[Chapter-delegates] By-laws discussion during the Global INET

[Michael Snell]

I've got to agree with John, but I have recently been involved in two
501(c)3 filings in the State of California (one for SF Bay ISOC itself, the
other for a charitable non-profit for which I function as a non-voting
Board member). Board members of both non-profits expressed the same concern
to their legal counsels, and the feedback was that it was a groundless
fear. Exercising First Amendment rights is not construed as influencing
elections or legislation. Bribing a legislator, on the other hand... but
that's not what we're about at all.

Mike Snell
San Francisco Bay Area Chapter

On Tue, Apr 24, 2012 at 12:27 AM, JOHN MORE <morej1 at mac.com> wrote:

> As a US Lawyer who has set up 501c3s that are "mission drive", I am
> unaware that US law prohibits or impedes membership having influence and
> control.  I wrote the bylaws for Washington Interfaith Network, a
> grassroots political organization. It has 55 member institutions, churches,
> mosques, synagogues, labor union local units, and citizen groups. It is
> non-partisan, but prepares scorecards for politicians on WIN's agenda and
> lobbies for affordable housing, jobs, etc. The agenda is developed through
> meetings of individual members organized by member institution. The members
> represent some 15,000 people. The member institutions vote for the five
> co-chairs, treasurer, secretary, and for the Board of Directors. ISOC's
> Chapters are the equivalent and can serve the same function.  US law should
> not be used as an excuse.
>
> John More
> Greater Washington DC Chapter
> Geneva
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On Apr 24, 2012, at 8:48 AM, Klaus Birkenbihl <Klaus.Birkenbihl at Isoc.de>
> wrote:
>
> > Not sure if I can make it here my 2pence for the discussion.
> > we learned:
> >  - ISOC is cause based
> >  - funny enough according to some US legislation this can be used
> >    as a reason to deny influence and control to the membership
> > So the message we hear is (this applies to all earlier ISOC bylaws
> > as well): we are allowed to do it this way therefore we do it this
> > way.
> > So ISOC took the easy way to bridge the gap between a - at least
> > conceptually - huge membership and limiting the power and control
> > to mostly a "knowledgeable" inner circle. This makes it easier
> > to provide continuity and stability, but can also be the source
> > of nepotism and cliquism.
> > But what it doesn't reflect is the spirit of the Internet: openness,
> > transparency and participation. Even the discussion that was set-up
> > lacks this openness by separating the org members discussion from
> > the personal members discussion. Divide et impera?
> > Without getting to much in details: I would appreciate if ISOC
> > would become an organization that does a better job in balancing
> > pretension and reality. Wrt the bylaws this means that we should
> > do a better shop in balancing competence, commitment and
> > influence. This would much better serve our cause than using
> > the cause as an excuse to continue to run a mostly closed shop.
> >
> > Best, Klaus
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Ted Mooney wrote on 2012-04-21 15:48:
> >> Dear ISOC Member,
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> On Tuesday, April 24 from 13:00 to 14:30 there will be an open meeting
> for
> >> ISOC members to discuss the proposed changes to the by-laws.  Eric
> Burger,
> >> Chairperson for the Board of Trustees Sub-committee on the By-laws with
> >> other staff and trustees will be there for discussions and to answer
> >> questions.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> The meeting will be held at the CICG Telecoms Center, between the RC
> and the
> >>
> >> -1 levels.  Please look for the signs.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Best regards,
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Ted Mooney
> >>
> >> Sr. Director, Membership & Services
> >>
> >> The Internet Society
> >>
> >> <http://www.isoc.org> www.isoc.org
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Direct Line: 703.439.2774
> >>
> >> Cell:           301.980.6446
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Chapter-delegates mailing list
> >> Chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org
> >> https://elists.isoc.org/mailman/listinfo/chapter-delegates
> >
> > --
> > Klaus Birkenbihl
> > Internet Society German Chapter e.V. (ISOC.DE)
> > c/o ict-Media GmbH
> > http://www.isoc.de/
> > <Klaus_Birkenbihl.vcf>
> > _______________________________________________
> > Chapter-delegates mailing list
> > Chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org
> > https://elists.isoc.org/mailman/listinfo/chapter-delegates
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