Minutes of Staff Meeting 28th April 2008

Minutes of Staff Meeting 28th April 2008

PRESENT: Ex Noel; Philosofa Wiseman; Elborath Gelfand; Dansz Darkstone; Jophiella Willis; Manon Clary; Rod Metall; Pirithous Decosta; Melvyn Meredith; Arawn Spitteler; Caryl Meredith; StarRose Merlin; GreyWolf Frye; Dragon Shichiroji; AlienShaman Constellation; Denon Kanto; FireStaar Frye; Redrose Alter; Sheena Fairey; Zenny Carpathea Ninyanna Trommler.

Elborath welcomed Ex Noel as Mystic Academy’s newest guide. Ex is oing to be teaching a series of Forgiveness classes on Tuesdays in May at 10am SLT. Ex’s picture and information is yet to go up on the staff board but Ari has the photo and the notecard. ACTION: Arianna

MATTERS ARISING:

1) Voice Poll: A poll has been running on the website: http://www.mysticacademy.org/ma/poll - do we want to see more voice classes in MA? At the time of the meeting 86% were in favour of more voice against 14% against. The poll is still open – as is the one for the name of our radio station. Go to the URL above.

The use of voice is not compulsory and classes may be taught using text, voice or a combination of the two. Guides are asked to indicate if voice is to be used in their class when they post the event on the calendar and in notices and group IMs. Noel plans to use bothand will have an assistant to follow the text chat and bring questions etc. to her attention. Jophiella pointed out that not all computers are in quiet environments and what is going on in RL may prevent the use of voice. ACTION: All guides

2) Posting comments on the website: Mystic Academy needs to have comments about classes and activities collected in order to plan and develop. Guides to encourage students to post comments on the website. Dragon has supplied a web link object to enable ppl to go straight to the contact form on the website: http://www.mysticacademy.org/ma/contact . The link is in the Mystic Academy Lounge by the Dragon sofas. IM Dragon if you would like a copy to take into your class. Please ask students to use the link and post comments after class. ACTION: All guides

3) Pictures for the website: Elborath has received some pictures from past incarnations of MA but is still light on pictures of Huran and particularly short on pictures of Rydal. Please send pictures to Elborath Gelfand. Dragon would also like to see a file of funny pictures in the gallery on the website – kind of MA bloopers! Again, please send to Elborath. ACTION: All members/Elborath

4) NowLive.com Elborath with enormous help and input from Rod Metall is trying to find a way to broadcast radio for MA from the UK via the NowLive website. One of the many advantages would be that any broadcast will automatically be recorded and available for any MA members to access later. ACTION: Elborath/Rod

5) Revision to Guide Policy: Following on an incident a few days previously Dragon reminded everyone that we may have belief systems but have to be careful how they are expressed so that other ppl may not be offended. He made it clear that at no point on behalf of the academy do any of us believe that any form of abuse, violence, or terror is ever justifiable. Dragon went on to say that Karma in itself when we do talk of it has to be given in the context of what it is about - we have no place in MA for loose words or half given statements and we always have to remember that behind the avatars sit people with radically different views sometimes and also different experiences, so a great deal of sensitivity is needed. Dragon intends to action a revision of the guide policy. Any breaches of the guide policy will result in a de-guide of status. ACTION: Dragon

6) Student Representative: Dragon would like to elect a student representative to liaise with staff and to whom student concerns can be referred. He would like a student representative that is not a guide of any form or a consultant or have any work related activity in MA. He would like them to have some experience of coming to MA and have been a member for at least a year. Ultimately the rep could head up a student council. A notice to be sent out and an application form to be devised. ACTION: Elborath

7) Summer Festival: Dragon would like the staff to begin planning a Simmer Festival to be held about the 3rd week in May – when the moon is waxing. There will be a target set for fundraising and some of the funds raised to be donated to charity – with a view to helping them get a place in SL or perhaps to subsidise them on Matara. ACTION: All staff.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

a) Rod suggested a projects or things to do list. This would be useful to keep tabs of all the tasks and who is assigned to them and to be able to monitor progress. There is project software available for this. Rod and Dragon to liaise. ACTION: Rod/Dragon

b) Dahlia Daehlie wishes to play music at MA. She was to begin at 12noon SLT on Tuesday 29th April. Ninyanna Trommler, Rod Metall and Manon Clary will be there. Ninyanna to post a notice.

c) Congratulations were given to FireStaar Frye for the fantastic video of MA that she has produced. Go to: http://www.mysticacademy.org/ma/node/59 to see the video. FireStaar was asked to submit the video to Torley Linden who is collecting them for Flikr.

DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING

Monday 5th May 2008 2.30pm SLT