6pm - Mentor Meeting Transcript

ReallyRick Metropolitan: Hey Joseph
joseph Khan: Hi
Dnate Mars: I knew I saw a name tag floating.....
Dnate Mars: hi jeska
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Jeska is hiding
Dnate Mars: she is scared of my holloween costume
Dnate Mars: so, she is avoiding me
ReallyRick Metropolitan: We had about 20 ish at the Noon meeting
ReallyRick Metropolitan: There is a Transcript inthe Mentor forums
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Hey Persephone
Persephone Milk: hey there rick
Dnate Mars: well, I don't have time to read it all right now, anything I should know until I have time to read it all?
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Katt Kongo and the MM is working on a Newbie Helper Guide
ReallyRick Metropolitan: That will out without 2 weeks for those that want to use it
ReallyRick Metropolitan: We talked about the proper use of the Group IM
please i forgot all bout it between packing and moveing and now doing my last night cohosting at the shelter for a while
Dnate Mars: no more 1L sales
Dnate Mars: lol
ReallyRick Metropolitan: And Jeska might make a new group
ReallyRick Metropolitan: For more social stuff
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Yeah Mentor is for like hey we need help in the WA etc
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Questions should be in a private IM or Live Help
Jeska Linden: hey everyone
Persephone Milk: i agree
ReallyRick Metropolitan: And Jeska discussed Help Island
Persephone Milk: hi there jeska
Dnate Mars: hello Jeska
Jeska Linden:
Jeska Linden: I did!
Jeska Linden: And I will again
Jeska Linden: If that's ok
ReallyRick Metropolitan: I know you had something you wanted to talk about as well Dnate
Dnate Mars: please do!
Persephone Milk: i am very interested in the new help island
Dnate Mars: I did!
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Lots of people traded LandMarks and note cards as well
ReallyRick Metropolitan: For helpful info
ReallyRick Metropolitan: And we are going to make a forum thread where Mentors can post their area of experitce so if we have questions we can look and see who to talk too
Dnate Mars: great!
Persephone Milk: very good idea
Dnate Mars: my only real question is what is the role of a mentor in the overall scope of things?
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Hey Hey Moxie
ReallyRick Metropolitan: It was discussed that it is sorta up to you
Moxie Grumby: hiya!
ReallyRick Metropolitan: You can help as much as you are comfortable with
Alexas Fauna: heya
ReallyRick Metropolitan: or have time for
Jeska Linden:
ReallyRick Metropolitan: ANd dont feel bad to ask to hand them off to a Greeter or Mentor
ReallyRick Metropolitan: if you have to log or something
Persephone Milk: It would seem the Greeter's role is more specificly defined, no?
Jeska Linden: The overall goal of the Mentor's program is to help new residents, so it is a bit more widely defined
Dnate Mars: that is what I see, the Mentor is just the catchall for all new players
Persephone Milk: I like being a catchall
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Say someone wants a tour or something you can ask for a Greeter
Jeska Linden: It also allows you to be more flexible in what you want to do
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Exactly
Dnate Mars: I do it all
Dnate Mars: lol
Dnate Mars: I guess I am a mentor/greeter/instructor/helper
Persephone Milk: There are definetely some things ... I do not do.
ReallyRick Metropolitan: We sorta all are
ReallyRick Metropolitan: As much as we can be
Jeska Linden: You're the helpful people
Moxie Grumby raises her hand
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Okay well it is 6pm
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Did everynoe hear or read the re-cap of the earlier meeting?
Persephone Milk: No I am sorry.
Moxie Grumby: yes - briefly
Alexas Fauna: nope
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Okay I will go over real quick
Jeska Linden: I can relay what I discussed if you'd like
Jeska Linden: So we can discuss it further
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Go jeska
ReallyRick Metropolitan:
Jeska Linden: woo!
Jeska Linden: So first things first... ya'll may have all heard some 'rumblings' about the "Help Island" project that we're working on and I'd like to get some feedback from everyone here
Jeska Linden: The idea is that, we believe the best way to help new Residents is to get them into the hands of YOU (our trusted 'helpers' - mentors, greeters, etc) as soon as possible.
Moxie Grumby: enthusiastic sqeees!
Jeska Linden: Also I noticed from working with the Greeters that new residents seemed to need a little more 'tweaking' time when they first got to the Welcome area... tweaking things, learning how to move//etc (at least that's that they told me they were doing!)
Jeska Linden: Therefore, we thought it might be helpful for new Residents to have a place post-orientation island, where mentors and other volunteers could spend more time with residents before they come to the main land. A sort of way-station....
Jeska Linden: Hence the "Help Island" idea. (which is the 'working title' - we still need name suggestions!),
Jeska Linden: Basically the way it will work is that the orientation islands would be connected to another island, where only new residents and volunteers (and Lindens) would be allowed.
Persephone Milk: it is an awesome idea, and i think some of us will mentor more ... being able to escape the wa
Jeska Linden: It would have 'next level' tutorials, videos and a place where new Residents could sign up for and meet their Greeter (hence removing some of the coordination issues the greeters were having)...
Jeska Linden: Although we will still need Mentors in the Welcome Area, this would also allow volunteers to go 'help' people on orientation island if they appear to be having trouble.
ReallyRick Metropolitan suggests the name "Helpy Town"
Jeska Linden: *g*
Jeska Linden: My hope is that this space will be used as a sort of way-point for those Residents who choose to get more help before 'facing' the mainland
Jeska Linden: It could also allow for further apperance tweaking - posisbly freebies from merchants so that new residents don't feel "odd" in their template outfits and other mock-up'd spaces
Jeska Linden: which will rotate in and out.
Jeska Linden: Maybe a "mock store" one month and a "Mock House tour" the next
Persephone Milk: oh yes!
Persephone Milk: we need toys to demonstrate how things work
Moxie Grumby: and they would be able to go back to it - unlike the orientation island?

Jeska Linden: So first, I'd love to hear what you all thing and request that if anyone eas any good freebies, to paass 'em over.
Jeska Linden: No,it will only be open to new residents when they're leaving Orientation Island - but the content (tutorials and such) will be located elsewhere on the mainland
Jeska Linden: it's really to help with first day jitters
Moxie Grumby: k
joseph Khan: a sandbox area
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Yes there will be places to build and script
Jeska Linden: Sort of, with high quality tutorials and help and all of you helpful folks there to answer questions/point them on their way
Jeska Linden: *nods*
Persephone Milk: could it be made open to new players for ... a couple of days? sometimes people create an account and literally log out right as they get to the wa
Jeska Linden: I believe there are technical restrictions, as it will technically be part of the Orientation Islands.
Persephone Milk: or ... maybe this would work, could we as mentors offer a new player a tp?
Jeska Linden: But as I mentioned we can add the content (tutorials and such) elssewhere and have volunteers at the other place as well
Persephone Milk: ok
Jeska Linden: We're really looking for a space to help people as they leave the Orientation Islands.
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Great question Persephone can we TP into Help Island?
Dnate Mars: I can see it now, people will accuse LL of favoiritism. How are mentors, greeters and the like screened? And will bad mentors, greeters, etc be removed?
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Tp people into I mean
Jeska Linden: I don't believe so, I'll need to check with the content team
Moxie Grumby: they don't always realize what they need help with until later - it would be great if it was a place they could go back to somehow
Persephone Milk: that would be very helpful jeska, new players often log out right after leaving orientation island
Jeska Linden: well, one thing that I need to remind everyone is that the "mess up once and you're out rule" will be in effect with all volunteers on help Island. That means if anyone is found to be abusing the setup,
Persephone Milk: right
Jeska Linden: Also, the content will most likely be on the main grid somewhere, so you could bring people to it that need more help post their first day
Jeska Linden: We're really hoping to improve the first hour of experience here.
Jeska Linden: There are other things in place to help with longer term questions and such.
Persephone Milk: i did overhear some of the more obnoxious welcome area rats talking about applying for mentor just so they could be there ... maybe some kind of referall from an existing mentor could help?
Dnate Mars: not really, then you have to "know" someone to get in
Jeska Linden: It will be a place to help tweak technical problems (settings, etc) tweak their avatar and brush up on skills they didn't master on the OI - then meet their greeter and get inworld
Jeska Linden: Also, we will be keeping a close eye on the project, so that no 'bad seeds' will stick around long.
Alexas Fauna: will there be a required amount of time a mentor has to spend on the island like a week?
Persephone Milk: can we help a new player bybass the wa entirely by going in-world and then offering a port to our location?
Jeska Linden: Do you mean as a greeter?
Dnate Mars: but we will be on the island as mentors, correct?
Jeska Linden: Greeters will be able to 'pick up' their new residents and offer them a teleport to wherever they want.
Jeska Linden: Both Greeters and Mentors will be on the Island to start.
Persephone Milk: will mentors have that ability as well?
Jeska Linden: We will probably add Live Helpers as well
Jeska Linden: I believe that everyone will be able to do that - again, I'll have to test technicalities stuff like this once the project is further along
Dnate Mars: It seems to me that the roles of mentors and greeters are very close to the same thing
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Whats the ETA Jeska or is it just "very soon?"
Jeska Linden: I'm not big on firm deadlines, since things tend to be flexible around here as far as priorities go - it's a high priority at the moment -- so soon is my best guess
Persephone Milk: jeska, if we have ideas after this meeting, would you prefer an email, or should we post them on the forums ... i would prefer an open discussion as opposed to email ... oh, and is the volunteer groups hidden from others?
Dnate Mars: are mentors suppost to be more technical then a greeter? A greeter seems to show a new player around, but a mentor will help witht he technical side of SL.
Jeska Linden: Either way
Jeska Linden: email is [email]jeska@lindenlab.com[/email]
Jeska Linden: Dnate - the way I see it is that mentors are more to help with questions, whereas Greeters are there for a set experience ie: I want to go on a balooon tour
Hildeguard Psaltery: sorry, I'm late
Persephone Milk: i think i would prefer to share with the entire group ... philip offered to receive comments by email too ... but sometimes it would help to discuss it as a group instead ...
Isablan Neva: Jeska, is there any way to block the playing of sounds at the WA? If you can set it to "no build" and "no script", can't it be sound clip free too?
Moxie Grumby: I'm pretty new at mentoring and I've been noticing the holes in my knowledge, especially the some technical stuff - i've been wishing there was some sort of library to consult
Isablan Neva: Moxie, I have all the LIve Help notecards..
Moxie Grumby: that would be fantabulous Isablan!
Persephone Milk: isablan, do you have that packaged up so that you could share it easily?
Jeska Linden: I've got a fun help card as well
Hildeguard Psaltery: ty!
Jeska Linden: It's going into the inventory (library) hopefully this week
Jeska Linden: everyone want?
ReallyRick Metropolitan: sure
Moxie Grumby: yes please
Persephone Milk: sure
Hildeguard Psaltery: yes please
Stephen Teazle: Yes please
Dnate Mars: yes please
joseph Khan: yes
Jeska Linden gave you HELP! (Click me to Start).
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Oh great and it is UPDATED!
Moxie Grumby: awesomeness
Jeska Linden: i just finished it this afternoon
Jeska Linden: it will be in the Inventory Library so you can point new residents to it
Katiahnya Muromachi: excellent
Persephone Milk: that is really nice jeska
Jeska Linden: It's sort of a combination of .... live helper notecards, wiki stuff, etc
Jeska Linden: I tried to keep it basic skills mostly
Isablan Neva: That is fabulous
Jeska Linden:
Jeska Linden: did i miss anyone?
Jeska Linden: ok, I only had one more thing that i wanted to talk to.. then I'll stop stealing Rick's meeting

ReallyRick Metropolitan: lol its not mine
ReallyRick Metropolitan: It ours
Jeska Linden: yes!
Jeska Linden: It was a perfect lead in to my next topic...
Jeska Linden: I'd love for the Mentor's group, as it grows, to be more involved in its own 'managment' if you will.
Jeska Linden: What this means (hopefully) is that as we get bigger and bigger, the Mentors will scale in a way that makes sense (instead of LL managing) - you will be more self-organized. I see this meeting as a sort of entry-way into that ttype of structure
Jeska Linden: Please let me know if you need help with that or if you have any ideas (email is best, IMS tend to get lost)
Isablan Neva: That would be great
Jeska Linden: because we all know that 400 people can do more than 1
Jeska Linden: especially when that one is me
Dnate Mars: not always, there needs to be a way to get things done... not everyone always agrees
ReallyRick Metropolitan: I believe Jeska mentioned we will be notfied when there is a New Mentor Class
ReallyRick Metropolitan: So we can have a meeting and meet the new Mentors
Persephone Milk: Awesome
Moxie Grumby: I think it would be good to maybe pair up new mentors with folks who've been doing it for awhile - they could give an idea of what to expect, tricky question answers. that sort of thing
ReallyRick Metropolitan: ALso a How to BE a Mentor Class as well
Jeska Linden: Yes, I was thinking it might be better to have the meetings on a monthly basis, as I have with the Live Helpers
Hildeguard Psaltery: great idea!
Jeska Linden: That way you always know when it is... and can attend / plan accordingly
Jeska Linden: Yes - the class! I'd love to see some Mentors mentoring other mentors
Jeska Linden: and wow is that a lot of mentoring...
Isablan Neva: The only issue here the immediatly comes to mind is that there is at least one of us with a bit of an attitude problem (not here), and it should probably be discussed how that is going be handled.
ReallyRick Metropolitan: We spoke about it is more than okay to AR a Mentor
Jeska Linden: As with any other Resident - pleas abuse report any behavior you feel is not meeting the CS>
Jeska Linden: yes!
Jeska Linden: and wow i can't type tonight.
Dnate Mars: You know what I would think would be a great idea, but I am not sure it is even possible, but to have mentors go through the new resident process
Jeska Linden: I do keep a pretty close eye on behavior records of volunteers
Persephone Milk: But, inappropriate Mentoring does not always rise to the level of an AR. I am just worried about all the people that may apply when the new Help Iland looks like favoritism.
Persephone Milk: Ok
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Well it is favortism to an extent people who are helpful and have shown a propensity are chosen over those who havent with clean records
Dnate Mars: going through the island, and seeing the world through the eyes of a new player may help us better understand where a new resident is coming from
Jeska Linden: The only thing I can say as far as calls of favortism - the rules are simple to be a volunteer - be in world for 2 months and be good.
Jeska Linden: Exactly Rick.
Isablan Neva: But Dnate, we can't ever go back to being a mental blank slate
Moxie Grumby: Jeska - a lot is common sense, but it would be helpful to have a notecard with the rules for mentors and greeters.
Isablan Neva: not knowing anything about how SL works
Dnate Mars: I know it has been a long time since I was a new resident, and it is easy to forget how much I have learned
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Dante you can redo the Orientation Stations on the mainland
Jeska Linden: Moxie - I have a "Tips" for meors notecard from some time ago, but the Community Standards are the basic guidelines which apply to everyone, voluneer or not.
Dnate Mars: I had no idea those where there.....
Isablan Neva: Yeah, anything we do is looking through the eyes of someone who knows it all already
Dnate Mars: thanks rick
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Sure
Moxie Grumby: ok
ReallyRick Metropolitan: There are also helpful Ho To videos in the Wa
Persephone Milk: I understand. However, just spending time at the WA has made me aware that there are several people who intend to apply for mentor just so they can hang out. I guess we can deal with that if/as it happens.
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Under the NEED HELP canopy in Bonifacio
Jeska Linden: Yeah, the OI stations are in all the telehubs i think... also, near the welcome area... the old ones
Dnate Mars: we need better ways to get information out
ReallyRick Metropolitan: How To I mean
Isablan Neva: One of the best things is to to talk with newbies right at they first hit in-world for the first time
Isablan Neva: you get a quick sense of where the failures are
Isablan Neva: in orientation
Isablan Neva: and I agree with somebodies post on the forums the other day..remove the option to bypass orientatin
Dnate Mars: I always like to find the "lost" new resident... the one that is just wondering around the WA and not knowing what to do next
Isablan Neva: there are a lot those lol
ReallyRick Metropolitan: As towards favortism, say a new resdient asks you where to get good hair, instead of say pointing them to YOUR shop or a friends teach them how to use FIND > PLACES or use teh classfieds and NEW PRODUCTS in the forums - try to remain impartial
Dnate Mars: those are the ones I find the most positive results from
Jeska Linden: Here's an older notecard "goal" for mentors: "Our goal as Mentors and Instructors is to help the new to SL, teach, orientate and introduce them to SL society. "
Isablan Neva: I try to give them a list
Jeska Linden: I'd like to add "TO help integrate new Residents into SL community"
Moxie Grumby: that's the kind of rule i was wondering about Rick
ReallyRick Metropolitan: There is no rule per se Moxie
Jeska Linden: Moxie - it's not so much a rule as a good practice
Isablan Neva: What might be a good idea is to do a notecard with landmarks of your favorite shopping places
Moxie Grumby: oh i agree!
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Right remain neutral - like Switzerland
Jeska Linden: Also, be sure to turn off your mentor tag when you're not in a helpful mood
Hildeguard Psaltery gets out her Swiss army knife
Moxie Grumby: but I am just very aware of my 'newb' mentor status and hoping to avoid mistakes
Dnate Mars: We are the Swiss army knife of SL sometimes
Jeska Linden: And... don't IM the whole group - there are a LOT of mentors and it's very spammmy. We're thinking of adding a Mentors-Chatty group to help with this.. if there is interest.
Isablan Neva gave you SL Parks & Rec Locations.
Persephone Milk: perhaps it could be for all volunteers
Moxie Grumby: I've found the questions asked in the group IM helpful to me sometimes - so yes i'm interested
ReallyRick Metropolitan: It was also discussed about Mature questions - Only answer what you are comfortable with
Dnate Mars: is there a way to not get group IM from a group and still be in the group?
Hildeguard Psaltery: that would be good. Even some Lindens tend to use the group to get IM help
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Im help is okay like Hey we have a lot of newbies in the WA if your free come help etc or for annoucements
Jeska Linden: I don't think there is a way to turn offIGroup IM
Isablan Neva: Does anyone need clothing welcome kits?
Jeska Linden: But ther eare times when a group IM is approrpriate - ie: If a Liaison needs some mentors in the WA or such.
Moxie Grumby: for men - yes!
Dnate Mars: yes, have nothing
Jeska Linden: Just not for non-topic spammy stuff
Hildeguard Psaltery: ok
Jeska Linden:
Hildeguard Psaltery: There's free male and female clothing at the Shelter
Jeska Linden: I dont really have anything else
Jeska Linden: We should decide in the forums when would be the best day/time for the monthly mentors meeting
Jeska Linden: monthly mentors meeting... monthly mentors meeting
Jeska Linden: *g8
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Start a thread poll Jeska
ReallyRick Metropolitan: lol
Jeska Linden: Sorry, it's been a long day.
ReallyRick Metropolitan: If I knew how to do a poll I would
Jeska Linden: I'll do one
Moxie Grumby: sing it sister
Jeska Linden: Not on Mondays
Persephone Milk: thank you for taking the time to meet with us jeska
Jeska Linden: Anytime but Mondays
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Sorry LOL
ReallyRick Metropolitan: I didnt think youd actually show when I posted it
ReallyRick Metropolitan:
Jeska Linden: No worries, just extra busy around here on Mondays
Jeska Linden: Thanks for putting this togetehr Rick
Jeska Linden: Also, i'd like to THANK all of you for all of your help. You really do help hold SL together
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Does anyone object to this being posted in the Mentor forum?
Isablan Neva: We do need a new installment of Pathfinders Picks...if you could drop a bug in his hear...
Dnate Mars: lol
Persephone Milk: No. But can I ask, is the Mentor's forum open to only volunteers?
Hildeguard Psaltery: no, but a group IM might be good too
Dnate Mars: yes, that would be great
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Its open to everyone
ReallyRick Metropolitan: But since only 40 of the 400 were here we have to get teh info to them
Jeska Linden: No, the forums are open to everyone, but mostly unused at the moment *cough* would be graet to get more conversation going in them
Dnate Mars: heh
Hildeguard Psaltery:
ReallyRick Metropolitan: I will
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Okay I am missing my own event hehe
Jeska Linden:
ReallyRick Metropolitan: Good to se you all
Moxie Grumby: thanks Rick!
ReallyRick Metropolitan: And meet those I have never met before
Hildeguard Psaltery: ty Rick
Jeska Linden: See ya'll soon - be sure to send over any freebies, information, tips, recipes, etc
Katiahnya Muromachi: good luck Rick
Jeska Linden: to [email=jeska@lindenlab.com]jeska@lindenlab.com[/email]
Jeska Linden: *g*