Challenge #12 Response: Support A Cause
Mera posted challenge #12 and it's a doozie. Basically Mera asks us to "support a cause in SL that is important to you". I think Rose Farina's response is pretty telling in why this one is tough, especially for me.
Rose says "I am just going to say that I did something... not as much fun if you go shouting to the roof tops what you are up to."
Rose, like many of us, is modest. One thing I know for sure is that Rose has been a long standing sponsor of at least one round per week of Thursdsay's Building Shelter game. It's support like hers that allows games like Building Shelter to operate on a long term basis.
I think many of the people who contribute charitably would prefer that their donation be anonymous or at least semi-anonymous. To them what is the point of standing up, waving your arms and shouting out "Look at me, marvel at what a great and generous person I am!"
Since Mera has asked I've decided to go ahead and outline what I see as my donations to the greater good in Second Life. While I have donated monetarily to Relay for Life and the Shelter I find my charitable work is mostly in an alternate form. I would classify my contributions as being measured in time as well as an attempt to leave a small footprint.
I have long been a host at the Shelter. The Shelter is able to function based solely on the donations that it receives on an ongoing basis. I feel that my part, or a portion of my part, is in the content provided. I have hosted game shows, created Building Shelter, organized events including live music, etc. That time involved in ensuring that events take place and go off without issue is a donation of a resource.
Leaving a small footprint, to me, means ensuring that activities one tries to organize for the enjoyment of others doesn't impact the Shelter's much needed balance. I have sought out sponsors for the events that I have been involved with so that my event's prizes could be self sustaining and have a low impact on the daily operations of the rec center. Other hosts have done similar such as Carl Metropolitan with his Trivial Obsession game (and now Chaos Mandelbrot as well) and FireEyes Fauna with prize sponsors for Second Fortune. Folks like Dan Gerstort, Kim Anubis, Jon Marlin, Ciera Bergman, and even Max Case and Salem Penguin are examples of generous sponsors. Their philanthropy has ensured prizes are available for game contestants on Sundays Building Shelter games. There is time involved in coordinating the sponsorships, communicating with everyone properly as to status, etc.
One other thing that I have been donating on a regular basis for the past year is a bit of tier. As a premium account holder I have 512m2 of land that I'm not using. I have instead donated it to the Shelter where it can help offset costs of the land where all the dancing and socializing takes place.
OK, that's where I stand and what I think I offer. I would say my wit and charm but everyone knows I grate on people over time :) Anyone who has been around me for a few hours in-world can answer this challenge by saying they donated spare cycles putting up with that Dolmere guy. Haha.
Please keep the non-profit organizations in mind as they try to offer a consistant welcoming experience for residents of all types. Most of all - Have fun out there!