<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">Hi Olivier,</div><div><br></div><div><div style="font-size:small" class="gmail_default">Several times in this message you refer to live streaming as a "critical" or "core" service. Live streaming is a part of the execution of the communications plan, and it was in that context that it was analyzed. As Andrew noted in his message on this topic on April 8th, that analysis showed that many of the live streams attracted very few attendees and some none. As there are other methods for recording many of the events, the decision was made to move the live streaming contract to a project basis, rather than a retainer basis. This in no way reflects on the quality of the service; it reflects a change in how media is being consumed not just for ISOC events but very broadly.</div><div style="font-size:small" class="gmail_default"><br></div><div style="font-size:small" class="gmail_default">As the response from the board notes, if there is new data here, this will be revisited, and data from the chapters on their use of live streaming is welcome. In the case that it does change, the board is confident that the staff will issue an appropriate RFP and analyze the responses appropriately. </div><div style="font-size:small" class="gmail_default"><br></div><div style="font-size:small" class="gmail_default">regards,</div><div style="font-size:small" class="gmail_default"><br></div><div style="font-size:small" class="gmail_default">Ted Hardie <br></div><div style="font-size:small" class="gmail_default"><br></div></div></div><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Mon, Sep 16, 2024 at 4:40 PM Olivier MJ Crépin-Leblond <<a href="mailto:ocl@gih.com">ocl@gih.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><u></u>
<div>
Dear Ted,<br>
<br>
Thank you for your response. Given your valid point regarding the
openness of the Chapter Delegate mailing list, I will focus
exclusively on the ISOC.Live Streaming and Archiving service, which
primarily serves Chapters.<br>
<br>
Aligning with the previous CEO's statements, you mentioned that the
decision to close ISOC.LIVE was made by staff. However, this misses
a crucial point: the request to resume funding was formally
submitted by Chapters to the ISOC Board of Trustees through the
Chapter Advisory Council. A formal decision from the ISOC Board of
Trustees was necessary, requiring adherence to governance
principles, including transparency and accountability, which your
response lacks.<br>
<br>
I refer you to my previous points made to Luis concerning the Board
of Trustees' responsibilities, beyond their fiduciary duties:<br>
<br>
According to the US Council of Nonprofits
(<a href="https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/running-nonprofit/governance-leadership/board-roles-and-responsibilities" target="_blank">https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/running-nonprofit/governance-leadership/board-roles-and-responsibilities</a>):<br>
<br>
"A board of directors does not exist solely to fulfill legal duties
and serve as a fiduciary of the organization’s assets. Board members
also play significant roles in providing guidance to nonprofits by
contributing to the organization’s culture, strategic focus,
effectiveness, and financial sustainability, as well as serving as
ambassadors and advocates. Beyond fulfilling legal duties, board
members can be important resources for the organization in multiple
ways."<br>
<br>
Merely rubber-stamping staff decisions can lead to significant
failures, as evidenced by numerous corporate governance disasters. A
pertinent example is the failed attempt to sell PIR, which severely
damaged the Internet Society's reputation. It is advisable for all
Board members to undertake a basic course on their rights and
responsibilities to ensure effective governance and fulfil their
critical roles as outlined above. <br>
<br>
If ISOC.Live is considered a critical service for one of the
Internet Society’s three core communities, the ISOC Board of
Trustees is obligated to take action and fulfil their
responsibilities, rather than avoiding them.<br>
<br>
Kind regards,<br>
<br>
Olivier Crépin-Leblond<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<div>On 16/09/2024 09:04, Ted Hardie wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite">
<div dir="ltr">
<div dir="ltr">
<div style="font-size:small">Hi Olivier,</div>
<div style="font-size:small"><br>
</div>
<div style="font-size:small">Thanks for
expressing your thoughts on this matter. You ask below
whether the Board will be "formally notifying the Chair of
the Chapter Advisory Council, along with her Council Board
members, of the rejection of the Chapter Advisory Council’s
Advice?" <br>
</div>
<div style="font-size:small"><br>
</div>
<div style="font-size:small">On the
question of the openness of the chapter delegate list, the
board has pointed out that there is no need for board action
here, since the history shows that the original action to
close it was taken by the ChAC. This is not a rejection of
the advice; it is a continuation of the dialogue with the
ChAC on how to accomplish their goal and a note that the
staff contacts will be able to help worth through the
options with them.</div>
<div style="font-size:small"><br>
</div>
<div style="font-size:small">On the
question of live streaming, the board has reminded the ChAC
that the decision to move to a project basis for live
streaming was a staff decision, based on an analysis of the
consumption patterns of the relevant media. The board's
role here was to set the goals for the communication plan;
it does not direct the staff on how to structure contracts
nor would it be appropriate for the board to require
specific contractors. It has also noted that data from the
chapters on the consumption patterns they see when using
live streaming would be valuable input to ongoing analysis
of how to best meet the goals of the communication plan.<br>
</div>
<div style="font-size:small"><br>
</div>
<div style="font-size:small">I do not
believe I would characterize either response as a rejection
of the advice of the ChAC. The board has responded and
clarified its roles here, and in neither case would it be
the right body to take the action requested. We are happy
to have the staff support the ChAC in meeting its goals
directly in the first instance and in the second instance to
work together with the chapters to continue the analysis of
consumption patterns and communication strategies.<br>
</div>
<div style="font-size:small"><br>
</div>
<div style="font-size:small">The ChAC
has been kind enough to invite me to the call tomorrow,
September 17th, and I look forward to the opportunity for us
to chat together.</div>
<div style="font-size:small"><br>
</div>
<div style="font-size:small">best
regards,</div>
<div style="font-size:small"><br>
</div>
<div style="font-size:small">Ted Hardie<br>
</div>
</div>
<br>
<div class="gmail_quote">
<div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Sun, Sep 15, 2024 at
1:36 PM Olivier MJ Crépin-Leblond <<a href="mailto:ocl@gih.com" target="_blank">ocl@gih.com</a>> wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<div> Dear Ted,<br>
<br>
Thank you for explaining the process by which the Internet
Society Board of Trustees reached its decision. I question
the appropriateness of this process, given the formal
nature of the request made by the Chapter Advisory
Council, which included a vote and extensive
documentation.<br>
<br>
Could you please clarify the rationale behind the decision
not requiring a formal resolution? Is it not customary for
the Board to formally endorse or reject formal Advice upon
receipt? What measures of accountability does the Board
have in its decisions if they are based on informal
processes that lack transparency and traceability?
Considering the fiduciary responsibilities of all Board
members, how many other decisions of the Board are
subjected to this “informal” process, of which non-Board
members were previously unaware?<br>
<br>
Finally, will you be formally notifying the Chair of the
Chapter Advisory Council, along with her Council Board
members, of the rejection of the Chapter Advisory
Council’s Advice?<br>
<br>
Kind regards,<br>
<br>
Olivier Crépin-Leblond<br>
<br>
<br>
<div>On 13/09/2024 12:36, Ted Hardie wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite">
<div dir="ltr">
<div style="font-size:small">Hi Olivier,</div>
<div style="font-size:small"><br>
</div>
<div style="font-size:small">The board has an active
mailing list and informal meetings once a month
(though August's meeting did not occur this year
because of low availability). The discussion took
place mostly on the mailing list, along with
trustees' edits of a proposal using online tools.
Because this response did not require a resolution,
confirmation of agreement was assessed on the list
and confirmed at the September informal meeting,
earlier this week. None of those methods generate
minutes in the formal sense, but I can confirm that
there was consensus for the response.<br>
</div>
<div style="font-size:small"><br>
</div>
<div style="font-size:small">regards,</div>
<div style="font-size:small"><br>
</div>
<div style="font-size:small">Ted Hardie<br>
</div>
</div>
<br>
<div class="gmail_quote">
<div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Fri, Sep 13, 2024
at 12:16 PM Olivier MJ Crépin-Leblond <<a href="mailto:ocl@gih.com" target="_blank">ocl@gih.com</a>>
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<div>
<div aria-label="Sent by Copilot: Certainly! Here is a more formal and legally phrased version:
---
**Dear Ted,**
I acknowledge receipt of your response, which I have reviewed with interest.
The Chapter Advisory Council submitted its request on 17 July 2024. The Board, through its Chair, issued its response on 13 September 2024.
Upon reviewing the list of ISOC Board Meetings available at [Internet Society Board of Trustees Meetings](https://www.internetsociety.org/board-of-trustees/meetings/), I have not identified any meetings of the ISOC Board of Trustees occurring between these dates.
Given that this decision was made by the Board, I kindly request the following:
- The minutes of the meeting during which the Board decided not to reinstate the ISOC.LIVE video production, editing, and archiving services.
Yours sincerely,
Olivier Crépin-Leblond
---
Would you like any further adjustments?">
<div>
<div>Dear Ted,<br>
<br>
I acknowledge receipt of your response,
which I have reviewed with interest.
<p>The Chapter Advisory Council submitted
its formal request on 17 July 2024. The
Board, through its Chair, issued its, I
assume, formal response on 13 September
2024.</p>
<p>Upon reviewing the list of ISOC Board
Meetings available at <a href="https://www.internetsociety.org/board-of-trustees/meetings/" target="_blank">Internet
Society Board of Trustees Meetings</a>,
I have not identified any meetings of the
ISOC Board of Trustees occurring between
these dates.</p>
<p>Given that this decision was made by the
Board, I kindly request the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>The minutes of the meeting during
which the Board decided not to reinstate
the ISOC.LIVE video production, editing,
and archiving services.</li>
</ul>
<p>Warmest regards,</p>
<p>Olivier Crépin-Leblond</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br>
<br>
<div>On 13/09/2024 09:17, Ted Hardie via
Chapter-delegates wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite">
<div dir="ltr">
<div style="font-size:small">
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" id="m_-8043503152483650759m_4598472292962284382m_-1298471776895760914gmail-docs-internal-guid-7f64471f-7fff-92a0-4be1-1dfeef638eb1"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Dear colleagues,</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">One of the items in your recent advice to the board was a request that the "ISOC funding for the ISOC.LIVE video production, editing, and archiving services should be reinstated, as well as ISOC.LIVE should be financially supported by ISOC on an ongoing basis." </span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The board's role here is to set the direction for the organization by establishing strategic goals; the details of the communication plan are a part of the staff execution of those goals. During the budget analysis of 2023, the communications team analyzed the effectiveness of specific streaming approaches and found that community engagement was driven primarily by on-demand viewing. This matches a broader shift common to mainstream programming. As a result of this analysis, the communications plan shifted away from a retainer-based contract for live streaming to a project-based funding model for future work. </span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">This was a staff management decision, taken with due care and analysis. The board's role is to assess whether the overall communications plan is effective in meeting the strategic goals; it does not direct the staff to use specific contract types or contractors. If the needs of the communications plan change again to require live streaming on a full-time basis, the board is confident that the staff will issue the appropriate RFP and conduct the appropriate analysis of the submissions. </span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The project-based funding model remains available, and chapters may, of course, fund specific live streaming events using chapter funds or Beyond The Net grants. Any analysis of the effectiveness of those live streaming events would be valuable data for any future considerations of the engagement model.</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The board thanks the ChaC for its attention to the communications plan, and we look forward to continued discussion of how to engage the broader community in the mission of the society. </span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Best regards,</span></p>
</div>
<div style="font-size:small"><br>
</div>
<div style="font-size:small">Ted Hardie</div>
<div style="font-size:small">for the Board<br>
</div>
<div style="font-size:small"><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
</div>
</div>
<br>
<fieldset></fieldset>
<pre>_______________________________________________
As an Internet Society Chapter Officer you are automatically subscribed
to this list, which is regularly synchronized with the Internet Society Chapter Portal (AMS): <a href="https://community.internetsociety.org" target="_blank">https://community.internetsociety.org</a>.
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</pre>
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