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cravinspankin -> RE: Information on starting a munch... (3/25/2006 9:51:07 AM)
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I applaud your desire to start a local munch. So often, people want something, but want someone else to do it, and aren't willing to take that first step themselves.
However, i have to say that it is a lot of work. It takes a lot of time and commitment.
In January i created a local BDSM group. There were many groups in the Dallas area, but most of them had pretty much a single focus: spanking; bondage; femdoms, sub support, etc. There is even a wonderful group that does a monthly munch.
The issue was, there wasn't any group that i could find that anyone, regardless of orientation or kink, could come together and talk about the lifestyle in a broader context.
I was fortunate to have a core group to start with: friends from a yahoo group i was in. We had met each other thru events with that group. But that one was more of a a party group, and more focused on swingers. We wanted a chance to get together with like-minded individuals and talk about the lifestyle, to learn and grow in our Dominance and submission. As a relative newcomer to the lifstyle, i particularly felt a strong need for this.
Our signature event is a monthly discussion group. But now, three months into it, many of us also get together for other things, including going to other lifestyle group meeting and events, or just hanging out and socializing with vanilla activities.
It's very much a work in progress. But there are some things i learned.
1. Since you'e new to the community, try to find other local groups and get to know people. Though there may not be a munch, exactly, there may be some special interest groups out there, such as some of those listed above. Participate. Get to know people. Find out who the respected members of the community are, and talk to them about the local scene. Make sure there's not a munch that's getting overlooked.
2. Get to know those respected members of the local BDSM community. Share your idea with them. The support of those people is invaluable in making other contacts, boosting your group's reputation and building participation.
3. Know exactly what it is you want to do. Is it to be just a chance to mix and mingle, or will there be a discussion? Who is your target audience? Just Doms and subs? Master/Mistress and slaves? Heterosexuals? Pansexual? etc.
4. Have someone you can bounce thoughts and ideas off of. I have been blessed to have a friend who was once very active in the local scene elsewhere, in a number of groups. His counsel has been invaluable in helping me get organized, but even more so, to keep me reigned in a bit so as not to get burned out: to focus on the original mission of the group, and to add other events and activities more slowly.
This group is more work than i ever would have imagined. I'm loving every minute of it, but had i jumped off and created some special interest groups as i had considered, i'd be facing burnout right now.
Find others to help plan and organize. This is not MY group. It belongs to all of us. Without not only their attendance, but now some help in planning and organizing, maintaining the group would be difficult.
I'm certainly no expert. Every day is a learning experience.
But if you want to chat, feel free to message me.
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