
M/s Connections
MAsT International, Winter, 2023, 17th Edition
From Master Michael
Hello MAsT International members!
As of January 1st, your new CEO/Chair of MAsT International will be Master Rodin. I hope you'll join me in welcoming him to the role and giving him the support that he deserves.
He and the other board members of MAsT International are some of the most committed and caring folks I've ever had the pleasure to work with as part of a team leading a lifestyle organization. It has been my honor and pleasure to work with them over the past two years as CEO/Chair, and prior as a board member, and I will miss them very much.
Folks, after thirty years of being involved in the kink community - starting out as a scared little "kinkling" walking into a dingy Chicago lesbian bar to find a mysterious (to me) Chicagoland Discussion Group to learn about (what felt like) forbidden subjects, and ending as CEO/Chair of a 33 year old M/s education/support organization - I have worked with and shared time/space with amazing, wonderful people and had the pleasure and privilege of working with them towards furthering acceptance and education of our relationship styles and dynamics.
But, it is time.
It's time for new blood, young blood, energized blood take the reins and lead MAsT into the places it needs to go. It's time for me to recognize that I've done my duty to the community, I've served when and how I needed to serve the community -- and that the best thing I could do as a leader is to recognize what is best for MAsT and that means it's time for me to step aside.
I want to thank you all that I've met over the years, those of you who've mentored or guided me, who've shared with me as peers, who've come to ask questions and learn from my experiences while sharing your own. My memories are full of those times and I hope that my service has done right in return.
Slave angie and I aren't vanishing, but we are taking a well deserved rest and focusing on ourselves and our own lives. You may see us out and about or maybe not, but please know how grateful we both are for MAsT and what it has given to us.
Take care and be well,
In service to community and in gratitude,
Master Michael, owner of Slave angie
International Master 2014
Thank You, Master Michael!
Our AGM 2023!
MAsT-International’s General Membership Meeting.
Thursday, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Location:
South Plains Leatherfest
Hilton Richardson
701 E. Campbell Rd.
Richardson, TX 75081
Rooms: Longhorn 1 & 2
You don’t have to be a member of MAsT to attend!
Not going to South Plains? No problem! We'll be virtual!
Check with your Chapter Director as we get closer!
The Master/slave Conference and MTTA, Inc. Proudly Presents:
MsC Worldwide 2023
Four Days | Global
Online Conference
Featuring 80 events across 6 tracks including presentations, facilitated discussions, intensives, panels, socials, a vendor faire, and over 60 presenters from around the world. All the details are available at MsCWorldwide.org.
Schedule conflict February 17-20? This year MsC Worldwide will have content available for the entire month! After the success of their accessibility initiative in 2021, all presenters for 2023 have generously agreed to accessibility recording this year. This means that following the interactive live sessions, the education program will be available on-demand 24/7, to accommodate different time zones, schedules, and provide registrants a way to enjoy classes they could not join otherwise. All attendees will have access to the recordings for a full 30 days, so you can watch, listen, learn, and review the program at your own pace, but only if you register soon! Visit MsCWorldwide.org now for details and to register today.
Daily Updates On: Fetlife | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Twitter
Your MAsT Chapter Calendar!
At the request of Chapter Directors, we have recently added a new feature to MAsT.net. This feature is a Calendar that allows anyone who clicks on your chapter in "Locate a Chapter" to see when your chapter meets. To access this feature, each chapter has a new icon in the chapter reporting area called "My Chapter Calendar" (fourth icon from the left in the first row). Click on it to see existing entries or to create a new entry.
To create new calendar entry, click on the green "new" link in the upper left corner, then fill in the date, start/end times, meeting type, topic, location, and optionally a link to the meeting (most chapters will have a vetting process and will leave this blank).
Click on "submit" to save the entry.
The entry will then appear in the public chapter database for each chapter. See the screenshot below.
When a chapter calendar entry has been created, chapters can go back to "My Chapter Calendar" and click on "Create Report" to generate a monthly report entry, and edit it to put in the number of attendees, thus saving them from having to do double-entry to accomplish both tasks.
South Plains
SELF
Southwest
Northwest
What’s happening in the MAsT: Midwest Region ~ Winter 2022-23
· Formation of MAsT Midwest Region (FetLife Group) > https://fetlife.com/groups/15618
This group is for members who reside in the MAsT (*Masters And slaves Together*): Midwest Region. Our area currently includes ND, SD, MN, WI, MI, IA, IL, IN, OH, NE, KS, MO, KY (north of and including Lexington). We have over 34 chapters, not including the new-forming and provincial ones. NOTE: Not all 34 chapters are currently active. This information is being researched to bring to corrected standards. This will be an area to exchange information with other chapters in the region and post announcements regarding your chapters activities. Also, updates will be posted regularly for members of the region. Those who are MAsT members but not in the Midwest region are welcome to join as well.
· Purchase of a Zoom Professional Account for the use of the MAsT: Midwest Region
· Formation of MAsT Midwest Collective > (Zoom Meeting)
After helping a Gentleman from Chicago attend the MAsT: Decatur Chapter before His attending the MsC 2022, I have been approached by a young lady asking, " Is there any chance you have plans to run virtual munches or events in the near future? I am feeling very disheartened by the complete lack of active M/s resources, especially local. I want to be well educated on this lifestyle." I asked those Chapters who attended the Midwest 3rd Quarterly Meeting their thoughts and found additional encouragement. Hence, this discussion begins. I would very much enjoy active participation in its growth. You do not have to be a MAsT Member to participate. Its about building something that will reach those who have no Chapter close enough to attend. Its about educating and demystifying who We are, and why We do what We do.
MAsT Midwest Collective: Event Schedule for 2023 > https://fetlife.com/groups/15618/posts/22526676
· Formation of MAsT Midwest Speakers Bureau
https://fetlife.com/groups/15618/posts/21532795
Since the first of the year and probably long before, we have spoken of building a 'Speaker's Bureau' listing of those of Us who would like to present. This could be a virtual opportunity for the formation of such a platform. I believe We could get a professional membership with Zoom so there would be the ability of having 'Reunions' with educational topic offering or open discussions.
This thread is for:
Relationship Topic Presenters to identify themselves by: Location - Name - Travel and/or Virtual - 'Topics'
Example:
Illinois - Sir Wallter - T&V - 'How do we define Relationship'
NOTE: The Speaker's Bureau has been asked for several times over this last year by Chapter Directors across the MAsT Midwest Region. I wish to thank those who kept asking ~ Sir Wallter ('22 09-29)
· New Chapter Added > MAsT: Chicago > Director LeatherRedux and Co-Director Rachel,
On behalf of the entire MAsT: Midwest Region, I'm really excited to welcome you!
Congratulations on your acceptance to becoming a Provisional Chapter!
… and “WE” keep on growing!
Respectfully
Sir Wallter
Walk Slowly and Be True to Yourself
MAsT Communication Course
Join us in our Communication is Key Course where you will learn a variety of communication tips and how they work through the power exchange lens. Click here and get started! So far, we've had 110 folks join the course!
Some Details:
You will have to create a FREE Canvas account and you can take the course at your own pace! It's a couple of hours long on average. Take it all once or take breaks and come back to it at your convenience. If you have any questions, email koneko at education@mast.net!
Your Regional Representatives
Australia and New Zealand: Master Todd and Vampyre
Canada: Sir Tee
Central America: Lady O
Europe: Lady O
Midwest: Sir Wallter
Northeast: Lady O
Northwest: slave joy
Southeast: Cynthia
Southwest: Master Todd
Your 2023 Board of Directors
Chief Executive Officer: Master Rodin
Director of Operations: Master Dante Amor
Secretary: Kay Danni
Financial Officer: Master John
Regional Representative Director: Master Dante Amor
Membership Director: slavegirl j
Education Director: koneko
IT Director/Webmaster: Master Paul
Store Coordinator: Master Michael