If you have been a Guest of the 15 and attending our events, you might want to consider applying to become a member.

Why become a member of the 15? First, we are one of the oldest and most prestigious BDSM clubs in the world. Our club colors are recognized by players everywhere — in effect, you'll have earned the “Good Dungeon Seal of Approval.” Second, you’ll be joining (and meeting) a select group of men who take their play seriously. We believe in mentoring each other to become better players. Every month we get together and throw the best damn BDSM play events around, and your efforts as a member can ensure we keep doing that. And finally, you’ll get party discounts, and priority over non-members for an invitation to our annual Boot Camp run, and also for Advance Ticket Required play parties.

The basic process for membership is that you have to volunteer at events, and get three members to sponsor you. We ask for you to volunteer so we can get to know you better, and because how someone gives back says a lot about them as a person. We want our members to be willing to dig in and help the club as a whole.

We ask for three sponsors because becoming a member of The 15 Association means the club is vouching for your abilities and character. We take that screening responsibility seriously. At least three existing members need to know you well enough to testify about your abilities as a BDSM player, and your character as a person, to be willing to sponsor you for membership.

Interested? Here’s what you need to do:

1. Make sure you have a photo uploaded in your profile. A headshot is required, so we can recognize you at parties. Nude body or genitalia shots are prohibited. This is not because we’re prudes, but because it’s hard to tell who you are that way. (Contrary to the stereotype, we don’t recognize you by your dick or your ass.)
2. Volunteer at events. You need to volunteer at least three times if you are local (less then 100 miles from San Francisco). If you live more than 100 miles away, you only need to volunteer twice. To volunteer, click on the “Volunteer for Events” link in the “Members & Guests” menu to sign up for volunteer shifts. Most volunteer shifts are simple, such as an hour helping out at the front door, doing coat check, or assisting with party setup/tear-down. If you’re in a hurry to become a member, you can even sign up for more than one shift at the same party.
3. You need to have three current members sponsor you. At least one of those sponsors needs to be a member of the Fraternal Committee. Make sure you talk to people in the social area at our events, and ask who is a Fraternal. Hint: The person checking you in at the Front Desk of our parties is usually a Fraternal, or can point out the Fraternals. If you start the application process, when you log into the website you’ll see a message that contains a link to a directory of all the Fraternals.
4. Talk to the Membership Chair about becoming a member. If the Membership Chair thinks you’re a good fit, you’ll get an email. This will allow you to enter the names of your three sponsors into our website.
5. Your sponsors will get an email asking them to complete sponsorship forms. You’ll be able to see on the website which sponsors have completed the forms.
6. When all the sponsorship forms have been submitted, the Membership Chair will review them, and decide if you should receive an invitation to become a member. If yes, you will get an email asking you to complete the online application.
7. Your completed application and the sponsor forms will be reviewed by the entire Fraternal Committee at the next scheduled meeting. If there are any questions, the Committee might table your application and ask you for more information.  Otherwise, if the Fraternal Committee approves, you’ll become a member. Congratulations!
8. You then need to either mail a check for $90 ($70 dues and $20 for the club patches) to our post office box, at the address listed on the “Contact Us” page, or pay your dues online by credit card. You’ll be prompted whenever you next log in to The 15’s website. After you pay, you’ll be sent your Membership Card and patches.

Returning Member Reinstatement Policy

The 15 Association values the men who have contributed to our organization, our events, and  our community over the years. We recognize that circumstances change and that members may  step away from the club for a period of time.

Former members who left The 15 Association in good standing are encouraged to return. This  reinstatement policy provides a consistent, efficient, and fair process for restoring membership  based upon the length of time a membership has lapsed. 

Membership Lapsed for One Year 

A former member whose membership has lapsed for one year must:

• Pay one year of back dues ($75) to bring his membership current; 
• No additional volunteer shifts, application, or sponsors are required. 

Membership Lapsed for Two or Three Years 

A former member whose membership has lapsed for two or three years must:

• Pay one year of back dues ($75); 
• Complete two volunteer shifts with The 15 Association; and
• Be presented to the Fraternal Commitee for a reinstatement vote.
• No new membership application or sponsors are required. 

Membership Lapsed for Four Years or Longer 

After four or more years away from The 15 Association, a former member must complete the  current membership application process. 

The returning member must:

• Complete a new membership application;
• Complete three volunteer shifts if residing within 100 miles of the Association;
• Complete two volunteer shifts if residing more than 100 miles away;
• Obtain three current Members as sponsors (one must be a Fraternal Member); and
• Be presented to the Fraternal Committee for a reinstatement vote.

Good Standing Requirement

All returning members must have been in good standing with The 15 Association when their membership ended or became inactive. 

A former member will not automatically qualify for the reinstatement procedures above if, at  the time he left The 15 Association, he: 

1. Was designated as ineligible to volunteer;
2. Was designated as ineligible to attend Bootcamp; 
3. Was placed on the Association's DNI (Do Not Invite) list; 
4. Was suspended from The 15 Association; or 
5. Departed under circumstances involving unresolved conflict or disciplinary concerns. 

Such circumstances must be reviewed by the Fraternal Committee before the individual may  proceed with reinstatement or a new membership application. 

Members Who Resigned 

A member who formally resigned his membership, rather than simply allowing his membership  to lapse, will first be brought before the Fraternal CommiMee for discussion and evaluation. 

The Fraternal Committee will determine whether the former member is eligible to begin the  appropriate reinstatement process based upon the circumstances of his resignation and the length of time since his membership ended. 

Annual Membership Dues 

Annual membership dues are currently $75 per year and are payable at the beginning of each  calendar year.

For purposes of reinstatement, a returning member will be required to pay no more than one  year of back dues, regardless of whether the membership has been inactive for one, two, or three years. 

Our Goal 

The purpose of this policy is not to create barriers to returning. It is intended to provide a clear, consistent, efficient, and fair pathway back to membership while maintaining the responsibilities and standards expected of all Associate Members and Fraternal Members of The 15 Association. 

The 15 Association recognizes the contributions of its former members and welcomes those  who wish to reconnect, participate, volunteer, and once again become active members of the  brotherhood. 

We encourage former members in good standing who are interested in returning to reach out  to the Membership Co-Chairmen to begin the reinstatement process.