Page 5: Exco & the Web

From SI Exco News

www.servas.org/login: our communication for now and the future

Everybody can have a look in the public pages of the Servas web-site (www.servas.org) but the member area is just for members. Of course: that is you. Many members have visited the web-site but far more have not yet done so and that is a pity.

This is why we are repeating instructions on how to do it. Give yourself an adventure: log in and surf through the different pages: conferences, Exco, Addresses of national groups, statistics about Servas, a video and many more things. See below:

There are two different sections and addresses in the Servas site:

The public area - http://www.servas.org.

The Members’ area, which contains information available only to Servas members. To be able to view this area you need first to log in and register:

1. Go to www.servas.org/login/ on the web. You will first see a grey dialogue box; answer by pressing the YES button.

2. Click on ‘new user’ and fill in your data.

3. When ICT receives your request, they will ask your National Secretary for authorisation.

4. You soon receive an e-mail that tells you that you are activated. Please don’t pass your password on to others.

Web addresses: http://www.servas.org/login/ and http://login.servas.org/ will lead you to the same page. This page will also enable you to see coming events and view photos of past events.

Servas International

Conference 2004

18-25 July 2004

La Conrería

near Barcelona, Catalunya-Spain

(see also page 23)

• What is EXCO?

You read “EXCO” many times in this issue: it is “Executive Committee”, The board of Servas International.

Language Arts

• I said it in Hebrew - I said it in Dutch
• I said it in German and Greek.
• But I wholly forgot (and it vexes me much)
• That English is what you speak!
• Lewis Carroll, English writer

When a lot of Servas members from different countries get together for a meeting, English is usually the main language spoken. Many people complain (are very much vexed) that they cannot follow the discussions because they are too fast and too complicated. This year in Barcelona, the same complaint will likely be heard about the Spanish speakers.

It is important, of course, that we all try to remember to speak slowly and clearly. On the other hand, it is also important for listeners to remind speakers to slow down a bit when we forget. It is not out of rudeness, but enthusiasm, that we fall back into our old habits. Sharon Belden, a (rapid) native English speaker.