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editorial

Using CYC-Net: Today is different

If we learn one thing from Child and Youth Care work, it is that we never rest on our laurels, we never believe that our work is done, we never assume that today is going to be the same as yesterday. And true to form, we find that the same is proving true for CYC-Net.

Four years ago, the forty of us who pioneered this group enjoyed the newness of the idea and went through an extended “honeymoon period", relishing our daily “fix" of CYC-Net messages. Today there are 800 of us, many of long standing, and CYC-Net must respond to the wishes of a wider and different membership. For example, we are answering directly some of the queries which end to be repeated, and we are building a library of past discussions ("threads") on the web site for people to check before asking the whole group.

Two things for members who feel their e-mail is overloaded:

1. Use the subject headers on messages the way you use headlines in a newspaper, and ruthlessly delete what doesn't interest you. Don't worry about “losing" postings, because you are always welcome to come back and ask when you might be looking for something.
2. But then do continue to respond to queries when you can contribute. The essential strength of CYC-Net is that it is a place where people can ask “and eight hundred people being silent is a very loud silence! There will always be newbies and students asking about things we take for granted; there will always be professors and writers asking things which seem far above our heads. All of them honour us by asking “and where else can a Child and Youth Care person turn to a group of eight hundred colleagues for information and advice today and hope for a response today?

A chance to grow
This year the Royal Netherlands Embassy, together with South Africa's National Association of Child Care Workers, has recognised CYC-Net's potential by making a grant of more than one hundred thousand SA Rand (about £9000 UK or $13000 US). This offers us a wonderful opportunity to develop our web site – and any other service which fits our Mission Statement, which reads ...

Primarily through the internet and electronic media to promote and facilitate reading, learning, information sharing, discussion, networking, support and accountable practice amongst all who work with children, youth and families in difficulties.

We welcome any suggestions you may wish to offer as to how CYC-Net might continue to grow and develop.

Brian and Thom