<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Aptos;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;
mso-ligatures:standardcontextual;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#467886;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:56705773;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:2062292946 1229745144 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-start-at:0;
mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:-;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;
mso-fareast-font-family:Aptos;}
@list l0:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l0:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l0:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l0:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1
{mso-list-id:366680405;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:8419696 641240616 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;}
@list l1:level1
{mso-level-start-at:0;
mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:-;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;
mso-fareast-font-family:Aptos;}
@list l1:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l1:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l1:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l1:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l1:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l1:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><a name="_Hlk198226023"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Dear fellow NCUC Members:<o:p></o:p></span></a></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>With thanks to my nominating colleagues, I accept the nomination as a candidate for the position of Chair of the Non-Commercial User Constituency. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>In this message I briefly explain some of my reasons for running and what I hope to achieve as well as provide my background for those who do not know me and describe why I feel I am qualified for this important role. For your ease (and, perhaps, sanity) I provide a kind of executive summary to avoid falling too much into the TLDR category!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>I hope this helps to understand my candidacy for NCUC Chair. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>I welcome your support.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Best regards<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Ken<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>*********<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Let’s get the basics out of the way:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Name: Kenneth Herman<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Declared region: North America<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Gender: Male<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Employment: Self-employed as a technology consultant<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Conflicts of Interest: None<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>I have no constraints on my ability to devote the time necessary for the role.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>I learned early on that vague promises are easy, so instead I will try to describe <b>what I would</b> <b>hope to accomplish</b> together with the EC.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>I’ve noticed that from year to year, the ambition is always to increasing community engagement. <u>My</u> ambition as Chair is to explore, with the community, not only what we mean by “increasing engagement”, but also to find ways to measure our success in these areas and the creative ways we can actually meet the goals we set. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>To me, an important aspect of engagement is making the space for members to participate at increasingly higher levels. To that end, I would work with the EC to create opportunities for members. The NCUC comes with many specific roles (NCSG EC, NCUC Policy Committee (yes, that exists), and even a financial function (yes, there does seem to be funding)), and therefore opportunities. Let’s work together to see how we can fill these roles and give more members a chance to contribute and participate!<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>We cannot ignore the fact that all participation in the NCUC is voluntary (and I do not know a lot of people who are looking for more uncompensated work). Let’s find a way to substantially recognize those that do contribute (sadly, payment is not possible, but currency is not the only “currency” in this world, if you get my drift). <o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Let’s explore the broader aspects of what it means to be “non-commercial”. The focus on rights and privacy will always sit at the core of our constituency. That said, my career in the non-profit sector has demonstrated that, for the most part, our constituents often do not have the resources or expertise to manage their internet presence. Notifications from their registrar regarding changes or disputes to their domain ownership may go un-noticed or ignored as so much spam or incite panic. Working with our partner constituency we may want to examine how to better engage with the larger non-commercial community.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Finally, I would like to explore mechanisms for ensuring as wide a participation as possible at the in-person ICANN meetings. I cannot think of a better way for active members to become fully aware of the scope of ICANN than through exposure to the intensive machinery that occurs at these events. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Mostly, my ambition is to create a well-run, transparent and vibrant constituency group, that offers as much as possible to our members and the wider community.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Communication with the community is essential for transparency and engagement, and I will continue existing efforts to keep all members informed using the established channels.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>There is really only one simple reason why I became a candidate for chair of NCUC. I believe that my skills and experience gained in my career in management, coordination, and facilitation, as well as my active participation, engagement and contributions to the group over the past few years, will prove useful to the group. Also, I believe that members deserve a choice, even if (especially if!) all candidates have something substantial to offer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Who am I? Here’s my Career and ICANN Background in a “nutshell”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>My </span></span><a href="https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/gnsosoi/pages/106812155/Ken+Herman+SOI"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>SOI</span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'> give the basics (click it).<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Although my awareness of ICANN goes back many years, only recently have I become more directly involved, starting with in-person attendance at ICANN 63 (Barcelona), 64 (Kobe) and 66 (Montreal), mainly in order to better understand the non-commercial community before I became a member. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>My career includes 30+ years in ICT, many of them in leadership roles, mainly for international development non-profit institutions and two years as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer in Fiji helping to create the national computer education programme. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>From 2005 until retirement in 2017, I worked for the United Nations as the UN-system technology coordinator, during which I attended and participated in many WSIS forums and IGFs. During that period, in 2012, I was the liaison to the UN System ICT community during discussions between the UN and ICANN on protecting second level UN names during the new gTLD process.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Joined NCSG/NCUC in 2020, and agreed to fill the vacant NA Regional Representative role. Served 3 terms.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Participated as the NCSG/NCUC representative to the Transfer Policy Review Working Group during the final 18 months of its work (>90% attendance).<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Coordinated and moderated the ICANN80 (June 2024, Kigali) NCUC Issue Forum.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Coordinated and moderated two virtual sessions on RDRS (February 2024), with post-session notes circulated.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Participated in ICANN regional outreach session (March, 2025) on the gTLD programme speaking about the Applicant Support Programme.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'>Member of the North American Regional Advisory Team for the FY26-30 North America Engagement Plan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li></ul><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198226023'></span><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>