Net Day Issue

Question raised by Richard M. Woodward:
>HWG has officially taken a stand to support NetDay.
>Do you think we (HWG) have a responsibility to let schools and parents know the
>dangers to children on the Internet and what steps they might take to
>reduce that
>danger?  My concern is primarily the easy access to pornography,
> especially child pornography.

This is a two parter: first, to answer your question and second to propose
PR opportunity for the Guild:

I think that parents already know, or can imagine, the potential dangers
children can encounter on the Internet. I do not support re-iterating that
information, as it seems futile and does not promote the positive
experiences, entertaining, social or educational, available to children in
the Internet.

Making proactive information available, is a good idea. I think your idea
of providing steps (or guidelines) for reducing risk is worthwhile. I also
support a making a list of links available for protective software
alternatives.

How about taking that a step further and compiling a  list of "Cool Places
for Kids"? In doing so, we are supporting the educational, social and
entertainment "good guys" and we are supporting what I believe to be the
good intentions of the NetDay effort.

I believe that supporting NetDay is a noble cause and important for HWG to
support, as it is integral to the philosophy of the Guild.

I have noted that we are supporting it as follows:
        * by endorsing the goals and aims of the NetDay projec
        * by encouraging all Guild members to become involved
           with their local NetDay projects
        * by encouraging members who would like to help out to
           visit the NetDay website

I am proud that the Guild is supporting NetDay in these ways, however I do
think there are some beneficial ways to help the NetDay cause and the
Guild's PR efforts!

I believe that volunteering one of the most important forms of support for
this cause and I applaud the effort being made to make volunteering easy
for Guild members. One way to make this volunteering more effective for the
Guild could be by asking that all volunteers do so as an individual _and_
as a member of the Guild. In doing so, the efforts of Guild members are
recognized individually and as part of a larger, national (since this is a
US thing) group effort. This group effort can help the Guild gain PR
strength, in numbers, if you will.

With this strength in numbers, I see the potential of any of the following
things being proposed:

* asking the NetDay organizers for an HWG promo banner on their site's
homepage if we can reach a particular goal helping the cause (installing in
a certain # of schools, cities, reaching a particular # of volunteers or
something similar)-- or this could be a contest/reward for any group
reaching a particular installation or volunteer goal

* asking the NetDay organizers to mention the participation of HWG in all
of their press releases

* encouraging the NetDay organizers to have a web page listing all
volunteers and accomplishments, which could include info such as:
        HWG: 60 schools across nation

Basicly, our PR goals can be reached by highlighting the group's
participation in activities such as this and it would be simple and cheap,
to free, for the organizers of NetDay to provide this PR.

Providing an opportunity for members to volunteer is excellent and
supportive, in spirit. By becoming accountable for our volunteer efforts,
our support may become more tangible to the NetDay organizers and
therefore, they may be more supportive of the Guild and our efforts.

If anyone would like to discuss how we can implement any of the ides, I
would be happy to do so!

Tanya Spain

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