Second Life Bar Association Meeting TranscriptAugust 9, 2008
Transcript taken by Solomon Cortes
[10:00] Juris Amat: Hello Solomon.
[10:00] Corey Kranfel: Hello Hello
[10:01] Jessica Holyoke looks around her
[10:01] Corey Kranfel: Hey
[10:01] MissWhimsical Magic: hii :)
[10:01] Julynn Lilliehook: All rise...hehehe
[10:01] Jessica Holyoke: hi Corey, welcome
[10:01] Julynn Lilliehook: for the pres
[10:01] Ashcroft Burnham: Hello, Solomon :-)
[10:01] Juris Amat: Hi Ashcroft
[10:02] Juris Amat: Hello Artworld!
[10:02] Ashcroft Burnham: Hello, Juris - long time, no chat :-)
[10:02] Juris Amat: lol:)
[10:02] Juris Amat: always good for laugh Ashcroft:)
[10:02] Ashcroft Burnham: And cake ;-)
[10:02] MissWhimsical Magic: where did you go
[10:02] Juris Amat: Right!
[10:02] Juris Amat: and cake:)
[10:02] You: Hi everyone!
[10:02] Ashcroft Burnham waits until he can see Corey's pony tail.
[10:03] MissWhimsical Magic: I'm going to have to chop off that pony tail
[10:03] Ashcroft Burnham thinks that Corey looks like he was born yesterday.
[10:03] Corey Kranfel: yeah, i couldn't figure out how
[10:03] MissWhimsical Magic: right click on a seat next to me and click sit
[10:03] You: Welcome to our August General Meeting. Thanks for joining today.
[10:03] MissWhimsical Magic: yup he has the 24 hour old look
[10:03] You: We have a short agenda and an extremely interesting session today. Before we begin, this is the usual reminder that our meetings are public and a transcript will be posted on our forum after the end of the meeting.
[10:04] MissWhimsical Magic: other row
[10:04] You: I also have a question: we have a number of presentations today. Normally, we meet using text. Our speakers may be willing to use voice - as long as everyone would be able to hear.
[10:05] Julynn Lilliehook: I can't hear...
[10:05] You: Could you all let me know whether you have a preference?
[10:05] Cat Galileo: I cannot
[10:05] Ashcroft Burnham tends to prefer text, but can do voice at a stretch.
[10:05] Jessica Holyoke: I think because of the transcript, textwould be preferable
[10:05] Kimbrolaw Ansar: Either is fine with me.
[10:05] Corey Kranfel: Why are you a glowing white ball
[10:05] Corey Kranfel: I can't see you
[10:05] You: Alright - well, given that there are a number of preferences for text, let's stick with that.
[10:05] Geri Kuhn agrees with Jessica. Also people who couldn't be here can read it later.
[10:05] Legal Writer: I am OK with text or voice
[10:05] You: Text it is.
[10:05] ArtWorld Market: ok either way, but I agree that text makes transcript easier
[10:06] Juris Amat: Also fine with either
[10:06] You: Let's move along then, to the first item on taoday's agenda
[10:06] You: As you know, we occasionally invite leading figures in the virtual worlds field to address our meetings. I´m delighted that Dave Elchoness, the Founder and Executive Director of the Association of Virtual Worlds has agreed to be with us today to talk about the activities and goals of the AVW. As I´m sure many of you will know, the AVW is a global industry association, serving as a resource for those wishing to experiment and explore virtual worlds for work or play. It has over 2,300 members.
[10:07] You: Dave is a practising lawyer, human resources and workplace consultant and former IT executive. Most recently he worked at Qwest Communications International, where he served as lead attorney to advisor to the Chief Technology Officer and was then asked to head the company´s vendor relations and global outsourcing teams. So, Dave, we´re honoured that you can join us and I´m delighted to ask you to come and tell the meeting about the AVW.
[10:07] You: Please join me in welcoming Dave. And dave - over to you!
[10:07] Da Etchegaray: im delighted to be here.
[10:07] Ashcroft Burnham claps.
[10:07] Da Etchegaray: and its great to see so many familiar faces here.
[10:07] Lexis Looming claps
[10:08] Da Etchegaray: as solomon indicates i am a practicing attorney -- HR and employment law actually. but as of late my focus has been on a new entreprenuerial venture AND the subject of today's meeting the Association of Virtual Worlds.
[10:09] Da Etchegaray: now the AVW was fouinded to bring together people from all over the metaverse and perhaps more importantly outside the metaverse who have never heard of a metaverse.
[10:09] Da Etchegaray: we have members from everything from kids worlds like club penguin to SL to forterra to people who know absolutely nothing.
[10:10] Da Etchegaray: which is fantastic because the goal is to move the concept of virtuality into the mainstream.
[10:11] Da Etchegaray: for example, we have a Business & Social Network for networking, groups, and discussion. A publishing division dedicated to books and reports concerning virtual worlds and web3D. And an upcoming virtual headquarters on the web, using a highly accessible web3D technology so that we can invite anyone, even those you are unfamiliar with the concept. to our virtual environment.
[10:11] Da Etchegaray: the key here is accessibility and that's my passion as well.
[10:13] Da Etchegaray: when i ran global outsourcing at Qwest, a large telecom, i was responsible for employees in the US and in India. I have often thought how different the workplace would be -- and better by far -- if we could use virtual environments to feel the 'pulse' of our colleagues 10,000 miles away. that's the point of the AVW and my other business efforts. getting people to the point where they see virtuality without a hassle because once they do, i believe they will be sold.
[10:14] Da Etchegaray: anyway, the AVW is at www.associationofvirtualworlds.com. and we will be launching a newsletter shortly, a book announceent soon, and the virtual headquarters is very literally days away. we will be doing seminars, meetings etc there and generally invitiing people from around and outside the metaverse to get together there. for many, SL would be the next step beyond what we're doing. but the connection between AVW's web based enviro and SL will help I think enormously.
[10:14] Da Etchegaray: I am happy to take questions or comments.
[10:15] You: Dave - thank you so much.
[10:15] You: Do we have questions?
[10:15] Legal Writer: Dave, how many users do you have now?
[10:15] Ashcroft Burnham: Question: how do you think that virtual worlds will affect employment within the next decade or two?
[10:16] Da Etchegaray: we have about 2,350 members right now. this is all free to members by the way. we are hoping to be free to members and remain so.
[10:16] Julynn Lilliehook: rhetorical question: Okay...so we are all connected..Now what?
[10:17] Da Etchegaray: ashcroft, i think employment law is one that often gets overlooked -- with all the IP guys around :-) -- but it's fair to say that when 50 employees in 50 countries work virtually together in the same room on a particular project, the legal issues will become complex.
[10:17] Julynn Lilliehook: Is this an education venture? A service? Or an biz associtation of sorts?
[10:17] Da Etchegaray: and that's beyond the isues we have today i.e. greeters sometimes 'working' for free.
[10:20] Da Etchegaray: julynn: connection is largely why we're here today. this technology and the effect of co-presence is somethign we strive for in the early 21st century. the 20th gave us remote communication. i believe the 21st will help us be closer, more human in the context of technology. now, we develop closer relationships, interact over distance more seamlessly. learn together as if in person despite physical location etc. the AVW is designed to advance the industry and our mission statement at the site says as much. i have other business ventures. the avw is a passion -- a way to push the tech into the mainstream.
[10:21] Julynn Lilliehook: hmmm..I get it..you are promoting the concept of virtual worlds for use in any appication
[10:21] Da Etchegaray: does that answer the question? i see a day when we use these virtual environments, with more organic hardware actually, to connect remotely, seamlessly. look left see the guy on your left. look right, see the guy on your rght. augmented reality. that's when things get interesting.
[10:21] Julynn Lilliehook: Aah!
[10:22] Da Etchegaray: yes. the concept of virtual environments, or web3D, is application to 'virtually' anything you can think of. work, learning, play, etc. and the idea of the AVW is to push that. frankly the traditional media has been mixed in the past -- i am trying to help 'fix' the messaging with a large and smart group of people dedicated to the advancement of 'remote togetherness' (my term, no one else's)
[10:22] Lexis Looming: straight from Snow Crash :-))
[10:22] Julynn Lilliehook: Well, let me ask this last question....how do you figure SL in the mix...will it soon be challenged by other VWs? Will private VWs become more prominent?
[10:23] Julynn Lilliehook has already begun experimenting with remote togetherness..heheheh
[10:24] You: Anyway - Julynn - moving swiftly on...
[10:24] You: Do we have any further questions for Dave?
[10:24] Da Etchegaray: SL is and always will be (always is a strong word, but still ...) a vibrant and wonderful community. that said, there are lots of others in the mix out there. all terrific in their own ways. some are client downloads, others plug-n, others browser entirely. and i focus on technology because i think a lot about accessibility. but there's something for everyone. for sure.
[10:24] You: We could take maybe one or two more, but then we should (very gratefully) move to the next item on our agenda.
[10:25] Da Etchegaray: well, it has been my extreme pleasure to be here today. as a lawyer, it's great to be among lawyers who 'get it.' if i can ever be helpful to any of you, please ring me any time. dave@vrworkplace.com.
[10:26] Da Etchegaray: thank you solomon.
[10:26] You: Dave - thank you so much. We hope to see you at our meetings again, and wish you every success with AVW.
[10:26] Ashcroft Burnham claps.
[10:26] Da Etchegaray: thanks
[10:26] Lexis Looming claps
[10:26] Juris Amat: applause
[10:26] Cristalle Karami applauds.
[10:27] You: As I hope you'll agree, we´re very lucky to have the chance to hear from interesting and inspiring leaders like Dave and our other guest speakers. And now, we have the very good fortune to have the chance to hear two more presentations – and these have direct relevance to the future direction and continuing success of the SL Bar Association.
[10:27] You: As you know, we´re in the midst of election season, and we thought that it would be great to hear from our two candidates for next year´s SL Bar Association President. They are Juris Amat and Legal Writer.
[10:27] You: We have invited them each to speak for up to five minutes. When they have both made their presentations, there will be time for questions, for either or both of them.
[10:27] You: I´m hugely pleased to welcome both Legal and Juris to give their presentations today. Although we know that when the elections have concluded, only one of them will be taking on the role of President for 2009, we have complete confidence that each of them would fulfil the role very capably. The association is very fortunate to have such able candidates standing for the role, and we hope that both Juris and Legal will remain involved in the association for years to come, whatever the outcome of our next election.
[10:28] Juris Amat: Please Legal feel free:)
[10:28] Legal Writer: Ok thank you
[10:28] Legal Writer: Good afternoon, hello everyone, and thank you for coming today. I am very excited to speak with you today about the association and its future.
[10:29] Legal Writer: I bring you greetings from your sister bar group, the American Bar Association Section of Science and Technology Law Virtual Worlds and Multiuser Online Games Committee.
[10:29] You: Legal - welcome! Please go ahead
[10:29] Legal Writer: When I sat down to write out some comments about the election for president of the association, my thought was that if I were in your shoes, I would want any candidate for office to answer three questions.
[10:29] Legal Writer: The first question is: who are you and why are you qualified to hold office?
[10:29] Legal Writer: The second question is: why do you want to run for office in the association?
[10:29] Legal Writer: The third question is: what plans would you have for your year in office?
[10:30] Legal Writer: Allow me to address each one of these questions.
[10:30] Legal Writer: As for who I am, my avatar´s name is Legal Writer. In real life, my name is Stephen Wu. I am a partner in the law firm Cooke Kobrick & Wu LLP in the Silicon Valley – Los Altos, California.
[10:30] Legal Writer: I advise clients concerning issues concerning the 3D Internet, virtual worlds, and social networking, including trademark and other intellectual property issues. I was one of the four members of our association featured in an article in January in the California Lawyer speaking about lawyers involved in SL.
[10:31] Legal Writer: I will be one of your presenters at the speaker series -- in September. I will speak about trademark infringement in virtual worlds
[10:31] Legal Writer: In my non-virtual worlds practice, I advise clients on e-discovery, electronic records retention, digital evidence, and legal matters relating to information security, privacy, and ecommerce.
[10:31] Legal Writer: I have co-written five books on information security and secure electronic commerce topics. I give frequent presentations on these topics, and just finished a presentation this morning on data security breaches, breach notification, and breach prevention at the American Bar Association Annual Meeting in New York.
[10:31] Legal Writer: More day to day legal matters include intellectual property and general commercial litigation cases.
[10:32] Legal Writer: Finally, I act as outside general counsel to Silicon Valley startups and technology companies, handling the drafting and negotiations of website terms of use, licensing, marketing agreements, and other technology transactions.
[10:32] Legal Writer: I am Secretary of the American Bar Association Section of Science, was a member of its governing council for three years, co-chaired the Information Security Committee in the Section for three years, and was an active member for four years before that. I will become chair of the Section in 2010.
[10:32] Legal Writer: My work for 11 years in acting as a leader in the American Bar Association Section of Science and Technology Law has given me invaluable insight into ways to lead a bar association group, increase its membership, pursue its program, and educate the bar and members of the public on an area of law.
[10:32] Legal Writer: As for why I would like to hold the office of president, as I said on my posting, I first consider this to be a great group of people. Many of you are my friends. I have enjoyed my work with you immensely. I look forward to further work with you – regardless of what happens in this election.
[10:33] Legal Writer: I am committed to helping this association.
[10:33] Legal Writer: I guess I know Benjamin Noble the best of all of the members. We attended the Virtual Worlds conference together last fall in San Jose, and I have spoken to him a great deal about virtual worlds. I helped to start a Virtual Worlds and Multiuser Online Games Committee within the ABA Section of Science and Technology Law. And also facilitated the publication of Benjamin´s book on Virtual Law in my role as a member of the Section´s Book Publishing Committee.
[10:33] Legal Writer: And I would say that one of my motives in running for president is just the pure fun of it. I have had a great time meeting all of you and would be delighted to deepen our connection by serving as your president.
[10:34] Ashcroft Burnham claps.
[10:34] navets Potato: applause
[10:34] Legal Writer: Another main reason for wishing to become your president concerns my view of the future of the Internet. I very much share Dave's perspective.
[10:34] Legal Writer: I believe that the 3D Internet is the next logical step in the development of the Internet. Ben Duranske recently wrote an op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal about the 3D Internet coming, as a natural progression of the 2D Internet. I heartily agree.
[10:35] Legal Writer: Therefore, I want to be “where the action is’ in terms of its development and its legal issues. I see no better way to be involved in the 3D Internet than serve as your president.
[10:35] Legal Writer: Finally, as to what I would do for the association if I became president, first and foremost, I would like to continue the fantastic work that Benjamin started and that Solomon has continued. I would be delighted if I could simply have the expertise, exert the energy, and reach the level of achievement of these two leaders in guiding the way for association so far.
[10:35] Legal Writer: Also, I would like to raise the visibility of the association, both in the bar and in the public at large. My connection with the ABA will be invaluable in providing an outlet for this association to increase lawyer and public awareness of the association.
[10:35] Legal Writer: In addition, I would like to have the association expand its CLE offering and continue the speaker series. Education of the bar and the public can continue through these presentations.
[10:36] You: Legal: can I give you a one minute wind-up reminder, please.
[10:36] Legal Writer: We may also want to raise awareness of other avatars of legal issues in SL by publishing a Guide to Legal Issues in SL – a consumer-oriented guide similar to what state and local bar associations publish about legal issues facing kids, or the elderly.
[10:36] Legal Writer: yes
[10:36] Legal Writer: Another project we could work on is a more formal lawyer referral service. Many approach us informally about seeking legal assistance online. Perhaps we should formalize that process to let avatars know that we are out here to help, and to distribute work among our members in a fair way. An adjunct to that could, of course, be a pro bono component. And I am fully committed to pro bono work.
[10:36] Legal Writer: Also, I would like to increase discussion of international harmonization of virtual worlds legal issues. We have people from all over the world represented here, and I am very interested in knowing how virtual worlds and legal practice issues are handled in other places.
[10:36] Legal Writer: More long term, I would like to seek ways to increase member benefits. Perhaps we can start up a bank of legal forms for use in virtual worlds legal matters – contracts, pleadings, and the like. We can consider regular publications by email and blogs to let people know about our work.
[10:36] Julynn Lilliehook: Aah!
[10:36] Legal Writer: Thank you, and I am available to answer your questions.
[10:37] Julynn Lilliehook: Question: HAve you ever been employed by Linden Lab?
[10:37] Legal Writer: No.
[10:37] Legal Writer: It's not a client either.
[10:37] navets Potato: which projects would you approach first?
[10:38] You: All - can we leave questions until after both candidates have spoken, please
[10:38] Legal Writer: I think expanding the CLE presentation, but let me sit down for now.
[10:38] Julynn Lilliehook gets chastised once again....
[10:38] You: Legal - thank you.
[10:38] You: Juris, please come and join us.
[10:38] Juris Amat: Ok thank you
[10:39] You: As Legal went over his time allocation a little, please feel free to work on the basis that you have four extra minutes...!
[10:39] Ashcroft Burnham: ;-)
[10:39] Julynn Lilliehook: ?me thinks we need lights on the podium
[10:39] Juris Amat: Hello everyone!
[10:39] You: Juris - over to you. Thank you for joining us.
[10:39] Juris Amat: Wow, thank you for having me here today. So I started a list of reasons why I want to be SLBA President and it ended up way more than five minutes of reasons worth but let me take a stab at narrowing the list down.
[10:40] Juris Amat: I believe that I can do much for the SLBA in world and beyond, as an active VE legal practitioner in the field of intellectual property law,
[10:40] Juris Amat: , I am in constant contact with the community of residents and am an active member of a number of important groups such as the Content Creators Assn; the Merchant Theft Protection Group, and the Metaverse Republic and of course the Virtual Intellectual Property Organization.
[10:41] Juris Amat: In real life I´m also an IP professional. After graduating from Franklin Pierce Law in New Hampshire I worked briefly in Massachusetts after which I moved to Croatia where I work for a firm specialized in IP, IP transfer and related corporate transactions.
[10:41] Juris Amat: I am a member of the Licensing Executives Society and an active member of the International Trademark Association where I spoke at the annual meeting in Berlin to the online trademark use sub committee.
[10:42] Juris Amat: My history of and dedication to service is something that I am truly proud of; as part of my job as legal assistant with the New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union I testified before the New Hampshire House of Representative regarding the constitutionality of proposed legislation.
[10:42] Juris Amat: I´ve also worked with disabilities rights groups, the Columbus Foundation, City Year and Americorps. I believe that one gets what they give and I am dedicated to giving my best. I think that the SLBA will not only see but do great things next year and I want to offer my support by serving as your President.
[10:42] Juris Amat: as I said I believe that the coming year will see many developments. Developments in the area of laws will require constant monitoring of landscape yet there will be others that I think will require more than following legal developments but also a far sighted vision and a pragmatic approach to issues important to the virtual legal community, issues such as the transfer and display of virtual assets between worlds require relevant experience and familiarity with not only legal concerns but also how those concerns can be accommodated and put into practice in the technical creation process manifest in online environments.
[10:44] Juris Amat: I think that this area in particular is of extreme importance
[10:45] Juris Amat: not only as a pratical matter legally but also of the development of the issues to be handled by professionals in world
[10:46] Juris Amat: I think that nailing down the credentialing verification system is important
[10:46] Lexis Looming claps
[10:46] Juris Amat: I would also like to see more activity in the nature of the specialization practice areas
[10:46] Juris Amat: more co operation and networking\
[10:47] Juris Amat: there is so much to be gained from our collective experences and knowledge
[10:47] Juris Amat: I would work to make that more accessible by encouraging forum discussions
[10:47] Juris Amat: stimulating discussions etc
[10:48] Juris Amat: Does anyone have any questions for me?
[10:48] You: Juris - thank you.
[10:48] Julynn Lilliehook: Do you live in Croatia still?
[10:48] Julynn Lilliehook: Aw shucks...
[10:48] You: Legal - would you like to join us, too?
[10:48] Ashcroft Burnham: It's questions for both candidates equally, isn't it?
[10:48] Juris Amat: Yes I do:)
[10:48] Julynn Lilliehook: Soorry Solomon
[10:48] Ashcroft Burnham has a question for both candidates :-)
[10:48] You: Yes, it is.
[10:48] You: Having heard from both Legal And Juris, I can only say we are truly lucky to have two candidates with such a wealth of talent and commitment – indeed, I´m wondering if I should do the decent thing and resign immediately!
[10:49] Ashcroft Burnham: LOL!
[10:49] Juris Amat: :)
[10:49] Legal Writer: :-)
[10:49] Juris Amat: LOL
[10:49] You: However, before I run any further with that thought, this is to invite all of you to ask our candidates questions. I´m sure there´ll be many. It would be great if you could try not to ask them all at once, just so our candidates get a chance to try to respond to all of them effectively. If there´s too much simultaneous traffic, I may have to step in to try to moderate!
[10:49] Julynn Lilliehook: Juris, are yo a memebr of the ABA?
[10:49] Theophan Paine: :-)
[10:49] Ashcroft Burnham: No need for that, Solomon... unless it'd mean that you had more time for the Metaverse Republic ;-)
[10:49] You: Aw - shucks Ashcroft. That's very kind.
[10:50] Juris Amat: Yes I am a member of the ABA Science and Technology section
[10:50] Ashcroft Burnham: Question: what are both candidates' views on the merit and importance of in-world specific legal systems, such as the Metaverse Republic on which I am currently working? (http://www.metaverserepublic.org)
[10:50] Julynn Lilliehook peers at Ashcroft
[10:50] Ashcroft Burnham peers back at Julynn ;-)
[10:50] Juris Amat: I am a member of the Metaverse and I believe that the work being carried out by the group is invaluable in terms of developing a relaible enforcement system
[10:51] Legal Writer: I admit I have not studied the material on your website, but do think it fascinating to start exploring the use of legal systems, and creating separate jurisdictions, in virtual worlds.
[10:51] Legal Writer: For instance, I would be delighted to see SL have a court system.
[10:51] Juris Amat: reliable in world enforcement system
[10:51] Julynn Lilliehook: Aah!
[10:51] Ashcroft Burnham: Legal - that's more or less what the Metaverse Republic is :-)
[10:52] Legal Writer: Great!
[10:52] Ashcroft Burnham: (See the FAQ that I just handed to you.)
[10:52] Ashcroft Burnham: (If anyone else wants a FAQ, IM me :-) )
[10:52] Legal Writer: I believe we should be talking to RL jurisdictions to see about relations with new jurisdictions and whether some kind of comity is possible.
[10:52] Julynn Lilliehook: Question for both: How do you reconcile the desire for a system of enforcement within SL, when LL does not do so?
[10:52] ArtWorld Market: http://www.metaverserepublic.org/faq/
[10:53] Ashcroft Burnham: Please note, that FAQ is a little out of date - the notecard one is the most up-to-date version :-)
[10:53] Julynn Lilliehook: (put a sock inis Ashy)
[10:53] Julynn Lilliehook: *it
[10:53] Legal Writer: That is a difficult issue. And my answer is that, like David, I am not wedded to Second Life forever. I would like to be a citizen of many virtual worlds.
[10:53] Juris Amat: My understanding of the LL position on in world enforcement bodies was that they did not want to be responsible themeselves
[10:53] Julynn Lilliehook: fair enough answer
[10:53] Legal Writer: And it may be that we have to vote with our feet. If the Lindens don't provide the enforcement, we may have to move elsewhere.
[10:54] Juris Amat: exactly
[10:54] Julynn Lilliehook: True..but then twe are no longer SL BAr Association, no?
[10:54] Legal Writer: Yes, unfortunately.
[10:54] Juris Amat: at least to the extent of providing our own mechanisms
[10:54] Ashcroft Burnham: We've changed names once - I'm sure that we can again :-)
[10:54] Ashcroft Burnham: "VWBA", anyone? ;-)
[10:55] Aisln Baxton: do the candidates have any proposals for interacting with local bar associations to promote the use of this organization for seminars and meetings and networks
[10:55] Legal Writer: But in the meeting of the Virtual Worlds and Multiuser Online Games Committee of the ABA, I discussed the idea of haveing a more umbrella organization of virtual worlds bar associations.
[10:55] Julynn Lilliehook: I supposemy interest with SLBA is to exchange ideas, not to create legal sytems or menas of enforcing them. I'll leave that to Ashcroft.
[10:55] Cristalle Karami: i'm not paying dues again for another name change.
[10:55] Juris Amat: I plan on continuing and expanding upon the great foundation laid by Cat and Geri and David herre
[10:56] Legal Writer: I have already mentioned at the meeting of the ABA Section of Science and Technology Law a few minutes before this meeting that we can use this meeting spot to allow people to interact with their colleagues around the world -- and not have to fly to Vienna!
[10:56] Julynn Lilliehook: So I guess I would not like to see teh organization go into creating governemnt in SL, and if that is the direction the membership chooses to go, I would have to drop out. Just my 2 cents.
[10:56] Legal Writer: People are worried about the cost.
[10:56] Juris Amat: the work that they've doen with establishing the CLE credit is a great step and deserves country wide follow through
[10:57] Ashcroft Burnham: Don't forget the CPD in the UK ;-)
[10:57] Legal Writer: Just as real bar associations don't form governments, we can leave that to other groups. But our members can study it, and also give legal opinions about it.
[10:57] Julynn Lilliehook: Indeed.
[10:57] You: Just a question to Juris and Legal - if it would help you to have me ask you to respond in turn, so that your answers to each question are not cut up by other questions and comments, please let me know.
[10:57] Ashcroft Burnham: And take part in it :-)
[10:58] Juris Amat: I believe that knowing what is happening in ones ciommunity and participating in each our own capacity is important to being an active community member
[10:58] Juris Amat: and a strong association in world
[10:58] Juris Amat: and beyond
[10:59] You: Any more questions for the candidates?
[10:59] Ashcroft Burnham: Just one final question...
[10:59] Kimbrolaw Ansar: Does the SLBA have ambassadors? Members who will meet w/different State Bars and promote awareness of the SLBA? Is this something either one of you would be interested in doing?
[10:59] Ashcroft Burnham: What do both candidates think about having cake at the end of each meeting? :-)
[11:00] Legal Writer: If you want to "bake" the cake, I would support it.
[11:00] Aisln Baxton: are there any proposals to establish the credibility of the SLBA with our local associations- I have tried but not much luck here
[11:00] Juris Amat: I vote for both counts
[11:00] Legal Writer: Regarding delegates, I have throught about speaking to people about SLBA and gain an understanding of what we do. I can see delegates to the ABA House of Delegates in the future. But it will take time.
[11:01] Legal Writer: I am harassing the Executive Director of the ABA to get him to let the ABA staff participate in Second Life. It's not happening yet, so we need to be patient.
[11:01] Legal Writer: He tells me to be patient.
[11:01] navets Potato: the aba started down that path and then stopped
[11:02] Kimbrolaw Ansar: I was thinking smaller state bar law and tech groups. I used my SL avatar in a CLE presentation on virtual law practice last month and half the people there had no idea what SL was much less about what we are doing here.
[11:02] Julynn Lilliehook: If I might....I think we need the assitance of Da and his organization to promote the conept and understanding of VWs before we try to sell it at the local level.
[11:02] Juris Amat: I agree that 'normalizing' practice in VEs will be a process, however we can continue to develop the groubndwork that has been laid and that would be my focus
[11:02] You: Alright - unless there's a last question...
[11:03] You: as time is getting on...
[11:03] ArtWorld Market: What do both candidates paln to do towards defining and implementing a long term development strategy for SLBA?
[11:03] You: Let's make this the last one.
[11:04] You: ArtWorld - thanks for your question.
[11:04] You: Juris, Legal - over to you.
[11:04] Legal Writer: We can cover some things the group would like to do, and run it by the members.
[11:04] Legal Writer: That would be the process, and the substance would be some of the things I discussed earlier.
[11:04] Juris Amat: i would again stim ulate discussions among the mebership and try to more clearly see the vision of the group first according to te needs of the membership
[11:05] Juris Amat: then I wouild put a plan into action based on those needs that would be in line with the groups vision
[11:06] Lexis Looming: I am sorrry pne more: does either candidate have experience ending meetings on time LOL
[11:06] Juris Amat: lol:)
[11:06] Legal Writer: :-)
[11:06] Juris Amat: very funny:)
[11:06] You: Legal - Juris. Thak you so much for joining us today, and communicating your clear enthusiasm and commitment for the organization.
[11:06] navets Potato: applause - so? Can we have two presidents?
[11:06] Juris Amat: actually i do try to be prompt
[11:06] Juris Amat: always
[11:06] Ashcroft Burnham claps.
[11:06] You: Legal, Juris, I wish you both every success in the elections, even though I recognise that only one of you will win this year – however, I hope that you will both remain involved for much time to come. It´s clear that you each have a great deal to offer the SL BA and I know everyone here would welcome your participation and support.
[11:06] Lexis Looming claps
[11:06] Juris Amat: thank you all
[11:06] Legal Writer: Thank you.
[11:07] You: Unfortunately, we weren´t able to coordinate diaries for the candidates for our other roles, as not everyone could be at today´s meeting. So I have invited all our candidates if they wish to post a statement on our SL BA forums in support of their candidacy to assist any undecided voters. I know that a number of people have taken up this opportunity, and I do invite all of you to check the forums and read what they have to say – and, if you haven´t voted already, please do so. To vote, you have to activate your SLBA Group membership and touch the voting screen here in our reception.
[11:07] You: The closing date for elections is 11.59pm on 15 August. Don´t forget!
[11:07] You: Lastly, in terms of any other business, I wanted to let you know that Lexis Looming has kindly prepared draft wording to describe our credential checking service and for use by credential checked avatars. We´re working on that together and will post a version for your review and further comments on the forum. Please look out for it and let us have your thoughts. And thank you Lexis!
[11:08] You: Is there any other business?
[11:08] Lexis Looming: ty Sol :-)
[11:08] You: going once...
[11:08] You: going twice...
[11:09] You: Gone!
[11:09] Cristalle Karami: thanks Sol, everyone. take care.
[11:09] Ashcroft Burnham: Cheerio Solomon!
[11:09] You: On that basis, this is to thank you all again for attending today and taking part, and to confirm the meeting is now closed.
[11:09] Ashcroft Burnham claps.
[11:09] Legal Writer: Hi, Juris.
[11:09] Juris Amat: claps
[11:09] Geri Kuhn: Where's the cake, Ashcroft?
[11:09] Juris Amat: Hello Legal
[11:10] Juris Amat: Hows it going?
[11:10] Geri Kuhn: No need to wait to start that tradition
[11:10] Ashcroft Burnham: In my inventory - I can't rez here :-)
[11:10] Legal Writer: I would like to repeat that regardless of what happens in the election, I would like to help this organization.
[11:10] Juris Amat: this is our first meeting right?
[11:10] Legal Writer: And I will pledge to support you if you win the election.
[11:10] Juris Amat: I would too and you can count on me for support ok?
[11:10] Legal Writer: Thanks!
[11:10] Juris Amat: np:)
[11:10] Legal Writer: I am doing fine here in New York.
[11:10] Lexis Looming: yes it was
[11:10] Ashcroft Burnham: And two very fine candidates :-)
[11:11] Ashcroft Burnham: Very interesting meeting.
[11:11] Legal Writer: I am tired because I flew in on the red eye, and then had the presentation this morning.
[11:11] Juris Amat: i heard about the meeting of the vw section
[11:11] Legal Writer: Had to stay up late and get up early.
[11:11] Juris Amat: has it happened already?
[11:11] Legal Writer: Yes, it was this morning.
[11:11] Juris Amat: how was it?
[11:11] Legal Writer: To be honest, I was only able to attend the tail end.
[11:11] Legal Writer: It sounded like a lot happened.
[11:11] Juris Amat: did it seem as though it were well received?
[11:12] Legal Writer: The people there met with their counterparts in the committee on VWs in the IP law section.
[11:12] Juris Amat: cool
[11:12] Geri Kuhn: Shabbat shalom, Mr. Looming.
[11:12] Legal Writer: And they are all going to work together on publications and CLE.
[11:12] Juris Amat: awesome
[11:12] Legal Writer: So it looks like a very helpful step to building critical mass.
[11:12] Juris Amat: thats great
[11:12] Legal Writer: IP Law Section has 250 members or so in its VW committee!
Created on ... August 9, 2008