[chapter-delegates] ISOC SOP

[Veni Markovski]

At 16:55 20-03-05  +0100, Patrick Vande Walle wrote:
>One is subsidiarity, ie matters should  be dealt with at the most 
>efficient level.  Public policy at the national level should really be the 
>task of the local chapter.  Policy matters at regional level should be the 
>task of a group of  chapters on a regional  basis.
>I heard voices at BoT meetings saying that chapters may not be the best 
>vehicle for this, because they are not  professional enough, etc... 
>Rather,  the attitude is instead to have "Reston" or one of its delegates 
>do the job.  This could be seen as a form of colonialist arrogance.  We 
>should empower the locals chapters to represent ISOC values, but there 
>does not seem to be a willingness to educate chapters about the do's and 
>don't's of public policy.

I am even more concerned than that, Patrick.
My biggest concern with ISOC is that the way it defines chapters interests 
and public policy, leaves a huge space open, where ISOC is not present or 
active. I heard that ISOC tried to be active some years ago, but that 
caused disturbance, and ISOC has been discounted as not-a-neutral-party. 
Perhaps that's the explanation why today ISOC does not want to be active on 
the public policy foront the way we see it in the chapters.
I am already too tired of explaining to our board colleagues, that chapters 
can do a lot in public policy, they can influence processes in their 
countries, they can form governmental positions, or at least help in that 
formation, etc., etc.
I guess because of the previous argument, we must not expect very strong 
reaction in the public policy field. Things will be done smoothly, quietly, 
without any strong statements or positions.

>So my point  two here is to suggest ISOC to set up an intrernal education 
>program targeted at chapters to learn and share experiences on issues 
>regarding public policy and PR in general.  I very much regret to hear 
>that chapters are not being trusted, while at the same time ISOC has no 
>program to help them become more professional.

Patrick,
let's not forget that even the little thing we have costed several of us a 
lot of problems. I don't know if it was worth doing it, but I believe the 
chapters who are interested in public policy, should try to organize and 
find a way to work together, without expecting too much help of ISOC HQ.
One such a way could be joint participation in EU-funded programs. 
ISOC-Bulgaria is participating in two, under the EU 6th European Framework. 
This, however, requires a team of project writers. May be we can find such 
people among us?

best,
veni