PIN -- A Growing Network

The Peoples Information Network (PIN) was started in October 1992 by an ad hoc group representing four missions. It has grown since then to over 100 organizations and individuals - and is still growing!

Our goal is "to lay the foundation for an on-going system about peoples, their languages and habitats to;

1. Provide the information and information tools on peoples around the world to serve the Body of Christ in the task of world evangelization, and to
2. Monitor the goal of a church for every people by the year 2000."

PIN is a special interest group of SHARE Fellowship. Members of PIN agree to follow the SHARE Code of Conduct (see below). PIN also serves as a task force for the AD 2000 & Beyond Movement.

The principal tool for sharing information is the Registry Of Peoples And Languages (ROPAL):

• A list of all known ethno-linguistic groups of the world, with people and language names, geographic locations and a unique code (ROPAL code)
• Cross-indexing with ten major global lists of languages and peoples
• Specific information about the status of these peoples; including response to the Gospel, presence of a church, availability of Scripture, Jesus Film, Radio, Christian literature, relief and development projects.
• A file of language family relationships is also available.

The ROPAL list is now incorporated into a number of databases of cooperating agencies. It forms the basis for the "Least Evangelized Peoples of the World" list used by the AD 2000 & Beyond Movement.

What we offer you:

• The Registry Of Peoples And Languages (ROPAL), updated twice yearly.
• The PIN Newsletter, issued quarterly.
• A Directory of Members, updated yearly.
• A database version of Ethnologue - Languages of the World (SIL) updated yearly.
• The opportunity to be involved in special interest groups on language change, habitats, and other topics. These will be introduced in the Newsletter as there is interest.

What we expect from you:

• Your willingness to share information with other network members in accordance with the SHARE Code of Conduct.
• Your active participation in PIN, so that genuine networking can take place.

How do I get involved?

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Peoples Information Network, please write to Ron Rowland, Peoples Information Network, 7116, Nutmeg Lane, Dallas, TX 75249, USA.

A donation of US $20.00 is recommended in order to cover the costs of newsletters, disks, etc. for one year. Checks can be made payable to Peoples Information Network. Members facing difficulty in transferring funds internationally are urged to join the network without obligation to offer financial support.

SHARE Fellowship Code of Conduct.

1. Our intention should be to promote the advance of the Kingdom of God through shared information; promoting the unity of the Body of Christ; and enabling Christian organizations to make intelligent decisions for effective ministry.
2. Whenever possible we should declare information to be unrestricted, and be prepared to share it openly. Each item of shared information will be regarded as unrestricted unless it has been specifically declared restricted or confidential.
3. We should seek to share restricted information in a responsible God-honoring way. Organizations and individuals should respect the sensitivity of restricted information, and use it only as specified by the source. Restricted confirmation should be limited to use by other Network members e.g., for developing plans and strategies. The receiving administrator should only pass on such data within agreed guidelines and restrictions, according to terms agreed with the source organization or individual. this applies both internally, within the receiving organization, and externally.
4. Confidential and Highly Confidential information generally will not be shared. We recognize that there may be limited sharing of confidential information between those who share a common task, or who are in complementary ministries. Such sharing is totally at the discretion of the source organization or individual, and will be subject to specific bilateral agreements.
5. Appropriate credit should be given to the source organization or individual. copyrights and licenses should be respected whenever data from sources outside one's own organization are used. The burden of responsibility for this lies with the user.
6. Users of information should not advance their own image, or that of their organization at the expense of the organization or individual supplying the information. On the contrary, users should seek to give honor where honor is due.