[Chapter-delegates] Funding and a modest proposal for chapters and events

[Staffan Jonson]

Dave

I think You are on to something important here.

But first of all, let me acknowledge that excellent and really important work is beeing done by staff at ISOC.
I say this because I mean it, but also because we need to have such discussion without having people afraid for criticism (as you also mentioned).

Having said that, I agree that sourcing by employment isn't necessary and always the best way forward.
Expansion of an organization is sometimes the rationale for the organization itself, rather than the rationale for the cause.
(Needless to say, this is also relevant in the recent and contentious issue of the balance between central and chapter ISOC:s).

So let's stay focused on how we can organize around issues and events (WTPF, ITU Plenipotentiary 2014, anyone?), rather than around organizations.
Exerting leadership might be asking chapters if they can contribute with a specified task, origin from issues.
Another question: Which issues should be prioritized, and which shouldn't in such cooperation?

This is my two cents worth…
:)
Staffan

Mr. Staffan Jonson,
Member of board at ISOC-SE and  Senior Policy Adviser at
cc TLD .SE (The Internet Infrastructure foundation)
BOX 7399 | SE-103 91 STOCKHOLM | SWEDEN
Direct: +46 8 452 35 74 | SMS: +46 73 317 39 67
staffan.jonson at iis.se | www.iis.se/en


Från: Dave Burstein <daveb at dslprime.com<mailto:daveb at dslprime.com>>
Datum: fredag 15 mars 2013 06:18
Till: ISOC Chapter Delegates <chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org<mailto:chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org>>
Ämne: [Chapter-delegates] Funding and a modest proposal for chapters and events

Folks

    What would happen if ISOC shifted 10% of its current budget to low cost local initiatives (as suggested) and modest transportation reimbursements to members for international events?

    I bet the result would be far more bang for the buck than the same money spent on staff  and the current travel expenses.  Think how much the chapters could achieve with a few hundred thousand, much less 10% of the $30M ISOC budget.

    Currently, ISOC is spending several million dollars each year supporting the chapters. It's in the budget as "internal communications" and dozens of other titles, as well as those specifically assigned to regional/chapter work. Folks like Paul Brigner and Sally Wentworth are knocking themselves out to help the chapters. This isn't a criticism of their efforts.

    The current system has a place, but is brutally expensive. It appears a few hundred people are "active volunteers" in ISOC, although overall events pull more. That means we're currently spending several thousand per active volunteer. I think if some of that centrally spent money went directly to chapter expenses, the results could be extraordinary.

     How can we make this happen? One possibility is not to hire for the senior economics advocate currently listed as an open job, which is budgeted at several hundred thousand dollars. There is no shortage of economic analysis from ISOC's allies in policy and one more economist will add little to the discussion.

    Think how much more that money could do build the chapters and the direct international work of ISOC members.

    Let's find a way.

Dave Burstein

p.s. How I calculate that ISOC is spending several million on member and chapter support. The work of supporting them is shared among a few dozen people. When you think of the percent of the time of regional directors, more senior people, communications people, and their support and supervisory staff, it's easily 10-15 "full-time equivalents," some paid in the six figures. Alternately, if you assume that 20% of ISOC's effort is aimed at the chapters, that's $6M/year.

    I'm not disagreeing with spending the money on chapter support; instead, I'm suggesting some be spent by the chapters locally, efficiently and in small amounts.

     Much better results per dollar if done well, I think.


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