Gary Eikenberry - CandidatePersonal StatementI use computers in general and the Internet in particularly in my professional and personal life almost every day in a wide variety of ways, but I also recognize that pen, paper and verbal and face to face communication are and will continue to be of utmost importance in our world. In addition to learning how to use and maintain the tools of the information age, we must also understand which tools are best employed for which jobs -- and be ever-vigilant to see that our tools serve us and facilitate our work rather than the other way around. I have been a member of NCF since the early days, not just as a means of gaining access to the Internet, but also because then, as now, I supported the concept and ideals of NCF and the then wider Freenet movement. The world at large and the context within which the National Capital Freenet operates has changed a great deal since those early days, but the strong rationale for a user-driven and user-supported means of accessing the Internet and an electronic public commons remain as compelling as ever. I am pleased to have had the opportunity to serve on the Board of NCF from 2001 - 2005 during a period of significant change and development. I believe I have both made a positive contribution to NCF as well as learned a great deal and developed some lasting relationships during my tenure as a director. What I offer for the future is the perspective I've gained and the things I've learned not just during those 4 years, but going back to my early days as an activist and educator and, more recently, as an association manager and finally, since 1990, running my own independent consulting practice and martial arts club. You can find out more about who I am and what I've done over the years through the links below. Links
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