The boiys have earned their first award…Generic Leather Productions of Washington’s 2009 Northwest Organization of The Year. They hope this inspires more people and groups to volunteer their time and services.
Club History
Beginning in June of 2008, five boiys in Portland OR saw a need in the community that they felt boiys were uniquely qualified to fill; the need for volunteers. Knowing that one of the biggest passions in a boiy's heart is service and hearing the plaintive call for help from everywhere, they decided to form a club. They held their first meeting on July 13, 2008.
The club is called appropriately enough... Boys/Bois in Leather Service-Rose City. There are only two requirements for joining the BILS: 1. you must identify/flag boiy and 2. you must have a deep abiding passion to serve... anywhere. To maintain membership, boiys MUST complete a minimum of 25 volunteer hours a year.
BiLS-Rose City's main mission is to meet the needs of their community. They serve individuals, organizations and at events. The volunteer work is not limited to the Leather community. They will serve in as many places as they can including cleaning up beaches, building a house for Habitat for Humanity or handing out water and other supplies at charity walks to name a few.
The BiLS-Rose City desire and passion to serve run so deep that volunteerism is how their members earn different parts of their uniform. Various levels of volunteer hours served brings the boiys such things as their green berets, beret flashes, patches and shoulder chains. The BiLS have volunteer service levels that range from 25 hours all the way up to 1,000 hours.
Since their inception, the boiys have been extremely busy. They are bridging the gap between the Leather Community and the Rose Court, having spent volunteer hours helping a former Rose Empress after surgery and doing yard work for a former Prince whose health did not permit him to do so himself. The BiLS-Rose City were also just honored with the invested title of The Protectors of Rose Empress L. The boiys were out in full force helping with a fundraiser to help cover hospital costs for a family in the GLBT community as well as a fundraiser for Dove Lewis Animal Hospital.
The BiLS have earned their 2nd award, Blackout Leather Productions of Oregon's 2009 Rose and Thorn Award for Non-Profit of the Year. The award was presented to the club at the Victory Brunch during Oregon's Leather Pride Week.
Testimonials about the BiLS-Rose City...
Rose Empress XL - "BILS - Thank you to the members of your wonderful organization. Your support of our community is incredible. You made my recovery easier."
Malka G.- "Thank you BiLS Rose City for helping us run the show at the Happy Kidneys Rock Show Benefit last month. Thanks to the group's amazing effort, we raised almost $3K. We love that your group exists - keep it up."
Paul F. - "Thank you, and many thanks to your crew, Justin, Simon, Tommie, Bridget, Shell (and get well soon to Dominic!) for your help at Q Center's Winter Gala Saturday evening. You and your entire BiLS crew made a huge contribution to the success of the event with your can-do spirit and flexibility! I continue to receive compliments for your presence. Your group's commitment to service to the community is an inspiration."