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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.
His most recent stops on the journey included two more
titles in 2008, "Florida Leather boy" and "International
Leather boy". 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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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 shared 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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