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  • October 21, 2019 10:04 AM | OhioSMART (Administrator)

    Big news for OhioSMART: We’ll be at a new facility starting in January 2020!

    The building we’ve operated in for 10+ years has been purchased and its occupants’ leases have all been terminated, including the owner of the Red Door.

    Don’t panic! The owner of our dungeon space is NOT going out of business and kept us in mind when purchasing a new facility, which was just finalized! Real estate is a notoriously difficult process so we can’t go into too much detail yet, but here’s the info we’ve been given so far:

    - the move itself will happen sometime in December or early January, and we’re looking for help!

    - it’s only 7 minutes away from the current dungeon

    - it’s bigger than the current space and boasts more amenities.

    The Board will get to see the space in person for the first time in the coming weeks, after which we look forward to posting an update! We’ll also need volunteers to help move the equipment from the old space to the new one, so keep an eye out for that job description/signup post as well.

    PM us or email info@ohiosmart.org with any concerns you might have. We appreciate your patience and understanding!


  • September 26, 2019 10:14 AM | OhioSMART (Administrator)

    We often have members asking us for more in-depth classes on sexual topics. We love those classes too! Unfortunately, we can't present demos on those types of classes when we take cash at the door.

    That's why on October Third Saturday, we're trying out a new approach. Our class and party for the evening will be prepaid ONLY, and you're going to want to get your registration in early, because no one wants to miss Butt Wait There's More:Anal Play with Rowan Morrison.

    The play party after the class will follow Member's Only rules (even if you aren't a member) so we can try out what we just learned.

    Questions? Email us at info@ohiosmart.org


    Register here: ohiosmart.org/event-3530892


  • May 14, 2019 12:01 PM | OhioSMART (Administrator)

    Candidates for 2019-20 OhioSMART Volunteer Board

    We want to thank everyone who has sent in an application to run for the OhioSMART Board of Directors for the 2019-20 year. This post includes information on the elections process and all candidate bio forms so you can learn more about your fellow SMART members who are ready to step up and serve our community.

    Candidates have the option of running for an Officer position, an At-Large position, or both. Candidates running for either or both positions will have their names placed on both pre-printed ballots for election night.

    Voting is allowed by any member currently in good standing who is in attendance at the annual meeting on May 18, 2019. Membership must be current by May 13, 2019. Please message a board member, or email us at board@ohiosmart.org if you need to renew before then. We will not be accepting membership renewals until after the annual meeting is over on the 18th. All voting ballots will be anonymous. At the time of voting, all members present at the meeting will be given two ballots.

    Ballots will first be cast for Officer positions. Once those have been tallied and announced, those elected whose names were also placed on an at-large ballot will no longer be eligible for an at-large position. The at-large ballot will be cast second.

    On the officer ballot, each member can vote for up to three candidates. On the at-large ballot, each member can vote for up to two candidates. Additionally, there will be space for any member to write in another candidate not listed on either ballot, should a member want to cast a vote for another member in good standing who is not listed on the ballot. Any ballots with more than the allowed number of votes will be invalid and not tabulated in the final voting results, as there is no way to determine the intended votes.

    During the next week, candidates will be available in this online forum to answer your questions. In the interest of transparency, we ask that if you have a question for one or several of the candidates, you ask your questions in this forum so other members can see their responses.

    Below are the candidates for election and the position(s) for which they would like to be considered. You can read each candidate bio form in this forum post as well.

    NotTodaySatan

    1. List your first name and/or screen name, however you are known in our BDSM Community.

    Not Today Satan

    2. List your history in the BDSM Community, including participation/leadership in special interest groups, volunteering experience, etc. Be sure to note any current BDSM leadership positions held.

    I have been a board member for the 2018-2019 period

    I Co lead Smart Ties.

    3. List any other experience you have with non-profit organizations.

    No work directly on the board of any nonprofits but have volunteered and fostered for animal rescues, as well as help set up fundraising campaigns.

    4. List any other leadership experience, in any setting.

    In my employment I am a subject matter expert and am responsible for onboarding and training processes. I have managed people in other positions in my personal life. I am an expert level Excel user, have strong access database skills as well as experience using Eventbrite. I'm also experienced in using social media platforms for advertising and follower building activities.

    5. List the top three areas you would like to devote your time and energy to in order to improve OhioSMART.

    Membership retention

    Continuing to develop consent policies and incident tracking

    Continuing to build internal/SIG policy

    6. What specific goals do you have for your time in OhioSMART leadership?

    Understanding the bylaws and working to redefine them to meet new community standards in regards to consent and education as well as the general shift in how Kink

    communities exist these days.

    NotTodaySatan is running for an Officer or an At Large position

    Chimera

    1. List your first name and/or screen name, however you are known in our BDSM Community.

    Chimera

    2. List your history in the BDSM Community, including participation/leadership in special interest groups, volunteering experience, etc. Be sure to note any current BDSM leadership positions held.

    I have volunteered for OhioSMART as a PSM off and on for five years, I attended Purple Rose in Akron for a couple years then and before that and volunteered there as well with PSMing and setup/teardown. I have helped with Fetish Flea for the last three years, this previous year I was in charge of the "Brute Squad". I have also worked CLAW for the past two years in a similar capacity-setup/teardown, load-in etc. I am the current PSM trainer/coordinator for OhioSMART and also an at large board member.

    3. List any other experience you have with non-profit organizations.

    None that is relevant.

    4. List any other leadership experience, in any setting.

    Given my extensive history with volunteering for the local kink and leather communities, I wish to keep my professional life private.

    5. List the top three areas you would like to devote your time and energy to in order to improve OhioSMART.

    I would like to help keep the community safe by insuring that consent violations are taken seriously and handled in a professional and considerate manner.

    I want to continue to ensure that OhioSMART is a safe and welcoming place for gender minorities.

    I want to expand and develop our outreach and cooperation with the Cleveland Leather community.

    6. What specific goals do you have for your time in OhioSMART leadership?

    I hope to continue working on outreach with the Leather community, as well as continuing my liason work with the new SMART Pound SIG. I also want to make it clear to the region that OhioSMART is a safe educational space for kinksters regardless of race, age, gender, orientation or disability and do what work I can to make that true.

    Chimera is running for an Officer or an At Large position

    Col_Chestbridge

    1. List your first name and/or screen name, however you are known in our BDSM Community.

    Col_Chestbridge

    2. List your history in the BDSM Community, including participation/leadership in special interest groups, volunteering experience, etc. Be sure to note any current BDSM leadership positions held.

    Volunteer, "brute squad" for Fetish Flea/Summer School, Member of SMART for 4 years

    3. List any other experience you have with non-profit organizations.

    N/A

    4. List any other leadership experience, in any setting.

    N/A

    5. List the top three areas you would like to devote your time and energy to in order to improve OhioSMART.

    I would like to help with outreach to more vulnerable communities - we do a great job with trans folk and I would love to see that continue. But we can and should do more for POC, people with mental illness and I'm interested in helping sex workers in some way. I am here first and foremost for education and I want to make sure we continue to prioritize that. And last, but not least I want to continue our focus on consent, as I believe that's our strongest asset.

    6. What specific goals do you have for your time in OhioSMART leadership?

    I would love to see more classes and events specifically targeted at some of the cross sections of interests we have. Gamers is a great start for this, throwing some support to Flaming River Con is another. I've seen and heard some things that suggest maybe we could do some things on mental illness, or addiction. Or teaching people how to safely use the internet for various purposes (Creating sex toys, buying toys/clothes, cam modeling, dating, meetup, etc.).

    Col_Chestbridge is running for an Officer or an At Large position

    _sandals_

    1. List your first name and/or screen name, however you are known in our BDSM Community.

    _sandals_

    2. List your history in the BDSM Community, including participation/leadership in special interest groups, volunteering experience, etc. Be sure to note any current BDSM leadership positions held.

    I have been a member of SMART since 2013, and attended The Purple Rose Society for several years until it closed. I have attended large events in Pittsburgh, Columbus and Baltimore, and groups in the Cleveland area like MAsT, OPEN, and ORRS. In the past, I have organized and lead activities at SMART including the Lego Firewalk, Littles’ Coloring Night, and Littles’ Birthday Party. I have also organized and lead two polyamory panels at Oddmall events. Currently I am the leader of the Cleveland area OPEN (Ohio Pansexual Ethical Non-Monogamy) group, moderate an online polyamory forum with 1,800 members, and hold the officer position of Secretary on the OhioSMART Board of Directors.

    3. List any other experience you have with non-profit organizations.

    I was the chairperson on a steering committee for a non-profit organization for three years, during which time I managed a team of 8 people and ran bi-monthly events for a group with 110 members. As the chairperson, I oversaw the budget, lead the steering committee meetings, planned group meetings, made yearly calendars, and organized and executed four yearly fundraisers. When I was a member of that steering committee, our whole team went once a year to a leadership conference.

    4. List any other leadership experience, in any setting.

    Professionally, I was previously an assistant manager in a retail setting. Currently I run a small business with a partner and handle duties daily such as customer service, marketing, purchasing, budget and networking.

    5. List the top three areas you would like to devote your time and energy to in order to improve OhioSMART.

    My top priorities for OhioSMART at this point are continuing to provide quality education that centers on the values of our organization, expanding our volunteer team to give more members the opportunity to serve their community to their best abilities, and continuing to work on strengthening relationships with other local organizations and leaders.

    6. What specific goals do you have for your time in OhioSMART leadership?

    This past year we added a new position to our volunteer team, the Board Alternates. This was a coordinated effort to prepare a pathway to leadership for those in our community who are excited about volunteering. I would like to spend some time expanding upon the definition of that position, as well as making sure we have well documented procedures to keep bringing up leaders in our organization.

    I would also like to continue to grow and strengthen our relationships with local organizations, educators, and resources. We made some great connections in the past year, and I would like to see those expanded on to include more marginalized groups, including working with the LGBT Center, more college based kink groups, and groups in the area that focus on POC, such as Onyx.

    As we move into a more secure financial situation, I look forward to bringing back intensives and workshops that will give our members and community the opportunity to learn more about the subjects they're interested in.

    _sandals_ is running for an Officer or an At Large position

    -Kasey-

    1. List your first name and/or screen name, however you are known in our BDSM Community.

    -Kasey-

    2. List your history in the BDSM Community, including participation/leadership in special interest groups, volunteering experience, etc. Be sure to note any current BDSM leadership positions held.

    4 Years in the scene

    2 Years OhioSMART TNG leader

    1 Year OhioSMART Board Treasurer

    3. List any other experience you have with non-profit organizations.

    N/A

    4. List any other leadership experience, in any setting.

    Management experience

    5. List the top three areas you would like to devote your time and energy to in order to improve OhioSMART.

    -Further promoting safe education and consent in the community and beyond

    -Building relationships with the greater LGBTQ+ community and other minority groups

    -Creating the most safe, inclusive space possible

    6. What specific goals do you have for your time in OhioSMART leadership?

    Continue doing outreach to the greater Cleveland area as well as bring in more diverse presenters while protecting members of OhioSMART. To continue to reach out to local organizations to promote safe, explicit consent and the organization as a whole.

    -Kasey- is running for an Officer or an At Large position


  • April 16, 2019 6:54 PM | OhioSMART (Administrator)

    All OhioSMART members in good standing are invited to attend the OhioSMART Annual Meeting of Members at our regular event space on Saturday, May 18, 2019, from 8-10 p.m.

    Your membership must be current as of Monday, May 13, 2019 in order to participate in the meeting and elections.

    Doors will close promptly at 8 p.m. During this meeting, the outgoing Board will provide information on the activities of the organization in the prior 12 months. Elections for the next Board of Directors will also take place. Members in good standing must be present in person to vote. No absentee votes will be accepted.

    At 10 p.m. the doors will re-open for our play party. This party is open to members and guests, and our First Friday pricing applies ($10 for members, $20 for guests).

    Are you interested in running for a position on the OhioSMART Board of Directors? All board of directors positions are open annually for election, stay tuned for more information about board positions, the scope of responsibilities, and time commitment. The current board will be accepting candidate application forms via e-mail info@ohiosmart.org until May 10, 2019 until 11:59 p.m.

    Already know you want to run for the Board? Great! Please e-mail info@ohiosmart.org for an application.


  • January 03, 2019 8:01 PM | OhioSMART (Administrator)

    Back in the old days, when the internet was new and shiny, and people met on places called bulletin boards, OhioSMART didn’t have a newfangled, decked out dungeon space. We met in bars. So we set the minimum age requirement at 21.

    It made sense then. It doesn’t anymore.

    The past 20 plus years have brought a lot of changes. New venues, new leadership, and new demographics. We’ve embraced those changes, and now it’s time for another one.

    At our December Town Hall meeting, membership overwhelmingly agreed to lower the minimum membership age to 19! And we couldn’t be more excited. We look forward to fresh faces, new ideas, and different perspectives.

    Please welcome these new members with us and make them feel at home.


  • November 16, 2018 6:58 PM | OhioSMART (Administrator)

    EM was interested in BDSM long before discovering his Memphis community in 2010. After practicing privately, he began traveling around the country, and sometimes outside of it, to learn, play and explore. His biggest interests are Japanese-inspired rope bondage and whips.

    Through bondage, he is especially drawn to the ability to control, mold, or contort a beautiful woman. As a sadist, he enjoys causing welts and stripes to those same beautiful women. But it’s not just pure sadism that drives him. It is the helplessness and trust, as well as submission to that pain that he seeks. Depth, vulnerability, and sincerity in his partners are most important to him.

    EM is always looking to learn more and improve, and believes you can never truly learn everything there is to know.

    He also enjoys amateur photography. He makes no money from these photos, but does it simply because he loves it.

  • October 22, 2018 10:27 PM | OhioSMART (Administrator)

    We've added the times of all the classes on the event listing, go here to check out the day's schedule.

    Don't forget to buy your tickets early and save that cash for shopping on the day of the Flea!

    Speaking of shopping, keep an eye on the website to make sure you see more information on the vendors and presenters coming up!!!

  • September 08, 2018 9:46 AM | OhioSMART (Administrator)

    Welcome, friends, to OhioSMART’s new website. Come on in, and put your mind at ease. Nothing scary here, just your friendly, neighborhood perverts in your friendly, neighborhood dungeon.

    We’ve undergone a few changes lately. We have more events and more special interest groups than ever. And that means more opportunities to come out and get to know your fellow kinksters.

    What hasn’t changed is our commitment to education and safety. No matter what event you attend, we will do our best to ensure your protection and comfort. If comfort is your kink, that is. Otherwise, we’ll leave your discomfort to your top.

    So look around. Check out the FAQs, SIGS both old and new, and all our new features. Then join us for a game, a drink, a class, or all of the above and more. And feel free to contact any of our board members with questions or concerns. We promise to listen and address any problems you might come across.


  • August 01, 2018 6:46 PM | OhioSMART (Administrator)

    NCSF FOSTA/SESTA Update and Call to Action

    NCSF has been working hard with our allies to mitigate the harm of FOSTA/SESTA. Now we need your help!

    NCSF has been invited by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) to submit an amicus brief in its recently filed proactive legal challenge to the new FOSTA legislation - https://www.eff.org/…/eff-sues-invalidate-fosta-unconstitut…. We have also been invited to submit potential legislative amendments to the Free Speech Coalition for submission to Congress.

    In order to do this, and to build a case for future actions, we need to document any harm to our constituents created by this legislation, including payment processing issues for events. If you have had your event, organization or business impacted, or have taken measures out of fear of being impacted, please send us a report as soon as possible.

    We need the following information:

    Name, zip code, email, phone number (optional) and a brief description of the incident(s) and date(s). Please send an email to FOSTA@ncsfreedom.org. This information will be kept confidential.

    NCSF participated in the first ever Sex Worker Lobby Day to educate lawmakers on the harmful effects of FOSTA/SESTA on June 1st. The response from Congressional offices was positive and we urge all of you to continue the process with your representatives. In August, Congress is typically in recess and representatives are usually available for meetings in their home districts. We suggest doing outreach to SWOP chapters (Sex Workers Outreach Project—www.swopusa.org) in your area and work with them to develop a lobbying plan.

    NCSF can help prepare you to lobby and will be hosting a lobbying webinar on August 6th focused on this legislation. We look forward to working with all of you on these issues—please contact Judy Guerin at Judy@ncsfreedom.org if you would like to organize your own lobbying effort.

    NCSF also participated in a national strategy meeting on June 21st & 22nd focused on sex worker rights and FOSTA/SESTA, which was attended by national sex worker rights leaders, the ACLU, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Free Speech Coalition. A statement of national principles for the sex workers rights movement was developed and strategy plans for future actions were discussed.

    We really need everyone to be as active as possible on this issue—lobby, write a letter to your representatives and support sex workers in your area. This is about everyone’s sexual freedom and free speech rights!


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Contact Us!

 info@ohiosmart.org

☎  440.732.8317

OhioSMART is a 501c(7) non-profit organization.

Mailing Address:
PO Box 602643
Cleveland, OH 44102

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