[Chapter-delegates] RE : How the relation between ISOC and its chapters should be?

Wed Sep 6 14:42:05 PDT 2006

Hello Franck,

Thanks for the work you are doing for chapters.

Here are some thoughts on ISOC's relation with chapters :

Financing: I think the current arrangement where chapters present projects for financing is very good. It stimulates chapters to organize events.
Graphic identity: going through your compilation of chapters' web sites, it seems they could benefit from graphic guidelines from ISOC. Rules as to how to build a local chapter logo for example, would make all of them more consistent. The same applies to web sites. Although ISOC could, as you suggest, provide web hosting (and templates) to chapters needing these services, many chapters will certainly prefer to maintain their own site and use the technologies they prefer. ISOC could establish simple graphic guidelines for chapters operating their own web sites, e.g. no other logo than the chapter logo in the masthead, use of colors, etc.
Chapter forum: It would be nice to have a private space on ISOC's web site where chapters could list and discuss all coming events they are organizing or participating in. Seeing what chapters are doing can give ideas to others. Also, seeing that other chapters are active can stimulate less active chapters. Another benefit of this forum would be to share knowledge among chapters on the organization and financing of these events. 
People: ISOC -- and all other organizations -- are really all about people. Our ability to network and communicate is what, ultimately, determines the strength of our organization. In person meetings between chapter reps and people from ISOC HQ and other chapters are really stimulating. I know that ISOC Québec has benefited immensely from them. These meetings happened at either local or international events and the current concept of piggybacking informal ISOC meetings on existing events attended by the Internet crowd works well, I think. The chapter forum discussed above could be useful in fostering better--albeit online--horizontal communication between chapters.
Multilinguism: I realize translating content is expensive, but I will restate nonetheless that ISOC can only be considered an international org if its' most important content is available in major languages. English-only content is a barrier to entry for many local members. Probably not for many chapter board members, but certainly for many local members. 
Membership: I don't see the fact that individuals or orgs can be members of either ISOC or chapters; they should be able to choose. But I think chapters should have priority when there is contention and the potential member has no preference for either ISOC or local chapter membership. 
Chapter Advisory committee: I'm not sure what the advantages would be of having such a committee. Chapter reps already have lots to do. Why not funnel chapter input through the chapter reps on ISOC's board, as we are doing now? 
Policy: We could accomplish much more as an organization if policy-related actions were coordinated between ISOC and chapters. I think this is critical. Local chapters could lobby governements and other local orgs that HQ people cannot hope to reach. How do we put this into place? I think it's up to Matthew to think of something. There was talk of having some sort of regional policy coordinators put in place. Sounded like a good idea to me.
Regards,

- Luc Faubert
President, ISOC Québec

_________________________________________
Luc Faubert
Conseiller en gouvernance et en gestion du changement / 
Governance and change management consulting

+1 514 236 5129
www.LucFaubert.com

De: Franck Martin
Date: lun. 2006-08-28 20:22
À: chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org
Objet : [Chapter-delegates] How the relation between ISOC and its chapters should be?

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Hi all,

We have two months to come with some resolutions for the next ISOC
board meeting.

As you may know I prepared with Rosa, Veni and Patrick a paper to do a
review of chapters, you can find this paper there:
http://www.isoc.org/isoc/general/trustees/public-agenda-jun-06.shtml

You can also read my comments on the board meeting there:
http://www.peachymango.org/tiki-view_blog.php?blogId=2

I think the minutes of this board meeting will be public soon, and as
most of you are coming back from the july/august holiday period, it is
the right time to start some work...

Now that ISOC HQ is stronger financially and that staff positions will
all be filled in the near future it is time for us to answer this
question: how do we want the relationship between ISOC and its
chapters to be.

I think ISOC staff, is currently going around calling chapters to get
an idea of which chapter is active in its own constituency and why we
never heard from some. What is needed to help those chapters, or
should we simply remove them? What should be the procedures?

As an example, it has been several years that only 50% or so of
chapters are voting to elect a trustee on the board. A lot of websites
are not active and not everybody contribute to the monthly ISOC
newletter. On the other hand ISOC HQ has not been too active to reach
out with the chapters, as an example there is mention of only one
chapter activity in the 2005 annual report, while I know many chapters
that have organised major events.

We have also some policies issues to sort out. How do we syncronise
our policies? How do we ensure the work of Chapters contribute to ISOC
HQ policy setting? We have chapters in developping countries, in
countries which are coming out of conflicts, or are in one. We have
chapters in countries where freedom of speech is not something which
is common. We have chapters in countries where the local policies
affect all of us on the Internet.

We have some membership issues also to sort out. Who is member of
what? chapter or global member? Who collect the fees? Can an
organisational members contribute to both ISOC HQ and chapters?

Well, this is the right time for some *constructive* comments.

I propose, that for a little while we discuss a little bit everything
there, then I will try to summarise and find some volunteers to
prepare a paper for the next ISOC board meeting (or the following
ones). On this subject shall we have a chapter advisory committee as
it exists for Organisations?

Don't forget also that we will need to engage all the stakeholders in
this discussion: IETF, organisations, individuals,... Which will lead
us to some more answer on chapter relations with these other members
of ISOC.

Your input is needed!

Cheers

Some terminology here
ISOC: The whole of ISOC
ISOC Chapter: an ISOC chapter
ISOC HQ: The staff working for ISOC
ISOC Organisation: an organisational member
ISOC Board
IETF: The whole of IETF, which is funded by ISOC (IETF/IAB/IASA/..)
...

- --
Franck Martin
ICT Specialist
franck at sopac.org
SOPAC, Fiji
GPG Key fingerprint = 44A4 8AE4 392A 3B92 FDF9  D9C6 BE79 9E60 81D9 1320
"Toute connaissance est une reponse a une question" G.Bachelard
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