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

[JOHN MORE]

Klaus

I was not implying that that was what you were saying. I was merely stating in support of your position that US law should not be a concern in discussing the role of Chapters in the governance of the Society.

John

Sent from my iPad

On Apr 24, 2012, at 10:13 AM, Klaus Birkenbihl <Klaus.Birkenbihl at Isoc.de> wrote:

> I didn't say that 501(c)3 requires restricted membership rights.
> In fact I don't know. What I said is that in my understanding
> 501(c)3 is used as an argument in defense of the by-laws draft
> as it is.
> 
> Klaus
> 
> Michael Snell wrote on 2012-04-24 09:55:
>> 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>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>> 
>> 
> 
> -- 
> Klaus Birkenbihl
> Internet Society German Chapter e.V. (ISOC.DE)
> c/o ict-Media GmbH
> http://www.isoc.de/
> <Klaus_Birkenbihl.vcf>