Newsletter

Dear %s,

The General Assembly of BeVolunteer, the association behind BeWelcome (BW) occurred June 5-6, 2010, an event that brought BW volunteers together to discuss important news about a project that will affect all members and the future of BeWelcome itself.

First of all, a new board of directors was elected. Thomas was reiterated as chairman. Matthias is the new treasurer while Julien is secretary. Now for the important stuff:

Servas partnership

Following earlier discussions between volunteers of BeWelcome and Servas during May 21 and May 23, 2010, (minutes can be downloaded here), a proposition was submitted to the volunteers that BeWelcome would help Servas to go online, ultimately leading the two networks to share members on an opt-in basis. The proposition passed, and based on that decision, volunteers have begun the preliminary steps to implement the proposition as a planned project.

While Servas is the oldest hospitality exchange (hospex) network, initially created following the 2nd World War to promote peace through international friendships, the network remained paper-based. They have an embedded culture that is strongly democratic, a culture which is very compatible with that of BeWelcome. Both organizations share a similar long term vision on hospitality exchange networks, prioritizing the importance of a reliable, safe, informed, purposeful, peaceful network.

The volunteer team is very enthusiastic about this move. So far, we are only concerned about the amount of work necessary on the website to make it suitable for Servas. But we're working on solutions as you read.

A couple of meetings already defined the great lines of how to implement the move. Here is a quick summary:

The following teams will be assembled for the project.

• A leadership team with Thomas on the BW side and Gary on the Servas side
• A communication team that Julien will start and that will report what's being done the both communities and to whoever's interested in the outer world
• A tech team with Thomas temporarily in charge for BeWelcome and John for Servas
• A feedback/testing team that Gary will start creating for when the first versions start hatching

To those everyone that always dreamed to get further involved with BeWelcome or Servas, but were waiting for an occasion:

This is it!

This is the opportunity to contribute to something you care about, and benefit greatly from it yourself. To accomplish something that makes a difference. If you think that something is missing in the hospex landscape, come and help build it.

The project, once completed, will provide new dimensions and opportunities to both Servas and BeWelcome. We expect BeWelcome to get energy from this access to a committed community whose peace activities are globally recognized. The project, once completed has the potential of BW becoming the home to a wider and more diverse membership, strengthening our community and securing its future. This is a very real, a very important and very exciting announcement, a bold project that we hope you, as the members of BW will engage with and help make a success. While several people are already preparing for engagement in the project, the communication team, the testing/feedback team and the tech team are looking for members.

If you think you belong in one of them, get in touch with the BW or Servas member associated with them.

You can follow the Servas-online project on the dedicated wiki page. It will be updated as the project evolves.

You will continue to be informed by future newsletters and other sources (the forum, twitter, the blogs...).

Volunteer Meet-up

Independently, a meet-up for BeWelcome volunteers in Antwerp, Belgium is being organized for January 2011. While the agenda is not finalized, topics will include the BeVolunteer association behind BW, website developments and community involvement. The date is being discussed on the BV group, and if you're free and want to get more involved in BeWelcome... well... be welcome

Happy traveling to all; may the road take you to nice hosts, or take nice guests to your door, or both.

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