Second Life Bar Association Meeting TranscriptMarch 14, 2009
Transcript taken by Cat Galileo
[10:00] Legal Writer: Hello, Everyone.
[10:01] Legal Writer: Let's get started.
[10:01] TelLagu Swords: Greetings!
[10:01] Soro Dagostino: Are you using sound?
[10:01] Stavrogin Grayman: Hello everyone
[10:02] Cat Galileo: no sound here
[10:02] Legal Writer: We usually run our meetings in text in part to have a transcript so that people not present can catch up.
[10:02] Soro Dagostino: Hmmmm
[10:02] TelLagu Swords: I just hear the clock ticking...somwhere...
[10:02] Legal Writer: In any case, let's start with our agenda.
[10:03] Legal Writer: Our agenda is first to discuss the premises in which we meet.
[10:03] Legal Writer: Next, we will discuss the status of incorporation of the association.
[10:03] Soro Dagostino: Question
[10:03] Legal Writer: After that, third, we will have an update on credentialing.
[10:03] Legal Writer: Hi, Soro. What's your question?
[10:03] Vivienne Savira accepted your inventory offer.
[10:03] Soro Dagostino: It will hold
[10:03] Legal Writer: OK.
[10:04] Legal Writer: Fourth, we will have an update on the speaker series that the association hosts for CLE credit.
[10:04] Legal Writer: And finally, I will give the status of seeking volunteers.
[10:05] Legal Writer: So, the first item on the list, premises. I want first to thank Cat and her landlord for allowing us to use these premises. Thank you!
[10:05] Soro Dagostino: Question
[10:05] Cat Galileo: thanks to Avalon/Tabula rasa
[10:05] Legal Writer: This Court room is somewhat small, but I hope will be roomy enough for the time being.
[10:05] Legal Writer: Yes, Soro?
[10:06] Soro Dagostino: What hapened to the SLBA Office?
[10:06] Cat Galileo: For the past year, the SLBA has enjoyed wonderful offices donated by the Justice Center project. Unfortunately, the project has been discontinued, and this morning, Feburary 26, the Justice Center was derezzed. The association is seeking a new home.
[10:06] Cat Galileo: (from our website)
[10:06] Treasurer Fizzle gave you SLBA Credential Verification.
[10:07] Legal Writer: Yes, I was getting to that. Thanks, Cat for your quick answer.
[10:07] Cat Galileo: copy+paste ftw :)
[10:07] Legal Writer: I really liked the old Justice Center. We tried to even save the building or at least the office contents. But we were not able to save either.
[10:08] Soro Dagostino: That's to bad.
[10:08] Legal Writer: Moreover, the comments that we received were that the contents were not constructed in a way that was sustainable or even desirable for moving to another location.
[10:08] Cat Galileo: we actually wrangled an extra month before they de-rezed it, but no more
[10:08] Legal Writer: So I am sorry that our formlerly comfortable offices are gone. We will miss them. But I am hoping we can find another permanent location in which to take over housing us.
[10:09] SLBA Credential Verification whispers: Booting from notecard...
[10:09] Legal Writer: In the meantime, Cat and Avalon have graciously allowed us to meet here temporarily. So the first take away is that we will meet here until further notice.
[10:10] Sam4 Courtois: Thank you CAt
[10:10] Legal Writer: Then, I want to let you know that the Exec Board has been speaking with people about permanent solutions. So far, we don't have a permanent place. We did receive one proposal for a location, but felt that the cost was too much. Cat, can you disucss a few more of the details?
[10:11] Cat Galileo: The island on which Field Fisher Waterhouse and others have offices, Depo, offered us a space at $75 tier/month, with complimentary buildout
[10:11] Cat Galileo: it is a very nice option, except that $75/month is beyond our budget
[10:12] Cat Galileo: I have responded to Bennet Dynamo, their rep, telling him we probably are not interested for that reason
[10:12] Cat Galileo: no response back from him at this time
[10:12] Cat Galileo: that about covers it :)
[10:12] Soro Dagostino: A couple of the members and I are connected to Colonia Nova.
[10:13] Soro Dagostino: It has an amphiteater that could be used.
[10:13] Cat Galileo: as background, we currently have a bit under $400 total, if I recall right
[10:13] Legal Writer: Right. It may be that we can get sponsors for our association. If we have a nonprofit corporation that can take charitable contributions, we could get a sponsor to pony up some money and get a tax deduction. But for now, we need to seek other spots. Thanks, Cat.
[10:13] Soro Dagostino: I don't know the terms.
[10:13] Cat Galileo: and will be expending some to incorporate (see agenda)
[10:14] Legal Writer: Soro, we would be interested in seeing what we could work out if you have a place in mind. Thank you.
[10:14] Legal Writer: Please write to me and I can get the other Exec Board members involved.
[10:14] Soro Dagostino: kk
[10:14] Cat Galileo: the ABA isn't in SL is it? :) I know the ALA (library assn is)
[10:15] Legal Writer: OK, thanks, Soro. Cat, you're right the ABA is not in SL.
[10:15] Soro Dagostino: Someone on the Solosez board [ABA] spoke of SL the other day.
[10:15] Legal Writer: I have been trying to get the ABA involved in SL for some time.
[10:16] Legal Writer: Regarding SOLOSEZ, that was an email from me.
[10:16] Lexis Looming: I just diod a search on Amercain Bar Association it comes up empty
[10:16] Legal Writer: I wanted to invite people from SOLOSEZ to join our association. By the way, SOLOSEZ is the listserv of the ABA General Practice Solo & Small Firm Division.
[10:16] Cat Galileo: there are several locations in SL that market to nonprofits, we can look at them as well perhaps. Colonia Nova is certainly a nice location tho
[10:16] Juris Amat: Hello everyone I apologize for my tardiness:)
[10:16] Legal Writer: No worries.
[10:16] Cat Galileo: hi Juris
[10:17] Legal Writer: Hi, Juris, and welcome.
[10:17] Lexis Looming: Hi Juris
[10:17] Legal Writer: In any case, the ABA currently has a defacto policy not to have a presence on SL.
[10:17] Legal Writer: That may change in the future, but for now, that's the way it is.
[10:17] Legal Writer: Certainly, if that changes, we might be able to get space from the ABA.
[10:18] Legal Writer: In any case, shall we move on to item 2?
[10:18] Legal Writer: Item 2 is incorporation. I wanted to let you know that I have drafted articles of incorporation to create a California nonprofit public benefit corporation. The articles have been sent to the Exec Board this morning for review. The Board will review them.
[10:19] Legal Writer: Also before the Board is a conflict of interest policy (needed for tax free status), a certification of compliance with the policy, and a resolution of the incorporator electing directors.
[10:20] Legal Writer: I think -- if you agree -- that the Board of Directors should be comprised of the Exec Board and the Officers of the Association as a single group.
[10:20] Soro Dagostino: So long as all are elected.
[10:20] Legal Writer: Again, if you agree, I would also like to make sure that the immediate past President of the association has an ex officio position on the Board of Directors.
[10:20] Legal Writer: The Exec Board and Officers are elected positions. Elections will be in August.
[10:20] Legal Writer: So, yes, these are all elected positions.
[10:21] Sam4 Courtois: so moved
[10:21] Legal Writer: Any second?
[10:21] Soro Dagostino: second
[10:21] Morgandy Muircastle: That makes sense given the size of the organization.
[10:21] Juris Amat: agreed
[10:21] Legal Writer: Any further discussion of the motion ( to create a board of directors once incorporation occurs, consisting of the Exec Board, officers, and immediate past president)?
[10:22] Legal Writer: I would also like to add to the motion that we permit our founder Ben Duranske to have a board position.
[10:22] Legal Writer: Any further discussion?
[10:22] Erica Dalglish: absolutely
[10:22] TelLagu Swords: question
[10:22] Cat Galileo: would that be an honorary position? or a permanente unelected position?
[10:22] Cat Galileo: not that i object.
[10:23] Lexis Looming: I propose it be an Emeritus position
[10:23] Soro Dagostino: I would concur -- if it were honorary.
[10:23] Legal Writer: It would be a voting position, if you so approve.
[10:23] Soro Dagostino: No.
[10:23] Morgandy Muircastle: only question I would have is what the quorum requirements are if the board is relatively large. Wouldn't want it to be unable to act efficiently.
[10:23] TelLagu Swords: Cat voiced my basic question: How many permanent directors are to be seated, and will the number initially seated be reduced in August?
[10:24] Legal Writer: The Exec Board and Officers meet monthly as a group anyway.
[10:24] Legal Writer: I would think that the only permanent member we are contemplating for the moment is Ben's.
[10:24] Morgandy Muircastle: does Ben want a permanent position?
[10:25] Legal Writer: For instance, after my year as immediate past president, I am glad to yield my board spot to my successor.
[10:25] Legal Writer: I asked Ben, and he would like to be on the Board.
[10:25] Soro Dagostino: I continue to object to a "voting" position.
[10:25] Juris Amat: I think its a good idea to have him on the board
[10:26] Cat Galileo: I certanily agree that he should ble honored as founder, but I'm not sure he would be appropriate as a voting member - he declined to run for officer this year
[10:26] Sam4 Courtois: Is his ability to vote critical?
[10:26] Lexis Looming: I agree to have Ben as a pemanent voting member
[10:26] Cat Galileo: and is not that involved at the moment, very busy
[10:26] Morgandy Muircastle: Since the membership could always vote him off in a typical by-laws, I don't see a problem with having a non-elected person on the board. He has a lot of great input and "direction", which is what you want in a director.
[10:27] Cat Galileo: I know he'll read this, and I certainly don't mean any disrespect :) his opinion would always be very valuable
[10:27] Legal Writer: My personal opinion is that in honor of his fundamental contribution to this group, his position should be voting. But this is up to you.
[10:27] Juris Amat: I agree with Legal
[10:27] Juris Amat: pperhaps it should be a waivable option
[10:28] Soro Dagostino: Point of order . . . was your amendment seconded?
[10:28] Cat Galileo: I will happily abide by that , just giving my opinion
[10:28] Lexis Looming: I second the motion as amended
[10:28] Morgandy Muircastle: what was the amendment?
[10:28] Lexis Looming: The amendment I seconded was to make Ben Nobel a permanent voting member of the board
[10:29] Juris Amat: I agree
[10:29] Legal Writer: Here is the motion as I see it: to create a board of directors once incorporation occurs, consisting of the Exec Board, officers, and immediate past president. Ben Noble is to be an ex officio permanent board member (if this motion passes) with voting rights.
[10:29] Morgandy Muircastle: seconded
[10:29] Juris Amat: his voting right should be exercised at his choice without any obligation to participate unless to break a tie or something like that
[10:29] Lexis Looming: seconded again
[10:30] Legal Writer: Juris, he does not need to attend or can abstain as needed.
[10:30] Soro Dagostino: Think about that.
[10:30] Juris Amat: details I suppose :) will have to be worked out
[10:30] Juris Amat: ok I see
[10:30] Juris Amat: that works for me
[10:30] Lexis Looming: Call for the question
[10:30] Soro Dagostino: Not a usual position.
[10:30] TelLagu Swords: I like Juris' idea, and believe that his vote should be only to break ties.
[10:31] Morgandy Muircastle: it's just a matter of makeing the quorum rules appropriate to the final configuration so the board can acti without him if he's busy
[10:31] Juris Amat: that is my only concern
[10:31] Legal Writer: OK, let's call the question. All those in favor of the motion (with unlimited voting rights for Ben), say aye.
[10:31] TelLagu Swords: Nay
[10:31] Lexis Looming: aye
[10:31] Morgandy Muircastle: aye
[10:31] Erica Dalglish: aye
[10:31] Michele Jigsaw: aye
[10:31] Stavrogin Grayman: aye
[10:31] Sam4 Courtois: aye
[10:31] Juris Amat: aye
[10:32] Soro Dagostino: Waiting for the call for nays.
[10:32] Legal Writer: All opposed say nay.
[10:32] Soro Dagostino: Nay.
[10:32] Legal Writer: Abstentions?
[10:32] TelLagu Swords: For the record. My nay vote is not aimed at Ben, of course.
[10:32] Cat Galileo: i'll abstain
[10:32] Cat Galileo: "present"
[10:32] Legal Writer: Well, I count that the motion has passed 7-2.
[10:33] Legal Writer: Thank you for the consideration of this important step.
[10:33] Legal Writer: Let's move on to item 3. Credentialling. Lexis, can you please give us an update?
[10:33] Lexis Looming: sure
[10:33] Lexis Looming: Well we stumbled and tripped and started and stopped along the way
[10:34] Lexis Looming: NOW. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[10:34] Lexis Looming: Credentialling is up and running.
[10:34] Cat Galileo: http://slba.info/credential.html
[10:34] Lexis Looming: You will find all the information you need at:
[10:34] Lexis Looming: http://www.slba.info/application.html
[10:34] Lexis Looming: Except that temporarily, for obvious reasons, the payment box can not be in our office. So until then it will be here, at Avalon, in the courtroom on the counsel table.
[10:35] Lexis Looming: right beside me
[10:35] Lexis Looming: In case you didn't save it and so it will be in the transcript, here is the LM
[10:35] Cat Galileo: I might move it into the library actually, to stay ouf ot eh way of anyone else using the room
[10:35] Lexis Looming: ??
[10:35] Cat Galileo: library is immediately next door
[10:35] Lexis Looming: So make an LM
[10:35] Lexis Looming: There are a number of people who have paid the fees. We need you to submit your applications. If anyone who becomes verified wishes to help verify others, pleases let me know. Your help will be welcomed.
[10:36] Lexis Looming: Ok Thanks Legal
[10:37] Legal Writer: Ok, great, thanks for the update, Lexis.
[10:37] TelLagu Swords: Once an application is submitted, what is the expected processing time?
[10:37] Cat Galileo: Avalon Town Courts, Tabula rasa (83, 165, 27) is the landmark.
[10:37] Legal Writer: OK, item 4. Item 4 concerns our speaker series.
[10:38] Legal Writer: For those of you not aware, the association has been giving CLE programs. We have had a number of speakers and some terrific programs so far. Each time, Cat's company (with whom the association is working on the series) has been able to provide CLE credits for attendees.
[10:38] Legal Writer: Geri Kuhn has been taking the lead on contacting the next speaker.
[10:39] Legal Writer: She has been in touch with Carol Langford. Carol is a law professor. She also works as disciplinary defense counsel for attorneys accused of misconduct by the State Bar of California.
[10:40] Legal Writer: Carol is interested in speaking about legal ethics. So Geri will follow up, and hopefully nail down an exact topic and CLE date. Again, we would need to hold the CLE here (assuming that Avalon is available).
[10:40] Legal Writer: We will clear the date and Avalon in advance.
[10:41] Legal Writer: If there are others here who would like to speak themselves, or would have some ideas of other possible speakers, please contact Geri Kuhn, with a copy to me and Cat. Thanks.
[10:41] Legal Writer: Any questions on this?
[10:41] Legal Writer: OK, great.
[10:41] Legal Writer: On to the next item. The career fair.
[10:42] Legal Writer: Cat, do you have any info to share on the fair?
[10:42] Cat Galileo: I don't, I haven't been working on it... I'm sorry
[10:43] Legal Writer: OK. I would like to ask all of you. If you have some time to help Cat and the Exec Board out on the career fair, please contact her with a copy to me.
[10:43] Cat Galileo: I'm not sure who was involved with that effort, i can look at the last minutes
[10:43] Soro Dagostino: Heh! They may have been one of the many folk fired in these last two months.
[10:43] Legal Writer: I know in the past we have had some people expressing interest. It seems to me we can start an event in the fall, and that leaves us plenty of time to get it planned. But we will need some sponsors, speakers, and people to help.
[10:44] Cat Galileo: here's last meeting minutes:
[10:44] Cat Galileo: Solomon Cortes: On that, I’m afraid we’re not yet in a position to report progress. This is partly due to the economy (firms are reluctant to commit to hosting a stand, as they may be cutting staff, rather than recruiting them) and partly because I have been so busy over the last few weeks that I have barely had a chance to breathe. I think I need some help – maybe a couple of people to help with the planning of the event so that we can all work together and, if it seems feasible in the current climate, make the event a reality. Perhaps people could let me know if they’d be interested in trying to get this off the ground, now.
[10:50] Ida Recreant: perhpas discuss the idea at the reception--see what "reception" the idea gets ;-)
[10:50] Solomon Cortes: I recal that one of our members, based in the US was also keen to try to make this happen, and we can pick up again over the email - but a couple of other enthusiastic volunteers would be a very welcome addition to the team!
[10:50] Solomon Cortes:
[10:44] Legal Writer: So, if we are to pull this off, the first thing we need is a set of coordinators.
[10:45] Legal Writer: If you can help and want to help, please contact Cat and me to follow up. If we don't have people to help, we will need to table the idea for a while.
[10:45] Legal Writer: Cat, do you want to let people know your email address? Mine is swu@ckwlaw.com
[10:45] Cat Galileo: yes, my address is kate@ceratops.net
[10:46] Cat Galileo: please do use that, as my IMs get capped on occasion
[10:46] Legal Writer: OK, so if interested in being a coordinator, please email us.
[10:46] Legal Writer: This leads me to the last topic of discussion -- volunteers.
[10:47] Cat Galileo: I'd love to talk more about ideas for it, if people are interested in helping out. otherwise i'd rather focus efforts on the CLE series etc
[10:47] Soro Dagostino: brb -- RL
[10:47] Legal Writer: The last topic of our agenda is volunteers. Or at least the last scheduled topic before "Is there any business"?
[10:48] Free Radar HUD v1.1 by Crystal Gadgets
[10:48] Legal Writer: Right now, the association has a strategic plan. It's in the forums at www.slba.info. Part of the strategic plan talks about "creating infrastructure" for the association.
[10:48] Morgandy Muircastle: I recently got done paying all my RL association dues, have been here almost a year I think, was wondering when dues came up again, or if I missed it, or..
[10:49] Legal Writer: We have sections within the association, such as the Section of Litigation.
[10:49] Legal Writer: Good question, Morgandy. I do believe we should have some kind of annual refresh.
[10:49] Legal Writer: I don't know the answer concerning logistics. Geri, our treasurer, could better answer that.
[10:49] Cat Galileo: we did refresh when we changed the name.
[10:50] Legal Writer: Are we going to schedule one in a year after the change?
[10:50] Legal Writer: I think that's a question for Geri.
[10:50] Legal Writer: I will ask Geri about it.
[10:50] Cat Galileo: that was in approx july 2008
[10:51] Juris Amat: agreed. she would also know how it was done previously
[10:51] Legal Writer: In any case, moving on to volunteers, one of the things that would help us, and also help your respective careers, is to take on leadership positions in the organized bar.
[10:51] Morgandy Muircastle: ok, if not, we can just ask for donations to help with the rent and such. just didn't know how this group worked
[10:51] Juris Amat: could be helpful info
[10:52] Legal Writer: We have leadership positions available for people to take on. At the last meeting, I made the same inquiry, and had a few volunteers.
[10:52] Juris Amat: I volunteer for the ip committee
[10:52] Morgandy Muircastle: is there info on the forums page regarding what positions are still needing to be filled?
[10:53] Legal Writer: But we could use many more. We have leadership positions in our substantive groups. They correspond to our forum groups.
[10:53] Cat Galileo: not explicitly, that's a great idea.
[10:53] Legal Writer: Or I have arbitrarily used the forum designations (litigation, transactional, ip) as a starting point for sections.
[10:54] Legal Writer: They are not set in stone, though. So for instance, Ashrcoft might be a good person for leading the Section on Dispute Resolution.
[10:54] Legal Writer: Even though it's not on the forums yet.
[10:54] Cat Galileo: i'm wondering, we have so many groups, perhaps we could weed them a tad, unless people are interested in stepping up
[10:54] Michele Jigsaw: Legal did you get my email message?
[10:54] Legal Writer: I am not sure, but my hope is that we can get at least section chairs filled in.
[10:55] Legal Writer: As I say, I have had a few volunteers.
[10:55] Legal Writer: And would appreciate hearing from you if you would like to volunteer. Again, my email address is at swu@ckwlaw.com
[10:55] Morgandy Muircastle: I'll have a look at the sections and email you about helping out.
[10:55] Legal Writer: Thanks!
[10:56] Sam4 Courtois: This might not be a meritorious idea, however
[10:56] Legal Writer: And thanks to all of you considering volunteering.
[10:56] Sam4 Courtois: would it be reasonable to have a section for people who are not really all that well acquainted with either SL in particuilar or IP in general?
[10:57] Cat Galileo: hm I like the "new to SL' idea
[10:57] Legal Writer: As I say, the draw for you is to become involved in this terrific association, learn some things along the way, and have an additional credential for your resume.
[10:57] Sam4 Courtois: In other words, lawyers looking itno SL for recreation?
[10:57] Sam4 Courtois: into*
[10:57] Legal Writer: There's no reason we couldn't have an "SL Practice Management" Section where some of the issues you mention could be explored.
[10:58] Sam4 Courtois: I certainly could be involved insomething like that
[10:58] Legal Writer: Terrific!
[10:59] Cat Galileo: for those of you who may not know, we have forums at http://www.slba.info/forum/YaBB.pl which include sections for these topics
[10:59] Legal Writer: I look forward to hearing from you to follow up.
[10:59] Cat Galileo: as well as our general website at http://slba.info/
[10:59] Legal Writer: OK, before we close, does anyone have any other business to discuss today?
[10:59] Sam4 Courtois: Yes
[10:59] Lexis Looming: I would just like to point out another of Cat's generous contribution to our group. Ben and I were taking up collectiosn to get a law school class membership in our group. Rather than wait for the collection effort to finish , she just ponied up what was needed. We have 16 new members as a result.
[10:59] Cat Galileo: and a social networking sitea at http://slbarassn.ning.com/, facebook, and twitter LOL
[11:00] Legal Writer: That's great, Cat. Thank you!
[11:00] Morgandy Muircastle: yeah, thanks!
[11:00] Sam4 Courtois: I notice that several of our pillars like Ben, Solomon and GEri could not make it today
[11:00] TelLagu Swords: Wonderful!
[11:00] Cat Galileo: glad to get it going, i hope to see some of the students get involved!
[11:01] Sam4 Courtois: Have we selected the most convenient time for meetings?
[11:01] Legal Writer: Geri's at a conference. Ben needs to be at work today/
[11:01] Cat Galileo: Good question
[11:01] Legal Writer: In general, we have this as a regular time slot and it has worked well.
[11:01] Cat Galileo: I did a poll for when people would like to attend CLE and got no clear consensus
[11:01] Cat Galileo: so i'm not sure there's a 'better' time
[11:02] Legal Writer: We have asked that question from time to time, and nothing emerged as a clear alternative.
[11:02] Soro Dagostino: SL meetings should be earlier.
[11:02] Legal Writer: Rotating the time could be confusing to people.
[11:02] Legal Writer: Solomon had some difficulty, because he's in the UK and this is in the evening for him.
[11:02] Cat Galileo: i would be fine with moving them earlier in the day on Saturday, is that what you mean? it would probably be better for Solomon too, being in the UK
[11:03] Soro Dagostino: yes
[11:03] Legal Writer: But evening may be better than in the middle of Saturday when he may be out of the house.
[11:03] Legal Writer: Not sure what works best.
[11:03] Lexis Looming: There are 24 time zones...No way to make everyone happy
[11:03] Morgandy Muircastle: maybe it should be a topic at the next exec/officer meeting
[11:03] Soro Dagostino: Not that early . . . :)
[11:04] Sam4 Courtois: But some of them are more heavily represented than others
[11:04] Morgandy Muircastle: if a majority of those folks can make it, then probably a majority of us can
[11:04] Legal Writer: OK, in any case, let's wrap up our meeting. I think we need to let people run if they have to go at this time.
[11:04] Legal Writer: Thank you all for coming. If you feel we need to do some polling on meeting times, I can review that with Cat.
[11:05] Sam4 Courtois: /applausw
[11:05] Lexis Looming: Good Meeting Legal...and ended just about on time...good job!!!!
[11:05] Legal Writer: We shall see you all next month, and please do email me if you would like to volunteer for something.
[11:05] Morgandy Muircastle: thank, legal and cat
[11:05] TelLagu Swords: Bye.
[11:05] Morgandy Muircastle: bye
[11:05] Legal Writer: Thank you!
[11:05] Juris Amat: Thanks everyone
[11:05] TelLagu Swords: Thanks.
[11:05] Soro Dagostino: Take care.
[11:05] Sam4 Courtois: thank you
[11:05] Cat Galileo: thanks everyone :) have a great weekend
[11:06] Cat Galileo: adjourn?
[11:06] Legal Writer: The meeting is adjourned.