its not just SL Skills

Ive been a Mentor for a little while...Ive stood on the OI's, offering help...Ive continued the help ive always given like Landmark's, freebies, guidance BUT today for the FIRST time ever someone called on me for help to deal wtih a *situation*.

I was building on mainland for a friend, when a lady came across to ask if I could help her with a problem. There were squatters on her friends land (wont go into details long story) soooo...i pootled over there and assesed what was going on...i DID wear my Mentor tag although really im not sure if that made a difference or not.

The thing i noticed is this...people have told me in the past that they feel to be a Mentor you should have to pass SL Exams..you should have scripting skills, building skills...basically be a good all rounder and know your SL stuff- but...this situation was dealt with , using NONE of these. Potentially, it could have been sticky..i had no way of ejecting them...just a good old fashioned AR maybe...so i used skills i had bought from REAL LIFE. Years of dealing with staff and clients..using "people skills", being polite..being helpful..

The squatters left..the group that had jumped on the land and built rave shacks & homes came and cleared up their gear, and left. All of this done without ruffling feathers, explaining why its not good to do this and offeirng help as to how they can do it the legit way.

So....to be a mentor....all those that might not have passed some sort of Second Life test, dont they too bring other qualities to the *table*. From the conversation after this situation, it would seem that a lot of mentors miss some basic *people skills*, arent those just as important as knowing scripts etc?

I think so...

So true...

Not everyone can be expected to know everything needed about SL. The time needed to learn it all would be enormous. I can understand the point of view that there are a lot of Mentors around who havent really been on the grid long enough to have gathered the basics or even know how to deal with people on a 1 to 1 basis, but its nice to have a group that we have made up of exclusive builders, clothing designers, scriptors, etc.

And that sentiment is why we have mentors who are so utterly clueless that they ask "what's help island?" in the group. Meanwhile the Lindens seem to choose to spend their time booting helpful, knowledgable mentors because they dared answer a question in group instead of IM.

You do need some kind of standard or you have the mess that exists today where you have to discourage people from turning to mentors with questions because it's just pointless (up to disasterous when they just make an uneducated guess).

A basic knowledge of SL must be mandatory and knowing where to find or get help also applies.

Simply wearing the title gives no one anything adn thats become the norm, I do know many who try and have tried and those deserve thanx. Its the ones who think it's owed to them are failing being a Mentor.

I had a Mentor wearing the Mentor title argue with me about flying and slamming into people, I also mentioned using the mini map to avoid collisions.... I thought it was settled however, up flys one of her guardians? using foul language towards me in open chat and threaten me for correcting his friend. I happen to have that right on this land. Well all he gained was a ban an mute for both of them.

So its not just knowledge its a lot to do with common sense.

Exactly my point...common sense...life skills...sure knowing your way around SL too...a little buildings, land knowledge..TOS ...etc...

i dont DO arguing...its pointless...i dont DO swearing when delaing with people..if you lose your temper or your dignity, youve really lost control of the situation...i wonder if along with these *exams* people seem to think we should pass...there would be some for these *life skills* also hmm?

BTW...I CAN build...i CAN script...and i DO know quite a lot about SL...im just saying thats NOT ALL you need to be a mentor