add PIA announcement (on behalf of christel)

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+---
+author: christel
+date: 2017-04-12 20:03:34+00:00
+slug: pia-fn
+title: PIA and freenode joining forces
+category: community
+category: general
+category: freenode
+---
+
+I am incredibly excited to be able to share some amazing news with you today.
+For the last few years, Private Internet Access has been a dedicated supporter
+of the freenode project and we are delighted to be able to announce that
+freenode is now officially part of the PIA family.
+
+freenode has been providing services to Free and Open Source Software projects,
+peer-directed projects and other projects that have a broadly licensed output
+for the past 18 years, and there is a great deal of overlap between the visions
+and missions of the two organisations, as well as the projects and
+organisations the two organisations have supported, albeit in very different
+ways over the years.
+
+Rob (lilo) founded freenode with the aim of providing a useful service to Free
+and Open Source Software communities, peer-directed projects and others and I
+think he would be proud of the growth we have experienced over the years if he
+were still here to see it.
+
+When I took over freenode following his death, my personal circumstances were
+very different fix what they are now. I had time—oodles of it—and volunteering
+for freenode was very much a pleasure (by all means, it still is! Otherwise I
+wouldn't be here). However, over the years, times changed, the project grew,
+demands grew, my own responsibilities changed, both professionally and
+personally and I, along with several other senior freenode volunteers, found
+that we no longer had quite the same amount of time and energy to dedicate to
+the project.
+
+Following discussion and deliberation we have decided to become part of the PIA
+family. While freenode will continue to operate as a not-for-profit entity
+under the same management, this move will provide us with opportunities and
+resources that we could previously only dream of. PIA will provide an operating
+budget, mentorship and support that will allow freenode to implement some of
+the projects and ideas that have previously been on the backburner due to
+constraints in terms of volunteer time and resources.
+
+
+# Why? What is the incentive for PIA?
+
+Private Internet Access is committed to bringing the internet back to its
+original state, where being online meant being in your own private world,
+exploring, learning and creating. PIA is serious about supporting organisations
+and individuals that it considers to be in alignment with its mission and
+freenode is one such project.
+
+The founders of PIA feel that freenode has helped a number of open source
+projects progress, that freenode helps the community produce the pieces that
+make the internet work smoothly, piece by piece, and that it empowers people.
+
+For PIA, this is about giving back, giving back to freenode and to the
+communities that they consider vital to their success and to their mission.
+
+The freenode project would be nothing without its communities. All of our
+volunteers come from projects that use freenode, projects we are passionate
+about and projects we want to see continue to succeed.
+
+As part of the PIA family, we can guarantee that the freenode project will
+continue to operate and that we will have the support and resources to further
+improve the services that we offer to FOSS communities and others, doing our
+bit to ensure that you can all continue doing what you do best—making the
+internet and the world a better place.
+
+
+# What next?
+
+There will be few noticeable changes in terms of day-to-day operations, the
+freenode project will continue to operate with much the same structure and
+volunteer base as it does now. We anticipate that group registration will
+become a quicker process and we look forward to implementing and announcing new
+features in the future.
+
+On a personal level, I have joined PIA as a full-time employee and I will be
+holding a dual role. I will continue to head up the freenode project and you
+will no doubt see and hear more of me as my availability and involvement
+increases. Some of you might also find yourselves dealing with me in my new
+role as Director of Sponsorship and Events at Private Internet Access, where I
+will be heading up the work we undertake to support organisations, campaigns
+and events globally.
+
+This means that you may bump into me at various conferences throughout the
+year, and if you do, please do come have a chat—whether about PIA, freenode or
+the weather!
+
+On the subject of conferences, I am also extremely happy to announce that
+freenode #live will be taking place at At-Bristol in Bristol, UK on 28-29th
+October 2017. We will shortly be making a separate announcement as we open up
+registration and call for papers and I look forward to seeing you there.
+
+Please do not hesitate to drop me a line (`/msg christel`) on IRC if you
+have any questions.
+
+Do keep an eye out for more exciting news!