Application Process

Requirements for Attendance

Minimum Skills:

Minimum skills are self-disclosed. We do not judge attendees for these skills but encourage honesty and transparency when determining whether they can meet these requirements. 

• All attendees should be experienced with suspension bondage and have good judgment and good communication and risk management skills.

• Tops must have solid upline management skills. They should be able to reliably tie a single-column tie and harnesses for the chest, hips, and legs.

• Bottoms must have good body awareness and an understanding of how their bodies behave when in rope. They should also be able to perform nerve checks while in the air.

• Self-tiers must have all the qualifications expected of both tops and bottoms, as well as the ability to strategically manage uplines with consideration for the energy it takes to lower themselves to the ground

The Essay Questions

The essay questions are the primary basis of an attendee’s acceptance or rejection, and are evaluated by the steering committee during the application window. The essay questions are as follows:

Question 1:

“NARIX operates in an un-conference format. Have you participated in an un-conference event before (including other NARIX events)? If so, which ones?“

Evaluation Criteria:

This question only serves the purpose of assessing the general experience of our attendees with the un-conference format. No one will be disqualified solely based on the answer from that question, but the question has to be answered nonetheless. We use this to better prepare our volunteer teams for supporting new attendees.

Question 2:

“NARIX is an event built on the concept of collaboration. Every person who attends brings a unique and important perspective with them. What unique perspectives are you comfortable bringing to NARIX sessions?  (examples: physical/medical background, neurodiversity, community or identity based experiences, technical experience, professional expertise).”

Evaluation Criteria: Pass/Fail

The applicant must pass at least one of these two criteria:

1. Identification of their perspective as unique:

• Pass: The applicant shows an understanding of their perspective as being unique and is able to identify how they might bring a different perspective to the table and contribute to NARIX sessions.

• Fail: The applicant feels like they have nothing specific or unique to bring to the table.

2. Self-reflection and willingness to participate:

• Pass: The applicant shows an ability to self-reflect and a willingness to contribute to the conversation, even if they are currently unable to identify what part(s) of their perspective is unique. The applicant shows an overall desire to meet and discover themselves as well as to meet other attendees during the sessions.

• Fail: The applicant doesn’t show a desire to show up as themselves and bring their perspective to the conversations.

The question has to be answered in order to be evaluated. Leaving the question unanswered will result in marking the application as incomplete.

Question 3:

“One long term goal of NARIX is to assist in the growth and development of in-person communities (see https://www.narix.org/values for more information). In what way are you currently, or planning on supporting your local rope community?”

Evaluation criteria: Pass/Fail

The applicant must pass one of these two criteria:

1. Current involvement

• Pass: The applicant is involved in their local community (or group) as an educator, an event organizer, or a peer, and sees their participation as active.

• Fail: The applicant is not involved in their local community or only attends events/classes on a consumer basis.

2. Desire for involvement and/or growth

• Pass: The application might not be involved actively in their local community but demonstrates a desire to grow their community/find their people or get more involved in their existing community.

• Fail: The applicant does not demonstrate a desire for involvement in their existing community or for developing a group/community.

If the applicant has compelling reasons to not get involved locally but still shows a desire to get involved in the ecosystem of a wider rope scene, this question receives a pass.

The question has to be answered in order to be evaluated. Leaving the question unanswered will result in marking the application as incomplete.

Question 4:

“NARIX is committed to fostering diverse and inclusive events. In our current times, it is critical to cultivate spaces that actively support and protect marginalized communities. These include, but are not limited to, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+ individuals, disabled individuals, immigrants, religious minorities, and those affected by poverty and unfair treatment in society.

We believe that an inclusive culture is more complex than just representation; it involves creating an environment where everyone feels invited, respected, and heard.

1) Please share a time when you contributed to building a diverse community, as an organizer or participant.

2) What impact did your actions have? What worked or didn’t work?

3) What did you learn about the needs of populations other than the ones you identify with?”

Evaluation Criteria: Pass/Fail 

Each response will be assessed based on the following five criteria. An applicant must receive a "Pass" in at least four of the five categories to meet the standard for a strong response.

1. Depth of Engagement & Personal Contribution

• Pass: The applicant provides a clear, specific example of their direct actions in fostering safety and inclusion. Their role was active and impactful.

• Fail: The applicant provides a vague, passive, or generic response with minimal personal involvement, or does not provide an answer to the question.

2.  Empathy and Awareness

• Pass: The applicant demonstrates an understanding of, and empathy for, the unique challenges faced by a population other than the one they identify with.

• Fail: The applicant lacks awareness of the specific needs of a population they don’t identify with, or makes surface-level statements, or does not provide an answer to the question.

3. Impact & Effectiveness

• Pass: The applicant shows a clear understanding of the effectiveness (or not) of their actions. An unsuccessful attempt is an acceptable answer if accompanied by a clear understanding of what didn’t work and how to do better next time.

• Fail: The applicant does not demonstrate a tangible impact or focuses only on intent rather than outcomes, or does not provide an answer to the question.

4. Reflection & Growth

• Pass: The applicant articulates what they learned from the experience and how it influenced their perspective or future actions.

• Fail: The applicant does not demonstrate any reflection or personal growth, or does not provide an answer to the question.

5. Alignment with NARIX’s Values

• Pass: The response aligns with NARIX’s commitment to inclusion, active allyship, and safety for marginalized communities.

• Fail: The response does not align with NARIX’s values or demonstrates a lack of commitment to inclusivity, or does not provide an answer to the question.

Final Evaluation:

Pass: The applicant meets at least four of the five criteria.

Fail: The applicant meets three or fewer criteria.

Additional Considerations:

• Lived Experience: Does the applicant demonstrate relevant lived experience in fostering inclusion and safety?

• Intersectionality: Does the response reflect an understanding of how multiple forms of oppression intersect?

• Sustainability: Does the applicant describe actions that contribute to long-term or systemic change rather than one-time gestures?

• Does the applicant reflect a willingness to learn or adapt their behavior for others?

Question 5:

“An essential NARIX value is Accountability; we believe all people are capable of causing harm and should be striving to do better. Please share a time where you were held accountable (whether by others or yourself) for harm you caused. Please include details (to your comfort level) of 1) what happened, 2) how you responded, and 3) what, if any, repair work was performed. This instance does not need to be about rope or kink. “

Evaluation Criteria: Pass/Fail 

Each response will be assessed based on the following five criteria. An applicant must receive a "Pass" in at least four of the five categories to meet the standard for a strong response.

1.  Acknowledgment of Harm

• Pass: The applicant clearly acknowledges the harm caused, demonstrating awareness of their actions and impact.

• Fail: The applicant does not answer the question or minimizes, deflects, or does not take responsibility for their role in the situation.  

2. Openness to Being Held Accountable

• Pass: The applicant describes how they received accountability—whether from others or through self-reflection—without defensiveness or avoidance.

• Fail: The applicant dismisses, resists, or refuses accountability, or does not describe an accountability process.

3. Thoughtfulness of Response

• Pass: The applicant demonstrates a willingness to reflect on their behavior and take meaningful steps toward repair. Their response shows emotional maturity and a commitment to growth.

• Fail: The applicant responded to accountability with avoidance, denial, or resentment, or does not describe a response at all.

4. Repair & Restorative Efforts

• Pass: The applicant outlines specific steps taken to repair the harm, whether through direct action, changed behavior, or community accountability.

• Fail: The applicant does not describe any repair efforts or claims that no repair was necessary.

5. Alignment with NARIX’s Values

• Pass: The response aligns with NARIX’s commitment to accountability, growth, and harm reduction. It reflects a genuine effort to do better.

• Fail: The response does not align with NARIX’s values, demonstrates a lack of reflection, or frames accountability as punitive rather than transformative.

Final Evaluation:

Pass: The applicant meets at least four of the five criteria.

Fail: The applicant meets three or fewer criteria.

Additional Considerations:

• Depth of Reflection: Does the applicant show genuine self-awareness and growth?

• Avoidance of Performative Accountability: Does the response feel sincere, or is it focused on self-promotion?

• Integration of Lessons Learned: Has the applicant demonstrated how they’ve changed their behavior moving forward?