When? 03/19/2020, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Dress Code: vanilla if camera is on
Non-Member's Need Sponsor? No
RSVP's Required? No

With public gatherings restricted for the immediate future, APeX is pleased to try something new to help keep us all connected and hopefully a little less stir crazy.  In lieu of scheduled munches for the month of March, we’re trying an online discussion session on Google Hangouts (or other platforms depending on how the first one goes).

https://fetlife.com/events/906741

Let’s talk about ways to remain connected in the scene while in-person gatherings are restricted.  What are you doing to stay connected to friends outside your immediate household?  What are some things you can do to support and help provide for others who may be in need or cut off from their community and coping mechanisms?  How can we *physically* distance while still staying *socially* connected to the scene and the people who are most important to us?  Join us for a discussion group of these and other topics related to the Albany BDSM scene in uncertain times of limited physical interaction & travel.

This session will run the same time the Thursday Meet & Greet would normally run: Thursday from 7-9 pm.

To join us, you’ll need the “Hangouts Meet by Google” app to join from your iOS or Android phone or tablet.  You can also join directly in your web browser (no app) using the link below, though the experience may not be as rich.

When you follow the join link below, you’ll see a screen where you can ask to join the meeting.  Click the “Ask to Join” button, and a moderator will invite you into the meeting.  In order to keep the conversation from descending into complete chaos, everyone will be muted when they join.  If you’d like to say something or ask a question, type in the chat portion of the app, and a moderator will recognize you and unmute you.

Informed Consent

Joining an online discussion presents a different risk profile than attending an in-person event, and we think it’s important anyone who participates has an understanding of the risks they’re accepting.

Versus meeting in person, you can’t catch any infections from anyone, so that’s a solid benefit.  You may however be risking your privacy more than attending in person.  While it’s true someone might be photographing munch attendees or activate a cellphone’s voice recorder at a munch, we have some experience looking out for people who appear to be up to no good and asking them to leave.

The online experience makes it easy for anyone to record voice or video of the event. We can (and will) turn off the settings that allow recording from the app itself, but nothing can prevent someone from holding their cellphone up to the screen and recording the voice and face of anyone who chooses to participate.  You may choose to include (or not) sending your voice or video.  You may also participate in text-only form through the text chat, in which case our moderator will read any questions you might pose.  Even if you’re contributing in text-only form, you can still listen and watch anyone else who chooses to have their mic and/or camera on.

If you *do* choose to turn on mic and/or camera, please be aware of what’s in the background, both behind your camera and in the room that may be picked up by the mic.  Photos of your family on the wall, others talking in the room, etc., are things you may not want to broadcast.

Please also remember that the Google profile you login as will be visible to other attendees.  If you don’t have a kink-specific Google account, now would be a good time to create one.

Rules

Keep it civil.  The moderators may mute or kick/ban anyone who speaks disrespectfully, is intentionally disruptive, etc.

No children.  Hopefully it goes without saying, but if your kids are visible or audible in the background, you’ll be kicked and banned.

No nudity, sexual activity, BDSM play, etc.  Spicy language is welcome, but this isn’t a show off or play event.

Be mindful of others who would like to speak.  The moderator will recognize and unmute one speaker at a time.  When you’re recognized, please say what’s on your mind or ask your question, and yield the floor to someone else.  There may be points where two people are unmuted if someone is asking follow-up questions of another speaker.  If other people are waiting to speak, the moderator may ask you to sum up your thought and let someone else have a chance.

To join the very first Cuss & Discuss, follow this link:

https://meet.google.com/phf-wecx-dvx

If you have the Hangouts Meet by Google app installed on your phone or tablet, it should automatically open the app.

You can download the app from:

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hangouts-meet-by-google/id1013231476

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.meetings&hl=en_US

Hope to hear from lots of you on Thursday!