Volume 19, Issue 4
RITUALS & PROTOCOL:
\ Facilitated by Master Dennis and Family, June 11, 2007
Areas of Interest
• Service Retreat.............. 4
• Sensuous Caning .......... 5
• Special Events .............. 7
All articles contained in this newsletter
are opinions and beliefs that may or may
not represent the views of APEX or its
board members.
2nd in a Series of 3
This Advanced Roundtable, facilitated
by Master Dennis (Dennis) with his
slaves kia and tiffany opened up
discussion of Ritual and Protocol in the
BDSM, Master/slave,
Dominant/submissive lifestyle. The
Advanced Roundtables have smaller
groups which allow for more personal
sharing. Handouts with slave tiffany’s
excellent supporting research were
provided. This summary is taken from
both the discussion and the handouts.
“Master” and “slave” are used to cover
all M/s, D/s situations herein. There are
five myths about rituals and protocols
that are clarified in this Roundtable.
Myth #1 is clarified at the outset: “You
must be in a D/s or M/s relationship to
start creating and using Rituals and
Protocol.” Although they can be used in
any power exchange situation such as in
a scene between a Top and bottom, this
roundtable focused more on the M/s
relationship.
RITUAL
Ritual and protocol are terms often used
interchangeably as in this discussion.
Dennis began the discussion with basic
definitions of Ritual: “a representative
action” holding strong memory of the
M/s, D/s relationship.Rituals have
symbolic value prescribed by the
tradition of the M/s, D/s community.
Myth #1 is “Rituals and Protocols are
elaborate actions that require much time
and thought.” Rituals do not have to be
elaborate schemes of events. They can
be simple, everyday acts. Collars are a
primary reminder of the relationship.
Some collars come off at certain times;
some are never taken off or are
1
permanently placed unless the
relationship is terminated. Persistence of
memory continues even after the
relationship is terminated and the collar
is off. Some say the collar never comes
off- its symbolic of the impact of that
relationship on the person. tiffany
demonstrated the Present, a ritual
greeting of a Master. she kneels in a
partial demonstration of the karta
position: standing with feet one foot
apart and hands clasped behind her back,
and then kneels down. The head also
may go to the floor. Other rituals shared
include spending one hour cleaning
boots, or wearing fetish ballerina elevator
boots when she and her Master are out.
tiffany gets her headspace reset when she
simply sees Dennis.
PROTOCOL
Protocol is a set of rules and prescribed
behaviors for certain circumstances.
Myth #2 is “Rituals and Protocols can
never be changed or altered once
created.” As Dennis said, “It depends” as
to when and what manner a behavior is
done. There are no set rules for protocol.
Protocols are “unique to each individual”
and are “far more flexible than the ideal
implies”. There is Old Guard, New
Guard, Gorean, European, Military,
Geisha. No one style is better than
another. Each is judged on its logic and
practicality under the circumstances.
There is a magnitude of forethought the
Master must undergo before creating a
rule, “taking into consideration all
aspects of the behavior”. Otherwise, the
slave will “question the judgment and
experience of the Master”, undermining
Continued on Page 2
 Continued from Page 1
stability of and trust in the relationship. Things to be
ARIZONA POWER EXCHANGE considered include:
4006 S. 23rd Street, Suite 11
Phoenix AZ 85040
http://www.arizonapowerexchange.org 1) Health/Physical Limitations. A slave may not be able
to kneel if they have knee problems. The slave having no
say as to who uses them sexually is not safe sex practice
and poses a significant STD risk.
FOUNDERS 2) Visibility and Legality. The salve must be naked at all
Bert • Catrina • Nadine times may not work in a public setting when children or
BOARD MEMBERS other outside people are present, creating offense to
Harold • Terry • Stephen • Jenny Lee • Oden • Lady Joy them. Even at home, there may be a neighbor within
view or someone coming to the door.
OFFICERS 3) Safety. Keeping the slave chained up alone at home
prevents improper response for emergencies for the slave
Harold ......................... chairman@arizonapowerexchange.org
Terry ........................... vicechair@arizonapowerexchange.org and the home.
Stephen ....................... treasurer@arizonapowerexchange.org 4) Moral and Ethical Issues. If the slave cannot say “No”
Jenny Lee .................... secretary@arizonapowerexchange.org and is required to do an act they find morally
questionable, then the slave will question the Master’s
COMMITTEE CHAIRS judgment.
Image Committee 5) Logic and Simplicity. Advice to Master: Do not set up
Chair: Paul ....................... image@arizonapowerexchange.org your slave to fail with so many rules You cannot even
Door, Orientation, Hospitality, Website, and Newsletter remember yourself. Do not create a rule that you do not
Logistics Committee intend to enforce, with a follow-through with a
Co-Chair: Tony .............logistics@arizonapowerexchange.org consequence upon noncompliance. Dennis contemplated
Co-Chair: scarlet .................... scarlet_begoniaz@hotmail.com the issue of using punishment versus a consequence or
Logistics, Set-ups and Supplies, Space Improvement other response. He found a simple look can bring self
Outreach Committee
correction to a behavior without further action. tiffany
Chair: ........................... outreach@arizonapowerexchange.org said the worst thing that can happen to her is to get this
correspondence@arizonapowerexchange.org look from Dennis of extreme disapproval which brings
Local Outreach, National Outreach, Special Events. her self loathing
Fundraising, Correspondence, and Vendors Dennis allows slaves thirty days to establish a behavior,
the time required for new habits to form, especially to
Programming Committee
Chair: replace old ones. Myth #2 and Myth #3 is “Rituals and
Sir Michael........... programming@arizonapowerexchange.org Protocols must always be serious solemn events.”, are
Monday Night Topics, Parties, Dungeon Master Team, Focus addressed here. They can be a daily, simple practice,
involving physical and emotional practice. Examples
Volunteer Coordinator include:
Coordinator:
Suzy ........................ coordinator@arizonapowerexchange.org 1) Verbal Protocols of Respect: a greeting that the slave
Volunteer attainment and management uses to address the “free person” or Master. These can be
“Master”, ”Mistress”, or “Sir”, “Ma’am”, or other
APEX Academy (The Butchmann’s Experience)
greeting the Master requires, usually at all times. The
Liaison: Dennis ........... .academy@arizonapowerexchange.org
Academy Events, Reservations, Butchmann’s Contact slave should ask an unfamiliar Master how that Master
would like to be addressed. If all else fails, “Sir” or
Ambassador Program “Ma’am” cover most situations. Also, in
Coordinator:hilz. .................................... hilzhills@yahoo.com communications, protocols run the extremes of not being
allowed to speak unless spoken to-to the slave may not
Editorial argue, but may voice their opinion respectfully.
Newsletter Editor Continued on Page 3
slave tabitha ...............newsletter@arizonapowerexchange.org

2

Community Ties
Arizona Amazons. A women’s group with a positive
interest in BDSM. For more information visit
members.aol.com/ArizonaAmazons.
Arizona Women of Leather. A group of women organized
as a sisterhood for the common purpose of visibility, the
promotion and encouragement, teaching and continuing the
rich traditions of the Leather community within the
Leather/S&M/ B&D/ Fetish community. Meetings are the
4th Sunday of every month at 1 p.m. Contact
AWOLvisibility@cox.net for information.
Desert Dominion. BDSM educational and support group in
Tucson. APEX members are welcome at their space and
events. Call 520-792-6424 for additional information or visit
www.desertdominion.org
LeatherLords. A men’s group formally organized as a
Brotherhood, for the common purpose of promoting,
encouraging, teaching and continuing the rich traditions of
the gay leather community within the leather/SM/ BD/fetish
community. For more information visit
www.leatherlords.com or e-mail
leatherlords@leatherlords.com.
Masters And slaves Together (MAsT), Phoenix Chapter.
The pansexual discussion group meets monthly to discuss
personal, spiritual and philosophical growth in Master/slave
relationships. For more information, contact Bert
masterbert@earthlink.net, Harold Master_Harold@cox.net,
or nadine slavenadine@earthlink.net>.
Phoenix boys of Leather. Our focus is to share
brotherhood, foster the traditions of Leather, and support and
enrich the Phoenix Leather Community. Membership is
open to anyone over 19, without regard to gender,
orientation, or appearance, with an interest in the Leather
lifestyle and the essential “boy” spirit. Meetings are the 2nd
Thursday of each month. Please contact bootpig at
msolympusleather2003@cox.net or visit
www.phoenixboysofleather.com for more information.
TNG Arizona. A real time kink/fetish group for young
adults between 18 and 36, to give that generation a safe
space to meet and play among their peers. Not limited to
BDSM and D/s, can include leather, gothic, boots, food,
latex plus much more. Join our online forum by visiting
www.tng-arizona.org and click the registration link on the
right side of the home page.
Transgender Harmony welcomes those associated with the
transgendered community. For more information about this
organization, see
members.aol.com/~shevonp/gnews/tgnvlhl.htm
Arizona Girls of Leather. Leather Girls are men and
women who find joy in being in service to others. We are
slaves, submissives, and bottoms with a feminine heart. We
invite you to come, join us, learn, and celebrate as we all
continue on our journeys as leather girls.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ArizonagirlsofLeather
3
2) Action Rules for all situations or House rules. No use
of alcohol or other drugs. Permission to use the
bathroom, have orgasms, to have eye contact with the
Master, to eat after the Master is served, to answer
the phone or door. The house is to be kept clean at
all times.
3) Appearance. Daily hygiene, being naked as
appropriate, remaining at Master’s feet when not
otherwise occupied, conducting oneself as a
reflection of Master.
4) Emotional. Honesty at all times, inform the
Master of any physical or emotional problem.
Dennis allows the slaves these times to speak freely
or otherwise to vent emotion. If there is something
that Dennis is not being clear about, communicating
about or being consistent, etc., the slave is allowed
to “call him” on it. Without some opportunity to
have open communication, emotions of anger and
resentment may build up and lead to problems
physically and in relationship, if they are repressed
through the operation of other verbal protocols in
place.
These emotional protocols are part of a balancing
that Dennis provides. Myth #4 is “Rituals and
protocols are created only by the Master/Dom”.
Protocols can be created, discussed and agreed to by
both Master and slave. Dennis practices ritual and
protocol himself, which help strengthen the
relationship. Dennis encouraged that it’s O.K. to
open up to receiving the service the Master needs.
Responding to one Dom in the group whose slave
had felt a little frightened by His feelings of
immortality, Dennis suggested to not be afraid to let
His “heart out, just be you”. The Dom does not have
to place himself up on the pedestal of being more
“Domly” than thou, a common egoistic state easy
for Masters to fall into (or slaves-having to be more
slavier than thou!).
The bottom line on ritual and protocol use is that
they are tools to be used in furtherance of healthy,
caring, and integrous power exchange relationships
or scenes, not as an end in themselves, which often
results in the abuse of power. Keep it practical and
simple and “everything else will fall into place”.
 APEX is proud to host
Servants Retreat
Phoenix, AZ
May 4 – 6, 2007

At Retreat, we will explore in depth who we are as servants/bottoms/ slaves/boys/girls/etc.

This retreat will not provide you with uniform answers- there are no patent answers. It is
designed to provide you with tools that may allow you to find your answers while
enhancing your service and self. This is an intensive, interactive weekend. This is not a
service 101 course of study. Each session has worksheets and focuses on a different
emotional or intellectual area of service. Be prepared to explore yourself.
This weekend was created for people who submit and serve. It is for people who are 24/7,
who serve a few hours a month, or anywhere in between. It is open to all genders and
orientations. It is not about fantasy but the realities of service.
Some of the concepts we explore are: punishment and reward; who we are; submission
and self esteem; our past/present and how that effects our service; maintaining
submission; training; self-maintenance, growth and much more.

Some comments from past participants:

"Open, honest, probing.... Be prepared to see your world turned inside out and have some
cob webs exposed to the light of day." K.J.
"It was insightful, scary, deep and very emotional. The idea and skills I learned here were
remarkable... The hole I felt in my chest is gone! I now have an action plan..." A. L.
"Very introspective-learned about myself and how I can be better in my service. I am still
looking for my Dominant (I know he's out there) and I know now how I do myself service in
finding the right Dominant for me!" K.

Catherine Gross comes to this weekend with her experience as a slave for 13 years. She
is a national educator who has taught at New York University, Black Rose, IMsL, LIL,
Leatherfest, Leather University, as well as given hundreds of classes to smaller groups.
She is the recipient of Black Rose's Vaughn Keith National Educator Award 2002 and
Pantheon of Leather Southeast Community Service Award.
To reserve your spot for Servant's Retreat, you will need to prepay. RSVP early due
to extreme group size limitations.

Please go to Http://www.BDSMClasses.com for a glance at the

schedule, registration forms, and fees. Please click on Seminars from
the main menu.

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE WIDELY

4

SENSUOUS CANING,
PT III
BY Conrad Hodson Copyright © 1997, 1998
FURTHER CANING TECHNIQUE
If your warmup has opened the way for more
powerful strokes, care must be taken. Canes
may seem stiff, but a hard stroke can bend them
ninety degrees and more, and a wraparound
with a cane can be downright dangerous. Wraps
are most common when a top goes to full
power, after a well-aimed series of warmup or
measuring strokes. The problem is in the top's
body dynamics: the momentum of the arm goes
up exponentially with increased speed, so the
whole body is pulled forward as a heavier
stroke is delivered. The full-power stroke
automatically reaches several inches further
than the lighter stroke that was supposed to
"gauge the distance."
It's physics; you can't keep it from happening,
any more than you can walk on the ceiling.
What you can do is allow for it, and train
yourself to compensate. You can ease your feet
back a bit, or pull your elbow or shoulder back
as part of the swing. Or you can do as Mistress
Nan Burrows recommends, and take your
aiming stroke so that the cane tip lands in the
middle of the far cheek, no further. This aiming
point will land a full-power stroke that safely
spans the full width of the buttocks and no
further.
If you do wish to play with harder strokes,
practice! Learn to pay close attention to where
your cane is landing; this is how you learn to
correct your aim. Mistress Nan advises a lot of
practice on a cushion. There is a certain kind of
upholstery that shows the stroke, but each blow
shakes the surface and erases the trace of the
preceding blow. Perfect feedback! The
upholstery looks to be a kind of heavy-duty
velvet; check thrift stores.
5
When you are ready to try powerful strokes on
a human partner, try putting a cushion or
blanket roll on the far side of them. This will
catch a wraparound harmlessly. Be sure to
confine hard strokes to the buttocks below the
tailbone and the upper half of the thighs.
CANING AND OTHER PLEASURES
Sexual connections: perhaps a quarter of
women, and a very few men, can actually get
orgasms from the cane. I think this is incredibly
hot, and it makes me very jealous! There will be
others who may not actually climax, but get
extremely turned on, which can offer a pleasant
answer to the question of "what do we do
next?"
The shock waves made by a cane are
directional - they tend to continue through the
target in the general direction the cane was
moving when it hit. In fact, if you slide a hand
under your partner's thigh or belly, you can feel
the shock of a medium cane stroke go right
through them. The "sweet spot" in the lower
butt, to either side of the crack, is sweet for this
reason; blows here can send waves up into a
whole complex of muscles, nerves, and
engorged tissue that is directly involved with
sexual excitement. Many bottoms will enjoy a
steady rhythm of light or medium blows on the
sweet spot - especially if they are angled to send
their shock waves up and forward. At least one
lady I know has called the effect a "rattan
vibrator."
One good sign of this sexual connection is a
face-down bottom whose hips begin to rise and
fall in a steady rhythm. You might try matching
that rhythm, with light or medium strokes. Or
use your other hand to massage the nerve points
around the pelvic dimples and to either side of
the last few inches of the spine.
.....Continued Next Month
 HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS
May 7th – Refining Service Movement with
Catherine Gross-This is a class for
submissives/bottoms/slaves who wish to refine your
movement, stance and body control. It's also a class
for tops to learn how to manage your bottoms. Your
every movement communicates your disposition.
Each movement is rift with nuance, discipline and
sentiment. Learn the language of your craft and
refine your hands, various forms of kneeling, types
of crawling, your overall body movements and
service. Learn how to be invisible or a show piece
and discern when each is appropriate
May 14th - Master Alex presents Stock and Pillories
May 21st - Master Z - Boys Camp Presenter (see
Special Events E-Mail)
May 28th - Contracts w/ Master Harold
.
Lee Bridget Harrington
Rope Bondage Seminar Series:
Day Two: June 30th
Part One: Speed Bondage! (Hands-on)
Who says rope bondage takes ages to tie? In this
intermediate level class, we plunge into a variety of
techniques, from quick hair bondage to Texas handcuffs,
traditional taka-takote options to hojojutsu ties. We will
also look at how to make our movements more efficient
for speed and beauty of movement. Students need to
come with a working knowledge of how to tie a square
knot (reef knot) and have an understanding of how rope
feels in their hands, plus show up in comfortable
clothing that is easy to move in. Two lengths of rope,
15ft (5+ meters) and 30ft (10+ meters) in length is
sufficient to do all of the work in this class, though some
rope will be available on hand for folks without any.
Part Two: Partial and Full Suspension Poses (demo)
What Would Randa Mai Do? Using a series of Japanese
style techniques, we’ll look at how to get your play
partner up into the air or forced onto one toe. This class
is for folks with a sound understanding of rope bondage,
but folks who are not at an advanced level are welcome
to come and watch as we learn how to create moving
suspensions, partially suspend our partners, and suspend
them in poses perfect for fucking, meditation, torture,
and intense scenes with bondage as the point.)
6
REGULAR EVENTS
Fetish Forum Workshop – Second Wednesday of
each month. Fetish Forum Workshops presents a
different topic each month including demos and
hands-on. Members only $6.00 fee.
Board Meeting – Conducted quarterly as
announced. Open to all members. Have a voice in
our organization. No Fee.
Program Committee Meeting – As announced. If
you have ideas for Monday topics, Fetish Forums/
workshops or parties please talk to any board
member or committee chair.
Submissive Resonance Forum – Fourth
Wednesday of each month. Trade questions, ideas,
and knowledge with fellow submissives, slaves
bottoms, and other not in Top head space. Hosted by
Almitra Fee is $3.00
Dom Roundtable – Third Thursday of each month.
Open discussion of hot topics. Hosted by Master
Dennis. Fee is $3.00
Advanced Roundtable – Held the 2nd Thursday of
each month. Topic will be announced each month.
Open to all members. Fee is $3.00
Outreach Munch – The APEX Outreach Committee
welcomes interested to join us for an opportunity to get to
know the APEX organization and meet APEX members
and those of affiliate organizations. Social and quarterly
business munches are held at the International House of
Pancakes (IHOP) at 2508 N. Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ
85004-1333 on the third Sunday of each month at
2:00pm. For more information contact gift at
gifts_box@hotmail.com
PLAY PARTIES
Check website for details.
APEX parties are for members only. Membership must be
purchased after Orientation at any Monday night
meeting and not on the night of a party.
Dungeon Party: Every Saturday night unless
otherwise noted.
Men’s Night: Play party for males only. This will
rotate with the Women’s Night monthly.
Women’s Night: Play party for females only. This will
rotate with the Men’s Night monthly.
 MAY SPECIAL EVENTS

May 18-20 boys

Training Camp - Master Z
This is not an APEX Event, it is being presented by the Texas Leather Tribe for more
info: go to http://www.leathernetwork.com/index.php
boy’s Training Camp is an interactive camp designed for those who identify as submissive (i.e.
boy/boi/slave/girl, etc.) and provides the opportunity for interaction with experienced faculty as well as
other individuals of like mind and varying degrees of experience.

The Camp begins on Friday evening with Registration followed by a group session entitled “What Is a
boy…”, which is an opportunity for the participants to discuss their self-identification. Afterwards
there is a reception, with a Keynote speaker.

Saturday continues with facilitated discussions and demonstrations in Protocol. This is followed by
smaller group break-out sessions on Boot Blacking or Personal Valet Service. After lunch (included),
one basic and one advanced break-out session is offered on the topic of Relationships. This is followed
by two more break-outs that cover Leather Care or Table Service. Attendance at these smaller sessions
is decided by the Headmaster using feedback from the participant and their Dominant. There is another
large group discussion on the role of the boy/boi in the 21st century.

The finale and highlight of Saturday evening is the opportunity for the participants to experience some
dungeon play in what is known as “Stations of the Cross”. You can be sure that endorphins are flying
after this activity.

Sunday begins with a brunch followed by a continuation of the Relationship break-out sessions. There
generally is another large group discussion covering topics like, “Putting Sir or Ma’am First While
Maintaining your self-identity”, “Respect and Honor”, and “Internalizing the boy/boi role”. As a wrap-
up, the participants have a “boy/boi only” rap session and a Q&A with boys/bois on the faculty.
Closing ceremonies include awards and recognition.

Registration:
Open Now!

Registration Fee:
$200 - includes all Weekend Sessions, Stations of the Cross, Reception, Keynote Speaker, and
food/refreshments during the weekend event.

7
May 2007 Note: the calendar in the newsletter is current as of the time of publishing. Schedules are
subject to change. For the current schedule, please check the website

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 2 3 4 5
Programming Servants Retreat Servants Retreat
Committee Meeting
7PM 7:30 p.m.
Dungeon Party

6 7 8 9 10' 11 12
Servants Retreat 7:15 7:30 7:00 FFW Master Advanced Sociable Negotiable 10am Space
Catherine Gross Board Meeting Matthew – Canes Roundtable 7:30PM Improvement
"Masks/Personas APEX Dungeon
and Jungian Party
concepts in BDSM

13 14 15 16 17 18 19
7:15 Dom Roundtable boy's Training boy's Training Camp
Master Alex Stock Camp
and Pillories 7:30 p.m.
Dungeon Party

20 21 22 23 24 25 26
boy's Training Camp 7:15 Submissive Forum 7:30 p.m.
Master Z - Boys Dungeon Party
2:00 p.m. Camp Presenter Apex Prep "Basic
Munch Flogging and Intro
to Whips

27 28 29 30 31
Apex Academy 2007 - 7:15
Pan Academy in Contracts w/ Master
Tucson Harold

June 2007 Note: the calendar in the newsletter is current as of the time of publishing. Schedules are
subject to change. For the current schedule, please check the website

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 2
7:30 p.m.
Dungeon Party

3 4 5 6 7' 8 9
7:15 Programming 10am Space
Sean-Michael and the Committee Meeting – Improvement
Sisters of Perpetual 7PM
Indulgence Volunteers Party

10 11 12 13 14 15 16
7:15 Board Meeting – Fetish Forum Advanced 7:30 Sociable Apex Prep -
Arizona Amazons 7:30PM Workshop Roundtable - Negotiable "Intermediate Rope
"Kidnapping and Techniques,
Abductions" 7:30 p.m.
Dungeon Party

17 18 19 20 21 22 23
2:00 p.m. 7:15 Submissive Forum Dom Roundtable No Party
Munch Pushing the Edge Apex Academy/
with Master Dennis Butchman’s

24 25 26 27 28 29 30
7:15 Submissive Forum Space Dark LBH Rope Bondage
Guest Speaker and Seminar
Topic may be in the Dungeon Party – Lee
works. Watch Bridget Harrington
Calendar on website visiting