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I volunteer for NCSM because it provides the opportunity to bring equity to the attention of all who influence school policy. Our members spread the message of equity wherever they work, in their classrooms, in schools, in districts, in their communities, states, provinces, and nations. Our members are dedicated to the ideal of fairness in mathematics education and they work to reaffirm, and in some instances to restore, the cultural dignity of children. As a result of their work, students learn to value the mathematics and, just as important, they develop a greater respect for themselves and for those who are different from themselves.

NCSM has published guidelines along the way toward the ideal of equity in mathematics education. The NCSM Position Paper, Basic Mathematical Skills, published in 1977, was formative in supporting problem solving and excellent curriculum content in contrast to narrow instructional methods teaching isolated computational skills. A major step toward accomplishing our goals came in 1988 with the call for strong mathematics leadership at both district and local school levels. This effort was continued with Future Basics, Developing Numerical Power, and the other Sourcebooks. The two yearly NCSM Journals and the four-a-year NCSM Newsletters emphasize equity in mathematics education. A major focus of the NCSM PRIME Leadership Framework is equity.

NCSM has been consistent in its focus on equity and its dedication to providing a strong mathematics education delivered in ways each student can understand and learn. As a former Board Member, Jim Barta, Utah State University, said, "Mathematics is a vital aspect of culture. Mathematical principles may not in and of themselves be 'cultural,' but as soon as those principles are used by human beings, what is done becomes culturally influenced. Mathematics, therefore, is a reflection of the culture of those using it. We can use this knowledge to better understand not only the nature of mathematics itself but also ourselves and the people with whom we share the planet." NCSM helps us recognize this knowledge and act upon it.

In 1979, I met Ross Taylor through my work with EQUALS at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley. He and Irvin Vance were the major influences toward joining NCSM in 1979 and continuing as a member. I had attended my first NCTM Annual Meeting in 1976 and served on the Regional Services Committee when Irv was Chair. In typical jocular manner, Irv said, "Where else can you get free breakfast and lunch for a ten dollar membership fee?"

Co-Chair of the Leadership Development Task Force was my first volunteer work for NCSM when Henry Kepner was President, followed by Carey Bolster, and the membership has grown to over 2500. My enthusiasm never waned and I served as Western Region Representative, Vice President, President Elect and President over the years. Now I have the opportunity to continue to contribute through my work as Managing Editor of the NCSM Newsletter.