SI MONTHLY NEWS November 2006 Editorial
From SI Exco News
Host lists
There is much discussion about Host Lists going on-line. There are the points that if the host list is only on-line that is inconvenient for those that do not have access to the internet. It has to be understood that not everywhere has access to the internet. For example motorcycling up northern Norway where there are 100s of kilometers between some towns, there was no access to the internet. I could not have managed without my paper copy. However there is the disadvantage in paper copies that they can take a long time to get round the world by surface mail. Air mail is very expensive and beyond the budget of many for bulk sending of thick lists.
So an intermediary point, for those with computers, could be to have a CD of the host list. They could have the whole host list on the CD and print out the areas needed for their journey. Or if they have a laptop and access to power on the journey then they might take the laptop with the CD so as to have the whole picture.
The ideas for electronic host lists is moving forward. See p2 for the Dolphin hosts project.
There are so many ways in which we can access information. Let us make use of those ways to help us. Similarly different people have different needs and different facilities. We must recognise that what is perfect for one person is not necessarily suitable for someone else. Let us make use of diversity and share it.
Languages
Discussion with a fellow Servas host and traveller brought about the concern he felt about communication as a traveller with hosts. He noted how so many of his travellers had excellent English and felt that when visiting other countries he could not replicate this with the hosts' languages. This led to discussion as to what language requirements there were. Obviously host and traveller need to communicate and preferably have a discussion. However it does not have to be in the native language of either the host or the traveller. It was agreed that hosts respect the travellers who try to speak at least a little of the host's language. It was felt that most hosts are happy to try and help the traveller learn a new language so that they can communicate more easily in that country. However not speaking the local language should not be a bar to visiting the country. Travellers should just find hosts with whom they do have a common language.
Ceiling on Desires
"Who is the poorest man?"
“He who has many desires is the poorest man in the world.”
“Who is the richest man? He who has much satisfaction is the richest man in the world".
SI News 2007
It is now time to put together SI News 2007. I am sending out requests and reminders about articles and numbers.
Congratulations to Chile for having responded almost instantaneously with Armenia a close second.
So far 23 out of 113 have responded. I do need the other 90 replies, please.
1. Articles
If there are any articles that have not yet been sent to me, then I need them immediately, or I will not be able to put them in. The dead line was Nov 30 but there is a bit of leeway until Dec 10 as I put the SI News together.
2. Numbers
It is essential that I have the numbers required by each country by Dec 30. Then I can put in the print request.
3. CDs
Some countries have requested to print their own SI News. Again I need to know which these are by Dec 30. I will then be able to copy sufficient CDs. Reminder that SI News is A4 format. This can be changed if necessary but requires more work.
Contact
We welcome articles for SI Monthly News. We do not guarantee the article, or any part of it, will be published. This depends on the theme for the month along with the number of other articles available for publication.
Preferred method of contact is email at: newsletter[at]servas.org or jgiffould[at]aol.com
Please make sure that Servas: Monthly News is part of the subject heading. Otherwise if the email address is not recognised it may get deleted before being read.
The postal address is:
Jane Giffould, SI Monthly News Editor
20 Weavers Row, Halstead, Essex, CO9 2JX,
England.
uploaded by Amelia
