The Pacific Northwest HSP Network

A social network and support group system for Highly Sensitive People in the Pacific Northwest

Created: 2008.07.11

Last updated: 2008.07.13

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How to join the Pacific Northwest HSP Network

Joining the Network is quite simple. Simply click on the blue box at the bottom of the page, and you'll be taken to a page where you can apply for membership. Membership is absolutely free.

You'll be asked a series of questions, after which your application will be reviewed by a Network Admin, before you'll be granted access to the Network site.

An "HSP safe zone"

As explained on the "How does it work?" page, the Pacific Northwest HSP Network is private and moderated. To some, that might sound rather exclusive and unwelcoming, but we believe that in creating a "peer network," it is extremely important that we offer (to the best of our ability) an "HSP Safe Zone" in which members can feel comfortable to express themselves freely.

Also, because the network serves as a framework around members' desires to form local social and support groups-- which will involve the sharing of "real life" information-- we believe it is extremely important to provide a fairly private space.

Join The Pacific Northwest HSP Network

So what exactly happens, when I click on the pale blue box, or the link?

First you'll be taken to a sign-in page. As you are (most likely) not yet a member, choose the "sign up" option. This will take you to the enrollment page, which is very short.

The Pacific Northwest HSP Network uses "ning ID" for authentication. A ning ID is a bit like a yahoo or google ID-- an account identity that can be used across a range of group web sites. Filling out the information on the enrollment page creates your ning ID, which you will subsequently use to log into the network.

Once you submit this information, you'll be taken to the "Create Your Profile" page. The questions on this page will become part of your network profile, and form the basis of how network members get to know a bit about each other. You don't have to write "essay answers," but keep in mind that these responses will be part of how people will know you on the network. One of the options is that you can upload a profile image. This will serve as your icon/avatar on the network. Whereas it is certainly nice for network members to be able to see each other, it doesn't have to be a picture of you. It can be a picture of your pet, or a favorite view, or a flower... or you can just skip it, and add a photo later, once you're a little more familiar with the network.

There are three kinds of questions in the profile questionnaire. Those marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory. SOME of the mandatory questions are also marked with a little padlock and the word "private;" your responses to these will ONLY be visible to the Network Admins, not to other members. The rest of the questions you can choose to answer now, or you can answer them later, once you're on the network site.

When you're happy with your answers, click the JOIN button, at the bottom of the questionnaire page. Once you've submitted the page, you'll get a message box telling you that your profile is "pending approval."

A Network Admin will review your responses, and most of the time you will hear back within 24 hours by email-- although in many cases it will be much less than that. Sometimes we may ask for more information, or clarification. Once your membership has been approved, we recommend that you log into the network to finish the profile questions (if you didn't already), upload a profile image, and explore the site, including the network information posts in the forum, which will tell you a lot about how to do things.

Hopefully this removes some of the uncertainty about the process. Click the button below, to get started!

...the Pacific Northwest HSP Network is private and moderated... we offer (to the best of our ability) an "HSP Safe Zone" in which members can feel comfortable to express themselves freely...