Nonprofit Commons Celebrates Fourteen Years

 

The Nonprofit Commons describes itself as "A community-led project, providing space to meet and network, all to create a cooperative learning environment and foster outreach, education, fundraising, all in a virtual environment." Part of Second Life for most of it's history, on August 20 it celebrated it's fourteenth anniversary. Gemma Cleanslate was there at the event, which was not just a celebration but a reminder of what the NPC was and has been doing over time.

Read Gemma's story in People.
 

Klub Sinau on NonProfit Commons

The NonProfit Commons are known to a number in Second Life. The goal of it's people is "to educate, inspire, and work together to assist our fellow avatars," and "welcome all who wish to join us as partners, collaborators, or supporters." Among it's members is Newser writer Marcel Mosswood. In her article today, she writes about Klub Sinau. In real life, it's an organization in Indonesia which helps out parents with home schooling. Marcel built an office in the Aloft Nonprofit Commons sim representing it.

Read Marcel's article in Places.

Press Release: National Diabetes Month in Second Life

WEBSITE: http://www.teamdiabetesofsecondlife.org/national-diabetes-month.html

SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Plush%20Nonprofit%20Commons/231/30/26

November is National Diabetes month! During this month, The American Diabetes Association uses the media to draw attention to diabetes awareness, prevention, treatments, and support mechanisms that are available to everyone.

This November, Team Diabetes of Second Life is joining National Diabetes month with several events planned:

November 1 to 30 - The Red Hunt in support of Team Diabetes of Second Life-http://www.teamdiabetesofsecondlife.org/the-red-hunt.html
November 4-National Diabetes Packets distributed via our group
November 4 to 30-Live Healthy Tips
November 15 to 30-Art Gacha in support of Team Diabetes of Second Life-http://www.teamdiabetesofsecondlife.org/art-gacha-event.html
November 20, 2016-3pm slt to 4pm slt-November & December Art Exhibition opening at The Red Gallery featuring live performer Melenda Mikael-http://www.teamdiabetesofsecondlife.org/the-red-gallery.html
November 27, 2016-1pm to 2pm slt-The Red Ball, sponsored by Ghee and featuring live performer Mimi Carpenter

A free National Diabetes information  pack will be available at the Team Diabetes of Second Life’s official office at the Nonprofit Commons complex. This pack will include awareness, prevention, and treatment information from the American Diabetes and goodies for Second Life avatars!

About Team Diabetes of Second life

Team Diabetes of Second Life is an official and authorised fund-raiser for the American Diabetes Association in Second Life. Established with the aim of raising funds in support of diabetes treatment and to raise awareness of the disease in SL, Team Diabetes of Second Life was founded by Jessi2009 Warrhol and John Brianna (Johannes1977 Resident), and is served by an advisory board comprising Eleseren Brianna, Veruca Tammas, Sandie Loxingly, Rob Fenwitch, Earth Nirvana and Dawnbeam Dreamscape, with Saiyge Lotus serving as a special advisor.

About The American Diabetes Association:
The American Diabetes Association’s mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The American Diabetes Association leads the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and fights for those affected by diabetes by funding research to prevent, cure, and manage diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association delivers services to hundreds of communities and provides objective and credible information and resources about diabetes.

Free resources are available in English and Spanish at http://www.diabetes.org and 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2382).

For More Information:
www.teamdiabetesofsecondlife.org
https://teamdiabetesofsecondlife.wordpress.com
http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR?px=11304578&fr_id=11331&pg=personal (The official American Diabetes Association page for Team Diabetes of Second Life)
www.diabetes.org
http://www.idf.org/membership/meet-our-members (Website to find diabetes information in your home country)

SL Video: "The Drax Files: World Makers - Episode 37: Non Profit Commons"

(Click here if the video fails to play)

The latest episode of the "Drax Files," featuring Nonprofit Commons, "The barrier to entry in Second Life is very low and for people in the non-profit sector who want to reach a global audience we can make it even simpler!" says Rhiannon Chatnoir aka Joyce Bettencourt in RL, community manager at Nonprofit Commons.

"Over 60 international non-profit organizations with causes ranging from environmental awareness to LGBTQ activism, AIDS education and Parkinson's support, groups that fight to end homelessness or promote emotional healing with the help of horses, are gathered in the virtual world of Second Life to do everything from training to fundraising.

"For over 10 years this global community has been successfully showcasing the powerful force of SL to facilitate social good: at NPC in SL office space is given away free, agency over identity through avatars is a powerful facilitator and ideas for outreach and networking can easily be implemented in the digital realm before committing to them in physical reality.

"Joyce adds that despite lack of media coverage 'virtual worlds are very much alive because they let people connect and feel immersed in a way that is not available anywhere else, even with current virtual reality technologies. VR at this point is very solitary and frankly not very sophisticated in terms of empowering regular people on a small budget!'

"Susan Tenby, founder of NPC in SL and Director of Social Community & Strategic Partnerships at Caravan Studios,, which sponsors NPC, agrees: 'We have an ongoing community and that is key: technology in and of itself is not the answer and the reason why Second Life is so successful is because it brings people together. It just works!'"


For more information on Nonprofit Commons go to http://nonprofitcommons.org/

Press Release: Formation of Team Diabetes of Second Life

Website: www.teamdiabetesofsl.org

In World Location: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Plush%20Non%20Profit%20Commons/221/30/26/

We are pleased to announce the formation of Team Diabetes of Second Life! Team Diabetes of Second Life is an official and authorized team of The American Diabetes Association. The mission of Team Diabetes of Second Life is to raise awareness, tolerance, and funds for diabetes in the virtual world of Second Life.

According to the World Health Organization, in 2014, diabetes was estimated to be among 9% of all adults (18 and up) worldwide and by 2030, diabetes will be the 7th leading cause of death.
Team Diabetes of Second Life was founded by Jessii2009 Warrhol and Johannes1977 Resident. The organization will function in the form of an advisory board, with a coordinator leading the Team Diabetes of Second Life effort. The 2015 Team Diabetes of Second Life Coordinator is Jessii2009 Warrhol and the 2015 Team Diabetes of Second Life Advisory Board Members are: Johannes1977 Resident, Emma Portilo, Veruca Tammas, Sandie Loxingly, Rob Fenwitch, and Earth Nirvana. Saiyge Lotus is a special advisor to the advisory board.

The official Team Diabetes of Second Life season will take place from November 2015 to February 2016, with the following events planned:

Off Season Event – October 1 to October 15, 2015 – Fall Second Life Showcase
Official Season – November 1 2015 to February 15, 2015
November 1 – Team Diabetes of Second Life Season Begins
Entire Month of November – National Diabetes Month
Entire Month of November – Team Diabetes Red Hunt
November 4 to 14 – Art in Hats
December 1 to 15 – Winter Second Life Showcase
December 1 to 30 – Windlight Magazine’s Art Showcase
January 2016 – TBD – Tour de SL Bike Race
February 2016 – Team Diabetes Heart Ball

In addition to the events mentioned above, individuals, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to hold fundraising events in support of Team Diabetes of Second Life! An official fundraising toolkit will be available to the Second Life Public on September 1, 2015 at the organization’s office in Nonprofit Commons.

About The American Diabetes Association:

The American Diabetes Association’s mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The American Diabetes Association leads the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and fights for those affected by diabetes by funding research to prevent, cure, and manage diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association delivers services to hundreds of communities and provides objective and credible information and resources about diabetes.

Free resources are available in English and Spanish at http://www.diabetes.org and 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383).

The American Diabetes Association is currently celebrating its 75th year in existence! For the 75th anniversary, the American Diabetes Association is honoring decades of progress in diabetes treatment, management and quality of life, and our role in these advancements.

– See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/about-us/75th-anniversary

For More Information:
www.teamdiabetesofsl.org
http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR?px=11304578&pg=personal&fr_id=10000 (Official Team Diabetes of SL American Diabetes Association Online Page)
www.diabetes.org
www.artinhats.com
http://www.idf.org/membership/meet-our-members (website to find international assistance with diabetes research, prevention, and general information)

Draxtor Despres to appear at NonProfit Commons Meeting Today

Fans of the "Drax Files" series and "The Drax Files Radio Hour" will get a chance to see him today. Draxtor Despress will be appearing at the NonProfit Commons weekly meeting at 8:30 PM. The event will be held at their Amphitheater.

Plush Nonprofit Commons (88/126/26)

"The mission of the Nonprofit Commons in Second Life is to create a community for nonprofits to explore and learn about virtual worlds, foster connections, and discover the many ways in which nonprofits might utilize the unique environment of Second Life to achieve their missions."

For more information, check http://nonprofitcommons.org/.

VWBPE Event to be in July 2013

Daniel Voyager last week reported that at the NonProfit Commons meeting then, there was an announcement that the VWBPE, Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education, would be holding their sixth annual conference in Second Life in July 2013.

Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education is a global grass-roots community event focusing on education in immersive 3D environments. This open “indie”conference is organized by educators to provide an opportunity to showcase the learning that takes place in this community of practice. All  educators are encouraged to present, attend and take part in this discussion of collaborative deeper learning and co-presence  in virtual worlds and games.

 The VWBPE event last year took place over several days last March, with numerous events and discussions, such as a dragon parade Gemma Cleanslate covered.

Nonprofit Commons to Celebrate Five Years in Second Life

Nonprofit Commons announced on their blog a few days ago that on Friday September 21st, they will be celebrating their fifth anniversary. Events are scheduled at their Aloft and Plush sims throughout the day. Among them is a meeting at their amphitheater at 8:30 AM SL time in Plush to discuss their history and give awards, and a "Meet and Greet" dance party at 3:30 PM in Aloft.

Nonprofit Commons, or NPC, describe themselves as "managed by a community of volunteers, under the leadership of TechSoup Global. Nonprofit Commons was designed to lower the barriers of access to Second Life, to create a community of practice for nonprofits to explore and learn about the virtual world, and to investigate the many ways in which nonprofits might utilize this unique environment. Through this community, we provide free office space to qualifying groups, meet and network, create a cooperative learning environment and foster outreach, education, fund-raising, all in a virtual space." Meetings are held every Friday at the Plush amphitheater.

Source: Daniel Voyager