[Chapter-delegates] ISOC Board Meeting Update

[Veni Markovski]

Jon,
Thanks for the work done, and congratulations to everyone involved. A 
lengthly message follows:

the Business Plan is very long, and very confusing, with all the new 
titles, but I will not go into that direction, or else it will become 
like an editor's work. Some notes on some items:

- establishing ISOC as a trusted source of Internet information.
the Business plan says, that "the communications team will develop 
news-making tools such as surveys to create platform for ISOC thought 
leadership and awareness, cultivate media-friendly spokespeople and 
advocates to deliver ISOC messages (including chapter and bureau leaders)"

I am afraid that this will not help ISOC become a trusted source of 
Internet-related (related, right?) information. News happens without 
ISOC being there, it is, in fact very unlikely that ISOC can produce any 
news. The ISOC thought leadership can not make news; news happens, and 
media is there to report it. If ISOC makes the news, that would be 
great, but to believe that it may become a trusted source of 
information, that requires long history. For example, EPIC is a trusted 
source on privacy, and privacy-related issues. The Free Software 
Foundation is a trusted source on free and open source. Creative Commons 
is a trusted source on copyright issues. EDRI.org is a respected one in 
Europe, etc., etc.
Where does ISOC fit in this picture - to me it is unknown.
ISOC chapters - yes, some of them are trusted sources on different 
issues, in their respected countries or territories.
I would be happy, if ISOC could become this trusted source, but - sigh! 
- I believe by now it is too late, there are too many organizations, 
which are more relevant than ISOC in every field of the Internet.
I find the impact on page 22 as unachievable. This is, if I am not 
mistaken in my English, wishful thinking.

On the additional revenue sources (page 26), I can't see where this 
additional revenue will come from. By the way, what is the non-profit 
tax-exempt status of ISOC as of now? Is it already on the edge of losing 
it? For the non-US readers, ISOC has a serious problem with the Tax 
administration, because the majority of its funding comes from one 
source, PIR. The laws in the US require that the non-profits, which are 
tax exempt, should have more than one source of revenues. (and, to be 
tax exempt, means that the organizational members of ISOC, when they 
give money to ISOC, they are getting this money off their profits, and 
don't pay taxes on them). Oh, reading further, on page 48-49 I see 
explanation of this, under the Public Support Test  Review. It gives the 
following explanation "If ISOC cannot meet the 10% test for two years in 
a row, ISOC does not lose its tax-exempt status. Instead, it becomes a 
different type of charitable organization, a private foundation, with 
less beneficial tax treatment. Although this will have little financial 
impact on ISOC, PIR would also need to apply for status as a private 
foundation." Not really what we were hoping would happen, when we (that 
is, chapters) were sending hundreds of letters in support of PIR getting 
the .org bid.

On page 28 the document says,
"ISOC is the leading international organization acting as guardian of 
the future ‘health’ of the
Internet. Through the Chapters, individual members, and Organization 
members ISOC is at the
hub of the largest international network of people and organizations 
that work with the Internet."

Well, ISOC is not "THE" leading one. It is ONE of the leading ones. Such 
statements undermine our efforts, and also make other organizations less 
friendly. Nobody needs that, IMHO.
Then, the chapter leaders, according to the document, should be mainly 
dealing with running the chapters (that's how I read it, as a non-native 
English speaker). Then you put a requirement for "active, legitimate and 
reputable" chapters. I understand why this is there, but then, again - 
here's an example, ISOC-DC (in formation) is not "legitimate" yet, but 
it is active. The document speaks of some "significant resources" being 
deployed. I am not aware of this, could you elaborate?
And the document requires "recognition as fundamental" of two 
drivers..., which also may be questioned in some countries.

The five chapter themes (page 29) are quite good!

The funding (pages 37-38, etc.) efforts of ISOC - I've written long time 
ago, please, search through the database - ISOC could try to apply for 
projects grants from the EU, which are difficult to obtain and manage, 
but are very successful, and have great impact worldwide. You can 
partner with the chapters all over the world to be part of consortium, 
led by ISOC.

On page 47 I see that the European Bureau Director will be based in 
Brussels - something I tol you and others long time ago, is not a good 
move, because it again sends the signal that "Europe = European Union", 
and was suggesting having him/her based in Warsaw, or Moscow, or 
somewhere in Eastern Europe. Sigh... I see that this is Frederic Donck, 
who will be the European Bureau Director, is that correct? "A Vice 
President of Public Policy will be hired in the second quarter to 
replace the current Director who has moved to start up the European 
Regional Bureau."

See also comments below:
> Firstly, in 2010 ISOC’s support for Chapters is ‘going local’ and 
> there will be a strong focus on Chapter activity in the regions.  The 
> Regional Bureaus as well as other programmatic and departmental staff 
> from within ISOC will seek a higher level of engagement and support 
> regarding Chapter projects and activities.  Five key themes with 
> specific programmes will be driven throughout the year (see page 29 in 
> the Business Plan).
Yes, these five themes are good. How exactly do you plan to support the 
chapters? What funding is allocated for that, and under what conditions 
will it be executed?
> Fourthly, the Internet Society has made an important decision to 
> support W3C vis-a-vis a donation for the purpose of advancing the 
> evolution of W3C as an organization that creates open Web standards. 
>  ISOC pledged to support W3C efforts to implement a more agile, 
> inclusive, and flexible organizational structure. Both organizations 
> share similar values regarding the internet's development.  Both 
> organizations will continue to operate independently.
I think, in the interest of transparency, you should have told us what 
is the amount ($ 2.5 M) of this support, and not let us find it in the 
Q&A:) , but on another topic - how is the decision being taken to 
support W3C? For many years now, I have been among the people to suggest 
that ISOC should be supporting the Global Internet Policy Initiative, 
GIPI, which was run by George Sadowsky, and was a very successful model 
of changing the legal framework in countries, not known for their 
liberal legislation, or (some) for their democratic traditions. Yet, 
these efforts were never responded by ISOC, but you support the W3C. I 
don't say ISOC should not support the W3C, but frankly, with such an 
amount of money, GIPI could have achieved changes int the laws of a 
number of countries, which would have also a good impact on the openness 
of the Internet. And, it will support the ISOC chapter model, too. And 
it will help ISOC in their IGF efforts. For example, instead of 
sponsoring the ITU World Telecom with hundreds of thousands of dollars, 
ISOC could have influenced a number of countries, who are members of the 
ITU, to convey the message to the ITU...

I won't stop reminding ISOC about the GIPI, because 6-7 years ago, when 
I was part of GIPI, I know quite well how many good changes it brought 
to my own country, and I have seen them working in other countries, and 
they are doing wonderful job. I guess, other chapters may give other 
examples?

Best,
Veni
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