DESERT  DOMINION  NEWS

May 2002
Volume 7 Number 5


SECOND ANNUAL "CINCO DE SPANKO"

On May 4, 2002, Desert Dominion will be celebrating its 2nd annual Cinco de Spanko party and its 1st anniversary as Desert Dominion. This would be a great time for as many of the members as possible to get together. (Please feel free to bring a gift for the club!)

A little history of the organization may be in order here: About 1994 (my source was not sure of the date or even the year) the first meeting of what would become P.I.T. (Playing in Tucson) met in front of Hydra. The meeting moved to a side room at the City Grill, back to in front of Hydra, then in front of the Ronstadt Center. The first meeting appears to have been fairly mobile.

I discovered the organization in late summer of 1996, so I can't say from personal experience how it came about, but the charter member who told me about it says there were a few folks from APEX who came down to help set it up. When I joined, the space was in an old auto paint shop in back of a house on the far southwest side of town. Our next incarnation was named Desert Dungeons and was in an old garage in back of a house northwest of Grant and Campbell.

Our present space is at 3843 E. 37th St. We finally got our stand-alone space, after all these years! Our active membership is larger at 136 than it has ever been. We are having at least one, sometimes three seminars (or workshops, or H.O.T.s per month. The space is shaping up. We have reason to celebrate. Join us Saturday, the 4th of May.


ABOUT DESERT DOMINION We are a local pansexual, panfetish organization and welcome everyone regardless of orientation, sex, gender, age (18 and above), race, creed, religion, kink, etc. We would like to invite those who are in the lifestyle, new to the scene, or just curious about bdsm to come to our events, meet us, socialize with us, and learn with us. We are not a dating service or sex club. We do not find partners for people. We exist to support, educate, and socialize with one another in a safe, sane, and consensual domain. Our members possess a variety of years of experience, of education in related lifestyle activities, and have widely diverse interests.

DUNGEON WISH LIST You can help your favorite BDSM organization if you can provide or have any good ideas on how we can get the following stuff for the dungeon: a heavy-duty winch or hoist for overhead suspension, exercise mats to place under suspended bodies, a couple of TVs and a VCR for a proposed kinky movie program, extra chairs as we keep growing, a piece of 8'x8' linoleum floor covering for the large bathroom, a couple of ABC-type fire extinguishers , and emergency lights (battery backup in case of power failure). Thanks to Kathy for the VCR.

NON-DESERT DOMINION ACTIVITIES OF INTEREST Gender Outlawz meets the 1st Tuesday of each month at Wingspan, 300 E. 6th St. This is a discussion group on gender issues.

NEWS

The submission deadline for the June issue is May 24. I need about a week to get the newsletter ready for print. --Ed.

We've added larger eye-bolts and panic snaps to the double St. Andrew's Cross in the dungeon. Panic snaps provide a quick (should the need arise) and easy way to get a bottom out of bondage.

We are looking for more presenters for the rotating series of beginners' seminars. We currently offer three topics: Negotiation , Safety , and Intro to BDSM (BDSM 101), once each quarter. If you would be interested in being a seminar presenter, please see a Board member.

Watch for an upcoming membership meeting to be announced. This will probably be in July.

ORGANIZATIONAL ITEMS BEING DISCUSSED There is the possibility of theme parties. Raffles for free door entry. An auction with toys that members may not have a use for. Mic would like to get a T-shirt with a one word saying for the members. Pending word Jackie is redoing the consent forms with consent info on top and places for signatures and card numbers on the bottom. A DM sign up sheet with a set of guidelines on top, 2 DM's to stop a scene, 2 DM's per shift. Legal advice is that we NOT rent out the space. General Party Vouchers for Volunteer time Voted NO. At this time, the club cannot support this option. Unanimous vote. No more Specialty Parties until further notice. The parties were not drawing the number of members we needed in order to keep them up. Door - Specialty entrance is not an issue since we are not having any more specialty parties until further notice. Rape Role Play Guidelines: See DM before scene. An extra $150 spent on repairs for fence and hallway - unanimous vote. Purchase of quick releases for Andrews cross is approved. Dungeon Rules Revised and passed - put in the newsletter (see below). Noise level in the Social area: Need to try to have people be courteous in that area. Kitchen area is for more normal voice.


ETIQUETTE

The following rules of etiquette are designed to support a safe and respectful space for all who attend any Desert Dominion events or parties. Anyone knowingly disregarding any of these rules may be asked to leave the Desert Dominion group, temporarily or permanently, at the discretion of the Board, without a refund of any pertinent fees or dues.
DESERT DOMINION EVENT RULES We require confidentiality and discretion. Some members are open in their everyday lives about their lifestyle interest, and some members are not. Please respect others' boundaries, privacy, and identities. No smoking in the meetings. A space for smoking is provided outside and meetings have a break for those who wish to light up. No non-prescription drugs, alcohol, or firearms will be allowed at any DD function at any time. Those disregarding this rule will be asked to leave the event. Repeat offenders will be asked to leave the group. Everyone has opinions, especially in such a diverse group as DD. Every member is welcome to voice opinions at any time in a non- threatening way. It is never okay for anyone to make someone else's opinions wrong, however. Very intimate subjects are often discussed, and sometimes BDSM activities may take place. Because of the variety of subjects covered and the intensity of the subject matter, DD asks that each member be responsible for his or her own well-being. If a subject or demonstration makes you uncomfortable, take the opportunity to leave. This may mean going outside for a few minutes, or leaving for the evening, or longer. Almost everyone has some area or topic to which they are not comfortable being exposed. Attendees at DD events need to realize that any discomfort they feel is their own and that other individuals are not wrong for their interests and desires. Illegal activities, including the solicitation or commission of BDSM activities for a fee, will not be tolerated at Desert Dominion events.
DUNGEON PARTY RULES The Dungeon Master has the final word in all conflicts. No scat or water sports. No exchange of body fluids except when kissing. Penetration and oral sex require a latex barrier. We supply gloves, condoms, and dental dams for this purpose. No play will be allowed that intentionally causes permanent injury or body modification. Fire play and other heavy or unusual scenes require prior notification to the Dungeon Master. DO NOT smoke or use heavy scents in the play area. All smoking is to be done outside, away from the door. Anyone under the influence of alcohol or any other mind-altering drug will be asked to leave and WILL NOT be allowed back for the night. Repeated offenses in this area will be grounds for being asked to leave the group permanently. No loud play or noise outside. DO NOT interrupt or interfere with scenes. DO NOT crowd a scene by watching or playing too close. If it is not yours, then DO NOT touch it without permission. ALL activity must be consensual. DO NOT touch others without asking. After your scene, you are responsible for cleaning the area in which you played. We supply spray bottles with bleach water for this purpose. Blood sports, wax play, and other messy activities require the use of a drop cloth or tarp. Needles and other dis posable sharps used in blood sports must be disposed of in a sharps container when they are no longer being used. Other disposable items containing body fluids must be disposed of in the proper container. People sitting bare-bottomed in the social area should supply a towel to sit on. A mat is required under people who are suspended above the floor. Videotaping and photography are allowed ONLY with the approval of ALL persons in view of the camera, and with prior permission from the Dungeon Master. Members who play in DD space must use safewords. The official dungeon safewords are Red, Yellow, and Green, which mean:  Red: You must stop all activity at once.  Yellow: Slow down; not as intense. Green: I am okay with what you are doing. No firearms are allowed in the dungeon space at any time.


Treasurer's Report - Mar. 20 - Apr. 17, 02

Income
 Interest 0.30
 Memberships 450.00
 Parties 870.00
 Raffles 32.00
 Seminars 114.00
 Sodas 46.25
Total Income 1,512.55

Cost of Goods Sold
 Seminar Expenses 2.80
Total COGS 2.80

Gross Profit 1,509.75

Expense
 Bank Charges 4.00
 Miscellaneous 8.70
 Newsletter 67.79
 Rent 650.00
 Repairs 101.92
 Utilities 106.14
Total Expense 938.55

Net Ordinary Income 571.20

Net Income 571.20


EVENTS

(Editor's note: If you know about events that should be included for the delight and enjoyment of our membership & the kink community, please send the information to: Darkefyre at: webmaster@desertdominion.org, or Johnie at: 571-1835 or jwp_shanachie@msn.com)

Calendar Notes Munches are the 1st Wednesday of the month at IHOP, Grant & Rosemont, 7 pm, Dutch. This is a chance to introduce yourself to like-minded others & enjoy an evening of conversation and great food! (Just a reminder: This is a social event, a group of equals meeting to discuss mutual topics of interest. The Munch is geared to support, making friends, and getting to know others who may well be candidates for play at a later date. Memberships and renewals are available. Memberships are three months for $10.00 or $25.00/year. Unless otherwise noted, all DD sponsored events except the Munch will be held in the DD space at 3843 E. 37th St. Seminars, H.O.T.s (Hands On Training), & Workshops are $5 members/$8 non-members, 7 pm. Seminars are usually in lecture form. H.O.T.s and workshops may involve nudity. If in doubt, ask. Memberships and renewals are available at the door. Discussion groups are whatever you care to donate, and are usually open to anyone over 18. Memberships and renewals may be available at the door. At 3 pm one Saturday each month there will be a basic seminar on 'Safety,' 'BDSM 101,' or 'Negotiations.' These are $5.00 to all. New Member Orientations are open to all (over 18) and are free. These are usually held at 4 pm on the afternoon of Party dates. Memberships and renewals are available at the door. You can join at the orientation, but new memberships are NOT sold at the parties. Parties: 8 pm, $10.00/person. Bring a share food. Sodas 50 cents, water $1. No memberships available at door. A current DD membership card or a card from a reciprocal organization, and a picture I.D. is absolutely required. There will be no entrance without one. If you are not a member, but would like to be one, please see the membership section of our web site for details. Board meetings are usually about the middle of the month or a little later, at 7 pm. All Desert Dominion members are welcome to attend. Orderly discussion is encouraged, but vote is by board members only.

DESERT DOMINION CALENDAR MAY 1 Wed 7p Munch 4 Sat 3p Seminar (BDSM 101) 4p Orientation 8p PARTY/Cinco de Spanko Anniversary - Gift for Club 7 Tue 7p H.O.T. - Impact Play Jordan 15 Wed 7p Board Meeting 18 Sat 4p Orientation 8p PARTY 19 Sun 3p Dom & sub Discussion Groups 21 Tue 7p Seminar - Daily D/s - Master Indigo 29 Wed 7p Kink Discussion Group JUNE 2 Sun 3p Dom & sub Discussion Groups 5 Wed 7p Munch 8 Sat 4p Orientation 8p PARTY 11 Tue 7p Seminar - Medical Scenes - Advina 19 Wed 7p Kink Discussion Group 22 Sat 4p Orientation 8p PARTY


LOCATIONS WHERE YOU CAN FIND DESERT DOMINION NEWSLETTERS:
In Tucson:


Adult Expectations, 2505 N. Stone
AinT Nobodys Bizness, 2900 E. Broadway
Antigone Books, 411 N. 4th Ave.
Desert Pride, 300 E. 6th St.
Fascinations, 3656 E. Speedway
Glass Bottom, 2235 E. Broadway
Hydra, 145 E. Congress
IBT (It's About Time), 616 N. 4th Ave.
Miracle Mile Adult Movies, 1881 N. Oracle
Wingspan, 300 E. 6th St.
Yard Dog, 2449 N. Stone
 
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