Update on the CDS Election

As the days get shorter for the people in the Confederation of Democratic Simulators to decided on whether or not to run, several people have thrown their hat in the ring. So far, Tanoujin Milestone, Rose Gray, and Lyubov (20180414) have declared their candidacy for the Representative Assembly. Hannah Marie Tempestwolf's (Han Held) had declared her intention to run again for another term as Chancellor. But last week, she posted an angry group announcement to the community following finding the CDS Museum which she runs almost completely empty. She would later announce she was withdrawing her candidacy for reelection, explaining what happened in her blog.

Since Han's withdraw from the election, two people so far have declared for the Chancellorship: Drewski Northman and 恭子 Kyoko (Samara Barzane). With two candidates, this means a race and campaign for the CDS next month.

CDS Citizens, those who own property on the community estate sims, have until 12 Noon SL time on October 31 to declare their intention to run for an office. The campaigns officially start November 3, and the polls open at Noon SL time on Nov 10, and close a week later on Noon SL time Nov 17.

Source: Han Held's Wordpress

Bixyl Shuftan

CSD Announcement: Han Held Declares For Reelection

Just giving everyone a head's up that when Oct 31st rolls around, I will be sending the Dean of the SC my declaration of Candidacy to be the Chancellor for the 30th Term of the Representative Assembly.

We are unique in SL; unlike Zoha or Caledon or any other estate **WE** shape the decisions of our estate. But we can ONLY do that through participation.

I encourage everyone to vote, and to run for office as well.

Thank you for giving me the chance to serve.

Hannah Marie Tempestwolf's (Han Held)

"Islandz" To Be Name of Inworldz's Successor, Other OpenSim News

It seems a new name has been picked for InWorldz's successor. On the Discord group of the now-defunct virtual world, it was announced that the name of the future grid of it's owners will be called "Islandz."

There's little more information about the new world. As of the writing of this article, they have yet to get a webpage for it, although that is likely to soon change. The name of the Discord group has been changed to that of the planned grid. The website of InWorldz itself went down almost two weeks ago. Beth Reischl/Elenia did say on Sunday August 19 that she "started setup for Database recovery this morning. ... As soon as we have Database backup ... we can work on the OARS" There has been no date set for the opening of Islandz.

Other developments in OpenSim include Han Held announcing that this year's Avatarfest would be the last one.  There was an announcement on the Kitely grid's blog that it's marketplace sales have gone up 300% since the folding of InWorldz, a clear sign that many former InWorldz residents have moved there. The announcement also hinted at similar gains by Digiworldz and Discovery.

Artwork by SimonaStick Judy 

Source: Hyperrid Business  , Kitely,

Hat Tip: Daniel Voyager

Bixyl Shuftan

CDS Representative Assembly Meeting

On Monday July 20, the Confederation of Democratic Simulators held a Representative Assembly meeting at 1PM. There were several issues discussed, mainly financial ones. Chancellor Han Held would appear shortly after I took this picture.

Near the end, I mentioned that the CDS website was appearing as insecure fo Firefox browsers. So until it's fixed, it was suggested that the CDS banner on the Newser's front page when clicked on will lead to the CDS forums.

Scenes From the SL15B

There's a lot to see and do at the Second Life Birthday.  There's the Auditorium, there's the three stages, there's the dozens of exhibits, and more. Bixyl Shuftan was there to check out some of the places, as well as catch a few goings-on.

See the pictures in Events.

CDS Representative Assembly Meeting

The CDS is a community in Second Life which unlike most has a number of rules and procedures as to how things are done. Among these is a local government which meets and discusses issues, sometimes voting on them. They recently chose a new Chancellor and  Representative Assembly, the latter sometimes called the RA for short. And Monday January 18 was first meeting of the Assembly. The meet-up took place at Colonia Nova in the Praetorium at 10 AM. Rosie Gray, whom was one of the members, stated both citizens and friends of the community are welcome and encouraged to come. And some did, including myself. Chancellor Hannah Marie Tempestwolf (Han Held) was also there.

There were a few things discussed at the meeting. Budgeting procedures were one. Another was rewording a rule about tier collection as it referred to Hippo vendors, of which the company closed earlier this year. Also brought up was the CDS website showing errors when people tried to go to the page. Hannah also mentioned the CDS exhibit at the SL15B.

Tomorrow at 1PM, there's a Government Hour, in which Hanna will be at the Chancellor's Office in Neufreistadt.

Bixyl Shuftan

Inauguration of the New Chancellor at the CDS

On Friday June 1, the Confederation of Democratic Simulators saw a transfer of power as the leader for the previous six months stepped down, and the new one took the oath of office. This was the day of Hannah Marie Tempestwolf's (Han Held) inauguration as the new Chancellor. In last month's election, Hannah had been declared the winner. Incumbent leader Rosie Gray had declined to run again for the office, choosing instead a seat in the Representative Assembly.

I dropped in shortly before the scheduled start at the Ampitheatre in Colonia Nova at 1PM SL time. Of the comments about swearing in the new leader, Lilith Ivory, the CDS Dean, whom is German, remarked, "Not having English as my first language I always have to giggle about the different meanings of swear (smile)." After a few minutes, the Chancellor-elect arrived. In contrast to the informal outfit I'd seen her in when I talked to her about the upcoming CDS election, Hannah was wearing a purplish dress. "All dressed up too!" Rosie commented, "Nice gown," someone added.

Lilith stepped forward, "It´s a honor for me to be here today to swear in another Chancellor of (the) CDS (smile)." Looking to Hannah, "Let me pass you the oath Han, and please insert your name and post it in public chat." After Lilith did, Hanna texted the oath, "I, Hannah Marie Tempestwolf, AKA Han Held; having been elected Chancellor of the Confederation of Democratic Simulators, do solemnly affirm that I will faithfully discharge my duties as such to the best of my ability, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Confederation of Democratic Simulators, and that I will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of Confederation of Democratic Simulators."

What followed was numerous cheers and applause. Lilith spoke, "Thank you Han for serving our community as Chancellor this term ... and may this be the last time during your term you feel the need to swear in public (smile)." "Thank you, Madame Dean," Hannah smiled back. Then she looked to the audience, "And thank you everyone from SL's oldest, perhaps ONLY, citizen run estate, for giving me the chance to serve y'all."

Kyoko (Samara Barzane) commented from the seats, "Do we drink now?" Lilith remarked, "We should!" Hannah joked, "Trust me, by the time my term is over everyone's gonna be driven to drinking (grin)." She would go on to say, "Thank you Bellimora and Ernie, my Mere Secundus /Funadama neighbors for coming down. And thank you to my SL parents; Sensual and Gregori. It means a LOT that you're here today (smile)."

The Inaugural Ball is this upcoming Saturday June 9 at 2PM at Neufrestadt Schloss.

Bixyl Shuftan

What Happened With the CDS Elections?

"Suppose they gave an election and nobody came." That wasn't quite what happened with the Confederation of Democratic Simulators, or CDS. But the number of people who stepped up to run for office was small, just enough to fill the seats. Both the soon to be Chancellor, and the current CDS leader, had a few words about the matter to say to the Newser.

Read more in Extra.

The CDS Election Process, Part One

In recent years, elections in the United States have become increasingly unpopular, partisans of both major parties painting the opposition as the most despicable villains, and moderates increasingly turned off by both the drama and what many see as a process that brings to power people not particularly interested in their well-being. With this in mind, it may come as a surprise to some that a place in Second Life has made politics work. The Confederation of Democratic Simulators is unique from other communities in that it has a functioning government with representatives and a Chancellor, as well as elections to determine who stays and who gets to step in. I had a few words with one of the people there, Hannah Marie Bloodtempestwolf (Han Held), about how the elections are done in this first of two articles about them.

Read the story in People.