We, the members of The Arizona Imperial Court, Incorporated, join together, knowing there exists in our realm a true need for serendipitous acts of goodness, kindness, love and charity. It is to these purposes that we shall gather our collective resources. It is to these purposes that we shall dedicate those resources, which will enable us to act as a focal point for channeling needed monies to worthy organizations.

Board of Directors | Minutes |By-Laws | Policies & Procedures | DRAFT: Protocol

Board of Directors


President - Joseph Brumley
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Heavily involved in Student Government, Journalism and Theatre in College, when Joseph came out of the closet he did it big and with the help of Bob Fernie, founded Phoenix College’s GLBT Student Organization People of Alternative Lifestyles (PALS) in 1992, the second such group in the Maricopa Community College District to provide support and social opportunities for the GLBT student population. This began a history of community involvement involving  everything from assisting with raffles and other fundraising for local groups, safer sex outreach,  holding offices for several groups, chairing conferences, and running for a title or two.

In 2006, after hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, Joseph helped lead the local fundraising efforts to send relief to New Orleans and put together “Bringing back the Big Easy,” a Mardi Gras Ball.  It was at this time, many of the members of the yet to be formed Imperial Court of Arizona met, and Joseph worked with Steve LaFata and Jennifer Carroll to help get the fledgling organization off the ground. Researching into Arizona’s past, Joseph was able to document the original Arizona Courts in Phoenix and Tucson helping the Court to be reactivated as the Imperial Sovereign Empire of Arizona. Since that time he has been the Webmaster for every reign, served as Prince, Prince Royale and in 2008 was honored to be elected by the Community as Emperor III of Arizona.  At his step-down he was awarded with the Imperial Double Eagle from Nicole the Great, Queen Mother of the Americas for his hard work and dedication.

In 2008, Joseph was asked to assist with the International Court website and serve as Web Master.  He was deeply honored when Nicole the Great, Queen Mother of the Americas asked him to join the International Court Council as an Heir in 2009. Joseph stepped off the Council in 2011, receiving a special commendation from Nicole the Great.

Vice-President - Don Burns
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Committees: Public Relations, Grievance

Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, I moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1993. I worked for Phillips & Lyon here as a paralegal for fourteen years, from 1993 to 2007. In December, 2004, I graduated from Arizona State University magna cum laude with a B.S. in Justice Studies, and in 2009, I graduated from the Phoenix School of Law with a Juris Doctorate (law degree). During law school, I clerked for Judge Kennedy in the Mayer Justice Court and assisted an attorney in the Prescott area part-time. I also was selected to serve as a Justice on the Honor Court of the Phoenix School of Law, and I served two terms as President of Justice For All, the campus gay, lesbian and transgendered student group.

Although I started taking photos as a kid, I didn't start thinking of photography professionally until the mid-1990s, when the personal injury law firm I worked for as a paralegal employed me (amongst other things) to take photos of injuries, damaged vehicles and accident scenes. I realized that there was a larger world out there, just waiting to be captured on film. In 2004, I won my first photography contest, the Phoenix Convention & Visitor's Bureau Amateur Digital Photo Contest. More awards and successes followed. In 2008, my first gallery exhibition occurred in the summer at the Irish Cultural Center, and for a time, I had a collection of framed photos in Gallery Celtica at 509 East Roosevelt in downtown Phoenix. During law school, I was the chief photographer for most school events and functions.

I joined the Imperial Court of Arizona at the end of Reign II, and was appointed a Count in Reign III and a Marquis in Reign IV. Since my joining the court, I have become the de facto court photographer. I presently work as the Director of the Lawyer Referral Service of the Maricopa County Bar Association at the moment. I moved back to central Phoenix in October 2009, and I have one dog -- Peanut...a/k/a the "crack puppy." I enjoy photography (duh!), hiking (occasionally lead hikes with Hike In Phoenix LLC), traveling, writing, cars, computer gaming (Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War) and Dungeons & Dragons (I'm DMing 4e with a dedicated group of friends right now).

 

Secretary - Ron Dangel
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Committees: By-Laws, Corporate Sponsorship

I have been active in the ISEA since the candidates to Reign 3 were out seeking votes. My first appearance in drag was under the tutelage of Liz St. James. Since then I have been honored with serving three sets of monarchs with the fourth now on the dais. I am currently on the Board of Director's and this year I am the Corporate Sponsorship Chair.

To support this chairmanship, I bring forth a vast amount of experience in many levels of management, assisted in multi-layer projects involving fund retention, and submission of support documentation to satisfy several governmental regulations and requirements.

I have had a large amount of experience in both community and for non-profit stage and theatre assignments. I believe that everyone should be involved with community theatre to really understand life in face paint, stage sets, and production deadlines.

I have had the honor of being a co-Coronation coordinator to the Imperial Court of Arizona for the past two years.

It will be a pleasure to work with the Monarchs to Reign VI of the Imperial Court, to the general membership, and the Board of Directors.

 

 

Treasurer: Bill Mitchell
Email Bill Mitchell
Committees: Budget


Member At Large - Craig VanDeen

I am originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, and now a 13 year resident of Phoenix, AZ. I have been an RN for 30 years and currently employed in health insurance. I became involved as a female illusionist in the early 80s, winning many titles in Minneapolis and finally, as the first elected Empress of the Imperial Court of Minnesota in 1991. I am very proud to have been elected to reign as Empress II and continue to be involved in this new organization that is so community focused and has so many great people to play with. Come join the family!
 

Member at Large - Open

 


Member at Large - Sandy LaFrance
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Sandy hails from Escondido, California, and moved to Phoenix in 1980. She has two children both of which are wanting to join the Imperial Court.
Sandy has been active in the Arizona BDSM community for the past 15 years, holding many positions in various groups. Sandy is a Co-founder of the Arizona Women of Leather (AWOL), and served on the Board of Directors for 3 years. Sandy was the first of the AWOL sisters to serve as Ms. AWOL, a visibility title to get the word out that Women and Leather do mix.
Sandy also held a Board of Directors position with APEX (Arizona Power
Exchange) as Secretary then as Co President for 2 of the 5 years she served on the board. Helping to take the Group from a general group to an organization with 501 (c) 7 status which is a NOT for profit Educational Organization. She currently sits on the Board of Directors and is a Co Producer of Southwest Leather Pride  which hosts the Southwest Leather Pride weekend each year that has gone from a short 2 day event to a full 4 day event..
Sandy currently has been honored with the title of Princess Royale IV and is excited to be involved in the Arizona Imperial Court again. Sandy is looking forward to seeing old friends and in making new ones. Raising money for the Arizona Community and helping other Courts reach their goals.
  Emperor Jerry Heitman
  Empress Lady Christian

 

 

Board Meetings
The Board of the Imperial Court of Arizona meets monthly on the 3rd Sunday of each month at the Rock (North of 7th Ave and Indian School) at 1pm. Please come and find out more about one of the most exciting charitable organizations in Arizona.

Meeting Minutes
The Imperial Court of Arizona believes in maintaining transparency with the Community as it concerns our meetings and books. As part of that copies of our meeting minutes will be posted to the website. Click the links below to read more. Please note that in some cases these may not be the final approved copies. For questions or corrections please email secretary@imperialcourtaz.org

Board Meeting Minutes