M/s Connections
by MAsT: International, Spring, 2019, 4th Edition
Welcome to Our Newest MAsT Chapters!
MAsT: Bentonville, AR
MAsT: South Sound, WA
MAsT: San José, Costa Rica
MAsT: Gettysburg, PA
Presenter of the Year Award!
Master Malik was at the AGM to accept the award.
MAsT's AGM!
The minutes of the business portion of the meeting can be found here.
Parade of MAsT Chapters
Regional MAsT Happenings!
MAsT: Santa Clara County will be holding their fourth BBQ on July 21st at Vasona Park in Los Gatos. It's a casual event, open to the community - a chance to eat, socialize, meet people, play games, and enjoy the sunshine.
This year's menu (professionally catered by slave steve) is:
* Grilled chicken leg quarters in barbecue sauce
* Spicy Italian sausages with peppers & onions
* Grilled portabella mushroom caps (vegetarian entrée)
* Black bean chili
* Corn on the cob
* Garden pasta salad
* Mixed green salad with dressings
* Garlic bread
Plus potluck drinks & dessert buffet
We usually get about forty attendees, and we'd be delighted to have visitors from other MAsT chapters!
For tickets & other information please contact slave steve at: MAsTSCC@gmail.com.
Upcoming Annual Regional MAsT Meetings
MAsT Northwest Region Annual Meeting 05/05/2019
You’re invited to the annual Northwest Regional MAsT Meeting - Sunday, May 5th 9-10:30 am at the Northwest Leather Celebration at the Doubletree in Sacramento, CA, with your Northwest Regional Representative, slave candice, and dozens of friends from MAsT chapters throughout the Northwest Region and beyond.
Register online for NWLC for just $135 for the standard weekend package - but hurry, online registration ends at 4/29/2019 at 6:00 am PDT.
Southeast Leatherfest
Thursday, June 13, 2019
7pm-8pm: Southeast Regional MAsT Meeting, Suite 534
This Month's Spotlight is on -
Master Joe & slave kim of MAsT: Melbourne, Australia!
How long have you been in a Power Exchange relationship? Almost 15 years.
How long have you been MAsT members? 8 years
What are your role(s) in MAsT?
Master Joe: – Founding and current Director of MAsT: Melbourne
Regional Representative Emeritus for MAsT: ANZ
slave kim: – Founding and current Secretary of MAsT: Melbourne
Current Regional Representative for MAsT: ANZ
What benefits have you found being a member of MAsT?
Master Joe: Being a member of MAsT has helped me in my teaching and mentoring roles, and expanded my knowledge of M/s. It has also given me an appreciation of other styles of Power Exchange.
slave kim: Being a member of MAsT has definitely improved my organisational skills, but it has also brought me new friends, and taught me a lot about many elements of Power Exchange relationships. It has increased my knowledge, and given me a broader outlook on M/s in general.
What are some of the highlights in your Power Exchange journey?
Master Joe: Our Collaring Ceremony and my Covering Ceremony are two that stand out, but also attending South Plains, and the MAsT AGM, and the people we have met on our travels. And of course, starting the first chapter outside of US and Canada, and being able to grow our region – we now have 5 healthy chapters.
slave kim: Our Collaring Ceremony and watching as Master Joe received His Master’s Cover – after having successfully organised the whole thing behind His back! Attending South Plains 3 times, including once as the very first international contestant pair in the international Master/slave contest, and all the amazing people we have met. Also, for me, successfully writing and publishing two novels.
What’s a low moment in your Power Exchange journey and how did you recover or what did you learn from it?
Master Joe: The lowest moment we have had was when I had open heart surgery back in 2007. It was an extremely difficult time for us both, emotionally and physically. I was unable to do anything and I had to allow kim to basically run the household and be in charge. It was difficult at first, I wanted to be the Master, but I was incapable of that for some months. Kim was amazing. She simply did not allow me to wallow in it and she set up some strategies for herself to make sure that though she was in charge, she made me feel like I was, by coming and asking me things where I had to make decisions. We learned a lot from this episode in our lives, and we have actually taught this as a class several times now. One of the things we learned is that even if the Master can’t be in charge, it is important that He or She feels in control.
slave kim: We also had another similar low moment when I had surgery on my foot and was on crutches for twelve weeks. I could not serve Sir in the usual way, could not do anything that I was used to doing, and needed to do. Master Joe took over doing everything – washing, cleaning, cooking etc. After a rather big meltdown, He sat me down and explained to me that the only task I needed to concentrate on was getting that foot better. One thing we learned from that episode was that the slave needs the structure and control regardless of the situation. All I needed at that time was to be given a task that I could do - even on crutches!
What’s an interesting fact about you that most people don’t know?
Master Joe: For many years, I was an Honorary Probation Officer for the Juvenile court in Melbourne.
slave kim: I am a carrier for an ultra rare genetic muscle disease called a Glycogen Storage Disease – my son has this condition.
Do you have any advice for people new to power exchange or new Chapter Directors?
Master Joe: Communication is vital in any relationship, but even more so in power exchange. It is important to talk about the little things as well as the big things.
For anyone contemplating starting or taking over a MAsT chapter – Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it! Do your homework, so that you know what’s involved and approach it with enthusiasm, and make sure you have good people around to help and support you.
slave kim: If anyone ever asks me about how to make a power exchange relationship work this is my advice: communication, honesty, and trust are the cornerstones for a successful relationship, and you need all three, because you can’t trust someone who is not honest and you can’t have honesty without good communication.
And remember, in a power exchange relationship there is a Leader and a follower – the Leader must step up and lead, and the follower must remember that he or she made a choice NOT to be the leader!
What’s your favorite quote and why?
Master Joe: “Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.”
I like this quote because it is so easy for people to get caught up in making money, and forget about the important things in life, which are often things that money can’t buy.
slave kim: “A hundred years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in or the kind of car I drove… but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”
These words resonate with me so much, I was a single parent for a long time, my son is now 34 and he and I have an amazingly close relationship, it did not matter where we lived, or how tight money was, he was my priority – always.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Master Joe: Be true to yourself, and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t make a difference.
slave kim: A power exchange relationship is not always easy, and there may be times when you doubt your slavery or submission, but if you dig deep within yourself, you will know the truth. And always serve with a glad heart, because if you can’t find the gladness in your slavery – even when the going is tough - you will eventually resent the One who owns you.
2019 International Master & slave Titleholders
2019 Southwest Master & slave Titleholders
2019 Northwest Master & slave Titleholders
2019 Southeast Master & slave Titleholders
2019 Northeast Master & slave Titleholders
2019 Great Lakes Master & slave Titleholders
MAsT: Tasmania Seminar
On April 13-14, MAsT: Tasmania is holding a seminar in the Central Highlands of Tasmania. There will be presentations by:
- Master Joe and slave kim from Melbourne
- Master Tag from Perth
- Mr KHyena from Adelaide
- Karessss from Hobart.
Besides our monthly MAsT meeting on Saturday afternoon and various presentations on Sunday, we will be holding a play party on the Saturday night. We have booked a venue for the party in the beautiful heritage town of Tarraleah, which alone makes the drive from suburbia worthwhile. We will report about MAsT: Tasmania's first seminar and party in the next newsletter!
More Happenings!
Congrats MsSuzan!
New Board Positions - Welcome!
The Board of MAsT: International is excited to announce Master Rodin has stepped into the role of MAsT: International Membership Director! He was the Northeast Regional Representative for 2 years and the Assistant Membership Director for the past 6 months. We know he'll do well as he steps into this new role. Welcome!
MAsT Chat
Your MAsT: International Board of Directors
Chief Executive Officer: Ms Suzan
Director of Operations: Liza
Secretary: slave passion
Financial Officer: Master John
Regional Representative Director: Master Michael
Assistant Regional Representative Director: [Vacant]
Membership Director: Master Rodin
Assistant Membership Director: [Vacant]
Marketing Director: Master Bill
Education Director: koneko
IT Director/Webmaster: Master Paul
Your Regional Representatives
Canada: Master T'Hayla
Caribbean: [Vacant]
Central America: [Vacant]
Europe: Master Michael
Great Lakes: arcane and slave lyon
Northeast: Master Dante and Lady Ningal
Northwest: slave candice
Oceanic: [Vacant]
South America: [Vacant]
Southeast: Vile Master IceDog
Southwest: Lady Morgan