[Chapter-delegates] Role of chapters

[borka at e5.ijs.si]

+1. Veni is right.

Without chapters ISOC will consist of "organizational members" only, 
majority  of them are the most powerful U.S based corporations of the 
Internet economy. This can  be  also  a possibility for an association to 
exist with the current administration and staff,
but in that case ISOC will have no footing to claim that is representing civil 
society and the Internet users from the globe.

Best,

Borka

On Tue, 1 Oct 2013, Veni Markovski wrote:

> Narelle,
> I believe that Elver may have impressed himself not quite precisely, and 
> wouldn't jump to conclusions, before we hear more from him.
> The discussion about the role of chapters is starting from zero every few 
> years, when new members join this list, and that shows that not only there's 
> nothing new, but the BoT has not addressed the previous concerns, since they 
> keep on showing up. Perhaps some day there will be a positive change, and we 
> won't have to discuss the role of chapters again.
>
> My two cents: ISOC cannot exist without the chapters.
> The chapters, as independent non-profits, can exist without ISOC. In fact, 
> many of them have existed before they were officially announced as chapters, 
> and will continue to exist, once they stop being chapters.
> But ISOC needs the chapters to keep them legitimate, and to show to the world 
> that it is a global international organization, with chapters and members 
> around the globe. And last, but not least, the chapters are the vital 
> connection between ISOC HQ and the national governments, business, non 
> profits and civil society - all of which help ISOC keep the .org through the 
> PIR.
>
> best,
> veni
>
>
>
> On 09/30/13 22:54, Narelle Clark President ISOC-AU wrote:
>> Hi Elver
>> I have to say the questions you posed worry me somewhat and I need some
>> clarification.
>> 
>> Were you meaning to direct them at the staff of ISOC itself, or staff of
>> the chapters?
>> 
>> If you were meaning to gather answers from the ISOC staff themselves, then
>> I am concerned for the implications for them - they will all have entered
>> into their jobs in good faith, and I am confident they do the best job
>> they can. It is up to the management of ISOC to ensure appropriate
>> staffing strategies, including training and guidance on the topics you
>> mention.  These sorts of things should be documented on the ISOC web site,
>> also. There is a duty of care towards the staff and that duty of care may
>> not be served by a discussion that seems to involve them justifying
>> themselves. At least that's how it comes across to me.
>> 
>> If you meant them to be answered by the staff of chapters, then the
>> answers will vary - what sort of outcomes are you trying to achieve? Are
>> you trying to pool the answers for a combined approach to the challenges
>> we all face?
>> 
>> On that note, I can answer for my chapter - we currently don't have any
>> paid staff, but we do hope to within the year. The specifics of that role
>> are yet to be determined, but in the past such a role has included (in no
>> particular order): policy development, submission management, event
>> management, member liaison, media liaison and - of course - fund raising.
>> 
>> On Tue, October 1, 2013 5:36 am, Elver Loho wrote:
>>> I know there are some people reading this email, who are in a salaried
>>> position funded by ISOC. I would like to ask all of you, who fit this
>>> description, to reply with a single paragraph of no more than 5 sentences,
>>> outlining your personal understanding on the following three issues:
>> 
>> Best regards
>> 
>> 
>> Narelle
>> 
>> 
>> 
>
> -- 
>
> 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.
>
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