Currently, the leather contest is the only semi-systematic way we all have with which to identify and encourage local, regional, national, and international leather community leadership. This contest method is perhaps not the ideal way to choose our leadership, but it is "state-of-the-art" for now. Given this, it is important that contest be conducted with style, dignity and intelligence. And, of course, they should be a good time.

Our community deserves the best of the best. If we don't do a good job with our contest system, we are cheating ourselves, and the time for doing that must come to an end. Our community has had second class status in the eyes of many people for far too long; that, too, must change.