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