Minutes of Staff Meeting 12th May 2008

STAFF MEETING 12th MAY 2008-05-13

PRESENT: Dragon Shichiroji; Elborath Gelfand; Ofelia Wolkenberg; Alexandra Shemesh; StarRose Merlin; Leou Aeon; Jophiella Willis; Rod Metall; Rian Hirvi; Baji Bourjade; AlienShaman Constellation; Manon Clary; Zenny Carpathea; Caryl Meredith; Ninyanna Trommler; Arawn Spitteler; Azar Sak; Wulf Urqhart; Belinda2008 Maryjasz; Sophia Weinberg; Sharpy Mazi; TatennRa Baramm; Mara Mureaux; Mandana Mai; Annie Dunham; Steele Wilder; Numpty Slade; joy Pinklady; Shazuka Tigerpaw; Sheena Fairey.

AGENDA

1) Notice Board giving Crisis Helpline URLs and phone numbers

2) Statistics

3) Fundraiser

4) Security system

5) Student Council

6) Covering in Arianna’s absence

7) Guide Conduct Policy

8) VR box

9) Website and Blogs

1) Notice Board for Help Lines:

StarRose has suggested that MA has a notice board which will give Crisis Helplines both for SL and RL. This has a particular relevance for those people who may be suicidal. This is not setting MA up as a crisis centre but providing an easy information point for ppl – especially if there is no-one around when someone comes to MA. This will also be a reference point for guides and consultants to enable them to suggest appropriate resources for ppl who are in crisis. Elborath has already started collecting the information and will carry the project through. ACTION: Elborath

2) Statistics:

Elborath Reported that Lizzy Renard has sent her apologies but due to RL pressure is unable to continue to do the statistics. Dragon told the meeting that there is an automatic system in place which is working well – but may need some analysis in the future.
3) Fundraiser:

Dragon would like a monthly fundraiser to help Mystic Academy make tier. Not all agreed with the idea of a fund raiser – preferring to use this activity for RL charities. However Dragon pointed out that we don’t make tier and that Manon meets the difference personally. The date for the fundraiser for May is set for Monday 19th May – after the staff meeting at 3.30pm SLT. Suggestions for activities and volunteers to Elborath Gelfand please. ACTION: All guides/Elborath

4) Security System:

Manon reported she has installed a security system. There are small blue boxes on the walls around the Academy. If a guide needs help they press the blue box and a security guard from SLIS island security will come. The alarm can also be worn as a HUD by individual guides. There was a discussion re false alarms and hiding the boxes. Manon gave a demonstration of the system in operation and we were joined by security guard Steele Wilder. The other guard is Sempsey Liliehook. Guides who wish to wear the security device please IM Manon Clary. ACTION: All guides/consultants/Manon

5) Student Council:

Elborath reported that she had three applications for student representatives – however all of them are female. It would be appropriate for there to be a male representative as well as a female. Recruitment will continue with a view to recruiting one male and one female. Sheena will canvass among her friends. ACTION: Sheena/Elborath

6) Covering in Arianna’s absence

Dragon reported that Arianna is still unwell, although is improving. We need to cover her work in her absence. Elborath will post the schedules (they go on the website now and the URL gets published) and take up any tasks that she can. Manon has also offered to help – all sim and land questions to go to Manon. Guides are asked to make sure they post classes – and to make sure they are running classes – Dragon would like all guides to run at least one class every two weeks minimum. ACTION: All guides/Elborath/Manon

7) Guide Conduct Policy

Referring to an incident that happened two weeks ago in Leou’s class Dragon reported that few matters were said in public voice that were seen to have caused offence to some of the students here. This flagged up one of the problems with voice – it is not recorded. However guides must be aware of the possible sensitivities of ppl in their class whether they are using voice or text. Dragon went on to say: we are working in a learning environment and we must allow for learning for everyone, for students and staff alike. He is expanding the existing guide conduct policy and said ‘if anyone transgresses our policies and conduct agreements on a case of gross misconduct they lose the guide status permanently.’ However he qualified this by saying: ‘if however there is a case where something has been said or uttered, and there is an understanding and genuine feeling of improvement and learning from that experience then we should consider as a group of guides to give a second and final chance’.

Leou made a statement to the meeting – it is quoted here in full:

‘I appreciate the support of those who trusted me in the past weeks, stood by me and understood me all along. I know that some people thought that I did something wrong, but my intention was never to hurt anybody. Although my ideas have been misinterpreted & misunderstood, I consider this experience to have been a positive one, as it made me grow as a person as much as a teacher.’

Dragon intends in the future to put in place a formal complaints procedure for students to be taken through the student council and then for the council to discuss the matter with Dragon.

A forum has been started on the website – please contribute suggestions re the Guide Conduct Policy:
http://www.mysticacademy.org/ma/node/120

8) VR box

Opinions were canvassed with regard to the siting of the VR box. At the moment it overhangs the consulting rooms. Dragon suggests it is placed higher or over the forest at the back of the castle. StarRose who uses the box as a classroom agreed. She will liaise with Manon re the possibility of re-siting the box. ACTION: StarRose/Manon

9) Website and Blogs:

Dragon thanked those who have been contributing to the blogs on the website. They are going really well and Dragon mentioned Rod and Star specifically. Ex Noel has also written a great blog and Elborath has contributed too. Please will all staff access and contribute to the blogs – our website has become a lively, interesting entertaining and informative site – let’s keep up the good work. ACTION: All staff

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

a) Arawn brought up the question of ppl posting notifications about events in other groups on the Mystic Academy IM. This can be considered spam and is not tolerated. A new member had done this recently but was told about it and apologised. This was a mistake on her part. Arawn said that when telling ppl about transgressions please could this be done courteously in a private IM.

b) Recording voice classes by streaming them through NowLive. Rod Metall is the resource point for questions about NowLive. Elborath is attempting to set up Mystic Academy on NowLive so that it can be administered via the UK (Dragon being a Brit). This has been delayed due to RL and SL pressure but she will continue to work on it with Rod’s help. StarRoase reported that she has also had problems dialling into NowLive – and she is in the USA. ACTION: Rod/Elborath

c) Dragon called for ideas for new classes and suggested a student hosted/student participation discussion. This can be facilitated through the student council when it is in place.

d) Dragon introduced Azar Sak to the meeting. Azar has 25 years experience of invention and construction in the film industry. It was Azar who designed and constructed the R2D2 Robot for Star Wars as well as many other models in his outstanding career. For more information please go to Azar's website: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0989174/resume

It is hoped that Azar will conduct seminars on his work at the Academy. It is planned to interview Azar in the future. Azar. Azar works in voice in SL so those attending his seminars need to have voice enabled - even if they do not speak themselves