The HTML Writers Guild: Membership FAQ

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HTML Writers Guild Issues Frequently Asked Questions

Membership FAQ

Last Updated: 27 March, 1997

Basic Membership Questions: What is the HTML Writers Guild?; Who can join the HTML Writers Guild?; Is the Guild considering the adoption of an ethics statement?; Can a business or corporation join the HTML Writers Guild?; How much does it cost to join?; Do I have to be a professional to join the Guild?; Who is in charge of the Guild?; Are there any rules I have to follow?; I just want to be a member. Do I have to subscribe to any mailing lists?; Where can I just get some HTML information?
How to Join and Application Questions: How do I join?; I don't have any URLs to put on the application - what do I do?; Am I a member after I fill out the form?; How do I know if I am a member?; Who do I contact if I have an application problem?; I got the "Welcome Message", but I'm not getting any mail.
Now that you are a member:: How do I get mail?; How do I know which list to join?; How do I get Guild members to visit my web page?; Can I ask hwg-news-owner or the website team for help with HTML?; I want to post to the Guild lists - do I need to know anything first?; Where do I get the really cool Guild logo?; I'm changing ISPs and need to change my email address - what do I do?; I'm getting too much mail! What do I do?; My personal information that I joined with is out of date - how do I fix it?; I have a problem, but don't know who to send mail to!
I'd like to get more involved in the operations of the Guild...: Where do I volunteer?; How do I find out what is new with the Guild?; I want to file a complaint with the Governing Board - how?
Resigning your membership:: How do I resign from the Guild?; I can't seem to unsubscribe from the mailing lists - what do I do?; Can I stay a member, but stop getting mail?

Basic Membership Questions

What is the HTML Writers Guild?: The HTML Writers Guild is the premiere organization for HTML design originators. Founded in October of 1994, the Guild serves the informational, educational, and support needs of its members. For additional information, visit: About the Guild.
Who can join the HTML Writers Guild?: Any individual or, as of March 01, 1997, business who is willing to uphold the Guild's Charter and Bylaws may become a member of the Guild.
Is the Guild considering the adoption of an ethics statement?: Yes, the members ethics statement is currently in draft format and is under consideration by the GB. The statement will be available for member review prior to the implementation of the membership classes program.
Can a business or corporation join the HTML Writers Guild?: Yes, effective March 1, 1997 the HTML Writers Guild offered a multi-level Institutional/Corporate Membership program. For additional information on this program, including membership dues and benefits, please visit the Institutional/Corporate Membership Program Information page.
How much does it cost to join?: The HTML Writers Guild has created a multi-level membership class program for both Individual Memberships , as well as Institutional/Corporate Memberships . Basic Membership is still free.
Information on the specifics of each program including dues structures and member benefits may be found by visiting the information pages as referenced above. Effective April 08, 1997, any members currently enrolled in HWG will be automatically converted to the free "Basic" membership class.
Do I have to be a professional to join the Guild?: No. The Guild membership is comprised of people from many backgrounds and disciplines and includes beginners, hobbyists, students, and professionals.
Who is in charge of the Guild?: The Guild is operated by the HTML Writers Guild Governing Board and the HTML Writers Guild, Inc. Board of Directors.
Are there any rules I have to follow?: Yes. All Guild members must uphold the Charter and Bylaws and if members participate in a mailing list, they must follow Mailing List Policy and the specific policies governing the mailing lists.
I just want to be a member. Do I have to subscribe to any mailing lists?: The only mailing list that you must subscribe to is hwg-news, the Guild's membership list/newsletter. Mailings for this list are very infrequent - twice per month at maximum. This newsletter is only posted to by the Governing Board and is the way we notify the membership of new services, new mailing lists, and other important news about your membership.
I'm a newbie - where can I just get some HTML information?: The Guild maintains such links at the website: /resources/. While on this page, please follow the links to the Guild's Mailing List Archives, a search engine of past Guild posts covering all aspects of HTML Writing. Also, an excellent beginners' resource for beginner questions is at: Getting Started: WWW topics. Please visit this before asking questions on the lists!

How to Join and Application Questions

How do I join?: Complete the Membership Application.
I don't have any URLs to put on the application - what do I do?: Many Guild members do not have a current URL to fill into this field or the URL is not accessible via the Web. You may enter Not Available or whatever is appropriate in the first URL box.
Am I a member after I fill out the form?: You are not officially a member until you have received the Welcome Letter. This letter is confirmation of your successful application and approval for membership.
How do I know if I am a member?: You will receive a "Welcome Letter" from hwg-news(at)hwg.org.
Who do I contact if I have an application problem?: Please send mail to newapps(at)hwg.org with your question.
I got the "Welcome Message", but I'm not getting any mail.: You need to visit the Mailing Lists page and subscribe to the lists of your choice. The membership list is not an active mailing list.

Now that you are a member:

How do I get mail?: You must subscribe to one or more of the Guild's Mailing Lists.
How do I know which list to join?: All lists are described off the Mailing Lists page. If you are a beginner to HTML, it is recommended that you join hwg-basics.
How do I get Guild members to visit my web page?: Visit the Guild Services Website page at: /gsi.html and follow the links to the Guild's Website Review page. You may post a request to a mailing list for a site review - IF it is appropriate for that mailing list. Review the policies regarding the specific mailing list that you are subscribed to for more information about whether this is an appropriate request.
Can I ask hwg-news-owner, support, or the website team for help with HTML?: Short answer: NO. The website team and hwg-news-owner are unable to reply to questions about how to write HTML. They are busy managing the Guild website or the membership list.
An excellent beginners' resource for beginner questions is at: Getting Started: WWW topics. Please visit this before asking questions on the lists! Once you have checked this resource and Guild FAQs, if you still have questions, the best place to ask easy questions is hwg-basics.
I want to post to the Guild lists - do I need to know anything first?: Before posting to any Guild mailing list, you must subscribe to the list and review Guild Mailing List Policy along with the specifics rules for the list you wish to post to. It is recommended that you lurk or in other words read the posts to the list for a week or more prior to posting your question.
Where do I get the really cool Guild logo?: You may participate in the Guild logo program by going to Online Logo Usage Guidelines page and following the instructions on the page. It is very important that you follow the Guild's policy on member logo use.
I'm changing ISPs and need to change my email address - what do I do?: You need to unsubscribe your old email address and resubscribe your new email address to every list that you receive mail from, including hwg-news - Membership List. Visit the Mailing Lists page and follow the links to the lists that you are subscribed to. Instructions for subscribing and unsubscribing are available on the individual list information page. Please do not send mail to the hwg-news owner requesting that they change your address on all HWG lists - it is impossible.
I'm getting too much mail! What do I do?: You may unsubscribe from mailing lists or consider receiving the digest version of the mailing list. Check the Mailing Lists page to see if a digest version of your list is available.
My personal information that I joined with is out of date - how do I fix it?: At present, there is no way to change your personal data. When the Guild's membership data base is online, directions on how to change your information will be sent to all Guild members via the hwg-news Membership List.
I have a problem, but don't know who to send mail to!: The Guild maintains the Sending Email to the Guild page with a comprehensive list of email addresses to help you direct your questions appropriately.

I'd like to get more involved in the operations of the Guild...

Where do I volunteer?: The Guild maintains a page at the website for Volunteer Information. A volunteer application is available, along with a "Help Wanted" section.
How do I find out what is new with the Guild?: The Guild maintains Operations Center with the latest news and links to additional organizational information. The Guild newsletters are also archived at Operations Center - follow the links.
I want to file a complaint with the Governing Board - how?: You may send them personal email. Visit the GB Page to get a list of all GB members and their email addresses.

Resigning your membership:

How do I resign from the Guild?: To resign from the Guild, you must unsubscribe from the hwg-news Membership List. Visit the hwg-news information page for further information.
I can't seem to unsubscribe from the mailing lists - what do I do?: First, identify which lists you are subscribed to. Try following the directions located on the individual mailing lists information pages which are linked from Mailing Lists page. If you are still unable to unsubscribe after following the directions, contact the list owner for each of the mailing lists you are subscribed to. Visit the Sending Email to the Guild for the comprehensive list of mailing list owners' email addresses.
Can I stay a member, but stop getting mail?: Yes, the only list you must remain a member of is hwg-news Membership List. You may unsubscribe yourself from all other lists as described above.