COLLABORATIONS |
Exploring a new Technology Alliance
The Board of U.S. Servas, Inc., advised by U.S. Servas’s Information Technology Committee (IT), continues to search for
better, secure, more efficient ways to manage our membership lists and information to bring up-to-date data to hosts and
travelers alike. Members may be aware of some of the recent updates that have allowed for more efficiencies: instead of the
U.S. Servas office sending out an entire country host book to a traveler, we are now able to send them hosts from their
specific itinerary, and we can do it with an electronic document (a PDF) via email, to speed up the process and save paper
and postage. Hosts also have the ability, if they choose, to update their Host information via the internet through an
online form, so host books will have less outdated information.
Some of the reasons the U.S. Servas board, advised by IT, has taken on this task are simply to save money and time while
having more accurate information, but another aspect of this ongoing project is to keep U.S. Servas relevant with the younger
generation and maintain a presence in an ever more connected and ‘internet-savvy’ world.
In a continuing effort to grow our list management capabilities, one good example of how best to gather and spread membership
information while maintaining privacy is the web-based organization CouchSurfing International, Inc. Their website,
couchsurfing.com, has a very sturdily built system that allows their almost one million members to easily and quickly update
and control their own information. Because of this, CouchSurfing is quickly becoming a large, world-wide host and traveler
organization. Their growth is so great, in fact, that the committee sees an opportunity to not only explore how to build a
stronger database for Servas members, but spread the word about Servas to a vast, new audience of like-minded young
travelers.
To that end, the Board of U.S. Servas Inc. is exploring a "technology alliance" with CouchSurfing. The idea is that U.S.
Servas and CouchSurfing would address the idea of building a web-based information system that would allow US Servas to get
all the benefits of CouchSurfing’s strong database while fully maintaining a separate U.S. Servas identity. CouchSurfing
would gain exposure to our members – for possible cross-over membership – as well as the experience and respectability of our
long-standing traditions.
This would in no way be a merger of the two organizations, simply an alliance to advance their overlapping goals. Those U.S.
Servas members who are not comfortable with the internet, or even if they are, who are uncomfortable with anyone having any
online access to their information would fully be able to opt-out – remain completely out – of the online system. The online
Servas site would appear as and be simply and exclusively a Servas system. U.S. Servas members who are interested in more
exposure, want more travelers, and do not mind that CouchSurfing travelers are not interviewed initially but are vetted on an
ongoing basis could make themselves visible to the CouchSurfing membership as well.
This is only a suggestion from the Board to have an exploratory conversation at this time, and of course the full US Servas
membership will be able to debate this potential project before it would be implemented. The Board, as advised by IT, hopes
that U.S .Servas members see this as they do, a great opportunity to have our information system leap-frog into a robust,
secure, 21st century program while giving U.S. Servas a huge new pool of potential members that can carry U.S. Servas forward
in the coming decades. To sum up:
What Any Alliance Will NOT Do
No merger will occur. Neither organization would lose its identity or distinct mission.
No U.S. Servas member will be required to appear online in any form.
No U.S. Servas member will be required to join CouchSurfing.
U.S. Servas membership will still require the personal interview.
The printed U.S. Servas Host List will never disappear.
How Would an Alliance Benefit U.S. Servas hosts and travelers?
Servas would be prominently exposed to all the members of CouchSurfing and attract many new crossover members.
Servas would gain younger members from CouchSurfing's substantially younger population.
Servas members could interact with each other online in ways that are impossible now.
Servas members could also join CouchSurfing with "one click" and display the same information on both web sites.
Servas hosts who would like more travelers can easily make themselves findable by CS members whenever they wish.
US Servas could improve its web presence far faster and more economically than going it alone.
How Would an Alliance Benefit CouchSurfing?
CS has an explicitly "open" philosophy: it does not require screening or specific commitment from its members. Nonetheless, it would like to offer a more purposeful, "peace and justice" orientation for those who wish it. Encouraging such CS members to also join Servas would fulfill that goal.
Its members are largely young. Over 90% are under age 40. The average agt of U.S. Servas hosts has risen to over 50, meaning that we not now attracting new generations. CouchSurfing would benefit from the experience and outlook of U.S. Servas' older membership.
Because of its predominantly young membership, CouchSurfing has a lower percentage that U.S. Servaswho are able to consistently host travelers. U.S. Servas hosts who choose to make themselves reachable by CouchSurfing members would substantially increase the number of successful host/traveler interactions.
Association with and assistance to Servas' 60-year history of responsible one-on-one peace and social justice building will enable CouchSurfing to increase its "gravitas" and help it mature and gain respect.
This article is just the first step, letting you know that the Board, as advised by IT, is exploring how Couch Surfing and
U.S. Servas might work together. For questions or comments feel free to contact Glenn Loomis, a member of the IT Committee
and liaison between the Board and CouchSurfing, email: alliances@usservas.org, phone: 1-415-934-1855.
