Starting A Group, Event Or Contest

Starting A Group, Event Or Contest

This has been written in part for the Puppy 101 class series originally written in 2010 by Papa
Woof Roth. Please feel free to use this for your own groups, events or contests. All I ask is that
the proper credits are given. Feel free to contact me at midwestpuppy@gmail.com with questions
or suggestions.

Getting started:
Starting something is a daunting undertaking but can be rewarding. Incase you wonder why there
are some things included, well, it’s because I have encountered that exact thing.
Starting a group takes patience and perseverance. Don’t let yourself get too frustrated with a low
turnout to start and even a few times. Get the word out, plan something you enjoy. That way if no
one else shows up that time you still have fun.
Come up with your group name and logo if possible. Keep it simple and to the point
Things to decide on
How much area geographically will your group cover? City? State? Region?
Is this more a public social group?
Is it a hard core play group? (what are the local rules and regs)
These are things you really have to think about. Remember many new attendees are shy and they
need a more neutral setting until they are more comfortable.
Use social networking!! Things like Facebook, Twitter, Fetlife, Furries Xtreme (the
Furry/Puppy/Pet version of Fetlife) and Tumblr are great ways to find others. Remember that
even some that are not local to you, might be interested in your event or may even know
someone local to you. Network! Network! Network! Find someone that is local? Drop them an
introductory note about the group, events and such. Remember some email groups and social
networking sites might have a bias towards someone new, so if you are not able to post things,
don’t let it bother you. There are lots of other places out there you can get the word out and lots
of others that will help you.
Keep the excitement up! Find those that will help grow the group? Keep them excited and plan
fun things that everyone might be interested in. This means talking to them and listening to what
they want to do (see planning an event below)

Find a friendly location, find a local bar or club will let you pup out. Talk to the owner or
manager and find out if you can get a time for the group to come out. If they will agree to a mosh
pit, you can get mats cheaply at some place like Harbor Freight. You need to be prepared to
provide your own setup to keep the pups safe. Make sure you also have things like a first aid kit
ready and taking a Red Cross First Aid class is a HUGE plus!
Keep getting the word out! Make up a flyer (keep it PG) and post at bars, coffee shops, adult
shops or wherever those interested might see it. Keep the flyers fresh. Change them out every
few weeks with a new color paper, new graphics or different wording and a flyer that is a little
different. There are a TON of niche groups on Facebook.

Planning events:
It can take a lot of time and effort to put something on, not to mention the stress of what feels
like trying to herd drunk cats sometimes. Remember when you are planning an event to be aware
of other events planned around. Try not and plan something on top of someone else's event
unless you talk it over with them first. It's very frustrating when you are planning something only
to have someone muddle things up. If at all else possible if 2 want to do events around the same
time, try working together to do something like a weekend of events. If you plan an event and no
one shows up, as the old saying goes, try, try again. Sometimes it falls into place for a great turn
out and sometimes it doesn't. Try and remember to keep things as reasonable as possible. If all
else fails, ask opinions before planning the event. If doing something public like at a business,
mall, park, etc. with today's increased awareness with security and transmittable virus threats,
check with the owner/manager/park service director or whatever to make sure things like puppy
gear are allowed. It's not fun to have security making you take your puppy gear off in front of
kids or be seen being escorted out of the premises.
Events like Coffee and such, please make sure of the following.........
For the location
1. They are open and what their hours are (usually place needs to be open till at least 9-11pm or
later)
2. They can handle a group (have seating space)
3. If it's an outdoor space make sure there is a contingency for bad weather
4. Know what the parking situation is before and post ( is it metered parking? hours for meters?
pay parking garage? street parking?)

For the online group posting
1. When you are suggesting a place, please post complete info - name, address, phone number of
location, other known things like parking
2. Post price range, link to menu, coupons, etc.
3. Post if it is an age restricted location I.e. 21+
This will hopefully make sure that if someone is away from the computer and there are questions
Attending events:
At someone's house or apartment -
When you go to an event, someone has spent time, energy and a lot of the time some money
especially if they are having it at their apartment or house. Be a good guest! Some of the things
you need to pay close attention to are:
Smoking rules - Can you smoke inside and if not, where can you smoke. Also don't just discard
your cigarette butts, put them where they belong
Pet rules - if they have dogs or cats in the house, make sure you don't stand with the door open
and make sure you close it tightly if you go in or out. If it's ok to give the animals treats or
anything
PDA rules - Unless you are going to an orgy, keep it in your pants. If you are doing something
and someone else looks uncomfortable....stop! In some areas you can do more in a bar setting
than in other areas. Know what is a no-no!
Potluck rules - The whole purpose of a Potluck is a gathering where everyone brings a dish to
share. The rule of thumb is that whatever you bring should be enough for 4-6 people to each
have a good serving. Look at it like going out got a decent dinner. You would probably spend
$15 plus for Chili's or Fudruckers, and you are getting a hellacious amount of food, so spend
accordingly. Nothing pisses off a host more than a mooch. If you want to come but can't
financially afford to get something, talk to the host upfront/privately BEFORE the event about it.
Heck if nothing else offers to do dishes, take out the trash or help clean up. Contribute how you
can that will help the host!

Cleanliness rules - Be a good guest and you make sure you get invited back. Use common sense
and common courtesy when at someone's place. Use coasters or a napkin to sit your drink on.
Throw your cans, cups, plates, and trash away. If you are using "real" plates, glasses, silverware,
take them to the kitchen and as the host what they want done with them. You may like living in a
cluttered place but that does not give you the right to do it as someone else's place. Also ...... take
a shower and wear clean clothes, clean gear unless it’s a sweat/piss event. then ask what you
should wear.
R.S.V.P.'s - When an invite is given in any form and you plan on attending even if it's a "maybe"
let the host know. If you can't make it don't just be a no show, let the house know what you are
not able to make it. Don't just drop in unless you know that is ok ahead of time. If a set time is
given for things to start, try and be there on time or a little early. If you are running late let
someone know.
Public Gatherings - Some special things to remember here
PDA's - Use common sense. Most of the time if you are at someplace like a coffee shop or cafe
you are in mixed company (gay/straight) so not an appropriate place for public displays of
affection. If you are in a bar and it’s all good feel free to go to the accepted limits.
Puppy/Furry/Fetish Gear - Make sure with whoever is organizing it - puppy gear, ears, tails,
collars, etc are OK. Remember not everyone understands Puppy/Fetish gear or all they know
about it is what they saw on CSI. This is not a "Squick the Mundanes" game. Make sure that
your gear is acceptable for the event. Know what the rules are. In Saint Louis for example, if you
wear a jock or thong you must have a 1 1/2” strip down the back side.
Support the business - Most the time outings take place at restaurants, coffee houses or
something similar. Be prepared to buy something. These are businesses, if everyone came and
didn't buy something the business would close its doors. Also don't go and expect someone to
cover you or worse yet, they order something and beg someone to pay for it for them. If someone
is going to cover you, make arrangements prior - and pay that person back if that is what is
supposed to happen!
Be a good customer - If it's at a bar, don't get stupid drunk so the rest of the group has to take
care of you. If you have had too much to drink, give someone your keys. Also chances are the
person that has organized the outing has a friendly relationship with staff at the business. If you
are not sure if something is ok or not, ask! Also don't do things that annoy, hurt, injure your
friends or other customers. Also know age limits! It’s it’s a 21+ event and you are not old
enough, this can cause major problems for everyone if you sneak in.

Don't make a scene! - Leave the drama for your mamma! If you come to an event and start shit,
expect to be asked to leave and not allowed back! Groups work best with a 3 strikes rule before
you will be asked not to return to a group event. Depending on the action or input from others
involved, it can be a 6 month suspension from attending events to permanent. The exception is if
anyone threatens another for any reason including threatening the individual, individual’s
belongings or individual’s work or school career. This is cause for immediate suspension from
any and all group events.
Hopefully this helps and will make for some fun events in the coming months!!
Just remember....it only takes one person not playing by the rules of common decency and
etiquette to ruin that event and events in the future for everyone
Help your attendees get ready:
This is something I share with events groups I’m going to
So you are going to an event?
Here are a few basic things to remember and plan for -
Before the event -
Make sure you have your ride and roomshare plan and reconfirmed. Nothing worse than finding
one or both have bailed on you at the last minute. Also make sure you have good contact info
for everyone!
Make sure you have your ID! Most events and bars require you to have a VALID State or
Government issued ID (flights, buses, trains too)
If you take medication, make sure you have enough for the duration of the trip plus a day or 2
just in case!
If you are roomsharing, towels, pillows and blankets can be hard to get sometimes, save
yourself the hassle and bring your own. This goes for soap and shampoo as well!
Make sure you have money for a ride, room, food and fun stuff! It's not fair to get to an event
and to beg off of others because you didn't plan properly.
A couple weeks before the event is a good time to reconfirm your room and roomshares! Start
making sure you have plenty of prescription medication (if you take any) notify your credit card
companies you will be traveling and when (some will see a charge from out of your normal zone
and stop the card) Reconfirm your transportation as well!

At the event -
Make sure you get your room/roomshare sorted as soon as you are able. Don't leave your
valuables in plain sight in vehicles, Don't leave things unattended in lobbies, hallways etc.
Keep your ID with you if you are going offsite for meals, bar runs etc.
If you are roomsharing and have a medical issue that could pop up during the weekend, make
sure your roomies know about it and where to locate critical info, medication, epi pens etc.
Be a good roommate and guest. Don't trash the room, make a mess and not clean it up or be a
general problem child to your roomies. Not everyone likes 3 day old sweat so shower!
If you are volunteering, please be a few minutes early for your shift! This makes getting
instructions and set up, tear down etc much easier! If you can't do a volunteer shift because you
have fallen ill or something, please let the event volunteer coordinator know ASAP so they can
find a fill in for you.
If you get sick, DON'T SPREAD YOUR GERMS! I know it sucks but if you come down with the
flu or something, stay in your room and out of crowds, don't spread the wealth of you illness!
Have fun but remember -
If you aren't sure if something is ok or acceptable, ask. Respect others!! For many this is a
long and hard earned time away from home. Don't ruin it for them.
Not everyone is into your kinks, respect that! There are kinks others are into that you would not
want forced on you, so don't force yours on others! If someone asks a question about your kink,
they want to learn so help them, answer questions, give examples etc
If you are drinking or partying, stay in control. No one likes a hot mess especially if they are
barfing all over the place!!
TIP! Don't forget to tip your housekeepers (they will earn it by the end of the weekend),
bartenders, foodservers, bootblacks, etc. They all are working hard to make the weekend good.
Show them your appreciation!
Be patient! Restaurants, cafes, bars, coffee shops are going to be overwhelmed at times and
being a nice customer will help offset some of the crabby ones they get (and get you better
service) remember because they are busy, meals and such will take longer. Plan for this extra
time when you go out so you won't miss something you wanted to go to because you are still at
lunch/dinner.

Learn, make friends, step out of your box! So much to do and see, so many awesome people,
so make the best of it!
Eat, drink, sleep!!! You have to have at least a couple decent meals each day, drink as much
water as you can, and try and get sleep every night!
Help where you can! If you see someone that is struggling with bags or something, offer to lend
a hand!
On your check out day, try and tidy up the room, pick up trash and don't make the maid regret
walking in your room to clean up!