TES is an organization where you, our membership, get a voice in selecting our leadership.
Meet the Candidates Night is October 15th. You can ask questions of each candidate to better understand their vision for the future of TES and the things they are passionate about.
TES Membership Meeting and Election Night is October 29th.
TES 2024 Election Ballot (Ballot opens after Meet the Candidates Night)
TES Proxy Instructions and Proxy Form
TES 2024 Proposed Bylaw Amendments
We have five Board of Director seats open in this election. We have four Board of Directors candidates. We need one Arbiter and a Parliamentarian. We have one candidate for each. As per TES bylaws, a candidate would need to receive at least 50% of the vote to be elected.
Candidate Statements:
Arbiter
Candidate: Matt/Reina’s slave
Hello, I’m Matt/Reina’s slave and I am running for the position of Arbiter. Since first volunteering in 2009, I have had the pleasure of serving TES and our community, including the past two years as Arbiter. I’m a former member of the Board of Directors and have previously volunteered as chair of TES Fest, IT, Socials, and Elections. I believe a good arbiter should be impartial and fair, make use of past precedent, and uphold virtuous community standards when making decisions. We must always embrace the diversity of our community, respect our past, and work toward an active, safe, and vibrant future.
Board of Directors
Candidate: Chucky (houseslave2000)
Being involved in the BDSM scene for over 30 years, my positive mindset and attitude has always steered me in the right direction when faced with negative people and the stain of racism in this realm. Having been an active TES board member for the past four years, I hope that the positive and productive actions I’ve done will foster the confidence from the community in keeping with finding a way to make things right. As I label myself a submissive, service is something I am used to and would like to continue as a board member to right the ship that was recently tipped over with issues that are being erased with the current board and I want to continue on that path to make everyone feel safe and heard!
Candidate: Goddess Coko
My name is Goddess Coko. I am running for a position on the TES Board of Directors. It has been my distinct honor to serve as an interim Director since December 2023. During that time, I have held the roles of TES Secretary, Vice Chair of Community Relations, and a member of both the Promotion and POC committees. My journey with TES has been both challenging and rewarding, but these experiences have deepened my commitment to TES’s mission and have provided me with valuable insights into the unique challenges and opportunities our organization faces. I am committed to continuing my work with dedication and integrity.
As Secretary, I have worked to ensure transparency and efficiency in our communications. I have redesigned our monthly newsletter to increase viewership, striving to get more members to see the work of the board and committees. As Vice Chair of Community Relations, I have focused on strengthening our connections within TES and with our broader community, advocating for initiatives that foster inclusivity and mutual support.
Serving on the Promotion and POC committees has given me valuable insights into our organization’s diverse needs and perspectives. I am passionate about promoting our shared values and ensuring that every voice is heard.
I am committed to building on our progress and addressing areas where we can improve. I believe in the power of collaboration and am eager to continue working with all of you to create a vibrant, inclusive, and thriving TES community.
Candidate: Goddess Narcissa
Community and a sense of belonging have always been a struggle for me as an Asian American. However, finding my place in the kink community was less daunting when I first connected with TES members years ago, attended TES classes and socials, and experienced the ever-inspiring TES Fest in 2007.
Now, almost 17 years into this lifestyle, I find myself wanting to give back to the organization that guided my kink journey and made me feel welcome in the community. I recognize how fortunate I am to have had TES to lean on throughout the years.
As a Board Member, I would commit myself to the core values of truth, respect, responsibility, and compassion. I bring experience from working with nonprofit organizations, including organizing conventions, developing educational opportunities, and creating social events.
My intention as a TES Board Member is to raise awareness of the diversity in our community and find ways to build more inclusivity and accessibility for TES constituents. I will continue to serve as a Member of TES’s PoC Committee, advocating for equity and inclusivity for all members while identifying where the organization can make changes that reflect our diverse community.
I find great pleasure in serving our community and thrive on the challenges of helping create an organization that recognizes all its members and their needs. I thank you for your time and dedication to supporting this wonderful organization. I ask for your support in allowing me to contribute to TES in this new capacity.
Candidate: Max (Abscondage)
I have been involved in the NYC kink scene since around 2013. Looking back, it’s hard to believe that it’s been so long! In the intervening time, I’ve gone from being awkward and nervous on the periphery to really feeling like a part of things.TES has played no small part in my journey. I’ve been an on-and-off member for most of my time in the scene and benefitted from numerous classes, munches, and TES Fest.
In mid-2023 I decided it was time to give something back, and so I began volunteering, helping to run TES classes on the DatingKinkly platform as a member of the Operations team. I’ve hosted the TES Fest Board & Card Games Meetup multiple years and hope to do so again. Joining the TES Board seems the logical next step in giving back to this organization that has given so much.
If elected, I hope to work on increasing member involvement and promoting a sense of connection between the Board and the greater TES membership. I believe I would bring a unique and fresh perspective to the Volunteers committee, though I would be happy to direct my efforts wherever the need is greatest.
Parliamentarian
Candidate: Mel_Ann
I am excited to submit my candidacy for the parliamentarian position within the TES Association. My journey with TES has been both rewarding and educational, equipping me with the skills and experiences necessary to serve our community in this vital role.
In 2023, I had the honor of serving as the TES Fest Vending Chair, a role that allowed me to engage deeply with our community’s needs and expectations. Building on that experience, I took on the role of TES Fest Chair in 2024, I also relaunched Bondage Special Interest Group (SIG) and contributed to the growth and engagement of our community. Additionally, I served as a Board Member (interim) for most of 2024, which provided me with valuable insights into the governance and decision-making processes of our organization.
Thank you for considering my candidacy. I am dedicated to upholding the values and integrity of TES and look forward to continuing to serve our community in this new capacity.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: If you have requested postal delivery, the ballot will be mailed to your address of record. If you are unsure or didn’t receive a ballot last year, please send your current information to: membership@tes.org AND election@tes.org Ballots will be made available as soon as possible following the filing deadline.
Please e-mail election@tes.org with any questions.