[foh-mail-list]Re: web site

[Forrest Carroll]

Here's a few more thoughts from Forrest.

>From Devin, comments below.   I may have more latter.
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Forrest Carroll" <tree@treebo.com>
>Sent: Sunday, February 29, 2004 9:47 AM
>
>>  (NOTE: A reply to this message should be distributed to the list.)
>>
>>  I would like to start a discussion about what we are doing as an
>>  organization, and more particularly, what purpose we want our web
>>  site to serve.  I met Pete yesterday at the Wintergrass festival in
>>  Tacoma where he was playing.  In our discussion, we decided that
>>  before we pay anyone to maintain our website, we need to know what it
>>  is for, and have an idea of the design.  I had these ideas, that I
>>  want to use as a starting point for this discussion.
>>
>>  --------
>>
>>  Our web site is for:
>>  1) adding members?
>>  What is a member?  Just someone who subscribes to the newsletter?
>
>Yes.  and yes.

FC: Given the few number of people who subscribe, would we reach more 
people by publishing the newsletter via the website?  As an 
alternative?  We might make the membership separate.


>
>>
>>  2) selling HFK and Why Evolution?
>>  Possibly.
>
>Yes.
>
>>
>>  3) a service to people who need guidance in how to raise children in
>>  a world surrounded by Christian fanatics?
>
>Somewhat.  But I don't see the "not Christian" angle as the most important.
>I think of Humanism as a philosophy that would be important even if
>Christianity and other religions did not exist.  Of course, Humanism would
>be somewhat different then.  Maybe better.  Humanism is a very rich
>philosophy, and would be without any mention of what we are not.


FC: In the discussion with Pete that I had, we noted that you, Lloyd, 
myself, and Pete (not to mention Jan & Wayne) started FOH or came to 
FOH partly out of response to Christian pressure, people we were 
close to who were Christians, who we needed to response to.  I know 
that Humanism is much more than that, but we noted the particular 
need that FOH might fill, in light of where we all came from.

>
>>
>>  4) a forum for Humanists with families or young children?
>>
>
>Yes.


FC: Is this by a mailing list, or by accepting responses via the 
website to the newsletter?  Or ?

>
>>  --------
>>
>>  Does the Family of Humanists fill a niche that is not filled by other
>>  Humanist organizations?
>>
>
>A good question.  I think yes, but this is debateable.
>
>>  --------
>>
>>  What can be added to the website, or how can the website design be
>>  changed, to better serve its purpose?
>
>>  - Text from back issues of the newsletters?
>
>I think this would be good.
>
>>  - History of Humanism reprints?  (Devin, are you working on this as a
>>  publication?)
>
>It's waiting for illustrations by Madeline, who is being excrutiatingly
>slow.  I may need to look for someone else.
>
>>  - Advice on how to deal with Christian relatives or how to raise kids
>>  as Humanists?
>
>Suggestions and ideas more than advice.
>
>Thanks to Forrest and Peter to giving this some good thought.
>
>
>>
>>  -------
>>
>  > -Forrest