The Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild is launching a project called Guild Media Network for writers, freelancers, bloggers, graphic artists, and other media specialists. The new Guild unit will provide professional and financial support for these independent wordsmiths and artists. The network is expected to include a group email, seminars, training, and social events. Benefits will include the whole range of Union Plus consumer discounts and other benefits that the membership identifies, such as dental and vision care, health insurance, and press credentials. Those joining the network include former Washington Post and Baltimore Sun employees. If interested in learning more about this initiative, please contact Calvin G. Zon at 202-785-3650, ext 16, or czon@wbng.org. Please include your email address so I can send you a survey asking you about your present situation and your preferences for what you would like the new network to become.