[Chapter-delegates] Membership System

Tue Feb 7 12:27:22 PST 2006

In view of the concerns recently expressed regarding the membership
system, we are embarking on a close review of the system and our
options. 

As has been mentioned, prior to purchasing the membership system ISOC
conducted extensive surveys and outreach among members and chapter
delegates. The resulting 'draft' RFP took that feedback into
consideration and the consequent final RFP was again reviewed by
chapters and we received and considered their input in proceeding
thereafter. 

When we looked at web-based systems at the time (late 2003), not one of
them offered all of what we were seeking and not one of them was
international in scope (even though we received bids from a number of
different countries) - only GO appeared interested and capable of
becoming international. It was as a result of these circumstances that
we adopted the original goal of a phased implementation of a membership
system.

The initial release was planned to be the common foundation for a system
and it would, in future, be built upon to become more responsive and to
be made more international. We were aware that the system lacked
functionality in some critical areas - this was a natural outgrowth of
the fact that no solution offered all of what we were seeking. And we
were thorough in looking - it should be recalled that we asked chapters
to float the RFP by their members and by possible vendors and we also
posted the RFP on our website. From this outreach we received a good
number of proposals to consider - indeed some of the bids came from the
chapters efforts to disseminate to potential vendors. Despite this no
web based system fully measured up to the requirements in the RFP. Their
shortcomings were largely centered on: 

. The system not being international enough:

a. No international character sets

b. No currencies other than dollars

c. Only available in English

That process of a phased approach appeared to be working - chapters and
members have been making use of the GO system and were quite helpful in
the testing phase. But now that we are past testing and into production,
these criticisms have been raised again with the addition that evidently
quite a number of chapter administrators feel the system is too
cumbersome, and so the system will be reviewed as noted below. 

It bears repeating - the system does work and it is delivering value to
chapters and members. Fifteen chapters have been using it. Keeping in
mind that there are many chapters who do not need or want such a system,
and measured against past experience, fifteen is an acceptable number at
this point in time. Moreover, 1155 new global members have joined ISOC
using the web based membership system since it was unveiled on October
12th of 2005. In that time 34 new sustaining members have also signed up
and 52 people have used the system to make individual donations totaling
$12,050.

So, yes, the system is working albeit not perfectly - the goal has been
to improve it to meet our reqirements as such capabilities become
available. This is not news and chapters and members have been made
aware of our plans on many occasions. 

However, it is clear the system has been poorly received by a number of
chapter delegates and administrators. The complaints vary in the
description but generally fall into the following:

1. The system is too cumbersome/complex:

a. Lack of simplified registration capability

2. The system is not international:

a. Cannot use international character sets

b. Cannot accept currencies other than dollars

c. Is only available in English

3. The system poses security/data privacy concerns

4. Lack of interface with local chapter systems

At this point we believe the best way forward is: 

First, we will, as a prelude to kicking off Phase Two of the system,
examine all possible ways of improving the current system, especially as
relates to #'s 1 through 4 above. We have developed considerable
experience with the GO system (yes, we too found it a bit complex but we
believe it is a very good platform on which to create an enduring and
flexible membership system to serve our community well into the future).
We can, we believe, build on that experience and investment to provide a
valuable system to our chapters and members. But, mindful that these
criticisms are quite strong, we will take another step as follows.

Second, and in parallel, we will examine the feasibility of executing
our original Phase Two against the option of doing a 'new build' of a
system. 

Finally, to assure EU privacy rights, we have an informal relationship
with a Canadian company, Dispute Resolution Services LP, which affords
us the ability to have a neutral third party resolve any issue regarding
complaints about the handling of such privacy issues. This company is an
online dispute resolution firm recognized by EU regulators as a 'safe
harbor' for such complaints. 

As we begin these two parallel efforts we will of course first discuss
with chapters ways they can be involved. Just as chapters were involved
before, they will be again and the first order of business will be to
determine how best and most effectively to achieve that. 

Best regards,

David McAuley
Membership Director
Internet Society
703-326-9880, ext 104
703-963-5887 (mobile)
mcauley at isoc.org

-----Original Message-----
From: chapter-delegates-bounces at elists.isoc.org
[mailto:chapter-delegates-bounces at elists.isoc.org] On Behalf Of Michael
Burks
Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 1:08 PM
To: Tricia Drakes
Cc: chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org
Subject: Re: [Chapter-delegates] Membership System

Whatever is done,

we need to make sure it is accessible to people with disabilties.  The
current system has been analyzed and is not too bad.  It would be a good
idea to keep it accessible.

Sincerely,

Mike Burks

On 2/7/06, Tricia Drakes <tricia.drakes at parvil.demon.co.uk> wrote: 

Rosa

Although I am sure that there may be many good reasons for not so doing,
do
you think that the Board and Membership Committee should also in
parallel
consider a possible replacement of the existing system. 

It may be that this option would provide a less expensive alternative
rather
than the cost of upgrading the present system, and might also provide
the
required functionality, ease of use etc. plus a much lower level of
"ongoing 
maintenance" cost and effort.

With many good wishes.

Tricia
+44 7768 517567

-----Original Message-----
From: chapter-delegates-bounces at elists.isoc.org
<mailto:chapter-delegates-bounces at elists.isoc.org> 
[mailto:chapter-delegates-bounces at elists.isoc.org] On Behalf Of Rosa
Delgado

Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 2:26 PM
To: chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org
Subject: [Chapter-delegates] Membership System

This is to inform that I have summarized the concerns that chapters are
having with the current membership system to the board, thanks for your 
inputs. However, the main point I am asking is that in order to help
prioritize the main topics to be considered for the upgrading of the
system
I am suggesting to the board, to set-up a Membership Committee
consisting of 
ISOC staff and chapter reps that should give serious analysis to the
enhancement of the system as a phased implementation needs to be
explored.

Chapters will have a more active participation in the development of the

system.

More news soon

Rosa

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