New Citizens Incorporated (NCI) was founded in April 2005 by the outspoken Brace Coral and has had a solid history of teaching and assisting new residents in SL. The organization has established a strong reputation for the quality of it's facilities, the quality of it's event hosts and instructors, and the establishment of a 'safe space' for new residents to learn with minimal disruption.

NCI has always funded it's operations out of the donations of land, tier and money by it's operators and largely anonymous donations by generous residents. Particularly in 2006 under the stewardship of Carl Metropolitan, this has seen NCI grow from a minor player in the Second Life experience, to a large and noteworthy one.

Now, times are changing - NCI is expanding its funding model. I sat down with Carl Metropolitan, NCI's managing director, to find out more.
I asked Carl why the change from the basic donation model that NCI has used since it's inception.

"Linden Labs has made it clear to anyone teaching classes that as of December 9th, they are on their own financially", he said, "It would be nice if all teachers could teach out of the goodness of their hearts, but that's not practical--or possible--for many."

"Even though that instructor payment is technically pocket-change?" I prompted.

"I think 'pocket change' is an unfair characterization. For some of our teachers, LL class payments were their sole source of in-world funds," he pointed out, "Not everyone in SL can spend RL money; not everyone here has a business. In RL teaching is a legitimate profession, full of dedicated (if underpaid) people. It can be here, too."

"So, with the number of classes NCI runs," I asked, "Well, on that scale, it's not just 'pocket change' you need if you're going to pay the instructors. That must come to a fairly large sum. How do you intend to find the money to compensate them?"

Carl thought for a moment, "We estimate to offer two classes and events per day about L$7500 a week--if we don't expand any more! NCI is badly affected by this--but we are not crippled. There are institutions that LL's cutting of class support to will be devastating.

But as heavily trafficked as NCI is and with high class attendance rates, expansion is still on the menu. ""We are a resident education and service organization that teaches classes as part of our mission." he noted, "We are actually in a better position to weather this than many."

Carl noted that the worst hit would be the lone, unaffiliated instructor, and it's hard to see how these lone individuals will make out under with the new changes to the Instructor system.

So, how does NCI aim to obtain the funding necessary to not only support existing classes and event hosts, but expand as well? Carl explains,

"NCI is in the process of moving many of our classes and events onto a sponsorship funding model--ad supported, essentially. I'd like for people not to think of purchasing ad space at NCI as a charitable donation. NCI offers significant value for our sponsors. NCI Plaza Kuula has an average daily traffic in the low to mid 30,000s," he said.

That puts NCI, Kuula in the top ten popular places, if you don't count the sites that use camping chairs to inflate their traffic figures. Last weekend that worked out to sixth place.

Additionally, Carl is concerned about yet more potential cost increases in running this charitable organization, "Linden Labs has made it clear that mainland tier is likely to rise in 2007. We have to be prepared to pay some of that out of pocket. As tier goes up, people will have less and less free tier to donate to non-profit groups."

But what about the suggestion of discounts to in-world non-profit organizations, like NCI and the Shelter? Carl is doubtful, "As we've learned--we can't depend on that sort of promise. I'm not suggesting LL is malicious--they are simply overwhelmed. Things just don't get done. I'm an executive in a small-but fast growing telecom equipment company. I know how easy it is for things that aren't vital just to slip away."

But Carl points out that he is not angry at Linden Lab. At least, not right now, "I get annoyed at some LL decisions, but I can't work up some of the righteous anger of many; I've seen how easy it is to make mistakes in business--even with the best people and the best of intentions. And a project like SL, boggles my mind in its complexity."

Certainly a lot is changing for NCI, and I asked Carl if he thought that NCI would survive it. He responded enthusiastically, "Yes--we will survive and prosper. I have the best team of helpers and instructors in SL working with me. I'm constantly amazed by the dedication of NCI's members and donors." As to sponsorships, "We've already had two people sign on as sponsors--one I can announce right now: Dnel DaSilva of X-Essories will be sponsoring four classes and events weekly!"

Indeed, it's hard not to get caught up in Carl's optimism for the future of NCI. Through 2006, it's been steadily expanding and refining it's facilities and educational programs