At the final Nonprofit Commons meeting for 2011, I gave my own personal recap of the last year for nonprofits in the virtual world.  Here are my full remarks below.

---

2011: A Year in Review for Nonprofits in the Virtual World

Here’s my own personal recap of some of the major virtual world developments that I thought were relevant for nonprofits and education in 2011.

LINDEN LAB POLICY CHANGES

The year 2011 got off to strange start with Linden Lab rescinding the long-standing discount on virtual land for educators and nonprofits. Worthwhile efforts like virtual PTSD therapy and the SL Shakespeare company had to de-rez due to increased land costs they could not afford. Another sea-change was the merger of the “teen grid” of Second Life with the main grid. For many teens, this meant the loss of their own separate space where they could play, explore, build, create businesses and learn. Since the merger, we have not heard much about teens in Second Life, which is worriesome, since teens are typically not very silent!

The dream of a web-based, immersive virtual world continues to be chased by several companies.

A number of them launched web-based or web-integrated virtual environments in 2011, including:

• Reaction Grid’s JIBE virtual platform, built on Unity 3D
• Kitely’s “virtual world on demand” service
• Tipodean’s Builtby.me web viewer for Second Life or OpenSim worlds
• The Spoton3D web viewer
• The “Shaker” virtual hangout for Facebook which received $15 million in venture funding

Almost all of these are still very much in beta. But they show promise for how getting into a virtual space might be as simple as clicking a web link or joining a FaceBook group.   Sadly, Linden Lab’s web-integration efforts appear to have stalled out or died.

 

FUNDRAISING FOR JAPAN AND CANCER RESEARCH

Fundraising continued to be an important application of virtual worlds in 2011.   The American Cancer Society’s virtual Relay for Life was again one of the most successful fund appeals of the year. They raised $375K with over 3,000 avatars participating!   That brings their total take-in from Second Life at more than $1 million dollars over the history of the virtual relay. Another notable fundraising effort across multiple worlds was for earthquake relief to Japan. Various SL groups, Eve Online and Zynga launching their own fund drives and events.  

 

ROCKCLIFFE AND NPC CELEBRATE MILESTONES

Despite the increase in land-fees, several nonprofit and educational efforts continued to survive and even thrive in Second Life.   The Rockcliffe University Consortium recently celebrated 5 years as a nonprofit educational institution in Second Life. The Nonprofit Commons in Second Life also marked a milestone in September, feting our 4 years as the largest nonprofit community in the virtual world.   Thanks to those of you who made our celebration so memorable and fun!

 

MAJOR INSTITUTIONS STILL INVESTING IN VIRTUAL WORLDS

The virtual world continued to attract a number of major public institutions, who launched projects in 2011, including:

• The World Bank Institute
• The Mayo Clinic
• NASA
• The Library of Birmingham
• Rutgers University

…. and many more….

VIRTUAL PROTESTS FOR DEMOCRACY IN ARAB WORLD AND OCCUPY MOVEMENT

While there were not as many virtual protests as real ones, there were a number of interesting demonstrations and political gatherings in the metaverse in 2011.   In February, coinciding with the “Arab Spring” protests in Egypt, avatars were gathering in Second Life to demonstrate for democracy in the Arab world. Then in the Fall, the “Occupy Wall Street” movement swept the United States and cities around the world.   Activists in Second Life gathered under the “OccupySL” group, sharing information and news, and launching their own virtual protests.  No pepper spraying in SL, but some avatars were ejected from the CapEx sim.

 

NEW DOCUMENTARIES FOCUS ON VIRTUAL LIFE

In 2011 a number of documentaries examined virtual living including some profiles of some of our own nonprofit friends. The documentary film “Login 2 Life” premiered in September, telling the stories of of 6 individuals whose lives are deeply impacted by different virtual worlds and online games.   Our own Gentle Heron was one of the individuals profiled on her own work with people with disabilities!   The film “Deep Down,” a documentary about the coal mining industry in America, was nominated for an Emmy for its virtual world game called the “Virtual Mine.”  

 

So those were my highlights from the year! What were yours?

Written by: rikomatic

From all of us on the team at TechSoup , we wish all of our tenants, members, supporters and friends of the Nonprofit Commons community a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

We are looking forward to making 2012 the best year yet at the Nonprofit Commons!

Written by: rikomatic

Join us this Friday December 30 for the final Nonprofit Commons meetup of 2011! For this meeting, I, Rik Riel, your ever faithful community manager, will be giving my 2011 Year in Virtual Worlds Wrapup . Afterwards we’ll share each of our own highlights from our nonprofits over the year, and wishes for the new year. And we’ll pass around fizzy drinks to toast 2012 together!

So join us on Friday December 30, starting at 8:30am PT at the Plush Nonprofit Commons amphitheater. See you then!

Written by: rikomatic

CHATLOG TRANSCRIPT

Nonprofit Commons Meeting
December 23, 8:30am PST
Plush Nonprofit Commons Amphitheater
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Plush%20Nonprofit%20Commons/88/126/26

AGENDA

8:30am Introductions
8:40am TechSoup Announcements
8:45am Mentors Corner
8:55am Etaoin Barcelona , First Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Second Life
9:30am OpenMic/ Announcements

INTRODUCTIONS

[2011/12/23 08:32] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Ok lets get started
[2011/12/23 08:32] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): WElcome everyone to the Nonprofit Commons!
[2011/12/23 08:32] Brena Benoir: The reaction grid team provides amazing support
[2011/12/23 08:32] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): I’m Rik Panganiban, the community manager here
[2011/12/23 08:33] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): We’re so happy you are taking time in this busy holiday season to be with us
[2011/12/23 08:33] Buffy Beale: Wow that’s so cool Brena congrats!
[2011/12/23 08:33] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): I work for TechSoup, and I’m joined by my colleagues Glitteractica, Bulaklak and Alebez
[2011/12/23 08:33] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): As always we start our meetings with introductions
[2011/12/23 08:34] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Please , if you like, type into the text chat your real life name, organization, location in the world, URL, and Twitter handle
[2011/12/23 08:34] Buffy Beale: Buffy Beale: Buffy Bye, Bridges for Women, Victoria BC Canada, http://www.bridgesforwomen.ca @buffyb https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bridges-for-Women/181011348617531
[2011/12/23 08:34] Zinnia Zauber: Renne Emiko Brock-Richmond, Sequim Humanities and Arts Alliance, Sequim, Washington. http://www.sequimartsalliance.org http://www.facebook.com/sequimartsalliance @renneemiko
[2011/12/23 08:34] ĊhĀɱPĀGɳℰ (champagne.vendetta): oh bridges!
[2011/12/23 08:34] Gentle Heron: Virtual Ability, Inc. http://www.virtualability.org
[2011/12/23 08:34] bulaklak: Michael DeLong, Online Community Manager, TechSoup Global, San Francisco, www.techsoup.com, @TechSoup, @MichaelDeLongSF
[2011/12/23 08:34] Brena Benoir: Brenda Bryan, Preferred Family Healthcare, Kirksville, Missouri, www.pfh.org, @brenabenoir
[2011/12/23 08:34] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Rik Panganiban, Nonprofit Commons / TechSoup.org, Oakland CA, http://nonprofitcommons.org @betterverse @npsl
[2011/12/23 08:34] Dancers Yao: Kara Bennett , Elder Voices, Los Angeles, Health Care and Human Rights
[2011/12/23 08:35] DJ Earnshaw: Don Singleton, Tulsa, OK (DJ Earnshaw, Professor Viper) HelpingTulsa and APCUG, http://snipurl.com/tk41d @donsingleton
[2011/12/23 08:35] Etaoin Barcelona: Eric Burch, random Unitarian Universalist, Rockville MD, http://fuucsl.org
[2011/12/23 08:35] alebez: Ale Bezdikian, Online Community Coordinator, TechSoup Global, SF, CA @TechSoup
[2011/12/23 08:35] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): great . did we miss anyone?
[2011/12/23 08:36] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Glitter?
[2011/12/23 08:36] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): ah
[2011/12/23 08:36] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Ok
[2011/12/23 08:37] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): As you may know, the NPC is supported by TechSoup.org
[2011/12/23 08:37] ƒähƒÄ…±PƒÄG…≥‚Ñ∞ (champagne.vendetta): Erica and my group is “Lindens for Real Life” Id love for anyone to provide info on you non profits for that group „ã° secondlife:///app/group/906eebaf-3c19-49a6-bb13-85311ff739ec/about

TECHSOUP ANNOUNCEMENTS

[2011/12/23 08:37] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Are there any relevant announcements from TechSoup for our group?
[2011/12/23 08:37] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Bulaklak?
[2011/12/23 08:38] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Champagne, that sounds very interesting. We’d love to learn more at some point.
[2011/12/23 08:38] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Ale or Bulaklak, any techsoup news?
[2011/12/23 08:38] bulaklak: Yes
[2011/12/23 08:39] bulaklak: Thanks!
[2011/12/23 08:39] ĊhĀɱPĀGɳℰ (champagne.vendetta): ㋡
[2011/12/23 08:39] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): come on down!
[2011/12/23 08:39] bulaklak: Hello, all!
[2011/12/23 08:39] Buffy Beale: yay Bulaklak
[2011/12/23 08:39] bulaklak: I want to give you an update on TechSoup’s holiday hours.
[2011/12/23 08:39] bulaklak: Starting today at 5pm Pacific time, TechSoup offices and client services will be colsed through January 3
[2011/12/23 08:40] bulaklak: But our online presence will be up!
[2011/12/23 08:40] bulaklak: Our forums never sleep, of course.
[2011/12/23 08:40] bulaklak: So, if you’d like to get answers to your tech questions or discuss other social benefit issues
[2011/12/23 08:40] bulaklak: Please visit our forums
[2011/12/23 08:40] bulaklak: And here is a handy bundle of links
[2011/12/23 08:41] bulaklak: http://bit.ly/ts-forums-how-to
[2011/12/23 08:41] bulaklak: This includes three quick tutorials for how to get the most out of our forums
[2011/12/23 08:41] bulaklak: Our blog will also be up during the break.
[2011/12/23 08:41] bulaklak: We’ve been doing a blog series on some of our donor partner’s philanthropic activity
[2011/12/23 08:41] bulaklak: You can read those all here
[2011/12/23 08:42] bulaklak: http://bit.ly/ts-csr
[2011/12/23 08:42] bulaklak: And here is a link detailing all you need to know about our holiday closure
[2011/12/23 08:42] bulaklak: http://bit.ly/ts-holiday-hours
[2011/12/23 08:42] bulaklak: Thanks, all and happy holidays!
[2011/12/23 08:42] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): thank you bulaklak!
[2011/12/23 08:43] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): our forums are really useful, if you have never been
[2011/12/23 08:43] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): It’s a great place to get your tech questions answered.

MENTORS CORNER

[2011/12/23 08:43] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): And now on to Mentors Corner
[2011/12/23 08:43] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): who speakers for the Mentors today?
[2011/12/23 08:43] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): (hi glitter, welcome back)
[2011/12/23 08:44] Zinnia Zauber: We are taking a holiday break from Mentor Central. But…
[2011/12/23 08:44] Glitteractica Cookie: sorry i’m late.I had a hard time logging in, kept crashing
[2011/12/23 08:44] Zinnia Zauber: On Jan 6, DJ will be discussing his Generic Booth Generator.
[2011/12/23 08:44] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): nice!
[2011/12/23 08:44] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): is it out of beta now?
[2011/12/23 08:44] Brena Benoir: I want to thank everyone who was able to come out and support the Winterfest events last week
[2011/12/23 08:45] Zinnia Zauber: Yes yes!
[2011/12/23 08:45] DJ Earnshaw: i guess, did not get hardly any input in beta
[2011/12/23 08:45] Zinnia Zauber: Please take the time to check out the books and learn more about your friends here at the Nonprofit Commons.
[2011/12/23 08:45] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): sorry DJ. I know how frustrating that is.
[2011/12/23 08:46] Gentle Heron: Those might be a good place for Champagne to begin her research!
[2011/12/23 08:46] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): But thanks to everyone who made the Winter Fest such a big success!
[2011/12/23 08:46] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): It was great seeing all the activity on our sims
[2011/12/23 08:46] Buffy Beale: you did a nice job onit DJ
[2011/12/23 08:46] Gentle Heron: Thank you to all who donated their time at this busy season to work on WinterFest.
[2011/12/23 08:46] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you!
[2011/12/23 08:46] Brena Benoir: Thank you Gentle!
[2011/12/23 08:47] Zinnia Zauber: We will report on the event at a later meeting.
[2011/12/23 08:47] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): great, Zinnia
[2011/12/23 08:47] Buffy Beale: we had great fun at the Winterfest and a special thanks to Zinnia and Brena and Par they put a lot of effort into the event
[2011/12/23 08:47] Zinnia Zauber: You were part of the magic too Buffy!
[2011/12/23 08:47] Buffy Beale: aww thanks, I did very little
[2011/12/23 08:47] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you Buffy!
[2011/12/23 08:48] Buffy Beale: 🙂
[2011/12/23 08:48] Zinnia Zauber: Okay, Rik, Mentor Central will be back in the new year.
[2011/12/23 08:48] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): great

ETAOIN BARCELONA, UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS IN SECOND LIFE

[2011/12/23 08:48] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Okay let’s move on to our featured speaker
[2011/12/23 08:48] ĊhĀɱPĀGɳℰ (champagne.vendetta): ㋡
[2011/12/23 08:49] -: –
[2011/12/23 08:49] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): So I should begin by saying that TechSoup is a nonsectarian nonprofit, and we don’t promote any particular religion.
[2011/12/23 08:50] Etaoin Barcelona: (And if I go out of bounds hit me 🙂 )
[2011/12/23 08:50] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): That said, faith communities in SL have been very active in promoting communities among their members, doing good works, and collaborating using these virtual tools.
[2011/12/23 08:50] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): And the Unitarian Universalists have been around longer than most I believe
[2011/12/23 08:51] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): So we have invited Etaoin Barcelona, one of the leaders of the Frist Unitarian Univesalist congregation in SL to tell us a bit about how they promote community and do good works via SL.
[2011/12/23 08:51] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Welcome Etaoin!
[2011/12/23 08:51] Etaoin Barcelona: Thank you
[2011/12/23 08:51] ĊhĀɱPĀGɳℰ (champagne.vendetta): welcome
[2011/12/23 08:51] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): come on down!
[2011/12/23 08:51] Gentle Heron: Welcome to NonProfit Comons, Etaoin.
[2011/12/23 08:51] Etaoin Barcelona: Thank you
[2011/12/23 08:51] Zinnia Zauber: Welcome Etaoin!
[2011/12/23 08:51] Etaoin Barcelona: I’ll start with a few prepared notes
[2011/12/23 08:52] Etaoin Barcelona: Since it will come from a script you might have to adjust your chat colors
[2011/12/23 08:52] -: –
[2011/12/23 08:52] -: – Hello, I have a few words to start with.
[2011/12/23 08:52] -: – My name is Etaoin Barcelona, and I’ve been in Second Life for over 5 years.
[2011/12/23 08:52] -: – In RL and in SL, I’m a Unitarian Universalist (“UU”), which is a liberal, loosely-Christian religious denomination, and
[2011/12/23 08:52] -: – forms a lot of the basis of my activity here in SL.
[2011/12/23 08:52] -: –
[2011/12/23 08:52] -: – I’ve been asked here to talk about our little community here in Second Life, the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Second Life;
[2011/12/23 08:52] -: – we call it “FUUCSL” and if you say it with a Scottish accent it sounds like what you’d say after the third browser crash of the morning.
[2011/12/23 08:52] -: – The group “Unitarian Universalists of Second Life” has about 600 avatars in it,
[2011/12/23 08:52] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): lol
[2011/12/23 08:52] -: – and about 60 of these regularly contribute L$ or host events or are otherwise active in our community.
[2011/12/23 08:52] -: –
[2011/12/23 08:52] -: – UU’s consider all space to be a holy place, and a community that is built in places like SL have the ability to be just as valid and
[2011/12/23 08:53] -: – affirming as, say, the church that the Mayflower Pilgrims started before the first American Thanksgiving (that’s a little bit of Unitarian trivia).
[2011/12/23 08:53] -: – We support each other as we search for our own personal truths, which is something we do in our RL congregations.
[2011/12/23 08:53] -: – Some believe that service is our prayer, and together we are able to impact the world in a more effective way than working alone;
[2011/12/23 08:53] -: – not new news to all us here.
[2011/12/23 08:53] -: – Our SL community is also where we can tell others about Unitarian Universalism,
[2011/12/23 08:53] -: – and help find a RL connection if UU seems a good fit in their lives.
[2011/12/23 08:53] Gentle Heron: FYI- The 1:10 ratio of active membership to total membership is fairly common in both RL and SL.
[2011/12/23 08:53] Etaoin Barcelona: Right; the group has been around 5 years, about half are still active avatars
[2011/12/23 08:54] -: – But outreach is not our primary function here–UUs think that there are many paths to becoming more human,
[2011/12/23 08:54] -: – and what’s important is to discover what works best for you.
[2011/12/23 08:54] -: –
[2011/12/23 08:54] -: – For over 5 years, every Thursday at 6:30 pm SLT we have a weekly service in our Sanctuary, in our region in “UUtopia”.
[2011/12/23 08:54] -: – About 15 or 20 avatars regularly get together, where we share the news of our far-flung community,
[2011/12/23 08:54] -: – then listen to a sermon about a topic, many times followed by a discussion.
[2011/12/23 08:54] -: – We sing songs and listen to readings.
[2011/12/23 08:54] -: – More than once someone who first attended a SL service,
[2011/12/23 08:54] -: – then attended their first RL UU service noted that the SL service felt just as real as the RL service.
[2011/12/23 08:54] -: – We have three people who regularly lead one service every month,
[2011/12/23 08:54] -: – and there are another 5-or-6, including myself, who run one or two services every year;
[2011/12/23 08:54] -: – this is actually a RL model for how many UU “fellowships” operate;
[2011/12/23 08:54] -: – we’re not doing anything that’s too ground-breaking for Unitarian Universalists.
[2011/12/23 08:54] -: –
[2011/12/23 08:54] -: – Our community also has a little coffee shop, and a drum circle and library; all things that you can find in our RL communities.
[2011/12/23 08:54] -: – We have a hill with memorial lights where we remember those no longer part of our real lives, and where we think about events past,
[2011/12/23 08:55] -: – present, and future.
[2011/12/23 08:55] -: – The UU Church of the Larger Fellowship, the “CLF”, our mail-order-church which has been around for more than 150 years,
[2011/12/23 08:55] -: – runs online services that we simulcast
[2011/12/23 08:55] -: – within Second Life.
[2011/12/23 08:55] -: – If it wasn’t for the heavy computing requirements needed by SL the CLF would like to originate their services from SL
[2011/12/23 08:55] -: – (are there Lindens listening?).
[2011/12/23 08:55] -: –
[2011/12/23 08:55] -: – The collection basket in our santuary, and other L$ contributions, brings in about US$800 every year,
[2011/12/23 08:55] -: – which we use to support the operations of the
[2011/12/23 08:55] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): virtual memorials to those who have past is so powerful
[2011/12/23 08:55] -: – church (mostly honoraria for service leaders–L$1500; which sounds impressive until you do the exchange rate in your head)
[2011/12/23 08:55] -: – and give away to RL charities.
[2011/12/23 08:56] Etaoin Barcelona: This past year we sent about US$300 to RL charities, mostly individual UU congregations running special projects.
[2011/12/23 08:56] -: – We have a Kiva micro-loan giving group, which both as individuals and as a congregation we make loans;
[2011/12/23 08:56] -: – “Treasurer Byk” one of our avatars, manages the congregation’s loans in Kiva.
[2011/12/23 08:56] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Kiva is so great
[2011/12/23 08:56] Etaoin Barcelona: We have about US$300 in Kiva loans outstanding now
[2011/12/23 08:57] Etaoin Barcelona: from the collection basket; as individuals we also loan out US$
[2011/12/23 08:57] -: –
[2011/12/23 08:57] -: – There are at least a dozen people who consider FUUCSL their “real church”,
[2011/12/23 08:57] Sarvana Haalan: /m Sally Cherry, Baltimore, MD; Consultant for Protect Yourself 1, http://protectyourself1.org
[2011/12/23 08:57] -: – and that helps keep our community active while the rest of SL goes through its phases.
[2011/12/23 08:57] -: – Some have tried RL congregations, and there isn’t the best fit–the RL denomination is small
[2011/12/23 08:57] -: – (only 1000 congregations, and most of them in New England)
[2011/12/23 08:57] -: – Second Life becomes the most real connection to the RL community;
[2011/12/23 08:57] -: – This leads to interesting situations: we are very aware of the SL Terms of Service, and anonymity is something we all respect.
[2011/12/23 08:57] -: – We have set up facebook groups and other social media to connect us outside of SL;
[2011/12/23 08:57] -: – at this point I think our facebook group may have more conversations every day than we have during the week inside SL.
[2011/12/23 08:57] -: –
[2011/12/23 08:57] -: – There is a large GLBT community in SL, and the UU denomination has been officially welcoming gays into our community for over 40 years.
[2011/12/23 08:58] -: – We have several RL transgendered individuals in our community, and they meet regularly to help with their issues.
[2011/12/23 08:58] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): woot!
[2011/12/23 08:58] -: – We have observed the Transgender Day of Rememberance in our SL sanctuary for the last three years.
[2011/12/23 08:58] -: –
[2011/12/23 08:58] -: – As one of the leaders of the UU community in SL, I’ve had to help a few people with RL issues.
[2011/12/23 08:58] -: – I can’t go into the details, but more than once I’ve had to tell my RL wife that I’ll be on the phone a few hours.
[2011/12/23 08:58] -: – Like any SL community where people have become friends, over the years I’ve met a few of the people at the keyboard;
[2011/12/23 08:58] -: – it’s not a big secret in the UU-SL community that I live near Washington DC and I’ve met a few people as they take vacations near me.
[2011/12/23 08:58] alebez: that’s really great.
[2011/12/23 08:58] -: –
[2011/12/23 08:58] -: – We’ve tried to help a few other denominations start a presense here in Second Life;
[2011/12/23 08:58] -: – my wife is a Disciples of Christ, and I helped them a little.
[2011/12/23 08:58] -: – One of the member of the SL congregation (Otenth Padeborn) started a little Quaker meeting house here in SL.
[2011/12/23 08:58] -: – If you would like some help starting a similar project let me know; the more we can mix our RL and SL, for those who want to, the better.
[2011/12/23 08:58] -: –
[2011/12/23 08:58] -: – The bottom line is that Unitarian Universalism works well in Second Life.
[2011/12/23 08:59] -: – The real life denomination doesn’t consider any special place or special person any holier than any other;
[2011/12/23 08:59] -: – what happens inside SL can be as real and as significant on a personal level as what can happen in RL–
[2011/12/23 08:59] -: – anyone in SL for some time knows that.
[2011/12/23 08:59] -: –
[2011/12/23 08:59] -: –
[2011/12/23 08:59] Etaoin Barcelona: And I’ll end with a bunch of web sites I can repeat later:
[2011/12/23 08:59] -: – Web sites for more information:
[2011/12/23 08:59] -: – For general Unitarian Universalism, see http://uua.org
[2011/12/23 08:59] -: – Our in-world congregation: http://www.fuucsl.org
[2011/12/23 08:59] -: – The SL Destination Guide entry for the sanctuary: http://secondlife.com/destination/unitarian-universalism
[2011/12/23 08:59] -: – The Lindens had me write a recent LL blog entry: http://community.secondlife.com/t5/Inworld/Gratitude-Guest-Blogger-Etaoi…
[2011/12/23 08:59] -: – The Kiva micro-loan group: http://www.kiva.org/team/fuucsl_social_justice_action_team
[2011/12/23 08:59] -: – The Unitarian Universalist Church of the Larger Fellowship: http://clf.uua.org/
[2011/12/23 08:59] -: – The church founded by the Mayflower Pilgims: http://plymouthuu.org/
[2011/12/23 09:00] -: –
[2011/12/23 09:00] -: – The notecard reader I wrote to help me run inworld services, and I am using to type out this chat:
[2011/12/23 09:00] -: – http://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/HUD-Notecard-Reader/1061142
[2011/12/23 09:00] -: – (If you ask, I’ll give you a copy!)
[2011/12/23 09:00] -: –
[2011/12/23 09:00] -: –
[2011/12/23 09:00] Etaoin Barcelona: Thank you!
[2011/12/23 09:00] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): (I want a copy!)
[2011/12/23 09:00] ĊhĀɱPĀGɳℰ (champagne.vendetta): a copy? oh wowww
[2011/12/23 09:00] ĊhĀɱPĀGɳℰ (champagne.vendetta): lol.
[2011/12/23 09:00] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Thanks Etaoin
[2011/12/23 09:00] Etaoin Barcelona: I see it for a minimal amount in the marketplace, just to see who wants one. I sell about 5 a week–ha
[2011/12/23 09:01] Etaoin Barcelona: But I give them out to whoever wants one
[2011/12/23 09:01] ĊhĀɱPĀGɳℰ (champagne.vendetta): thanks!
[2011/12/23 09:01] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): So for the nonprofits here who are trying to foster community and bring in new members to their causes, is there anything specific you can attribute to your success and longevity?
[2011/12/23 09:01] Buffy Beale: sure I’d like one too, great idea Etaoin
[2011/12/23 09:02] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): what has worked best, and what HASN’T worked?
[2011/12/23 09:02] Etaoin Barcelona: I think the RL connections help; and the regular meeting
[2011/12/23 09:03] Etaoin Barcelona: Even during the post-hype crash, we keps the weekly meetings going.
[2011/12/23 09:03] Etaoin Barcelona: And people would continue to join in.
[2011/12/23 09:03] Gentle Heron: Etaoin, by “RL connection” you mean to the UU model, not necessarily that your SL members know each other in RL, is that correct?
[2011/12/23 09:03] Etaoin Barcelona: And we learned a little about our RL lives
[2011/12/23 09:03] Etaoin Barcelona: Well, about half of us are RL UUs, so we already had a connection
[2011/12/23 09:04] Gentle Heron: The RL model provides an SL infrastructure that is in common among the SL members.
[2011/12/23 09:04] Etaoin Barcelona: Many in the community have never shared their RL details, but it’s nice to listen to the stories at times
[2011/12/23 09:04] Etaoin Barcelona: And then when soemone discoveres someone else is near RL, it can help
[2011/12/23 09:04] Gentle Heron: I’d say that respect for self-defined levels of anonymity is another important feature of SL community building.
[2011/12/23 09:05] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): so it sounds like a diaspora community of people who may not have other means to meet?
[2011/12/23 09:05] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): similar to the Filipino community in SL for example
[2011/12/23 09:05] Etaoin Barcelona: That is part of it; SL provides a way for people trapped in their situation to get out
[2011/12/23 09:05] Etaoin Barcelona: and connect
[2011/12/23 09:06] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): how important is the public service / charity aspect?
[2011/12/23 09:06] Etaoin Barcelona: Well, in RL that is considered important. As people organize, we become more effective in the RL
[2011/12/23 09:07] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): (NOTE TO SELF: invite diasporic ethnic community to speak at the NPC)
[2011/12/23 09:07] Etaoin Barcelona: Finding a project is important. That’s why Kiva seems to work well
[2011/12/23 09:07] Etaoin Barcelona: And we have individuals who come to us with ideas; we have a Leadershi[p Group of 7 avatars who meet monthly
[2011/12/23 09:08] Etaoin Barcelona: And many people in the SL community are on our facebook page; there is activity there every day
[2011/12/23 09:08] Etaoin Barcelona: Since the RL expenses are minimal, we collect a lot of L$ that we can do things with
[2011/12/23 09:08] Etaoin Barcelona: And we ask the community for ideas
[2011/12/23 09:09] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): So what are the limitations of SL for waht you would LIKE to do in your community?
[2011/12/23 09:09] Glitteractica Cookie: so, do you have a strategy for weaving all yr communities together?
[2011/12/23 09:09] Etaoin Barcelona: Some UU’s consider service our version of prayer; as good a definition as any, I guess
[2011/12/23 09:09] Glitteractica Cookie: as in FB. SL, etc
[2011/12/23 09:10] Etaoin Barcelona: One concern is the physical locations; we have had some people meet in New Orleans for a service project
[2011/12/23 09:10] Etaoin Barcelona: And that worked for (I think) five people who lived in teh southeast US
[2011/12/23 09:10] Etaoin Barcelona: (and we have 2 members who live in LoLa)
[2011/12/23 09:10] Etaoin Barcelona: NoLa*
[2011/12/23 09:11] Etaoin Barcelona: And once a year the UUs get together in General Assembly; the SL-UU’s will meet
[2011/12/23 09:11] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): sounds like meeting in the RW solidifies what you do in SL
[2011/12/23 09:11] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): and fosters stronger bonds between people
[2011/12/23 09:12] Etaoin Barcelona: This coming June a few people are planning on attending the GA in Phoenix and maybe so some civil action (though Sherriff Joe is now out)
[2011/12/23 09:12] Etaoin Barcelona: Right–the RL interactions hold the SL community together
[2011/12/23 09:12] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): I have found that to be true as well
[2011/12/23 09:12] Etaoin Barcelona: And keeping the SL community healthy makes give support to other who are only in SL
[2011/12/23 09:13] Etaoin Barcelona: The transgendered work really helps here; a lot of people are only experimenting with that inside SL
[2011/12/23 09:14] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Yes, SL is a powerful medium for transgender people
[2011/12/23 09:14] Etaoin Barcelona: And at times people may think it’s just a game—but at times it is much more. And exploring that aspect of one’s life can be significant
[2011/12/23 09:14] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Does anyone else have questions for Etaoin?
[2011/12/23 09:14] Etaoin Barcelona: But we are also supporting each other in a few ways; we also have quite a few home-bound people
[2011/12/23 09:15] Etaoin Barcelona: And having a more-real community inside SL helps
[2011/12/23 09:15] Etaoin Barcelona: Well, coolness!
[2011/12/23 09:16] Etaoin Barcelona: If you have any other questions, you can IM me anytime
[2011/12/23 09:16] darkxax: herkse slm 🙂
[2011/12/23 09:16] Etaoin Barcelona: If someone wants, I can repeat the links I put up before (or you can copy them out of the chat history)
[2011/12/23 09:16] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Thanks Etaoin. We always publish our chat log
[2011/12/23 09:16] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): for those that can’t be here
[2011/12/23 09:17] Etaoin Barcelona: And the little notecard reader is pretty nifty, if I should say so myself 🙂
[2011/12/23 09:17] Gentle Heron: Thank you for the report, and the notecard reader, Etaoin.
[2011/12/23 09:17] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): It is!
[2011/12/23 09:17] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): let’s thank Etaoin for joining us today!
[2011/12/23 09:18] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you for sharing with us Etaoin!
[2011/12/23 09:18] Brena Benoir: Brena Benoir applauds
[2011/12/23 09:18] Sarvana Haalan: Notecard reader? Did I miss something?
[2011/12/23 09:18] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): BTW kiva.org is a member of the NPC.
[2011/12/23 09:18] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): I’d love to bring them here for an update on what they are up to.
[2011/12/23 09:19] Sarvana Haalan: Thank you, Etaoin
[2011/12/23 09:19] Etaoin Barcelona: My comments were pre-typed, and I loaded them in a little reader
[2011/12/23 09:19] Etaoin Barcelona: (I sent you a copy)
[2011/12/23 09:19] Etaoin Barcelona: So my perfect typing was done over the last few days 🙂
[2011/12/23 09:19] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): LOL
[2011/12/23 09:19] Glitteractica Cookie: Thank You!! Very interesting
[2011/12/23 09:19] Etaoin Barcelona: Since my ad-libs, like many, are sometimes hilariously typo’ed
[2011/12/23 09:20] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): so this is a bit of a shorter meeting due to the holidays
[2011/12/23 09:20] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Just so everyone knows, we are meeting next Friday
[2011/12/23 09:20] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): I’m going to give my own personal 2011 Year in Review
[2011/12/23 09:21] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): and invite all of you to share your own high points and best memories from 2011 for your nonprofit
[2011/12/23 09:21] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): (SL related or not)
[2011/12/23 09:21] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): I’ll bring some fizzy drinks so we can toast the new year together
[2011/12/23 09:21] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): so do log in , if you are available!

OPEN MIC / ANNOUNCEMENTS

[2011/12/23 09:21] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): And as always we close with open mic / announcements
[2011/12/23 09:22] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Who has things to announce for our community?
[2011/12/23 09:22] Zinnia Zauber: I do.
[2011/12/23 09:22] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): go ahed zinnia
[2011/12/23 09:22] Gentle Heron: I do also, thanks.
[2011/12/23 09:23] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): and then Gentle
[2011/12/23 09:23] Zinnia Zauber: CommonGround is going to now be the Third Thursday of the month. So, Jan 16 from 5 to 7 PM SLT and our theme is Silver!
[2011/12/23 09:23] Buffy Beale: thanks Etaoin, that was really wonderful and great information
[2011/12/23 09:23] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you!
[2011/12/23 09:23] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): good to know zinnia. I’ll update our calendar
[2011/12/23 09:23] Buffy Beale: ooo fun Z!
[2011/12/23 09:23] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Go ahead Gentle
[2011/12/23 09:24] Zinnia Zauber: I am returning to colors for this year.
[2011/12/23 09:24] Gentle Heron: Redefining Disability: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health
Presented by: ALiesel and Alzimarie, students at Thomas Jefferson University school of Occupational Therapy
[2011/12/23 09:24] Gentle Heron: THURS Dec 29- 7 am, or repeated at 4 pm SLT
Exhibit 5, Healthinfo Island
[2011/12/23 09:24] Gentle Heron: The way we define “disability” shapes our view of health and affects our attitude toward others in our society. By redefining disability using a holistic model, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides a common language for disability that promotes social justice.
[2011/12/23 09:24] Gentle Heron: How can we use this model to redefine disability and health in our own lives? Come share your thoughts and experience as we discuss this important topic!
[2011/12/23 09:24] Buffy Beale: that’s great Gentle
[2011/12/23 09:24] Gentle Heron: Another presentation in the Waiting for the World to Change series that will continue through January.
[2011/12/23 09:25] Gentle Heron: (done)
[2011/12/23 09:25] Zinnia Zauber: Wonderful!
[2011/12/23 09:25] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): nice
[2011/12/23 09:25] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): well thanks folks
[2011/12/23 09:25] Sarvana Haalan: Woot, woot….I am so excited about the project
[2011/12/23 09:25] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): unless there is anything else, I’m closing this meeting
[2011/12/23 09:26] alebez: buffy, thanks for the santa hat!
[2011/12/23 09:26] Sarvana Haalan: I have an announcement
[2011/12/23 09:26] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): sarvana, go ahead sorry!
[2011/12/23 09:26] Etaoin Barcelona: If I gave you a HUD, To use the HUD, right-click and Wear it. Hitting Say Next will chat out a little intro. You can make copies for various things to talk about
[2011/12/23 09:26] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): (Ale, you look very cute in that hat)
[2011/12/23 09:26] Buffy Beale: you’re most welcome alebez if anyone else want’s one let me know
[2011/12/23 09:26] alebez: robots can wear hats. 🙂
[2011/12/23 09:27] Buffy Beale: cheering for that alebez lol
[2011/12/23 09:27] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Saravana?
[2011/12/23 09:27] Evellyng: Ola
[2011/12/23 09:27] Sarvana Haalan: I have an RL capacity building through virtual worlds course scheduled for Jan 18th… hope to use it to introduc NPSL to my local colleagues in nonprofits
[2011/12/23 09:27] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): nice!
[2011/12/23 09:28] Gentle Heron: Sarvana, you might want to talk with Chad Mikado. He did a similar course for his RL colleagues last month.
[2011/12/23 09:28] Buffy Beale: lovely going Sar!
[2011/12/23 09:28] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): (I did one too, they are a lot of fun to organize)
[2011/12/23 09:29] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Sarvana, be in touch if you need any help or advice
[2011/12/23 09:29] Sarvana Haalan: Glitter and Rik… I will send a request to use the “Impact” booklet
[2011/12/23 09:29] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): sure
[2011/12/23 09:29] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): send it to nonprofitcommons@techsoup.org
[2011/12/23 09:29] Glitteractica Cookie: not sure what that is, but I’m sure Rik knows
[2011/12/23 09:29] Glitteractica Cookie: (impact booklet?)
[2011/12/23 09:30] Sarvana Haalan: Oh, I will … there is an excellent presntation “Collaborate and Communicate”..
[2011/12/23 09:30] Sarvana Haalan: Plus Rik, I would like to get more info on GK’s Virtual World Capacity Program for any interested locals… if possible
[2011/12/23 09:31] Gentle Heron: FYI everybody:
CEO Rodvik Humble Shares Highlights From 2011 and his Outlook for 2012 http://community.secondlife.com/t5/Featured-News/CEO-Rodvik-Humble-Share…
[2011/12/23 09:31] Gentle Heron: we might want to read that before next week and Rik’s report
[2011/12/23 09:31] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): ok. I think our ning network might still be active
[2011/12/23 09:31] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): thanks Gentle
[2011/12/23 09:31] Sarvana Haalan: I send a formal info letter with a request
[2011/12/23 09:31] hanssyenvida: naumk seii jogah
[2011/12/23 09:31] hanssyenvida: alguém me ajudaaa
[2011/12/23 09:31] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): (is that portuguese?)
[2011/12/23 09:32] Gentle Heron: yes
[2011/12/23 09:32] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): ok that’s a wrap folks!
[2011/12/23 09:32] Zinnia Zauber: Mini Mentors Meeting in 5 mins
[2011/12/23 09:32] Sarvana Haalan: hope that this is the first of many local courses…Thank you!
[2011/12/23 09:32] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): I’m going to have to log out, I’m afraid
[2011/12/23 09:32] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): As much as I love the Mentors
[2011/12/23 09:32] Buffy Beale: great meeting thanks Rik and Glitter and Bulaklak and Alebez for all you do for us
[2011/12/23 09:32] Zinnia Zauber: no worries
[2011/12/23 09:32] Glitteractica Cookie: Thanks all!
[2011/12/23 09:32] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): please stick around if you need help or have questions
[2011/12/23 09:32] alebez: thanks everyone!
[2011/12/23 09:32] Glitteractica Cookie: Happy Holidays
[2011/12/23 09:33] Buffy Beale: Happy Holidays to all 🙂
[2011/12/23 09:33] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Thanks again to our guest Etaoin for joining us!
[2011/12/23 09:33] Buffy Beale: huge hugs across the wires 🙂
[2011/12/23 09:33] Zinnia Zauber: Happy Holidays!
[2011/12/23 09:33] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): And what ever you are celebrating, I hope it is festive and full of loved ones
[2011/12/23 09:33] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): and yummy food
[2011/12/23 09:33] Zinnia Zauber: Hi Rhiannon!
[2011/12/23 09:33] Dancers Yao: thanks to everyone….Have wonderful holidays
[2011/12/23 09:33] Brena Benoir: Happy Holidays everyone, travel safely
[2011/12/23 09:33] Etaoin Barcelona: Thank you all again….Merry Christmas/Solstice/Sol Invictus/Festivus
[2011/12/23 09:34] Rhiannon Chatnoir: happy holidays to you all as well!
[2011/12/23 09:34] Buffy Beale: back in 5 for the mentor mtg

Written by: rikomatic

On Friday December 16, we at the Nonprofit Commons were happy to welcome Ms. Ruxandra Popa of TechSoup Romania, who came (as a green robot) to talk about their “Restart Romania” initiative they launched earlier this year. Ruxandra explained how her team created an online platform for citizens to submit ideas for improving their government using technology. It was a great example of how a small group of nonprofit organizers can leverage online tools to have nation-wide impact.

Read on for a slightly edited transcript of her talk. You can get a sense of the level of engagement and excitement of our audience of about 30 nonprofit professionals, and some solid brainstorming about how to integrate Second Life into future TechSoup Romania initiatives. It was a really great meeting! The complete transcript of the NPC meeting follows afterwards.

Thanks so much to Ruxandra for taking the time late in the evening her time to visit us at the Nonprofit Commons! You can join us every Friday starting at 8:30am PT for talks and conversations like this in Second Life at our virtual amphitheater. Click here for details.

---

Ruxandra Popa, TechSoup Romania (EDITED TRANSCRIPT)

RuxandraP: so I’m from Romania, a small remote Eastern European country but one with a TechSoup office . I would love to share some of the stuff we’ve done in our first year of existence. Hopefully I can convince some of you to get on the Restart boat.

RuxandraP: 6 months ago we got this crazy idea in our head that we could help solve some of the issues our country is facing through a TechSoup challenge. Pure online for social change stuff.

RuxandraP: It turned out that the most pressing matters are corruption and lack of efficiency in the system. which spiced things up more than enough. Despite hundreds of people telling us it will never work. We are currently looking at 9 awesome websites that fight against bribery and inefficiency. And engage citizens in fixing stuff.

RuxandraP: it was and amazing adventure and we still cannot believe we managed to pull it off.

RuxandraP: here’s an example: http://dispari.ro/ . citizen reporting of bribery incidents and getting the right info on how to fight it and avoid shady situations. this one didn’t even win the challenge. 🙂

Rik Panganiban : Wow, impressive use of tech for citizen monitoring

Angelle Marquette: Very very good idea, too, Ruxandra

RuxandraP: thank you Rik. the fun part was getting there.

RuxandraP: the sites are abut 80% done right now and we are preparing launch for all of them.

RuxandraP: So how did we get this done. we opened call for proposals of online based projecects that would produce change in the society. http://www.restartromania.ro . anyone -and i mean anyone – could come with a basic idea. and during a month and a half develop it into a project proposal with the help of the other users.

RuxandraP: we had a strong partnership with the most important online media outlet in the country. and they drove users to our platform through dedicated edittorial content.

Rik Panganiban : So they didn’t need to be tech experts to participate?

RuxandraP: the variety of people proposing projects was amazing. RuxandraP: no, even i could have done it with my awesome tech skills. 🙂

RuxandraP: we hoped for 25 proposals. we got 144.

Sarvana Haalan: wow

RuxandraP: it wasn’t easy to get to 10 finalists. at least 30 projects were very very good.

Rik Panganiban : That’s a great problem to have

RuxandraP: you say that now, but you would like to be in our shoes

RuxandraP: the finalists [were] random people: journalists, a few tech people, students, housewife, business owner. Amazing.

RuxandraP: they got a makeover from our great IT and advertising friends. each of them got a tech team and an advertising agency working pro bono. then online business, legal, political advisers, an embassy, so on and so forth.

RuxandraP: they suddenly had to play the part of the idea leader. go to TV aand radio shows. we joke around saying Restart Romania is like American Idol for social change.

RuxandraP: and that next year we’re going for The Voice format.

Jen (jenelle.levenque): Much better idea I must say

Buffy Beale: love that, Romania Idol 🙂

RuxandraP: it is such a fun process, our restarters went through crazy moments that brought out the best in them and all the people around them

RuxandraP: so I highly recommend using the power of a web-based challenge to change the realities of your community.

Rik Panganiban : thats a great tagline!

Rik Panganiban : so does anyone have any questions for Ruxandra?

Jen (jenelle.levenque): Ruxandra are you using SL at all in this effort?

RuxandraP: so far we did not

Rik Panganiban : there is a virtual romanian community in SL

RuxandraP: but as soon as i figure out how to sit on a chair i will think of a strategy. 🙂

RuxandraP: it’s a great idea. SL is spectacular.

Rik Panganiban : perhaps for your next big campaign?

HB Eternal: we (the love foundation) have many friends in Romania – it is an amazing country filled with potential, so glad you are bringing awareness.

Sarvana Haalan: You must visit the Wishes Granted Winter festival …. it’s amazing to read about what can be do in SL

Rik Panganiban : more importantly, how do people find out more about Restart Romania and what TechSoup Romania is doing?

RuxandraP: we have a bunch of stuff:

• www.restartromania.ro
• www.techsoup.ro
• blog with English versions of the postings http://www.localphilanthropy.szka.org/
• and facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/TechSoup-Romania/151784688196032

Rik Panganiban : that’s very helpful thanks. well let’s thank Ruxandra for joining us late in the evening from Romania! WOOT!!!!!

Jen (jenelle.levenque): ********APPPLLLAAAUUUSSSEEE********

Gentle Heron: Thank you for sharing Ruxandra.

Dancers Yao: thank you great work

Zinnia Zauber: Thank you RuxandraP

RuxandraP: oh thank you it was my pleasure. i love-love-love SL

Rik Panganiban : Hopefully this is the first of many TechSoup experts and organizers taht we’ll be bringing to you in 2012

Jen (jenelle.levenque): Perhaps you could do a workshop for us on this

Rik Panganiban : Jen, great idea

Jen (jenelle.levenque): Sounds like something that can be used within any particular community

Rik Panganiban : we’ll see what we can do to organize something like that

 

---

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Nonprofit Commons Meeting

December 16, 8:30am PST

Plush Nonprofit Commons Amphitheater

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Plush%20Nonprofit%20Commons/88/126/26

 

AGENDA

• 8:30am Introductions
• 8:40am TechSoup Announcements
• 8:45am Mentors Corner
• 8:55am Ruxanda Popa, Restart Romania
• 9:30am OpenMic/ Announcements

 

INTRODUCTIONS

 

[2011/12/16 08:32] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): ok we should get started

[2011/12/16 08:32] Sarvana Haalan: Hi Gentle

[2011/12/16 08:33] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Welcome everyone to the Nonprofit Commons

[2011/12/16 08:33] Brena Benoir: Hello Gentle

[2011/12/16 08:33] Gentle Heron: Hi Sarvana and all others.

[2011/12/16 08:33] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): I see a couple of new faces here

[2011/12/16 08:33] Zinnia Zauber: Hi Gentle!

[2011/12/16 08:33] Jen (jenelle.levenque): Great we have an angel a good witch and Zinnia looks like another angel

[2011/12/16 08:33] Sarvana Haalan: sorry

[2011/12/16 08:33] Sarvana Haalan: lol, lol

[2011/12/16 08:33] Zinnia Zauber: ha!

[2011/12/16 08:33] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): This is the weekly meetup of the NPC community, where we talk about issues, news, and developments relevant to the nonprofit community

[2011/12/16 08:34] Buffy Beale: lol bulaklak I saw that

[2011/12/16 08:34] Sarvana Haalan: we got you covered today

[2011/12/16 08:34] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): We have a very special guest today, coming all the way from Romania!

[2011/12/16 08:34] bulaklak: she sat on me!

[2011/12/16 08:34] Buffy Beale: cheers for Romania!

[2011/12/16 08:34] Sarvana Haalan: woot, woot

[2011/12/16 08:34] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): But first , as always, we do introductions

[2011/12/16 08:34] Ronnie Rhode: Denise Harrison, The Garden for the Missing, http://www.gardenforthemissing.org/ and SLURL http://slurl.com/secondlife/Remora/203/148/21, Project Jason, assistance for families of the missing, http://www.projectjason.org.

[2011/12/16 08:34] HB Eternal: Harold W Becker, The Love Foundation, Florida, http://www.thelovefoundation, @lovefoundation

[2011/12/16 08:34] Zinnia Zauber: Renne Emiko Brock-Richmond, Sequim Humanities and Arts Alliance, Sequim, Washington. http://www.sequimartsalliance.org http://www.facebook.com/sequimartsalliance @renneemiko

[2011/12/16 08:34] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): I’m Rik Panganiban, the community manger of the Nonprofit Commons, a project of TechSoup

[2011/12/16 08:34] Buffy Beale: Buffy Bye, Bridges for Women, Victoria BC Canada, http://www.bridgesforwomen.ca @buffyb https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bridges-for-Women/181011348617531

[2011/12/16 08:34] RuxandraP: soo sorry

[2011/12/16 08:34] bulaklak: Michael DeLong, TechSoup Global, San Francisco, @MichaelDeLongSF, www.techsoup.org

[2011/12/16 08:34] Glitteractica Cookie: Hi Ruxandra

[2011/12/16 08:34] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Please type into the text chat your real life name, organization, location in the world, URL, Twitter handle, if you wish

[2011/12/16 08:34] Jen (jenelle.levenque): Bruce Hestley, Transgender American Veterans Association, Akron, OH, http://www.tavausa.org

[2011/12/16 08:34] Gentle Heron: Virtual Ability, Inc. http://www.virtualability.org

[2011/12/16 08:34] Chad Mikado: Chad Gobertwww.serviceandinclusion.org

[2011/12/16 08:35] Sarvana Haalan: Woot for Rik!!

[2011/12/16 08:35] Kali Idziak: Jessica Dally, Community Voice Mail, Seattle WA, www.cvm.org @jessicadally @cvmnational

[2011/12/16 08:35] Glitteractica Cookie: Susan Tenby, Online Community and Social Media Director, TechSoup Global, San Francisco, CA USA @suzboop @techsoup

[2011/12/16 08:35] Dancers Yao: Kara Bennett, Elder Voices, Los Angeles, Health Care and Human Rights

[2011/12/16 08:35] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Rik Panganiban, TechSoup Global, Oakland, CA, http://nonprofitcommons.org, @npsl @betterverse

[2011/12/16 08:35] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): This is for our chat log / transcript as well as for this live meeting

[2011/12/16 08:36] alebez: ale bezdikian, Online Community Coordinator, TechSoup Global, SF, Ca. @alebez @techsoup

[2011/12/16 08:36] Sarvana Haalan: Sally Cherry, Baltimore, MD, Consultant for Protect Yourself 1, http://protectyourself1.org

[2011/12/16 08:36] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): welcome, Ale!

[2011/12/16 08:36] alebez: cheers, all. glad to be here.

[2011/12/16 08:36] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): WOOT!!!!!

[2011/12/16 08:37] DJ Earnshaw: Don Singleton, Tulsa, OK (DJ Earnshaw, Professor Viper) HelpingTulsa and APCUG, http://snipurl.com/tk41d @donsingleton

[2011/12/16 08:37] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): great, anyone else?

[2011/12/16 08:37] Brena Benoir: Brenda Bryan, Preferred Family Healthcare, Kirksville MO www.pfh.org

[2011/12/16 08:37] Red (talkwithmarie): Marie C.-talkwithmarie, aka Red., Greater Boston, Girls project/Girl TV/Talk!withmarie, http://youtube.com/girltvlive, http://youtube.com/talkwithmarie, @talkwithmarie

[2011/12/16 08:38] jacmacaire Humby: Jacques Macaire HUMANBE http://www.humanbe.com Action Tank and Council on Sustainable Development France and International @Humanbe

[2011/12/16 08:38] Ethelred Weatherwax: Dave Dexter, Neenah Historical Society, Wisconsin USA

[2011/12/16 08:38] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): good to see you, Jac

 

TECHSOUP ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

[2011/12/16 08:39] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Ok let’s move on to the first item on the agenda: TechSoup Announcements

[2011/12/16 08:39] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Bulaklak, I guess that is you?

[2011/12/16 08:39] bulaklak: Yep!

[2011/12/16 08:39] bulaklak: Hi, all. Happy Friday, if it is Friday where you are.

[2011/12/16 08:39] bulaklak: Apropos of our guest today, I want to invite you to join us for a tweet chat co-produced with TechSoup Romania. The topic will be content curation and we’ll be talking about all the best tools and methods for adding context and value to the massive flow of information we take in every day, as well as how to listen to your community.

[2011/12/16 08:40] bulaklak: We’re using the hashtag #tschat, and you can read more information at the link that follows, including some great primer info if you’ve never participated in a tweet chat before, and a link to the tweet chat room (which makes it SUPER SIMPLE to participate): http://bit.ly/tschat-curation

[2011/12/16 08:40] Glitteractica Cookie: This tweetchat should be really good. It’s all about effective curation on the web, so you can make the feeds and tweets you read more contextualized and efficient

[2011/12/16 08:41] bulaklak: Other than that, I just want to let you know that TechSoup will be closed December 24 – January 1, although our site will still be up. If you order donations during that time, they will be fulfilled in the new year.

[2011/12/16 08:41] Glitteractica Cookie: paper.li, smmuify, storify, scoop.it and more

[2011/12/16 08:41] bulaklak: And that’s what I’ve got for today. Have a great weekend, folks!

[2011/12/16 08:41] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): smmuify is a real thing?

[2011/12/16 08:41] Buffy Beale: when is the tweetchat?

[2011/12/16 08:41] Glitteractica Cookie: summify

[2011/12/16 08:41] bulaklak: December 21 at 9am Pacific

[2011/12/16 08:42] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): ah ok

[2011/12/16 08:42] Buffy Beale: ty

[2011/12/16 08:42] bulaklak: And here is the link again http://bit.ly/tschat-curation

[2011/12/16 08:42] bulaklak: Hope you all can come!

[2011/12/16 08:42] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): tweetchats are really interesting, if you have never participated in one

[2011/12/16 08:42] Buffy Beale: they’re great, lot’s of fun

[2011/12/16 08:43] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): not as many cute robots, but easier to participate in semi-passively

[2011/12/16 08:43] Glitteractica Cookie: and such a quick easy way to learn

[2011/12/16 08:43] bulaklak: Buffy always adds a lot to the conversation in the tweet chats.

[2011/12/16 08:43] Buffy Beale: 🙂

[2011/12/16 08:43] bulaklak: And you are of course welcome to lurk and learn, as well, if that’s what is comfortable.

[2011/12/16 08:43] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): And before I forget…..

[2011/12/16 08:43] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Here are the many ways to can get involved with the Nonprofit Commons in Second Life:

 

Nonprofit Commons blog: http://nonprofitcommons.org

Wiki: http://npsl.wikispaces.com

 

Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/TechSoup-Second-Life

Google Calendar: http://bit.ly/2tMEYh

 

About TechSoup:

http://www.techsoup.org/tools/howtousetechsoup/

http://flavors.me/techsoup

http://flavors.me/nonprofitcommons

 

Weekly Networking Event: Wharf Ratz, Aloft, Tuesdays, 7-9pm SLT

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Aloft%20Nonprofit%20Commons/168/22…

 

Monthly Networking Event (1st Thursday):

Common Ground, Plush, 5PM-7PM SLT

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Plush%20Nonprofit%20Commons/128/22…

 

NPC Promo Video http://bit.ly/draxtorNPCvid

 

MENTORS CORNER

 

[2011/12/16 08:44] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): ok shall we move on to Mentors Corner?

[2011/12/16 08:44] Zinnia Zauber: Great!

[2011/12/16 08:45] Zinnia Zauber: Good morning!

[2011/12/16 08:45] Red (talkwithmarie): ROund of applause for the Wishes Granted Team!!! woot woot!!

[2011/12/16 08:45] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): woo hoo!

[2011/12/16 08:45] Buffy Beale: yay Z!

[2011/12/16 08:45] Red (talkwithmarie): wanted to get that out. Youre awesome!

[2011/12/16 08:45] Zinnia Zauber: I want to first say that we are so thankful for all the Mentors!

[2011/12/16 08:45] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you, Red!

[2011/12/16 08:45] Zinnia Zauber: Buffy has passed the torch to me to lead the Mentors.

[2011/12/16 08:45] Zinnia Zauber: So please thank her!

[2011/12/16 08:46] Zinnia Zauber: Rah Buffy!

[2011/12/16 08:46] Red (talkwithmarie): Yay Buffy!

[2011/12/16 08:46] Buffy Beale: awww ty, the pleasure was all mine

[2011/12/16 08:46] Ronnie Rhode: Yay both of you!

[2011/12/16 08:46] Buffy Beale: a great group

[2011/12/16 08:46] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): very happy to see smooth transitions like this

[2011/12/16 08:46] Zinnia Zauber: Her and Ozma have been amazing to support our community!

[2011/12/16 08:46] Buffy Beale: ty for the tweet out about that Rik 🙂

[2011/12/16 08:46] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you guys!

[2011/12/16 08:46] Zinnia Zauber: So, I want to cover two things today!

[2011/12/16 08:47] Zinnia Zauber: First, Wishes Granted.

[2011/12/16 08:47] Zinnia Zauber: We have had some wonderful events and more to come this weekend.

[2011/12/16 08:47] Zinnia Zauber: Saturday, December 17, 2011 10 AM-1 PM SLT Snow Globe Building Contest, entries are limited so please be sure to arrive early at the Nonprofit Common Community Area on Aloft

[2011/12/16 08:48] Zinnia Zauber: It is a chance to create a lovely build and win prizes!

[2011/12/16 08:48] Zinnia Zauber: Then later…

[2011/12/16 08:48] Zinnia Zauber: Saturday, December 17, 2011 6:00-8:00 PM SLT Dance with Live Music at the NonProfit Commons Community Area on Aloft

[2011/12/16 08:48] Zinnia Zauber: The dance will end our event, but the display will remain up for everyone to enjoy

[2011/12/16 08:48] Red (talkwithmarie): awesome!

[2011/12/16 08:48] Zinnia Zauber: We have been pleased with how things have worked with our books and will share with you all how it went later.

[2011/12/16 08:49] HB Eternal: the books are awesome!

[2011/12/16 08:49] Zinnia Zauber: Regardless, please take the time to read them and support fellow NPC Peeps!

[2011/12/16 08:49] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you HB!

[2011/12/16 08:49] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you Red!

[2011/12/16 08:49] Zinnia Zauber: Okay

[2011/12/16 08:49] Zinnia Zauber: Second item

[2011/12/16 08:49] Zinnia Zauber: We are thrilled to be this educational element of the weekly meetings.

[2011/12/16 08:50] Zinnia Zauber: So, we continue to develop what we will teach.

[2011/12/16 08:50] Zinnia Zauber: I want to put it out there that any of YOU are welcome to teach as well.

[2011/12/16 08:50] Zinnia Zauber: Not just the Mentors

[2011/12/16 08:50] Zinnia Zauber: So if you have something you would like to share

[2011/12/16 08:50] Zinnia Zauber: please do

[2011/12/16 08:51] bulaklak: Excellent idea!

[2011/12/16 08:51] Zinnia Zauber: I believe that we all have lots to share and learn from each other.

[2011/12/16 08:51] Zinnia Zauber: As well as, we are always open to ideas to teach.

[2011/12/16 08:51] Gentle Heron: Everyone here knows at least one thing that others don’t know… and might be of value to someone, sometime.

[2011/12/16 08:51] Zinnia Zauber: Please contact me or any Mentor.

[2011/12/16 08:51] Zinnia Zauber: Yes, yes, thank you Gentle.

[2011/12/16 08:51] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): very true

[2011/12/16 08:52] Zinnia Zauber: I want to encourage you all to be a light and lead us to new ideas and ways of working in virtual worlds.

[2011/12/16 08:52] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you all and please enjoy all the Wishes Granted books and events!

[2011/12/16 08:53] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): thanks so much to the mentors team for leading teh charge on this winter festival

[2011/12/16 08:53] Zinnia Zauber: Join us after this meeting for Mentor’s Meeting if you need help!

[2011/12/16 08:53] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): its been a great way to bring new folks to the NPC, and highlight the work of our groups

[2011/12/16 08:53] Red (talkwithmarie): .-‘`’-. APPLAUSE APPLAUSE .-‘`’-.

[2011/12/16 08:53] Sarvana Haalan: I have questions….

[2011/12/16 08:53] Sarvana Haalan: rather one

[2011/12/16 08:54] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): sure saravana

[2011/12/16 08:54] Sarvana Haalan: Zinnia, how did the team decide on using the giant books and was th edesigning challenging?

[2011/12/16 08:55] Zinnia Zauber: We wanted to tell real life fairy tales.

[2011/12/16 08:55] Zinnia Zauber: And, it wasn’t easy to create the books.

[2011/12/16 08:56] Sarvana Haalan: amazing job

[2011/12/16 08:56] Zinnia Zauber: That is why I needed everything emailed to me to create them.

[2011/12/16 08:56] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you, Sarvana!

[2011/12/16 08:56] Zinnia Zauber: We are pleased and hope to create more for another event…. maybe…

 

TECHSOUP ROMANIA

 

[2011/12/16 08:56] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Ok we should move on to our featured presenter

[2011/12/16 08:56] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Ruxandra, please come on down

[2011/12/16 08:56] Zinnia Zauber: People have really taken the time to read the stories.

[2011/12/16 08:57] RuxandraP: wow

[2011/12/16 08:57] RuxandraP: tough

[2011/12/16 08:57] RuxandraP: 🙂

[2011/12/16 08:57] RuxandraP: :))

[2011/12/16 08:57] RuxandraP: can i write from here

[2011/12/16 08:57] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Mentors, can someone please connected with Sammed. He has some questions.

[2011/12/16 08:57] alebez: you got it girl! 🙂

[2011/12/16 08:57] RuxandraP: really

[2011/12/16 08:58] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Ruxandra that is right

[2011/12/16 08:58] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Ruxandra is with TechSoup Romania, and she is going to tell us about a really neat initiative called “Restart Romania”

[2011/12/16 08:58] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): very inspiring, and helpful as we think about running campaigns

[2011/12/16 08:58] RuxandraP: and not from the chair

[2011/12/16 08:58] RuxandraP: it seems

[2011/12/16 08:58] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): go ahead Ruxandra. Please introduce yourself.

[2011/12/16 08:59] RuxandraP: onthank you Rik

[2011/12/16 08:59] RuxandraP: hi there

[2011/12/16 08:59] Glitteractica Cookie: Welcome Ruxandra!

[2011/12/16 08:59] RuxandraP: i’m a member of the TechSoup team in Romania

[2011/12/16 08:59] Buffy Beale: cheering!!!

[2011/12/16 08:59] RuxandraP: First of all, I apologize for my poor SL skills

[2011/12/16 08:59] Glitteractica Cookie: what is your twitter handle?

[2011/12/16 09:00] RuxandraP: I hope I will not be sitting on any of you in the following minutes.

[2011/12/16 09:00] Angelle Marquette: Welcome to SL, RuxandraP!

[2011/12/16 09:00] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): lol. no problem, Ruxandra. You are doing great.

[2011/12/16 09:00] Buffy Beale: not to worry Ruxandra, it will all make sense and the mentors can help you too 🙂

[2011/12/16 09:00] RuxandraP: so I’m from Romania, a small remote Eastern European country but one with a TechSoup office 

[2011/12/16 09:01] RuxandraP: yes please. fix me

[2011/12/16 09:01] RuxandraP: 🙂

[2011/12/16 09:01] RuxandraP: I would love to share some of the stuff we’ve done in our first year of existence

[2011/12/16 09:01] RuxandraP: , Hopefully I can convince some of you to get on the Restart boat.

[2011/12/16 09:02] RuxandraP: 6 months ago we got this crazy idea in our head that we could help solve some of the issues our country is facing through a TechSoup challenge

[2011/12/16 09:03] RuxandraP: 6 months ago we got this crazy idea in our head that we could help solve some of the issues our country is facing through a TechSoup challenge

[2011/12/16 09:03] RuxandraP: Pure online for social change stuff

[2011/12/16 09:03] RuxandraP: It turned out that the most pressing matters are corruption and lack of efficiency in the system

[2011/12/16 09:04] RuxandraP: which spiced things up more than enough

[2011/12/16 09:05] RuxandraP: Despite hundreds of people telling us it will never work

[2011/12/16 09:05] RuxandraP: we are currently looking at 9 awesome websites that fight against bribery and inefficiency

[2011/12/16 09:05] RuxandraP: and engage citizens in fixing stuff

[2011/12/16 09:06] RuxandraP: it was and amazing adventure

[2011/12/16 09:07] RuxandraP: and we still cannot believe we managed to pull it off

[2011/12/16 09:07] RuxandraP: here’s an example

[2011/12/16 09:07] RuxandraP: http://dispari.ro/

[2011/12/16 09:08] RuxandraP: citizen reporting of bribery incidents

[2011/12/16 09:08] RuxandraP: and getting the right info on how to fight it and avoid

[2011/12/16 09:09] RuxandraP: shady situations

[2011/12/16 09:09] RuxandraP: this one didn’t even win the challenge

[2011/12/16 09:09] RuxandraP: 🙂

[2011/12/16 09:09] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Wow, impressive use of tech for citizen monitoring

[2011/12/16 09:10] Angelle Marquette: Very very good idea, too, Ruxandra

[2011/12/16 09:10] RuxandraP: thanl you Rik

[2011/12/16 09:10] RuxandraP: the fun part was getting there

[2011/12/16 09:10] RuxandraP: the sites are abut 80% done right now

[2011/12/16 09:10] RuxandraP: and we are preparing launch for all of them

[2011/12/16 09:11] RuxandraP: so how did we get this done

[2011/12/16 09:12] RuxandraP: we opened call for proposals of online based projecects that would produce change in the society

[2011/12/16 09:12] RuxandraP: www.restartromania.ro

[2011/12/16 09:12] RuxandraP: anyone -and i mean anyone – could come with a basic idea

[2011/12/16 09:13] RuxandraP: and during a month and a half develop it into a project proposal

[2011/12/16 09:13] RuxandraP: with the help of the other users

[2011/12/16 09:14] RuxandraP: we had a strong partnership with the most important online media outlet in the country

[2011/12/16 09:14] RuxandraP: and they drove users to our platform through dedicated edittorial content

[2011/12/16 09:14] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): So they didn’t need to be tech experts to participate?

[2011/12/16 09:14] RuxandraP: the variety of people proposing projects was amazing

[2011/12/16 09:15] RuxandraP: no, even i could have done it with my awesome tech skills

[2011/12/16 09:15] RuxandraP: 🙂

[2011/12/16 09:15] Angelle Marquette: http://www.restartromania.ro

[2011/12/16 09:15] RuxandraP: we hoped for 25 proposals

[2011/12/16 09:15] RuxandraP: we got 144

[2011/12/16 09:15] Sarvana Haalan: wow

[2011/12/16 09:16] RuxandraP: it wasn’t easy to get to 10 finalists

[2011/12/16 09:16] RuxandraP: at leas 30 projects were very very good

[2011/12/16 09:16] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): That’s a great problem to have

[2011/12/16 09:17] Andy Evans: Hi folks, is there a meeting soon?

[2011/12/16 09:17] RuxandraP: you say that now, but you would like to be in our shoes

[2011/12/16 09:17] RuxandraP: hi Andy

[2011/12/16 09:17] RuxandraP: i have no idea

[2011/12/16 09:17] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Hi Andy, this is a meeting of the nonproit commons

[2011/12/16 09:17] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): please feel free to have a seat in the audience if you’d like to partiicpate

[2011/12/16 09:18] RuxandraP: love yur avatar, Andy

[2011/12/16 09:18] RuxandraP: i’m glad it’s not a green robot

[2011/12/16 09:18] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): please continue Ruxandra

[2011/12/16 09:18] RuxandraP: s the finalists

[2011/12/16 09:18] RuxandraP: random people

[2011/12/16 09:19] RuxandraP: journalists, a few tech people, students, housewife, business owner

[2011/12/16 09:19] RuxandraP: amazing

[2011/12/16 09:19] RuxandraP: they got a makeover

[2011/12/16 09:19] Buffy Beale: really

[2011/12/16 09:20] RuxandraP: from our great IT and advertising friends

[2011/12/16 09:20] RuxandraP: each of them got a tech team and an advertising agency working pro bono

[2011/12/16 09:20] RuxandraP: then online business, legal, political advisers

[2011/12/16 09:21] RuxandraP: an embassy

[2011/12/16 09:21] RuxandraP: soon and so forth

[2011/12/16 09:21] RuxandraP: they suddenly had to play the part of the idea leade

[2011/12/16 09:21] RuxandraP: go to TV aand radio shows

[2011/12/16 09:22] RuxandraP: we joke around saying Restart Romania is like American Idol

[2011/12/16 09:22] RuxandraP: for social change

[2011/12/16 09:22] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): nice!

[2011/12/16 09:22] RuxandraP: and that next year we’re going for The Voice format

[2011/12/16 09:22] Jen (jenelle.levenque): Much better idea I must say

[2011/12/16 09:22] RuxandraP: 🙂

[2011/12/16 09:23] Buffy Beale: love that, Romania Idol 🙂

[2011/12/16 09:23] raanyrp95: ooooi

[2011/12/16 09:23] RuxandraP: it is such a fun process

[2011/12/16 09:23] Buffy Beale: whispers: sorry have to leave all, have a delightful day

[2011/12/16 09:24] RuxandraP: bye Buffy

[2011/12/16 09:24] RuxandraP: have a lovely day

[2011/12/16 09:24] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): so does anyone have any questions for Euxandra

[2011/12/16 09:24] RuxandraP: our restarters went through crazy moments

[2011/12/16 09:25] RuxandraP: that brought out the best in them

[2011/12/16 09:25] RuxandraP: and all the people around them

[2011/12/16 09:25] raanyrp95: Ooooi Zinnia

[2011/12/16 09:26] Zinnia Zauber: 😀

[2011/12/16 09:26] Jen (jenelle.levenque): Ruxandra are you using SL at all in this effort?

[2011/12/16 09:26] RuxandraP: so I highly recommend using the power of a web-based challenge to change the realities of your community

[2011/12/16 09:27] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): thats a great tagline!

[2011/12/16 09:27] RuxandraP: so far we did not

[2011/12/16 09:27] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): there is a virtual romanian community in SL

[2011/12/16 09:27] RuxandraP: but as soon as i figure out how to sit on a chair i will think of a strategy

[2011/12/16 09:27] RuxandraP: 🙂

[2011/12/16 09:27] RuxandraP: it’s a great idea

[2011/12/16 09:27] RuxandraP: SL is spectacular

[2011/12/16 09:27] Gentle Heron: right click and choose SIT

[2011/12/16 09:28] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): perhaps for your next big campaign?

[2011/12/16 09:28] RuxandraP: what can i click on so that i sit on the right place though?

[2011/12/16 09:28] RuxandraP: 🙂

[2011/12/16 09:28] RuxandraP: The Voice?

[2011/12/16 09:28] RuxandraP: that’s a great idea

[2011/12/16 09:29] HB Eternal: we (the love foundation) have many friends in Romania – it is an amazing country filled with potential, so glad you are bringing awareness

[2011/12/16 09:29] Sarvana Haalan: You must visit the Wishes Granter Winter festival …. it’s amazing to read about what can be do in SL

[2011/12/16 09:29] Sarvana Haalan: *Granted

[2011/12/16 09:29] Gentle Heron: Should be able to click on the stool itself.

[2011/12/16 09:29] RuxandraP: thank you so much

[2011/12/16 09:29] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): doen’t worry about that

[2011/12/16 09:30] RuxandraP: so, do we have questions?

[2011/12/16 09:30] RuxandraP: i was hoping for that

[2011/12/16 09:30] Glitteractica Cookie: thanks ruxandra!

[2011/12/16 09:30] RuxandraP: 🙂

[2011/12/16 09:30] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): more importantly, how do people find out more about Restart Romania and what TechSoup Romania is doing?

[2011/12/16 09:30] RuxandraP: anytime Susan

[2011/12/16 09:30] RuxandraP: thank you for the invite

[2011/12/16 09:30] RuxandraP: we have a bunch of stuff

[2011/12/16 09:31] RuxandraP: www.restartromania.ro

[2011/12/16 09:31] RuxandraP: www.techsoup.ro

[2011/12/16 09:31] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): great we’ll include that in the recap

[2011/12/16 09:31] RuxandraP: a blog with English versions of the postings

[2011/12/16 09:31] RuxandraP: http://www.localphilanthropy.szka.org/

[2011/12/16 09:32] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): that’s very helpful thanks

[2011/12/16 09:33] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): well let’s thank Ruxandra for joining us late in the evening from Romania!

[2011/12/16 09:33] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): WOOT!!!!!

[2011/12/16 09:33] RuxandraP: and facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/TechSoup-Romania/151784688196032

[2011/12/16 09:33] Jen (jenelle.levenque): ********APPPLLLAAAUUUSSSEEE********

[2011/12/16 09:33] RuxandraP: oh thank you

[2011/12/16 09:33] RuxandraP: it was my pleasure

[2011/12/16 09:33] Gentle Heron: Thank you for sharing Ruxandra.

[2011/12/16 09:34] RuxandraP: we’ll be seeing eachother often

[2011/12/16 09:34] Dancers Yao: thank you great work

[2011/12/16 09:34] RuxandraP: i love-love-love SL

[2011/12/16 09:34] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you RucandraP

[2011/12/16 09:34] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Hopefully this is the first of many TechSoup experts and organizers taht we’ll be bringing to you in 2012

[2011/12/16 09:35] Jen (jenelle.levenque): Perhaps you could do a workshop for us on this

[2011/12/16 09:35] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Jen, great idea

[2011/12/16 09:35] Jen (jenelle.levenque): Sounds like something that can be used within any particular community

[2011/12/16 09:35] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): we’ll see what we can do to organize something like that

[2011/12/16 09:36] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): But for now, we should move on to our last agenda item….

 

OPEN MIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

[2011/12/16 09:36] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Open Mic / Announcements

[2011/12/16 09:36] Sarvana Haalan: It;s neat to see the “global” aspect of TechSoup…

[2011/12/16 09:36] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): who has something to tell the group and our wider community?

[2011/12/16 09:36] HB Eternal: raises hand

[2011/12/16 09:36] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): please raise your hand, or claw

[2011/12/16 09:36] Zinnia Zauber: hand raised

[2011/12/16 09:36] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): (or pincer)

[2011/12/16 09:37] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): go ahead HB

[2011/12/16 09:37] HB Eternal: We (The Love Foundation) just launched two new global RL projects… a film/documentary project entitled Love Begins With Me Рwhere people around the world can submit their own videos to be considered and included – visit our special website for this at http://www.lovebeginswithme.org

[2011/12/16 09:37] Zinnia Zauber: Rah!!! It is awesome!

[2011/12/16 09:37] Gentle Heron: me too please

[2011/12/16 09:37] HB Eternal: And a social participation movement called – All Nations Love – where people can share their examples of goodness and kindness going on every day in their culture and nation, visit http://www.facebook.com/allnationslove We welcome your participation!

[2011/12/16 09:37] Sarvana Haalan: Wooot, woot

[2011/12/16 09:37] Zinnia Zauber: Feel the love!

[2011/12/16 09:38] Sarvana Haalan: smiles

[2011/12/16 09:38] Zinnia Zauber: These are so cool, HB!

[2011/12/16 09:38] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): HB, that awesome. Please send that to the google group or blog it up on nonprofitcommons.org

[2011/12/16 09:38] HB Eternal: k

[2011/12/16 09:38] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): ok zinnia and then gentle

[2011/12/16 09:38] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you!

[2011/12/16 09:38] Sarvana Haalan: Zinnia, Zinnia…

[2011/12/16 09:39] Zinnia Zauber: A reminder that we have changed CommonGround to be the 3rd Thursday of the month.

[2011/12/16 09:39] Haka: Type ‘haka’ to booing action

[2011/12/16 09:39] Haka: Type ‘haka stop’ to stop action

[2011/12/16 09:39] Zinnia Zauber: We had our first one this month, please change that in the announcements.

[2011/12/16 09:39] Zinnia Zauber: And, thank you for all of those who attended!

[2011/12/16 09:39] Zinnia Zauber: It is an important event to network with others.

[2011/12/16 09:39] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you!

[2011/12/16 09:40] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): thanks Zinnia. Gentle?

[2011/12/16 09:40] Gentle Heron: Virtual Ability is trying out a new model for a professional conference… one that is on a broad topic, but spread out over two months. Our topic is social justice for people with disabilities. We had our first presentation, on Women and Girls with Disabilities, yesterday.

[2011/12/16 09:40] Gentle Heron: Our next event will be “Redefining Disability: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.” It will be held Thursday, December 29, repeated sessions at 7 am and 4 pm SLT.

[2011/12/16 09:41] Gentle Heron: We also have some related poster displays on Healthinfo Island during this time frame. Please consider joining us for this ongoing series of presentations and discussions.

[2011/12/16 09:41] Gentle Heron: (done)

[2011/12/16 09:41] Zinnia Zauber: Great!

[2011/12/16 09:42] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you Gentle!

[2011/12/16 09:42] Zinnia Zauber: We all can learn so much from your org!

[2011/12/16 09:42] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): super important, thanks for sharing

[2011/12/16 09:42] Gentle Heron: It’s an experiment in design of information delivery

[2011/12/16 09:42] Zinnia Zauber: cool!

[2011/12/16 09:43] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): that’s great.

[2011/12/16 09:44] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): any other announcements before I let you go?

[2011/12/16 09:44] Gentle Heron: question- are we meeting next week?

[2011/12/16 09:44] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): If not, thanks everyone for joining us today!

[2011/12/16 09:44] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Yes, I think we should meet next week

[2011/12/16 09:44] Zinnia Zauber: What is happening during the holidays?

[2011/12/16 09:44] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): unless people think we should skip it?

[2011/12/16 09:45] Gentle Heron: Will people be in SL, or doing RL stuff?

[2011/12/16 09:45] Zinnia Zauber: I don’t know how many of us will make it.

[2011/12/16 09:45] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): I’m around so I’m happy to host

[2011/12/16 09:45] Gentle Heron: Can we vote? (I don’t have an RL, so I can be here.)

[2011/12/16 09:45] Zinnia Zauber: aww, Gentle

[2011/12/16 09:45] Sarvana Haalan: I will be here

[2011/12/16 09:45] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): who will come next week, if we have an NPC meeting?

[2011/12/16 09:45] Glitteractica Cookie: We could make it an informal brainstorm of the future of NPC

[2011/12/16 09:45] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Rik Panganiban raises hand

[2011/12/16 09:45] Jen (jenelle.levenque): Raises Hand

[2011/12/16 09:46] jacmacaire Humby: probably me 🙂

[2011/12/16 09:46] Sarvana Haalan: awesome… a meeting of reflections and looking ahead…

[2011/12/16 09:46] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): I might do a year end wrap up too

[2011/12/16 09:47] Gentle Heron: Be prepared for lots of new teenagers bopping in

[2011/12/16 09:47] Zinnia Zauber: bop! bop!

[2011/12/16 09:47] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): sure thing

[2011/12/16 09:47] Sarvana Haalan: so they are our “visitors”

[2011/12/16 09:47] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): ok lets do something informal and light next week

[2011/12/16 09:47] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Hi Thompsonme

[2011/12/16 09:47] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): and with that, let’s close this meeting

[2011/12/16 09:48] Jen (jenelle.levenque): How about NPC New Year’s Resolutions

[2011/12/16 09:48] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): thanks Ruxandra for joining us!

[2011/12/16 09:48] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): and thansk all of you for taking time in your busy day t obe with us

[2011/12/16 09:48] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Hopefully you got something valuable out of it for your work

[2011/12/16 09:49] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): Have a lovely friday and weekend everyone!

[2011/12/16 09:49] alebez: Thank you, Ruxandra! Everyone have a wonderful day.

[2011/12/16 09:49] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): are mentors meeting now?

[2011/12/16 09:50] Gentle Heron: after a bio break, yes

[2011/12/16 09:50] Zinnia Zauber: Okay, Mentor Meeting in 5 minutes

[2011/12/16 09:50] Zinnia Zauber: 9:55

[2011/12/16 09:50] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): great

[2011/12/16 09:50] Sarvana Haalan: I will be posting Winter Festival pics to the NPSL’s Flickr pool later today

[2011/12/16 09:51] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): awesome

[2011/12/16 09:51] Glitteractica Cookie: ok, talk to you all later. I will try to stop by next week, if I can

[2011/12/16 09:51] Rik Panganiban (rik.riel): can’t wait to see them

[2011/12/16 09:51] Glitteractica Cookie: bye all

[2011/12/16 09:51] Sarvana Haalan: bye

[2011/12/16 09:51] Sarvana Haalan: brb

Written by: rikomatic

This Friday December 16 at the Nonprofit Commons we are excited to welcome Ruxandra Popa of TechSoup Romania (http://www.techsoup.ro/) who will present on the “Restart Romania” initiative and how TechSoup Romania is working to duplicate projects like the TechSoup Digital Storytelling challenge to their own community. As always, we have updates from our Mentors Team, news from TechSoup Global and open mic announcements.

See you this Friday, December 16 starting at 8:30am PT at the Plush Nonprofit Commons amphitheater.

<!– Begin Second Life Destination Link –>

<!– End Second Life Destination Link –>

Written by: rikomatic

Here’s a very detailed and multi-faceted video documenting how a group of students at Rutgers University organized a benefit concert for the nonprofit Project Jason at the Nonprofit Commons space in Second Life.  Congrats to Joe, Tom, Hayli and Olivia for doing such a great job on your first virtual event! 

This is a great breakdown for folks who want a detailed understanding of what it would take to put on an event in Second Life.  The community would really benefit from seeing more post-event descriptions like this.

Written by: rikomatic

From now until December 18, avatars can enjoy the Christmas Expo, a festive benefit for the American Cancer Society taking place over four sims in Second Life.  The festival will feature a singing competition, a race, shopping, auctions and raffles, and several parties with live and DJed music.  It’s a great way to celebrate the holidays while benefiting a great cause.

Start at the Snowflake sim to find all the action (teleport link.) See the full announcement after the jump, or head to the official blog for details.  

---

 

From the official announcement…

Marking its 1st year in SL, The 2011 Christmas Expo is coming to town! In support of Relay For Life of Second Life and the American Cancer Society, the Christmas Expo will open on December 3rd, 2011 at 9am slt and will close on December 18th at 9pm slt.

A Christmas wonderland, spanning four SL regions, will set the scene for guests and shoppers, vendors and entertainers. SL residents will be able to find Christmas gifts, spend a romantic evening in the Holiday Ballroom with a sweetheart, or visit Santa and have pictures taken.

Residents can attend one of the many events:

SL Idol – An annual singing competition that will take place every year at The Christmas Expo, this contest will involve rounds of performances by some of SL’s great musicians.

The Avi Choice Awards – The Avi Choice Awards ~ the annual awards presentation recognizing the people and talent behind SL’s amazing creations, completely chosen and voted on by SL residents.

Amazing Race – Two member teams will race across the SL grid collecting specific hunt items, completing challenges and competing to be the last team standing.

Christmas Parties – Visitors can schedule their Christmas Parties at Expo. DJs can be booked or bring your own and the scenery has already been set for a fabulous and festive Holiday party.

The Breedables Pet Championship – hosted this year by the Breeder’s Burough!

Auction/Raffle – Many amazing items will be available for auction and raffle from some of SL’s best creators. 100% of the proceeds from the Expo’s auctions and raffles will go to Relay For Life of Second Life.

Shopping – In addition to enjoying the many events, activities and features of the Christmas Expo, visitors can get a head start on their Christmas shopping at the more than 70 shops.

Live Music/DJ – Entertainment will feature many of SL’s top performers, singers, djs, and hosts throughtout the Expo. See the website for dates and times.

Christmas Expo 2011’s design and construction is generously provided by SL’s incredible builder, Kayle Matzerath of Garden of Dreams. Kayle’s talent brings amazing dream-like settings to the virtual world and he is bringing his style and talent to Christmas Expo. Kayle was the Relay For Life Event Day 2011 Designer Sim Award winner, as well. Kayle’s holiday builds will provide excellent photo ops for those memory-making photos.

Map search any of the following regions, beginning December 3rd and teleport in to a Winter Wonderland of Holiday Delight!

Frosty 

Silver Bells

Poinsettia

Snowflake

Website: http://slchristmasexpo.wordpress.com/

Friend us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/SLs-Christmas-Expo/282062608486247

Written by: rikomatic

Please join us at the Nonprofit Commons for “Wishes Granted: Stories of Positive Impact” Winter Festival from December 11 – 17.

In a snow covered setting, visitors will discover huge books that tell real life fairy tales. Those stories are about how nonprofit organizations have had an encouraging and constructive influence on the lives of others. Inside the “fairy tale” books will be insightful stories on notecards, landmarks, and gifts from the unique nonprofits. Discover there is an opportunity, as individuals and as a community, to impact the lives of people who join us in the virtual world and those we support in the physical world every day, many of whom do not even log in to Second Life. Grab a wand and make magic happen!

Check out all the amazing events below:

Sunday, December 11, 2011     2:00-4:00 PM SLT

Opening Social Party with music provided by Avantgarde Frequency at the Nonprofit Commons Community Area on Aloft

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Aloft%20Nonprofit%20Commons/84/68/25

 

Tuesday, December 13, 2011    7:00-9:00 PM SLT

Wharf Ratz Tuesday Night Extraordinary Dance Extravaganza at Wharf Ratz on Aloft

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Aloft%20Nonprofit%20Commons/168/223/22

 

Thursday, December 15, 2011   5:00-7:00 PM SLT

“Magic Wings and Wands” CommonGround at the Nonprofit Commons Community Area on Aloft with DJ DyVerse Steele

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Aloft%20Nonprofit%20Commons/63/66/25

 

Saturday, December 17, 2011   10 AM-1 PM SLT

Snow Globe Building Contest, entries are limited so please be sure to arrive early at the Nonprofit Common Community Area on Aloft

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Aloft%20Nonprofit%20Commons/84/68/25

 

Saturday, December 17, 2011    6:00-8:00pm SLT

Dance with Live Music at the Nonprofit Commons Community Area on Aloft

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Aloft%20Nonprofit%20Commons/84/68/25

 

In this winter wonderland, among the books, you will find ice skating and gifts. Throughout the week we will be having random activities including snowball fights and dog sled races. Please watch for notices and IMs inworld, and join the Google Group to be kept aware of all events throughout the week. We hope to see many of you at the events and wish each of you.

Happy Holidays from the Wishes Granted Team! Zinnia, Parhelion, Buffy, and Brena

Written by: rikomatic

As a nonprofit organization that is active in Second Life, I am sure that you have many stories about how technology is helping you accomplish your group’s mission. We want to give you the chance to brag about how tech-savvy you are!

Specifically, Techsoup is collecting stories of nonprofits using technology to increase their impact, to be used in a super-cool global mapping project to be revealed soon. We ask you to spend 15-20 minutes today writing up how your group has benefited from some specific technology. The stories can be brief, but here’s what we absolutely need:

– A Contact Name
– Organization name, website
– Email address
– What technology products or services you’ve used
– What you are using it for / how it’s helping
– Optional: Any related additional links, pictures, video, fun/personal stories, Twitter, FB pages
– We’re especially looking for video content to spotlight – so YouTube and Vimeo channels and links are awesome

Email these stories to community@techsoup.org with “Impact Story” in the subject .

We would love to see a lot of stories on how virtual worlds and virtual products are helping nonprofits achieve their missions. But any sort of tech is fine (digital cameras, desktop publishing software, a content management system, etc.). But we really need as many of them as we can gather over the next few days.

Thanks so much for your help!

Written by: rikomatic