Community Matters: For Every Rule, There is a Reason
by Teeebone
When you attend New Member Orientation, some of the first things you are introduced to are the Essential House Rules of the CSPC, the Guidelines for Appropriate Conduct, a list of activities that are either prohibited or restricted at our parties or events, rules about bringing guests, instructions on how to get help from the staff on duty, and the CSPC Consent Policy, all found in the CSPC’s New Member Packet.
This can seem like a lot to digest. My advice to any new member would be to take their time, get familiar with the rules, talk to other members, look into some of our online discussion groups, and learn more. The sex-positive lifestyle is an immersive one and requires engagement in the culture.
A big portion of the rules are safety related, while others are geared toward our unique brand of sex-positive etiquette. Then there are some rules that get created because something happened at an event that is best not repeated. And of course there are some rules that get regularly updated. The rules have always been subject to change at any time; after all they were not written in stone and are considered a living document.
The cell phone/electronic device policy is a good example. Before 2007, this rule was much more strict. The simple act of pulling out a cell phone beyond the cashier’s desk during a party resulted in the person being asked to leave. But when the iPhone was released, cell phone use grew exponentially, and soon everybody had one. Too many people were habitually checking for messages and had to be reminded to put their cell phones away. The rule needed to be changed in consideration of the new paradigm. Let’s face it, who wants to kick everybody out of a party? These days we remind the individual that they shouldn’t have their cell phone out and ask them to follow the rules and respect other people’s privacy. However, persistent infringement will still get someone a one-way ticket outdoors.
Then there is a rule that was created in response to something that happened at a party that involved electro-play… Somebody was using some kind of solid-state power electrical “wand” that wreaked havoc with the CSPC building’s electrical system and made the lights flicker like the power was going out! Of course, this resulted in the current ban on the use of such devices at our events.
Something else to take note of on the subject of rules (and folx following them) is the growth of consent culture. My observation is that consent culture has helped foster mindfulness within our community, and this reinforces compliance to the rules that help give us a safe play space for parties and events. The CSPC continues to evolve as an organization and a community. Perhaps you would like to join us as a volunteer? :^)