July 26, 2007

Dear [member_name_first],

Greetings from Hanoi!

For the next year I'll be writing from Vietnam, where, along with my family, I will be working on the expansion of our programs, including the new Support Network for People With Disabilities and the Clean Water and Sanitation Program, which is slated to grow tremendously in the next three years through the World Bank's Global Partnership for Output-Based Aid.

Whether in Asia or America, it seems everywhere you go there is talk of Web 2.0—the next, wholly interactive phase of the internet. Even non-profit and development organizations - you might say especially these organizations - can benefit from utilizing some of the latest technology in making the online experience more interactive, so that it becomes more of a dialogue between user and content owner. Since this issue represents our one-year anniversary of this e-newsletter (during which time our subscriber list has more than quadrupled), I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know of several online features we've been working on to increase awareness of our work in Vietnam.

Below are some of the highlights of EMW's new "Web 2.0" initiatives:

I've started a new blog on EMW's website. The blog is a way for me to keep a record of my expatriate life and to keep connected with EMW supporters all over the world, but it's also a chance for me to address real issues, and I intend to cover anything and everything from the best bars and street food in Hanoi to the economics of donor-directed development aid. I encourage you to join me in this new discussion.

New EMW Community Forums have been launched. These free message groups are a way to get people engaged in a lively discussion about both EMW and anything Vietnam-related. Current topics include Travel in Vietnam, Dental Volunteers, Veterans and Clean Water. If you want share hotel secrets, discuss travel tips, or learn about the details of your favorite EMW program, this is the place to do it. Registration is free and easy so we hope you sign up today.

We have a new channel on YouTube. Taking advantage of this powerful free technology, we uploaded some of our EMW program documentaries so that more people can learn more about EMW.

We will continue to work on increasing our visibility through other networking sites such as MySpace, LinkedIn and Facebook as well as continue to put more content on the EMW website. If you have any further ideas, please share them with us in an email—we encourage your feedback and suggestions.

Thank you for staying tuned in and interested in EMW, sharing our e-newsletter with others and especially for your continued support of our work in Vietnam.

Best regards,

John Anner
Executive Director