[Chapter-delegates] Application to form an ISOC chapter in, Sierra Leone

Anne Lord lord at isoc.org
Wed Apr 11 17:44:03 PDT 2007


hi Rosa,

Yes many thanks for your endorsement - I know you have a long  
association with those trying to form the chapter in Sierra Leone.

Best wishes,

Anne
--

On 12/04/2007, at 1:16 AM, Rosa Delgado wrote:

> Dear Anne,
>
> I sent this mail on 20th March, supporting the acceptance of the  
> Sierra Leonese ISOC chapter and I hope this will proceed as soon as  
> possible.
>
> The Geneva Chapter looks forward to working together with the  
> Chapter of Sierra Leone in promoting Internet for the local community.
>
> Regards / Rosa
>
> On Sat, 31 Mar 2007, Anne Lord wrote:
>>> Date: Sat, 31 Mar 2007 05:56:50 +0200
>>> From: Anne Lord <lord at isoc.org>
>>> To: Chapter Delegates <chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org>
>>> Subject: [Chapter-delegates] Application to form an ISOC chapter in
>>>     Sierra	Leone
>>>
>>> Dear Colleagues,
>>>
>>> The following application for a new Chapter to be formed in the   
>>> Sierra Leone has been received. It is being sent to this list for  
>>> peer
>>> comment and review.
>>>
>>> Please note that the chapter is not yet formed. If there are  
>>> people  on this list that know the individuals proposing to form  
>>> the chapter,  feedback is especially welcomed.
>>>
>>> The period allowed for comments is 2 weeks and the deadline is  
>>> Monday  16th April.
>>>
>>> Please do not hesitate to contact me on or off list.
>>>
>>> Best wishes,
>>>
>>> Anne
>>>
>>>
>>> The Sierra Leone Chapter of the Internet Society (ISOC.SL)  
>>> Application
>>>
>>> A. Proposed name of the Chapter
>>> The Sierra Leone Chapter of the Internet Society (hereby referred  
>>> to  as ISOC.SL)
>>>
>>> B. Community of Interest the Chapter will to serve
>>> The Chapter will serve the country of Sierra Leone, in West  
>>> Africa.  All Sierra Leoneans at Home and the Diaspora will be  
>>> served.
>>>
>>> C. Purpose and Scope of Chapter
>>> ISOC.SL’s principal purpose is to maintain and extend the  
>>> development  and availability of the Internet and its associated  
>>> technologies and  applications - both as an end in itself, and as  
>>> a means of enabling  organizations, professions, and individuals  
>>> worldwide to more  effectively collaborate, cooperate, and  
>>> innovate in their respective  fields and interests.
>>>
>>> Its specific goals and purposes include:
>>>
>>> * Development, maintenance, evolution, and dissemination of  
>>> standards  for the Internet and its internetworking technologies  
>>> and  applications to 	Sierra Leoneans at home and in the Diaspora;
>>> * Growth and evolution of Sierra Leone’s Internet architecture;
>>> * Maintenance and evolution of effective administrative  
>>> processes  necessary for operation of the global Internet and  
>>> internets;
>>> * Provide education and research related to the Internet and   
>>> internetworking;
>>> * Harmonization of actions and activities at international levels  
>>> to  facilitate the development and availability of the Internet  
>>> in Sierra  Leone;
>>> * Collection and dissemination of information related to the  
>>> Internet  and internetworking, including histories and archives;
>>> * Assisting technologically developing countries, areas, and  
>>> peoples,  specifically Sierra Leone, in implementing and evolving  
>>> their  Internet infrastructure and use;
>>> * Liaison with other organizations, governments and the general   
>>> public for coordination, collaboration, and education in  
>>> effecting  the above purposes.
>>>
>>> ISOC.SL Background Information:
>>>
>>> ISOC.SL on the WWW.  ISOC.SL is currently located online at   
>>> www.sierravisions.org/isocsl. Eventually the portal will be  
>>> hosted at  www.isoc.sl.  Establishment of ISOC.SL will encourage  
>>> involvement and  contributions to the development of Internet  
>>> technologies in Sierra  Leone.  Background work on the management  
>>> of .SL domain can be found  http://SierraLeonePortal.net/nic
>>>
>>> ISOC.SL Mission and Vision:
>>>
>>> The mission of ISOC-SL will be largely based on the vision of  
>>> its  founding members, member organizations and partners given  
>>> that  Internet Development in Sierra Leone to date has been slow  
>>> and  dispersed. Internet has been treated much like an imported  
>>> commodity  and its potential in the country’s economic  
>>> development remains  untapped. There are now signs that key  
>>> stakeholders are realizing  that this new medium is open to be  
>>> employed and developed in a way  that it serves our cultural,  
>>> social and economic interests. The  management of the .SL domain  
>>> will be central to maximizing this  potential in a just and  
>>> equitable manner. The establishment for ISCO- SL among other  
>>> initiatives in the government, private sector, public  sectors  
>>> and academic sectors is a testament to this emerging vision.  A  
>>> sense of the ensuing ISOC-SL mission and the length and breath  
>>> of  ISOC-SL vision can be found in the intersection of the  
>>> following  notes by founding members:
>>>
>>> The Diaspora/Non Government (Chrystabel Davis and Cecil John)
>>>
>>> The Sierra Leone Diaspora is an international community of  
>>> Sierra  Leoneans at home and abroad.  We have worked diligently  
>>> over the last  two years to evolve ISOC.SL as a professional  
>>> membership organization  that includes key institutions,  
>>> stakeholders and individuals who can  influence the IT policies  
>>> and practices around the .SL domain. In our  efforts to bridge  
>>> the divide amongst stakeholders, the information  supplied and  
>>> activities provided by ISOC would contribute immensely  to our work.
>>>
>>> Sierra Leonean Professionals, academics & entrepreneurs, abroad  
>>> and  amongst the Diaspora, are using the Internet more  
>>> effectively as a  primary medium for collaboration, social  
>>> networking and archiving of  documents and multimedia.
>>>
>>> Individuals, and institutional (in the private and voluntary/NGO   
>>> sector) are collaborating towards a common objective of narrowing  
>>> the  digital divide between the poor and wealthy in Sierra Leone,  
>>> and  between the Sierra Leone indigenes and Diaspora. The  
>>> establishment of  ISOC.SL would be an essential catalyst for  
>>> these processes, as this  will form a core institutional  
>>> foundation from which various project  initiatives could spring.
>>>
>>> The formation of ISOC.SL is key to the facilitation of access to   
>>> secondary level domains such as .gov.sl for the public/ 
>>> government  sector, .com.sl for private and .org.sl for non- 
>>> profit and non- governmental agencies.
>>>
>>> Institutional Development of .SL Domain (Adrian Q. Labor):
>>>
>>> Institutions are the backbone of strong democratic countries   
>>> irrespective of size. The human resource, the professionalism  
>>> and  visionary directions for all facets of nation building  
>>> emanates from  the ideas, reviews, discussions, conferences,  
>>> reports and policies  that take place with institutional  
>>> settings. In the digital era, the  increasing speed and  
>>> portability of technologies has provided  unimaginable  
>>> opportunities for institutions in developing nations  such as  
>>> Sierra Leone. The capacity to archive and retrieve all forms  of  
>>> media generated by institutional activities from anywhere lends   
>>> itself to our nation’s current decentralization objectives.    
>>> Institutions that are at the forefront of nurturing Sierra  
>>> Leone’s  fragile democratic ideals will need the .SL space to be  
>>> managed  effectively with agreed upon principles of equality and  
>>> equitable  access at all times irrespective of ethnicity, gender  
>>> and political  beliefs.  The ISOC.SL provides the forum for  
>>> public Institutions to  collaborate with Government, Private  
>>> Sector, Business and others in  ensuring their vision for  
>>> information collection and dissemination is  achieved.  
>>> Representatives of frontline institutions are already  engaging  
>>> this process by getting involved in the establishment of  ISOC.SL
>>>
>>> Internet Related Service in the Private Sector (Conrad Parkzes):
>>>
>>> Establishment of ISOC.SL will encourage standardization and   
>>> uniformity as well as collaboration between the different  
>>> providers  of Internet related services in Sierra Leone  
>>> ultimately providing the  end-users with a much more productive  
>>> and enriching Internet  experience.  Currently Sierra Leone has  
>>> approximately ten different  Internet Service providers mostly  
>>> centered around the capital city of  Freetown.  ISP use separate  
>>> infrastructure with no direct inter- connectivity in the country.  
>>> Traffic from one service provider to  another has to go across  
>>> satellite links to Europe and/or North  America before going back  
>>> down to the other user thereby creating a  less than optimal  
>>> Internet experience for users especially when  trying to access  
>>> local content such as online newspapers, government  agency  
>>> websites, etc.  ISOC.SL will work with local government and   
>>> Internet industry stakeholders to work on the creation of a  
>>> ‘carrier  hotel’ environment whereby local content is encouraged  
>>> to remain  local thus contributing to Sierra Leone eventually  
>>> becoming a net  producer as it relates to the Internet instead of  
>>> the current state  where the country is a net consumer.
>>>
>>> ISOC.SL will also work to encourage the establishment of fiber   
>>> connectivity across key towns/cities in the country as well as   
>>> obtaining access to the SAT-3 fiber link for Internet access.   
>>> With  VSAT satellite Internet access being the only option  
>>> currently for  outside links to the country, the cost for  
>>> Internet service to end- users is still very high as providers  
>>> have high backbone costs thus  severely limiting the rate of  
>>> Internet penetration in the country.   ISOC.SL in collaboration  
>>> with key stakeholders will work to encourage  investment in  
>>> Internet backbone bandwidth to help decrease the cost  of  
>>> Internet service to end-users thereby helping to bridge the much   
>>> talked about digital divide.  The recently formed National   
>>> Telecommunications Commission has established a Universal access   
>>> telecommunications fund that will be used to fund the expansion  
>>> of  Internet and Telecommunications services to rural areas.   
>>> ISOC.SL  will work with this commission on coming up with  
>>> solutions such as  those from companies such as Inveneo and Green  
>>> Wi-fi that are built  specifically for energy deprived economies  
>>> like Sierra Leone.   Availability of high bandwidth links will  
>>> have significant economic  impact for the country as Sierra Leone  
>>> will then be in a better  position to take advantage of its low  
>>> cost, educated English-speaking  workforce to offer services such  
>>> as call center outsourcing and banks  and other businesses.  
>>> Currently businesses rely on expensive VSAT  links for  
>>> connectivity between sites. In future, with high bandwidth,  they  
>>> will have lower Internet and connectivity costs and in turn pass   
>>> the cost savings on to the consumers.
>>>
>>>
>>> Private Sector’s Competitive Advantage in Delivering IT Services   
>>> (Daniel Chaytor):
>>>
>>> It is well known that the strategic use of information  
>>> technologies  such as the Internet can work as a catalyst for a  
>>> country’s  development and contribute significantly to its  
>>> competitive  advantage. The ISOC.SL initiative provides a unique  
>>> opportunity for  private sector IT firms in Sierra Leone to  
>>> network and partner with  similar firms both within Sierra Leone  
>>> and in the sub-region and the  rest of the world. It also allows  
>>> the achievement of economies of  scale by providing training,  
>>> assisting in the production of local  content and providing  
>>> content production and hosting services to  other organizations  
>>> wanting to produce their own content and make it  available online.
>>>
>>> ISOC.SL will work actively to pursue funding to tap into the  
>>> SAT-3  Fiber link that encircles the African continent. This will  
>>> provide  robust, affordable, high-speed internet access for  
>>> Sierra Leone. As  in the case of the Gambia, Internet service  
>>> providers can benefit by  providing new access technologies to  
>>> end users once the link is in  place. A more efficient means to  
>>> administer and manage the .sl domain  also becomes a reality.
>>>
>>> Extract from National Communication Project (Lionel George)
>>>
>>> The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) Communications Strategy,   
>>> adopted by cabinet in November 2005 as the National  
>>> Communication  Strategy, identifies “public information  
>>> dissemination” as “crucial  to democracy and instrumental to  
>>> sustaining peace in Sierra Leone.”  The GoSL Communications  
>>> Strategy document, now constituted in the  GoSL Communications  
>>> Strategy project with funding from the United  Nations  
>>> Development Program (UNDP) County office, noted the   
>>> ineffectiveness of government at “communication some of the   
>>> undeniable gains made since the war”/ It argues for a newly   
>>> resourced, strategic and business-focused communication approach  
>>> for  public information” in the country. The document proposes  
>>> “open  channels of communication approach for public information”  
>>> in the  country. The document proposes “open channels of  
>>> communication” among  its identified stakeholders as a lead to an  
>>> informed citizenry and an  attractant for foreign investment  
>>> capital, while helping to build  confidence in the GoSL with “all  
>>> constituencies, national and  international”.
>>>
>>> The project implementation strategy lays out key “strategic   
>>> management objectives”: information coordination, information   
>>> management and dissemination.
>>> This involves coordination of information at the line ministry  
>>> level  and a regular, efficient and effective information  
>>> management and  dissemination approach targeted to key  
>>> constituencies. In a general  sense, the project calls for the  
>>> provision of “strategic assistance” in:
>>>
>>> * Capacity building (training, technical assistance and exchange  
>>> of  experiences to strengthen national communication offices and  
>>> functions
>>> * Support to Execution (specific, tailored support in media   
>>> relations, opinion polling)
>>> * Advocacy (facilitating dialogue between GoSL and Journalists,   
>>> consensus building and policy advisory as required for project   
>>> implementation).
>>>
>>> Hi Anne:
>>>
>>> Apologies for missing out the contact details. Please see the   
>>> attached two tables below, and let me know if you need anything  
>>> else.
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>> Chrystabel Davis
>>> cdavis at sierravisions.org
>>>
>>> D. List of Founding Members.
>>>
>>> Chrystabel Davis
>>> E-Mail: cdavis at sierravisions.org
>>> Phone Number: 1 240 328 0728
>>> Mobile Number: 1 240 328 0728
>>> Fax Number: 1 240 554 1555
>>>
>>> Adrian Labor
>>> Email: aqlabor at sierraleoneportal.net
>>> Phone Number 240 271 4602
>>>
>>> Cecil John
>>>   E-Mail: cj at virtualdeveloper.com
>>> Phone Number: 703 5974378
>>> Fax Number: 202 3187673
>>>
>>> Daniel Chaytor
>>> Email: chay at tmm-web.com
>>> Phone: +232-22-240747
>>> Fax: +232-22-240747
>>> Mobile: +232-76-60520
>>>
>>> Lionel George
>>> Email: lag at ipam-usl.org
>>> Phone Number: +232 76 608450 /33 608450
>>>
>>> Maxwell Massaquoi
>>> Email: mmassaquoi at broadrangesolutions.com
>>> Phone: +232 (33) 312920
>>>
>>> Conrad  Coyanda-Parkzes
>>> E-Mail: cparkzes at apafrica.com
>>> Phone: +1 703 935 1566
>>> Mobile : +1 703 300 2032
>>> Fax : +1 703 656 4752
>>>
>>> Bimbola Carrol
>>> Email: info at otolo.net
>>> Phone: +4420 7193 4532
>>> Mobile: +44 7939 016 405
>>> Fax: +44 20 8181 6571
>>>
>>> Evelyn Lewis
>>> Email: elewis at sbtsgroup.com
>>> Phone: +232-33-344-266, + 1-202-595-1955x555
>>>
>>> Agyeman Taqi
>>> E-Mail: tiqtaq2001 at hotmail.com
>>> Phone Number: +232 22 223736
>>> Mobile Number: +232 76 655998
>>> Fax Number: +232 22 226143
>>>
>>> These are members who’ve already signed up as Individual Global  
>>> ISOC  Chapter Members:
>>>
>>> Mr. Adel S. Suliman
>>> Mr. Ansumana J Kaikai
>>> Mr. Vivian Sidney Gorvie
>>> Mr. Aiah Kortequee
>>> Mr. Alvin Emerson-Thomas
>>> Ms. Tayseer Abdel-razig
>>> Mr. Chinya Harleston
>>> Ms. Chrystabel Davis
>>> Mr. Cecil John
>>> Mrs. Malak M Abdel-razig
>>> Mr. Kizito Kaloko
>>> Mr. Adeyemi Browne
>>> Mr. Alphonso Pratt
>>> Mr. Ishmael Kargbo
>>> Mr. Claudius John
>>>   Mr. Tamba Kortequee
>>> Mr. Joseph James
>>> Mr. Momoh Conteh
>>> Mr. John Awoonor-Gordon
>>> Dr. Abdul Karim Bangura
>>> Mr. Linford Roy-Macauley
>>> Mr. Chrisford Davis
>>> Mr. Martin Malamah-Thomas
>>> Mr. Michael Kowa
>>> Mr. Adrian Labor
>>> Mr  Ayodele Spencer
>>> Mr  Maxwell Massaquoi
>>> Mr. Desmond Bishop
>>> Mr  Claribel Hinton/Sawyerr
>>> Mr  Mamesho Macaulay
>>> Mr  Ade Daramy
>>> Dr. Bidemi Carrol
>>> Ms. Giileh Scholtz
>>> Ms. Edleen Elba
>>> Ms. Noellen Barber.
>>> Ms. Angeline Bishop
>>> Mr. Conrad Parkzes
>>> Ms. Leah Mansaray
>>> Mr. Bimbola Carrol
>>> Mr. Daniel Chaytor
>>> Mr. Agyeman Taqi
>>> Mr. Lionel George
>>> Mr. Daniel Chaytor
>>> Mr. Evelyn Lewis
>>>
>>> E. List of ISOC.SL Supporting Organizations/Partners.
>>>
>>> E. List of ISOC.SL Supporting Organizations/Partners.
>>>
>>> Sierra Leone National Telecommunications (NATCom)
>>> Maxwell Massaquoi
>>> Email: mmassaquoi at broadrangesolutions.com
>>> Phone: +232 (33) 312920
>>>
>>> Sierra Visions
>>> Mamesho Macaulay
>>> mamacaulay at sierravisions.org
>>> Phone: 1 240 328 0728
>>>
>>> Sierra Leone Network
>>> Amadu Massally
>>> amadu.massally at gmail.com
>>> Phone: 703 9559212
>>>
>>> Sierra Leone Telecommunications Limited (Sierratel)
>>> Claudius John
>>> Email: support at sierratel.sl
>>> Phone Number: +232 22 235981
>>>
>>> APA
>>> Mohamed Hersi
>>> mhersi at apafrica.com
>>> Phone +1 703 626 2651
>>>
>>> SBTS Group
>>> Roselynn Lewis
>>> rlewis at sbtsgroup.com
>>> Phone: +232-76-768-440
>>>
>>> Virtual Developer
>>>   E-Mail: cj at virtualdeveloper.com
>>> Phone Number: 703 5974378
>>> Fax Number: 202 3187673
>>>
>>> Tiwai Memory Masters
>>> Mohamed Alpha Turay
>>> pheaus at tmm-web.com
>>> Phone: +232-76-602729
>>>
>>> BroadRange Solutions
>>> Maxwell Massaquoi
>>> Email: mmassaquoi at broadrangesolutions.com
>>> Phone: +232 (33) 312920
>>>
>>> Digitized Networks
>>> Adrian Q. Labor
>>> DNetWorks at sierraleoneportal.net
>>>
>>> CISCO
>>> Gordon Williams
>>> Email: gowillia at cisco.com
>>> HP
>>>
>>> Bolaji Olutade
>>> Email: bolajio at sbcglobal.net
>>> IBM Corporation
>>>
>>> Leah Mansaray
>>> Email: mansaray at uk.ibm.com
>>> Phone: + 44 793 9455782
>>>
>>> Otolo Web Solutions/ VisitSierraLeone
>>> Bimbola Carrol
>>> Email: info at otolo.net
>>> Phone: +4420 7193 4532
>>> Mobile: +44 7944 356 110
>>> Fax: +44 20 8181 6571
>>>
>>> QuantumNet
>>> Agyeman Taqi
>>> E-Mail: isoc at quantum.sl
>>> Phone Number: +232 22 223736
>>> Fax Number: +232 22 226143
>>>
>>>
>>> F. Local Requirements
>>>
>>> The local requirements to qualify the Sierra Leone Chapter as   
>>> Organization with Legal Entity Status that have been completed  
>>> are as  follows:
>>>
>>> 1. Developed  and lodged an ISOC.SL Deed of Establishment at an   
>>> Sierra Leone Public Notary. (See Appendix A)
>>>
>>> G. Additional Information
>>>
>>> Additionally, we have attached an excerpt of the National   
>>> Communication’s (NatCom) .gov.sl Project (See Appendix B)
>>>
>>> H. Your Contact Information
>>> Name: Chrystabel Davis
>>> Business Address: P.O. BOX 3271, Laurel, MD 20708
>>> E-Mail: cdavis at sierravisions.org
>>> Phone Number: 1 240 328 0728
>>> Mobile Number: 1 240 328 0728
>>> Fax Number: 1 240 554 1555
>>>
>> _____________________________________________
>> Chapter-delegates mailing list
>> Chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org
>> http://elists.isoc.org/mailman/listinfo/chapter-delegates
>>
>
>
> I wish to support the formation of the Sierra Leone ISOC chapter.
>
> The Sierra Leonese internauts have worked very hard in the last few
> years to have better connectivity and educate the people on the  
> Internet
> benefits. I admire their perseverance because despite  barriers  
> such as
> the war, poverty, expensive equipment , lack of infrastructure, etc.,
> they are creating a better world for the new generations.
>
> I worked in Sierra Leone for few months in 1998, at the time Sierra
> Leone was first connected to the Internet so, I have met and worked  
> with
> most of the people from the ISOC Sierra Leone (including Adrian Labor,
> Christable Davis, Lionel George and Daniel Chaytor, etc).
>
> Therefore, I hope the chapter gets accepted because they deserve it.
>
> Many thanks
>
> Rosa
>
> Anne Lord wrote:
>> Dear Chrystabel,
>>
>> Thank you very much for your application. I will review the documents
>> you have sent and get back to you shortly.
>>
>> with best wishes,
>>
>> Anne
>>
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Anne Lord, Senior Manager                             <lord at isoc.org>
>> Chapter & Individual Memberships                  Ph: +41-22-807-1449
>> Internet Society (ISOC)                           Fx: +41-22-807-1445
>> "The Internet is for everyone"                    http://www.isoc.org
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> On 16/03/2007, at 10:41 PM, C Davis wrote:
>>
>>> Dear Sir/Madam:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> In lieu of our application to form the Sierra Leone Chapter of the
>>> Internet Society (ISOC.SL), please find attached the following:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>    1. An official Application: See ISOCSLApplication.doc
>>>
>>>    2. A completed set of bylaws conforming to ISOC chapter policies:
>>> See ISOCSLApplication.doc
>>>
>>>    3. A list of 44 ISOC.SL members (existing members of ISOC): See
>>> ISOCSLApplication.doc
>>>
>>>    4. Application Appendices: See ISOCSLAppendices.zip
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Additionally, the interim ISOC.SL portal is located on:
>>> http://www.sierravisions.org/isocsl/.  Should you have any questions
>>> or need anything else, please feel free to contact me at any of the
>>> numbers below.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Thank you for your kind consideration.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>>
>>> Chrystabel Davis
>>>
>>> President/Co-Founder
>>>
>>> www.sierravisions.org
>>>
>>> Voice (US): 1 240 328 0728
>>>
>>> Fax (US): 1 240 554 1555
>>>
>>> Voice (Africa): + 232 76 801 969 | +234 805 170 5856
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> <ISOCSLApplication.doc>
>>> <ISOCSLAppendices.zip>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Anne Lord, Senior Manager                             <lord at isoc.org>
Chapter & Individual Memberships                  http://www.isoc.org
Internet Society (ISOC)                "The Internet is for everyone"
---------------------------------------------------------------------







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