The Board - LiNK Inc

Board Position Descriptions and Duties

Permanent Positions

Elected Positions

Board Member End of Year Questionnaire Responses

Executive Director

It’s hard to believe that just over two years ago, LNK was just an idea sparked at a small slosh I organized in November 2021. Back then, with 20-30 people coming together, who could have imagined where we’d be now? It’s been a journey that’s left me both humbled and astounded by our growth.

I must start with a heartfelt shout-out to our first board. Frankly, we all dove into this not really knowing the depth of what we were signing up for. The board members, each stepping into uncharted territory, have shown remarkable resilience and adaptability. They have faced every challenge head-on, handling complex situations with grace and wisdom. I don’t think any of us anticipated what we were getting into, but the way everyone has managed these responsibilities is truly admirable. I’ve witnessed growth in each of us, not just as leaders but as individuals deeply committed to our community’s wellbeing.

Creating LNK from the ground up was no walk in the park. We started with a basic set of bylaws – our initial roadmap, which has since morphed into a living document, changing as we grow and learn. It’s been a hands-on lesson in building something that’s not just functional but also responsive to our community’s needs.

Who’d have thought that from those early days, we’d now be here, with our own classroom and, now a dungeon, running events that can pull in crowds of 150+? It’s mind-blowing. LNK’s growth over the year has been remarkable. We’ve expanded our physical presence and diversified our activities, working to create a hub for education, social interaction, and exploration. The transformation from small gatherings to what we are today is a testament to the strength and unity of our LNK family.

Sure, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing.We’ve faced some choices, and controversy, that have been extremely difficult. We’ve had our share of tough calls to make, particularly around our bylaws and procedures. These challenges have been real eye-openers, teaching us how to strike that delicate balance between heart and head in decision-making.

On a personal note, this year has been a rollercoaster of growth. I’ve learned, I’ve changed, and I’ve been shaped in ways I never expected. Leading LNK has reshaped not just how I see community leadership but also how I view myself and my capabilities.

And now, looking ahead, we’ve got some big plans brewing. The dungeon’s opening in January – a milestone I’m particularly pumped about. And then there’s “Kinktasia” in August. It’s going to be epic – a real showcase of what we’re all about.

I can’t wrap this up without a massive thank you to everyone in the LNK family. Your energy, your feedback, your participation – that’s what’s turned this idea into a living, breathing community.

So, here’s to us, to where we’ve come from, and to where we’re heading. It’s been an incredible journey so far, and the best part? We’re just getting started. I am eager to see where our collective journey will lead us next. Thank you for being on this ride with me.

Secretary

How would you describe your overall experience as a board member this year?
Being one of the first to try anything new is scary. This year on the LNK Board has been no exception. While challenges have been a persistent experience, it has been incredibly rewarding to get to be a part of helping such an amazing group with an incredible mission grow and see the potential for what it is capable of being. There have been many instances where the right decision has not been clear and that is always uncomfortable. The stakes are high and it does come with pressure, but also a lot of wonderful rewards.

What were your initial expectations when you joined the board, and how did they align with your actual experience?
I had very few ideas of what to expect when I was elected to the Board. I had only been a member of the group for a few months, and now a leadership role?? Where we were basically creating the foundation and rules?? Uhhhhh. 😳 I knew the process would not be easy and I was not wrong. But it has been surprisingly easy to collaborate with other Board members and work as a team to try and do the best we can with what we have in any situation.

Were there any aspects of your role that you found particularly challenging or rewarding?
I’m naturally pretty reserved in social settings and my personal schedule doesn’t leave a lot of margin for events. Being on the Board has forced me to be more intentional with the ways I engage in order to maximize what spoons I do have. It’s been great getting to know so many new humans by nature of being forward-facing and having it as part of my “job” prevents me from slacking out and choosing not to engage.

What were the major challenges you faced as a board member?
I am pretty practical. Logic controls many of my decisions. It’s been difficult to balance that with the nature of where we are as a group right now, which is very “swing for the fences if we wanna make anything happen.” My inclination is to be more reserved and that just doesn’t work to grow us to where we want to be. This has been especially present when considering financial decisions.

Are there areas where you think the board could improve? What suggestions do you have?
Our Board could really benefit from the implementation of more consistent systems and processes. Some of those tools are being developed and put in place, but we’re learning and adjusting as we go still.

How could support and resources be improved for future board members?
Some kind of Board on-boarding would be helpful. Instructions on locating documents on the Drive, expectations for role-specific duties, etc. could be beneficial for future Board members.

How do you perceive the impact of the board on the overall direction and success of the organization?
The Board has been crucial in creating a safe environment for our group to function. Growth has been large and fast and the Board has done a good job of trying to anticipate both current and future need. There have been moments when Board presence has ebbed and not been as active as probably warranted, but that’s trend is shifting in a positive direction and I think there’s is really good forward momentum right now.

What future directions or strategies would you suggest for the board and the organization?
I would suggest that the Board continue to get creative with ideas for potential revenue streams. Money has been a consistent consideration in what we are able to do vs. what we need/want to do, so taking some of that pressure off would be highly beneficial.

Any final reflections on your experience?
I never expected to enjoy my role on the Board as much as I have. I expected to fail spectacularly. Instead, I have found a voice within a likeminded group of humans who just want to play safely and leave our community better than they found it. It has been incredibly rewarding and I’m thankful for having had the opportunity to be a part of this first LNK Board.

What advice would you give to new board members joining in the future?
Speak your truth. Whatever that is. Be open to hearing and considering differing viewpoints, but don’t be afraid to stand firm in what you believe if you have the information you need to do so. Nothing is personal. Everyone sees each situation differently based on their personal lenses and that’s why the Board is large and diverse. It doesn’t work if it’s an echo chamber or everyone is afraid of speaking up. You will not lose friends or respect for voicing an opinion. It may be challenged, but it will be done with love and the intention of bettering our community as a whole.

Treasurer

How would you describe your overall experience as a board member this year?
Overall, it has been thrilling to be part of the beginnings of an important resource for the community.

What were your initial expectations when you joined the board, and how did they align with your actual experience?
The only expectation I had in the beginning was to be a help to Shannon so she didn’t do everything herself.

Were there any aspects of your role that you found particularly challenging or rewarding?
Having to manage complaints and interpersonal conflict has been challenging, however, I believe in the mission and that we are building something important for the future

What were the major challenges you faced as a board member? Being as available as I wanted as I struggled through personal crises.

Are there areas where you think the board could improve? What suggestions do you have?
Streamline processes and create clear responsibilities and tasks.

How do you perceive the impact of the board on the overall direction and success of the organization?
Largely I haven’t felt like I’ve contributed much and that the success of the organization has largely been driven by Shannon and Kenny.

What future directions or strategies would you suggest for the board and the organization?
Consistent monthly meetings.

Any final reflections on your experience?
Knowing what goes on behind the scenes can be hard and, at times, can rob the joy out of being part of the community.

What advice would you give to new board members joining in the future?
Be prepared to know way more about people than you want.

Member-at-Large

How would you describe your overall experience as a board member this year?
Being a board member is as challenging as it is exciting. Voting on matters of finance comes into play frequently, as does voting on matters of disciplinary action. There are many tough calls to make as a team, and this early on in LNK’s lifecycle, every vote matters a lot. In that regard it has also been incredibly rewarding: being at the front of the group has allowed me to meet many wonderful people and support a community I love dearly.

What were your initial expectations when you joined the board, and how did they align with your actual experience?
Being the first board, I did not genuinely know what to expect. I doubt many of us did. Though we did know where to start: We rushed headlong into the front lines of realty, fundraising, event hosting, and supporting the online aspect of the community as well. This did wind up being the meat of the matter, but ultimately, each issue brought up their own sub-issues and ways of dealing with them. Each member of the board has been able to show their talents to overcome these obstacles as they’ve come up. Teamwork has clearly shown itself to be our most powerful tool.

Were there any aspects of your role that you found particularly challenging or rewarding?
I’m a bit of a shut-in at times. This has more to do with a crappy work schedule and not being able to drive. So beyond occasional coffees and sloshes, my ability to make it out to events is limited, which is distressing. However, due to this, I have great care for the online community and I work diligently within it. Discord management and being an active member of the board who is always there to answer questions and help when needed has allowed me to contribute to the community in ways that I never knew I’d be able to. It has been a pleasant experience.

What were the major challenges you faced as a board member?
I am admittedly bad with math. And even worse, my very opinionated mindset in certain regards. There have been some tough calls, and moments where I disagreed with others. But what matters is that we are a team, and we must be able to look past that. And if not, we should be able to reflect and see where things went wrong for the purpose of correcting them.

Are there areas where you think the board could improve? What suggestions do you have?
Our board, as the first who had no idea where to begin, had a rough start. For a while we were idle, offering occasional ideas and sitting on our hands for periods of time while others did very, very heavy lifting. It is only recently where the board as a whole have settled into their talents and contributions. It will be important for the next board to strike while the iron is hot. This group is active, and must stay active. The activity leads to money, that money leads to improvements, and that will lead to more activity. Fundraisers, event hosting, and renovations will be large parts of the next board’s agenda.

How could support and resources be improved for future board members?
In the latter aspects of the board’s first lifecycle, we introduced google docs and have been garnering additional organization. As this is not my strong suit it is tough to say, but I think more of the same will help. When a good resource is found, putting it in a drive as a knowledge base can likely help. The more these are built up, the more the next boards and the ones after those can hit the ground running.

How do you perceive the impact of the board on the overall direction and success of the organization?
It’s been an amazing success. A board is needed for a group like this. In small groups, a single person can be just fine. But at a certain point, in a world of countless mindsets and cultures and walks of life, and kinks, and personalities, we need a group of people who can give back equally to that. This group is too big for a single person to support, and thanks to the talents of our board, we have been able to hold it upright and keep the members feeling safe and excited.

What future directions or strategies would you suggest for the board and the organization?
I’d brought it up before, but memberships will be an ideal place to look into. By allowing members to pay for an optional membership, they may be able to attend certain events for free, or access special channels in the discord. Having a dedicated donation link that’s easy to find would be useful as well. I think having a sit-down early on and discussing talents and ideas for who does what will be important for distributing the weight of the workload in a way that makes it a cakewalk for the board.

Any final reflections on your experience?
This community has changed my life. It’s changed many people’s lives. It is a community held up by love, understanding, and support for the kink community and the people within it. LNK has succeeded even without a dungeon, and that is largely due to the atmosphere of safety we provide newcomers, the lack of exclusion, and the openness and transparency we provide. I feel I’ve been part of something bigger than me. This is not an experience I will ever regret.

What advice would you give to new board members joining in the future?
Don’t be afraid to mess up. Walking is just falling with style, and we gotta fall down a few times before we figure out how to make those steps. Just as we had to learn, every new board will have to as well. The dynamic will change based on who the members are and how their personalities and talents interact with each other. Learn and grow as the group does, and believe in your capability for success.