by Bill Magargal

The International Servas Technology team led by Servas Canada member, Jim Leask, has been working since early 2021 to completely overhaul the Servas Online website. The goal of the version 2 project (SI-v2) is to make the system easier to use, more flexible, phone friendlier, and to overcome some of the clumsiness inherent in the current, version 1 system. The version-2 team expects to release the new system within the next four to six weeks. 

Many volunteers worldwide have been beta testing the system for more than six months using "real" data. Those of us who have been involved in testing can state that Jim and his team have exceeded even their own expectations. The system is much more intuitive, cleaner looking, easier to navigate, requires fewer clicks to get where you want to go. Not only that, but the basic design of the system makes more sense, i.e. it is based on locations (households) with people rather than people with houses.  

If the above sounds like semantics, let me explain. In the current system my wife, Marie Spodek, and I show up as two hosts, even though we live in the same household. In version 2 we appear as one household with two members in one hosting location. This design easily accommodates members with multiple hosting sites like a cabin or Winter vs. Summer locations. Another great feature of the system is that it now uses Google Maps to identify hosting locations. Here are a few additional features that should make using the site an improved experience. 

• Members can edit their profiles to offer or remove Hosting and/ or Day Hosting without intervention by Servas Administrators. 

• Every member’s profile can be edited by the other Members of the household. 

• Members can specify if they want different Overnight  or  Day Hosting  parameters for each of their hosting locations. 

• An LOI can now include multiple members of a household, and can be edited at any time, even while traveling. We recommend customizing your LOI for each region you visit. 

There are too many other system changes to list in this article, but they all lead to a much better Servas International Online system. Kudos to Jim Leask, his team, and the manyServas tech teams working on this project. 

Click on image below for larger view

By Shyla Esko Bare 

In 2023, Servas International formally adopted a new Code of Ethics as a requirement for all Servas members world-wide. For the most part, the Code of Ethics contains wording that we've all come to associate with Servas values. However, one new and significant component is our commitment to protecting the environment (see below) "... caring for people and the planet." 

Vision and Mission: The aim of Servas networking is to create conditions for exchange of ideas, experiences and knowledge that promotes tolerance and understanding among the people of the world. We aim to do this in a way that is in keeping with our principles and values. The overarching and long-term vision of Servas International is a more peaceful world and the mission is to contribute to the progress towards this goal. 

Principles: The fundamental principles of Servas International are the belief in the dignity and worth of the human person, the equal rights of all human beings as well as the conviction that respect and care of the environment lay a foundation for a more peaceful world. 

Ethos and Values: We believe that our lives are enriched when we meet, interact, share, and learn from each other. Our key values are caring for people and the planet. 

The reason for this Ethical Code is to ensure that Servas Members understand and agree with the Vision, Mission, Values and Purpose of Servas, in accordance with the Servas International Statutes (2022) 

Accordingly, Servas International now requires all members to agree with the code to continue their membership.  

New members who applied after September 2023 have already accepted the new code as part of their application process. For everyone else, we encourage you to log in to the US Servas website and update your "Profile" to specifically agree with the new code. While you are at it, please make sure that you also check off the new US Servas Terms and Conditions, and Waiver of Liability(see related article HERE). If you have any questions, please feel free to Contact Us 

by Bill Magargal

The tech team has begun the design phase for a refresh and update of the US Servas website (see OD article). The several goals for this three-month project include the overall appearance, ease-of-use, consistency, and overall website message and feel. We want our website to differentiate us from other travel groups, our commitment to peace, etc. We can really use your ideas and help with this project, so please consider the areas below where you can add your two cents. 

Marketing/Message - We want our website to convey the essence of what makes us different and defines who we are. Yes, we are a travel and hosting group, but then so is Couch Surfing. We are also a peace group, but so are many others. We want to appeal to younger people, but the fact is that most of our membership are retirees (logically so). Our site should include key phrases like "Slow Travel", "Off the tourist trail", "magic moments", "meeting people of like ethos", etc. Do you have ideas, or key phrases that might enrich our website? 

Overall Appearance - Many of us feel the current website is a bit stale. It also suffers from the initial learning curve involved with Wild Apricot, and implementation by multiple cooks with varied ideas, thus it feels a bit patched together. We've been using a color scheme of the green and orange used in the Servas logo, but ido we still want to? We need better photos to align with the theme and message we develop.   

Functionality - This involves everything from menu design (verbiage, order, levels, clarity), mix of photos, graphics, text; having multiple ways to navigate the site, and consistency. We also need to improve functionality on cellphones, and make the site better for visually impaired people, i.e., fonts, colors, sizes, use of alternate text with photos.  

If you have any thoughts, ideas, concerns, etc. about this project please go to Volunteering and signup. If you would like to become part of the team working on the project, see the Help Wanted article in this issue.  Please do so by February 15^th. Here are some things you can send us to help: 

• Key Phrases - short phrases that capture what Servas means to you. 

• Magic Moments - Bullet point type phrases or sentences that share some of the special moments you've experienced with Servas. 

• Photos- We want some fresh, emotive, well-taken photos for use on the website. Please send us a great photo you have taken that conveys what Servas is about. 

• Problem Areas - Are there things about the website that don't make sense to you, or are difficult to use? Please let us know what they are. 

• Appearance- Do you have thoughts about the website appearance, color schemes, general look and feel? Please give us your thoughts. 

• General Ideas - Are there things missing from the site that you feel should be included? What other things should we be thinking about for this project? 

Please email your ideas, photos, comments, etc. to: TechSupport@usservas.org

by Julie Emory 

We are looking for a Handful of volunteers to help with projects in the new year. These projects are part of the Tech Support team’s work. You don’t have to be a “techie” to make a difference. 

Projects: Refresh membership website, analyze and archive correspondence data, document various team processes.  

Any level of tech skills will do. We’re looking for detail-oriented, organized, logical thinkers, with the ability to take direction and complete short assignments. It would be helpful if you are comfortable with standard office software (email, documents, spreadsheets) as a user OR an administrator. If you have experience with web design or programming, that’s even better, but it is't required!  

Time commitment: one or two hours a week, but not necessarily every week.   

Member level: must be Host/Traveler  

Questions? Interested? Click Volunteering to learn more about this or any other teams that could use some helping hands.    

by Julie Emory 

The levels are Friend of US Servas and Host/Traveler. New applicants join at the Friend level and have the option to remain at that level. If they wish to apply to be a Host/Traveler, they will login to the US Servas website, go to Members menu, click Become a Host/Traveler, and follow screen instructions. You can see the pros and cons of each type on our Membership Levels webpage.

Were you a US Servas member as of October 15, 2023? Here’s how this change affected you:  

If you were in an active status (you had completed an interview and had been notified you had a profile on Servas International), your US Servas profile has been changed to Host/Traveler. NO ACTION is required.  

If you were in a pending status (your Letters of Reference had not been submitted, you had not completed an interview, or had not been notified you had a profile on Servas International), in most cases your US Servas profile has been changed to Friend of US Servas. To remain at the Friend level, no action is required. To apply to be a Host/Traveler, login to https://www.usservas.org/ and go to Members menu, click Become a Host/Traveler, and follow screen instructions.  

You can view your US Servas profile at any time: Login at https://www.usservas.org/, at top right click Profile then View Profile. To update your Contact Information or Group Participation, click the blue Edit Profile button, make desired changes, then click Save at top or bottom of page.    

Forgot your password? Start the login process, click Forgot Password and follow instructions to reset it.   

Questions? Use the Contact Us form at bottom of any page (no login required).