Newsletter

Dear %s,

We're sending out this friendly newsletter to say hello to our newest members and to inform everyone about what's been going on in BeWelcome.

1. If you're new here, and feel a bit lost, the wiki is the place to go.
2. Connecting with SERVAS:
   At the end of 2010 / beginning 2011 there was a theoretical discussion about a partnership between Servas and BW. Servas is a very old paper-based hospitality network that is a recognised charity, seats at the UN, something to be reckoned with :) . They want to offer an online option and considered to use the open-source BW software for ideological reasons, unfortunately this has not yet been set up in motion. Let's hope the next phases in BeWelcome improvement will help this project to restart
3. The great migration:
   The SERVAS proposal put us in a delicate situation. The BW software works fine for us, but it's a bit opaque for outsiders. At the same time some of the BW volunteers were pushing for a move from our dear homebrew code to a more recognised (and understandable) coding framework. In the end we voted internally and the framework/CMS "drupal" was chosen. So, since many months, the coders and data-base volunteers are bending over the migration to that "drupal" thing. Some of the work was done during the Berlin Summer camp that took place in mid-August. Improvments on the current platform has ceased, which means also that bug fix activity has reduced a lot. Hopefully, the bugs will most likely disappear in the migration. All the communication channels used by our programmers are open to anyone, in our traditional striving for transparency and democracy. The coders use a mailing list that you might want to subscribe to, but that is sometime a bit cryptic to the untrained ear. If you're a developper or coder or webdesigner or any of that mumbo-jumbo yourself, then you should definitely join. You can do that on http://lists.bewelcome.org/mailman/listinfo/bw-dev-discussion.
4. Everyone's a Volunteer:
   Actually, BeWelcome is always looking for active, upbeat people who are ready to share their time and skills. Are you a master of social networking? Are you a world famous translator (or on your way to be one)? Can you speak in (programming) code? Or are you a fantastic organiser? BeWelcome needs your skills. Get involved, help to build something great, learn new skills and meet fantastic people. Read more about volunteering possibilities ... Or if you have less time to spare, or are less ambitious, you can help BeWelcome grow by updating your profile, using the site, uploading pictures, telling your friends about it or help out with a donation.
5. The Annual General Assembly:
   The GA of BeVolunteer, the non-profit that is the official entity representing BW is going to take place soon October or November 2011. A new board of directors will be elected and lots of stuff is going to be talked about and decided for the future. If you're not a member of that association, you can't vote on the decisions, but you can still participate (in real life or online) and present your ideas. If you want to vote in next year's GA, it's fairly easy to become a member of that association

So, be welcome to follow up or join the effort to make BW work, but don't forget to travel, or to host. Hosting is a bit like travelling, isn't it? Hospitably yours, The volunteers You do not want to receive news from BeWelcome? Please click here to unsubscribe