Minutes of Staff Meeting 6th October 2008

MINUTES OF STAFF MEETING 6TH OCTOBER 2008

Present: Dragon Shichiroji; Elborath Gelfand; Boots Takao; Sara Long; Baji Bourjade; StarRose Merlin; Lizzy Renard; Ara Ametza; FireStaar Frye; Redrose Alter; Manon Clary; AlienShaman Constellation; Arawn Spitteler; Astaus Graves; Draig Belgar:; Ara Ametza; JohnnyHealingWolf Allen; Top Golden; Zeedee Bellic; Jophiella Willis; Kaimus Nootan; jeffke Latte; Sheena Fairey; Jane Atkey; Scott Boronski; Nemo Homewood; Hermes Kondor

ITEMS DISCUSSED

1) New Staff

Star introduced Ara Ametza for Ara’s biography go to: http://www.mysticacademy.org/ma/node/395

Star told the meeting she has several other guides who are being inducted. Dragon welcomed Draig and said he had heard how popular her classes were.

2) Curriculum

Dragon congratulated StarRose for developing the curriculum noting there are on average 3 classes most days. Thursday and Friday are quieter and he would like to see some social events running then – will AlienShaman be continuing his usual Thursday gig? ACTION: AlienShaman and all Mystic DJs

Dragon would like to explore new areas based on student demand and interest. New areas that have been asked for are Reiki and Shamansim and more Native American based wisdoms. Dragon reminded the meeting that the commitment on the part of guides can be small – once a fortnight for Reiki for example. JohnnyHealingWolf Allen is interested in introducing vision quests and intermediate to advanced totem meditations into MA. StarRose to liaise with Johnny re application to become a guide. ACTION StarRose. FireStar said she has conducted many rituals in SL and offered help to those new guides who wish to conduct rituals.

Dragon suggested putting out a notice to both the chatroom for existing staff and also to the group as a whole for trainee teachers / guides. ACTION: StarRose

Dragon would like the staff to focus on building areas of competence which are regularly timed and which new people can always join into. Baji Bourjade and Jane Atkey already do this with their Tuesday meditation sessions.

Johnny asked about upping MA’s search ranking. This can be done by listing classes as objects for sale. Dragon to investigate ACTION: Dragon.

3) Website

FireStar suggested that staff with personal websites could advertise MA and add a link to the MA website. MA’s website is regularly updated with MA news, staff members and the weekly events. http://www.mysticacademy.org/ma/node/28 Elborath asked all guides to send her a notecard of their classes for the upcoming week – because having to log in, go to the calendar and then chase people is very time consuming. ACTION: All guides

StarRose does encourage new guides to send their bio plus a picture to Elborath for inclusion in the Staff section of the website. Elborath apologised for often being in ‘busy’ mode when inworld – but notecards sent usually end up in the trash so she knows to check there. If a short IM is sent at the same time as the notecard it helps remind her to look. Elborath is happy to take email – either via the website at: http://www.mysticacademy.org/ma/node/191 - if you are subscribed to the website or at: elborath@surfree.co.uk or by using the website contact form at: http://www.mysticacademy.org/ma/contact

Dragon requests guides to look at website and bring any comments to the next meeting. Jo suggests email information could be included on the staff board.

4) Garden Design and Prim Efficiency

MA is running low on prims – so the garden needs tidying up and use prims more efficiently. It was agreed to keep the gazebo but to renovate it with more attractive furniture. Lizzy would like less ‘intimate’ pose balls in the gazebo. Star suggested decorating it with seasonal plants. ACTION: Dragon

Top would like to remove most of the prims at the sides and back of the MA castle. Which would significantly improve the prim allowance. Dragon suggests a door from the back of the castle to the space at the back which is underused at the moment. And suggested a beach area on the back lot. ACTION: Dragon

Johnny suggests rezzable classrooms that would be de-rezzed afterwards.

Nemo Homewood – suggested the use of a rez box.

Dragon will also review items within the castle with a view to saving prims. ACTION: Dragon

6) Entertainment/Events – Halloween - Psychic Fair

Elborath reported that there had been spontaneous parties occurring at MA every night in the preceding week, and that Sara is a great facilitator. Once GreyWolf dj’d but mostly music was streamed via the sim using a radio URL. Alien will DJ most Thursdays and may be available some Fridays. Reminded to put the session on the calendar and to let Elborath know for the website.

People are asked to make sure events don’t clash with or overlap existing classes. Alien will move his DJ spot to 3.30pm SLT on Thursdays to avoid an overlap with Star’s class.

Ideas for events included: Theme Parties – 17th Century, Draig may be able to persuade a musician she knows to put on a live performance for MA; Ara suggested a remote viewing session; Halloween – both a Samhein ritual from FireStaar and a Halloween party. ACTION: FireStaar for ritual; Sara, StarRose and guides generally for Halloween Party. To be held on the day – 31st of October (a Friday)

Draig would like there to be a way of awarding certificates of attendance to class members electronically. A prim based scroll is suggested. FireStaar says there could be a RL equivalent as well. StarRose is still planning a psychic fair – to be tied in with the Halloween events. ACTION: StarRose and all Guides.

7) Redesign Staff Board in MA

It was decided that the Staff Board needs to be redesigned. Elborath asked if we needed it since staff information is available on the website: http://www.mysticacademy.org/ma/node/204

However the meeting was in favour of retaining the staff board in MA with a redesign. ACTION: Jane Atkey to liaise with Fnordian.

8) Bans

It was decided to instigate a new system in which initially anyone causing problems would be banned for one week (in line with Linden practice) then unbanned. Subsequent problems would then be taken to a panel consisting of: Dragon Shichiroji; Elborath Gelfand; StarRose Merlin; Jophiella Willis; Jane Atkey; FireStaar Frye and Manon Clary. Or a quorum of these members. All bans to be recorded and sent to Elborath Gelfand who will be taking the lead. Elborath to send out suggested record card.

Also guides are asked to remind students about disruptive behaviour at the beginning of all classes and to issue warnings before banning. Dragon to look into localised banning – for just one class for example. ACTION: Elborath; All Guides; Dragon.

DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING

Monday 13th October at 2.30pm SLT