smOdyssey -- a brief History
Four friends joined together in 1998 to bring the best in classes, information and social events to the BDSM community. When they created smOdyssey: a Journey into BDSM, they had no idea what it would become...
by Jerome Bambrick
1998-2002
In Feburary of 1998, CeCe, Blackheart, Treasure and Morgan, sat down over breakfast and Odyssey was born. Originally we wanted to hold some parties and classes and maybe be able to lease our own building, but as the years have passed, our focus has changed to community involvement and education.As of this writing, we have held 9 parties, over 35 classes, 9 games nights and 2 national events. Each month, there are at least 6 events that Odyssey either directly hosts, started or supports. We have built a volunteer team of over 175 people, and joined forces with other groups in the South Bay because, to quote some of our dear Leather Brothers and Sisters, "Together is Better". Our mail list, Odyssey Talk, is very active and affords a great place to debate the issues that we struggle with as a community.
CeCe and Blackheart have now moved on to other adventures, we wouldn't be where we are today without their dedication and vision.
smOdyssey will continue to change and grow. Kevin and Andy have stepped up and have taken over our web site, design and List Master duties, Samantha has been a rock, producing the calendar and is the driving force behind all of our classes and workshops. She also helps keep Morgan and Treasure on track (not an easy job), so that they are free to teach for other BDSM organizations. Allison has taken on the task of balancing the smOdyssey account.
Treasure has been nominated Leather Man of the Year, formed the Dungeon Monitors Association and has taught across the country at various conferences. Morgan formed the Womens group, From the Fire, teaches Beginners Dungeon and other classes for many orgainizations in the Bay Area, and lectures at local colleges and universities about the reality of our lifestyle.
We are here to serve the community we love.
2003 -- The New smOdyssey
In February of 2003, Morgan and Jerome selected a 7-member provisional board of directors responsible for developing the bylaws and incorporating the new club, and to guide it through its first year.
Under the direction of that board, smOdyssey, Inc. has now begun the next segment of that journey. smOdyssey, Inc. has worked hard to become a "Non-profit Social and Recreation Club", and a membership organization within our community, with an active membership of approximately 200 members.
FolsomFringe 2003 was the first major production of that new organization.
FolsomFringe continues to be the flagship event of smOdyssey, Inc. every year, but the organization also produces smaller events, fundraisers, and educational and outreach opportunities.
TeamOdyssey
Odyssey was forged together at the beginning of 1998 by 4 close friends who wanted to give back to a community that has so graciously changed and added to all of our lives. They soon learned that they could not do it alone.
A host of volunteers embraced their vision and made Odyssey what it is today. They are who provide the skills, the time, the talent and the energy to make smOdyssey events and classes the thriving, exuberant community celebrations they are. Those volunteers are Team Odyssey.
For more information about volunteering for Odyssey, send email to TeamOdyssey@smOdyssey.com
Copyrights
The smOdyssey "O" logo was created in 1998 by Blackheart, one of smOdyssey's founders. Variations based on that logo have been created for each FolsomFringe by Kevin Roche, Omega and DaveL.