Second Life Bar Association Meeting TranscriptJan 16, 2010
[10:03] Legal Writer: Good morning, everyone.
[10:03] Soro Dagostino: Hello all -- Good morning, afternoon . . .
[10:03] Legal Writer: Please have a seat, everyone, and we will get started.
[10:03] Juris Amat: Morning Legal!
[10:04] Legal Writer: Good morning
[10:04] Legal Writer: Good morning, everyone, and welcome to our January meeting.
[10:04] Legal Writer: I trust everyone is having a good new year.
[10:05] Legal Writer: To remind everyone, a transcript of this meeting will be posted on the SLBA website after the meeting.
[10:05] Legal Writer: We have a long agenda, so let's start with some announcements.
[10:05] Legal Writer: I am going to take some things out of order.
[10:06] Legal Writer: The first item is to mention is that the University of Florida law school created a video of our November conference on careers.
[10:06] Legal Writer: The video is going to be ready for us to post.
[10:06] Legal Writer: Cat, can you please figure out the best way to get the video from Morgandy Muircastle and post it?
[10:07] Legal Writer: And all of us owe a great debt to Morgandy for arranging the video -- in addition to spearheading the conference itself.
[10:07] Legal Writer: So please pass along your thanks to her the next time you see or write to her.
[10:07] Higgs Wopat: Three cheers for Morgandy!
[10:07] jamiebryce Infinity: hear hear.
[10:07] Aisln Baxton: yes absolutely
[10:07] Soro Dagostino: woot!
[10:08] Legal Writer: I think you will all agree that the conference was a great success and we should consider doing it again.
[10:09] Legal Writer: OK, then, I would like to tackle another item out of order, which is the success of our holiday party and thoughts to show our gratitude of those who helped make it happen.
[10:09] Legal Writer: Geri, thank you for all of your efforts to make this a fun event.
[10:09] Legal Writer: And can you please address how we can also show our gratitude to our wonderful DJ?
[10:09] Geri Kuhn: I would like to propse that
[10:09] You decline ALA Main Stage, ALA Island (126, 102, 29) from A group member named Kay Tairov.
[10:10] Geri Kuhn: we make a $US 5.00 donation to the DJ and to Henri DuCuir's assistant who helped set it up
[10:10] Legal Writer: I think they did a great job.
[10:10] Geri Kuhn: They are not expecting payment but I think it would be a nice thing to do
[10:10] Legal Writer: I agree with this idea.
[10:10] Legal Writer: What do others think?
[10:10] Higgs Wopat: Agreed
[10:10] Benjamin Noble: Sounds good.
[10:10] Cat Galileo: i'm in favor
[10:10] Aisln Baxton: yes
[10:10] Lexis Looming: Is that the same as $1,300L?
[10:11] Tigr Yoshikawa: the linden exchange rate changes daily
[10:11] Legal Writer: But I think that's roughly correct
[10:11] Geri Kuhn: You can make it an even amount in L
[10:11] Legal Writer: We could say an even L$1500.
[10:11] Lexis Looming: I think the spr4ead is 260 =$1.00 buy and 269 to sell $1.00
[10:12] Lexis Looming: ok
[10:12] Tigr Yoshikawa: $5 usd today would be 1226L$
[10:12] Legal Writer: May I have a motion to approve the contribution of 1500L to our DJ and Henri's assistant?
[10:12] Aisln Baxton: I so move
[10:12] Legal Writer: Second?
[10:12] Geri Kuhn: second
[10:12] Lexis Looming: is that 1500 each?
[10:12] jamiebryce Infinity: Should cover one virtual cup of cappucino, large :D
[10:13] Aisln Baxton: that would be reasonable
[10:13] Legal Writer: Geri, di you have a thought?
[10:13] Geri Kuhn: no
[10:13] Geri Kuhn: 1500 soudns good
[10:13] Legal Writer: 1500 for each, or 1500 to be split between them?
[10:13] Geri Kuhn: each
[10:13] Aisln Baxton: yes
[10:13] Legal Writer: OK, the motion is amended.
[10:14] Lexis Looming: I am ok with that, I just wanted to make sure I understood what I would need to do if it passes
[10:14] Tigr Yoshikawa: that is a reasonable tip for a dj
[10:14] Legal Writer: So the proposal is to provide L$1500 to each.
[10:14] Legal Writer: Any other discussion?
[10:14] Legal Writer: I will then call the question.
[10:14] Legal Writer: All in favor say "Aye."
[10:14] Cat Galileo: aye
[10:14] Geri Kuhn: aye
[10:14] Aisln Baxton: aye
[10:14] Tigr Yoshikawa: aye
[10:14] Higgs Wopat: aye
[10:14] Lexis Looming: aye
[10:14] Juris Amat: aye
[10:14] Rose Springvale: aye
[10:14] Legal Writer: Any opposed?
[10:15] Legal Writer: Abstentions?
[10:15] Legal Writer: I vote aye as well.
[10:15] Benjamin Noble: Aye.
[10:15] Legal Writer: The motion carries.
[10:15] Soro Dagostino: aye
[10:15] Legal Writer: OK, Lexis, can you please work with Geri to make this happen?
[10:15] Lexis Looming: yes indeed
[10:15] Legal Writer: OK, thanks.
[10:15] Geri Kuhn: Thank you everyone
[10:15] Legal Writer: OK, onto the next item on the agenda.
[10:16] Legal Writer: Let us turn to the item of finding a permanent parcel of land to be the home of our association.
[10:16] Legal Writer: Benjamin Noble will be reporting on the status of the search for land. Ben, can you please let us know where things stand?
[10:16] Benjamin Noble: Sure.
[10:17] Benjamin Noble: Hi everybody. Before I do that, I wanted to take a moment to thank Legal for his service over the last year. This is his last meeting as President.
[10:17] Benjamin Noble: We all really appreciate everything you've done, Legal, and toward that end, we'd like to recognize your service with a small token of our appreciation at the next meeting. We'll also be recognizing our former President (David's) service then too.
[10:17] Benjamin Noble: Please talk to Geri, our incoming President, if you have any thoughts on a good way to express our appreciation -- maybe something related to our new office, something permanent (well, as permanent as it gets here). I'm not sure, and I know Geri and the rest of the board would welcome ideas.
[10:17] Benjamin Noble: Which leads nicely to that!
[10:17] Legal Writer: Thank you, Ben. It has been my pleasure and privilege to serve our association.
[10:18] Benjamin Noble: Everyone truly appreciates it; you've had a very busy year! Regarding the land...
[10:18] Benjamin Noble: I want to thank Racheal Chevalier for helping a lot with this. Actually, after we set the parameters, Rachael did most of the legwork. She can't be here today, but I'm really just presenting the results of her searches.
[10:18] Legal Writer: To clarify, I am not sure whether or not the change of president occurs at the beginning or end of next month's meeting.
[10:18] Benjamin Noble: I believe Feb. is Geri's by the bylaws, but we'll work it out.
[10:18] Benjamin Noble: We have three really good parcels as possibilities. They are in Nimune, Nedben, and Fears Trebled. There's another one we looked at in Hewes but it's much more expensive, and doesn't seem any nicer. Included for reference anyway though.
[10:19] Benjamin Noble: They are 2048s, and range in price from 4-6k Linden, all pretty good values. The land is all PG, which cuts costs a lot.
[10:19] Benjamin Noble: And keeps the neighborhood business-appropriate.
[10:19] Cat Galileo: interesting
[10:19] Benjamin Noble: You can probably find them yourself with this information, but I'll post the list of links in the forums, and anyone can check them out and comment. I'm hopeful that the board can pick one in the next week or so, if there appears to be some consensus.
[10:19] Benjamin Noble: For reference, I'll paste the locations here too.
[10:20] Benjamin Noble: Fears Trebled (208, 260, 70)
[10:20] Benjamin Noble: Nimune (33, 157, 59)
[10:20] Benjamin Noble: Nedben (67, 235, 101)
[10:20] Benjamin Noble: Hewes (189, 144, 84)
[10:21] Benjamin Noble: Like I said, I'm not as big a fan of the Hews lot, and am personally leaning toward Nedben, which has one 2048 and a number of joined 1024s that we could put together too to check out. Quiet neighborhood, nice views. Take a look, and post to the forums if you have thoughts.
[10:21] Benjamin Noble: That's all for now!
[10:21] Legal Writer: OK, thanks, Ben.
[10:21] Legal Writer: Let's decide on a plan of action for this.
[10:22] Legal Writer: Should we have the board check out the parcels, and then make a recommendation to have the members approve at the next meeting?
[10:22] Rose Springvale raises hand
[10:22] Benjamin Noble: They won't stay on the market forever, so ideally, it would be best if the board was free to act here. Is that possible?
[10:22] Legal Writer: Or would members rather have the board act with your collective permission?
[10:22] Legal Writer: Rose?
[10:23] Rose Springvale: I trust the board and would rather you just choose
[10:23] Rose Springvale: been on the agenda way too long :)
[10:23] Legal Writer: It sounds like market conditions are such that if we delay, we may lose the parcels.
[10:23] Tigr Yoshikawa raises hand
[10:23] Legal Writer: Tigr?
[10:24] Benjamin Noble: I think everyone should get a chance to weigh in in the forums, but that once that's happened (maybe a week from now) that the board should buy one.
[10:24] Benjamin Noble: Just my $.02 though.
[10:24] Tigr Yoshikawa: what is space and prim amouint that we need?
[10:24] Benjamin Noble: I can answer that.
[10:24] Tigr Yoshikawa: even moving quickly you might miss the lan. I know a few places and would keep an eye open...
[10:25] Benjamin Noble: We looked at what we used at the last location pretty carefully, and decided we could be very happy with a 2048, which gets us 468 prims and fits within our budget nicely.
[10:25] Rose Springvale: land is selling again. i wouldn't delay
[10:25] Tigr Yoshikawa: ok
[10:25] Tigr Yoshikawa: I agree the moving quickly is best
[10:25] Cat Galileo: well we've been looking for a while, i suggest just getting it done as expeditiously as possible if the sites are suitable
[10:25] Aisln Baxton: /raises hand
[10:26] Legal Writer: It sounds like the proposal should be for (1) to post the proposed locations in the forums, (2) the board examines each of the locations, (3) any members who want can comment on the forums in the next week, (4) after the week is over, the members authorize the board to choose a parcel which, in the board's judgment, best meets the needs of the association.
[10:27] Legal Writer: Aisln? Would you like to add something?
[10:27] Aisln Baxton: no that is fine...I was just thinking if the board has looked at the parcels already and Nebden is good...go ahead sooner rather than later
[10:27] Legal Writer: OK, thanks.
[10:27] Legal Writer: Back to the proposal that I just laid out. Do I have that right?
[10:28] Rose Springvale: nah, don't wait a week lol
[10:28] Legal Writer: Before we have a motion, are there any changes or additions?
[10:28] Juris Amat: it appears to be what was discussed
[10:28] Geri Kuhn: Perhaps we should skip the psoting in the forum and just look at the land
[10:28] Benjamin Noble: It sounds like there is a consensus not to wait a week. Would you accept an amendment to "Monday" so people have a couple of days to check them out if they want to?
[10:28] Rose Springvale: if people were interested, they've given input by now
[10:29] jamiebryce Infinity: god knows :)
[10:29] Legal Writer: Do any of the members intend to check out the parcels and comment on the forums?
[10:29] Legal Writer: That is those not on the board.
[10:29] Tigr Yoshikawa: i intend to look, but probably just trust the board
[10:29] Rose Springvale: if we have comments, we can harrass board members
[10:29] Juris Amat: No and I have full trust in the Boards capabilities on this one
[10:29] Aisln Baxton: I trust the board...will look but trust them on the decision
[10:30] Geri Kuhn smiles at Rose.
[10:30] Benjamin Noble: Okay. So how about this -- I move the members authorize the board to choose a parcel which, in the board's judgment, best meets the needs of the association.
[10:30] Rose Springvale: second
[10:30] Juris Amat: second
[10:30] Tigr Yoshikawa: agreed
[10:30] Legal Writer: Well, let's do it this way perhaps if any member wants to check them out quickly, just IM Ben.
[10:30] jamiebryce Infinity smiles. To quote a friend of mine, let's not be the Junior League here, and spend all our time on the parties and the colors of the table decorations. This land thing has gone on long enough.
[10:30] Legal Writer: OK we have a motion.
[10:30] Rose Springvale and sending thank you notes, dont' forget the thank you notes!
[10:30] Legal Writer: Any discussion of the motion at this time?
[10:30] Soro Dagostino: Call the question
[10:31] Legal Writer: OK, let's do that
[10:31] Lexis Looming: No one can acuse us of not being a delivberative body
[10:31] Benjamin Noble: Votes aye on his motion.
[10:31] Juris Amat: smiles
[10:31] Soro Dagostino: Aye
[10:31] Juris Amat: aye
[10:31] Aisln Baxton: aye
[10:31] Rose Springvale: aye
[10:31] Tigr Yoshikawa: aye
[10:31] Geri Kuhn laughs
[10:31] Legal Writer: All in favor of the motion, say "aye" (please).
[10:31] Geri Kuhn: aye
[10:31] Higgs Wopat: iaye
[10:31] Lexis Looming: aye
[10:31] Higgs Wopat: aye
[10:31] Cat Galileo: aye
[10:31] Legal Writer: I vote aye as well
[10:31] Benjamin Noble: True that, this has been on the agenda for very close to a year, I'm excited to see the end of it and get us a home.
[10:32] Legal Writer: Any oppose?
[10:32] Juris Amat: hear hear
[10:32] Legal Writer: Absentions?
[10:32] Legal Writer: OK, hearing none, the motion carries.
[10:32] jamiebryce Infinity "ayes" laggily
[10:32] Rose Springvale thanks the board for their diligence and action on this matter :)
[10:32] Legal Writer: All board members, please check out the parcels proposed by Racheal.
[10:33] Geri Kuhn: Let's set a deadline
[10:33] Legal Writer: We welcome the input of members -- and IM them to Ben, please.
[10:33] Legal Writer: I agree with Geri regarding a deadline.
[10:34] Tigr Yoshikawa: no longer than a week I would suppose
[10:34] Legal Writer: What do you think is a good deadline Ben? Monday (holiday) or Tuesday?
[10:34] Benjamin Noble: Let's do it ASAP -- Lexis and I are finalzing the shift of ownership we approved earlier, and then we're good to go. Monday is fine for me; it'll be easier for me to do this on the weekend than during the week anyway.
[10:34] Rose Springvale: how about noon :)
[10:34] Legal Writer: OK, then let's say Monday close of business SLT.
[10:34] Benjamin Noble: I was actually thinking that too, Rose. Seriously. If we can do it sooner, we will.
[10:34] Geri Kuhn: Is that 5:00?
[10:34] Rose Springvale sits on her typing fingers
[10:34] Benjamin Noble: 5:00 SLT.
[10:35] Tigr Yoshikawa: when is close of business?
[10:35] Tigr Yoshikawa: ah :)
[10:35] Benjamin Noble: Monday. Drop dead deadline. But we'll try to do it faster.
[10:35] Cat Galileo: board is mostly here aren't we?
[10:35] Legal Writer: Yes, 5:00
[10:35] jamiebryce Infinity: Ben, insteda of taking time up now, could you just post notice to the SL group or the website when the owner transfer stuff is done?
[10:35] Benjamin Noble: Yeah, we're doing that behind the scenes. It's a precursor to buying the land, which is the only reason I mentioned it.
[10:35] Legal Writer: We should move on, since we have other items on the agenda.
[10:36] Benjamin Noble nods.
[10:36] Legal Writer: But let us thank Ben and Racheal for their hard work on the land search.
[10:36] Tigr Yoshikawa raises hand
[10:36] Lexis Looming claps
[10:36] Legal Writer: Tigr?
[10:36] Tigr Yoshikawa: the land will be group owned, correct?
[10:36] Lexis Looming: the land will be deeded to the group, yes
[10:37] Benjamin Noble: Full description of structure is in the transcript from November meeting.
[10:37] Soro Dagostino: (:|
[10:37] Lexis Looming: It will be purchased in Ben's name
[10:37] Legal Writer: Right. OK, let's move on to the next item.
[10:37] Rose Springvale: will we have title insurance? who's looking at the exceptions?
[10:37] Rose Springvale: smiles
[10:37] Legal Writer: Cat, can you please discuss the status of our speaker series?
[10:37] Lexis Looming: We are getting a patent title from LL
[10:37] Benjamin Noble grins and remembers why I didn't specialize in real estate.
[10:38] Cat Galileo: sure, I don't have a lot to report right now. We have a few people who have ideas, but need to firm them up. We do have a March date set
[10:38] Soro Dagostino: @-}
[10:38] Legal Writer: Please describe the March talk
[10:38] Cat Galileo: the march date is on the topic of Elimination of Bias in the Legal Profession
March 17, 2010, 12 noon
[10:38] Legal Writer: That's SLT, I assume
[10:38] Cat Galileo: it will not be Second-Life oriented, yes SLT
[10:39] Geri Kuhn: Although the speakers are very familiar with SL
[10:39] Cat Galileo: it will be eligible for 1 hours California MCLE (with 1 hour of ethics specialty) via my MCLE provider status
[10:39] Geri Kuhn: and have a presence here
[10:39] Rose Springvale: who is speaking?
[10:39] Legal Writer: I keep going back to this, but does anyone know of any lawyer furries?
[10:39] Cat Galileo: which i'm glad to say was just renewed ?
[10:39] Geri Kuhn: Two speakers from Job Accomodations Network
[10:40] jamiebryce Infinity: Legal, many, but I for one am grateful the CLE is talking about bias in RL not SL :)
[10:40] Rose Springvale: non lawyers Geri?
[10:40] Geri Kuhn: http://www.jan.wvu.edu/
[10:40] Cat Galileo: I don't have the names handy
[10:40] Geri Kuhn: One is a lawyer
[10:40] Cat Galileo: thank you geri
[10:41] Legal Writer: I think we could have an interesting program if we discussed bias against furries.
[10:41] Legal Writer: But perhaps that's for another day.
[10:41] Geri Kuhn: Unfortunately it will not qualify for CLE
[10:41] Cat Galileo: Legal: send me a proposal with proposed speakers maybe?
[10:41] Geri Kuhn: only bias in the legal profession
[10:41] Tigr Yoshikawa: no
[10:41] Juris Amat: to answer your question Legal, no but I have been thinking about getting a tail :)
[10:41] Legal Writer: There may be lawyers who are furries, who may be facing bias.
[10:41] Geri Kuhn smiles
[10:41] Legal Writer: So I think it would qualify.
[10:41] Legal Writer: for CLE
[10:41] Cat Galileo: true, Cal's requirements on the specialty topics (bias, substance abuse, ethics) are very specific
[10:41] Geri Kuhn: We could try to convice the state bar of that.
[10:41] Soro Dagostino: LOL
[10:42] Tigr Yoshikawa: ah that is another discussion juris...the human neko furrie thign
[10:42] Juris Amat: says hmm
[10:42] Cat Galileo: and i said ethics above, but I meant bias
[10:42] Cat Galileo: 1 hour of bias credit
[10:42] Legal Writer: I think it would help bring attention to the difference between virtual worlds and RL.
[10:42] Aisln Baxton: will the transcript or a video be available after?
[10:42] Rose Springvale: could be a good presentation, even without CLE credit
[10:43] Cat Galileo: I would like to make a calendar of speakers and such, but no one seems to look at the website
[10:43] jamiebryce Infinity smiles. Soro and Lexis and I are furry. Sorry, Legal, my own take is that it would need careful framing, to not turn into a joke.
[10:43] Legal Writer: Anyway, I would like to add that Higgs Wopat and jamiebryce Infinity have graciously agreed to add their names to the pipeline of upcoming speakers for the speaker series, with topics to be decided later.
[10:43] Cat Galileo: and in-world is so hard to communicate
[10:43] Legal Writer: OK, we can think about furries later, but Higgs and Jamie, thank you for being willing to speak later this year.
[10:44] Legal Writer: Next item on the agenda is the nonprofit status.
[10:44] Cat Galileo: aisln, i have not been able to get voice or video recording to work unfortunately, i could use assistance if anyon has expertise.
[10:44] jamiebryce Infinity salutes. DId we sorta kinda agree to April and May?
[10:44] Lexis Looming looks around him for signs of a tail growing or other evidence of furriness
[10:44] jamiebryce Infinity points at chin
[10:44] Lexis Looming: LOL
[10:44] Legal Writer: Let's turn to the corporation.
[10:44] Juris Amat: lol
[10:44] Legal Writer: The bylaws are done. I am going to work with the board for approval of a conflict of interest policy.
[10:45] Soro Dagostino: But, but . . . I do have a tail!
[10:45] Soro Dagostino: :)
[10:45] jamiebryce Infinity mutters .. overshare
[10:45] Legal Writer: Do the members want to approve that, or is that something you would permit the board to handle?
[10:45] Rose Springvale legal, if you need one, i've got a standard doc the irs routinely approves. can send
[10:45] Tigr Yoshikawa: I understand that we are being relaxed, but i am feeling the while furrie tail jokes...please *shakes head*
[10:45] Legal Writer: It's going to be somewhat dry, and boilerplate policy text, but I am glad to have the members have a review cycle.
[10:46] Cat Galileo: i would like to have it finalized soon, so i don't feel awkward with the MCLE series
[10:46] Legal Writer: Rose, thanks, we have a model ready to go. Just waiting for the right time, and that is coming now.
[10:47] Legal Writer: If everyone is ok, I propose that the members authorize the board to adopt an appropriate conflict of interest policy. We can post in the forum so you can see what it says.
[10:47] Legal Writer: Is there a motion to approve the proposal?
[10:47] Benjamin Noble: So moves.
[10:47] Legal Writer: Second?
[10:47] Lexis Looming: second
[10:47] Juris Amat: second
[10:47] Legal Writer: All in favor say "aye."
[10:47] Juris Amat: aye
[10:47] Tigr Yoshikawa: aye
[10:47] Geri Kuhn: aye
[10:47] Higgs Wopat: aye
[10:47] Aisln Baxton: aye
[10:47] Lexis Looming: aye
[10:47] Legal Writer: I also say "aye."
[10:47] Soro Dagostino: aye
[10:48] Legal Writer: OK, any opposed?
[10:48] Legal Writer: Abstentions?
[10:48] Rose Springvale: abstain
[10:48] jamiebryce Infinity: late aye again :)
[10:48] Legal Writer: OK, the motion carries.
[10:48] Legal Writer: In addition to that document, I have submitted a report to the Cal. attorney general to report our existence.
[10:49] Cat Galileo: abastain
[10:49] Cat Galileo: whoops
[10:49] Legal Writer: We are working hard on a 501c3 application to the IRS. My assistant Catherine Chamberlain are Lexis are working on it. And we're nearing the finish line.
[10:49] jamiebryce Infinity: hm. Is that required by something? Or was the state AG just short on news?
[10:49] Legal Writer: It's required by law.
[10:50] Tigr Yoshikawa: so we are going to incorporate?
[10:50] Legal Writer: We also then need to do a follow up report to the AG once the 501c3 is on file.
[10:50] Legal Writer: Tigr, we already incorporated, and this is the follow up.
[10:50] Lexis Looming: I thought we had alreadythat is what I put in the 501c3 application already approved the conflicts of Interest policy..
[10:50] Legal Writer: Lexis, thanks for your efforts on this.
[10:50] Tigr Yoshikawa slaps her head
[10:50] jamiebryce Infinity: as an NFP corp? OK, just curious.
[10:50] Tigr Yoshikawa: sorry...i'm so late
[10:50] Legal Writer: NFP, yes.
[10:51] Legal Writer: Not for profit.
[10:51] Lexis Looming: ** I thought we had already approved the conflicts of Interest policy.. ,, that is what I put in the 501c3 application already
[10:51] Legal Writer: OK, that's it on the corporate status. I hope we can file the remaining reports before the next meeting.
[10:51] Legal Writer: I am not sure if we ever had an official approval of the conflict of interest policy.
[10:51] Lexis Looming: we do now
[10:52] Legal Writer: But we can have an email vote among board members in the upcoming week.
[10:52] Lexis Looming: ok
[10:52] Legal Writer: Anyway, time is short, so let's move on.
[10:52] Legal Writer: Higgs, can you please talk about the Sections and what you plan to catalyze participation in them?
[10:52] Higgs Wopat: Yes. Thanks.
[10:52] Legal Writer: plan to do.
[10:53] Higgs Wopat: I am going to present an updated memo, twitter style.
[10:53] Higgs Wopat: It is based on a prior report, with additional information included and some notes on the proposal to start a forms drafting project
[10:54] Higgs Wopat: The Setting
The Second Life Bar Association has subsections dedicated to sub-disciplines of the practice of law. While many bases for subsection divisions are possible, at this early stage of development, the organization has determined that two have earned the distinction of warranting separate designation. These are the transactional/corporate practice and the litigation practice.
[10:54] Higgs Wopat: Am I correct about the section designations?
[10:54] Legal Writer: Yes
[10:54] You decline Catalyzing the Sections from A group member named Cat Galileo.
[10:54] Higgs Wopat: The SLBA subsection division is intended to acknowledge broad distinctions in the nature of the two different practice areas. Transactional and litigation practices are different on a variety of metrics. They require different practitioner skill sets, different resources (both infrastructure and human resources), different interactions, different practice information system flow, and different overall support structure requirements.
[10:55] Lexis Looming: yes but we are now just the SL Bar Association ;-)) to avoid trademark infringment
[10:55] Higgs Wopat: Revitalizing the Sections – New Chairs
In furtherance of its goal to aid members and other practitioners, the SLBA is interested in “revitalizing” the sections so that the benefits of SLBA participation will be most appropriately focused on the needs of SLBA members. One aspect of a revitalization program is to seek the appointment of chairs for the two subsections. That process was initiated by posting a call for chairs on the SLBA website. To date, no positive responses to the chair solicitation have been received.
[10:56] Higgs Wopat: Am I correct that we have not received expressions of interest regarding the chairs?
[10:56] Legal Writer: We have received some preliminary interest, but nothing formal.
[10:56] Higgs Wopat: I suggest that we ask again at the end of my report.
[10:56] Legal Writer: OK, great.
[10:56] Higgs Wopat: Revitalizing the Sections – Member Resources at SLBA presence
One key to helping revitalize the sections will be whether the SLBA presence in SL offers practitioners in the different sections with tools and resources that are relevant to their current and future practices.
[10:57] Higgs Wopat: An informal survey (with a small sample size), revealed a theme that people are becoming increasingly selective in their choices of information interface.
[10:57] Legal Writer: Any bar association needs to provide member benefits - VALUE - to make it worth joining.
[10:57] Higgs Wopat: The SLBA recognizes that Virtual Reality Interfaces (VRIs), such as Second Life, offer unique opportunities for conveying information that are not offered in other media. The SLBA also recognizes that the “information crush” that is experienced by people, particularly information workers such as attorneys and legal staff, creates a situation where introductions of new information interfaces and content presentation modalities are tested for relevance quite quickly through exposure to users; their success or failure made obvious by measurements of adoption and use.
[10:57] Higgs Wopat: Acknowledging the variables above, it is proposed that:
1. The design of the new “home” for the SLBA take account of the specific needs of subgroups of the SLBA as identified above (as well as the needs of anticipated future sub-groups).
[10:58] Higgs Wopat: 1. That the SLBA or one or more of its subgroups sponsor “getting to know you” sessions by invitation to various sections of the ABA and/or state or local bar associations at which the needs of the members of various bar association groups could be discussed (perhaps pursuant to a standard four question survey), and tips on the benefits of SL existence could be discussed.
[10:58] Higgs Wopat: I did an “informal survey” (I spoke with some attorneys at random) who don’t currently participate in SL and asked them what might make them interested in trying to use VRIs, in their practice and what type of information interface tools, content or functionality might be of interest to them in such an interface. Some answered that they already have too many information sources, but indicated that they would be interested in a well designed interface that aggregated different information in a useable form.
Here are some of the more helpful suggestions for the SLBA space that may help revitalize the participation of practitioners in the several sections:
[10:59] Higgs Wopat: Litigation
Court room for trial practice
Time line function for case calendar
[10:59] Higgs Wopat: Transactional
Conference room for negotiation training
Access to international materials and resources
Access to collaboration space
[11:00] Higgs Wopat: Both
Conference room
Links to state’s bar and legal resources (perhaps on a clickable map)
Legal materials and secondary authorities
Forum for discussion of changes in practice of law
Free clothing for court or other appearances.
Information about other legal resources in SL
[11:00] Higgs Wopat: That is my report on sections. Shall I report on the drafting project, or should we discuss ideas for sections first?
[11:01] Legal Writer: Let's mention the drafting project.
[11:01] Lexis Looming: Kudos to Higgs for a well thought out in depth report!!!
[11:01] Legal Writer: Please go ahead.
[11:01] Higgs Wopat: Revitalizing the Sections – Standard Forms Drafting Project
Recent discussions among the SLBA officers has surfaced the suggestion that the SLBA membership might benefit from the creation of a series of forms dealing with commonly encountered subjects in SL.
[11:01] Higgs Wopat: Examples of possible agreements include the creation of in-world “works for hire” and the provision of limited access rights to in-world property. The structure and content of these agreements would be informed by the inter-relationship of the SL terms, external law, SL customs and standard contract/license provisions.
[11:02] Higgs Wopat: It is thought that grappling to create drafting solutions to deal with various in-world situations would surface a number of issues of interest to the SLBA membership.
The capture of the discussion in text form could be compiled to provide an annotation to the final agreement sample form (which while not citable as “authoritative legislative history,” would at least provide insight into the contemporaneous thoughts and states of mind of the authors and commenters to the draft terms).
[11:02] Higgs Wopat: That is it from me. Thanks
[11:02] Legal Writer: Right, other associations have done model form agreements.
[11:03] Legal Writer: And if we picked one, it would be a manageable project. In upcoming months, I hope to see this happen.
[11:03] Legal Writer: Thank you, Higgs, for this extensive report.
[11:03] Legal Writer: It shows a lot of thought about where we are heading with the Sections.
[11:03] Tigr Yoshikawa raises hand
[11:03] Legal Writer: Tigr, quickly, since we're over the hour.
[11:03] Tigr Yoshikawa: has there been any though of a section for mediation and dispute resolution
[11:04] Legal Writer: There is a lot of discussion about that for SL, and some of our members have been involved extensively with it.
[11:04] Higgs Wopat: Personally, I think that we can establish sections based on interest of possible section leaders
[11:04] Legal Writer: We should eventually have such a Section within our group.
[11:04] Higgs Wopat: Are there restrictions in bylaws regarding the formation of sections?
[11:04] Tigr Yoshikawa: hmm ok
[11:05] Rose Springvale: Legal, could you all perhaps post some of that discussion on the forums?
[11:05] Legal Writer: No limits.
[11:05] Legal Writer: Hmm, I don't know where it all is.
[11:05] Legal Writer: There were some past meetings where this was discussed.
[11:05] Rose Springvale: [11:04] Legal Writer: There is a lot of discussion about that for SL, and some of our members have been involved extensively with it.
[11:05] Legal Writer: May have been a year and a half ago.
[11:05] jamiebryce Infinity: No limits, that is, except the real one of each project needing committed leadership to be viable ...
[11:05] Rose Springvale: perhaps a summary for those of us not on the inside circle
[11:06] Legal Writer: I will look for some things.
[11:06] Cat Galileo: it's on the forums under topic of ADR
[11:06] Cat Galileo: i believe
[11:06] Legal Writer: OK, thanks, Cat.
[11:06] Higgs Wopat: Yep. If folks have energy for section ideas, they can submit them to me or other board members for consideration as sections
[11:06] Legal Writer: Anyway, since time is up, let me close with one thought.
[11:06] Legal Writer: Thank you, Higgs. That leads into my last item.
[11:06] Cat Galileo: http://www.slba.info/forum/YaBB.pl?board=techlaw (you will need a password)
[11:07] Cat Galileo: but you just make yourself one
[11:07] Legal Writer: RIght now, our strategic plan calls for increasing membership, outreach to the Lindens, education, and providing member benefits.
[11:07] Legal Writer: I think the first and most important item is to create more infrastructure.
[11:07] Rose Springvale: have one. most recent response is august 2008..
[11:07] Legal Writer: To get infrastructure - sections and committees, small working teams - we need people.
[11:07] Legal Writer: And the association needs more leaders.
[11:08] Cat Galileo: yep rose
[11:08] Cat Galileo: forums aren't real active.
[11:08] Legal Writer: The most important function at this time is to recruit new leaders to build up infrastructure and provide a pipeline of future leaders for our association.
[11:08] Legal Writer: I think the best way to recruit people, is to identify a "recruiter" whose job it is to recruit others.
[11:09] Legal Writer: Let's start with one person and that one person can serve the association by recruiting others.
[11:09] Legal Writer: The board would like to organize a "Membership Committee" and the "recruiter" would be chair of the Committee.
[11:10] Legal Writer: So, my question to all of you is: Is anyone interested in becoming our "recruiter" and charing a Membership Committee?
[11:10] Legal Writer: You don't need to answer right now, but please IM me if interested.
[11:10] Legal Writer: I am hoping that we can find someone soon and start the Membership Committee.
[11:10] Tigr Yoshikawa: Can you clarify the potential duties
[11:10] Legal Writer: Thank you for considering this.
[11:11] jamiebryce Infinity: good point :) We probably should post a bit about expectations
[11:11] Legal Writer: The duties would be to organize a membership committee, and start calling and emailing people to understand their talents and goals, and then, ask people to take on leadership positions.
[11:11] Legal Writer: That's it in a nutshell. It's not too complicated.
[11:11] Legal Writer: It helps to be a "people person."
[11:11] Legal Writer: To take on this job.
[11:12] Legal Writer: In any case, please let me know if you are interested via IM or email - swu@ckwlaw.com.
[11:12] Tigr Yoshikawa: understood, but are we speaking of getting peole already in the SLBA to do more or to find people to join
[11:12] Tigr Yoshikawa: I'll ask later in the forum, sorry.
[11:12] Legal Writer: We are now at the end of the meeting. Is there any other business before we close?
[11:13] Geri Kuhn: Just to thank you for your leadership over the past year :)
[11:13] Legal Writer: Just one brief word before we close to say that you should all be aware that the American Bar Association is going through a transition. The Executive Director, CFO, and CIO have all resigned.
[11:13] Cat Galileo: hm
[11:13] Rose Springvale: why?
[11:14] jamiebryce Infinity smiles. It's not the first pogrom, either, unfortunately.
[11:14] Legal Writer: The ABA is going through a process of trying to figure out how to deal with declining membership. It has the same issues that our associaiton has.
[11:14] Legal Writer: There are various reasons for the changes, but most relevant to this association is the CIO's departure.
[11:15] Legal Writer: As one of the leaders of an ABA Section, I have urged the ABA to choose a CIO who is open to and will embrace new technology.
[11:15] jamiebryce Infinity: From a different vantage point that Legal in the ABA, I'd say simply, financial planinng has generally not been too good. This isn't so much about exciting dirt, as people just not doing a great job.
[11:15] Legal Writer: I see this as an unprecedented opportunity to gain a champion on the ABA executvie staff who is interested in establishing an ABA strategy regaridng virtual worlds.
[11:15] Benjamin Noble wonders if Legal is throwing his hat in the ring?
[11:15] Juris Amat: hmmm
[11:16] Legal Writer: The financial stuff should perhaps wait for another day, but focusing on our interests here, I am hoping, frankly, that the new Executive Director will choose a CIO who will embrace SL and other virtual worlds.
[11:16] jamiebryce Infinity: hmm. Legal, assming this is a policy view, not a personal campaign, can you let Mike Fleming in Cyberspace (Business law) know about this too, if you haven't already talked?
[11:16] jamiebryce Infinity: Cyberspace meets live in 2 weeks :)
[11:17] Legal Writer: Sure. I am not campaigning for anything.
[11:17] Benjamin Noble would support you, if you were.
[11:17] TelLagu Swords: For what it's worth, specialized bar associations such as SLBA should be in a better position to capitalize on the failure of the big assocations to stay relevant to their members' needs. I just declined to renew in the ABA for that reason, but I'm here for sure!
[11:17] jamiebryce Infinity: (and we get a lot of the SciTech people at those F2Fs)
[11:17] Legal Writer: I see the website of the ABA as being a key to delivering value -- content, priced right, and easily found.
[11:17] Legal Writer: And we need to deliver value here too.
[11:17] jamiebryce Infinity: or not :)
[11:18] Legal Writer: I wanted to let you know that the ABA is in the process of redoing its website.
[11:18] jamiebryce Infinity: Bear in mind they lived off publications -- dead tree model :D
[11:18] Rose Springvale: that's a problem i think.. so much of what used to be of value in ABA is now free
[11:18] Legal Writer: I wrote a lengthy report on reimagining the ABA website and mentioned Second Life as part of the future of the Internet.
[11:18] Benjamin Noble: Jamie - sci-tech and cyberspace should work more closely generally, imo. We should talk to Mike.
[11:18] jamiebryce Infinity: posted anywhere on thre web?
[11:19] Legal Writer: The report reached the highest levels in the ABA and is going around to other Section leaders.
[11:19] Legal Writer: So SL is now, finally, coming to the attention of the ABA's leaders.
[11:19] jamiebryce Infinity: Yah, Ben, I know for a fact that he'd be open to it -- and like I say, we have a big F2f in Miami in a few weeks :)
[11:19] Legal Writer: Stay tuned!
[11:19] Tigr Yoshikawa: that is promising
[11:19] jamiebryce Infinity: Legal? Do we plebes get to see this masterpiece? ahem, web URL?
[11:19] Benjamin Noble: Cool.
[11:19] Higgs Wopat: I hope to meet some of you in Miami
[11:19] Legal Writer: I don't think I am at liberty to post the ABA report.
[11:19] Legal Writer: I am sorry.
[11:20] jamiebryce Infinity chuckles
[11:20] Legal Writer: I would need some permissions to do that.
[11:20] jamiebryce Infinity: salaam. A nice test for your theory of openness, there
[11:20] Tigr Yoshikawa is willing to wait for Legal to get permission
[11:20] Legal Writer: But I can perhaps excerpt some comments on where I see the website can improve and pass those along.
[11:20] jamiebryce Infinity: (or maybe the visioning part, minus the what-sucks-now part, might be extricated)
[11:20] Benjamin Noble: I think a lot of people would love to see it.
[11:20] Juris Amat: grins
[11:21] Benjamin Noble: Maybe you can see if posting/excerpting is possible?
[11:21] Legal Writer: I will check with some people to see.
[11:21] Legal Writer: Anyway, I have run over time.
[11:21] Legal Writer: Let us close our meeting, and if anyone wants to follow up with me about these items, please feel free to contact me by email - swu@ckwlaw.com.
[11:22] Tigr Yoshikawa: :)
[11:22] Legal Writer: Thank you all for your support of our association during my term as President.
[11:22] Juris Amat: claps
[11:22] TelLagu Swords: Thank YOU, Legal!
[11:22] Benjamin Noble: /applauds.
[11:22] Higgs Wopat: Thank you for all of the work !!
[11:22] Legal Writer: Our meeting is now closed, and thank you for coming.
[11:22] Geri Kuhn claps.
[11:22] Tigr Yoshikawa: /meclaps
[11:22] Aisln Baxton applauds
[11:22] Higgs Wopat: cheers
[11:22] Soro Dagostino: claps
[11:23] TelLagu Swords: (Sorry I was late... usual excuses... pick one)
[11:23] jamiebryce Infinity: cheers all - and thanks again Legal, for your service as Prez