The Relay Wrap-Up

Transcript provided in announcement by Sandy Loxingly
Pictures from Gemma Cleanslate and Bixyl Shuftan

[2018/07/29 10:03]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): 2018  RFL Wrap-Up Ceremony  begins with dances by FlyGearz
[2018/07/29 10:04]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): Sandie - just paste - (Sting Ad Libs)
[2018/07/29 10:04]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): hahah
[2018/07/29 10:04]  Rowena Dubrovna: No no no!
[2018/07/29 10:04]  Rowena Dubrovna: I want to know what he says!
[2018/07/29 10:04]  Rowena Dubrovna: Don't leave me out
[2018/07/29 10:04]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): it will be Sting- blah, blah, blah
[2018/07/29 10:05]  Rowena Dubrovna: Cuddly can help you Sandie! *ropes Cuddly*
[2018/07/29 10:05]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Don't worry Row
[2018/07/29 10:07]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: Welcome everyone to the 2018 Relay For Life of Second Life Wrap-Up Ceremony. Thank you go Kiran Sporg, of FlyGearZ for helping us dance in a United fashion! So fitting for this year’s theme, isn’t it?

[2018/07/29 10:08]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: And that’s just what I wanted to talk about first. The UNITY that we all experienced during the 2018 Relay season. I want to thank each and every one of you for embracing the many many changes that were made in 2018...because it will prepare you for more changes that will happen in 2019. You see, Relay Refresh isn’t a one-year thing. It’s a long-term plan that we have to adjust and adapt what we do and how we do things...while remaining secure in our relationships with one another. (And please forgive us if we forget anyone because there are so many to tthank)
[2018/07/29 10:08]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Some of the amazing results of your Relay efforts that I personally saw this year have me already excited about what will happen over the next few years for all of us.

[2018/07/29 10:08]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): We planted many small seeds this year, with many new teams and partnerships. And now we must prepare to cull the things that didn’t pan out, so that we can focus on watering the wins!

[2018/07/29 10:09]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Some of the more noticeable changes this year were the Kickoff date and a shorter season. And we may not be finished testing out options with when the season runs and how long it should be. We started over with a new fundraising tool system that is going to grow over time, but the biggest benefit in year 1 is going to happen tomorrow when we push the RESET button on them. None of your tools will poof. You won’t have to get a new offseason kiosk and replace it. Instead, your tools will simply change to ‘offseason mode’ and your totals will reset to L$0.

[2018/07/29 10:10]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Speaking of resetting things - - We reset the Fundraising Club guidelines to create an opportunity for more teams to earn their status. We tested several campsite and layout options, including Turnkey sites, sideways sites; we gave teams more say in where their site was set along the track; we tried to accommodate special requests, and we spread out a little more than in the past. More people were involved in the execution of the season and the event than ever before, thanks to the new ‘task list’ approach to volunteering! And I know we have some tweaks to make and there are plenty of ideas in the feedback form that we’re going to explore. But looking at the big picture, I hope you’ll all agree that this giant ship that is Relay For Life of Second Life...is heading in the right direction!

[2018/07/29 10:11]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): What direction is that, you ask? Well for starters, I saw so many people set aside their own personal agendas to help each other and to have a good experience. I saw teams supporting one another instead of competing with one another.
I saw many teams plan events and activities for their respective communities outside the Relay group, which is absolutely necessary in order for us to grow.

[2018/07/29 10:11]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): I saw people interact with each other without judgement. I love how when someone comes into the Relay community - and the rest of the community embraces them based on how that person chooses to express themselves. It’s so nice to see a pilot talking to an alien and a fairy - all in character!

[2018/07/29 10:12]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): We set out this year to be one Relay For Life with many moving parts. Each of those parts would reach out to different areas of Second Life to bring the grid together for a unified cause. And we all understand the importance of our mission - of making sure that the American Cancer Society services are available to residents of Second Life - IN Second Life, and to invest in the lifesaving research projects that are funded by the American Cancer Society, and to support our global partnerships - where for the first time in our history - through the Fantasy Faire - we were able to personally direct $50,000 of our fundraising dollars to a specific project, the Kenyatta Hope Hostel, where cancer patients can’t get treatment simply because they live too far from the only hospital available, and they don’t have paved roads or a vehicle to get there.

[2018/07/29 10:13]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Imagine you have been diagnosed with cancer and the closest place to get treatmetn is 100 miles away  and you would have to wlak to get there
[2018/07/29 10:14]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): so ACS is partnering with the Kenyatta Hostel so these people can get treatments they need closer to home
[2018/07/29 10:14]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): I saw Trager Alter - - who has never been involved with Relay For Life of Second Life before - - take it upon himself to start his own Relay Refresh blog b/c he was so inspired by the stories he was hearing and the vision for where we are going - that he wanted to do something that showcased as many of your own personal stories in his own way. This was not a task that was created and assigned to him - this was his original idea that he wanted to do and when he asked if he could, we said - you don’t have to ask for permission to share the amazing stories of our RElayers!

[2018/07/29 10:15]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): I saw so many fundraisers and events that created a season full of activity for every aspect of Second Life - and I know I can’t list every single team and event, but I was so inspired by you this season, that I just had to write a poem that tells the story of the 2018 season...and to show just how big of a difference you all make...and how much you contribute to the activity and the culture of Relay, and of Second Life, in general!

[2018/07/29 10:15]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting's "poem" of how the season went... he's the authro
[2018/07/29 10:16]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): author*... (pre-recorded)
[2018/07/29 10:18]  Kitty Gumbo (prettykitty.gumbo): Our core values guided us with support
[2018/07/29 10:18]  Kitty Gumbo (prettykitty.gumbo): The memories we made will forever last
[2018/07/29 10:18]  Kitty Gumbo (prettykitty.gumbo): We are one team of many
[2018/07/29 10:18]  Kitty Gumbo (prettykitty.gumbo): We will wint his battle
[2018/07/29 10:19]  Kitty Gumbo (prettykitty.gumbo): nothing scares cancer like our Relay For Life
[2018/07/29 10:19]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Giant Snail Races start with Ready.Set.GO
Feed your Soul Find A Cure hosts a Fashion Show
Jewell Theater dedicates their performance of SNOW
Too Tough To Die does country with a HO - - - Down

[2018/07/29 10:19]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Down by the River..of Life - dunking DJs is great
Inspired Dreamwalkers DJs ...7 hours straight
Bobby McKey’s Angels start with Kiss Cancer Goodbye
While the Cure Masters auctions make their totals go high

[2018/07/29 10:19]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Relay Rockers brings back RelayStock
Havok Entertainment’s concert features classic rock

Cure Chasers prefer their music Live
Team 427 has a championship drive
Game of Thrones says, “costume, when you arrive”

[2018/07/29 10:19]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Honoring Hope rewards the photographer with the best
Team OD delivers a shocking Shred Fest
Bid Me Bald events never take a rest
Buckin’ Cancer’s concert rocks Key West
Relay for Christ does Trivia - - not a test

[2018/07/29 10:20]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Goreans never stop
Cheerleaders love 80’s pop
Team Shadow likes to Relay hard
Skill Gaming earns the top fundraising Award

Burners Without Borders does a movie night
Ritz New York’s gown is outta sight
Heroes Helping Heroes plays games, alright
But, Friends for a Cure, your tutus are a little tight

Our mega events extend our fundraising reach

[2018/07/29 10:20]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sail For Life & Coast Guard get a view of the beach

Circle of Life is dressed UP for the ball
While Harmony of Hope dresses DOWN for the Crawl

Fighting Sunflowers brings storytime to their audio stream
And Mieville Steampunks party to a weekly theme

[2018/07/29 10:20]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): The Sunbeamers are planning an air show and a rave
Can someone get Aether Chrononauts to behave?

Team Live Wire sets up the Relay Store
Holy cow!  $4500 is the final score,
From a single event by Unmasking A Cure

Our core values guided us along the way
With support for each other, every day
Our fundraising goal was met, then passed
The memories we made will forever last.

[2018/07/29 10:20]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): United, We Relay, we truly became
But we’re one team of many, our mission, the same
We will win this battle, after years of strife
Because nothing scares cancer like Relay For Life!

[2018/07/29 10:21]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Annika Braveheart now  reads the Bronze award level fundraising teams
[2018/07/29 10:21]  Nuala Maracas: CONGRATS TO ALL BRONZE TEAMS !!
[2018/07/29 10:21]  Nuala Maracas: CONGRATS TO ALL SILVER TEAMS !!
[2018/07/29 10:21]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Annika Braveheart reads names of Silver Fundrsaising teams
[2018/07/29 10:22]  Nuala Maracas: CONGRATS TO ALL GOLD TEAMS !!
[2018/07/29 10:22]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Annika Braveheart reads the names of the Gold Fundraising teams
[2018/07/29 10:22]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Annika Braveheart reads Platinum  Fundraising teams
[2018/07/29 10:23]  Kaiila Mahoney: Good Job Jewel Thheater!!
[2018/07/29 10:23]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Annika Braveheart reads Jade Fundrsaising teams
[2018/07/29 10:23]  Nuala Maracas: CONGRATS TO ALL PLATINUM  TEAMS !!
[2018/07/29 10:23]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Annika reads Sapphire  fundraising tema
[2018/07/29 10:23]  Nuala Maracas: CONGRATS TO ALL JADE TEAMS !
[2018/07/29 10:23]  Gemma Cleanslate: nice
[2018/07/29 10:23]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Ruby fundraisign teams
[2018/07/29 10:23]  Nuala Maracas: CONGRATS TO ALL SAPPHIRE FUNDRAISING TEAMS !!
[2018/07/29 10:23]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Purple fundraising teams
[2018/07/29 10:23]  Kaiila Mahoney: Yea Goreans!!!!!!
[2018/07/29 10:23]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Thank you to all the teams for their hard work
[2018/07/29 10:23]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Trader:
[2018/07/29 10:24]  Nuala Maracas: CONGRATS TO ALL PURPLE TEAMS !!
[2018/07/29 10:24]  Kaiila Mahoney: God job everyone.. all teams
[2018/07/29 10:24]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Trader: Relay For Life is the signature fundraising event for the American Cancer Society, and the funds you raised this season will be used to continue offering support, information, and education services right here in Second Life. Because the fundraising element of Relay For Life is crucial to our ability to continue our mission, to Save Lives, Celebrate Lives and Lead the Fight for a World Without Cancer, the next four awards are designed to celebrate our top performers in the fundraising category.

[2018/07/29 10:24]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Here to present our Fundraising Awards are two of our 2018 sponsors. Our wrap-Up Celebration sponsor, Kira Paderborn of Entice, and one of our Premier Sponsors, from Sol Existence, Sunshine Zangshun.

[2018/07/29 10:25]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Kira - Top Website Fundraiser individuals
[2018/07/29 10:25]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Our event website offers each member of your team the opportunity to register, send emails, and set up a facebook fundraiser to collect donations. This year, participants had the ability to download the American Cancer Society FUNdraising app to also collect and process check donations and to send text messages to fundraise. With so many options to fundraise outside of Second Life through our website, it’s no surprise that our Top 3 Website Fundraising Individuals all surpassed $1,000, each.

[2018/07/29 10:25]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): In 3rd place, raising $1,250 usd - - Samm Scrabblebat
In 2nd place, raising $1,635 usd - - Gem Sunkiller
And our 2018 Top Website Fundraising Individual, who raised $2,070 usd, is Melina Firehawk!!

[2018/07/29 10:26]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Kira: Top Website Fundraising Teams   - Now, when each individual on a team raises money on the website, on Facebook, or through the app - - all of their individual donations are included in their Team’s website total. If you have members of your team, your community, or your group who didn’t register on the website, but still want to help fundraise that way, they can share a link to your team page with everyone they know...so that any donation made on your team page is also counted toward our next award, the Top Website Fundraising Team!
[2018/07/29 10:26]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Finishing in 3rd place, raising $2,070, is Heroes Helping Heroes
In 2nd place, raising $2,260.55, is Team Shadow
And with $2,375, our 2018 Top Website Fundraising Team is the Relay Rockers.

[2018/07/29 10:27]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sunshine: Top In-world (Linden) Fundraising teams - This next fundraising award focuses on team fundraising performance, inside Second Life. I’m sure that everyone watches the hover text on their fundraising tools, cheering on their team Linden totals. Linden fundraising makes up the majority of our event’s revenue, and the award is based on how many lindens your team raised between kickoff and Relay weekend. This season, 62 teams hit the 25,000 Linden mark. All of our teams raised over 24 Million Lindens, combined. Please join me in celebrating our top 3 Linden Fundraising Teams:

[2018/07/29 10:28]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): With L$1,346,920, 3rd place goes to the Relay Rockers
With L$1,603,563, 2nd place goes to the Goreans in Relay For Life
And our top Linden fundraising team had a unique fundraising strategy that paid off, big time. They are a first-year team who raised all of their lindens from within their own community by rewarding their customers for donating to their team. The result was an astounding L$6,475,533. Let’s all congratulate our 2018 Top Linden Fundraising Team, Skill Gaming!

[2018/07/29 10:29]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Top Overall Fundraising Teams  - And of course, after we recognize each of the individual fundraising total categories, we must now add everything up  - - the website plus the lindens and the checks...to find out who are our 2018 Top Overall Fundraising Teams.

[2018/07/29 10:30]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): With a grand total of $6,517 - our 3rd place team is the Goreans in Relay For Life
Coming in at $7,756 - our 2nd place team is the Relay Rockers
And our Top Overall Fundraising Team, turning in $25,804 - is the rookie sensation - - - Skill Gaming!

[2018/07/29 10:30]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Way to go all of you out there!!
[2018/07/29 10:31]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Nuala: Now we turn our attention to awards that show appreciation and recognition for volunteerism, actions, enthusiasm, and for contributions that have an affect on the overall atmosphere of the Relay season and the event.

[2018/07/29 10:32]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): The first group of people that we should all celebrate are those who volunteered to help execute all of the various tasks that are necessary to pulling off the largest fundraising event in Second Life. This year, the Relay was put in the capable hands of so many volunteers from so many teams and communities - and it was so refreshing to see how proud each and every one of you were for being able to do your individual part. Our tasks involved communication, organization, management of information, building, designing, coordinating, communicating, and more. And in order to show our appreciation to those of you who signed up and fulfilled a task this year, we are so happy to present to you a new award - - the Taskie!! We’ll be delivering those to you, individually, during the course of the week...but we did want to recognize and celebrate you at this time, too.

[2018/07/29 10:32]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: Another type of person who contributes to the success of the season or the event...but are not on the task list...or are not on a team...or may not consider themselves “a Relayer,” in the traditional sense...but - - their contribution to the story of Relay For Life of Second Life has shown to be critical...and appreciated. These are people who are “outside” of our Relay, but are hugely important to our Relay.

[2018/07/29 10:33]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: A community champion goes out of their way to do good things for his or her community. This is a person who dedicates a large portion of their time serving others, selflessly and generously. Today, we are honored to present three individuals with this award, as way of showing how much we appreciate the impact that they have had on us.

[2018/07/29 10:34]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: Every person here has been directly affected by our first recipient’s work, whether you realize it or not. Her contribution to Relay For Life had an immediate impact, and will have a lasting impact for years to come. She has been a tremendous pleasure to work with - and is the brains behind our new fundraising tool network. From the first conversation I had with her during the offseason, preparing her for the tremendous multi-year task ahead … with all of our visions and dreams for what tools we would want and how they would need to function, she never batted an eye. She always came from a place of “yes, we can do that.” She is a very busy woman - - but still took time out to investigate and debug any issue, no matter how big or small, at any time - to ensure that our fundraising system maintained its integrity. On Relay weekend, she was up with Nikki, Mama, Random, and Nuala till 4am - making sure that if any issue popped up, she would be there to fix it, immediately.
[2018/07/29 10:34]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): She is always proactive in thinking of ways for our tools to be more efficient - and she has already committed to bringing back the Team Totals page for 2019!! I am very excited to present  this 2018 Community Champion Award to Sasun Steinbeck.

[2018/07/29 10:35]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: Housekeeping note! Speaking of our tools - one quick housekeeping note before moving to the next Community Champion Award. We will be resetting the tools tomorrow. What you will notice that is different than in years past is that your tools will not disappear. They will stay where they are - - we will just switch them over to ‘offseason’ mode for you. Your team will remain assigned to the tools, too! And they’ll just reset to L$0 - - and then when next season starts, we’ll just reset them again to L$0...and so on.

[2018/07/29 10:35]  Kitty Gumbo (prettykitty.gumbo): Tools are resetting tomorrow.. your team will remain assigned to your team.
[2018/07/29 10:36]  Kitty Gumbo (prettykitty.gumbo): no more poofing
[2018/07/29 10:36]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: Our next Community Champion is someone who has helped to spread the word about Relay For Life to so many people that have never heard of us. She has been a strong supporter for the Fantasy Faire - by sharing blog posts with many updates throughout the month of April.

[2018/07/29 10:36]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): During the course of the season, I had a couple of opportunities to talk to her - where she offered a lot of good advice and counsel that ultimately led to what became the Linden’s signature sponsorship. She may not realize it, herself, but her knowledge of Second Life has already proven to make a difference for the American Cancer Society in the future. It was her recommendation that we are acting on in the offseason...where we will be hosting a Community Gateway in 2019 - where new residents of Second Life will have the opportunity to learn how to use the platform and get started by joining one of your teams or one of your groups!!

[2018/07/29 10:38]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): She sared earlier this year that she is now a cancer survivor herself and that Relay in Second Life is something valuable to support in SL.
[2018/07/29 10:38]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): I know you all share in my excitement in presenting our next Community Champion award to the owner of: Living in A Modem World - - Inara Pey

[2018/07/29 10:38]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: Our final Community Champion is someone who has helped put Relay For Life on the map - - literally - - for so many years. Many people who have worked behind the scenes on a mega event or Relay weekend for the past 12 years will know how big of a part she played in making sure our regions arrived on time...and sometimes early...and stayed there as long as we needed them to.

[2018/07/29 10:39]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): There were so many times that we had to make changes to our order or that we had to request a rush job. She never made us feel like we were a bother. She was always responsive when we called or IMd her in a panic. She would grab Governor Linden and bring him to Relay team fundraisers.
[2018/07/29 10:39]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): She took a personal interest in Relay For Life, she embraced us all, she watched over us...and she always made us feel like we were more than just another SL Account.

[2018/07/29 10:39]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): We always knew that we had a strong advocate in the Linden Lab office while she was there. It didn’t occur to us over the years that we could offer her this award for just doing her job. But - when you look back on how she did her job - - she always went so far above and beyond...and she really did demonstrate that she possessed the spirit of Relay. And being there for us the way that she was - - was her way of being a Relayer!

[2018/07/29 10:39]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Please join me in celebrating this Community Champion, Our “Fairy Sim Mother,” Dee Linden. … who is now Dee Lightworker.

[2018/07/29 10:40]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting:  If you see any of these three please give them your thanks for supporting a cause that means so much to you
[2018/07/29 10:40]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: Spirit of Relay Award- Individual
[2018/07/29 10:40]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Over the last several days, everyone has had a  chance to nominate someone that they would want to recognize for embodying the ‘Spirit’ of Relay. Several names appeared on the nomination list, but there was one name that seemed to pop up over and over and over - - from multiple people on multiple teams.

[2018/07/29 10:41]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): She has truly been a leader for Relay For Life from helping teams get registered, to working as an anchor team for Fantasy Faire’s One-Team initiative. She tirelessly worked every moment away from work to be a captain for her own team while producing some quality One-Team Events. She brought Relay into her community...and brought her community to Relay - every Tuesday with a fundraiser. She’s been more than generous with her time, even when she didn’t have much to spare. Even through suffering one of the hardest personal losses a person can endure, she continued to share with us her best side - always standing proud, encouraging everyone else, and nurturing those who needed it.

[2018/07/29 10:41]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Her ability to balance that internal support of other Relayers and other teams with spending time meeting new Relayers and raising awareness about who we are and what we do … and sharing our story with everyone she meets. She spent a lot of this year being a strong and positive ambassador of the American Cancer Society and our vision for the future of Second Life.

[2018/07/29 10:42]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): She has demonstrated the Spirit of Relay for many years, which makes this year’s presentation to her a bit overdue. … It’s about time that we get to reward Gem Sunkiller with the 2018 Spirit of Relay - Individual award.

[2018/07/29 10:42]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: Congratualtions Gem
[2018/07/29 10:43]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: As we look back on 2018, there are so many examples of our theme coming to life over and over again. This season really was a United effort. So many teams embodied the spirit of “one team” - - “one Relay” - that it has been very difficult trying to discern one team that might receive this award over others that are just as deserving…
Because the hard part is defining...what is...the spirit of Relay, exactly?

[2018/07/29 10:43]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Some might say that it is when all teams fundraise together at a single event
Some might say that it is when a team offers another team support
Some might say that it is when a team creates an event for other teams to enjoy
Some might say that it is when a team recruits a bunch of sponsors … or spawns a bunch of new teams…
Some might say that it is when a team holds another team’s hand along the way - or makes us all smile and laugh throughout the season

[2018/07/29 10:44]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): There are so many ways to define the spirit of Relay - and so many teams were made up of different combinations of each definition - that it only seems right in 2018 - - the year of the United Relay - - that we present every team with this award. You all deserve to be called - the Spirit of Relay - - in your own unique ways.

[2018/07/29 10:44]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): There are so many ways to define the spirit of Relay - and so many teams were made up of different combinations of each definition - that it only seems right in 2018 - - the year of the United Relay - - that we present every team with this award. You all deserve to be called - the Spirit of Relay - - in your own unique ways.

[2018/07/29 10:44]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): (oops chat lag)
[2018/07/29 10:44]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: Gordy Klatt Award
[2018/07/29 10:45]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: Over the years, we have always tried to educate our Relay family in Second Life about the history of our event...and the history of Relay For Life, in general.  We always recognize the great Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon who, in 1985, decided that he wanted to do more to fight cancer and wanted to raise a significant amount of money to fund the mission of the American Cancer Society.  Dr. Klatt ran and walked around a track for 24 hours that year and raised $27,000.  The next year, others joined him, taking turns for the duration of the event...and Relay For Life was born. 

[2018/07/29 10:45]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Gordy’s vision of hope has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, raising nearly $5 billion in fundraising to save lives from cancer.
[2018/07/29 10:45]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): In memory of his pioneering spirit and steadfast dedication to Relay For Life, we present the Gordy Klatt Award to the person or team who has demonstrated the level of commitment and dedication to the cause...who has poured so much of themselves into our event, and whose footprint and legacy will always be a  part of the Relay For Life of Second Life story.

[2018/07/29 10:46]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): This year, we are proud to present the Gordy Klatt Award to a team...for their history of involvement, dating back to the beginning. Over the years, this team has produced so many of our leadership volunteers, they’ve mentored new teams, coached and trained our entire Relay on the mission of the American Cancer Society, they have given 100% of every resource available to them...to Relay... they have lost team members to other teams, they’ve lost team members to the real-world, and they’ve lost team members to cancer. They have won and lost awards, they’ve created fundraising ideas that are now staples for multiple teams...not just their own. They have recruited new communities to join Relay...and this year, instead of adding that community to their own team - they suggested to the community - that they be their own team.

[2018/07/29 10:46]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): They host an annual 3-day event where they combine the attraction of new residents from entertainers groupies with an opportunity for all teams to participate and earn their own fundraising dollars
[2018/07/29 10:47]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): This year, they brought not one, not two, but THREE DEPARTMENTS from Linden Lab to actively raise money for Relay For Life.

[2018/07/29 10:47]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Each year, they bring dollars in from the real-world - - through event sponsorship and fundraising. They are consistently among the top 2 or 3 fundraising teams every year. They infuse the mission education component into every fundraiser and campsite they build.

[2018/07/29 10:47]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Year after year, season after season, this team remains a steadfast rock of Relay For Life of Second Life. They give of themselves 100% every year - always wanting to do more...to be better than they were last year. I am very proud to offer the 2018 Gordy Klatt Award to the Relay Rockers.

[2018/07/29 10:48]  Nuala Maracas: **** ~~~~~~~~ RELAY ROCKERS   GORDY KLATT AWARD  ~~~~~~~~~******
[2018/07/29 10:48]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting introducing Nuala
[2018/07/29 10:49]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Nuala has led us through the Relay Refresh and into the Relay Renaissance
[2018/07/29 10:51]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): (pre-recorded clip from various people thanking Nuala fr all she has done to support all Relayers and the mission of the ACS to so many)
[2018/07/29 10:55]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: her tenure may be coming to an end but I will continute to lean on her for friendship and support
[2018/07/29 10:56]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Nuala: THank you all for that, I need a copy. I have the sniffles, that was amazingv and unexpected. Thank you all
[2018/07/29 10:56]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Nuala: What a year we have had. United We Relay. And we were united to the tune of $205,982 US dollars!  Fantastic!  On Relay weekend 1,099 avatars united to walk 16,333,026 meters, or roughly 2 and a half times around the world, or 9,895 miles! New sneakers for everyone! 

[2018/07/29 10:56]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): We had our first Signature Sponsor come on board, Linden Lab, a Real World Sponsor, Seacoast Chevrolet, and our 4 Premier Sponsors Rockcliffe University, RGF Estates, Sol Existence and Bama Breeze Club. Thank you for your support. And of course the Wrap Up sponsor for today - a long time Relay supporter - Entice.  Thank you.

[2018/07/29 10:57]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): We had the first official launch of the newly rebranded RelayRadio who broadcast live for over 48 hours on Relay weekend. A huge thank you to all those who were on air bringing us the tunes and information we needed and to those who worked weeks prior to, and all weekend, behind the scenes coordinating the production.

[2018/07/29 10:57]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting presented the Gordy Klatt award, and we all know Dr. Gordy Klatt as “the father of relay”.  The founder of Relay, the man who walked the track for 24 hours in Tacoma, Washington in 1985.  Dr. Klatt’s vision during that walk was of teams and people walking around a track for 24 hours to raise big dollars to fight cancer.  The vision, as we know, became a reality. Relay For Life is now the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, held in more than 27 countries around the world, and here we are 33 years later at the wrap up of the American Cancer Society’s largest virtual relay.  I don’t quite think that was in Dr. Klatt’s initial vision, but he did come to see our virtual relay begin in 2005 and continue to grow until he passed from heart failure after battling stomach cancer in 2014.

[2018/07/29 10:58]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): What a lot may not know is there is also a “mother of relay”.  Pat Flynn, who in 1985 was a patient of Dr. Klatt’s. She pledged $10 to his walk.  $10 in 1985 was a fairly significant amount. But she couldn’t just leave it at that. That night she went to the track to see what was going on. The gate was locked and she could not get in. But she could see 25 people walking the track with Dr. Klatt. Each had paid $25 to do so for 30 minutes.  Remember $25 was a big amount back then.

[2018/07/29 10:59]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): She went home, tossed and turned, finally getting up to call the local paper, telling them they were missing out on a story, something really special was happening at the high school track and they needed to report on it.  Something inside her told her she had to go back to the track.  At 1am she went back and she kept her watch from outside the gate watching lap after lap, hour after hour.  The local paper did cover the story by the way. 

[2018/07/29 10:59]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): 2 months later Dr. Klatt called her and shared how he felt such a wonderful spirit on the track that night.  He asked her to become part of the committee he was forming. To turn this into a team event for the next year. With all her other responsibilities, Pat said her head said no, but her heart got in the way and said yes and helped plan what would be the first official Relay For Life Team Event.  30 years later, Pat Flyyn said she could still feel the overwhelming spirit that was on that relay track for the very first relay.
[2018/07/29 11:00]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Patt Flynn passed away this year  a the age of 80. She was suffering from kidney failure and was on dialysis, but she never stopped Relaying.  Her son travelled with her for the past 4 years from place to place to meet the people around the world who she’s had an impact on.  She was the details person of Relay. She trained thousands of relay volunteers like yourselves.  She formed the very first Relay team. She helped turn an idea into a worldwide movement.

[2018/07/29 11:00]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Why did I just share that history with you? Because of the spirit, because of the passion, because of the heart both Dr. Klatt and Pat Flynn felt. They got to see and experience first hand the very first Relay For Life event. They saw first hand how it affected others. They  believed in Relay. They believed in the people at relay. They believed in the Spirit of Relay. They believed Relay For Life could go on to raise millions of dollars to fight cancer, and they were right, but it did not go on to raise millions of dollars, it has gone on to raise over 5 billion dollars to fight cancer. 

[2018/07/29 11:01]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Not everyone they came across jumped on the Relay bus and sometimes it took some convincing, but mostly it  only took bringing them to Relay weekend, and those people were hooked.  And that is what you, as relay volunteers, need to continue to do. Remember the feeling of your first Relay weekend. The excitement, the commadary, the fun.  Carry those feelings with your spirit, your heart, your passion for Relay, out to the Second Life Community, and perhaps into the non-virtual community. Find communities who have not yet experienced Relay For Life in Second Life, and yes, they are out there.  Invite them to one of your team meetings, arrange a get together with the community leaders and talk about Relay, invite them to Kick Off in 2019, invite them to Relay weekend. Invite them to participate however they can.  You,as Relay volunteers are the future vision of the virtual Relay.  

[2018/07/29 11:02]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Jade Lily had a virtual vision in 2005 when she organized the first Relay For Life of Second Life event and in 2016 invited Fayandria Foley, whom we affectionately refer to as the “virtual mother of Relay” to take the Relay For LIfe of Second Life, find the people with the passion, whose hearts say yes, and plant the seeds, nuture and set the foundation to allow our virtual relay to grow into what is has become today.

[2018/07/29 11:02]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): My role in the virtual relay has gone from a team captain in 2005 to an event chair in 2017 & 2018, and every role in between over the years and I still feel humbled by the work Jade and especially Fayandria did for the Relay For Life of Second Life.  I have volunteered with so many many people over the years. Some still here, some have moved on.  But all shared a passion for Relay and the desire to save lives, celebrate lives and lead the world in the fight against cancer. 

[2018/07/29 11:02]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): I believe you can always ask and find people to do things for you, but the passionate ones will step up without being asked and do things WITH you.

[2018/07/29 11:03]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): To everyone who stepped up to help with the various tasks this year, thank you all for your dedication and passion to volunteer for our amazing virtual Relay.  To those I shared the leadership with the past 2 years, Leala, Grace, Random, MamaP, Nikki,and from 2010 Tay ...what an amazing bunch of ladies you all are. Each bringing your own unique skills to Relay to make it a better event.  I have learned from each and every one of you. Thank you for that opportunity. Thank you for all you did and will do for the Relay For Life of Second Life.

[2018/07/29 11:03]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): To those I consider my second life family, Trader, Arizona, Xyza, Mady, Geddy, Otter, Fuzz,  Ever, thank you for giving me the past 2 years by taking on some extra responsibilities, being there to help when I asked, and always having time when I needed to talk. 

[2018/07/29 11:04]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): To the eternal newb, our ACS Staff Partner, Stingray Raymaker - gosh I don’t know what to say.   You have the excitement of a 5 year old, the drive and determination of a great leader, and the passion for Relay that truly does come from the heart.  From the moment I handed you your first bag of Tim Horton’s coffee in 2008, I knew you were a special guy.  You are kind, fair, honest, and dedicated, with a great sense of humour.  Thank you for everything you have taught me. Thank you for the opportunities you have given me in SL and in Real Life.  Don’t ever change.  Relay, you are very lucky to have him leading you.
[2018/07/29 11:04]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): And to each and every relayer thank you for the great memories, the laughter, the friendships. We are one big family!

[2018/07/29 11:05]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): As my time as chair comes to a close after 2 wonderful years, here are my final words to all relayers who can hear my voice, and hopefully carried to those who can’t.  We are, YOU are, part of 3.5 million survivors, caregivers, patients, volunteers, advocates and researchers doing everything within our power to save lives.  Stand proud of what you do, what you accomplish, what your team accomplishes.

[2018/07/29 11:05]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly):
Pat Flynn once said “your goals are dreams with deadlines”.  Our dream, Dr. Katt’s dream, Pat Flynn’s dream was to find an end to cancer.  So work together on this dream, not against each other.  Whether it was your team's dollar or not should not make a bit of difference. Who does what, who gets what, who raises what, should not matter.  Celebrate each other's individual and team successes for every linden or dollar raised WILL help someone. Your passion and spirit for Relay are what matter.

[2018/07/29 11:06]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): We are talking about changing lives, celebrating lives, and giving people more birthdays.  We cannot settle for anything less than doing it together. We dream big because we need to. That is how we beat cancer, by becoming bigger, better, stronger, united.

[2018/07/29 11:06]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Cancer Changes Everything….. So Can You

[2018/07/29 11:06]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): My name is Nuala Maracas and I am a relayer!!

[2018/07/29 11:07]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Song - I Believe             Nikki Yankovsky
[2018/07/29 11:10]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Trader: Congratualations to all of our winners
[2018/07/29 11:10]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): What an honor to be a part of such a wonderful organization
[2018/07/29 11:11]  Kitty Gumbo (prettykitty.gumbo): great job Sandie
[2018/07/29 11:11]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Coming up next will be two hours of live music, first  will be Shaye Dezno and the 2nd hour will be David Csiszer
[2018/07/29 11:12]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): This concludes the 2018 Wrap-Up Ceremony


Transcript provided in announcement by Sandy Loxingly
Pictures from Gemma Cleanslate and Bixyl Shuftan

The Relay Wrap-Up

By Bixyl Shuftan

"All good things must come to an end." That old saying was most likely on the minds of many of the Relayers as they gathered in the Relay dAlliez sim on Sunday August 14 for the final event for the 2016 Relay for Life season. Since March, the various teams and individuals had been raising funds for the American Cancer Society, the high point being the Relay Weekend in mid-July. And now, it was time to bring the season to a close with one last event.

The location of the event was located down a walkway leading from the entry point of the sim, decorated on both sides with trees filled with pinkish-red leaves. Getting to the area where the event was held, most of the people were on a brick patio with a few on seats at the back end. In the front was a stage done in shades of pink and purple, with the "Once Upon a Cure" logo in the back. On the stage were four stools for members of the Committee, but only three people: Nuala Maracas, Leala Spire, and Random  Padar. In front of the fourth was a cardboard cutout of Stingray Raymaker, whom was talking over the radio stream.

There were a number of announcements made at the Wrap-Up, of which the transcript and a video went up on the Newser on Monday. The total amount raised this season was announced: 59,584,580 Linden dollars, or $238,338 USD. The theme for next year was also announced: "Passport to Hope." Confidence was expressed that the teams would have no trouble coming up with events and builds to reflect the theme next year.

Several teams had moved up  a level in fundraising since the Relay Weekend.

 Rising Star: Relay Pranksters

Bronze: Frank Sinatra and Company, Team Mingan-For Relay For Life Of SL, Eureka High RFL, Dragons for a Cure, RadioActiveAir, Giant Snail Relay

Silver: Dreamin' in Purple, Team Live Wire

Gold: CyberNuts RFL, Walking Tall For A Cure, Friends For A Cure, Madd Vibes, Too Tough To Die, E&S Breedables, The Quest for a Cure

Platinum: Fighting Sunflowers, Circle of Life, Second Life Cheerleading Squad, Sunbeamers

Jade: Meli's Maniacs

Sapphire: Purple Tears, Sail For Life

The winners of several awards were also announced.

Top Team Fundraising Award - Overall:

1st: Relay Rockers - 2,834,856 Lindens / $11,339 USD

2nd: Goreans In Relay For Life - 2,079,125 Lindens  / $8,317 USD

3rd: Harmony Of Hope - 1,927,177 Lindens / $7,709 US

Top Team Convio Raising: 1st - Harmony Of Hope $4,390 USD, 2nd -  Two Moon Paradise $3,924 USD, 3rd - Relay Rockers $2,610 USD

Top Individual Convio Raising: 1st - Sunshine Zhangsun and Cathy10 Longoria $1,400 USD each, 2nd -  TS Darrow $1,290 USD, 3rd -  Trader Whiplash $1,090 USD,

Beacon Award : Individual - Shiran Sabra, Team - Aether Chronoauts Tiny Steps

Gordy Klatt Award: Nikki Mathieson

The Spirit of Relay Award, Team, went to the Cure Chasers

"This team goes out there, year after year, and not only work steadily to raise funds at their own events, but help energize and inspire this entire Relay.  The team remains above the fray and is always assisting other teams and individuals.  They reach outside their team and outside of Relay to hold fundraising events and raise awareness of the American Cancer Society. This team took a new team under their wing this year, made them feel welcomed and supported and always had a team member at one of that team's events.  This team also stepped up and helped host an event for a team when that team was unable to be in world due to travel and family commitments. They cheered all teams in the volunteer group as each team met a goal.  Their constant cheering trackside for people walking the track helped keep everyone awake on Relay weekend.  For 9 years this team has been one of the most consistent in fundraising, participation, support and outreach. Attend an event anywhere and you will find Seinna, Alexia and other team members in attendance. They exemplified the the one team spirit. They are truly one of the foundations of this Relay."

Friends For a Cure received an Honorable Mention.

"A new team who wrapped themselves up in our Relay and carried an amazing bright torch as their part in the crusade. Friendly, so kind and loving within the group and outside of it. They represented our Relay with a spirit that showed the EXAMPLE of what the Relay spirit is. Amazing team! They attended every class, every Town Hall and if you went to any team event you could find them there!  They have ties to the live music part of SL and were able to spread the word further than ever in that genre and we thank them for that.. deeply. I'm so glad they've joined our group and am proud to call them Relay Family."

The Spirit of Relay Award, Individual, went to Dianna Wycliffe

"This year's winner is well known in Relay for her generosity of spirit and her abundance of relay passion.  With tireless effort, she helps literally every single person who asks for or needs help with anything, from finding their way to events, to setting up convio, or just helping run team events.  When teams needed event ideas, she was there  to offer some, when a relayer was feeling down, she was there to lift their spirits.  She led her team to success in both convio and linden fundraising donations. Whether getting eggs ready for Easter, scaring the bejeebies out of everyone in an early Halloween event, or introducing relayers to a special  Pet Relay event, she never stopped.  She volunteered as a Fundraising Advisor this year to help new teams learn the ropes.  And with all this going on, she still found time to be a familiar face at almost all the other relay teams events with words of encouragement and praise. She has been a fervent supporter of RFL in SL for years, talking on leadership responsibilities and providing a continuing vision for her team, Harmony of Hope."

There were two new awards given out this year. One was "Change Makers."

"The Change Makers Award Is a celebration of individuals who have made a difference to Relay weekend. They did something during Relay weekend that grabbed attention. An outstanding act of kindness or a remarkable contribution, memory or laugh to the Event Day. Persons who brought humor, understanding, camaraderie, dedication and a strong sense of Relay Spirit to the event. These individuals will bring new guests to share the Relay weekend experience, they’ll promote unity and spirit throughout."

Those awarded "Change Makers" were Eclair Martinek, Ricka Deerhunter, Fuzzball Ortega, Gem Sunkiller, Secret Rage, Madonna Daehlie. There was also an honorable mention to Sue Peregrine, "Her name has come up many many times for what she took AWAY from Relay weekend…...lag!  The nominations sum it up best…'lag free for the first time in the history of Relay.'”

The other new award was "Community Champion," which went to two individuals and a group. OD Designs was given the award as although they formed Relay teams in the past, "This year that team chose not to make a team but instead play host to a number of team events." The first individual was Zander Greene, "He is influential in the amazing success of The Fantasy Faire.  He has served on the telethon team that covered our Relay for years.  He has used his building skills in making ACS Island what it is."

The second individual given the award was a surprise, "Our second award goes to BIXYL SHUFTAN and the SL Newser.  Bixyl is a member of the Sunbeamers team but outside of the team Bixyl has been blogging since 2010  about RFL of SL throughout the years with his SL Newser. Bixyl we appreciate all the time you devote to highlight RFL of SL in your Newser."

The list of winners can also be found on the RFL of SL awards page.

* * * * *

Over the past few days, I've gotten no shortage of congratulations for the Community Chamption award, including from real-life friends and family who found out. I've very proud and thankful for the award. But a couple things should be noted. One is that the award wasn't just to me, but also the Second Life Newser: a team of reporters. A number of members, such as Gemma Cleanslate whom has been part of the Relay for years, and Becky Shamen whom has become part of my team the Sunbeamers, have helped out in coverage of the Relay in ways large and small.

And then of course is the first part of the award's title: community. The Sunbeamer's community, the Sunweavers, have been supporters of the Relay of Life in Second Life for years. Members such as Alleara Snoodle, Lomgren Smalls, Dusk Griswold, Shockwave Yarreach, Cynthia Farshore, Skylark Lefavre, the late Artistic Fimicloud, our chieftess Rita Mariner, and others have contributed much season after season. It's a community in Second Life which I feel proud to be a part of.

With another year behind us, the Relayers can look back fondly at the events, and take pride in helping fund more and better cancer treatments, and bring the day when finally there's a cure for all cancers a little closer.

"Go Relay!"

Bixyl Shuftan

Transcript For the Relay Wrap-Up

Provided by Cuddly Waffle

[09:47]  Little Miss Waffle: Greetings everyone, happy Wrap-Up Day!!! :D Closed Captions for Wrap-Up will be coming up very soon! :D
[09:47]  Henrietta Demina: WooHoo! Go Cuddly!
[09:47]  Little Miss Waffle: Yaaay :D
[09:48]  Rowena Dubrovna: Thank you Cuddly once again!
[09:49]  Fuzzball Ortega: https://youtu.be/ZEJutE1v06g
[09:49]  Fuzzball Ortega: For Cuddly
[09:50]  Little Miss Waffle: LOL FUZZ thank you!! :D
[10:04]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: And we're baaaaaaaaaaaack!
[10:04]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: I love that! Thank you Sting!
[10:04]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Hi everybody! look at everyone out there! I love it!
[10:04]  Little Miss Waffle: (?)
[10:04]  Little Miss Waffle: xD
[10:05]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: we have a lot to cover, so listen up , cause we're gonna mention lots of names and info and share just how amazing all of you guys are.
[10:05]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: This is our time to celebrate you.
[10:05]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Okay, so! lets get going!
[10:06]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: I can start with the fundraising awards. At the beginning of the year we said there would be prizes for the people who raised the most money via convio.
[10:07]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: I'm working with the relay department to make sure the right emails go to the right people, so give us a few weeks on that.
[10:07]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: So lets talk about our totals!
[10:07]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting:  The convio total for this year was: 39,000 USD.
[10:08]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: I think that's the highest we've ever done!
[10:08]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: I belive the grand total from today is: 238,186 USD raised.
[10:09]  Little Miss Waffle: (Sorry!! My computer froze! give me a moment!)
[10:10]  Little Miss Waffle: (My apologies <3 br="">[10:11]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Thank you to Saffia Widdershins, Cinders Vale, Zander Greene, Elrik Merlin, Eclair Martinek, Lukeflywalker Fittinger for doing our track side interviews this year.  Keep watch on our youtube channel for those interviews and our ceremonies to be posted.    I would also like to thank Jara Lowell for doing some great videos of our Relay weekend.  Jara does these every year without us even asking!
[10:11]  Bain Finch: Try not to go faster than your computer can handle Cuddly. :-P
[10:11]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: A special thank you to Grace Louden Devin for building this beautiful Wrap Up area and to Sue Peregrine for providing us with the sim.  All year long Sue has provided teams with the D’Alize sim for teams to hold events. That donation has made a huge difference for many teams.  These two ladies have both been so amazing this year. What a difference you make in our Relay.
[10:11]  Little Miss Waffle: Kammie: We also neglected to thank Kammie for all the work she put into Relay Weekend.  Kammie worked non spot putting together the entertainment and helping Never with all our activities. Thank you for all you do Kammie!
[10:13]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: before we do the swag bag raffle, lets talk about the Century Cub T-shirts.
[10:13]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: ok so the Century Club is a RL t-shirt opportunity we give to people suting relay weekend. Anyone who makes a single donation of USD100 gets a free real life t-shirt.
[10:14]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: Once the shirts are made they'll be shipped out directly to you. They are official RFL 2016 shirts.
[10:14]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: Its the Paint Your World Purple logo.
[10:14]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: On the back it says Relay for Life of Second Life.
[10:14]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: those who made that donation and qualified will get an email this week.
[10:14]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Ready for some swag?!
[10:14]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Lets see if we can.. i'll try to put this out as i shout it!
[10:15]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: TS can not win this year.
[10:15]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Hold on...
[10:16]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: whilst you pull that up - the swag bag raffle - its two relay duffle bags. Each winner gets one. We're gonna put some other relay gear in there, like in the past we've done coffee mugs, notebooks, hand totes, just different itesm with the relay logo on.
[10:16]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: The winners are:
[10:16]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: AlexanderPalmer Resident!
[10:16]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Sue Peregrine!
[10:16]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: how many tickets did she buy?!
[10:17]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: That's something on our to-do list, to figure out how many were sold! Congrats Alex and Sue!
[10:17]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: So i will be sending an email to the two of you toget your mailing information.
[10:17]  Little Miss Waffle: Leala: We do want to say thank you again to our Premier and Special Sponsors.  Your support throughout this relay season has been very much appreciated
[10:17]  Little Miss Waffle: Premier Sponsors:
Rockcliffe University Consortium
RGF Estates
Sole Existence
Runestone
[10:18]  Little Miss Waffle: Special Event Sponsor: Entice
[10:18]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Many of you may wonder just what do these mega events that sponsor RFL of SL bring in?  $65,584 just this year!  They play a huge role in our fundraising.  Each coordinator puts in months of work to bring us such amazing mega events.  We appreciate all you do in support of The American Cancer Society.
[10:19]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Our mega events this year were:
[10:19]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: The Sci Fi convention,Kirk Wingtips & Ariadne Fall
[10:19]  Little Miss Waffle: The Christmas expo, Nuala Maracas
[10:19]  Little Miss Waffle: The Home and Garden expo, Kaerri Rae, Cain Maven and Reven Rosca
[10:19]  Little Miss Waffle: and Fantasy Faire, Elizabeth Tingsly
[10:19]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: One special note Fantasy Faire this year brought in over 31 Thousand US Dollars in donations!  That is just amazing!  Be watching our website for next year's mega events dates and information.
[10:20]  Little Miss Waffle: Leala: Media Partners support the Relay For Life of Second Life by promoting the event, by telling volunteers' stories, playing Radio PSA's, printing our official notices and by sharing news throughout the Relay season and on Relay weekend...and by helping us raise money for the American Cancer Society!  The outreach they provide to all communities in and out of Second Life is invaluable.
[10:21]  Little Miss Waffle: Leala: A special thank you to: T1 Radio
Krypton Radio
Whip Radio
MTFB Radio -Music to fly by
Cibigibi Radio (Pronounced C B G B)
Macchiato Media
Full Throttle Radio
Fantasy Faire Radio and Radio Riel (Pronounced REEL) :)
WTF Radio
[10:21]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: Fundraising did not stop on Relay weekend and several teams have been holding events in the aim of reaching their fundraising goals.   Congratulations to the following teams who have moved up a level in the Fundraising Club since the July 17th Relay weekend.
[10:21]  Little Miss Waffle: RISING STAR
Relay Pranksters
[10:21]  Little Miss Waffle: BRONZE
Frank Sinatra & Company
Team Mingan-For Relay For Life Of SL
Eureka High RFL
Dragons for a Cure
RadioActiveAir
Giant Snail Relay
[10:22]  Little Miss Waffle: SILVER
Dreamin' in Purple
Team Live Wire
[10:22]  Little Miss Waffle: GOLD
CyberNuts RFL
Walking Tall For A Cure
Friends For A Cure
Madd Vibes
Too Tough To Die
E&S Breedables
The Quest for a Cure
[10:22]  Little Miss Waffle: PLATINUM
Fighting Sunflowers
Circle of Life
Second Life Cheerleading Squad
Sunbeamers
[10:22]  Little Miss Waffle: JADE
Meli's Maniacs
[10:22]  Little Miss Waffle: SAPPHIRE
Purple Tears
Sail For Life
[10:23]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: I love that you just keep going!
[10:23]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: I get the privilege of namking the Top Team Total Fundraising awards.
[10:23]  Little Miss Waffle: TOP TEAM FUNDRAISING AWARD - OVERALL
Awarded to the teams who raises the most lindens (convio and Lindens combined).
[10:23]  Little Miss Waffle: 3rd Place Team:  Harmony Of Hope raising  L$ 1,927,177
[10:23]  Little Miss Waffle: 2nd Place Team:  Goreans In Relay For Life  with  L$ 2,079,125
[10:23]  Little Miss Waffle: The Top Team Fundraising Overall, with a total of  L$ 2,834,856,   goes to The Relay Rockers
[10:24]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Before we announce our Convio Fundraising Dashboard winners we want to give a special thank you to Connie Mistwalker and Meli’s Maniacs team for a one time donation from a foundation in the amount of $2500.00!
[10:24]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: we just apprecfiate that you do this for the ACS Connie, thank you!
[10:24]  Little Miss Waffle: Top Team Convio Fundraising Dashboard: 
Awarded to the team who raises the most via the Convio website (outside of SL, US dollar donation)
[10:24]  Little Miss Waffle: 3rd place team: Relay Rockers with $2610.00 US dollars
[10:25]  Little Miss Waffle: 2nd place team: Two Moon Paradise with $3924.00 US
[10:25]  Little Miss Waffle: The top team convio  online fundraising goes to Harmony of Hope!  Harmony of Hope brought in $4,390.00 US to RFL of SL.   Well done Harmony of Hope!
[10:25]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Congratulations you guys and thank you!
[10:25]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Top Individual Convio Fundraising Dashboard:
Awarded to the individual who raises the most via the Convio website (outside of SL, US dollar donation)
[10:26]  Little Miss Waffle: 3rd place individual is Trader Whiplash with $1090.00 US
[10:26]  Little Miss Waffle: 2nd place individual is TS Darrow with $1290.00 US
[10:26]  Little Miss Waffle: We have a tie this year with our top individual winner with convio online fundraising. They are Sunshine Zhangsun and Cathy10 Longoria both bringing in $1,400.00 individually.  Awesome job ladies.
[10:26]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Well done to all our team this year in reaching the highest level ever reached in online donations!
[10:27]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: Every year, your committee opens the  Wrap Up Awards to YOU….the Relay Volunteers.  You submitted the names of individuals and teams for the next 4 award categories. You told us your reasons why you think your nominations should receive the award. We encourage ALL Relay Volunteers to submit nominations each year.
[10:27]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: Selecting winners for each category is not easy. There are so many, many deserving nominees.  We rely on your nomination reasons to help us choose the winners.
[10:27]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: Today we will announce the teams and individuals that YOU,  Relay World,  felt were the most deserving of recognition. We thank you all for your nominations and wonderful comments in support of these outstanding members of our Relay Family.
[10:27]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: And now I would like to introduce my fellow Co chair Leala Spire who will begin our Awards presentation today with the winners of the Beacon Award
[10:28]  Little Miss Waffle: Leala: The Beacon Award Celebrates one team and one individual who have made exceptional contributions to RFL of SL through acts of generosity or by providing leadership, creative ideas, skills or time without personal reward. The team and individual who utilizes events and Relay opportunities to bring new awareness to our group.
[10:28]  Little Miss Waffle: Beacon Award Individual : Our Individual winner is “dedicated not only at relay time but 365 days a year. She is constantly creating events, recruiting people and making RFL known to everyone.” “She is the reason behind her team success. She is dedicated to the cause and planned many joint events with other relay teams.”
[10:29]  Little Miss Waffle: Leala: Another nomination reads, “She has every quality you mentioned above and more. I look up to her and her warm heart when it comes to survivors and caregivers.” Another reads “ “She donated her venue and helped work to honor our survivors for National Survivors Day. She is a very special person and her passion is solely for Relay”. “   For these reasons and many others, our 2016 Individual Beacon Award winner is...
[10:29]  Little Miss Waffle: Leala: SHIRAN SABRA!
[10:29]  Little Miss Waffle: Leala: Congratulations Shiran!!
[10:30]  Little Miss Waffle: Leala: Beacon Award Team: This team willingness to partner with relayers from all walks of SL life exemplifies what it means to be a "beacon" in our fight against cancer.  Fantasy Faire 2016 would not have been possible without the support of this Team. They came as merchants, as performers, producers and players, photographers, writers, and spinners of songs.
[10:30]  Little Miss Waffle: Leala: They also reached out with some creative events to RP sims.  For this and other reasons, our 2016 Team Beacon Award winner is …
[10:30]  Little Miss Waffle: Leala: Aether Chrononauts Tiny Steps!!
[10:31]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: The Change Makers Award Is a celebration of individuals who have made a difference to Relay weekend. They did something during Relay weekend that grabbed attention. An outstanding act of kindness or a remarkable contribution, memory or laugh to the Event Day. Persons who brought humor, understanding, camaraderie, dedication and a strong sense of Relay Spirit to the event. These individuals will bring new guests to share the Relay weekend experience, they’ll promote unity and spirit throughout.
[10:31]  Little Miss Waffle: Eclair Martinek : Eclair stepped up and agreed to learn how to film in SL and edit videos so that we could create a lasting record of this 2016 Relay Weekend. She did it with passion, class and a stellar attitude. She cheered the walkers on, she built a stunning tribute to both survivors, caregivers and those who have been lost on the designer sim, RFL Survivor. During the weekend she could be seen in crazy outfits photo bombing people on the purple couch and adding to everyone's Relay experience in a positive way.Her laughter, her sense of humor, her giving spirit all make up a true Change Maker.
[10:32]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: Ricka Deerhunter: If you passed by the Team Buddy campsite, you no doubt ran into Ricka track side and heard…..“Hey...challenge me to a game of checkers!”  “Come beat me in checkers!”.   I think he asked every single relayer on the track who passed by to come play checkers with him (it was his team fundraiser). And he always got a laugh or a smile, and even a few games of checkers out of it.
[10:32]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: Fuzzball Ortega: Every year Fuzz takes to the airwaves after the luminaria ceremony, dries out tears with understanding and camaraderie, and lifts our spirits with his music and infectious humor.
[10:33]  Little Miss Waffle: Leala: Gem Sunkiller:  If anyone is literally waving a One Team banner it is Gem. She actually made One Team Creed flags she handed out on Relay weekend. Constantly on the track, she went around to make sure every luminaria was lit before the Luminaria Ceremony.
[10:33]  Little Miss Waffle: Leala: Secret Rage:  Not only did she build a great campsite, but throughout the weekend she was always on the track cheering people on. She brought new people to her team campsite and to Relay weekend!  Go Go... Shhhhhh Secret !!
[10:33]  Little Miss Waffle: Leala: Our last changemaker...
[10:34]  Little Miss Waffle: Leala: Madonna Daehlie:  Not everyone can carry off 6 arms in a latex suit, walk the track, and greet everyone they see with the grace of Madonna!  She worked hard behind the scenes helping as a producer for all the DJ’s on air.  She has  a spirit of  encouragement  and great fun.
[10:34]  Little Miss Waffle: Leala: We also have an honorable mention for the Change Maker Award this year.   Sue Peregrine.  Her name has come up many many times for what she took AWAY from Relay weekend…...lag!  The nominations sum it up best…”lag free for the first time in the history of Relay.”  “0 crashes”  “ Only 4 region restarts”. “I actually was able to walk around the track, without crashing, for the first time ever“ “  That’s beyond change, that’s god like”
[10:35]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: Congratulations to all the Change Makers!
[10:35]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: The Spirit of Relay Award  - Individual:
[10:36]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: Awarded to the individual that embodies the “Spirit of the Relay”. “Spirit of the Relay” includes an overall performance from Kick Off to Relay Day. This award takes into consideration the “spirit” of the individual, how they embraced Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society Mission, and the enthusiasm displayed. Also considered is their participation in Relay activities, as a whole, not only in their own team’s, but other team’s events, as well.  Were they supportive and kind in RFL chat? Did they embody the ‘we’re all one big team’ aspect?
[10:36]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: This year's winner is well known in Relay for her generosity of spirit and her abundance of relay passion.  With tireless effort, she helps literally every single person who asks for or needs help with anything, from finding their way to events, to setting up convio, or just helping run team events.  When teams needed event ideas, she was there  to offer some, when a relayer was feeling down, she was there to lift their spirits.  She led her team to success in both convio and linden fundraising donations.
[10:36]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: Whether getting eggs ready for Easter, scaring the bejeebies out of everyone in an early Halloween event, or introducing relayers to a special  Pet Relay event, she never stopped.  She volunteered as a Fundraising Advisor this year to help new teams learn the ropes.  And with all this going on, she still found time to be a familiar face at almost all the other relay teams events with words of encouragement and praise.
[10:37]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: She has been a fervent supporter of RFL in SL for years, talking on leadership responsibilities and providing a continuing vision for her team, Harmony of Hope.
[10:37]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: Embracing 8 years of relaying with pride and passion, it is my pleasure to present The Spirit of Relay - Individual to Dianna Wycliffe.
[10:37]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: The Spirit of Relay Award  - Team:
[10:38]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: Awarded to the team that embodies the “Spirit of the Relay”. “Spirit of the Relay” includes an overall performance of the team from Kick Off to Relay Day. It is not representative of simply the amount raised. This award takes into consideration the “spirit” of the team, how they embraced Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society Mission, and the enthusiasm displayed. Also considered, is the team's participation in Relay activities as a whole, not only in their own but other team’s events, as well. Did they embody the ‘we’re all one big team’ aspect?
[10:38]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: this year we have an honorable mention first.
[10:39]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: Honourable Mention:
A new team who wrapped themselves up in our Relay and carried an amazing bright torch as their part in the crusade. Friendly, so kind and loving within the group and outside of it. They represented our Relay with a spirit that showed the EXAMPLE of what the Relay spirit is. Amazing team! They attended every class, every Town Hall and if you went to any team event you could find them there!  They have ties to the live music part of SL and were able to spread the word further than ever in that genre and we thank them for that.. deeply. I'm so glad they've joined our group and am proud to call them Relay Family.
[10:39]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: We are happy to present a Spirit of Relay Award -Team - Honorable Mention to Friends For A Cure
[10:39]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: Now on to the The Spirit of Relay Award - Team winner.
[10:39]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: This team goes out there, year after year, and not only work steadily to raise funds at their own events, but help energize and inspire this entire Relay.  The team remains above the fray and is always assisting other teams and individuals.  They reach outside their team and outside of Relay to hold fundraising events and raise awareness of the American Cancer Society. This team took a new team under their wing this year, made them feel welcomed and supported and always had a team member at one of that team's events.  This team also stepped up and helped host an event for a team when that team was unable to be in world due to travel and family commitments.
[10:40]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: They cheered all teams in the volunteer group as each team met a goal.  Their constant cheering trackside for people walking the track helped keep everyone awake on Relay weekend.  For 9 years this team has been one of the most consistent in fundraising, participation, support and outreach. Attend an event anywhere and you will find Seinna, Alexia and other team members in attendance. They exemplified the the one team spirit. They are truly one of the foundations of this Relay.
[10:40]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala:  The 2016 Spirit Of Relay Award - Team is presented to …. The Cure Chasers!
[10:41]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Congratulations to all the award winners.  We have just a few more awards to be presented.   Reading through the nominations responses I would see this name pop up off and on in all categories.
[10:42]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Just as we have to chose just one person to represent The Spirit of Relay from the hundreds of Relayers who put in hours of work volunteering. I really think that this committee this year needs to be recognized for all their efforts. I would like to select one committee member to receive the committee Spirit of Relay Award.
[10:42]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: I am going to quote from a nomination we received “Tee's passion for Mission education is evident from the moment you meet her.  She reaches across the grid with mission information through her Mission Monday postings to the website, facebook, and group notices, as well as with Relay Rap and Tee Time on T1Radio every Sunday during Relay Season.
[10:42]  Mary Teodosio: WTG Cure Chasers! WTG Sienna, alexia, Callie, amanda! You're the best!
[10:43]  Little Miss Waffle: Random:  She develops and distributes posters and notes on mission.   Tee offers to attend any team meeting or to help a team plan how to integrate mission into their event or campsite.   She provides mission information at all Mega Events.   The amount of American Cancer Society mission information has grown in the past 3 years since Tee came on board!”  Thank you and congratulations to Ms Tee Auster the recipient of the 2016 Committee Spirit of Relay Award.
[10:43]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Our last two awards are Steering committee awards.  Over the year we kept watch for people who stood out to us for special recognition.
[10:43]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Community Champion Award:
[10:44]  Little Miss Waffle: Random:  A Community Champion describes a person who goes out of their way to do good things for his or her community.  A person who dedicates a large portion of their time serving others, selflessly and generously.   This is our opportunity to honor and acknowledge the contributions made to RFL of SL by those who aren’t necessarily even on a team or committee or even in the Volunteer group.
[10:44]  Little Miss Waffle: Random:  It is our opportunity to let them know that their service to Relay has made an impact and is so very much appreciated.
This year's Community Champion Award goes to several people. The first award goes to someone who has been involved with RFL of SL in some form for many years.  He is influential in the amazing success of The Fantasy Faire.  He has served on the teleton team that covered our Relay for years.  He has used his building skills in making ACS Island what it is.
[10:45]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Anytime any past chair or current chair would contact him for help the answer is always YES!  Each year he makes time to put together our Relay PSAs.  Zander Greene thank you for your years of support for RFL and The American Cancer Society.
[10:45]  Rowena Dubrovna: WTG ZANDER!!!!!
[10:45]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Our second award goes to BIXYL SHUFTAN and the SL Newser.  Bixyl is a member of the sunbeamers team but outside of the team Bixyl has been blogging since 2010  about RFL of SL throughout the years with his SL Newser.
[10:46]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Bixyl we appreciate all the time you devote to highlight RFL of SL in your Newser.
[10:46]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Last but not least.  Our last award goes to the Spirit of Relay Team award winner in 2011.This year that team chose not to make a team but instead play host to a number of team events.  Every week they held events for teams.  They invited live musicians and provided the venue for these events.  Their support for many of the teams was instrumental in that teams fundraising level.
[10:46]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Thank you to OD DESIGNS!  Specifically ORTHO VARGAS & DAISEZE DAHLSTROM.  You truly show the Spirit of Relay in everything you do!
[10:47]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Dr Gordy Klatt Award:
[10:47]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: For those of you who are unsure just who Dr Gordy Klatt is.  Dr Gordy was a colorectal surgeon who, in 1985, decided that he wanted to do more to fight cancer and wanted to raise a significant amount of money to fund the mission of the American Cancer Society.  Dr. Klatt ran and walked around a track for 24 hours that year and raised $27,000.
[10:47]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: The next year, others joined him, taking turns for the duration of the event...and Relay For Life was born.  We lost Dr Gordy Klatt to cancer in 2014.  In memory of his pioneering spirit and steadfast dedication to Relay For Life, The Dr Gordy Klatt award goes to someone who has demonstrated the level of commitment and dedication to the cause...who has put the big picture ahead of their own interests, and whose footprint and legacy will always be a part of the Relay For LIfe of Second Life story.
[10:48]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: The recipient of the Dr Gordy Klatt award is a name familiar to many in secondlife.   She began relaying in SL in 2007.  A huge Big Brother fan she met like minded women on the Big Brother message boards.  She came into SL and began a BB team! Not only a team but the top fundraising team.  It didn’t take her long to put her creative vision into action in developing the Home & Garden expo as a team event and the Fashion Faire expo as a mega event.
[10:49]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: By 2011 she was Mamap Beerbaums co chair and was our Event Chair in 2013 and 2014.  During her stay as Chair, RFL of SL brought in over 800 thousand dollars in just 2 years!  She continues to Relay and served last year and this year as our awards lead.  A woman with an amazing vision and beautiful heart.
[10:49]  Little Miss Waffle: Random:  I am so proud and honored to give this years Dr Gordy Klatt award to Nikki Mathieson.
[10:49]  Mary Teodosio: /a
[10:50]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: First, I’d like to thank everyone who participated in Relay For LIfe of Second Life this year. I know that our Team Captains work hard for so many months to organize your team, you commit yourselves to planning fundraising and awareness events to your respective communities, and it often is a thankless job...and so you certainly deserve kudos for a job well done this year!
[10:51]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: Our Relay Committee has once again come together and embraced the changes that we set forth with in the beginning of the year, and as a result, we were able to reach new people who formed new teams across the grid. Second Life is constantly evolvingI...people come and go...and Relay is no different. It is important that each year, we are creative with our event vision and that we allow new people to step up and stand on the shoulders of those who have come before them.
[10:51]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: Thank you to Nuala & Leala - for filling the role of Co-Chairs this year. It’s such an important role in Relay and one that you both filled with passion by sharing your vision, your ideas, your experience, and your time … with whatever was asked of you throughout the year.
[10:52]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: And Random - thank YOU so very much for the past two years serving as Chair of Relay For Life of Second Life. You are an amazing woman and you took care of Relay with grace and dignity.  You overcame adversity, you led us through some major changes to the Second Life community.
[10:53]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: I believe that your legacy will be that you were a strong leader with the right combination of organization, iron will, and loving heart that was necessary to navigate us through this transition period. As we move forward in Relay, I know you will be a great addition to the “Relay Elders” with Mama & Nikki, Tay, Fay, and Jade…and quite honestly, I think you’ll enjoy that role a lot.
[10:53]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: As I expressed to you already, I don’t know the right words that can be used to express how thankful I am and how lucky RFL in SL is to have you in our lives ...to have worked with you in Relay…to call you my friend. You are an incredibly strong woman and I really don’t think that anyone could have led Relay the last two years the way you did…which was the way it needed to be done.
[10:55]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
[10:55]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: And now, it’s time to unveil the 2017 Relay For Life of Second Life Theme that was voted on by you, our team captains, team members, survivors, and volunteers.
[10:56]  Little Miss Waffle: The 2017 theme is: PASSPORT TO HOPE!
[10:57]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: I think you guys made a great choice and its gonna be a theme everyone has a good time interpreting.
[10:57]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: And finally, as I’ve  mentioned time and time again...and even just a minute ago - we all know that Relay For LIfe is an ever-changing, always creative, special event that requires a lot of people who are committed to planning and organizing the event.
[10:57]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting:  In order to continue moving the event forward...through the current and future changes that are occurring in Second Life, the grid, and the virtual space...we have reached the time where Random will pass the torch on to the next Chair of Relay For Life of Second Life.
[10:57]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: Our next Chair comes to us with many years of experience in Relay, both in Second Life and in her local community. She has served as a committee member, a staff partner, a Co-Chair, and has seen Second Life Relay grow from the very beginning.
[10:58]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: And I have watched her grow and evolve, herself, throughout her own personal Relay journey.
[10:58]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: Through conversations in making this decision, I have full confidence that her vision for our event is one that we are ready for and one that our committed teams and volunteers will appreciate. Every Chair steps into the role with their own vision...with respect for where past Chairs have brought the event.
[10:58]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: She will stand on the shoulders of our past Chairs and carry on some of their traditions while establishing some new ones of her own. She is committed to carrying on the legacy of our event being one unified community of teams who come together to celebrate the cancer survivors in our lives, to celebrate the diversity that makes up this event, to raise money for the American Cancer Society, and to have fun while doing it!
[10:59]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: I am pleased to announce (not introduce because you all know her already, I’m sure) our 2017 Chair of Relay For Life of Second Life will be Nuala Maracas.
[10:59]  Little Miss Waffle: Sting: But before we hear from Nuala, we have one more chance to hear from Random.
[11:00]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Thank you so much Sting!  Congratulations to you RFL of  SL Volunteers.   You all are heroes! Thank you for the hours, the days and the months that you have put in to make such an amazing difference in our fight against cancer.  I am so proud of all of you.   From teams. to committee, to mega events, to supporters.
[11:00]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Together we had a wonderful Relay season.  I personally feel this season has been our best!   Our Relay family supported each other, taught each other and had an amazing lag free Relay weekend together.
[11:00]  Little Miss Waffle: Random:  I have served on the RFL of SL committee now for 5 years.  You have given me 2 memorable years as your chair.  I need to thank my mentors Mamap Beerbaum and Nikki Mathieson for being with me every step of the way.  TS thank you for your love, your encouragement and patience.
[11:01]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Sting thank you for our friendship and that inner humor and passion for Relay that we share.  To all of you my Relay Family  I thank you for your encouragement, your support and your cherished friendship.  I have loved every minute of this unique Relay and you will be seeing me next year alongside you!
[11:01]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: In closing I have to say....
[11:01]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: I absolutely love our theme for next year Passport to Hope!   When I think of that I am reminded that each and everyone of us are supporting The American Cancer Society in putting an end to cancer as we know it.
[11:02]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Our hope is that no longer will it be a major health concern for any nation!    As I went back and reviewed our team registration, I glanced at all the countries that you all come from.  Very similar to these Olympics we all are watching.  Yet not.  We don't compete but work together with one hope.
[11:02]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: We need that passport that takes us world wide to ban together to fight this deadly disease that robs us of our loved ones. Every person here whether you live in the US, Denmark, Japan, England, Germany, Portugal, Canada, the Netherlands, Brazil,  Spain, Romania, Ireland, Finland, Scotland, France or Australia makes a difference in this battle that knows no boundaries.  This hope is not contained in one Nation.  The American Cancer Society's efforts affect us all.
[11:03]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Our Relay is unlike any other in the world.  No other Relay has relayers  from every corner of this world.  We have that passport to Hope!  United together we are strong. Each of us hold that Passport to Hope that will affect every nation on this earth.
[11:03]  Little Miss Waffle: Random: Now please join me in welcoming our 2017 Event Chair Nuala Maracas
[11:04]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: Thank you Random! I just want to take a moment to say it was a pleasure to work with you this past year. Your heart is as big as the sun. Over the year i have come to consider you a good friend. Your passion for relay is second to none.
[11:04]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: When Sting approached me to be Event Chair for 2017, I got to thinking about the experiences I have had over the years with what are 2 very different types of Relay’s.  Our Relay in Second Life truly is unique.  Although there are certain standards and guidelines that need to be followed, and the Why We Relay remains the same in both worlds….. The HOW we relay is vastly different.
[11:04]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: How many times have you heard people say.. ..” We need to think outside of the box.”
[11:05]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: My vision for Relay in 2017 is Not a Relay that thinks outside the box.
[11:05]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: We are Relay For Life of Second Life ….we DON’T think outside the box….. .WE BREAK THE BOX!
[11:05]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: Let’s be sure we are making our events incredible experience.  That they are meaningful to anyone who attends. Let’s recognize our volunteers, our teams, our survivors, our caregivers, our sponsors, and anyone who participates.   Let’s make all our events jammed packed with fun.  Why?   Because every time someone attends your Relay events we want them to walk away saying “Wow” and to tell their friends about the amazing experience they had.
[11:05]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: The Relay experience is THE one thing that sets up apart from all the other events in Second Life.  It makes people want to come back year after year and helps us to evolve.
[11:06]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: An event is any planned social  or public gathering. That does not sound too exciting.  But an experience, by definition, is an event or occurrence that leaves an impression on you or someone else.
[11:06]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: Every single time someone comes to one of your Relay events, we need to give them the ultimate experience so it creates an impression on them, so it will leave an impression on them EVERY time.
[11:06]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: I ask all relayers to join in my vision to make 2017 the ultimate Relay Experience! To take the time between now and the kick off  in March, to create and plan  what YOU can to do to deliver the ultimate Relay Experience, not just to our relay community but to all of Second Life.  An experience that leaves the best impression on every person who comes to one of your events.
[11:07]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: The 2017 Relay For Life of Second Life committee will most certainly be working to deliver the ultimate Relay experience.  I challenge you as individual relayers, relay teams and as The Relay Community to BREAK THE BOX  in 2017!
[11:07]  Little Miss Waffle: Nuala: See you in March !!  Go Relay !!



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