[Chapter-delegates] BROADBAND TECHNOLOGY OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM

[Connie Kendig]

I think Narelle made some really valid points about the time and  
effort needed for such an undertaking, particularly when gov't funds  
are involved, and that as a volunteer-driven organization, we will  
need substantial motivation from our US Chapters to conduct the  
proposed work and reporting.

I'd be happy to facilitate the process with our US Chapters and will  
contact them as a group directly.

Connie J Kendig
Sponsored Programs & Grants Manager
Internet Society
www.isoc.org

<Kendig at isoc.org>
Tel: (703) 439-2136

On Feb 20, 2009, at 3:46 AM, <Narelle.Clark at csiro.au> <Narelle.Clark at csiro.au 
 > wrote:

>
>
>> From:  Chris Grundemann
>> Sent: Friday, 20 February 2009 10:22 AM
> <snippage>
>> Also, I wonder about the broader question of government grants in
>> general; is this something that ISOC chapters have ever taken
>> advantage of?  I can understand not wanting to be too beholden but on
>> an individual project level what are the arguments against?
>
> ISOC-AU has been the beneficiary of a range of Australian government  
> grants and we have found them really helpful in balancing the books,  
> as well as meeting actually useful goals!
>
> These have fallen into three categories:
> - consumer education and consultation on Internet matters (TCCM  
> program)
> http://www.isoc-au.org.au/TCCM/
>
> - conference sponsorship (IPv6 Summit)
> http://www.ipv6.org.au/summit/
>
> - specific technology work (IPv6 for eBusiness project)
> http://www.ipv6.org.au/
>
> The consultations also inform our various government submissions:
> see www.isoc-au.org.au for the list of recent ones.
>
> The down side of accepting government money is that people tend then  
> to be guarded about criticising government policy, approaches etc.  
> You can also be painted as pushing a particular government's  
> approach, and when governments/policies change one is in danger of  
> being thought of as being aligned to a particular party/lobby/unit.
>
> It is not necessarily a bad thing to be aware of the political  
> sensitivities, but it does add a layer of (arguably necessary)  
> diplomacy to things. Issues do get politicised, and sometimes the  
> association needs to be political, but we must always remain non- 
> partisan, independent and user-focused. That is challenging!
>
> The other challenge is merely on executing and completing projects  
> within a largely voluntary organisation. People are lending their  
> own time and expertise, and don't necessarily have the ability to  
> commit, even when you are paying for it. You need to ensure you  
> manage the projects effectively, and meet the (often onerous)  
> government reporting demands. Project management is always  
> challenging, but when you are spending public money there will be  
> extra demands to spend it well and report how you did so in detail.
>
>
> All the best
>
>
> Narelle
> VP ISOC-AU
>
>
>
>
>
>
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