[Chapter-delegates] The Cambodia problem is not "the staff" but "the chiefs"

[Dave Burstein]

Folks

Veni and Bryan jumped to the defense of the operational staff of ISOC, most
of whom are dedicated, hardworking and responsive. I believe David
Solomonoff shares that belief as well. The problem was not the operating
people but policies, sometimes arbitrary, imposed from above.

    When David and previously I criticized "staff" we were speaking of the
most senior "staffers," starting with the CEO who has already resigned. I
know she has at least three times refused both public and private requests
(one mine) to at least talk with the Cambodians.

   Until ISOC becomes itself "multi-stakeholder," we should stop preaching
to others they should be "multi-stakeholder."

   If Lynn (and Markus) don't want to engage with the chapters and
members, they should get out of the way and have the board appoint acting
officials.

   No responsible chief of a membership organization should refuse to even
talk with an active group of members. In this case, at least a dozen
chapters echoes the request she get involved. Some of the issues the
Cambodians raised were probably unnecessary; others were clearly
substantive.

   ISOC is potentially a very valuable tool. Let's all work to live up to
our principles.

Dave Burstein

On Tue, Nov 5, 2013 at 1:17 PM, Veni Markovski <veni at veni.com> wrote:

>  I would agree with you, Bryan.
> I don't think the staff is to be blamed.
> And I am really sad about the dissolution of ISOC-KH.
> I believe that ISOC should try to repair the damage. Hope they can do it.
>
> v.
>
>  On 11/05/13 09:37, Bryan Tan wrote:
>
>  While I agree this turn of events is tragic, I would not be quick to
> point fingers.
>  In Singapore, we encounter the same set of ISOC staff and have found them
> to be helpful and supportive. Sure, there are times when we do not get
> things our way but the aim is for the betterment of the community, not our
> individual wants.
>
> I have also just come back from Bali and interacted with over 35 ISOC
> fellows and chapter representatives and none had anything bad to say about
> ISOC staff.
>
>  As someone pointed out, in this week where Cambodia dissolves, two new
> chapters have applied for admission - it can't be all that bad.
>
>
> On Tue, Nov 5, 2013 at 11:12 AM, David Solomonoff <president at isoc-ny.org>wrote:
>
>>  This is tragic - both for Cambodia's netizens (past, present and
>> future) and for ISOC.
>>
>> It will have long-term negative consequences for the global organization
>> in ways that are hard to anticipate. But first and foremost will be the
>> temptation for other Chapters to dissolve or dissociate whenever there is
>> disagreement.
>>
>> If other Chapters follow a similar path, the credibility - and even the
>> viability - of ISOC will be severely damaged.
>>
>> The ISOC staff who allowed this to happen have made a grievous error.
>>
>>
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