The program has two roles. Here is what each one is, who it is for, and what it involves.

Mentors

A mentor is someone who has walked the path. They act as a guide, role model, and sounding board, helping a mentee find their footing in the community. A mentor's job is to support, connect, and lead by example. Mentors grow from it too, seeing the scene again through new eyes as they guide.

Who it's for

Experienced folks in the community who are ready to invest in someone else's growth. A mentor can hold a steady, boundaried relationship for nine months and is willing to be held to the program's values while doing it. Mentors, mentees, and the Operating Committee all complete a background check.

The limits of the role

Being clear about what the role does not include protects both people in the relationship.

• A mentor is not a therapist. Mentors support wellbeing and know when to point toward the program's independent mental-health channel. They do not provide clinical care.
• A mentor is not there to fix everything. The job is to walk alongside a mentee, not to take over their choices or run their life.
• A mentor is not expected to know everything. "I don't know, let's find out" is a good answer. Mentors connect mentees to people and resources beyond themselves.

Mentor and mentee relationships have clear boundaries, and they hold for as long as the mentorship is in place.

• No romantic or sexual involvement between a mentor and mentee during the program, regardless of any prior relationship.
• Mentors are not the first-resort option for fulfilling their mentee's desired kink experience, and must exhaust other options before facilitating any education-centered scene with them.
• Direct play between a matched mentor and mentee is not permitted during the program.
• Indirect play (for example, demonstrating on a third party in front of the mentee) is permitted only if it's education-centered, involves at least one other person, in a Class or program-sanctioned event, and is consistent with program values.
• This contact is never kept secret from the cohort or program leadership.
• Any pre-existing relationship that could create a conflict of interest is disclosed during matching.
• As the more experienced party, the mentor carries primary responsibility for upholding these boundaries, even when a mentee is the one testing them, and brings any concern to the mentor cohort and program leadership. No one manages this alone.

If either person wants the relationship to change, the formal mentorship ends first, through leadership.

Mentees

A mentee is someone looking to grow in skills, community, and confidence, with the support of someone more experienced. You do not need to arrive with a plan or a long history in the community. You need curiosity, a willingness to show up, and an openness to being supported. The mentee is the primary driver of the arc, bringing their own questions and goals and working on them side by side with a mentor.

Who it's for

People earlier in their journey in the leather and kink community who want structure, connection, and a trusted guide. See who the program is for for the full statement on eligibility and belonging.

What a mentee gets

• A dedicated mentor for the full nine months. Most matches are one-to-one, and sometimes a mentor supports more than one mentee.
• At least two contacts a month with that mentor. One in person, and one by phone or video.
• Monthly group sessions with the whole program, including occasional Spotlights. Attendance is required for mentees.
• Classes on specific practices, offered as a Major or a Minor.
• Independent, confidential channels for mental-health support and for raising concerns, kept separate from program leadership.