This article is a guide to help you find your way around the WBFN website. The website contains answers to just about everything you would ever ask WBFN, the Book Project or the MMMF, including some otherwise hard-to-find information specific to WBG families. You will notice that I have focused each paragraph based on the list of pages in the blue navigation column along the left of your screen, starting with the WBFN Homepage at WBFN Home. (Note that above this column, you will see ‘Home>WBFN’. Clicking on this ‘Home’ link will take you outside the WBFN website to a part of the Human Resources Department external site.)
—The WBFN Homepage is essentially the hub of all things that you need to know. There is a wealth of information that notifies you about what is happening this month, recent events that have taken place and also keeps you in the know of upcoming dates to put in your diary. You can also access sneak peeks of the latest Mosaic issue, but, there’ll be more on that later.
—Now, if you are someone who is not all too clear about what WBFN is and are curious to know, follow your nose by clicking on this link. Here you will learn about the history of the Family Network, from the days of when the founding members, including Margaret McNamara, assembled together to form WIVES (Women’s Information and Volunteer Services), which went on to become WBFN as we know it today. This is also where you will find links to the WBFN Bylaws, WBFN publications, job descriptions of the Executive Committee, and an overall view of the organization as a “Best Practice” family association.
—This section is a port of call for those of you in particular who have only recently relocated to the DC area. It provides essential steps that you should follow in order to acclimatize to your new surroundings. For many, moving to a new country is demanding and not to mention stressful. However, there are plenty of volunteers who are here to help you adjust when you arrive. This section welcomes the newcomer, namely you, and it seeks to emphasize that you are not alone! Be sure to make note of the all important check-list on the right of your page. Conversely, you will find a more in depth guide to all the necessary items you need when you click on the link Practical Information, which is also accessible directly from the blue left hand navigation on the Homepage. This section will be covered in further detail later in the article.
—When you click on this, as the link suggests, you will discover a wide variety of activities and events taking place, which will no doubt interest you. WBFN does its utmost to cater to your needs. For instance, if you are someone who enjoys a game of bridge, then join the club that meets on a weekly basis. If you are like me and you are a lover of books, why not join a book group? What is important to realize is that this is not only an opportunity for you to do things that you love; it is a chance for you to meet new people. On the other hand, take advantage of the numerous programs on offer from English lessons to financial literacy classes. Also, you can keep up to date with the events that are listed at the bottom of the page.
—This section is currently undergoing an overhaul, nevertheless, this page is primarily for those who are relocating to a country office. By following the link at the bottom right of the screen, you will come across a very useful handbook that outlines the necessary steps to take when planning that big move. I can understand that the prospect of moving can be daunting, but the WBFN always looks to have your interests at heart and wants to extend a helping hand even to those who live abroad.
—As mentioned previously, what you will uncover here are a list of things (at the top of your page) you will have to acquire in order to get started in your new home. For example, by clicking on ‘Driver’s License’, you will learn that you must obtain a letter from the U.S. State Department verifying your spouse’s employment status with the World Bank. Additionally, you can learn more by pressing ‘More Info’. Similarly, to secure ‘Health Insurance’, by clicking on the link, you will find that it is in your best interest to attend the ‘Health Services Department Seminar’, which is held on various occasions throughout the year. It should be noted for newcomers that this section of the website is especially crucial as there is a plethora of important information that the WBFN recommends you look over thoroughly.
—This non-profit organization receives donated books from institutions and various donors within the Washington Metropolitan area and sends them to schools and libraries in third world countries. The Book Project is always looking for new volunteers. From past experience, I can safely say that this is your chance to play a role in making a huge difference in someone’s life. All it takes is for you to pick up the phone (or send an email) to get involved. If you are interested, click on the ‘Volunteers’ link located at the centre of the page.
—The Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund is a benefit that awards grants to women from developing countries in order to pursue graduate studies in the United States, Canada or Africa. There are a variety of ways in which you can support a worthy cause. If you are keen on helping out at some capacity, then volunteer! There is a ‘Volunteers’ icon on the top right of your page, which you can click on to find out what to do to help. Everything that you need to know about the Fund, such as how to make monetary contributions can also be found in the ‘Fundraisers’ sub section.
—This, as you can imagine, is your directory to WBG members’ goods and services. By typing in your enquiry into the search engine, it will come up with a plethora of results. And as a member, you are welcome to register your own business. Just click on the yellow icon in the upper right corner of the page.
—Going back to the top of your homepage, in the right side blue column is the Info Center, which provides useful links. For instance, if you are a newcomer, click on the link ‘Not Yet A Member?’ It brings you to a page where you can register with the Family Network as well sign up for the ‘Spouse Orientation Program’. Also, have you ever found that, when you arrived at an event, you had forgotten your camera? Or maybe you even missed the event entirely? No problem, there are pictures that you can access by clicking on ‘Photo Albums’.
—Furthermore, when you click on the last item of the Info Center, or scroll down to the bottom of your page, you will find this aptly named section. Set out in the form of post-it notes, the Info Corner provides links to valuable information such as job opportunities and special announcements. Please be aware that there are some pages that you won’t be able to view without a password. With that said, once you are a member, click on ‘Password Access’, where you will be subsequently directed to fill in a request form. You will also discover in the Info Corner a link to ‘MosaicPlus’. First of all, you might be wondering to yourself, “Oh, what’s this?” Well for those of you who cannot get enough of Mosaic, you are in luck as ‘MosaicPlus’ enables you to enjoy all the things that you love about the newsletter—you can see everything in color, view more photos, read additional articles and more. Think of it as the online extension of the monthly newsletter. Moreover, you can catch up on the things that you have missed by reading archived articles, editorials and the ‘Dear Mosa’ letters from past issues, which you can access by just the simple click of a button at the top of the page. And, if the mail is late, using the post-it link next to it, you can also read a PDF of the latest hard copy version (available on the first day of each month, except July and August) wherever you are be it on your laptop, iPhone or Blackberry.
So there you have it—a crash course on how to navigate the WBFN website. When you think about it, it’s pretty easy to use, isn’t it? So don’t hesitate to visit!
Vidya Rangan