Cricket Crabe Presents HPI for SL6B

photo by Notfragile Gausman
by Se7en Wirsing

June 27, 2009
Cricket Crabe, a Helper from Help People Island (HPI), gave a presentation about HPI as a part of the SL6B Celebrations. The event was held at 1500 PDT on SL6B Quantum on the roof (slurl). Ludo Merit hosted the event and assisted with the "speakeasy." The program was co-authored by Seafoam Teardrop, also a Helper at HPI. This presentation was a part of a celebration of people and institutions who help people in Second Life.

Cricket said of himself only that he helps at HPI and teaches classes for the benefit of new residents and quickly moved on to the purpose of the program, which is to familiarize the group with the philosophy and operations of HPI. He talked first about the history of HPI and how it came to be in SL, including information I hadn't been aware of and enjoyed hearing about. He described how Brett Dumont brought his concepts of helping large companies prosper to SL and created a unique venue to promulgate these ideas.

Cricket Crabe with guests at SL6B Quantum

Being an all volunteer group that is independent of Linden Labs, HPI has taken the concepts and grown the group into a flourishing and self-propagating state. Cricket explained the five principles, well-known to all Helpers, Apprentices and Greeters:

1. Ditch the negative attitude.
2. Show sincere appreciation to others.
3. Be a good listener.
4. Make other people feel important.
5. Help people.

And how the principles affect our lives...

As they still do today, "They came as duck walking avatars, boys with blue striped shirts and girls with pink polka dot dresses," and they found other people who willingly assisted them, in accordance with these principles. The concepts have become beneficial even in our real lives.

Next, speaking of HPI groups, he described Help People Fans, HP, Inc. (management group), Help People group and HPI New Resident Team. He described the HPI region and the training of Helpers. "Help People also participates in grid wide help efforts," Cricket stated, and talked about HPI team members helping on Moose Beach and Bay City Municipal Airport (Info Hubs).

After describing the treatment a visitor may expect on HPI, he summed up by saying, "At HPI we believe that genuine people who wish to explore this virtual world deserve the same welcome as we ourselves would wish to receive. We believe the time invested in people and the information provided make for a better community and benefit not only the resident but all of Second Life."

Ludo Merit