[Chapter-delegates] Role of chapters

[Narelle Clark President ISOC-AU]

On Tue, October 1, 2013 5:53 pm, Ousmane MOUSSA TESSA wrote:
> To end my thought, let's me assume that question has a quick response :
> "each chapter has the right and the duty to set up ITS ACTIVITIES and
> ultimately to find means to overcome financial and human resources
> difficulties encountered".

That is the approach that we in Australia have always taken. We understand
our environment, and there is a reasonably mature legal framework within
our country to support not-for-profit, non government organisations. We
don't have the 'regulatory' difficulties that other chapters have. We've
also found it very easy to work with the broader ISOC, too. Chapters, org
members, staff and management.

We've also been lucky in the past, and mostly at present, to be able to
tap sources of income to support our work. Though, of course, over the
years that has ebbed and flowed... We've also been prepared to do
different things. At present raising money through events hasn't been as
effective, as people expect things to be BIG, don't want to pay much, and
that takes a lot of sponsorship, marketing and promotional effort, and
that costs a LOT. Either in time or money or both. It is also a very
crowded market - who wants to compete against CeBIT for attendees??!! Not
me. It's too hard!

We charge membership dues, but they have stayed the same for quite a few
years. I find, too, the biggest impact on our membership numbers is our
participation in the media and that is dependent on issues! Luckily(?) we
never seem to be short of those. Where media becomes challenging is the
time it takes, and the potential for real and perceived conflicts of
interest with employment and private business interests.

We've been able to get government and other grants, too, but these can
often take more time than they fund, so you need to be really careful.

Anyway - just a few thoughts from a chapter leader :-)


Narelle


-- 


Narelle Clark
President
Internet Society of Australia

president at isoc-au.org.au
www.isoc-au.org.au
Twitter: @ISOCAU