[foh-mail-list]Re: foh-mail-list digest, Vol 1 #5 - 3 msgs

[foh-mail-list@lists.familyofhumanists.org]

Thanks Forrest, Devin, and Lloyd, for your thoughts!

In a message dated 2/29/04 11:22:45 PM, 
foh-mail-list-request@lists.familyofhumanists.org writes:

<< Our web site is for:
1) adding members?
What is a member?  Just someone who subscribes to the newsletter?>>

That definition is ok by me. (Lloyd's citing the bylaws is refreshing.) I 
have felt for a long time that FOH needs members! Making the site useful and 
appealing is a great start. Then *publicizing* the site with ads in publications, 
and links around the web, would get us a big increase in traffic. This could 
bring in new members and perhaps their involvement would revitalize FOH. That's 
my dream for us.

<<2) selling HFK and Why Evolution?>>

Absolutely! Plus anything else we come up with of our own, such as Devin's 
histories, and certainly "best of the youth newsletters" digests. Plus quite 
reasonably, any books or items not created by us, but which we believe should be 
picked up on by families. There are good humanist kids' books, the nice humanis
t pins I've mentioned in my columns, etc. This would expand our "mail order 
department" (aka Lloyd!). This type of activity would bring in some money, 
which could be spent on paying a mail order employee if necessary, and on 
ADVERTISING in any case.

<<3) a service to people who need guidance in how to raise children in 
a world surrounded by Christian fanatics?>>

No doubt. Bet's not say "surrounded by Christian fanatics". Most are not 
fanatics, and we shouldn't leave out the fanatics of other religions. I'd say "a 
world overly controlled by religious dogma and perceptions."

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

Absolutely.

<<Does the Family of Humanists fill a niche that is not filled by other 
Humanist organizations?>>

Definitely. Lloyd said it well. I truly appreciate the "human scale" of our 
style. Other humanist web sites and publications I've seen generally ignore 
everyday life and everyday families.

<<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?
- History of Humanism reprints? 
- Advice on how to deal with Christian relatives or how to raise kids 
as Humanists? >>

All the above and more.

One good thing about a web site is that it can be a useful resource by 
containing useful material. The site can be a compilation of our best work, with a 
newsletter (or three) and forum to keep things up to date. This to me should be 
our new direction for the 21st century. Sounds maybe grandiose, but I mean it.

Thanks for asking, Forrest!

Pete