More photos here

This panel is a mixed reality event - taking place both in the room and in Second Life. It is also the launch of the Nonprofit Commons Second Sim - you can learn more about that here.

Description: Nonprofit Commons in Second Life Mixed Reality Event: Panelists discuss their work and the in the Nonprofit Commons in Second Life and the benefits of virtual worlds for social change. This mixed-reality event occurs simultaneously in Second Life and features interactivity between the two worlds.

There was a great deal of preparation for this session - the team was busy yesterday! The session was produced by Evonne Heyning (In Kenzo). Susan Tenby (Glitteractica Cookie) introduced the room to a mixed reality event, gave an overview of TechSoup's work in Second Life over the past three years, and introduced everyone on the panel.

The panelists represented the most active and involved members of the community, including Jani Myriam, Ozma, Rick Riel, Coughran Mayo and Calie. (Penguin Kuhn was taking detailed notes in the chat in Second Life and most likely will blog those along with speaker details and pointers to the powerpoints. Rik Riel has posted some notes here.)

Rik Riel's talk is called "Turn off the Damn PC and Go Outside" and hope he posts his slides!

Key Themes

• Once you get past the difficulties of learning how to walk or bumping into walls you start to understand the community that is there.
• The ability to meet without geographic constraints and interact with other people is the best part of Second Life - what makes it enriching.
• Second Life can be a safe place for self-discovery and difficult issues
• Good to network with other nonprofits
• Virtual worlds are not about avoiding people, but connecting with them in new ways
• Second Life is a space where real learning happens - not wasted time
• Virtual worlds can foster leadership, self-confidence, and collaboration skills
• Virtual words are a place to promote real-world change