Tim Gerrits - Champion

[Tim Gerrits]

I would like to declare my nomination for Champion of HeatSync Labs.

If elected Champion, I plan to continue what I've been doing as a member, just more of it. That is of course in addition to the more formal duties of Champion such as ensuring transparency, coordination, and vision at the organizational level.

I choose to run out of a desire to serve the group that helped me actualize some of my dreams this year and has made me feel at home like no other place. I'm sure many of you sympathize with this sentiment, but have other obligations preventing you. I have the time, energy, desire, and commitment for at least the next year to contribute at this level.

I find myself and my creations in the spotlight from time to time and always try to redirect that spotlight to HeatSync, the community that makes it all possible. Then I try to leave those creations in HeatSync to show others what is possible here, and to inspire and instruct others. I will continue to do more of all of that. I don't have a destination planned for HeatSync in a year, but I believe my deliberately contemplative nature will be a helpful hand tacking the sails that will get us there.

I'm a good communicator, but tend to be a little old-fashioned in my method, preferring face-to-face communication to the electronic variety. So don't expect me to stay on top of the twitter feed or website, I'll leave that to those much better and faster than me at it. Do expect me to be in the lab regularly hosting events, choosing helping you with your project over mine, giving tours, and literally being a face of HeatSync. Also expect me to visit partnering organizations in person, not merely electronically. I firmly believe that a hackerspace is first and foremost a community that shares a physical space. The virtual spaces are important, but subordinate to that.

Also I'd like to be transparent in that I make part of my living working in the space, using the tools and resources, sometimes working with other members. Many other members do this as well, and I don't believe I monopolize any resources in doing this, nor create any conflict of interest. Being on the board would however create the possibility of conflicts of interest regarding my business. I promise to keep that in mind and not use my position unfairly, maintain transparency about this, and honor any questions or accusations about this respectfully. I plan to continue to conduct personal business in the space, and to make it clear what is done on behalf of HeatSync, what is personal, and not to mix the two inappropriately. I think it's great that some of us can make a living doing what we would otherwise do for fun, and I encourage others to do that at HeatSync too, as long as we are fair and generous.

I first came to HeatSync last December, started coming regularly in January, and became a member in February, so I am a relative newcomer, but I feel at home here like no other place and believe I understand the culture of the space. It will be my honor to serve this community as Champion.

[Tim Gerrits]

Something else about me. I don't engage in off topic discussions on message boards. Even if I'm listening. Even if I have something to say or want to contribute. Respond to the OP or address their comment or I'm done participating in it. I won't call anybody out, I'll just leave the thread. Apologies to anyone with a legitimate comment just before it gets derailed.

[Robert Bell]

What exactly is a signal-to-noise ratio?

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