General Meeting Transcript Dec 11, 2010

[Timothy S. Faith]

[10:07] Geri Kuhn: I would like to welcome everyone to the December 20100 meeting of the SL Bar Associaiton
[10:07] Geri Kuhn: There will be a transcript made of this meeting and posted to our website
[10:07] Geri Kuhn: I would just like to welcome Cat and Legal, nice to see you both here
[10:07] Teleo Aeon: thanks Sam
[10:07] Cat Galileo: hi! new viewer is confusing
[10:07] Geri Kuhn: It sure is
[10:08] Geri Kuhn: Juris Amat will be speaking today at 11:00
[10:08] Geri Kuhn: Her talk has been approved for 1.0 hours of CLE
[10:08] Sam4 Courtois: Outstanding
[10:08] Geri Kuhn: right Cat? or pending approval?
[10:08] Cat Galileo: sure
[10:08] Geri Kuhn: CLE in California anyway
[10:08] Cat Galileo: no pending, it's fine
[10:09] Geri Kuhn: Ah okay
[10:09] Geri Kuhn: We'll be sure to be finished in time for her talk.
[10:09] Geri Kuhn: On the agenda for today is the status of our tax status with IRS, future speakers, and future coffee chats.
[10:10] Geri Kuhn: Hi Agenda, welcome
[10:10] Agenda Faromet: I apologize for my lateness.
[10:10] Geri Kuhn: And thanks for the holiday decorations
[10:10] Geri Kuhn: Agenda has been the one to trasnform our space and decorate it
[10:10] Cat Galileo: looks great!
[10:10] Sam4 Courtois: Amen!
[10:10] Agenda FarometAgenda Faromet grins. "Thanks!"
[10:10] Geri Kuhn: It sure does.
[10:11] Sam4 Courtois: Yaay Agenda!
[10:11] DanielPerry Laa: Beautiful, Agenda - Thanks!
[10:11] Geri Kuhn: Thanks Agenda for your work
[10:11] Yoss Kamachi: I concur
[10:11] Geri KuhnGeri Kuhn grins
[10:11] Geri Kuhn: So frist topic
[10:12] Geri Kuhn: The board has approved that we go forward with seeking 501 (c)(6) status with the IRS
[10:12] Geri Kuhn: hope I have that code section correct
[10:12] DanielPerry Laa: You do
[10:12] Geri Kuhn: Thanks, Daniel
[10:12] Geri Kuhn: Lexis will be going forward with application with the IRS
[10:12] Geri Kuhn: So we will keep you posted
[10:13] Geri Kuhn: I have invited a speaker from the Non profit commons to come to speak at our next meeting
[10:13] Geri Kuhn: the Non profit commons is a community on SL of non profits
[10:13] Sam4 Courtois: Excellent
[10:14] Geri Kuhn: At the beginning of the year I raised the idea of the SL Bar of joining this community but did not follow through with it
[10:14] Geri Kuhn: So now hopefully we can learn something about it and see if it something we should join
[10:15] Geri Kuhn: I think it would increase our visibility on SL and givve us others to talk with who are going trhough some of the same issues we are
[10:15] Geri Kuhn: Anyway, she will be here for our next meeting.
[10:15] Geri Kuhn: I would like to turn the floor over to Sam who will talk about our past coffee chats
[10:15] DanielPerry Laa: Terrific - looking forward to meeting her!
[10:15] Geri Kuhn: and future plans
[10:17] Geri Kuhn: Sam
[10:17] Geri Kuhn: Sam might be in limbo
[10:17] Sam4 Courtois: I am here
[10:17] Geri Kuhn: oh good
[10:17] Sam4 Courtois: Sorry
[10:17] Sam4 Courtois: The coffee chats ahve been a great success I think.
[10:18] Sam4 Courtois: We are meeting new people and brionging new people into the asscciation
[10:18] Sam4 Courtois: We are trying to ahve them every other Wednesday
[10:19] Sam4 Courtois: and we are alternating between 10 a,m, and 5 p,m. SLT to accomodate different time zones.
[10:19] Sam4 Courtois: We woudl like to ahve one at 10 a.m. on Wednesday the 15th if that is agreeable
[10:19] Agenda Faromet: Oooh, seconded.
[10:19] Sam4 Courtois: The facility downstairs if excellent, thanks to Agenda
[10:20] Sam4 Courtois: If I may answer any questions, I wold be happy to try
[10:20] Sam4 Courtois: In any case, plese come if you possible can
[10:20] Sam4 Courtois: and bring a friend or two as well
[10:21] Geri KuhnGeri Kuhn grins
[10:21] Geri Kuhn: Thank you Sam
[10:21] Agenda FarometAgenda Faromet has a question about social events.
[10:21] Sam4 Courtois: Let's get thw wrod out
[10:21] Sam4 Courtois: word
[10:21] Geri Kuhn: and just to let folks know, our last coffee chat in the mroning was really nice
[10:21] Geri Kuhn: People from all over Europe came
[10:21] Sam4 Courtois: What is the question Agenda?
[10:22] Geri Kuhn: Nor sure there was one.
[10:22] Agenda Faromet: Last year, we had a really great SLBA Christmas party. Are we going to try to do another Christmas party sort of event again?
[10:22] Geri Kuhn: Hmm,
[10:22] Juris Amat: Hello everyone sorry for the late entry.
[10:22] Geri Kuhn: What do you all think?
[10:22] Geri Kuhn: Hi Juris
[10:22] DanielPerry Laa: Hi Juris
[10:22] Geri Kuhn: At least this year, for the first time, we have our own space
[10:23] Sam4 Courtois: Hello Juris
[10:23] Geri Kuhn: so we don't have to find a place to have it
[10:23] Agenda Faromet: I mean, part of the reason I kept pushing for keeping the coffee chats informal was because of the idea that we'd have more formal events like the Christmas party for those who liked them.
[10:23] Sam4 Courtois: I would say that we should plan for a "holiday" party for the 29th at 5 p.m.
[10:24] Geri Kuhn: Sam is being very precise today
[10:24] Lyra Snowpaw: Our RL Winter Ball is always kind of fun--lotsof nic venues in SL too
[10:24] Geri KuhnGeri Kuhn grins
[10:24] Sam4 Courtois: We could even have music and dancing!
[10:24] Lyra Snowpaw: *nice
[10:24] Agenda FarometAgenda Faromet grins at Sam. "Exactly."
[10:24] Sam4 Courtois: and free booze for everyone!
[10:24] Yoss Kamachi: i'm in, then
[10:25] Sam4 Courtois: Let's plan it that way then
[10:25] Geri Kuhn: Agenda, are you able to help with this?
[10:25] Sam4 Courtois: I'll make Adgenda help
[10:25] Geri Kuhn: hehehe
[10:25] Sam4 Courtois: genda
[10:25] Sam4 Courtois: Agenda
[10:25] Agenda Faromet: Hahaha! Possibly. I will do my best.
[10:25] Sam4 Courtois: We konw that will be wonderful
[10:26] Geri Kuhn: Okay, well then, I don't think we need a motion to have a party
[10:26] Geri Kuhn: but since Sam did so move
[10:26] Agenda Faromet: Seconded and thirded!
[10:26] Geri Kuhn: okay I guess we have had the discussion
[10:26] Geri Kuhn: All in favor?
[10:26] Agenda Faromet: AYE.
[10:26] DanielPerry Laa: aye
[10:26] Juris Amat: aye
[10:26] Geri Kuhn: aye
[10:26] Lyra Snowpaw: So, the 29th?
[10:26] Cat Galileo: aye
[10:27] Lyra Snowpaw: aye
[10:27] Geri Kuhn: yes
[10:27] Legal Writer: aye
[10:27] Geri Kuhn: any one opposed
[10:27] Geri Kuhn: Guess not
[10:27] Geri Kuhn: All right, it passes
[10:27] Geri Kuhn: Yoss, can you post this to our website?
[10:27] Yoss Kamachi: yes
[10:27] Sam4 Courtois: Both dates, please?
[10:27] Geri Kuhn: And while you are "on"
[10:27] Geri Kuhn: Can you give everyone the website address?
[10:28] Yoss Kamachi: http://slbarassn.ning.com/
[10:28] Sam4 Courtois: Point of information?
[10:28] Geri Kuhn: Thanks
[10:28] Geri Kuhn: sure Sam
[10:28] Sam4 Courtois: Can we post that link somewhere here at the offices, so people can always finds it when they want it?
[10:29] Geri Kuhn: I think that is a good idea
[10:29] Sam4 Courtois: Like in the library perhaps?
[10:29] Geri Kuhn: Agenda, are you able to do that?
[10:29] Agenda Faromet: I believe it's already there, but I can double-check on that.
[10:29] Geri Kuhn: Agenda seems to be getting a lot of work today
[10:29] Agenda Faromet: If it's not already in there, I'll put it there.
[10:29] Geri Kuhn: and she is in the middle of finals
[10:30] Geri Kuhn: Okay, thanks Agenda
[10:30] Agenda FarometAgenda Faromet is strong like ox, can handle it!
[10:30] Geri Kuhn: All right Agenda, so speaking of you
[10:30] Agenda FarometAgenda Faromet flexes.
[10:30] Geri Kuhn: Are you aready to talk about the building?
[10:30] Agenda Faromet: Sure!
[10:30] Sam4 Courtois: The blue ox was a Babe!
[10:30] Agenda FarometAgenda Faromet laughs!
[10:31] Agenda Faromet: Okay. I have a few things to mention. First, I have updated the 'Creating A Professional Avatar' notecards in our library (right behind you). If you grabbed them when I first put them in, please get them again; they're better now. If you haven't grabbed them, they're a bunch of landmarks for creating a professional look on the cheap.
[10:32] DanielPerry Laa: Sam4 has his hand up
[10:32] Agenda Faromet: Second: we're actually getting quite a bit of traffic from people just coming by based on our appearance in the Destination Guide. I try to be here as much as I can to greet them, but right now there's not much for them. We should sort out, soon, what we want to have in our information area downstairs. Do we want to have contact information for those credentialed attorneys who want to be contacted? Do we want the Copyright In SL information I sent out to the board? There's a lot we could have down there for people. Please let me know what we'd like to do for helping out the people who are coming to check us out: we need to be a useful resource if we're in the Destination Guide.
[10:32] Agenda Faromet: Yes, Sam?
[10:33] Sam4 Courtois: sorry - didn't mean to
[10:33] Agenda FarometAgenda Faromet laughs. "Oh, he's just clicking behind him."
[10:33] Yoss Kamachi: I think we should have a way for visitors to reach a credentialed attorney
[10:34] Geri KuhnGeri Kuhn grins. Yes, let's have a way for avatars to find RL attorneys. :)
[10:35] Geri Kuhn: I think it would be nice to also have a list of the board so if folks have questions, they can contact a board member
[10:36] Sam4 Courtois: Agreed
[10:36] Lyra Snowpaw: I like that idea, but I think since the join fee was 500L it might be an ethics violation in my state
[10:36] Lyra Snowpaw: anyone else have something like that?
[10:36] Sam4 Courtois: Explain?
[10:36] Agenda Faromet: Geri: we have a mailbag downstairs, so people can send a notecard to SLBAAdministrator. The problem with that is that SLBAAdministrator has to check it regularly.
[10:36] Geri KuhnGeri Kuhn nods
[10:36] Yoss Kamachi: It is the referral issue
[10:37] Yoss Kamachi: We can't pay for referrals, unless there is an applicable exception
[10:37] DanielPerry Laa: We should step carefully - perhaps have an ethics review beofre we list credentialed attorneys.
[10:37] Lyra Snowpaw: yes I think so
[10:37] Lyra Snowpaw: and also maybe one of advertising--dunno yet
[10:37] DanielPerry Laa: Agreed Lyra
[10:37] Lyra Snowpaw: will have to read it again
[10:37] Geri Kuhn: Well on some other sims, they have something where you can send a message to the folks in charge
[10:38] Geri Kuhn: so if you have a list of the board and somehow a way for folks to send a message to them?
[10:38] Lyra Snowpaw: Referrals are ok in my jurisdiction just as long as I have never paid in any way to get them
[10:38] DanielPerry Laa: I am fine with officers. directors being listed but shiukd step moire carefully on the credentialed - consider whetehr we are then becoming a referral network -
[10:38] Geri Kuhn: I'm talking about just for information about SL Bar - not credentialing
[10:39] Lyra Snowpaw: oh in that case
[10:39] DanielPerry Laa: I am simply saying we should not identify credentialed attorneys UNTIL we have considered the ethics issues
[10:39] Agenda Faromet: Well, can we be open up referrals to people outside SLBA -- therefore, you don't have to pay to become an SLBA member to get a referral?
[10:39] Geri Kuhn: As to the referrall isssue, perhaps we should look into this
[10:39] Lyra Snowpaw: : ))
[10:39] Agenda Faromet: You simply need to be credentialed.
[10:39] DanielPerry Laa: We should not be referring anyine until we have considered the issues
[10:40] Yoss Kamachi: Agenda, the issue is that us attorneys have paid to belong to the SLBA. If we get referrals - in exchange - for our membership, that might be an issue for our respective ethics rules
[10:40] DanielPerry Laa: I understand that we are "set" on auto-refer - that should not be the case
[10:40] Lyra Snowpaw: I personally have stayed away from law in SL simply out of worry about the ethics issues involved--not sure how to sort them out
[10:41] Lyra Snowpaw: was hoping that was an active discussion in this group to try to figure that out
[10:41] Geri KuhnGeri Kuhn grins
[10:41] Yoss Kamachi: Perhaps we should talk with some practicing SL attorneys to see what they have considered on that
[10:41] Geri Kuhn: Sounds like we should have a discussion on this at some point
[10:41] Agenda FarometAgenda Faromet nods. "I agree, Yoss, but what I'm suggesting is that we would not get referrals in exchange for our membership. The referrals would be independent of membership in SLBA -- opened up to people outside SLBA.
[10:41] Juris Amat: I think a discussion on the point is a good idea
[10:42] Sam4 Courtois: This seems like a program idea
[10:42] Juris Amat: sure does;
[10:42] DanielPerry Laa: Lyra - your caution is fine - I am not saying there ARE issues we need to be careful of - I am simply let's not act until we have discussed those issues - perhaps would be a good future presentation- right, Sam4!!
[10:42] Agenda Faromet: I do agree that we should talk to someone better-versed in ethics...but the problem may be that not everyone who knows ethics also understands the nuances of Second Life, and we should also talk about whether or not advertising on SL is a real-time electronic communication.
[10:42] Sam4 Courtois: Cat do you know someone that could ddress it?
[10:43] Geri Kuhn: I think I know someone who can
[10:43] DanielPerry Laa: There have been presentations on this by some law profs
[10:43] Juris Amat: I think it was a good idea to have all the members who are practicing contribute...maybe a panel?
[10:43] Agenda FarometAgenda Faromet grins. "I actually tried to ask about that specific issue in my Legal Pro class this past summer, and my professor looked at me like I'd grown a new head."
[10:43] Yoss Kamachi: I move that we get a presentation/discussion together
[10:43] Geri KuhnGeri Kuhn grins at Yoiss.
[10:43] DanielPerry Laa: A panel is a great idea, Juris!!
[10:44] Agenda Faromet: Before we run out of time, one more thing, if I may?
[10:44] Geri Kuhn: Hold on Agenda one sec
[10:44] Geri Kuhn: back to pthe panel idea,
[10:44] Geri Kuhn: is there someone who wants to take charge of this
[10:44] DanielPerry Laa: I woiuld be very interested -
[10:44] Cat Galileo: I'm happy to help credential that- we have had some talks on it before-dunno of those folks are still in workd
[10:44] Juris Amat: Id agree to help out
[10:45] Geri Kuhn: Okay, well Daniel and Juris could you both talk and bring some idea to the next meeting?
[10:45] DanielPerry Laa: Yes be glad to engage Juris in some discussion
[10:45] Juris Amat: np!
[10:45] Geri Kuhn: Terrific
[10:45] Geri Kuhn: okay
[10:45] Geri Kuhn: Agenda
[10:45] Lyra Snowpaw: I can help too but as I am such a new member I don't know how much help I could be. . .
[10:45] Agenda FarometAgenda Faromet cheers quietly.
[10:46] DanielPerry Laa: We love newbies
[10:46] Geri Kuhn: Oh we are always looking for volunteers, Lyra
[10:46] Juris Amat: Thnx Lyra
[10:46] Juris Amat: We'll be in touch
[10:47] Lyra Snowpaw: <--note to self--not so over-zealous next time. . : )
[10:47] Geri KuhnGeri Kuhn grins
[10:47] Sam4 Courtois: LOl
[10:47] Juris Amat: laughs out loud
[10:47] Geri Kuhn: That is how Agenda got stgarted
[10:47] Geri Kuhn: started
[10:47] Agenda Faromet: It's true!
[10:47] Sam4 Courtois: We need enthusiasm
[10:47] Yoss Kamachi: next thing you know, Lyra, you will be conscripted to the board
[10:47] Agenda Faromet: RUN WHILE YOU STILL CAN, LYRA!
[10:47] Sam4 Courtois: So moved!
[10:47] Yoss Kamachi: lol
[10:47] Lyra Snowpaw: <--runs like hell
[10:47] Geri Kuhn: heheeh
[10:47] Geri Kuhn: Okay Agenda, you're on
[10:48] Agenda Faromet: Okay! Third: recently the SL Home & Garden Group brought in a SL lawyer, Monday Beam (who is not part of the SLBA) to speak to them about online copyright and the DMCA. It really drove home to me the same thing Juris Amat and I talked about months ago: we need to be more involved in SL groups outside our own. While I have the floor, I would like to suggest that we reach out to groups of creators and groups running events for charities, like Relay For Life and Toys For Tots, to get them involved with us and, of course, get us involved with them. This may dovetail with our earlier discussion about ethics issues.
[10:48] Geri KuhnGeri Kuhn nods.
[10:48] Juris Amat: agrees
[10:48] Sam4 CourtoisSam4 Courtois applauds
[10:49] Agenda Faromet: I know I have been beating this drum for a year now, but I have the FLOOR now, dangit!
[10:49] Agenda Faromet: Muahaha!
[10:49] DanielPerry Laa: Excellent!
[10:49] Geri Kuhn: I think if we become part of the non profit commons group (TechSoup.org) we'll start heading in that direction
[10:49] Yoss Kamachi: I move to appoint Agenda to chair the Outreach Committee of the SLBA
[10:49] Geri Kuhn: hehehe
[10:49] Agenda Faromet: ....O noes.
[10:49] Juris Amat: second
[10:49] Yoss Kamachi: (;
[10:49] Juris Amat: lol
[10:49] Sam4 Courtois: third
[10:49] Geri Kuhn: I sure like Yoss' idea
[10:49] Agenda Faromet: Yoss, don't make me come over there!
[10:50] Yoss Kamachi: I know how to teleport
[10:50] Geri Kuhn: but I might have to fight Agenda for that one
[10:50] Agenda FarometAgenda Faromet bwahahas
[10:50] Geri Kuhn: As soon to be ex president
[10:50] Geri Kuhn: I'll be looking for something to do
[10:50] Yoss Kamachi: co-chairs!
[10:50] Sam4 Courtois: That works
[10:51] Geri KuhnGeri Kuhn grins
[10:51] Agenda Faromet: I move that Geri has to be my co-chair for the Outreach Committee!
[10:51] Geri Kuhn: Well a committee, a standing committee
[10:51] Geri Kuhn: Wow Agenda, you are moving forward
[10:51] Geri Kuhn: okay
[10:51] Juris Amat: second
[10:51] Geri Kuhn: This group is sure decisive today
[10:51] DanielPerry Laa: Outreach can be a standing committee
[10:51] Yoss Kamachi: indeed
[10:51] Agenda FarometAgenda Faromet grins happily.
[10:51] Lyra Snowpaw: appears as if you have been volunteered Agenda! have fun! : )
[10:51] Geri Kuhn: We can go for months talking about stuff
[10:52] Geri Kuhn: and then one day, decide a million things
[10:52] Sam4 Courtois: Leadership!
[10:52] Agenda Faromet: Aw man, every time I turn around I'm getting volunteered for /something/!
[10:52] DanielPerry Laa: World peace, anyone?
[10:52] Yoss Kamachi: indeed
[10:52] Yoss Kamachi: I'm for it
[10:52] Juris Amat: ;)
[10:52] Geri Kuhn: yes
[10:52] Sam4 Courtois: Works for me
[10:52] Geri Kuhn: all right
[10:52] Geri Kuhn: okay
[10:52] Geri Kuhn: in a few minutes Juris will start her presentation
[10:53] Geri Kuhn: I would like to give her and Cat a few minutes to set up
[10:53] Geri Kuhn: Is there anything anyone else would like to add before we adjourn
[10:53] Geri Kuhn: Okay, guess not
[10:53] Geri Kuhn: Is there a motion to adjourn?
[10:54] Agenda Faromet: So moved!
[10:54] Sam4 Courtois: So moved
[10:54] Agenda Faromet: I win.
[10:54] Sam4 Courtois: second
[10:54] Geri Kuhn: all in favor
[10:54] Juris Amat: aye
[10:54] Geri Kuhn: aye
[10:54] Cat Galileo: aye
[10:54] Sam4 Courtois: m.^.m
[10:54] Sam4 Courtois: aye
[10:55] Geri Kuhn: I assume no one is opposed
[10:55] Geri Kuhn: we are adjounred