Chancellor's Meeting

[Trebor Warcliffe]

My fellow citizens:

I'm overdue in holding a Chancellor's meeting so I've decided to host one this Wednesday June 27th 2012 at 2pm SLT at my wonderful new home in Alpine Meadows.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/A ... 193/135/98

I've included in this post one of the main topics of discussion I'd like to talk about with everyone. Please contribute to this forum posting whether or not you'll be able to attend the meeting. I may be adding other bits and pieces of information to this forum post as the days go by but I felt it was important for me to get this posted to give everyone time to prepare for the meeting and/or contribute to the posting.

Obviously a very serious issue that needs to be discussed is increasing our citizenship. Here are ideas from myself and other members of our community.

Here are the facts:
• It is estimated that total private estate landmass on the grid will see about a 10% loss this year

• Many estates are financially supported by an individual or small group of individuals and are not self sufficient

• Most likely, there are disenfranchised people left behind

• Many of these people may have great ideas, projects, etc that would fit well within our community but do not have the financial means to make it happen

• We have public use buildings that these people could make use of and all that is required is for them to be a citizen. So they own a small parcel, or larger if they want, save money by not having to finance the upkeep of a facility for their project and we in turn gather new citizens along with new activities

• The CDS is one of the oldest, established communities in Second Life

• The CDS is the oldest democratic, self-governed community in Second Life

• As a democratic, self-governed community no one individual profits off of the revenue and all proceeds go back into the community which allows us to survive during the downtimes

• We need to capitalize on the facts listed above and let people know across the grid about us

Possible solutions:
• Regularly held events attract people and form a sense of community

o The For Fortuna event was a great success at a minimal cost, one themed event a month advertised on the SL Events Calendar
o Razzy has brought up the idea of a monthly market event similar to a farmers market or a flea market. This can be used to promote our own businesses and attract other businesses.
o Contest events such as the 7Seas Fishing Tournament and our new archery set

• Work on articles to be submitted to popular in-world publications, blogs, academic journals

o The Best of Second Life (BOSL) magazine did a write-up for our MoCA exhibition in January. Very popular magazine owned by Frolic Mills who also owns the Mr. and Mrs. Virtual World, a modeling academy, and some other ventures.
o Prim Perfect is Second Life’s premier Home & Garden publication. They also have a steampunk magazine and a television show. Prim Perfect is actively looking for news articles
o New World Notes is a blog by Wagner James Au that gets about 150k page views a month, with about 20-30k monthly visitors

• Explore the possibility of advertising or media partnerships with the publications listed above or other outlets that I’m not familiar with.

• Explore in-world marketing ideas
o Shep has worked with a shopping mall to place one of our CDS Multi Info Kiosks in their common area. Shopping centers usually don’t have residential areas so this is good exposure without any conflicts of interest. We should continue building on these opportunities
o New World Notes publishes a monthly Top 25 Second Life Most Popular Sims and recently they’ve published two, one with adult sims and one without adult sims.

http://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/2012/06/top-25 ... -2012.html

Explore types of advertising in these areas such as billboards

Here are the links for some of the information I’ve provided plus other links I’ve found interesting that may help us
http://www.primperfect.net/
http://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/
http://designingworlds.wordpress.com/ad ... onsorship/
http://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/2012/01/want-t ... notes.html
http://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/2012/06/second ... -land.html
http://www.gridsurvey.com/
http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/favorite-places/
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/A ... 193/135/98

Thank you,

Trebor Warcliffe

[Shep]

Hi Treb .. meeting should be fine with me .. give me a heads up if you can thx .. I quite like the prim perfect idea .. maybe they could do an article on us? And the activities are all good ideas lets hope you have enough chairs!

[Ranma Tardis]

Treb, when will the day come when we stop disenfranchising citizens and forcing them to leave? I heard a citizen wanted a garden lot in Neuf but it is kinjilu. Could not an accommodation be reached? Blindly enforcing the rules is destructive. Sent you an IM but no response thus this message.

[Trebor Warcliffe]

Ranma,

I suggest you check your chat log because I did respond to your IM while you were online and you never replied back.

[2012/06/27 16:58] Ranma Tardis: (Saved Wed Jun 27 19:05:22 2012)my friend I found out that a citizen was forced out because she had a empty lot as a garden, is this true?
[2012/06/27 16:58] Second Life: <nolink>Ranma Tardis</nolink> is Online
[2012/06/27 16:59] Trebor Warcliffe: No that is not true

I also would kindly ask you that unless you receive a complaint directly from the person in question than don’t assume what you hear is true. History has shown in the CDS how words can be taken out of context or changed completely. Removing the name of the individual here is the chat transcript. Also my email is well known in the community, [email protected] so next time instead of throwing false accusations into the forum please email me or double check your IM. I hope the information provided will answer your concerns and that we can move beyond this and continue our working relationship.

[2012/05/20 19:11] Trebor Warcliffe: I have a rather delicate situation that I need your help with. You may or may not want to help with it but at least we can talk about it. Fair enough?

[2012/05/20 19:12] XXXXXX: sure im at a dance right now....but go ahead

[2012/05/20 19:14] Trebor Warcliffe: When NFS was set up all of the parcels were set up with fachewerk for a reason. There were no gardens like the one on the parcel you purchased a while back. Taking that into consideration would you be able to clear the garden so a fachwerk could be placed back? This is NOT a if you dont do this than this wil happen quesstion. This is me just asking if you'd be willing to do it since it shouldnt have happened in the first place. So PLEASE dont take it as me trying to force you to do something you dont want to. Thank you

[2012/05/20 19:16] Trebor Warcliffe: Also if you tell me no than it will end there it wont be a case of well I asked nicely ansd she didnt want to do it so now ill bring it to the RA Im NOT like that

[2012/05/20 19:17] Trebor Warcliffe: this is purely up to you

[2012/05/20 19:17] Trebor Warcliffe: no pressure

[2012/05/20 19:17] XXXXXX: hummm have people complained about the garden...??

[2012/05/20 19:18] Trebor Warcliffe: I have had a few complaints yes, that is why I'm approaching you about it in this matter. keeping everythign friendly

[2012/05/20 19:18] Trebor Warcliffe: I DONT have people threatenign to leave or anything like that

[2012/05/20 19:18] XXXXXX: I do own that peice of property and if you put a house back on it then I would own that house is that correct?

[2012/05/20 19:20] Trebor Warcliffe: You would "own" the house in the respect of as long as you own the parcel it's your house. The house itself wouldnt be in your name unless you wanted to actually purchase it. I do know we have some inexpensive fachwerk available if you do want to purchase one but other than that one would be placed on the parcel for your use.

[2012/05/20 19:21] XXXXXX: can you give me some time to think about this Treb....I would appreciate that instead of just getting hit out of the blue and half to make a decision....

[2012/05/20 19:22] Trebor Warcliffe: Of course

[2012/05/20 19:22] Trebor Warcliffe: I am in no hurry

[2012/05/20 19:22] Trebor Warcliffe: It is just something I needed to address adn I have. Let me know what you decide when you decide it.

[2012/05/20 19:22] XXXXXX: thank you.....

[2012/05/20 19:23] Trebor Warcliffe: Also in the meantime some of your plants are actually floating in the air so you may want to use the camera view and plant them into the ground lol.

[2012/05/20 19:23] Trebor Warcliffe: Thank you and enjoy the rest of your evening.

[2012/05/21 09:43] XXXXXX: (Saved Mon May 21 00:21:59 2012)Trebor the land has been cleaned off.....I would like it left cleaned off and not put a fachwerk on the land as I've been in SL for a year now and there never was a fachwerk there. Gilly owned the property before me and he had a wild garden with a swing set there and that was the reason I rented the house that Cleo showed me....I like the idea of looking out to the garden so when I rented that space I wanted to have a season garden changing it with the seaons.

[2012/05/21 09:43] XXXXXX: (Saved Mon May 21 00:26:16 2012)but it people are complaining they dont have to anymore as its all been removed and back to original land. If and when I move then you can put the fachwerk back but please not until then. I really don't think that would be right to just place an empty building there on what I pay rent for each mothn. So I appreciate you concern about the garden and have done as you wish now I hope you will honor my request and leave the land bare. Thank you

[2012/05/21 09:43] Second Life: <nolink>XXXXXX</nolink> is Online

[2012/05/21 09:44] Trebor Warcliffe: I have no problem leaving the property bare. If you decide to place it up for sale please let me know ahead of time so I can place a build at that time. I truly appreciate your cooperation with this. If there is anything I can help you with please let me know. Trebor

[2012/05/21 09:45] XXXXXX: I will Trebor.....

[2012/05/21 18:13] XXXXXX: (Saved Mon May 21 17:31:51 2012)Hi Trebor, you can put a building on that property now....it's up for sale as is the house in front and the porperty over on P410 NW....I collected all my belongings and set the land for sale.....will not be renewing for the month of June....

[Ranma Tardis]

You missed what I was saying my friend. We lost a citizen over ultra strict interpretation of the rules. You could of given her a variance. You could of held a hearing, etc.

[Shep]

You missed what I was saying my friend. We lost a citizen over ultra strict interpretation of the rules. You could of given her a variance. You could of held a hearing, etc.

Ranma the lady in question was my friend .. but with the best will in the world the covenant clearly states there should be a building there .. so a hearing would'nt do it .. it would have had to been a change in covenant by the RA and certified by the SC ... things are'nt done by whim .. one day you may be grateful of that .. I would like to add however .. that ALL citizens should be made to abide by the covenants they agree to be bound by on purchase .

[Ranma Tardis]

You missed what I was saying my friend. We lost a citizen over ultra strict interpretation of the rules. You could of given her a variance. You could of held a hearing, etc.

Ranma the lady in question was my friend .. but with the best will in the world the covenant clearly states there should be a building there .. so a hearing would'nt do it .. it would have had to been a change in covenant by the RA and certified by the SC ... things are'nt done by whim .. one day you may be grateful of that .. I would like to add however .. that ALL citizens should be made to abide by the covenants they agree to be bound by on purchase .

So we lose citizens, it is a reason our numbers our so low. I quickly put a fach on my empty lot

[Trebor Warcliffe]

You missed what I was saying my friend. We lost a citizen over ultra strict interpretation of the rules. You could of given her a variance. You could of held a hearing, etc.

Ranma,
Did you read the transcript? Please point out to me where there was a "ultra strict interpretation of the rules"? I DID NOT enforce any rules. I explained to her what the situation was and I STRESSED to her the decision to correct the error was purely up to her.

This is NOT a if you dont do this than this wil happen quesstion. This is me just asking if you'd be willing to do it since it shouldnt have happened in the first place. So PLEASE dont take it as me trying to force you to do something you dont want to. Thank you
[2012/05/20 19:16] Trebor Warcliffe: Also if you tell me no than it will end there it wont be a case of well I asked nicely ansd she didnt want to do it so now ill bring it to the RA Im NOT like that
[2012/05/20 19:17] Trebor Warcliffe: this is purely up to you
[2012/05/20 19:17] Trebor Warcliffe: no pressure

If you read the transcript carefully I think you will see that my mistake was by being honest to the citizen in question when they asked me if people were complaining about her garden. I answered truthfully and told her yes a few had complained. After I made that disclosure is when things seemed to go downhill from there.

There are many reasons we have lost citizens, there are many reasons why entire estates have disappeared from the SL grid and other estates have downsized, we are not the only community dealing with a decreased population. I'm sure airing out our dirty laundry on these forums turns some people off among other things. So instead of dwelling on the past and trying to change things that can't be changed let all of us come together as one united group with the same purpose, to bring the CDS back to its prominence it once enjoyed or at least bring it back to a healthy level.

I take my duties as Chancellor very seriously and sometimes I have to deal with problems or situations that I didn't create; problems that were created before I was ever Chancellor; problems that citizens have asked me to take care of by electing me. There may even be problems or issues that I disagree with on a personal level but as an elected official I have to take care of because it is my duty.

Trebor

[Tanoujin Milestone]

Dear Ranma, I see your point, really! But please remember what makes NFS unique - it is its concept of design, and there is much more behind it than just the covenant. Please take a deep breath and take the time to follow this link here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rothenburg_ob_der_Tauber
That is the model used to design NFS. Look at the pictures and compare - don't we have a really cool Sim, not just fantasy, but as good as and nevertheless independent of RL? If you look at that, it can give you the courage to build wall on wall to your neighbor - because it is the right thing! It can give you all kind of ideas. But all inspiration needs some limits to get this little something called persuasive power, there is a certain framework that needs to be respected.
And now you could say: there is the picture of an old house with a garden in that article, so I am right and you are wrong. But Ranma, do you know how many rentable Fachwerk plots we got in NFS? About 45. About 5 of them are big enough to have a Fachwerk plus a little garden. And this is the right relation of representation. This kind of city can contain 5 such plots without getting out of relation.
Now, please, forget one moment about the personal stuff. There is a Fachwerk-plot. There should be a Fachwerk on it. There is no room for a house plus garden. And nothing but a garden is not the right thing here.
In contrary to that, your parcel outside the walls can have a house or not, can have a garden or not, it does not need such a strict rule to stay in theme.
Please calm down. I am as sorry as you. But Trebor has my support here. His actions were absolutely correct. Have a nice day, friend.

[Ranma Tardis]

The RA could pass a special law an exception for one lot. A few gardens would look nice. how to decide well make a limit and first come first serve.

Remember these are just my thoughts not an attack upon anyone or pointing the finger. Just think if we were a little flexible it would help. Then again I may be way out of line. If people like it things will change if not then it will not.

[Rosie Gray]

I just wanted to say that I do understand your concerns, Ranma. We don't want to lose citizens, and it's important to remember that people have their own ideas about what they want to do with their property. However, I too support Trebor in what he did. I think he was trying to be sensitive to the individual, while pointing out what the covenant clearly indicates.

One of the very best things about the CDS, to me, is Neufreistadt. I love it's little meandering streets and close packed buildings. The medieval walls and the scale of the place, and yes, even the MoCa which stands out so differently from the rest of the town, make it seem very realistic to me. It evokes the historical and the modern that we find in our real world. I feel that it is important to keep to our covenants because that is what makes this place that we all love unique.

Perhaps it is a sad fact that there are a lot of people who do not want to abide by our covenants, or that really don't care that they exist in the first place. This is true in the real world, so why would it be any less in SL?

Let's keep to our covenants so that everyone can enjoy the fruits of our collective efforts, the way they are envisioned and fought for through the community.

With kindly regards,
Rosie