Open proposal for CDS and Cedar Island

[Tanoujin Milestone]

Dear fellows,
on behalf of Cadence I post the following proposal to your notice and further discussion

Dear members of CDS and Cedar Island,

I am writing out of a concern for the two communities that I have known for so long (I was a resident of Cedar Island for four years, and before that I lived in Alpine Meadow, and have recently returned to CDS) and for which I have an enormous affection.

Cedar Island, this wonderful experiment of an academic and spiritual community as well as the amazing Music Island, and CDS, the construction of a way of co-living in a virtual world with all of the social principles that we value, are both confronting uncertain futures. In fact, at the end of this month, Cedar Island may no longer exist, although there is a strong desire for the group to continue. And the number of yellow spots on the CDS map is of concern to all.

The two communities are very very compatible, in fact, some of us belong to both.

I talked to several people about an idea that I had, and that I would like to present to both communities for discussion.

The CDS sim with the greatest number of vacancies is LA, and there has been a lot of discussion what to do with it: turn it into a homestead, let it go, try to reform it. The proposal I want to present is that the RA and chancellor invite the people from Cedar Island to join CDS and continue with the Cedar Island group but in LA, and to widen the harbor so that it can include the very appreciated Music Island. The Cedar Island members would be fully integrated members of CDS if they so chose, but with the additional mission of the academic and spiritual growth represented by Cedar Island which also may be of interest to many others.

This way, the vision of Cedar Island joins the social experiment of CDS, and I think both communities will benefit greatly.

Maybe the leadership of CDS could establish spaces for dialogue and invite the people from CDS and Cedar Island to see if this idea is viable.

Thank you for reading my message.

Un abrazo ,

Cadence Theas

[Gwyneth Llewelyn]

Sounds good to me

[Sudane Erato]

This seems like a wonderful idea to me! Let's certainly pursue it. We are already discussing re-shaping LA around new ideas, so why not take an idea, and a community, with some history? What better to demonstrate the "past and future" (the theme of SL10B) of the CDS and its friends.

Sudane................................

[Patroklus Murakami]

Definitely worth exploring. I was sad to see that Cedar might have to close soon and thought that, in particular, CDS would be well placed to hold the Music Island concerts as we have several locations that would work for that.

If we were able to provide a home for Cedar residents too, that would be beneficial for both communities I feel.

[Pip Torok]

I fully support this initiative.

Pip Torok

[Callipygian]

Good to see people expressing support, so let's talk some details

I think there are two things that warrant discussion:

It is my understanding that residence on Cedar Island was not a buy land/pay set tier arrangement, but was a voluntary donation system. If that is correct (and if it is not, just ignore the next part!) then it is important that anyone moving to CDS know up front that they will be purchasing a parcel and paying monthly tier. In return, of course, they will become citizens of CDS and can participate in its democratic processes as much or as little as they wish, while still welcome to maintain their Cedar Island group and its activities.

The desire to keep Music Island is a discussion matter, but I think only in deciding whether it would be a public space, usable by all citizens or a private group-maintained space that would then require payment of some tier. Use of land is a Chancellor matter, and if he or she feels an island in a somewhat re-terraformed harbour is a suitable use i would expect that he or she will present a plan for making that happen. The benefit of an island venue is that at a distance, it can appear quite in keeping with covenants while allowing a little more flexibility on the actual island itself. That said, Music Islands current openair amphitheatre design would probably pass covenant scrutiny.

Music island appears to use less than 500 prims, so again, the main question would be is it to be a public space (which may mean reassigning some prims from other public areas) or a private tier-paying parcel.

As a personal observation, the terrain and feel of Cedar Island suggests that some of its residents might find Alpine Meadows, Monastery or the natural area behind Neufreistadt more appealing as a home. I'd encourage everyone to look at all parcels that are available, as opposed to thinking in terms of the group moving to LA. Perhaps, if this seems to be moving forward, we can have a real estate open house night, with tours of the parcels, dancing girls, candy floss and so on

Finally, if any of the residents of Cedar Island are reading these forums and would like to be part of the discussion, please drop me a note in-world to let me know that you would like to join and include an e-mail address. I will be happy to register you so that you can participate.

Calli

[Nolligan]

I agree with the consensus that appears to be developing here that it is a matter worth investigating.

If Cedar Island is closing soon we will have to act accordingly.

[Rosie Gray]

I think this is a great way to add new blood to the CDS while helping to maintain another historical group in SL that could blend quite well with our group. Love it!

[Cadence Theas]

I want to express my appreciation to all of the positive responses so far. I think that this is a very doable proposal and even more after having read the comments so far.

I have one comment and one suggestion that might offer some options and points to consider.

A democracy is a governance structure within which one finds many different social groupings, interest groups, identity communities (ethnic, religious, sexual orientation, culture, etc.), and activities which separately or together do not threaten that structure. To the contrary, the capacity of a democratic governance structure to accommodate difference without losing its governance mission is one measure of the maturity of that structure. In this regard, the inclusion of Cedar Island is not, in principle something anathema to CDS, and it is the very difference that enriches the democratic experience in CDS.

The suggestion is that if all the parties agree to pursue the idea of inviting Cedar Island to be part of CDS, we should try to keep it simple, in recognition of the governance idea I mentioned above. This is not a case of creating a privileged class, or bending rules to accommodate a specific group, rather that if we regulate all of our social and political relationships, we begin to lose the very humanity that makes these sorts of relationships special. Cedar Island is as special as CDS, albeit for different reasons. We should celebrate both, and see how to integrate both without losing the characteristics that make both unique.

Un abrazo

Cadence

[mikeloserevi]

I think it's a wonderful idea. I've long been a fan of Cedar and its folk, and of Music Island. If we can have some discussion about what expectations are all around I'm sure we'll see ways to meld our communities. I'm also sure there are a few more options besides telling them to join the CDS if they wish.

[Sudane Erato]

This is not a case of creating a privileged class, or bending rules to accommodate a specific group, rather that if we regulate all of our social and political relationships, we begin to lose the very humanity that makes these sorts of relationships special.

Well, the CDS can hardly be accused of regulating all of our social and political relationships, no matter how much we are prone to arguments. I think the core matters which our government involves itself in are (1) the definition of citizenship (which now can hardly be simpler), (2) the careful management of our money (which is a universal imperative no matter what the organization), and (3) the use of our land, both public and private, for its satisfactory enjoyment by everyone. A new group of folks joining us would doubtless have to fit in with our existing procedures for (1) and (2).

I think that (3) presents the real opportunity for creative thinking and welcoming expressions. We've already discussed re-working LA. What better expression of welcome than to modify plans for a re-working of LA, or any other area of the estate, to combine both the needs and values of both new folks and our existing citizens? Taking the point of view of the status quo and existing history, LA stands between interesting elements; the ancient Roman culture of Germany, the mountainous alpine environment, and the sea. Taking that interesting mix, and putting it on the table with what the Cedar Island folks might like to see incorporated, would probably produce an exciting opportunity. And an important thing to keep in mind... if this should happen, and the people of the Cedar island join the people of the CDS, before too many months it will be simply one community.

Sudane......................................

[Rosie Gray]

I've been advised that Music Island events will be relocating to Virtlantis in SL; I for one am glad to hear that they found another venue so quickly. Perhaps there might be interest from the rest of the Cedar Island group to find a home in CDS - others would know more about that.