[chapter-delegates] Chapters and members have an important responsibility

[Gene Gaines]

I believe every ISOC chapter and every chapter member shares an
obligation to insure that ISOC and the IETF both continue to do
well and become an even stronger voice in our world.

There is work to be done in every country in developing
universal access, the freedom to communicate and access
information worldwide, and in breaking down the economic and
political barriers we call the Digital Divide. Some of this work
must be done locally. Other parts of this work must come from a
central, international entity.

ISOC.

I respectfully suggest that everyone participating in this
chapter-delegates list might take an hour to read and reflect on
the document "A Concise Guide to the Major Internet Bodies".

A good way to begin is to read an introduction on the ISOC-NY
chapter web site:
http://isoc-ny.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=86

That introduction will take you in turn to the ACM document:
http://www.acm.org/ubiquity/views/v6i5_simoneli.html


I will quote the beginning of the introduction on the ISOC-NY
web site:

   "Who steers the Internet? "The Internet, a loosely-organized
   international collaboration of autonomous, interconnected
   networks, supports host-to-host communication through
   voluntary adherence to open protocols and procedures defined
   by Internet Standards." . While this definition is
   essentially correct, its emphasis might give the reader the
   impression that no one is at the helm of the Internet.

   That conclusion would be wrong. Certain protocols, and the
   parameters required for their usage, are essential in order
   to operate on the Internet. A number of bodies have become
   responsible for those protocol standards and parameters. It
   can be fairly said that those bodies steer the Internet in a
   significant sense.

   This document is a summary of those bodies and their most
   important characteristics.

   The bodies belong to three major nexuses. Links, both formal
   and informal, exist between the nexuses.

   Almost all Internet technological standards are developed and
   set by the group consisting of the Internet Society (ISOC)
   and the units operating under the auspices of ISOC: ..."

Oh yes, and damned good job, ISOC-NY.
   
Gene Gaines
gene.gaines at gainesgroup.com
Sterling, Virginia