Special Edition Newsletter: 2024 Transparency Report 

A Year in Review: 2024 Executive Director’s Report

Written by Tom Kovach

Introduction

I am pleased to present Body Electric’s 2024 Annual Transparency Report. This year marks a significant milestone for our organization — our 40th anniversary! It has been a year of growth, innovation, and continued dedication to our mission of empowering individuals through transformative education.ays to be present to the moment we were in.

40th Anniversary Celebration

Our 40th anniversary was a major focus throughout 2024. We celebrated this achievement with a series of events and initiatives, including:

• Expanding Our Reach We held workshops in new locations like Portland, Oregon; Portland, Maine; Dayton, Ohio; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. We also returned to Toronto, Canada.
• Faculty Development We welcomed a new cohort of emerging faculty members who will bring fresh perspectives and expertise to our programs.
• Gala Success Our 40th-anniversary gala was a resounding success, with over 50 attendees taking part in a special recognition of our past including our founder, Joseph Kramer, in addition to Collin Brown and Selah Martha, who grew the school and its programming. Current leaders Dr. Steve Schwartzberg, Craig Cullinane, and Suzanne Blackburn were all honored with the Rumi Awards of Erotic Liberation: “Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flames.” — Rumi.

Strategic Goals Achieved

I am proud to report that we have achieved all the strategic goals outlined for 2024, encompassing board development and operational improvements. This accomplishment is a testament to our team’s collective effort and commitment.

Program Highlights

• New Offerings We introduced exciting new workshops like Foundations of Facilitation, Unfolding Desire, and Queer Eros.
• Increased Accessibility We launched our first Body Electric On-Demand program, providing greater flexibility for participants.
• Expanded Schedule We held 533 events online, in person, or a hybrid of both. This includes 239 events for all genders (including queer events), 227 for men, and 51 for women.
• Scholarship Impact We awarded over $90,000 in scholarships, enabling hundreds of individuals to participate in our programs. 29% of the funds went to programs for underserved community members.

Membership Growth

Our membership program continues to be a vital source of support for our scholarships. We are happy to report a significant increase in membership in 2024, adding another 100 members in 2025. We are also implementing initiatives to improve member retention and engagement, including greater discounts for workshops.

Online Auction and Fundraising

• Online Auction We held a hugely successful online auction with lots of help from donated items and services from the community and sponsors. Craig Cullinane shepherded the event, which included an in-person raffle at the Gala.
• Fundraising The Body Electric community was very generous with their donations making all the programming and expansion possible. We are deeply grateful. Some donors prefer to remain anonymous, but others have permitted us to name them. A list of those donors is on our website on the donation page.
• Recognition We received the Platinum Transparency Award from Candid. 

Website and Technology Enhancements

We made significant improvements to our website in 2024, including:

• Upgraded Functionality We upgraded our event-management system to streamline the enrollment process.
• Enhanced User Experience We improved website navigation, loading speeds, and video content to make the site more user-friendly.

Community Outreach

Body Electric continued expanding its reach through active participation in various community events and group collaborations. These included partnerships with organizations like AASECT, Bear World Magazine, IMEN, Kansas City Pride, and Northeast Bears.

Looking Ahead

As we look toward 2025, we are committed to building upon the successes of 2024. Our key priorities include:

• Expanding Our Course Catalog We will develop new workshops like Massage Training and continue refining our existing offerings.
• Enhancing Accessibility We will further develop our Body Electric On-Demand program to provide even more flexible learning options.
• Strengthening Member Engagement We will implement strategies to improve member retention and create a more vibrant membership community.

Archiving Our History We will support the creation of a Body Electric School Archive to preserve our legacy for future generations.

Conclusion

2024 has been a remarkable year for Body Electric. We are grateful for the continued support of our members, donors, faculty, and volunteers. We look forward to another year of growth, innovation, and positive impact in 2025.

A letter from your Board President, Alexx Pryjma (otherwise known as Goose) 

As we step into a new year, we continue to witness the world teaching us invaluable lessons about resilience, connection, and the power of community. In times when divisive rhetoric and actions threaten to create separation, the work of The Body Electric School (BE) has never been more essential. Through our programs, we foster healing, belonging, and the understanding that we truly need one another for our collective erotic growth and transformation.

2024 marked a significant year of stabilization and forward momentum for BE, culminating in our 40th Anniversary Gala—a celebration of the school’s enduring legacy and the vibrant community that has carried its mission forward for four decades. The gala brought together a remarkable gathering of individuals spanning the school’s history, affirming the impact of our work and invigorating our vision for the future.

This year, the board took time to reflect on what has evolved within the school and what continues to be sustained. We assessed our successes and explored areas for growth. We said farewell to two valued Board members, Mario Burrell and Charlie McFarland, whose strategic insights and humor enriched our work. Their contributions have left a lasting mark, and we extend our deepest gratitude for their service.

In March, we welcomed Raine Brown, Andrés Cordero, and Marc Scheiner to the Board. Each brings unique skills and perspectives that strengthen our leadership. They joined existing Board members Suzanne Blackburn, Donald Dumpson, Paul Gilles, Eric Lange, Pawel “Pavi” Lorkiewicz, Ezra Lowe, Willow Young, and myself. Later in the year, we also said goodbye to Willow Young, who stepped down from the Board in November 2024. Willow brought vision, dedication, and a deep commitment to our mission, and we are grateful for her service.

In March, we elected officers to serve on the Executive Committee: Alexx Pryjma, Chair; Willow Young, Vice Chair (until November); Ezra Lowe, Treasurer; Pawel “Pavi” Lorkiewicz, Secretary. When Willow stepped down, Marc Scheiner stepped in as Interim Vice Chair, generously offering his leadership to fill the role until our next elections in March 2025.

Throughout the year, we were fortunate to have dedicated committee chairs leading key initiatives: Suzanne Blackburn, JEDI+; Andrés Cordero, Strategic Planning; Ezra Lowe, Finance; Eric Lange, Governance.

Each committee played a vital role in advancing the school’s mission, ensuring our systems remained strong and responsive to the needs of our community.

Board Committees

JEDI+ Committee This committee is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment in which everyone has access to Body Electric opportunities. Their work requires dedication and persistence as they assess gaps in representation and recommend ways to expand access, ensuring all individuals feel invited into the BE community.

Strategic Planning Committee Charged with shaping the school’s future, this committee sets short- and long-term goals, envisioning where we hope to be in one, three, and five years. By tracking progress and evaluating key initiatives, they help the Board and operational leadership celebrate successes and identify areas for growth.

Finance Committee Responsible for developing and monitoring the school’s budget, this committee ensures financial goals are met or exceeded through quarterly reviews. They offer strategies to maintain fiscal health, optimize resources, and enhance revenue streams.

Governance Committee Tasked with ensuring the Board operates in alignment with our bylaws, this committee reviews and refines governance policies as needed. In 2024, they led a comprehensive revision of our bylaws, strengthening procedural clarity and ensuring the Board remains accountable and mission-driven.

40th Anniversary Committee This special committee took on the ambitious task of planning and executing our milestone Gala Celebration. Meeting consistently throughout the year, their efforts intensified as November approached. Thanks to their dedication, the event was a tremendous success, bringing together a diverse group of individuals who have shaped the school’s past, present, and future. Without the committee’s passion and commitment, this momentous occasion would not have been possible.

Beyond committee work, the Board undertook several key initiatives in 2024, including:

Revising Our Value Statement This year, we refined our statement of ethics and values, reaffirming our commitment to integrity, transparency, and accountability. The updated statement now reads: 

The Body Electric Board of Directors is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in all our actions. We will act in the best interests of the organization and its stakeholders, ensuring ethical governance practices and strategic decision-making. We are dedicated to supporting the organization’s mission, fostering a culture of innovation and promoting justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion+ in all aspects of our work. We commit to accessibility and transparency. We commit to treating everyone with respect, understanding that different lived experiences create different opinions, and that all are valuable. We demonstrate respect for one another by listening with open hearts and responding to communications in a timely fashion. We commit to availing ourselves to education and outside resources as we endeavor to continuously grow. We remain accountable for our words and actions and welcome restorative justice when words or actions cause harm. We value our heritage, acknowledging the legacy we have been gifted. We commit to impeccable stewardship of The Body Electric School, ensuring the continuation of our work for many generations to come.

Refining Our Strategic Planning Process Recognizing the need for a structured and adaptable approach, we took steps to refine our strategic planning process, ensuring that our goals align with the evolving needs of our community and organization.

As we reflect on this year’s achievements, one thing is abundantly clear: This Board is composed of individuals deeply committed to the offerings and future of BE. Our meetings — whether in person or virtual — are marked by a sense of purpose, collaboration, and collective care. Many of us often remark on how grounding and affirming it feels to come together in service of this work, even at the end of a long day of meetings. 

This report provides a high-level overview of the Board’s activities, achievements, and financial performance over the past year, in keeping with our commitment to transparency and accountability. As we move into 2025, we remain dedicated to strengthening our systems, deepening our impact, and ensuring that BE continues to thrive. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out:
Board President: Alexx Pryjma, board@bodyelectric.org
Executive Director: Tom Kovach, tom.kovach@bodyelectric.org

Thank you for being a part of this journey. Together, we continue to build a future where connection, healing, and erotic liberation remain at the heart of everything we do.

In Community, 

Alexx Pryjma , Board Chair

The Body Electric School Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion+ (JEDI+) Committee
Annual Report 2024

The Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI+) Committee of The Body Electric  School (BE) reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and diverse community.

The JEDI+ Committee serves as an advisory body to the Board of Directors, with its mission rooted in BE’s bylaws. The committee considers areas of concern and makes recommendations to the Board and staff to expand the school’s outreach to underserved communities.

2024 was a year of restructuring and reorganizing the JEDI+ committee. For me, as the new chair of this committee, it was a year of learning, steps forward and steps back. It was a year of rededicating ourselves to the enormity of our mission, which sometimes feels overwhelming.  Still, we persevere. As one of our members noted, “There is only one way to eat an elephant: one bite at a time.”

Strategic Vision and Goals

Throughout the year, the committee focused on broadening BE’s inclusivity while ensuring realistic expectations for implementation.

Highlights include:

• Revisiting BE’s history and expanding its vision to include diverse communities.
• Exploring how BE can better serve marginalized groups, including BIPOC, individuals with disabilities, and gender-diverse communities.
• Reviewing and updating workshop language to reflect inclusivity while maintaining safe spaces for affinity groups.

Language and Workshop Inclusivity

The committee spent significant time discussing language for workshop descriptions to ensure clarity, inclusivity, and transparency. These discussions were challenging. The intention was to expand and clarify existing affinity spaces rather than create new spaces. Ultimately, a new language was created by the executive director. It was added to the website along with an explanation of why we believe these spaces are important.

Diversity in Leadership and Programming

The committee emphasized the importance of increasing diversity among faculty, coordinators, and board members. Actions included the recruitment of new BIPOC faculty members as well as efforts to improve workshop accessibility for women, BIPOC, and gender-expansive individuals.

Workshops and Outreach

The committee discussed enhancing marketing efforts to reach diverse communities while maintaining BE’s queer identity. One option would be to collaborate with similarly focused organizations and events to expand BE’s reach. Another would be to table at pride events to grow our visibility and outreach. These possibilities will be explored in 2025.

Scholarship and Accessibility

We invited the executive director to share information about the scholarship process to ensure transparency and equity. We proposed gathering qualitative data on scholarship recipients’ experiences to assess impact.

Educational Initiatives

The committee prioritized education to foster a more inclusive environment, including workshops and training on gender, race, and ableism. To that, Tom brought in Andrew Gurza to present a community program on ableism. Tom has also hired Maisha Adz (Black Girl Tantra) to present race training. We’re very lucky to have Maisha join the emerging faculty team.

Progress and Challenges

• Our achievements include increased BIPOC representation among faculty.
• Improved marketing language and workshop descriptions to reflect inclusivity.
• Strengthened relationships with external organizations to support JEDI+ goals.
• Raised awareness of the need for accessibility and accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

Conclusion

The BE JEDI+ Committee remains committed to advancing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within the organization. While challenges persist, the committee’s dedication to fostering an inclusive and equitable community aligns with BE’s mission and vision. Moving forward, collaboration, transparency, and mutual care will be essential to achieving the committee’s goals and ensuring lasting impact.

Strategic Planning Committee
Annual Report 2024 

The Strategic Planning Committee is a standing board committee of The New Body Electric School, Inc.

In 2024, the committee was chaired by Andrés Cordero, Jr., and included additional board members, all of whom brought a wealth of insight and perspective to our planning discussions. The Strategic Planning Committee met periodically with the Executive Director to evaluate the progress of 2024 strategies. As of the end of 2024, 100% of the 2024 strategies were completed. During the October 2024 Board Meeting, the board discussed a strategic planning schedule to be completed earlier in the calendar year to enhance the ability of other committees to set their goals for the upcoming year.

Andrés Cordero, Jr., Strategic Planning Committee Chair

Finance Committee
Annual Report 2024

Included in this report are the financial statements for the New Body Electric School (NBES)* for the year 2024. These statements include the Income Statement for Q4 and the year 2024, Statement of Programming Revenue for 2024, and the Statement of Financial Position for the year ending December 31, 2024.  

Overall, the school had a net loss for the year of $11,264.  This is a considerable decrease in net loss of the year up to Q3 ($61, 284). Due to the Q4 fundraising efforts of Tom, the Board’s 40^th Anniversary committee and helpers, as well as donors, the net loss of the school was reduced by 81% in just 2 months. The school brought in $72,045 from contributions and memberships in the last 3 months of the year. The online auction in Q4 brought in $33,210, alone.  Overall, we exceeded our fundraising goal this year. Even though we did not break even, the Body Electric School is in a good financial position to start 2025.   

Moving forward, fundraising for our current and future needs (and supplementing the income from programming) will be critical for our financial sustainability as an organization. This past year has been a clear example of donors’ impact on the financial position of the school by reducing the net loss. The generosity of its members and donors is key to the school’s future success.  

The following are additional financial updates for this year:

1. The Body Electric school has set up all the mechanisms for an endowment fund.    Having this option for our donors will help NBES with a consistent and reliable income to support the school’s current and future goals. We are seeking donors to contribute to the endowment fund.
2. NBES has been responsible for its spending. Expenses have been consistent from month to month for another year in a row, which is a major accomplishment.  
3. Again, the Committee has taken advantage of the current bank interest rates. NBES has a Certificate of Deposit for its cash reserves. The consistent interest income from month to month has been beneficial to the school in helping to cover some monthly expenses.
4. The Body Electric School generated over $785,000 in revenue from programming (before accounting for expenses), which shows the demand and need for this work.  Even with the revenue, venue locations are still a major cost for the school. These costs are expected to increase in 2025 and will decrease net revenue. Further increases in participant fees for programming and further fundraising may be needed to offset these costs.  

The NBES Board’s Finance Committee wants to thank our Executive Director, Tom Kovach, and our CFO, Scott Friedman, for their hard work for the school. Both continue to do an excellent job. Special acknowledgment to Tom for his Herculean efforts to get close to the goal of breaking even this year.  

Finally, the Board wants to thank all donors, large and small, who gave to the school this past year. Without you and your donations, we could not sustain the NBES and continue our important work. Thank you for your current and future support.

Ezra Lowe
NBES Board Treasurer

* The New Body Electric School is the legal name for the School.

Governance Committee
Annual Report 2024

The Governance Committee focused this year on revisiting the By-Laws and suggesting some changes to it based on where the Body Electric School is today. Over the course of this year, we drafted these changes and presented them to the full Board for discussion and eventually a vote. All changes were ultimately voted by the Board and incorporated into the new By-Laws. A complete copy of the revisions can be found here: Proposed By-Laws Rev.11

The Governance Committee consists of the undersigned, Raine Brown and Marc Scheiner. Tom Kovach is the staff member who works with the committee.  

Eric Lange