April 25, 2013

Tee called the meeting to order at 5:33 SLT

Present: Sofia, Joan, Tee, Zyzzy, Darcy, Etaoin

Absent: Desire

Observing: Belovan

Old Business

Minutes – Zyzzy

Approval moved, seconded, and voted on

Treasurer’s Report – Sofia

Treasurer’s report March 31, 2013

Kiva – Joan

KIVA Report, April 2013

• # of members is 17 (no increase since last report)

• # of Loans is 211 (increase of 5)

• Loans/member 12.4 (increase of 0.3) (Average for KIVA lenders is 9)

• Total loans $ 5525 (increase of $ 125)

• No defaults since last report

UUtopia Report – Zyzzy

• 2048 and 1024 are available on Alcott, and there will be a 1024 (beachfront) available on UUtopia shortly. Bel is leaving her parcel, and Peter is taking 1/2 of it.

• We’re on a fairly even keel, but haven’t reached break-even, given the initial investment in the sims.

Outreach – Et

• 6-7 people here on Sundays. Mostly people that don’t show up on Thurs.

• Cloud Party is getting easier to use.

• Et may set up a sanctuary in Cloud Party.

• Inworldz was mentioned as a possibility. Et said he would revisit it.

• Open Sim was mentioned as a possibility. Still no one there.

Prairie Star Feedback- Darcy

• About 20 people attended in RL.

• Darcy’s DRE is interested in further involvement with their youth.

• Distance-meetings were appealing to the audience.

• A committee at Joan’s RL church is interested in meeting in SL.

• Et mentioned workshops on the GA study issues as a good topic for SL. Currently, dealing with them is a 3 year process.

LG Elections

• Joan is not going to continue on the LG.

• Everyone else is up for continuing.

• Peter and Bel were suggested as new candidates.

• Bel said she has a problem with internet access possibly not continuing.

New Business

Chapel- Desire

• Desire’s proposal (attached below) was moved, seconded and approved.

RFL Events- Tee

• Tee proposed allowing the Relay For Life, American Cancer Society to hold meetings in UUtopia. With the provision that it would have to be scheduled so that it doesn’t conflict with any other meetings (particularly Freda’s things), it was moved, seconded, and approved.

Calendar- From Freda

• In the next 7 days, there will be 17 public events in UUtopia, some The Garden, some at Baha’i Center, some in the Library, some in The Buddhist Park. I always send out a calendar each week, so I suppose you could share that with LG specifically though they should all have received it via group notices. I will be sending a new one today and will make sure you have it.

• I have posted info about SL10B to the UUtopia Friends page. Hopefully someone will discuss that. I have applied to do an individual performance there but have made no moves for FUUCSL or UUtopia. I figure that is up to LG to decide.

Library

Desire’s proposal

Moments at UUtopia: Venue for Celebration – Memorialization – Dedication

Purpose:

One of the important aspects of Second Life is capturing the moments of celebration and memorializing those connections that happen within the world. Sometimes those moments are recognizing real life, sometimes second life, sometimes a combination of both. This is a proposal to engage the UUFSL in providing a place and service for these moments. As a result, more people will become aware of our sims, our organization and the message we share about our purposes and principles and the path of Unitarian Universalism.

Plan:

This is a venue and service provided by the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Second Life. It is manned by Desire Jacques and members of the congregation who choose to participate as celebrants. There will be weddings, memorial services and child dedications primarily with other customized events as come about to service the SL community. There will be suggested donations of $1000L which will be shared between the celebrant and the fellowship.

Service:

Venue: The venue is created to be non denominational or specifically religious and is not meant to yield specific religious affiliation. It is also supposed to be open to different types of celebrations. Visitors can currently notice that while the venue is set up for a typical wedding, in the corners of the venue are objects that are available for use for memorial and child dedication services.

Celebrants: Currently, Desire is available to perform as a celebrant. I have generic services available and will work with clients on customizing or personalizing t heir service if they so choose. I am inviting the congregation to join me in becoming celebrants to the venue. If you would like to use your own generic services or utilize the ones I have, I would be glad to share. Having other celebrants will make sure that the venue is always available to the community. I would give any celebrant editing permissions so that they can move objects as necessary around the parcel.

Celebrations: Currently I have found a need in the community for the following services that this type of venue would be suited to:

1. Weddings
2. Memorial Services
3. Child Dedications (which could include the dedication of a pixel baby or an adoption of a child avatar)

Protocol:

Currently there are several easels with note cards on the parcel that indicate that potential clients contact me for more information. I would like to post their event on a calendar on my Google account or on the UUFSL calendar or both. Along with the calendar listing would be the celebrant.

It will be reasonable to remind some clients of the rules of the Uutopia sim, such as the fact that this is a G rated sim therefore no nudity or adult behavior allowed.

Clients should pay for services before the service begins and the donation to the congregation made after the service is over. That will take care of any issues or problems that could possibly occur that would warrant refunding the client. Celebrants are at total discretion in the matter of refunds.

Marketing:

This service will be advertised in the SL forums, on Desire’s Facebook page, and in any free advertising offered by vendors of celebration products such as graphic equipment, furnishings, photographers, fashion designers and the like. We do not want to host advertising. I invite congregants who become celebrants to make Moments one of the Picks on their profile. Other marketing ideas are welcomed.

March 28, 2013

Tee called the meeting to order at 5:44 SLT

Attending: Zyzzy, Belovan, Tee, Darcy, Desire, Sofia

Absent: Joan, Etaoin

Observing: Peter Newtone

Old Business

Minutes – Zyzzy

Approval moved, seconded, and approved

Treasurer’s report Feb 28, 2013

Discussion: At each LG meeting, I will provide a Treasurer’s report for the end of the preceding month. That way, going forward, we will be able to make accurate month-to-month comparisons. Beginning in March of 2013, I started paying rent for the Sanctuary at the rate of $25,000 per month, as decided at an earlier LG meeting. Sofia.

Kiva – Joan

KIVA Report, March 2013

• # of members is 17 (no increase since last report)

• # of Loans is 206 (increase of 12)

• Loans/member 12.1  (increase of 0.7)  (Average for KIVA lenders is 9)

• Total loans $5400 (increase of $300)

• No defaults since last report

UUtopia – Zyzzy

• UUtopia is fully occupied

• Freda and Hex may be leaving their parcel in a couple of months. Z isn’t sure. They are expected to continue to be active.

• Belovan said she’s going to leave her parcel too. Much encouragement to hang around and remain active.

Elections

• June Elections

• July change

• People are thinking about whether they want to continue

• Zyzzy, Sofia, Darcy are planning to continue

Interfaith activities at the Library – Belovan

• Peter has a database of people of different faiths here

• Peter and Desire are working on contacting them

• An interfaith dialog for the library

• Monthly discussion panels

• Celebrations?

New Business

PSD Conference and FUUCSL – Darcy

• Darcy will be presenting a workshop on FUUCSL and UUtopia on Saturday, April 6, at 8:30am SLT to the Prairie Star District Conference.

• People are asked to pop in if possible 8:30 – 9:30 am SLT

• The Welcome Center, the French Sculpture Garden, Library, and the Sanctuary will be shown

• 9 people registered so far for the workshop

• Some church’s DRE is interested in exploring FUUCSL, SL, and UUtopia

Chapel Report – Desire

• There were four weddings, two rescheduled for later in the spring, and two decided to go to another location.

Library Report – Belovan

• Desire and Peter are working hard to get the Library Series up and running. Narrowing down a list of topics and dates. We are hoping to have interfaith panels monthly on vairous topics. Once the topics and dates are set I will give them to the LG. We are using dropbox and email to keep in touch outside of SL.

• I’m getting started on adding information and changing everything to be owned by the Library Group.

• We are having a steady stream of new people stopping by the library.

Tee adjourned the meeting at 6:27 SLT

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Tee called the meeting to order at 5:33 SLT.

Attending: Joan, Belovan, Desire, Tee, Et, Zyzzy, Sofia

Absent: Darcy

Old Business

Minutes – Zyzzy

Moved to approve, seconded, and approved.

Treasurer Reports – Sofia

Treasurer’s report January 31, 2013

• Three new members: Jamaesi Skytower, Tee Auster, & Azura Skysong
• Ronan Carver resigned; Penn Dirval and LifeSingSong ToYou have left the group.
• Report on Pledge Drive: L$129,061 in 20 pledges (2012 L$104,900); L$54161 in payments to date. Change in process. I sent IMs instead of notices. I think they get more attention and are more likely to be forwarded to email.

Kiva – Joan

KIVA Report, January 2013

• # of members is 17 (no increase since last report)
• # of Loans is 194 (increase of 7)
• Loans/member 11.4 (increase of 0.4) (Average for KIVA lenders is 9)
• Total loans $5100 (increase of $300)
• General agreement that this is a Good Thing and Joan was congratulated.

UUtopia Report – Zyzzy

• UUtopia remains fully rented.
• Some parcel turn-over, but the available parcels were taken immediately.
• We are net positive in rental income vs. expense right now.
• It will take some time yet to cover the sunk cost, but that’s ok with Zyzzy.

Outreach Report – Et

• 5-6 people show up weekly.
• CLF person showed up 2 weeks ago, but not since then.
• Long discussion about UUtopia’s community, attractiveness to people, etc. We are generally optimistic.

Common Area – Bel

• The new common area building(s) are done.
• It was suggested that we have a reception.
• Stuff there now that we can’t move will have to be returned.
• The plan is to replace the buildings and deal with the repercussions of stuff being returned.

Library Report – Bel

• Everything is going well.
• Bel was thanked and appreciated by all.

Calendar and Events – Freda

• New exhibition opens March 10
• Live Music at Service on March 14

New Business

Wedding Chapel Notes – Desire

• Desire did not do any wedding ceremonies here this month but two people married themselves in the church on our grounds and she has four weddings planned next month

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 SLT

2013 FUUCSL Leadership Group Meeting Dates

• February 28
• March 28
• April  25 (recruit candidates)
• May 23 (presentations if needed)
• June 27 (vote at service)
• July 25 (reorganization meeting)

Tee Auster called the meeting to order at 5:32 PM SLT
Present: Desire, Tee, Joan, Darcy, Etaoin, Sofia
Observing: Peter Newton, Belovan Zuta, megimp

Old Business

Approval of Minutes – Zyzzy

Moved, seconded, and approved

Treasurer’s report December 31, 2012 – Sofia

• Moved by Joan (on Sofia’s recommendation) to increase the rent paid by FUUCSL to L$25,000/month. Seconded and approved.
• Sofia moved to hold a pledge drive. Seconded and approved.

KIVA Report, January 2013 – Joan

• Overall increase.
• 7 loans ended in a loss though over 98% of the individual loan was repaid
• 2 loans refunded.
• # of members is 17 (no increase since last report)
• # of Loans is 187 (increase of 12)
• Loans/member 11 (increase of 0.7)  (Average for KIVA lenders is 9)
• Total loans $4900 (increase of $300)

Occupancy Report – Zyzzy

• There is one 4096 available, on Alcott. Joan’s former parcel.
• I think we’re about to lose Cherie Cassowary (a 1024)
• 2012 closed with a cumulative loss of US$1480.56
• The net loss during 2012 was US$44.90
• A chart of the info is here:
  http://fuucsl.org/files/UUtopia_Rentals_Net_through_2012.pdf

Outreach Report – Etaoin

• Still having the CLF simulcast.
• 3-4 avatars attend regularly
• CLF knows when we’re watching
• There is two-way chat during the event

Library Report – Belovan

• The library continues to grow at a good pace. We have new visits regularly and our Tuesday discussions are doing very well. Peter is currently leading the discussions on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. Tee has started a UU principles discussion on the 2nd Tuesday of each month and we are having an open discussion on the last Tuesday of each month.
• On Jan 20th at 5pm we will be having our first event at the Lecture Hall. A panel discussion on Religion as a source of social change. We are still looking for someone to do the introductions for this event. If anyone can help that would be great.
• In the future I’m hoping to book religious leaders from around SL. To speak in the lecture hall. I’m trying to figure out the best day and time for these. I want them to be like once a month around the same time.
• megimp suggested that the library have copies of the various UU pamphlets. He said he has a few that are out of print. This idea was well-received.
• Desire will be the new library assistant

Calendar of Events (submitted by Freda)

• Calendar is up to date
• Peter might have some events he would like to add
• We have a new preacher starting January 31, Basona Melody.
• Are we planning any events for March 25th (UUtopia’s founding anniversary)?

New Business

• Desire noted that she’s done two weddings here since she built the wedding venue.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:24 PM SLT.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

The meeting called to order by Tee Auster at 5:33 SLT

Attending: Sofia, Tee, Zyzzy, Darcy, Etaoin, Joan

Absent: Desire

Observing: Thisbe

Old Business

Approval of Minutes – Zyzzy

Approval moved, seconded, and passed.

Treasurer’s Report – Sofia

Year-to-date as of December 4, 2012

Kiva Report – Joan

• # of Team Members: 17 – no increase since last report

• # of Loans: 175

• Loans/Member: 10.3 (Average # of Loans for KIVA Lenders: 9)

• Total Amount Loaned: US$4600

• Defaults since last report: 0

• It was noted that the Total Amount Loaned is the cumulative loans, recycling paid-back loans.

Occupancy Report – Zyzzy

• We have only a 2048 available. Peter Newton was interested, but seems to have lost interest in it.

Outreach Report – Etaoin

• There are 916 members in the UUs of SL group.

Upcoming Events

• Freda’s been busy.

• James Amforte (guitarist) played at the opening of the sculpture show.

• U+ group on Monday.

Library Report from Belovan Zuta

• The library has been doing very well.

• Peter Newton has been speaking at our weekly Tuesday meetings and we often have a lively group.

• The Land Mark Giver by the bridge has a counter and is always giving new landmarks out.

  I’ve put a building on the ground I call the peace project as it is dedicated to bringing religions together in unity for peace.  Peter is also involved with this project and has offered many textures  and notecards for me to use.  There is now  a teleport in that building that brings people to the library also.

• The destination guide has been updated and Freda was nice enough to donate the money for it to be listed.

• I hope to be adding some lectures in the hall soon but due to some health issues my time in world is limited at the moment. For this reason I was thinking of taking on an assistant Librarian. Someone that could not only help with the library but will be able to take over if for any reason I can no longer run the library. I don’t want it to end .

• I’ve been deeding objects that I can to the library group. What I can’t deed I will eventually replace with items I can so that they belong to the library group. Anyone with permissions can then move, edit or return these items as needed.

• Peter Newton was given the title of Contributor which gives him more permissions in the library. He has been a wonderful help to me lately and I greatly appreciate it.

• I’ve added a third floor where I plan on adding some areas eventually. I would like to add things like Joesph Campbell, Science and Religion, religious archeology etc. These are future plans but things I’m thinking about. I will also be adding content and and reorganizing content eventually. Lots of plans for the coming year .

• Next year I will be adding a Chalice lighting for Chalica if I can arrange it daily for a week The prototype for that is on the ground next to the Peace Project building.

New Business

• None.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 5:20 SLT

Next meeting January 24, 2013

Thursday, October 25, 2012

The meeting called to order by Tee Auster at 5:37 SLT

Attending: Desire, Etaoin, Sofia, Tee, Zyzzy, Darcy

Absent: Joan

Old Business

Approval of Minutes—Zyzzy

Approval moved, seconded, and passed.

Treasurer’s Report—Sofia

Year-to-date October 14, 2012

Kiva Report—Joan

• Joan will give the Kiva report at the next LG meeting.

Date for next LG meeting

• The next LG Meeting is proposed for December 6th.
• Moved, seconded, and passed.

Occupancy Report—Zyzzy

• Thisbe added Knarf’s abandoned parcel.
• - Only the parcels north of the mountain are available.

Outreach Report—Etaoin

• CLF service watching still going well. Rev Harlan Limpert, UUA director of Ministry and Congragational services (or whatever his title is—-#3 at the UUA) contacted Et about coming into SL and seeing what we’re up to. He is wondering what are the impediments to this place being a part of the UUA. So far he’s been too busy to pop in.
• Et will pursue this later.
• Sofia: Eventually we will have to decide whether to attempt to become a UUA-affiliated congregation.

Library—Belovan

• Bel talked about forthcoming projects involving the library. There will be things elsewhere being promoted at the library.
• Bel would like ideas on a logo to go with the off-sim promotions.

New Business

Fixing FUUCSL Name

• Thisbe noted that the Covenant says that the FUUCSL is a “church”. Any reason to not change that to “congregation”?

  Background:  At April & May 2010 we decided to put the name change to a vote of the congregation.  That was done on May 27,2010, and the notecard giver and mission/vision posters in the sanctuary area were changed from Church to Congregation.  I believe that only the mission/vision statement on the website needs to be updated. – Sofia

• Moved – that “church” be changed to “congregation” whereever it appears and where it makes sense. 2nded and approved.

Upcoming Events

• November-December LS Meeting will be held Thursday, December 6th

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 6:12 SLT

The meeting called to order by Tee Auster at 5:32 SLT

Attending: Desire, Et, Joan, Tee, Zyzzy, Darcy

Observing: Freda, Isabell Shriner

Old Business

Approval of Minutes—Zyzzy

Approval was moved, seconded, and passed.

Treasurer’s Report—Sofia

Year-to-date September 25, 2012

Kiva Report—Joan

• Overall increase.

• No problems with loan repayments since last report on 8/23/12.

• # of members is 16 (no increase from August)

• # of Loans is 161 (increase of 11)

• Loans/member 10.1 (increase of 0.8)

• Total loans $4200 (increase of $300)

Occupancy Report—Zyzzy

• We currently have 2048 available in Alcott, and 2048 in UUtopia. Pretty close to ideal.

• Freda is now an Estate Manager.

UUA/CLF Update—Et

• We had 5 people watching Sunday night, and Meg Riley (CLF minister) did a little shout-out on the livestream chat for the folks watching from SL. The CLF service is Sunday night at 8pm ET (5pm SLT) and Et plans to be here for that.

• Someone said that Meg tried getting into SL a few weeks ago but had problems; she may try again. And for a few people, this has become their Sunday Service for real. Wow.

Spirit Fair—Tee and Desire

• The Spirit Fair was held the weekend of the 21st. Really a great energy and many fine events. Desire created a wonderful and representational UU area. It was very nicely done and dealt with the limitations that kept throwing at us very nicely.

• Sky from the Fair reports that there were 2000 visitors the w/e of the fair, and 400 after.

• Freda doesn’t think the booths got much traffic, but there were a lot of people there for the events.

• Desire thinks it was a great exercise for us in networking with the spiritual community in sl and learning what we will do in other similar events.

• Tee has the sense though we are seen as spiritual leaders.

• Desire says that she’s very much into that outreach to the SL community thing. It was a great thing.

Misc—Zyzzy

• He said that after discussing this with Tee, he has concluded that using the fuucsl.org google apps is not helpful. There’s too much confusion with google when switching accounts.

New Business

U+—Tee

• http://throwyourselflikeseed.blogspot.com/

• This is an effort by Andy Padula, who is the Unitarian Minister for a congregation near London. He’s apparently been to SL.

Library Report—Belovan

• Very successful grand reopening

• We had 32 that came for the Open House and 10 of those were new people. We have had over 100 visitors this month

Darcy’s Presentation

• Darcy will be presenting a workshop on SL during her district’s annual meeting in Spring 2013. There was agreement that we would help out.

Calendar and Activities—Freda

• We have had a lot of visitors in the last months. Garden and library seem to be the main landing points. She’s dumping jobuus becuase it is not generating the interest or revenue we want, and replacing it with a live performance venue. The first gig there is Oct. 15.

• Darcy thanks Freda for donating profits from the Sculptuire Garden and JobUUs to FUUCSL.

• Discussion groups are going well in garden and library. Stories Unlimited is putting a kiosk in the garden. We are gaining a reputation as a Quality Venue.

• Freda would really like it if we could put one of their kiosks in the library too.

Meeting adjourned at 6:28 SLT

Thursday, August 23, 2012

The Meeting was called to order by Tee Auster at 5:34 SLT

Present: Et, Zyzzy, Desire, Darcy, Sofia

Observing: Belovan

Good news or celebrations:

• Maude has been doing nice things with the area behind the plaza.
• Freda has been hosting lots of events.
• Hex has an impressive build in his skybox.

Minutes:

• Approval moved, seconded, and approved.

Treasurer’s report

Year-to-date  August 15, 2012

Discussion

• Quick discussion of SL being offered via Steam now.

Kiva Report

• Overall increase.
• No problems with loan repayments since last report on 6/25/12.
• # of members 16 (increase of 1)
• # of Loans 150 (increase of 5)
• Loans/member 9.3 (decrease of 0.4)
• Total loans $3900 (increase of $100)

CLF

• Pulling up the screen on Sunday, down on Monday.
• Maude seems to be the only attendee here.

Spirit Fair

• Freda will be doing meditations.
• Desire has made an incredible build.
• Et asked about schedule sign-ups.

Occupancy

• 4096 in UUtopia and 2048 in Alcott available.
• Very good occupancy
• Z will run the numbers for next month. Decide if rents need to be adjusted.
• The board is generally happy with the improvements to the appearance of UUtopia over the last year.

New Business:

• Z will invite everyone in the LG to the FUUCSL.org google apps account, so that we can easily share docs.
• A field trip to the new Library is organized for after the meeting.

Adjourned at 6:19 SLT

Thursday, July 26, 2012

The meeting was called to order by Zyzzy Zarf at 5:31 pm SLT

Present: Zyzzy, Darcy, Tee, Et, Joan, Desire

Visitors: Freda

June’s minutes were approved as written.

Election of officers:

New officers are Tee – moderator, Zyzzy – Secretary, Sofia – Treasurer.

Treasurer’s Report

Year-to-date June 17, 2012

Kiva Report from Joan:

• Overall trend continues to increase.

• No problems with loan repayments since last report on 6/25/12.

UUtopia report (Z):

• People are moving around.

• We’re still in the red, but things are improving.

• Zyzzy is resisting raising rents due to recent rentals greatly improving the occupancy rate.

Library report:

• Bel is the librarian.

• The library is a skybox now, with a tree portal near the plaza.

Discussion on rotating LG meeting places.

• It would give us an opportunity to experience different places in UUtopia

Spirit Fair:

• 25 x 25 spaces

• Lasts 3 days or a week or something.

• Positive opinion of us participating.

• Sept 21 start of fair.

• Details at Aug. LG meeting

New business:

• Halloween party? Talk to Del.

Adjourned at 6:25 SLT

Thursday, June 28, 2012

The meeting was called to order by Zyzzy Zarf at 5:30 pm SLT

Present: Darcy, Zyzzy, Et, Tee, Sofia, and Zena

Visitors: Orikosh, Desire, Belovan Zuta and EllieMink Resident

Joan (absent) Thank you to Joan for the report

May’s Minutes: Approved as read

Treasurer’s Report – Sofia

Year-to-date June 25, 2012

Kiva Report – Joan Ixito

• Overall trend is an increase in loans.

• 98.6% of the loans have gone well in the last year.

• One defaulted due to currency exchange rates (already reported last year) and one had defaulted due to not making required payments.

• It seems that attempts to pay are still being made, at least as of May 2012.

UUtopia Report and Occupancy – Zyzzy

• A major renter is giving up her property.

Do we keep the buildings and maintain them?

The Library is important.

Motion is made and carried to take over the Library and pay for it.

Belovan will contact Pomona to see if she would be interested in maintaining the library if she didn’t have to pay for it. Belovan said she’d be interested in managing it if Pomona isn’t. Perhaps they could both do that.

Properties are paid for 30 days and then we can revisit.

• Raise the rents on Alcott by 20%

  Additional situations are in discussion to address timeliness in rental payments as it places a strain on finances.

• Support of the TGRC

  Zyzzy will research further

General Assembly Report – Et

• Et was an off site delegate and watched plenaries and voted on UUA business

• Reproductive justice was chosen as a congregational study/action

• Lots of activity around Phoenix protesting around the jail. The biggest protest in years, covered by lots of media. Made the Washington Post so it must have been important

• Voted on the bylaw change to finalize recognizing non-brick-and mortar congregations

Leadership Group Slate

• Zena step down

• Desire steps up

• Moved and carried elections on July 12

• Tee will update and get a notice out

Spirit Gate site – Tee

• Revisit and review

• title of link

New Business

• Cloud Party

  ET and Belovan are there.

  Et will set up a little UU room

The meeting was ajourned at 6:15 PM SLT