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Bound
South, Inc is a Not for Profit organization that raises
funds for the benefit of other Non Profit organizations
for education, preservation of history, and community
health and well being.
We also
provide funding for leather information, education and
history that makes the leather experience both
understandable and enjoyable.
Bound South, Inc
welcomes people who want to help us expand our strong
relationships with the community at large.
We will
reach our goals through our philanthropy, caring
team philosophy and our high standards of professional and
personal interaction.
Bound South, Inc is
committed to being an independent, non-political organization
that serves as a resource for information, education and support
for those within the leather community and those interested in
learning about the leather community.
Bound South, Inc raises
funds for charities recognized under the US Internal Revenue
Service Code.
As an educational
source, Bound South, Inc. works in conjunction with other
community organizations actively assisting in both the
educational and social framework preserving the history and
culture of the leather community.
A portion of funds
raised assists the Leather Archives International Museum to
maintain both the library and educational programs, creating
awareness and eliminating prejudice and discrimination.
Additionally, we raise
money to assist other organizations granted 501 (c) (3) status
by the IRS and are chosen by our board of directors.
Email us for additional information.
Bill Hoeppner,
President
Bill was introduced to the Leather Community in 1993 in
New York City.
At that time the community was still galvanized by the
AIDS Epidemic.
The philanthropic nature of the community was what
immediately drew him
in and is one of the many things that still inspires him
today.
Bill became an associate member of The
Philadelphians MC and began
his work as a volunteer for non-profit
organizations, supporting the community through fund
raising.
During his volunteer career, Bill was the
Co-Founder of Positively Sober, a Ft. Lauderdale support
group for sober people living with HIV/AIDS and recently
helped to create Clean Sober Leather (CSL), an online
support group for sober leather men and woman struggling
with staying sober in the leather community.
In addition, he is
proud to have worked with the Florida Hospice, Project
Link of Ft. Lauderdale, Kids in Distress, Toys for Tots,
and most recently Bound South, Inc. Bill has
recently been distinguished with a
Pantheon of Leather nomination as
Man of the Year.
Bill says the journey from Mr. Ramrod 2006 titleholder to International
Mr. Leather Contest (where he was International Mr.
Leather 2007, 2nd Runner Up) and since then has been one of personal challenge and
growth. This
journey has brought him into contact with people who he will always call
friends and others
who have become family.
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Eric Lawrence, Founding
Member and Board Advisor
Eric
Lawrence is a long time resident of
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and is the co-owner and
president of LeatherWerks, one of the premier
leather stores in the country, located in Fort
Lauderdale.
He is a long time
activists for the gay community, and more
recently focusing on the Leather community in
South Florida.
Among his many
achievements
and titles: Founding member and President
Emeritus of NLA-FT. Lauderdale; founding member
of Leather University (Dungeon and Men’s Academy
series), and director of Living In Leather XIV;
South Florida Drummer Daddy, 1995; past
president of FFA Florida Golf Coast; Chaired the
Black Heart Ball 2000 and past member of
M.A.F.I.A. He has recently been nominated
for a Forbearer Award by the
Pantheon of Leather
Eric has received
numerous humanitarian awards and
certificates. Most recently received Florida
Man of The Year 2004 at the Mr. Florida Leather
2004 and the Forebearer Award at the Florida
Leather Sir & Leather boy 2005 contest.
As the founder
of Bound South, he is proud that "The Leather Masked Ball"
has donated
a total of $15,500 to the
Leather Archives &
Museum in 2006 & 2007; $7,500 for
Care Resource
(White Party) in 2006; $8,000 for
Stonewall Library
& Archives (Fort Lauderdale) in 2007.
After
founding Bound South "The Leather Masked Ball"in 2006, an organization funding the
Leather Archives & Museum in Chicago was
presented "The Leather Archives & Museum
Presidents Award 2007" for generous support of
the LA&M and the preservation of our leather
history.
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Mark
Deuser, Treasurer
Mark has worked in
Real
Estate Sales and Development in South Florida since 1978
and is
a member of the National Association of Realtors and The
Master Brokers Form.
He
serves as a volunteer at The Broward Center for the
Performing Arts, Sunshine Community Foundation, Inc.
Stonewall Library and Archives and Harris Chapel Life
Enrichment Center, Inc.
His degree in Finance and
Management (Ball State University, Indiana) has been a
big help to Bound South where he serves as Treasurer,
and his cool demeanor and organization skills help keep
us on track.
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Ira C Smith, Founding Member, Board Member
Internationally known Erotic Artist whose passion
has truly arrived a level of mastery fusing his name
into erotic history. Smith has been heralded as a
successor to the world renowned Tom of Finland. Upon
seeing Smith's work, Finland said himself in a letter,
"I am grateful to see that there is someone who will
follow in my footsteps when I am gone."
Smith's bibliography is extensive, appearing in a
multitude of publications, books, advertisements,
publicity pieces and stage decorations around the world.
You will find his work hanging in bars & galleries that
cater to the need of those with specific taste in
erotica. Numerous works reside in permanent collections
including the
Tom of Finland Foundation in Los Angeles,
the
Leslie Lohman Gay Art Foundation
in New York and the
Leather Archives & Museum
in Chicago.
Whether seen in the
United States or around the world - Ira C. Smith's
trademark style is immediately recognized. He
contributes his works for fundraiser's benefiting the
needs of the community nationwide. Smith's work will be
documented as erotic art history in our era.
Smith has also belonged to Delta International for nine
years and to GMSMA for sixteen years. Member of the
Leather Archives & Museum. Founding and board member of
Bound South. Smith has been a judge for many
leather contests across the country.
Ira shares a Couple of the
Year Nomination to the
Pantheon of Leather
With his partner Eric
Lawrence.
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Jodi Ihme, Advisor, Former Board
Member
Jodi Ihme, hails from
Chicago, Illinois and has lived in the S Florida
area for over 20 years. Working in the corporate
world, she simultaneously balanced careers in both
the corporate accounting field and HIV/AIDS arena.
Leaving the accounting area permanently in 1998 she
has worked a cumulative total of 17 years in the
pre/post test counseling areas, volunteer
service/development and event coordination fields
for CenterOne, APFL, Community HealthCare, Care
Resource and Shadowood II, Inc. For the past 10
years she has and continues to hold the position of
President/Chapter chair for the South Florida
Chapter of the AIDS Memorial Quilt.
She became involved with the BoundSouth organization
in 2006 when they worked together to produce the
first Leather Masked Ball as part of the White Party
Week for Care Resource.
"The Bound South organization is an integral part of
our community and a powerful player, having the
ability to raise considerable dollars to assist the
non profit funding shortage. An extremely
professional and knowledgeable group they provide
awareness and education to help people understand
the alternative life style of the leather
community. I am proud to be affiliated with them in
the steering and advisory capacity."
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