Community Matters: Price Increase and Possible Masking Policy Change

Event Ticket Price Increasing May 1–Introducing Tiered Pricing

The Board approved an increase in ticket prices for in-person events at the meeting on March 8. This is our first ticket price increase in over six years, while our costs for events have grown considerably with inflation. 

In order to keep CSPC events as accessible as possible while ensuring sustainability for the organization, we will be implementing a tiered pricing system. The three price tiers will be $25 for “discounted” tickets (the same as our current ticket price), $30 for “standard tickets,” and $35 for “benefactor” tickets. Members will self-select the price of their own tickets during registration beginning May 1. 

Is money tight? Choose the discounted ticket. Got enough for some small pleasures? Choose the standard ticket. This is the price most members will pay. Able to support your community by contributing a little more? Choose the benefactor ticket to help cover the gap for members who need discounted tickets. 

The CSPC is your community; your volunteer and financial support make all our services possible.

Considering a Change to the Masking Policy

As Washington State is planning to lift the masking requirements at medical facilities as of April 3, the CSPC Board is considering changing our masking policy from the current requirement of KN95 or N95 masking when not actively eating, drinking, or involved in a scene. The proposal under consideration is to make masking optional, though still strongly encouraged as a method of protecting ourselves and others from spreading Covid and other airborne illness. The CSPC will continue to provide free masks to those who wish to wear them in the event this change is adopted.

Please complete this four-question survey to share your thoughts on this proposal. We also invite community members to join us at a members-only Masking Policy Town Hall meeting via Zoom from 7-9 p.m. on Monday, April 3, to contribute your thoughts and ideas to the conversation. Time for each speaker will be limited to allow the largest number of participants possible to speak, so please be prepared to share your comments concisely. Register for the Masking Policy Town Hall here.
We are a community for our members, by our members–your voice matters as we make decisions that impact the future of the organization. The Board will be voting on this proposal at the April 12 Board Meeting for possible implementation as of June 1.

Special Events Takes Over April PPMT: Clowns & Claws RAWR!

Special Events is taking over PPMT in April to take your pervalicious fantasies out to play in the Big Top!

Clowns & Claws RAWR!

Where: Gallery Erato - 309 1st Ave S.

When: Saturday April 8, 2023 

Time: 7 p.m. new member orientation, 8 p.m. party!

Cost: $25

*Tickets must be purchased online, there are no door sales*

Have you ever walked by a clown and heard a deep, slow chuckle that simultaneously curled your toes and yet your inner squee goes, “Yum! Uh what?” A hand slips low in your hair along the base of your neck and squeezes just right. Your breath catches in your throat.

Clowns & Claws RAWR! feeds your inner primal needs found around the grounds of a circus. A whip-cracking lane for long whips and demos! A mat area for those primal-inclined animals with human bodies. (No shoes on the mats.) Wear your favorite costumes, furry ears/tails/paws; get creative with your costume’s theme! (NOTE: please no glitter or feathers or peanuts.) Surprise announcements to come! 

Please know that all play and members are welcome even if you do not participate in the theme. Come have fun and watch the rest of us trip the light fantastic as we skip on the yellow brick road to Wonderland. Yes, we mixed metaphors!

Sign up for that secret pleasure on the Pick-up Play Board and see who answers. This party caters to those lesser-known fetishes! Our staff wants to help you succeed, so please email ahead if you want to use the stage for a scene or set up a special setting! specialevents@thecspc.org 

Want to come? Purchase your tickets online! Tickets are only available through online purchase, we do not sell tickets at the door. Registration for this party is limited to a maximum of 140 tickets. 

Are you a current member of the CSPC? Purchase Your Tickets Here!

Not yet a member of the CSPC yet? Register for New Member Orientation and stay for the party! New member tickets ($35) include orientation, your first month’s membership, and entry to the party. Join us at the kinky circus!

Consent Corner 23.4

By Emma Atkinson 

Hello lovely readers! Welcome back to the corner where we’re all about the ins and outs of consent. Where consent discussions happen, you know that good times are likely to be in your future. 

We’ve been pondering Planned Parenthood’s FRIES model of consent. We’re now looking at the I in FRIES, and that means that good consent is Informed consent.

You’ve no doubt been advised in numerous contexts to know yourself. It’s good advice, and we’re echoing it here. Who are you? What satisfies you in body, mind, and spirit? What’s the meaning of life? No reason for that question, just curious. 

You’re also well advised to learn whatever you can about potential partners. Ask questions of those people and listen closely to their answers. Ask questions of people who know your potential partners too, and listen carefully to what they say. Put on your explorer hat and do your due diligence. 

Remember that unexpected and uncomfortable feelings can arise at any time. You have the right to pause any and all interactions when you need to—remember, that’s the Reversible part of the consent model. You may have gathered what you consider to be all relevant information and still be blindsided by unexpected and uncomfortable feelings. We’re human, stuff happens, and we get to figure it out. As a friend so aptly put it, it’s another fucking opportunity for growth. Yay, right? 

Homework: Have you determined the meaning of life? Please share it at: info@thecspc.org.

“Be excellent to each other.” —Bill and Ted

“Be sexcellent to each other.” —Emma

Get Involved! Join a Committee!

Can’t make it to as many parties as you would like? Unsure of how to contribute to the community? Join a committee! Help create the safe, fun, and sexy spaces we all know and love.

Special Events Committee

Next meeting: April 19 (third Wednesday of every month)

Time: 7 p.m. 

Contact: specialevents@thecspc.org

The Special Events Committee meets monthly to design and produce events outside of our regular recurring events such as one-off parties, holiday celebrations, parade participation, community outreach, and off-site events like The Frolic camping trip. Creativity and passion are a must! Please email with questions or for the link to our meeting room.

Accessibility Committee 

Next meeting: March 26 (fourth Sunday of every month)

Time: 6 p.m. 

Contact: tk@thecspc.com

The Accessibility Committee meets monthly to discuss goals, research issues, assess community needs, and then it works to create recommendations to the CSPC Board with equitable solutions for them to consider. Attention to detail and awareness of surroundings as well as a deep caring for the community are paramount! Please email with questions or for the link to our meeting room.

The Frolic is Coming!

SAVE THE DATE: August 15–20, 2023

In just a few short months, we will be hidden away with 150 of our closest friends. Soaking up the sunshine, absorbing new skills, cuddling and laughing by firelight among the trees…It’s The Frolic 2023! Bigger, better, and so bougie! The theme is Choose Your Own Adventure, so if you don’t like how your story is shaping up, turn the page and choose a different ending! 

A limited number of Early Bird tickets go on sale soon, so watch for the flares to light up your media. VIP yurts will be auctioned off as well and they are so WOW! There will be a hot tub, indoor dungeon, outdoor play space, and six days of fantastical community on our own private field of dreams! 

Stay tuned! 

frolic@thecspc.org

Community Matters: Possible Price Increase and Volunteer Training

Board Considering Ticket Price Increase–Community Feedback Requested

The Board will be considering an increase in ticket prices for in-person events at the meeting on March 8. Ticket prices haven’t increased in over six years, while our costs for events have grown considerably with inflation. In order to keep CSPC events as accessible as possible while ensuring sustainability for the organization, we are proposing to implement a tiered pricing system where members self-select the price of their own tickets upon registration beginning in May. The three price tiers would be $25 for “discounted” tickets (the same as our current ticket price), $30 for “standard tickets,” and $35 for “benefactor” tickets. See more details here.

Please share your thoughts via email at feedback@thecspc.org or complete a feedback form available on our homepage. We also invite community members to join us at the March 8 Board meeting to contribute your thoughts and ideas to the conversation. We are a community for our members, by our members–your voice matters as we make decisions that impact the future of the organization.

March Volunteer Training for Registration and Monitoring

Join us on March 20, 2023, from 7-9 p.m., for our next volunteer training. Monitor training will run from 7-8 p.m. and Registration training will run 8-9 p.m. Registration will open soon–log into Volgistics and register for the training on March 20 to get the Zoom link!

Not yet a volunteer, but want to get in on the action? Join the volunteer corps today! Just complete the on-demand online volunteer orientation and submit the volunteer application located on the Volunteering webpage. It’s that simple! The more parties we host, the more volunteers we need to keep things running smoothly. The CSPC is a fully volunteer-led, volunteer-run non-profit organization created by our members for our members. Become a volunteer and help chart the CSPC’s future!

Consent Corner 23.3

By Emma Atkinson 

Hello sexy readers! Happy March, and welcome to the month that comes and goes like lions and lambs. Or, so they say, apparently.

We’ve been considering the FRIES model of consent that Planned Parenthood developed. Let’s move on to the wonders of the letter R.

Good consent is always Reversible, or as we like to remember it: Revocable. Any participant is free to call a halt to the festivities at any time. It’s good to know, right?

Whatever lovely antics you’re experiencing could trigger uncomfortable or confusing feelings. Whether expected or not, these feelings are calling for your attention and you’d be well-advised to pay them heed.

There are so many reasons why your feelings can be triggered. You could remember an uncomfortable event or unpleasant person who you’d forgotten. You might suddenly understand that your body doesn’t want quite so much of something for which you’d consented. You might be so overwhelmed by emotions that you need to untangle and process. It might be a good time to Reverse or Revoke the consent you’ve given and think things over.

You’re worthy of having experiences that enhance you in body, mind, and spirit. You can request and receive the time and space you need to ponder unexpected feelings. Life is about continuous learning, if we’re fortunate.

We’d like to suggest that good consent can also be remarkable and rip-roaringly fun. Good consent might lead to raucous and rowdy experiences. Of course, your mileage may vary.

Homework: Got any fun and sexy R adjectives? Feel free to share them with us at: info@thecspc.org. 

“Be excellent to each other.” —Bill and Ted

“Be sexcellent to each other.” —Emma

Flowers' Garden: Tips & Tricks for Making Your Wildest Fantasies Come True!

By Flowers

It's natural and healthy to have sexual fantasies, and exploring them can be a fun and exciting way to add some spice to your sex life. However, making your sexual fantasies come true requires some planning, communication, and consent.

Here are some steps to help you make your sexual fantasies a reality:

1. Understand your fantasy. Before trying to make your fantasy a reality, make sure you fully understand what it is you want. Be specific about what turns you on, what you want to try, and what your limits are. 

2. Communicate with who you are doing the scene with. It's important to talk with EVERYONE in your scene about your fantasies and get their consent. (If it’s just yourself that’s okay too!!!) Discussing what you both/all want and are comfortable with can help avoid misunderstandings and ensure that everyone is on the same page. Clear communication is incredibly important. 

3. Set boundaries. Be clear about what you are and are not comfortable with. This can include things like specific acts or situations, use of protection, or any other limits you have. Remember that it's okay to say no to something you're not comfortable with.

4. Plan ahead. Once you and your possible scene partners have agreed on what you want to do, plan ahead for the experience. This can include things like setting the mood with candles or music, choosing the right location, or preparing any toys or equipment you'll need.

5. Talk to people. If a scene you want to do involves another person, you need to talk to people. Nobody can read your mind, and if you are sitting in a corner not talking to anyone, you may never get to find your match. Introduce yourself, make friends! It also helps a lot to talk to people even if you aren’t super interested in doing a scene with them. Even if they aren’t specifically a good fit, people talk a lot in the community and many love playing matchmaker.  

6. Enjoy the experience. Finally, allow yourself to fully enjoy the experience. Let go of any inhibitions or worries and focus on the pleasure you are experiencing. Communicate with your partner(s) throughout the experience to ensure that you are enjoying yourselves.

Remember that making your sexual fantasies come true requires mutual respect, communication, and consent. With these things in place, exploring your fantasies can be a fun and exciting way to enhance your sex life.

Ask a (Sex Positive!) REALTORⓇ

By Rebecca Bingham

Happy March! There's snow in my yard, but it’s almost spring! Daffodils! Bluebells! Cherry blossoms are just around the corner! Hang in there!

I held an open house a couple of weeks ago and noticed an intangible thing in house pricing. I was at a house listed by another agent with an intriguing, unusual feature. I ran the numbers to compare the sales price, etc. It was STELLAR! Well priced, in an established neighborhood, impeccably updated, and the staging took my breath away, right down to the Magnolia Table book by Joanna Gaines. IYKYK. A Realtor’s aphrodisiac. I was SO FUCKING STOKED! This was gonna rock! My car was packed, and my printer wasn't interested in being helpful, so I shrugged and figured I could email anything someone needed, etc.

I was driving and planning my directional signs to catch people going to the grocery stores to come by the open house, feeling super confident. But then, as I was driving up, four other houses with the same unusual feature were on the street. You could see three of them from the front of the house. This thing—that anywhere else would be showstopping—suddenly lost any perceived value in exclusivity. 

Because of that, the home is overpriced. I had several groups of people come through the open house because it seemed so perfect! I could see their faces fall as they got out of their cars and realized. This made them pickier on the interior and actively look for reasons not to like it. The very excellent and successful listing agent did all their homework. It's priced where it SHOULD sell because of all the updates: the stunning mature landscaping, the bulbs poking their heads up out of the ground in promise; the three-and-a-half car garage; the RV parking; the level, cleared, fenced, and landscaped lot (on city sewer instead of septic, which makes a difference if you ever want to add on) right down to the sexy five-piece primary bathroom suite. The toilet and walk-in shower were in a room just off the bathtub and double sinks, and you walk through the bathroom to the oversized walk-in closet, a detail that I would never have thought of and it makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE. That bathroom even had one extra window high above the bathtub to make soaking an experience any time of day.

However, the price now seems too high because there are four others on the block with the same exterior, so it's not visually exclusive even though it was priced perfectly, in theory.

Thirty percent of houses don't sell the first time they are listed. (Also, that's not a statistic you hear often, is it?) Consider interviewing agents so you can find out why we want to help you sell your home, and if our reasons line up for you, you have a higher chance of being part of the 70%. We want to know why you are moving—ask us why we want to help you sell your house. Motivation is everything in this industry.

On that note, I am going to fully embrace that it's my birthday month (I'm an Aries), and I am going to ask you for a favor:

Help me find a house to list and sell.

My mentor is running a challenge for the month. We have 31 days to list a home, but it can't be for someone we know first degree. It has to be someone YOU know. The reason is, if you know me and that I'm a Realtor, we are already conversing about your needs. This challenge is about stepping out of our comfort zone and listing with a stranger. 

I will not out you. My cell number is (360) 528-1927. Drop me a text with any information you have, or reach out via one of the links below!

Separately, if you have a single-story home, there are NOT ENOUGH of them on the market to meet the needs of the buyers who didn't get a house last spring when everything was clown shoes. I am seeing so many buyers coming in right now needing a one-story or spacious main-floor bedroom (having an ensuite bathroom is not as important as the bedroom on the main floor). 

My lending partners are spending their weekends booked with mortgage consults for clients who are typically coming into the market to buy within the next 45 days, usually faster. It means they are SHOPPING. If you have one, now is the time for a quick close for top dollar, probably with a couple of offers to choose from if the price is correct even for nebulous reasons. You could be on your next adventure by the end of April!

Next column, infographics, I promise. This was a lot of reading. But I know you get why!  Contact me if you have any real estate needs, questions, or referrals, and send me any home-related questions for next month’s column via DM on Fetlife or Facebook. (I’ll keep it confidential, of course!)

xoxo,

Becca