I am an outsider...

I am currently in the process of writing an article on non-profit organizations using Second Life, a virtual reality world, as a means to promote their organizations. In a previous post I had mentioned how an organization known as TechSoup had been successful in creating a community where non-profit organizations would be able to have a free in-world office space.

This space was paid for and supplied by an organization known as TechSoup, simply by registering with the TechSoup group. According to the TechSoup blog there are two areas for non-profits to set up shop. These locations are known as the “Nonprofit Commons.”

“‘Nonprofit Commons1 sim’ was donated by Anshe Chung Studios and ‘Nonprofit Commons2 sim’ donated by TakingIT Global. The third Nonprofit Commons location, ‘EcoCommons’, was developed in partnership with OneWorld/OneClimate specifically for environmentally-oriented organizations. Our fourth sim, ‘Health Commons,’ is focused on health-related nonprofits,” says the TechSoup blog.

Intrigued by this idea, I decided I would contact the people at TechSoup to find out more about what it is they are doing. I sent an e-mail… that was two weeks ago… I am unfortunately still waiting to find out more about what it is they’re doing.
Seeing as I was getting nowhere through email, I decided I would check out the Nonprofit Commons myself in order to uncover some things on my own.

I searched for the Nonprofit Commons within the virtual world and quickly came up with a response and seconds later I was teleported to this location. Upon arrival, the first thing I noticed was the absolute beauty of this place: from the details of the cobblestone roads to the vines creeping up the cement walls of the non-profit offices, this place is truly peaceful.

Once again the game seemed to know what I was doing here, I am labeled "outsider," I hope that changes in the near future.

I decided to venture around the grounds; curiosity may have killed the cat but it certainly wasn’t going to stop me. Through my adventure I discovered that inside every organizations’ office their contact information, or at the very least web-site, is displayed. This is exactly the type of lead I need.

I began with the first office I found and continued to walk around through random non-profit organizations. By the end of this first day I had reached and e-mailed at least 40 organizations… And now I must wait for responses.

Members of Nonprofit Commons meet each Friday at 8:30 PST/SLT at Plush Nonprofit Commons Amphitheatre, visitors are always welcome.