[Chapter-delegates] Fwd: Renewal Internet Society Chapter Charter

Ted Mooney mooney at isoc.org
Mon Nov 18 06:24:36 PST 2013 

Grigori,

Independent NGOs can perform and act as they wish, again according to
their by-laws.  An Internet society chapter defined in the ISOC by-laws is
a
group of ISOC members formed for the purpose of promoting the values,
principles and mission of the Internet Society.  It is the Society's duty
to frame and measure that promotion. As you have suggested in the past,
NGOs not willing or able to agree to this framework might look to become
organization members rather than chapters. Keep in mind, though that every
one of our organization members operates under an MOU defining the
expectations and structure of the relationship. It is proper and important
that there be mutual written commitment and understanding for the
performance expectations on both sides.  Is it your position that chapters
do not need such a mutual understanding?

While there may be another category of relationship that is neither
organization nor chapter, it is not defined in the by-laws, and would be
an operational, non-voting relationship were it to exist. However, to be
an Internet Society Chapter, to receive the funds and support and to vote
for trustees, there are standards and MUTUAL performance expectations that
must be defined and agreed in writing.

It was my belief and hope that we could build upon the work already
completed and reviewed.  This work embodied in the 2012 Letter of
Affiliation was halted at chapter request as the new by-laws were
completed. With the new by-laws adopted, the re-chartering letter you have
been asked to sign essentially reaffirms the principles and mutual
expectations agreed now over 18 months ago.  That some of our chapters
were not present at that time does not diminish the collaboration and
agreed outcome of that process.  In fact, most who have become chapters in
the last 9 months have agreed to these minimum and mutual performance
standards which have been incorporated into the application process.

20 chapters plus the 3 new chapters in 2013 have already agreed these MPS.
I want to be very clear that we are sensitive and flexible with respect
to complying with local laws and customs, particularly with respect to
membership issues. But to respect those who have already signed and to
assure we have clear and agreed performance benchmarks to measure the
strength of the relationship and the opportunity for local impact,
we respectfully request your engagement in this process through a
mutually agreed conclusion.

Best regards,

Ted



On 11/17/13 4:02 PM, "Grigori Saghyan" <gregor at arminco.com> wrote:

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>Dear Ted,
>first of all - ISOC is very important organization for the Internet,
>it keeps the spirit of first days of the Internet. I am proud to be a
>member of ISOC from 1996. I beleve, that at that time there was no any
>Chapter.
>
>But:
>
>First of all - why any  Chapter today  need to follow any performance
>standards, developed by 5 Chapter leaders and two staff members long
>time ago?
>
>I do not see any reason for any Chapter to follow any requirement,
>developed by foreign organization (ISOC US).
>
> If they are subsidiaries - it's ok, they must have any document
>(agreement)  with their rights and obligations, including performance
>standards obligations.
>
>But I read from your explanations, that Chapters  are independent NGOs.
>So, if it is an independent NGO, this NGO can act according its
>bylaws, without any performance standards. Can say more - even minimal
>performance standards, imposed by other organization, looks not
>logical and are unacceptable in general.
>
>I think main problem is here- once more -  who are Chapters? Are they
>independent NGOs?
>
>I think the clear answer on this question will provide healthy
>relations inisde ISOC as a global community.
>
>
>Grigori Saghyan
>ISOC.AM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>On 18.11.2013 0:35, Ted Mooney wrote:
>> Veni, the minimum performance standards are referenced in the by
>> laws but as they are subject to operational updates and changes
>> were not codified within the by-laws one by one. They were
>> developed prior to my arrival at ISOC by a seven member panel
>> consisting of five chapter leaders and two ISOC staff (Anne Lord
>> was one of them). These were then circulated for additional comment
>> and review before appearing in the letter of affiliation.
>> 
>> While I was not personally involved at all in their development, I
>> support the MPS and believe they are truly that, minimal. Since
>> they were developed by chapter leaders and presented to chapters
>> for review and comment, it seems to me that operationally, a good
>> process was followed.
>> 
>> Happy to discuss further going forward
>> 
>> Ted
>> 
>> Sent from my iPad
>> 
>> On Nov 16, 2013, at 12:17 PM, "Veni Markovski" <veni at veni.com
>> <mailto:veni at veni.com>> wrote:
>> 
>>> Ted, Joyce, would you, please, point me to the adequate Board
>>> resolution, agreeing the text that you sent to the chapters? I
>>> tried to find it, but was not successful. I have also written in
>>> my original email (see below Elver's comments) that I would like
>>> to hear more on some of the items and requirements, as they are
>>> not seen in the by-laws, and I don't believe we have received an
>>> answer who created them, were they approved by the Board, and if
>>> so, why are they not in the by-laws.
>>> 
>>> best, veni
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On 10/13/13 06:49, Elver Loho wrote:
>>>> Hi all,
>>>> 
>>>> We received the same letter at the Estonian chapter and I
>>>> quickly filed it under "things to get angry about later",
>>>> because I had work to do.
>>>> 
>>>> My reaction may have been colored by the fact that during the
>>>> last recent stink on this list, I sent a letter to Frederic on
>>>> October 1st proposing a very concrete plan to start a
>>>> pan-European policy cooperation working group to strenghten
>>>> ISOC's presence in Europe and to get European chapters involved
>>>> in actual policy work. And thus far he has failed to reply.
>>>> 
>>>> We really need to come back to the core questions, otherwise
>>>> we'll never get these things sorted out.
>>>> 
>>>> 1. What is the role of chapters in ISOC? 2. What is the single
>>>> most important thing that ISOC expects chapters to do on a
>>>> day-to-day basis? 3. How does ISOC expect chapters to finance
>>>> this activity?
>>>> 
>>>> I may be a bit cynical here, but it seems to me that the role
>>>> of chapters is to show that ISOC has widespread support around
>>>> the globe, so as to get funding from PIR. And that ISOC does
>>>> not expect chapters to do anything, except get more members.
>>>> And that chapters should operate on an entirely voluntary
>>>> basis, acquiring new disciples, new names on a list.
>>>> 
>>>> Personally, when we joined ISOC, I was expecting at least some
>>>> sort of policy coordination and joint lobbying effort. I was
>>>> expecting that chapters would get access to experts in
>>>> international law, so that we could lobby better and ask
>>>> questions about upcoming treaties. I was expecting that we
>>>> would get access to a whole knowledge base and a network of
>>>> people to help us coordinate global policy. I was expecting to
>>>> get involved. To participate.
>>>> 
>>>> Thus far I've been disappointed beyond belief.
>>>> 
>>>> Best, Elver .ee
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> elver.loho at gmail.com <mailto:elver.loho at gmail.com> +372 5661
>>>> 6933 skype: elver.loho
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> On 13 October 2013 12:44, Veni Markovski <veni at veni.com
>>>> <mailto:veni at veni.com>> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Hi, guys. I guess you have received similar letters?
>>>> 
>>>> I already emailed Joyce that there are some issues with the
>>>> requirements, mainly in the responsibility of the chapters ;-)
>>>> Seems like ISOC is not concerned too much about the EU
>>>> personal data protection, or the fact that may be in some
>>>> chapters you cannot be a member of the global ISOC, or that in
>>>> some cases the elections of the Board may not take place every
>>>> year, or every two years; or that the number of terms may not
>>>> be limited; or that filing updates with ISOC may mean extra
>>>> weight on the chapters to produce the documents from the
>>>> General Assembly in English; or that sharing information with
>>>> the ISOC staff may not be appropriate; or that promoting ISOC
>>>> strategic positions could be considered very inappropriate
>>>> (what? considering the position of a US-based non-profit???).
>>>> 
>>>> Further than that, they are telling us that if do not meet
>>>> "one or more" of the "minimum standards", a process of
>>>> "rejuvenation" will be initiated.
>>>> 
>>>> Somehow I miss all these in the ISOC by-laws, but may be
>>>> someone can enlightern us?
>>>> 
>>>> thanks, and have a great Sunday!
>>>> 
>>>> v.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> -------- Original Message -------- Subject: 	Renewal Internet
>>>> Society Chapter Charter Date: 	Fri, 11 Oct 2013 14:42:56 +0000
>>>> From: 	Joyce Dogniez <dogniez at isoc.org>
>>>> <mailto:dogniez at isoc.org> To: 	albena.arnaudova at gmail.com
>>>> <mailto:albena.arnaudova at gmail.com>
>>>> <albena.arnaudova at gmail.com>
>>>> <mailto:albena.arnaudova at gmail.com>, mitko at mitko.com
>>>> <mailto:mitko at mitko.com> <mitko at mitko.com>
>>>> <mailto:mitko at mitko.com>, dgreve at isoc.bg
>>>> <mailto:dgreve at isoc.bg> <dgreve at isoc.bg>
>>>> <mailto:dgreve at isoc.bg>, veni at veni.com <mailto:veni at veni.com>
>>>> <veni at veni.com> <mailto:veni at veni.com>, julia at isoc.bg
>>>> <mailto:julia at isoc.bg> <julia at isoc.bg> <mailto:julia at isoc.bg>
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Dear Chapter Chair,
>>>> 
>>>> Dear Chapter Officers,
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> As previously announced and in accordance with article IV of
>>>> the updated Bylaws of the Internet Society on 22 July 2013, I
>>>> am pleased to send you the updated Chapter Charter letter for
>>>> your Chapter, including the chapter minimum standards as well
>>>> as the outline of the support to be expected from the Internet
>>>> Society.
>>>> 
>>>> This letter reconfirms that the Chapter is chartered and
>>>> approved as a Chapter of the Internet Society.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> These mutual standards were developed in collaboration and
>>>> consultation with the Chapters over the past couple of years
>>>> prior to the Internet Society Board of Trustees review.  Their
>>>> implementation was placed on hold until passage of the updated
>>>> By-laws so that we could be certain that they were conform
>>>> with the amended and restated By-laws. The performance
>>>> standards herein reflect both the letter and the spirit of the
>>>> updated By-laws.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> I would kindly ask you to sign the Renewal Chapter Charter
>>>> letter and return it to chapter-support at isoc.org
>>>> <mailto:chapter-support at isoc.org> before the 15th of December
>>>> 2013.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Additionally, in accordance with Article VIII, Organisational
>>>> Members and Chapters shall each have the right to form an
>>>> Advisory body for the purpose of providing information and
>>>> advice to the Board of Trustees and the President of the
>>>> Internet Society on matters of strategic importance to that
>>>> community.
>>>> 
>>>> As kindly requested by a number of Chapter Officers you will
>>>> receive an invitation next week to join an initial working
>>>> group that will look at the creation and governance of the
>>>> Chapter Advisory body.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Should you wish to review the full revised By-laws :
>>>> 
>>>>http://www.internetsociety.org/who-we-are/governance-and-policies/amend
>>>>ed-and-restated-laws-internet-society
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Please do not hesitate to contact me or any member of the
>>>> Chapter Development Team for any further information.
>>>> 
>>>> Naveed Haq (Chapter Development Manager Asia-Pacific) and
>>>> myself will be at the IGF in Bali as well, and have set up a
>>>> calendar at http://doodle.com/6iwta8yep3kkrrpf should you wish
>>>> to meet there.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> I'd like to thank you for your continuous support and passion
>>>> to advance the Internet Society's mission in your region.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Kind regards
>>>> 
>>>> Joyce
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> -- Joyce Dogniez, CMM Director of Chapters Internet Society
>>>> 
>>>> dogniez at isoc.org <mailto:dogniez at isoc.org> tel: +352 621 266
>>>> 189 <tel:%2B352%20621%20266%20189> Skype: joycedogniez
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> --
>>>> 
>>>> Best, Veni Markovski http://www.veni.com
>>>> https://www.facebook.com/venimarkovski
>>>> https://twitter.com/veni
>>>> 
>>>> The opinions expressed above are those of the author, not of
>>>> any organizations, associated with or related to him in any
>>>> given way.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> _______________________________________________ As an Internet
>>>> Society Chapter Officer you are automatically subscribed to
>>>> this list, which is regularly synchronized with the Internet
>>>> Society Chapter Portal (AMS): https://portal.isoc.org
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> --
>>> 
>>> Best, Veni Markovski http://www.veni.com
>>> https://www.facebook.com/venimarkovski https://twitter.com/veni
>>> 
>>> The opinions expressed above are those of the author, not of any
>>> organizations, associated with or related to him in any given
>>> way.
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________ As an Internet
>> Society Chapter Officer you are automatically subscribed to this
>> list, which is regularly synchronized with the Internet Society
>> Chapter Portal (AMS): https://portal.isoc.org
>> 
>
>
>- -- 
>Grigori Saghyan
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>_______________________________________________
>As an Internet Society Chapter Officer you are automatically subscribed
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>Chapter Portal (AMS): https://portal.isoc.org

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