Editor’s Note: At the Internet Society’s Annual General Meeting in June 2016, Bob Hinden’s term ended on the Board of Trustees. We asked Bob to share some parting words on his years on the Board. Thank you, Bob, for your outstanding contributions to the Internet Society and its mission.
It’s a bittersweet moment for me leaving the Internet Society Board of Trustees. I have been a board member for six years, and Chair for the last three years. It’s been an honor to serve on the board. ISOC is a very important organization and has a unique role in the Internet. It is the only organization that is dedicated to making the Internet for Everyone.
I have been fortunate to have worked on the Internet since the early days, and to have worked with people like Vint Cerf, Bob Kahn, Jon Postel, and Steve Crocker. I don’t claim to have invented the Internet, but it was exciting to havce worked with the people who did. I think I can say that everyone from the early days is very proud of what we all created and the positive effect it has had on the world.
The Internet Society has come a long way in the past six years. The organization and the Board of trustees are much stronger and more effective. However, since the Internet faces many challenges, ISOC still has a lot to do. I am very confident that the organization and the Board are ready and able to meet these challenges, and lead the Internet Society into the future.
My advice for the Internet Society and the Board of trustees is to remember, it’s not what is best for the IETF, the Chapters, the Organizational members, or even what is best for the Internet Society. It is always what is best for the Internet. We will achieve more if we all work together and make the Internet for Everyone.