Changes to Tao and New Mentor/Greeter FAQ

Tao Changes

http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Tao_of_Volunteers

The Tao is a serious committment you make when you choose to volunteer is SL.

My suggestion is to read it and undestand it. When you are in a situation when you feel you may not be able to uphold the Tao, walk away. Take your tag off and go chill.

What we do as volunteers is not easy and it is not without pitfalls. Try to focus on the good things and not the negative.

Volunteer Program Changes FAQ

http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Volunteer_Program_Changes_FAQ

If you have any questions about any of this let Rails or I know or contact a Vteam member.

Goodbye Old Friend

It always is hard when one of us leaves. This time it was harder than I expected.
Master Pye died in RL last week. When I found out it was numbing.

I have so many memories of my friend Pye. Rambunctious days on OIP. Blue's office hours, him standing next to the big office chair. Many a Mentor meeting. He was a talented guy. Builder, innovator.
He sent me a picture of his RL office once. Talk about multitasking.

Master Pye was a great Mentor. More patient than a saint. Able to leap tall HIs in a single hop.
He was a Master.
Goodbye old friend, your will live on in our memories and in every pond on SL.

His pond is available on xstreets as a freebie
http://www.xstreetsl.com/modules.php?name=Marketplace&file=item&ItemID=1055633

Taking a Break

After this weeks newbie sex craze I realized I had the flu. Well Jezzie told me I did.

After some denial and then a series of fevers I realized she was right.

So this week I am sitting in bed with a cup of tea watching the SciFi Channel while Till threatens to bite me, Tess warns me of not eating right, Sully tells me if I do not take better care of myself I will keel over, Cel tells me to stop being a knothead, Rails tells me to go back to bed and all of you wish me a speedy recovery.

I think after Burning Life I needed to spend some time resting and I just did not do that.

So on the wise and sage advise of many Mental Mentors and Many Mentor Wives and Many friends I am going to be resting up.

Thank you

You Never Know...

In and around Mentorland I often hear a Mentor complain about another Mentor.
Some examples:

TypesB4 Thinks: don't ask that guy, ask someone who matters in the forums

NotNice Notever: I am here to complain about a notice. The person who sent it is unavailable but I am going to tell people outside of the group it was in all about it and the jerk who sent it anyway.

Minds URbusiness: I didn't like what she said even thought personally it is just my opinion but I am going to make sure I talk about how I disliked it to as many people as I can.

These are examples of how you get labeled a troublemaker. These are also examples of how you make an impression on other people in a negative manner. Assumption is never your friend in this manner. Nonconstructive criticism is never going to be taken as good advise. It is going to bring negativity to the table every time.

You should never assume everyone understands your point of view. You should't talk about another Mentor in public text or group IM in a negative way. Try and take all your disputes to IM.

One day you might need that person (who you found to be lacking) to help you out.

We all work as a team. When you step out of Tao and into being disrespectful you go to a place where you are not using teamwork.

How would you feel if someone "took you on" in public if you were not there?

What if it got reported to you that your ideas, thoughts, advise was called into question by a person without them giving you the opportunity of an IM to explain, clarify or even know you had an issue. What kind of teamwork is that?

The truth to the matter is this, if you participate in any of these types of actions you are doing yourself a disservice. You are not following our standards of Mentor communication and Tao. You may even polarize other people. If you dislike someone or what someone said, take it to the source, work it out with whomever the issue is with.

If you choose not to do this then you do not have the right in all fairness to take it to open forums of chat or public text. Take your opinions to IM and keep your negative assertions to those on your friends list or to yourself.

In these transitioning times for our group, we need to make an effort to work together and pull together.

If you choose to still behave in this manner don't be surprised if when you need help you do not get it. You will only have to recall that you put your pixel foot in your pixel mouth.

Be kind to each other!

Greeters Needed for Mentor Graduation Party

We are in need of Greeters for the Mentor Graduation Party Scheduled for November 15th from 10am slt til 12midnight slt.

Greeters will welcome the Graduates and guests to the party and ensure that they know where to find things, and help to keep the party lively

You may sign up for more than one time slot. We are hoping to have at least 4 greeters per time slot. Make a copy of this blog page and return it as a notecard to Jezzie McCellan or myself.

****Remember all times are SL Time*****
10am to 12pm:

12pm to 2pm:

2pm to 4pm:

4pm to 6pm:

6pm to 8pm:

8pm to 10pm:

10pm to 12pm:

The Future of Mental Mentors

Recently it was brought to my attention that rumors has been circulated after the Mentor Group renewal that Mental Mentors was closing. Rest assured that is not the case.

We did remove some inactive people from the group. Mental Mentors is not going away anytime soon. Regardless of change of mission or Greeter group or any amount of renewing

and refocusing, Mental Mentors will go on.

Rails and I have worked very hard over the last nine months to bring a stress free zone for Mentors. It has never been easy. I never thought it would be. Keeping everyone fair and balanced when everyone was over 800 people was a large task in short order.

In the process I learned a great deal about others and myself. I also learned that loyalty and respect are words until people demonstrate those ideals.

I have argued, begged and pleaded with some of you. I have asked of you what was necessary to keep the group whole and cohesive. Some of you have risen above what can often seem unfair or biased and have been loyal and respectful even thought you did not always agree. Some of you agreed to disagree. Some of you told me the hell off. Some of you left MM.

All of these transitions are never easy. I would like to thank you if you chose to help me and abide by what Rails and I decided. I also want to thank those who chose to agree to disagree, often that is something that keeps us united but with our own views intact.

Lastly I would also like to thank those who decided that they needed to leave MM because it was not where or what they wanted to be and they were smart enough to know their limitations and not stay where they did not want to be and would not be happy.

I fully support the decisions made by the co-owner of MM, Rails Bailey. Before there was the helm of MM there was Rails, my friend. We would shoot the breeze about life, liberty and the pursuit of Mentoring.

During the great MM spam war of 2007 Rails left MM. I went to him and said come on back and luckily he did. I went to get Rails back because I just could not imagine the chaos and the craziness in MM without him. Obviously JayJay thought so too.

Everyone has friends in their SL. I have been real lucky in that I have friends that understand loyalty and respect.

There may come a time in MM when I or Rails ask you to put aside an argument, topic or some issue. We might ask you that because we feel it is not good for the group. You might disagree. Please try and remember that what Rails and I do is never easy. Some days it is very not easy. The stewardship of MM is big and diverse and takes up a lot of time and energy.

Try and use your loyalty and respect and at the least agree to disagree.

MM is a family and all of you are part of it. Sometimes in families you have to look at the

(Star Trek reference) good of the many versus the good of the few.

Corny I know but very true.

All things are not always easy to negotiate. I learn that more and more these days. Sometimes you just have to go with what is good for the many. I often will err on the side of being prudent.

I am sorry if that is not popular but it is loyal and respectful.

Thank you all for being part of my family and for your support.

SL Forum and Negative People

I often try to keep my blog positive. Today I was sorry to have to read the SL forums
http://forums.secondlife.com/showthread.php?t=289874&page=1&pp=15
the above post made me very not happy. Why? The people who posted to it did it to harm 1700 other people. To demean the work of so many people because you did not remain active enough in a group to read your notices and renew your Mentor tag is just selfish beyond reason.

I encourage you, no I implore you to take the positive side. Go to forums and answer negative attacks with all the style and patience of a Second Life Mentor. Kill the rumors and negative attacks with resources, facts and solutions. Do not feed into their negative vent. That is how they win. I also invite you to take any negative rumors or accusations to the horse's mouth. If someone states a rumor that you know is untrue, verify it! Use your resources, IM a Coach or a Buddy or a Vteam member.

The people who spun that load of crap on the forums were aiming for us. Their aim is weak. Too bad we are prepared with facts and the many resources that all SL residents have at their disposal.

Lastly I want to thank you for all your hard work and efforts. For being on HIs, WAs and Infohubs. For taking time out of your Second Life to make time for people who just need a little support. You are exceptional people one and all. You didn't deserve those attacks. The people who did that were just plain wrong.

Good Mentoring!

Graduation Party Planning

Monday is the planning meeting for the graduation 10 am SLT at Center Stage.

If you would like to participate please join us.

JIRA Hijinx

http://jira.secondlife.com/browse/MISC-1728

Have some fun with it. The issue has been resolved. It is just for amusement.

Gesture Project Deadline Extended Till Monday Oct 20

https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Gesture_Project
The deadline for submissions has been extended to MONDAY October 20th so if you have any entries drop them on a committee member listed on the wiki entry. This is a great time for you to enter a gesture you find helpful or fun. Have a look. Come on people look over your gestures and throw some good ones this way.

If You Did Not Renew Your Mentor Tag and Need a Help Group

If you did not renew your Mentor Tag and have been removed from the Mentor group, please see Rails Bailey or myself as soon as you can.
We can get you into a Help Group (SAM or Help People) while you wait for applications to open again.
If you are upset or angry please IM us and we will try and help you as best we can. If you need to speak to a Vteam member please do so.
Rails and I will always be around to help any of you at any time. Just IM us.

An Open Letter to the Upset Mentor in my IM Box

Dear Upset Mentor,

It is truly nice to talk to you. Thank you for only IMing me when you are really ticked off.
I wish we could have said three words to each other when things were nicer. Maybe had a nice discourse on the Help Islands or what you thought of a Wiki entry. But you did not give me the courtesy of a baseline conversation and now you are in my IM box losing your mind in 2000 words or less.

I am all about helping other mentors. I am very pro mentor and pro resident. So I am going to be courteous and read this small novella you are typing to me. What I am going to do is try and figure out which one thing needs attention first.
In the meantime, while you type away, I am going to list off some things I have wanted to mention to you about IM messages and common courtesy.

Doc this is all screwed up! is not how you say hello.
You are a giant butthole!!!! is not how you get my attention.
Rails told me to IM you, doesn’t tell me why.

If anything as Mentors, we should know how to IM someone. If you are not in a chat group at the time of the need to contact someone, please remember to say hello. If you are talking to someone in a chat group then you do not have to say hello because a conversation is already in progress.

If you are angry or upset over something someone said, do not take it out on the person you go to for help. This is a matter of focusing and trying to find solutions if you have IMed me. It is not about unloading your frustration on me and making me into the target. That doesn’t help anyone.

Issuing threats in an IM is a TOS violation, DO NOT do it!!!!
MUTE is your friend!
Just because someone is saying something that hurts you does not mean you have to listen.
You do not have to like everyone but you have to be courteous to them as it states in the Tao.

Not everyone thinks before they open their mouth, unfortunately, and sometimes they put their foot in it. Learning to know when to say nothing and walk away is a great skill. It can be your skill as well.

This has been a hard week for us all. Mentors not renewing and being removed. The group being cleaned up and our roles in the volunteer program changing. Change is something that in SL and RL happens. As with any other challenge we will all work together through the difficult patches.

The volunteer email list is not the place to air these issues. If you have been removed from the mentor group, do not email 2000 people to tell them about it. If you have any questions about your removal go directly to the source and IM a Vteam member.

Emailing 2000 people to tell them about how you think the renewal should have been run and your thoughts on it also not good. IM the Vteam and tell them. You need to speak directly to the source.

If you are upset, by all means, IM me and tell me what I can do to help you. Just try and communicate effectively. I know you know how.

If You Did Not Renew Your Mentor Tag (or Know Someone Who Did Not)

Please check the following Wiki entry for instructions

http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Second_Life_Mentor_Membership_Renewal

The Mentor Program renewals ended Sept 30th. If you did not renew please do not panic.

If you are removed and still want to be part of a group IM Rails or myself and we will find you

a group to join till enrollment opens back up.

Burning Life Update!

The Man burns Saturday Oct. 4th @ 3:30am SLT & 6pm SLT!

http://burninglife.secondlife.com/

Come down to Berlin Or Tokyo Stages
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Burning%20Life%20(Hyper)/124/124/0
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Burning%20Life%20(Roadkill)/17/240/25
and visit Rails and myself and all the Mentor Volunteers.

Burning Life This Week

For those who have not heard Burning Life (previously Burning Man) is going on thru October 5th. http://burninglife.secondlife.com/
This a long time SL tradition. It is interesting and shows more talent in one place than you can shake a stick at.
List of Events
http://burninglife.secondlife.com/events/list

Enjoy your Second Life.

Monthly Mentor Meeting Friday

Make sure you make it to one of the Monthly Mentor meetings Friday.
If you have never been to a Monthly Mentor meeting now is a good time to start.

Times are 10 am and 5 pm SLT respectively.

Come Join us at SLVI http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL%20Volunteer%20Island%20W/232/24/0

Got Fleebies?

Do you have something that Mentors can give to new residents? A freebie item that you want to share at the Mentor Fleebie Market?
Vteam has put out a call for items. See http://vteamblog.com/2008/09/15/slvi-freebie-store-needs-new-showcase-items/
Drop by the Fleebie Market at SLVI and take a look
http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL%20Volunteer%20Island%20S/212/42/22
Fleebies is a pay it forward, long standing SL tradition. Let's help keep that tradition alive.

On Disagreeing with Other Mentors

Recently it was brought to my attention that another Mentor disagreed with how some Mentors were actually mentoring, acting, behaving, talking.
One of the things that ensures that we all are on the same page is the Tao http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Tao_of_Volunteers as well as the TOS/CS.
As long as someone adheres to the Tao and is polite and respectful to others; we as Mentors should agree to disagree aka acknowledge each others styles and preferences.

My SL is all about Mentor education and training. I have spent the majority of my SL time helping, assisting, instructing and teaching. Your SL time might not be the same as mine, therefore your results may vary as to your participation or degree of commitment to whatever project you get involved with.

There should never be competition in the Mentor group. It is not necessary and I personally frown upon this behavior. It is not necessary. You can be a part the same as anyone else, volunteer for committees, be a Coach or Buddy, Greet or jump on any HI at any time just like any other mentor. The formula for Mentor success is participation not competition.

If you see a more active Mentor that you want to emulate, why not just ask them to allow you to join in their committees or activities? Everyone can be a part there is so much to do as a Mentor in SL. I spend a great amount of time recruiting Mentors to join this committee or that project and there is always room for more people to help out.
If you want to suggest a project or have an idea about the Mentor program why not take a trip to SLVEC and drop it in the suggestion box? http://slurl.com/secondlife/SLVEC/185/171/22
The Vteam reads all suggestions.

To walk around exclaiming how others are at fault or are involved in things you do not agree with is just not the right way. It is negative and creates animosity.

If you have a problem with the Vteam or if another Mentor is not following the Tao you should follow the process and talk to the Vteam. If the person(s) you are not happy with due to creative differences are not breaking the Tao/TOS/CS in any way, then you need to walk away and go live your SL your own way. You will not agree with everyone. They might not agree with you.
The Mentor program has room for everyone no matter what their style of Mentoring is.
But, if you cannot agree to disagree, I think the Mentor program is not for everyone and it may not be for you. You may want to start your own Help Group and make your own rules. It is a free grid.

Happy Mentoring!

The Week of Learning Sept 12-18

Starting today is the "Week" of Learning. A whole week so that Mentors and students who can't make it on weekends have the opportunity to take part.
Take a look at https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Mainland_Mentor_Coaches_Class_Schedule

Also, Check out http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Weekend_of_Learning

See Simon Kline if you need any direction or have any questions.

Been on the new Help Islands? Do a survey!

Been to a new Help Island?

Please fill out this survey to help Vteam with Help Island feedback.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=fIOeG4YbRpUj1hsMlWR_2fig_3d_3d

Let's share our experiences.

I Dig Image and Text Generators

The rumors are true. I got on the cover of Wired.
You can get your own cover as well.

http://www.magafake.com/

I think it is as funny as a bigfoot sighting. Someone call Leonard Nimoy.

Have some fun with it!

Mentor Projects Currently Going On

Here is a list of new and recent projects which you mind want to browse at your leisure.

https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Second_Life_Mentor_Membership_Renewal

https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Second_Life_Mentor_Inventor_Convention

https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Mentor_Greeter_Infohub_Test

https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Community_Translation_Project

https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Second_Life_Success_Story_Reports

https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Second_Life_Mentor_Group_Pipeline_and_Potential_Plans

Once I get focused again, after a nice relaxing weekend, I will talk about a few of them in more detail.

How to Renew Your Mentor Tag

This just in from Vteam blog http://vteamblog.com/ and the Volunteer Portal http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Second_Life_Mentor_Membership_Renewal

You have to renew your Mentor tag.

How do I do that?
Go to:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Y9Fn7Q2NdZQgObD1ljY7Cw_3d_3d

When is this due?

The Renewal Program begins August 26th, 2008 and the cutoff date is September 30th, 2008.

Who has to do this?

EVERYONE who wants to still be a Mentor after September 30th, 2008.

Why do we have to do this?

Go and read the Vteam blog so I can stop all this typing.

Mentor Meeting this Friday and Possible Rumored Topics

It is rumored that at the Mentor meeting this Friday (Aug 26 10 am and 5 pm slt) there will be new requirements to become a Mentor announced. New Mentor applications have been closed for a short time. When I asked about it I was told there might be a new requirement being announced soon.
I have some ideas based on conversations at George's office hour what direction this may be taking.
Testing is one issue that may be on the menu. Will the testing be for just the Apprentice Mentors or all of us that I cannot say.
Tune in Friday for what sounds like a change in direction and a raising of the bar.

A useful link to give to your friends to study for this proposed test is http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Basic_Questions_and_Answers_for_Volunteer_Candidates

I will not be posting for a week in hopes that I can get some much needed downtime.
I wish all fellow Americans a great Labor Day weekend and to the rest of you, Happy Mentoring!

SecondAbility Mentors

Have you heard about SecondAbility Mentors aka SAM? Let me tell you some things about the group.

The founders of the group are three great people, Saxet Uralia, Charles Mountain and Avignon Beaumont.

Who are SecondAbility Mentors (SAM)?
People interested in helping persons with disabilities join the Second Life community.

What do SecondAbiltity Mentors do?
The mission of the SecondAbility Mentors group is to provide training for dedicated volunteers on how to appropriately assist real-life individuals with disabilities as they gain entrance into and explore Second Life.

In addition, trained SecondAbility Mentors provide encouragement and assistance with a wide variety of issues that residents with disabilities may encounter, including understanding in-world behaviors and overcoming technical issues to the degree possible.

SecondAbility Mentors also provide referral services to residents in helping them find the most appropriate on-going groups and services that will, in turn, support them in overcoming or coping with their particular disabilities as they continue with their Second Life experiences.

How do SecondAbility Mentors differ from Second Life Mentors?
While it takes great patience to be a Second Life Mentor, this will be even more important for the SecondAbility Mentors. Residents with disabilities will have a wide variety of assistive devices and applications to help them with the use of their computers. Often they will type slower and the orientation period will take longer. With these points in mind we are looking for residents with a passion to help those who can be a wonderful asset to our community.

How can I find out more about the SecondAbility Mentors?
Visit our wiki page at: https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/SecondAbility_Mentors for more information or contact one of the founding officers inworld.

More info and links:

Virtual Ability http://slurl.com/secondlife/Virtual%20Ability/128/128/23

SecondAbility Mentor Code of Conduct Wiki http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/SecondAbility_Mentors_Code_of_Conduct

SecondAbility Membership Agreement Wikihttp://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/SecondAbility_Mentors_Membership_Agreement

Complete the agreement http://www.secondabilitymentors.org/agree.cfm

Under Construction:http://sites.secondabilitymentors.org/

If you think you can be an asset to the group follow the directions and sign up or IM any of the Officers; Saxet, Charles and Avignon for more info.

Great Idea and Glad I could help spread the word!

The Mentor Fleebie Market

After much work our "Fleebie Market" has been opened on SLVI http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL%20Volunteer%20Island%20S/180/72/21
This is a real resource for Mentors and a gift from us to us.
If you have not taken a moment to stop by and shop, please come take a look.
Also if you have any items to share; check out the store guidelines
http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Volunteer_Freebie_Store_Guidelines

Happy Mentoring!

The New Help Islands

The new Help Islands are up and running. To find them please go to Map and type in Help Island. They are numbered 200- 230. Some old type still appear. Also the Orientation Islands are gone (about time) and we now have to try to do our volunteering in just the HI format.

If you have any feedback please leave your ideas here.

I like the new HI concept and have been spending some time there getting a feel for the new Freebie board there and the mood of the new people coming into the area. So far it looks good.

You read the book, now see the movie

Code made this great video. Azriahl Hax's song is a great tune. Enjoy!

Rezz Day Party Recap

I had a great time at my 4th Rezzday Party. I have a better and bigger party each year.
Thank all of you for making it great. Over 100 of you came by to visit and wish me well. I am very lucky to have such great friends. Mentors and non mentors alike came by to shake a tail feather and enjoy the 12 hours (OMG!) of music and mayhem.
I am flattered and humbled, thank you all!

My 4th Rezzday and friends

When someone has a Rezzday or Rezziversary I usually give a gift of some sort. My friend Rails, he built me the Playboy Mansion SL style. I have my own Rails edition Playboy mansion currently located at my Rezzday Party location http://slurl.com/secondlife/FairChang%20Expo/96/75/24
Make sure you come by and take a look at this great gift from my friend.

The theme for tomorrow's party is Playboy Mansion. Blatantly.

On my 4th Rezzday which is today I have a small message. One that is as true today as it was on day 1 of SL for me. It is what you make of it.
For me these last 4 years have been all about meeting people, experiencing the grid and all it has to offer and last but not least, service. When something is as great and wondrous as this community we have helped forge, one feels the need to be a part.
So there it is folks, my message of the day. Enjoy, and be a part.

Cya at the party!!! (tomorrow 1 PM SLT till everyone logs the hell off)

REZZday Party info

Rezzday party will be from 1 pm slt till we all log out.
The Friday night protest will be at Fairchang Expo at 7 pm SLT
http://slurl.com/secondlife/FairChang%20Expo/96/75/24

Drop by and say Hi!

Reminder: Vteam Blog New Coach Reqs and Q&A with Blue Monday

http://vteamblog.com/2008/07/31/coaches-20-begins-tomorrow/

Monday, August 4, 2008 at 2pm SL Time there will be a Q&A session with Blue Linden about the changes coming related to the Orientation Islands and the future of the new user experience. http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL%20Volunteer%20Island%20W/249/12/35

Rezzday Bash Friday August 8th

Its almost time for my 4th rezziversary/rezz day. I have been very fortunate and my dear friends Pituca and Garth Fairchang have lent me the use of Fairchang Expo. I am most humbled by this kind gift. Fairchang Expo is a lovely sim. Thank you so much Pituca and Garth!!!

Please join me on Friday August 8th (time yet to be determined) at http://slurl.com/secondlife/FairChang%20Expo/96/75/24

Bring your friends, your partners and anyone who wants to meet someone who has been on SL for 4 years.

It should be a great time.

I cannot believe it has been 4 years!

I know everyone says that.

For any info about the party IM Rails Bailey or myself.

Thanks for making my SL great.

The Bad Tempered Former Mentor

We all have met someone like this. A former Mentor who has issues with the Vteam. Has issues with the Mentor Program. Has issues with Second Life. Cannot ever be pleased, appeased or learn when to just find something that makes them happy and move on.
In my Mentor career I have met loads of this kind of person. My advise to you is to be kind but be firm! If you are negative with them, they win. They want to turn you off on Mentoring. The "misery loves company"!

The bad tempered former Mentor is also a real hit with the rest of the SL community. Bringing joylessness, discord and divisiveness wherever they go. To other LL employees, office hours, SL5B, Welcome Areas and any place they can go to spout their junk.

They are going to have to Google their own name and read the blogs about the crap they perpetuated. They are going to have to fight with everyone they know just to be right. They are going to have to hang out on the Vteam blog and reconstruct a group and the groups activities they no longer are involved with. They cannot move on. Feel bad for them? I know I do.

Again my advise to you is not to sink to their level. Do not get into it with them. It is a "hi" and "bye" situation.

The bad tempered former Mentor is not going to change. Nothing you can say can get them focused enough to realize that what they are saying sucks and is not being said for you but for them to try and justify why they are no longer a Mentor. I am glad people like this are not Mentors anymore. We don't need them, we don't want them and we can only hope they find something in Second Life they enjoy.

Remember your Tao of Volunteers, wish them well and then hold up standards. Ones they cannot even begin to understand.

Happy Mentoring! (or not)

Re: Updated Mentor Roles Update

From Vteam blog:

Mentor Group Roles
Second Life Mentors group has thousands of members and numerous roles to help Mentors participate in specialized areas of help. The Second Life Apprentice group offers roles for Mentors as well. These roles have their own wiki pages that offer in depth information and a sign up link. Mentors are added to roles about once a week so please allow that length of time to be added.
Please note: Roles are available to you once are accepted into the official Second Life Mentors group. Apprentice Mentors are not eligible yet.
Mentor Coach
This Coach role within the Mentors group is for Mentors to help other Mentors learn skills. Classes vary and are basic to advanced sessions. Please look over the classes offered and attend one if you want! The information about being a Mentor Coach as well as the Classes Offered page can be found on Mentors Teaching Mentors and Volunteer Sponsored Classes wiki pages.
Mentor Buddies
This role is for experienced Mentors to help guide newer Mentors with advice, tips and general issues related to volunteering.If you would like to find a buddy: Look in the Buddy Shop area of SLVEC. Look for an online Mentor Buddy and send them an IM. If they are available to be your Mentor Buddy..you are all set! If you are interested in this role please read here: SL Volunteer Mentor Buddies
Mentor Linguists
As Second Life grows, its resident pool becomes more diverse. To accommodate changes such as the expansion of languages used, Second Life Mentors has a specific role set up called Linguists. Linguists offer language specific assistance on the Help Islands, OI’s, in IM. Some Linguists also translate public wiki pages into their native language. Translation Project . If you are bilingual and are interested in the Linguist role in Second Life Mentors please read here: SL Volunteer Mentor Linguists
Mentor Scribes
Mentor Scribes are well-versed, seasoned volunteers within the group who are willing to be contacted directly by other volunteers for assistance in writing, wiki development, and wiki collaboration. This is entirely an opt-in role and may bear extra responsibility, but for many of you who are already wiki smart, this role will grant you acknowledgment for your contributions.
If you would like to be in the Mentor Scribe role please read more here: SL Volunteer Mentor Scribes
Mentor Greeters
Mentor Greeters are WA, OI and HI specialists. They are the welcomers, nurturers and helpers. Though they specialize in those four places, it’s only because there are more new residents to be found there, but this is also the role for those mentors who welcome people from their back yards. Greeters may also participate in A/B testing conducted by various Lindens when the need arises. Read more about this role here: SL Mentor Greeters
Second Life Mentor Apprentice Group Roles
Experienced Second Life Mentors may want to take on an optional role in the Apprentice group. This group is dedicated to helping eligible residents get ready to be approved Second Life Mentors through classes and Buddy shadowing.
Apprentice Buddies
Apprentice Mentors are required to receive a voucher from an Apprentice Buddy in order to be placed into the Second Life Mentors group. The role of Apprentice Buddy in the Mentor Apprentices group is made up of volunteers from the official Mentor group. These Buddies are able to offer ’shadowing experiences’ to Apprentices to provide a layer of experience prior to entering the official Mentor group. Once the shadowing experience is completed, the Apprentice Buddy sends a voucher to VTeam reflecting the Apprentice’s completion of the shadowing experience. The Apprentice Buddy role is an entirely opt-in role offered to Buddies within the official Mentor group.
Please note: This role is only available to official Mentors who are already in the Buddy role. Read more here: Buddy Shadowing
OCoaches
Apprentice Mentors are required to attend one orientation session in order to be placed into the Second Life Mentors group. The role of OCoach in the Mentor Apprentices group is made up of volunteers from the official Mentor group. These OCoaches are able to offer a one hour session that will give a wealth of information, guidance, and links to volunteer resources. OCoaches may also do these sessions in languages other than English. Please read here: OCoach Information

Outstanding Mentors of the Quarter

It is with great pleasure that I congratulate the Outstanding Mentors for the second quarter of 2008.

Arian Writer
Jezzie McCellan
Scotts Winkler
Simon Kline
Till Pierce
Valorster Beaumont

and me

You can help recognize your fellow Mentors. Every quarter you have the ability to nominate an Outstanding Mentor. Keep an eye on notices and the Vteam blog for when nominating begins.

Thanks for all your hard work!

Mental Mentors

As we go into Summer 2008 Mental Mentors is at over 850 members strong. I look forward to having by Winter time over 1,000 Mental Mentors. We are a resource and a place to go to kick back and be a Mentor with other Mentors. If you need advise, help, some people to hear you out, we are there for that.

With 100 new Mentors being added per week, we should be well on our way to recruit in some more interesting people into our group.

If you know of a new Mentor who you feel likes spam, chat and the company of other Mentors, holler out to them to ask for an invitation. Any MM officer can invite or Rails and I are always available for invite requests or questions.

Update New Coach and Buddy Role Requirements

After meeting with George Linden this week we were informed that there will be new requirements for all Mentor Coaches and Buddies in order to retain the role.

For Coach role please read this updated Wiki entry http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Second_Life_Mentor_Coaches

For Buddy role the following was discussed; Mentor Buddies may have to do a Buddy Speech to retain title and Apprentice Buddies will have to do a Shadowing experience to retain role.

This will most likely be a topic at next week's Monthly Mentor meeting
Friday, July 25- 10AM SL Time, SLVI Center Stage
5PM SL Time, SLVI Center Stage

If this topic is important to you might be worth dropping in and giving Vteam some feedback.

Review-Abuse Reporting/Calling for a Linden

Recently the Mentor channel has been full of Abuse Report chat and calling for a Linden.
Since we have new folks again joining our ranks, I decided to go back over these subjects.

Abuse reporting is a ticketed system. There are more elements then the actual violation that has occurred. The area the violation is reported from is an element. Filing an AR as soon as you decided TOS/CS has been broken is the quickest way to have the issue(s) addressed. The Gteam Lindens work the ticketed system from "filed" tickets. If you see a violation of the Terms of Service or Community Standards, REPORT IT!

When you go to Orientation we tell you not to "call for a Linden" in the group channel/chat.

The reason we tell you this is because Lindens do not monitor the chat and cannot use it to respond as (read the above paragraph) they work off a ticketed response/support system for matters of Abuse and Support.

This allows Linden employees to keep track of what they are responding to. Which allows tracking of report issues of abuse and support.

Report ARs if you see them. Do not call for a Linden in the group channel.

If you have any questions please find a Mentor Buddy (including myself) and we would be glad to further clarify the quickest ways to get the assistance you need.

Happy Mentoring.

Mentor Past or How I Started Mentoring in a Virtual World

My first virtual world was not Second Life. It was There. I arrived all newbied and ready to go.I wandered around There looking at the sites and meeting up with people. I went to parties and danced like a robot. One day I had questions and I met Alliez. That was over 4 years ago.

One day in Second Life I saw someone in group chat answer a question. This person was also named Alliez. Coincidence? I IMed her and sure enough it was Alliez from There. Alliez Mysterio was my Mentor from There. She ran a group called Newbie Haven. I became a Newbie Haven helper and Alliez recruited me. I spent the majority of my time wandering around the newbie areas helping people out in There. Alliez left There and moved on to SL and shortly there after so did I and some of my friends. The rest is SL history.

Whenever I see Alliez it takes me back to my Mentor past. At closing speeches for SL5B I saw her standing near the podium. I IMed and said hi. It was great to chat with her and catch up on her Second Life.

Thanks for being my Mentor Alliez!

Go out and be inspirational!!

Mentor Future Mentor Past

Ever summer my rezzday approaches. Every year when it draws near I take some time and evaluate where I have been in Second Life and where I am going.

Each year I am a Mentor the Volunteer roles take on new meaning and added dimensions. Often people ask me, "Doc is the Mentor program still worth your time?" I always say "YES!" If you walked a mile in my avatar's shoes you would have seen something evolve that continues to bring me back again and again.

Our roles in the Mentor program have never been more exciting and collaborated.
In the future we can expect for the Mentor program to be expanded to include new roles and new goals.

When I talk to our Vteam about the possibilities for our involvement in the future of Second Life, we often wax nostalgic. Remember when... The goals of the past set the stage for the goals of the future. Our collective experiences in Second Life inspire us to want to go out in the community and spread our good will and knowledge to those who will benefit from it.

So as my rezzday approaches I am glad to be here with all of you. Let's show our enthusiasm out there in the community. We are truly examples of the great experience that can be had in the Second Life Community. We should be proud of our work and our Second Lives.

Happy 4th!

Big Bear Alert!

Mia Linden has made a HUGE SL5B Bear. If there were not a reason to go to SL5B already there is now. You can buy this huge bear for 0L at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Second%20Life%20Birthday/9/65/23
We protested the huge bear and got a little crazy on Sunday.
When you get your bear IM Mia and tell her what a great job she did.
Tell her she is beary good!

Mentor Group Roles

http://vteamblog.com/mentor-group-roles/

Vteam has kindly posted what our group roles definitions are.
I am in a number of Mentor roles and I wear a lot of hats. Many of you do too.

I am glad we all can wear these hats to help each other and other residents.

I look forward to more Mentor roles.

If you need any info about becoming a Mentor Buddy, OCoach/Apprentice Buddy, Coach or Greeter please IM me.

I would be glad to assist you with choosing a role or several of them.

Happy Mentoring!

SL5B Report

I have been working security and being a tourist around SL5B since Monday when it opened.

Every year this event is a unique look inside the resident created content in SL.

Thanks this year go to fellow Mentors Shoshana Epsilon, Evie Fairchild, SignpostMarv Martin, Misty Rhodes and Will Webb.

Special thanks to Dusty Linden, Meghan Dench and Trinity Coulter.

If you have not found the SL5B Linden Bear, it is located at http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL5B%20Rezzed/128/128/0

A list of events is available here http://creator.zoho.com/showViewLinkAlone.do?viewlinkId=8&link=true&sharedBy=dustylinden

Don't miss out on this piece of SL history. You have till July 7th to come on down and view your community and meet residents you may not otherwise get a chance to meet.

Discover SL!