The KinkAcademy Emerging Leaders (EL) program is a leadership development program which enables newer kink/alternative/leather community members from across the country to participate in problem-solving work groups, network with peers, gain an inside look into community structure, and have an opportunity to serve the community in a leadership capacity. It puts participants on the fast track to event volunteerism as well as other related organizations.
The EL program kicks off with a webinar in January. Afterward, it grows and develops in an online learning and networking environment for the year. The program culminates with a poster session presentation to display the results of the project planning work of each group at some national event, preferably the LLC or a Flea or some larger national event.
Participants commit to participating in all aspects of the program. Participants may be offered an opportunity to serve on a committee, task-force or work-group as well as other groups upon completion of program. However, appointments are not guaranteed.
The program is limited to no more than 20 participants each year. (Program Leader Information at bottom of post)
Eligibility
The KinkAcademy Emerging Leaders (EL) program is a leadership development program which enables newer kink/alternative/leather community members from across the country to participate in problem-solving work groups, network with peers, gain an inside look into community structure, and have an opportunity to serve the community in a leadership capacity. It puts participants on the fast track to event volunteerism as well as other related organizations.
- Be under 35 years of age or be a new community member of any age with fewer than 5 years of experience working in the community
- Be able to attend the final presentation conference and work virtually with a monthly meeting
- Be prepared to commit to serve on an Round Table committee, task-force or work-group, or your state or local organization upon completion of program
The tuition cost for the Emerging Leaders program is $300 for the entire year. This is a serious investment in your development which will be used directly for your own needs within the program including travel costs to offline events, service project costs, and other educational needs. As the majority of contact through the year will be done over distance and online, it is accessible for many differently abled people.
We will provide a direct link for people to make donations to your own tuition, you can use indiegogo.com or some similar program to allow people to support your education, you can also have a fundraiser in your local area. We recognize this is a process of growth and that this unique program is ready to support your progress.
In addition to using your tuition for your travel, service project, etc. needs, you will be provided a free, full subscription access to all of KinkAcademy.com and PassionateU.com resources as well as both group and personal tutoring sessions on relevant leadership, education, and event topics for the entirety of your inclusion in the program.
Please be clear, Kink Academy does not profit whatsoever from this program, it’s facilitation is a community service.
Application
Fill out the answers in the form below and the Emerging Leaders program will respond with a confirmation and to schedule a personal phone interview.
Please direct any questions about program to Liz D at emeraldead@yahoo.com or 732-485-8055.
So FAQ answered at the bottom of the page
Schedule
January: Kick-Off Meeting, meet n greet, basic mixers and thought exercises, brainstorm community service
February– Leadership
Points: What is it, how to gain it, use it, expectations
March– Perspective
Points: How our perception is colored by our preconception, mediating, being able to shift between people/time/expectation, short term vs long term gain
April– “Community”
Points: What it is and is not, what traps to avoid, issues of burnout, subsets
May– Event Planning
Points: Basic marketing, financials, types of responsibilities, different roles to fill, kink specific issues
June– Marketing
Points: The concept of being an “ambassador” of everything in your life, avenues of marketing, audience focus, consistency, networking
July– Mid year Check in & Project Presentations
August – Generations
Points: Generational divides, expectations, dealing with pushback, use of technology, what to expect in the future
September– Definition
Points: Authority, structure, goals, motivation
October– Evolution
Points: Accepting change, personally and professionally, anticipating change
November– Delegation
Points: Necessity, selection, follow-through
December– Full Year Review
Points: Review each month’s topic, reflections and considerations, vacations and resolutions
FAQ
Is it necessary to be able to attend a poster presentation?
We definitely hope to set something up in the 2nd half of the year to demonstrate and connect your own work in person at an event. However, we recognize scheduling and organizing is difficult, especially for emerging leaders! In our inaugural year we will be trying a variety of methods to make sure you get opportunities to explore and experience leadership and see what really fits individually. To that end, yes we hope to have an event for you to attend and share your work. No, it’s not an absolute requirement to attend at this time.
What does it mean to be offered an “opportunity to serve?”
As this program continues and expands, we hope to create further opportunities to gain experience in leadership. Being chosen as part of the Emerging Leaders program will connect you to a greater network to discover opportunities inside and out of the program.
Program Coordinator
Liz Davey
Liz, known as LuckyAlbatross online, is an enthusiastic kinkster with a desire to know truth of self and encourage others towards their own truths.
Liz has been active in the public scene for 14 lucky years this November and gravitates to where intellectual theory meets pragmatism with a heavy pinch of whimsy. She has participated in events all over the US, and Ireland and Canada, primarily focused on the East Coast and in Austin where she has lived for the past seven years. Liz was a member of Black Rose in DC and the Baltimore Educational and Social Society (BESS), where she was elected as Secretary for two years and Chair of the Board for one year. Since moving to Texas, she has been the Arbiter of the local group GWNN and is currently the Service Leader of the local group Element. She has become a frequent presenter and event organizer in Austin and beyond in both kink and relationship dynamics.
Program Facilitator
Kali Wiliams
Princess Kali is a dynamic kink educator that focuses on power exchange, sexual confidence & other pervy fun stuff! With over a decade of experience in exploring sexually alternative lifestyles & professions, her time is now focused on fulfilling her mission to improve running four revolutionary websites she’s founded over the last two years; Kink Academy, Passionate U, Fearless Press.com and BeASexEducator.com & Fifty Shades Romance.