I am a big fan of protocols in the lifestyle. I believe that protocols define a set of behaviors in a given situation. Protocols make the Dominant’s and submissive’s roles easier to manage and provide defined expectations for both roles. If I do not lay out clear instructions and directions for how my slave is supposed to behave, why would I punish her for failing to live up to my expectations. Frankly, I consider it my failing if she fails because I was not clear in my directions. Protocols provide this clarity for both parts.
Protocols should be organic for the Dominant. Protocols should be derived from natural expectations, not an artificial list gleaned from a Google search on the interwebtubes. The expectations I make for my slave are based on how I want to live, and how I expect her to behave. While I may be inspired by many sources, both on- and off-line, I do not wish have our relationship defined by others. We make the definition by the way we live, my slave and I.
Frankly, I expect a Master to know his or her rules better than his slave does. If he expects a slave to know a rule by a give number, why should he or she not be held to the same standard?
So, I will leave you with this thought at this point on protocols in the Lifestyle. If you are a Master or a Mistress I encourage you to examine your rules. Make sure that they fit your life. Are there rules you put in writing, but never use? Get rid of them. And good riddance too. Maybe there are new expectations you have for your slave. Write them down, modify the rules.
MV
The House of Void 
So we have been looking a bit into this. We look to find types of protocols to get an idea of what kinds Master should set for us. Would mind sharing some examples of your protcols?
~~jane
jane,
Please be patient and I will reveal more. The discussion of my particular protocols are coming, but I want to lay down some groundwork first.
MV