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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 28/11/2019 7:48 pm, Borka Jerman
Blazic via Chapter-delegates wrote:<br>
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cite="mid:6389bf3f-7ea0-8953-a99b-558dcb86c72a@e5.ijs.si">
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<div class="moz-cite-prefix"><span lang="EN-GB">Some chapters of
ISOC carry out an initiative to object to the process.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Others seem to agree (or
ignore its implications) and others seem not to care. The call
for a meeting that will last only 30 minutes maybe is not
enough for answering all raised questions and concern
expressed <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>from <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>the membership that care.</span></div>
</blockquote>
<p>As leader of the Australian chapter, I hope I can speak for other
silent chapters and suggest it would be incorrect to believe that
we don't care, just because we haven't rushed in to insert
ourselves into commenting on the debate.</p>
<p>We are deeply concerned, and our chapter leadership is watching
the to-ing and fro-ing here very closely. Our chapter members are
finding and highlighting the various articles being written in the
press with dismay, and asking questions we cannot answer. As a
board, we make decisions jointly and collaboratively, and have put
this issue at the top of our next board meeting agenda, as good
governance would require - as this whole debate and change in ISOC
funding arrangements forms a potential existential risk to the
future of the chapter. We take that sudden risk very very
seriously. It remains to be seen whether we will have any more
facts and clarity about this disappointing process, sifted from
the heated opinions, to make any sort of decision. And without an
agreed position from our board, it would be wrong of me to
represent a chapter position in this list - and far too premature
to make a knee-jerk policy-on-the-run statement as a 'captains
call' and express support or rejection of the Swiss chapter
proposal so quickly.</p>
<p> That quietness should not be taken to indicate we don't care.</p>
<p>I suspect - I hope - there are many many other chapter reps in
the same boat - watching and listening closely, bewildered,
dismayed, but not commenting until the smoke and dust clears
somewhat and facts and information emerge. I urge all the
quick-draw responders to remember we have chapters scattered all
around the globe, in all timezones - it is difficult for many of
us out here in chapter-land to inject a comment, when we wake up
in the morning to an avalanche of overnight emails and see the
debate has already veered several directions, and that a question
or comment would be raking over old ground. But we are watching,
and we do very much care.</p>
<p>As a chapter leader - a volunteer - our very position as a
chapter representative is at risk every year come election time,
if we have not been scrupulous about consulting with members,
representing members concerns and members' 'rough consensus', and
making sure we canvas members opinions and keep members informed
about major developments locally, and globally, that are coming
down the line, *before* they become serious issues. It is not our
chapter, it is the members' chapter, and it behooves us leaders as
custodians of the members' chapter to ensure major structural
changes like this that would shake the very core of how we operate
the chapter to be canvassed with the general membership on the
principle of 'no surprises' - and if we didn't, we're likely to
find the members replace us quick smart.</p>
<p>The difference between how we are required to operate a chapter
as a volunteer, and the top-down, directive, often disappointingly
paternal and autocratic nature that ISOC often treats chapter
management and chapter consultation is stark. It occurs to me
that perhaps salaried ISOC staff may not have the same perspective
of consultation and 'no surprises', as their continued involvement
in the organisation is not at risk within a matter of months if
members are not adequately consulted before major decisions about
*their* organisation are taken.</p>
<p>Whether or not this proposed transaction pans out as a boon or a
bust for ISOC, this furore arises out of a breach of the principle
of 'no surprises' - and I hope that one positive outcome might be
that never again do we wake up to an announcement from ISOC
leadership where the only reasonable response from the general
global membership is 'WTF?'</p>
<p>Best Regards,</p>
<p>Paul.</p>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="86">--
Paul Brooks
Chair, Internet Australia
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:paul.brooks@internet.org.au">paul.brooks@internet.org.au</a>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://www.internet.org.au">https://www.internet.org.au</a></pre>
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