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<pre class="western">There are additional elements.
The present website of ISOC does not even try to present a different image: it is drawn up to
address first of all those in its membership which are citizens of the USA. We had pointed
out the observation that a visit to one's own ISOC Membership record in the AMS system -
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://portal.isoc.org/EBusiness/Home.aspx">https://portal.isoc.org/EBusiness/Home.aspx</a> - shows first:
“Make a Contribution”
“Contributions are fully tax-deductible!”
We had asked “In how many of the countries where there are ISOC members is this true –
contributions to ISOC are tax-deductible?” - of course this relates to the USA.
But there are additional facts related to the membership in this US-registered
organization ISOC, about which probably not many are aware of. - During a Barcamp in
Cambodia in 2009 with about 800 participants we had several visitors from Myanmar,
who were eager to build international links, if they would get the permission to
hold a Barcamp in Yangon. This became possible on very short notice in January 2010.
They planned for up to 500 participants; but on Friday evening they had already 1000
registered, and for Saturday and Sunday there were 2700.
I had been invited to speak to the plenary, elaborating our experiences in
Cambodia: “Open Source – Open Knowledge in Cambodia.” As I had mentioned also
the different international networks from which Myanmar was not part of – ICANN,
ISOC, etc. - I was asked to come again in 2011, where I spoke about “ISOC – the
international Internet Society in 80 countries not (yet) in Myanmar.” - I had
mentioned this plan but was warned by an ISOC Central staff member that it is
not possible that ISOC is involved in such contacts, because ISOC as a registered
not-for-profit in the USA is bound to observe an international boycott/embargo
on Myanmar. So I bought the airline ticket myself and paid for visa and hotel
from my own resources promoting ISOC without (I hope) violating US law
regulating ISOC.
The Barcamp Yangon in the following year 2012 with over 3000 participants over
a weekend was opened by Aung San Suu Kyi.
Norbert Klein
ISOC Cambodia Chapter
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On 20-Oct-13 00:31, Grigori Saghyan wrote:<br>
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<blockquote cite="mid:5262C1D7.9090902@arminco.com" type="cite">
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Dear Paul,
thank you for clarification. ISOC.AM want to be member of ISOC family,
we share all Internet Society principles, we want to be involved in
the Internet Society activity. But once more, we are not able to be a
subsidiary of any foreign organization - if we are an organization,
even if there is such note - "where appropriate". Individuals have
rights to become a member of any NGO, Society, Union, etc. I think
association of fully independent NGOs might be a solution from formal
point.
With respect,
Grigori Saghyan
ISOC.AM
On 19.10.2013 20:52, Paul Brooks wrote:
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<pre wrap="">On 18/10/2013 6:24 AM, Grigori Saghyan wrote:
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<pre wrap="">Dear Norbert, All
the problem is serious. We have more or less similar situation,
our Chapter must show to Armenian community, that we are a legal
entity, which is working under local law. With current ISOC
ByLaws it is impossible, because each ISOC.AM member must
registered himself as a member of other ISOC, which US based NGO.
Only after that it is possible to become ISOC.AM Armenian NGO
member, and ISOC Armenian Chapter Member. It is a violation of
rights of Armenian citizens, who have rights to become a member
of any Armenian NGO WITHOUT ANY PRECONDITION like registration
himself a a member of any foreign NGO.
For us, I am sure for other Chapters too, it is a big problem. We
are unable to act in contradiction with Armenian law - it is
obvious.
But at the same time we share ISOC principles, we need to be a
member of ISOC family, we need to be involved in discussions,
participate in the international events, coordinate our activity
with ISOC large community.
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<pre wrap="">
Grigori, and others - I am not a lawyer, but in many contract
negotiations I have heard the phrase from real lawyers "you can
only do what you can do". It is not reasonable to be expected to do
things that you cannot do - including where that is not legal in
your jurisdiction.
To your point above about membership of ISOC - that paragraph
reads: "Establish and maintain the Chapter with a minimum of 25
individual members who must be members of the Internet Society;"
Unless there is some punctuation or additional words that should
have been there and is missing, one way of interpreting this
sentence is - as long as 25 of your members choose to be members
of ISOC, a chapter will comply with this sentence, even if the
remainder choose not to be members of ISOC. There seems not to be
any need to compel members to also join ISOC, clearly you can only
do what is legal within your jurisdiction.
Members join the local chapter first. In jurisdictions where it is
legal, that chapter membership might also automatically come with
ISOC membership attached. In countries where it is not legal to
compel members to become members of a foreign organisation, it
might have to be optional to do so, as these ISOC principles can
not be expected to override local laws.
On the issue of ISOC stipulating clauses that must be in the local
chapter by-laws, note the words "where appropriate" in the sentence
"These documents will, *where appropriate*" in paragraph 3. Each
chapter can interpret which requirements are appropriate for their
particular circumstance and jurisdiction. In Australia's case, our
by-laws do not define any maximum number of terms that an
individual may hold office. For us, paragraph 3.3 is not
appropriate. We comply with requirements which are appropriate and
consistent with our by-laws. That is all anyone should expect.
Best Regards.
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- --
Grigori Saghyan
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