The Internet was an immediate thrill for me when I first went online in 1994 with an early Mazola browser. Soon after, a free account at geocities and another at Tripod allowed me to explore posting material to the site. Of course, this resulted in a first page to the dog, a bearded collie. If you know a bearded collie owner, you know someone with an obsession or two.
I was given my first camera around age fourteen. Essentially, photography has been a pastime ever since. This lead to becoming the school photographer, then year book editor and publishing. When I became involved in the association movement there were newsletters which needed serious commitment and consequently I now edit frontline for the Child and Youth Care Workers Association of Manitoba and the Newsletter for the Council of Canadian Child and Youth Care Associations.
It seemed a natural jump to using the Internet for association purposes and in 1996 the first pages for a site for CYCWAM were posted. Showcasing the Council and its history seemed the natural next step. The resulting site has remained under near constant administration ever since. Its URL www.cyccanada.ca has allowed cycs from around the world to explore child and youth care from the Canadian viewpoint. Each member association also has a page listing membership, educational and organizational facts from each province. Two associations, the OACYC and the CYCAA now have their own sites which offer the very latest on their activities.
The International CYC Conference of 2000, Together 2000 in Cleveland, Ohio provided an opportunity to explore web, print and conference/logo design from the get go. It was a very intense experience and one which offered many lessons. An international site remains using links which grew out of that experience.
A year or two is a lifetime in Internet years where the focus is upon novelty and constant innovation. The goal of placing Canadian child and youth care online has been realized and taken much further as others became involved. www.cyc-net.org/ is probably the most comprehensive and dynamic of the many sites now out there. Networking comes naturally to child and youth care practitioners. They often need the insight of another person, some bit of knowledge about a resource, or a new way of looking at things. If you are an active CYC, your surfing on in is much appreciated by those active online. Your support of your local cyc association would be valued by the thousands who voluntarily give of their time and energy to develop the profession. If you do not have an association, explore creating one by getting in touch with your national associations. Meanwhile, do not be shy about participating in the online cyc experience. Its a great way to stay in touch between conferences.
Garth Goodwin
