With the recent changes announced to "Openspace" sims an idea I have toyed with for a while is potentially workable. I'm going to post a document I have written up with the intial idea, if you are interested in discussing something like this, send me an email at [email]zarithi.federko@gmail.com[/email].
Thanks!
The Independent Federation of Islands (IFI)
The Independent Federation of Islands (hereafter referred to as the IFI) is a interconnected group of islands and people (in the program Second Life) with the goal of providing affordable, quality, organized living and playing space for residents. We are not a “for profit” company out to make a buck on individuals desire for beauty and space instead we are like minded individuals who are looking for a place to call home. We also understand that the lack of any rules whatsoever leads to chaos and confusion so we enter into this agreement with the desire to make a quality place for everyone. We are not about a rigid system, but we understand that living within a governing system will allow us the freedom we want.
There will be one “elected” position of a loosely termed “President” within the IFI; this position will run for a term of six months and there will at this time be no limit on the amount of terms that can be served by any one individual. This individual will be in a position that is created for the good of the other residents. He/She is not the police nor should he/she attempt to control the other residents through the authority granted by the position.
The position will be created largely to serve as a liaison between Linden Labs (hereafter referred to as LL) and any other entities that the IFI employees for services (eg: Independent Contractors for building out public spaces, etc.). He/She will be responsible for making sure that the monthly fees due to LL are paid on time and that we remain in good standing with LL. He/She will be the spokesperson for any public event or employ that we as a body agree to enter into, working with and answering questions from involved people. Because of the work done by the currently elected individual the rent on the individual’s personal space ($75/mnth) will be paid for by the larger body out of the treasury (once the IFI is large enough to support such a fee). This position will be elected every six months by the contributing members of the IFI.
There will also be the Council of Members, this will be a body that is made up of currently contributing members of the IFI. The council will be responsible for managing the rules and guidelines of the IFI as well as any discipline that is necessary among members for infractions. Within the council there will be the “honorary” title of Founding Member these individuals will be made up of those who were the first 4-6 members of the IFI; this title will be largely honorary, except in the early days of the IFI as they will be largely responsible for setting the roadmap for the group in future times.
The physical body of land that makes up the IFI will be made up of initially one central island (a full island), this central island will be used as a community gathering point (for events, etc.), used by the President/Council for needs of the government (offices will be located here as well as the immigration office for admittance into the IFI), and possibly some light Commercial usage to help offset costs. Outside of the central island the body of the IFI will initially be made up by the Founding Members private estates (Openspace islands), these islands will be the private estates and properties of the individual owner. Within these islands individuals will make their home and live. These areas will be primarily Residential spaces (Consulting type business where you meet with clients privately by all means may be held here. Light commercial use that entails merchants or product sales must be discussed with the council) they will also be private. Individual members are not required but are highly encouraged to make parts of their island open to the rest of the IFI in the form of public spaces (beaches, etc.). The use of “red tape” or “ban lines” will however be strictly forbidden among IFI members. This is because the use of such device quickly becomes an eyesore and decreases the pleasure of other members. You will be permitted to use “privacy devices” in and around homes and private areas, however these will be limited to a lower elevation so as to not cut into vehicle traffic.
Other members/visiting individuals are requested and expected to respect the privacy of others. This means that private areas are private. You are not to enter, use, or access areas that are by cultural norm deemed private. This will be enforced both for members and visitors alike. This rule will be strictly enforced as we wish to respect all who become a part of our community. There will be a three strike rule for members of the IFI in regards to this. These three strikes will be decided by the council and if you receive three strikes you will be immediately evicted from the IFI with no reimbursement of funds paid. We hope never to have to enact this, but it is important for our community to flourish. As for visitors and those who are not a part of the IFI we will be even stricter and will not hesitate to ban if necessary. The lives, privacy, respect and happiness of our members is of first importance to this body.
In regards to personal estates members will have full freedom as to what and how they build their areas. There will be full +/-100 in regards to terraforming on this private spaces and members are encouraged to exercise their creativity and the creativity of others in building their homes. The few rules that will be in effect for this are simple.
1. Build, create, and design to your heart’s content. We will endeavor to always provide open space between other’s private estates so as to give you full freedom. That being said you are also asked to keep the respect of your fellow members in mind as you build. We all want beauty and elegance in the area that we live and although that is often in the eye of the beholder please be mindful of the others who live here. If there is a disagreement or conflict that arises, please let it be settled by the council and respect the decision that is made for the good of us all.
2. In building sky boxes or high buildings please respect the airways, we want to allow our members to travel the skies unhindered in vehicles if they so please so be mindful of this. In the same light be mindful of your design even high up as beauty remains.
3. In the same light as above, please respect the waterways as well. While we will endeavor to provide enough public water access for all that doesn’t mean that you need to build land right to the edge of your space, just be respectful of those around you.
As more people join us in the IFI more public space will be made available. These areas will be used for waterways, boat docking, small public land space (islands, picnic spots, etc.). The design of the area will be dictated by the council and will always be of high taste. If you are a member of the IFI and have building skills you are welcome to bring a proposal before the council about building out a public area. The IFI may at times also decide to hire an independent builder to develop areas for us.
Much of this public area will be reserved solely for open areas for our members, however the council may decide to create small “ventures” on this public space to help offset the costs and fees of the properties and development. Some of these ventures may involve things like rentable boat docking for members to allow you to permanently rez a boat in a public space (thereby providing private estates with free prims), in the same genre there may be made available airship docking for air travel vehicles. These ventures will be decided by the council.
The membership fees/taxes for membership in the IFI is as follows:
Founding Members (suggested at four members)
An entry fee of $850
This breaks down as $415 setup fee for your private estate (openspace); $418.75 for ¼ of setup fee for central island; and $16.25 that will go into the general treasury coffer of the IFI for future development.
A monthly fee $150
This breaks down as $75 fee for your private estate; $73.75 for ¼ of fee for central island; and $1.25 into the general treasury.
Council Members
An entry fee of $650
This breaks down as $415 setup fee for your private estate (openspace); $207.50 for ½ setup fee for a public open space; and $27.50 that will go into the general treasury.
A monthly fee $150
This breaks down as $75 fee for your private estate, $37.50 for ½ of fee for a public open space; and $37.50 into the general treasury.
The extra fees that go into the general treasury will be used to pay for public space development, support the efforts of the President, buffer for potential fee changes by LL, and member support. Member support means that if a member in good standing is struggling for a month or two they can potentially petition the council for financial assistance. This will be looked at on a case by case basis and will always be a temporary relief until the member is back on their feet. We want our members to stay and continue to contribute to our community and would prefer to help then evict.