Is VERTU dead?

Is VERTU dead?

I thought it was dead when Bhodi went missing?

So did she vanish with the several thousands of dollars that was raised?

LOL

No!!

All of the funds collected by VERTU were sent to the designated charities via commission free conversion through GOM. Bhodi was quite assiduous in ensuring that all the books were cleared before she took her leave of SL and thus VERTU.

The group ought probably dissolve as VERTU doesn't work without Bhodi's reputation and dedication; please understand that Bhodi left SL for reasons beyond her control.

/signed/ Malachi Petunia
Charter officer of VERTU who mostly stood back and watched Bhodi do her good works

I am curious why you would even raise this as an issue now, especially when your speculation is so far off the mark it borders on libelous.

for asking a question?

It was just curiosity. About the time that she vanished, I had been submitting new fundraising ideas to her for VERTU, all of which she loved and was planning on moving on. I was going to up my involvement in VERTU because I think it is the absolute best thing to ever come out of SL. One day the IMs stopped. One day the website said "updating soon". The next 10 months were total silence. No updates. Nothing.

Left due to something beyond her control I understand. I did the same thing several months ago. Left without leaving anyone with a clue only opens the doors for questions of all type. Libel? Don't think so.

Wanting to see VERTU raised from the dead and move on, as it should have? Yes.

I'm sorry that you were left in the dark on the matter. As Bhodi had to leave for personal reasons that I don't feel comfortable describing any further, it was kept rather quiet, and as she did not know if she'd be able to return, we never formally closed the door.

You are correct that what Bhodi wrought through VERTU was a good thing and it is still possible to do similar. For example, I am aware of an contemporary Benefit for Katrina Aid that is going on the the sims of "Big Easy" and Biloxi. The people I know involved in that are - in no particular order - Zyrra Falcone, Lecktor Hannibal, Margaret Mfume, and Sally Zapata (and many others I'm sure). Recall also that there were considerable Katrina Aid efforts run by - again pulling from memory - Pathfinder Linden and ReallyRick Metropolitan (and others).

SL philanthropy is a good thing, but it takes much effort. If you would work toward continuing such actions, I wish you much luck in your endeavors. However, I feel that to allow such works to continue under the VERTU moniker would be a disservice to the "house" that Bhodi built and shall be trying to initiate its dissolution after this posting.

I've never met Bhodi; only heard many good things about her.

This was before my time.

I had a dream... Vertu was an SL last name.

No. VERTU has lived up all of its previous commitments.

The money was jointly managed by GOM and Bhodi. The organization was structured so that no single person could run off with the money.

To my knowledge, all of the funds VERTU raised was donated to the EFF, Heifer International and the Red Cross.

Honestly, Sensual, I am just so tired of everything always being some big fucking conspiracy theory and people speculating about things in the worst possible light. It's not like there has been any ongoing VERTU fundraisers or anything else. Bhodi left for serious, and private reasons. It is one thing to simply ask where she went or what the status of the group now is - it's another thing to say "oh, did she run off with all the money and leave everyone in the lurch?". That's just rude.

VERTU hasn't done much since Bhodi left; a few of the officers of VERTU have stayed in touch and talked about getting something started here and there, but the fact is without Bhodi leading us, there hasn't been that single leader (most of the other officers are fairly swamped with our own projects). Bhodi has recovered, however, and I've heard from her recently; she's even popped in world a few times!

Other charitable organizations have popped up organtically since then, with Jade Lily and RC Mars heading up the official, ACS endorsed Relay For Life this year, and lots of separate people raising money for The Red Cross and their hurricane relief efforts.

Regards,

-Flip

Well if there weren't idiots like the one in this thread /invalid_link.html questions like that would never be asked or thought of, but sadly... there is scum everywhere, and unless you really know what happens or who you are "dealing" with... it's fair to be a bit suspicious or concerned..

Hello everyone! I thought I would venture out to answer a few of the questions that have been posed, both seriously and I imagine in jest, on this thread.

First, I did not abscond with the shockingly generous contributions of the SL community. Each and every penny made it to it's intended destination. Mutliple people were involved at each step to ensure that I didn't get sticky fingers, I promise. And it took lots more than money to tear me away from SL! In fact, my "real life" reasons for leaving SL have abated recently, and you should start seeing my smiling face around again more often.

I am really proud of how the community rallied around VERTU and of the amazing things that we all accomplished together! (Heck, we raised nearly ten thousand dollars in our short period of active fundraising.) You guys rock.

I would be interested in whether or not VERTU is still up and running, and if so how the officers and members have adjusted the charter to account for the new ability to turn Lindens directly into US$ without having to use GOM or any other third party broker. Initially, we were able to avoid all sorts of annoying and expensive legal requirements because, in theory, the Linden had no inherent value. (For instance, the IRS and my Sec. of State's office both affirmed that VERTU did not, at that time, need to file for 501C-3 status.) I bet that they would now consider the Linden to have actual value, and therefore to require all sorts of accounting and regulatory mishegas that they initially did not. Additionally, because Jamie sent the proceeds directly to the non-profits as checks, I did not have to personally report it as income. (Something I would have to do if I had turned the Lindens into Cash myself before sending it to the non-profits.) So lots of personal tax headaches were avoided. So lots of the mechanics and legalities of VERTU would need to be revisited if transactions were processed through any partner but GOM, and particularly through LL directly.

That being said, Robin Linden has been an amazing supporter and advocate for VERTU, and I'm sure she could help come up with something if there was enough interest.

So, old VERTU buds, what IS up? Is there stuff still going on? Maybe we should all go have a virtual drink somewhere and talk about what, if any, next steps we might want to take? Oh, and I have REALLY missed you all!

Love and hugs and all sorts of slurpy kisses,
Bhodi

Wow Bhodi, good to see you around again! I'm glad we'll be seeing more of you

BHODI!!!! God YES! I cant believe it
Welcome back. I hope to see your little purple icon one hell of a lot more in the near future
*HUGS*

Excellent!

Hope all is well with you Bhodi!

Hey Moopf, Eggy, and Merwin!

So, guys, what have I missed? IS VERTU dead? If so, I'm applying for an apartment in one of the more prurient sims and retiring to lead of a life of quiet virtual debauchery.

VERTU never really died!

The spirit of VERTU has been continued in various other fund raising efforts Bhodi, but I don't believe any were done using either VERTU's name or organizational structure.

So unless you wanted to re-energize VERTU, ejoy your well earned SL!!

It really is wonderful seeing you on the forms again!

bhodi bhodi bhodi bhodi <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Hot Damn am I glad to see you posting here!!!!

Welcome back, hope to talk to you IW soon!!
*smothers with hugs*

For the record, I never meant to suggest that Bhodi stole any money; I was a supporter of VERTU, hosted events for VERTU, asked a few times in the forums about the status of VERTU, and am genuinely interested in seeing a return of VERTU. It is safe to say that since you left, Bhodi, VERTU has been dead. Yeah, the "spirit" of it was there, I guess, but you are an awesome fundraiser and motivator.

I'm glad to see you are back, and am willing to help VERTU in any way should anyone want or need it.

<3

The SL world is better now that one of the more kindred souls has come back.

Welcome back, Bhodi

LF