Kendra Jane Berndt
Managing Editor of Content & Archives

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” —Winston Churchill

In our last issue we looked at where the APP came from and the trends we have seen over the past 20 years. In this issue we continue to celebrate this milestone by honouring some of the piercers and their accompanying volunteer work that helped grow the APP and the body piercing industry in a responsible and educated manner to what it is today.

al·tru·ism ‘altroō,izәm/ noun noun: altruism
1. the belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.
2. “some may choose to work with vulnerable elderly people out of altruism”
• Zoology
• behavior of an animal that benefits another at its own expense.

The idea of altruism or selflessness is the principle or practice of concern for the welfare of others. For many cultures it is the foundation for traditional viewpoints and it makes up core aspects of various religious traditions and secular worldviews. The concept of putting others before oneself has had a long history in philosophical and ethical thought, being the basis for more than one or two scientific debates. The term itself was originally coined in the 19th century by the sociologist and philosopher of science, Auguste Comte, and is often a major topic of debate for psychologists, evolutionary biologists, and ethologists.

Before I was a piercer I was a scientist. I studied animal biology, meaning I studied the ideas and concepts of altruism at great length. I was fascinated by the science behind the idea of giving. If we look at altruism in the context of biological organisms, it can be defined as an individual performing an action which is at a cost to themselves (e.g., pleasure and quality of life, time, probability of survival or reproduction), but benefits, either directly or indirectly, another third-party individual, without the expectation of reciprocity or compensation for that action. However, there have been many studies which have observed the effects of volunteerism (as a form of altruism) on happiness and health. These studies have consistently found a strong connection between volunteerism and a person’s well being and state of mind.

This means that when we give our time and our knowledge, we feel better and there is a good chance we are happier than if we didn’t volunteer. This will be my fifth Conference. I have been a volunteer since my first, both for Conference and the APP as a whole. These experiences have indeed made my life better! I was awarded the Al D. Scholarship in 2010 (we will talk more about Al D. further into this issue); it was here that I met an entire group of truly altruistic people. People that give freely of their time, their resources, and so much more to better the piercing industry as a whole. This once-ayear opportunity to give back is an amazing boost to my well being. It is a chance for me to recharge, so much so I now volunteer year round. However, it is incredibly important to point out that I am merely a single nut or cog, a tiny piece of a much bigger machine. There are just too many people to name that all work towards a common goal and the betterment of our entire industry. Without the hundreds of hours that are devoted each year the APP would only be a fraction of what it is today.

I count the days until our Conference begins and I am able to give back to a community that has given me so much. I can feel the anticipation building in not only myself but in my colleagues and I honestly feel the buzz this year is bigger than ever. So, I will take this moment before the chaos and craziness that is Conference sets in to say thank you! Thank you, to each and every one of the volunteers that help this organization, our Conference, and our industry.

Jim Ward
Managing Editor of Design & Layout

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that has.” —Margaret Mead

Thinking back to the early days of the APP, I have to marvel at how far the organization has come, but what is really amazing is that it made it into existence at all.

When Modern Primitives hit the bookstores in 1989, body modification, and particularly body piercing, hit the big time. Studios began popping up overnight like fungi after a spring rain. Few, if any, of the owners had any actual training or experience, and the competition was fierce. Rivalries were intense. There was little common ground.

The following is from my book Running the Gauntlet: “In 1994 the State of California was poised to pass legislation (Assembly Bill 3787) that would regulate body piercing, tattooing, and permanent cosmetics. A handful of piercers from several studios began to network and strategize how best to assure that these forms of body modification were not outlawed. Those who met at the Gauntlet corporate office for those early meetings included Raelyn Gallina, several representatives from Body Manipulations, Nomad, and Primeval Body in L.A. Along with some of his students, including Idexa, Fakir also attended. The office was full. As the pending legislation grew closer to passing, a group got together and drove to Sacramento. Michaela spoke on behalf of the industry during one of the hearings for the bill. She also did a number of television interviews. The bill ultimately failed thanks to lobbying by the ear-piercing gun manufacturers. However, this did not end the threats to the industry, and the need for a professional organization to deal with them.”

The APP was the organization that sprang from this need. A handful of rivals managed to set aside their differences and come together for their common good. Even though there are still differences, the APP has been able to grow and thrive. When a group of people work together for the common good, it’s amazing what they can accomplish. Happy 20th Anniversary!

Marina Pecorino
Managing Editor of Content & Statistics

My first experience at Conference was in 2012 as a love volunteer. I waited until my fourth year as a piercer to attend. I was intimidated by the amount of knowledge available and concerned that my foundation was not yet firm enough to grasp it all. What a mistake. Looking back, I wish I had attended Conference as soon and as often as possible. The experience really has changed my life in ways that I can’t explain, most of which are not ways that I would have expected.

Being an introvert, I’m not fully at ease in situations involving a multitude of strangers. This had also been a deterrent when thinking about attending. In an attempt to force myself out of my shell during that first year, I asked Caitlin McDiarmid if there was anything I could do to help. That’s where it all began.

As a love volunteer, I had fewer structured responsibilities, but there was still plenty to be done and we all worked together to make it happen. In the weeks leading up to Conference, I became Facebook friends with many of the other volunteers as we helped Caitlin prepare. Thanks to modern technology, I had a bit of exposure to all the friendly faces from across the world I would soon meet. I began to feel a bit more connected with the community. Previously, I stayed on the outskirts and isolated, having the expectation that I wasn’t “cool enough” to take part. It’s almost funny how, within a community comprised largely of shy, awkward, weirdos, I felt like I was too shy, awkward, and weird.

The accepting atmosphere exuded by everyone at Conference quickly changed my mind. Don’t get me wrong, I still barely spoke during that entire week and spent most of my meals alone, but I was a lot more at ease than I ever expected to be. Having the structure and encouragement of the 2012 volunteer group was an incredible experience, and without this experience, my life would be in a drastically different place right now.

My original intention when I asked to volunteer was to distract myself from my insecurities. Unexpectedly, I also gained vital experience, life-long friends, and a closer connection to an extraordinary organization and community. I am inspired by the people that join forces to make the Association of Professional Piercers what it is. The level of dedication I have witnessed in my relatively short time of involvement is incredible. The sense of fulfillment from volunteering and taking part in such a project, as we all collaborate to spread the safe piercing message, has forever changed me.

This year will mark my second conference attendance (unfortunately, life interfered during 2013 and 2014) and my fourth year as a volunteer. For a while now, I’ve been counting down the days until Conference. I am in the process of mentally preparing myself to be more outgoing and not miss out on all the amazing hugs and support that are so plentiful during that one week. If our paths cross, please don’t hesitate to say hello, especially if you’re a first year attendee! I also encourage new attendees to take full advantage of the mentor program, especially if you’re shy, awkward, and weird. This program is a great way to feel less alone and overwhelmed during a week filled with so many new faces, lessons, and experiences. And I hear that if you’re in search of the best chicken and waffles around, these amazing people can point you in the right direction.