Story behind FRECI EDEN

I'm too old to pretend and believe in fairy tales. But the way our economic reality has shaped our future, I have to apply my beliefs in an application that shows promise of some kind of return. After all, if computers have brought about any rational effect, intelligence is wasted without a desired outcome or application. The reality for a positive return on investment comes from the prospect of cost savings. There is no better way to promote positive return than to do more with less.

Ten years ago, I proposed a mentoring proposal to my employer. The employer quickly embraced the concept because it centered on a network that brought an awareness of the rich choice we support in our communities for families to get out there and enjoy.

Today, I find myself starting a second phase of this same initiative. Except, this project centers on what I call assertive education. This concept is nothing new to those who typically have the means, resources and influences that are products of balanced lifestyles. The methods of the EDEN operation models what successful people already do; education by immersion..to encourage a client to become actively engaged into the unique culture of a study discipline through community service and employment. Although these techniques are not unique, the clients are usually shaped to fit into an education experience. The EDEN operation shapes the experience to the client to promote growth through leadership. What better way to get the job you want. And the question becomes, is a person who exploits networking in community service really serving the public or themselves? The answer is both.

And I'll take this further. This website and movement is a product of this same mentoring initiative started ten years ago when my employer sponsored mentoring. Last year I had the pleasure to participate with local service learning students. It was their program for the "Greening of the Princess Place School House" that challenged me and brought me to this point. I supported their project, applied curricula from the NEED (National Energy Education Development) project, followed NEED project management strategies and have now evolved this project into an independent study objective to finish my degree. I am truly grateful for the chance to perform.

The core of this prospect is to reinforce:

• The value of human relationships in contrast to the seductive synthetic relationships we all have been bombarded with through technology.

• The latent hazards with shaping our lifestyles and choices around dependence on technology to function.

Investment in infrastructure is a buzz on the street. Public safety is at focus. When money is spent highway construction through the Florida Department of Transportation, is the plan to replace the old technology with the new technology? If so, will that new technology proliferate into the marketplace? These are some of the questions I hope to answer in the days that come. After all, Federal renewable energy mandates do not have a chance unless they are adopted on the State and local level as originally intended.