Hiv-Aids+Support+group+presentation+at+Orange+Island

[2009/01/26 14:11] Ricken Flow: The mission of Linden labs is to connect us all to an online world that advances the human condition. What better organizations to do that non-profits. Non-profits in Second Life range from education and training to ecological concerns to health support groups. Support groups will be my focus today. I will discuss the HIV/AIDS support and education groups that I volunteer with and then discuss some of the best practices that I have learned in my journey. [2009/01/26 14:12] Ricken Flow: I believe that virtual worlds and second life is the new grassroots frontier

[2009/01/26 14:12] Ricken Flow: I started my venture into non profits when i moved from Dallas to San Antonio [2009/01/26 14:13] Ricken Flow: In real life i am hiv positive and had tons of support in Dallas but moving to san antonio they had only one support group and it was too far for me to get too on a regular basis [2009/01/26 14:14] Ricken Flow: so after being in L for sometime I decided to reach out and see ifthere were was a need ofr hiv/aids support and was overwlmed with the response i got.

2009/01/26 14:16] Ricken Flow: So I started Nyumba Rafiki support group in Second Life nyumba raifiki means house of friends. I had no experience at started a support group and seoncd life was the perfect vessel to learn. [2009/01/26 14:17] Ricken Flow: After my success in SL I know have a support group that meets at my house in real life.

[2009/01/26 14:17] Ricken Flow: it is a testament to the power of SL's non-profit community

[2009/01/26 14:18] Ricken Flow: As a gateway for the learning possibilities.

[2009/01/26 14:20] Ricken Flow: t also speaks to the collaboritve possibilities of Second Life in RL non-profits cand be at odds to collaborate due to the nature of funding but in second life collaboration is a important part of the community building [2009/01/26 14:20] In Kenzo: AIDS outreach is what brought me to SL [2009/01/26 14:20] Ricken Flow: bye Mus and alanagh [2009/01/26 14:20] In Kenzo: I am so glad you are here Ricken, and so eloquent about your experiences here throughout. [2009/01/26 14:20] Ricken Flow: hehe Djing is what brought me here and outreach has kept me

[2009/01/26 14:21] Anika Pastorelli: that is quite a testimony [2009/01/26 14:21] Anika Pastorelli: shows expectations vs. what is possible in SL [2009/01/26 14:22] Jade Lily: sounds like a paper i heard about recently... [2009/01/26 14:22] Anika Pastorelli: lol

[2009/01/26 14:22] In Kenzo: some of the Beter World Scouts hosted amazing World AIDS Day events here, back in 2005 I was born to join them ;-) They had a large red ribbon walk with candles, movies and discussion. I am glad to see that there is still room and interest to talk about impact. [2009/01/26 14:22] Ricken Flow: that was my start to support groups and now i would like to share how it can relate to non profits communication is a big part of np's and a lot of that comes through support groups

[2009/01/26 14:23] Ricken Flow: with hiv/aids support group the anonymity of second life is a big draw [2009/01/26 14:23] Roxylifer Graf is Online [2009/01/26 14:24] Ricken Flow: some people do not want to be labeled in the real world or not ready to disclose their status this is also true for drug rehab support groups and mental heealth suport groups [2009/01/26 14:25] Ricken Flow: Second Life can provide the support they seek withot having to provide personal information

[2009/01/26 14:26] Ricken Flow: In the world of technology and the Web it has been that relationship are suffering due to the lack of face to face communication. I believe virtual worlds are changing that perception. There is a big emphasis placed that there are people behind the avatars and just by walking around different places in Second Life you notice that there are thriving communities. These communities and subsequently interpersonal relationships are a driving force behind the success of non-profits in Second Life

[2009/01/26 14:27] Ricken Flow: Second Life is Global. According to Linden Lab 60 percent of SL residents are non US with the biggest populations being from Canada and Austrialia. The global residences provide vast resources to learn from each other.

[2009/01/26 14:28] Ricken Flow: This reminds of a chance I had to speak to a young man in Africa who was at an intrnet cafe and heard about second life he just found at he was hiv + and was scared to talk to anyone of his peers.

[2009/01/26 14:30] Ricken Flow: He was even hesitant to get online to find some support he told me he was shaking like a leaf worried that someone would look over his shoulder. Luckily I had some experience with hiv orgs in africa and was able to refer him to a local org.

[2009/01/26 14:31] Ricken Flow: andWhen I first started my support group I had the grand idea that it would be an open discussion with no moderation so people could freely. I learned quick that some people wanted to speak but felt unsure and dominated by the few that would speak up. So my first recommendation is to have a facilitator to provide some structure to the support group meetings.

[ [2009/01/26 14:33] Ricken Flow: As a communication student, I have learned that having rules for communication is a good thing. With such a global audience we have to realize that words in the US have different meanings in other countries even the english we use is different than the English in Europe and Australia. We have to be patient and cognitive of the differences. Also we need rules so that everyone has a chance to participant and not one person or persons runs the conversations. [2009/01/26 14:33] Ricken Flow: Sometimes we have to realize that we cannot help everyone and we need a referral system in place to refer people to real world help. In the hiv/aids support group world, the illness effects almost every aspect of our lives. I have had to refer people to rl mental health professionals, dieticians, drug counseling etc. That is where the internet search can play a role. The Web is so vast and full of information you can find almost any help both locally and globally. [2009/01/26 14:34] Jade Lily: how do you find people who can benefit from your support group?o [2009/01/26 14:34] Jade Lily: or do they find you?

[2009/01/26 14:35] Ricken Flow: both I post my support grroup in the SL calendar and I use facebook, twitter and other internet groups. I have also reached out to RL hiv/aids orgs but they like a lot see SL as a game [2009/01/26 14:36] In Kenzo is Offline [2009/01/26 14:36] Ricken Flow: things are changing though thanks to orgs like ACS which is showing the world to the possibilites and NPC [2009/01/26 14:37] Ricken Flow: we are a strong community but have a long way to go to convince the rest of the world [2009/01/26 14:37] Jade Lily nods [2009/01/26 14:37] Delia Lake: yes [2009/01/26 14:37] Ricken Flow: any other questions [2009/01/26 14:38] Ricken Flow: about anything HIV starting a support group

[2009/01/26 14:39] Jade Lily: none from me at the moment :) [2009/01/26 14:39] DannielScarlet Destiny is Offline

[2009/01/26 14:39] Michele Mrigesh: Wonderful presentation...I would certainly contact you first! [2009/01/26 14:39] Ricken Flow: with the way the economy is going and the price of gas i beleive more and more people will be looking to virtual worlds and we need to be ready [2009/01/26 14:40] Ricken Flow: TY Michelle [2009/01/26 14:40] Michele Mrigesh: I agree, Ricken...this is a terrific platform for organizing [2009/01/26 14:41] Jade Lily: i also agree!

[2009/01/26 14:42] Delia Lake: ty for the excellent presentation, Rick [2009/01/26 14:42] Ricken Flow: I want to thank everyone for coming and come back all week!!!! handing ack over to JAde if no more questions