, in Toronto. There is a strict fetish dress code enforced at the door. For more information, call 416-537-2896 or 416-340-0646.

He & She Clothing Gallery - Play clothes for Grown-Ups. 263-265 Queen Street East, Toronto. phone 416-594-0171. Hours: Mon.-Wed.10-7, Thurs & Fri.10-9, Sat.10-6, Sun.12-6

Doc's Leathers and Dungeon Gear - new and old, bought and sold, chaps, bondage and discipline gear, pants, jock straps, jackets, vests. 726 Queen Street West, Toronto. 416-504-8888.

Aslan Leather - Leather and vinyl dildo harnesses, leather dildos, whips, chest and body harnesses, and other fun toys. By Carrie. For catalogue info, please write: 363 Sourauren Avenue, Box 58 Toronto, ON M6R 2G5 or phone: 416-538-9759.

Boudoir Noir, Canada's best known Leather - Fetish - Consensual SM Magazine, is published four times a year by Boudoir Noir Publications Inc., Box 5, Stn.F, Toronto, ON M4Y 2L4. Phone 1-800-498-8750. Six issue subscription price is $24, but please note that price is going up to $36 effective 1998. Boudoir Noir also hosts a Fetish Night, at the Catacombs (below the Sanctuary), every second and fourth Thursday of the month. 732 Queen Street West, Toronto. 10:30pm-1:30am. Dancing, videos, door prizes, coat check, changing room. Leather, fetish-SM dress code is requested but not mandatory. Cover $5.

Bear Buddies Toronto is a social group for gay and bisexual "bearish" men and their male admirers. We welcome members and guests of all ages, races and body types. Our goal is to recognize and socialize with like-minded men, both at home and when we travel. Bear Buddies Toronto is not primarily a community fundraising organization. BEAR MEAT, our informal get-together, happens every 3rd Friday of the month at the Toolbox (508 Eastern Avenue, Toronto. 416-466-8616.)

Come As You Are is a retail store selling high quality products to enhance the customer's relation to her/his own sexuality and to encourage our customers' exploration of their sexual desires and sexual needs. Our approach to sexuality is one of respect, humour, openness, maturity, communication, and responsibility; our sex store is service- and community-oriented. Come As You Are provides an accessible, friendly environment in which to present its products, services, and information. Come As You Are 701 Queen St. West Toronto, ON M6J 1E6 tel: 416-504-7934 fax: 416-504-7490. Email them at mail@comeasyouare.com, or tour the website: http://www.comeasyouare.com.

EhBC Munches:

First Wednesday of every month, in the Board Room, at the Barley Works, in the Huether Hotel, Uptown Waterloo (corner King and Princess Streets). Dress code is casual, all are welcome for dinner, drinks, conversation and socializing. 7-10pm +.

Find us online at: ehbc@golden.net (email) http://www.golden.net/~ehbc (web site)

If you have email, you can request information on the EhBC Mailing List from

broehl@ece.uwaterloo.ca or arnora@ece.uwaterloo.ca

Email Bernie or arnora regarding either the low-traffic announcements-only list or the Administration Lists.

Discussion Group: Sunday May 10, Topic: "Psychological Play". Call Karen Davidson for details: (519) 886-4867 or email kitten@golden.net.