[Chapter-delegates] Recent Correspondence from the Cambodian Chapter

[Winthrop Yu]

   (y) Talha and (y)^2 Victor!

   I'd wanted to put in a few comments on this thread since it started, but had 
been rather preoccupied.  In retrospect, perhaps it is good that i was unable to 
post as Victor has articulated many of those points in a clear and 
straightforward manner.  That was not a "long" post Victor, just about right, 
methinks. :)

   If i may now share a few thoughts on this ...

a)  "National Bureaus" -- A very sharp observation and important point Victor. 
There are nuances in each of the many issues that ISOC ("Global") is involved 
in, and i do not think my fellow chapter members would be all too happy if we 
felt an any obligation to "toe the party line" because the bulk of our support 
was provided by ISOC "Global".  As a specific example -- some time ago i asked 
an Asia Bureau officer what would happen if ISOC-PH (with adequate consultation 
with its members) took a stance on many (or even most) issues that was 
diametrically opposite that of ISOC "Global".  The answer i received 
(paraphrased) was that ISOC wouldn't be all that happy with that, but that ISOC 
was in no position to dictate positions on issues, and that, instead, any such 
"divergent" views would be seriously taken into consideration and input into 
ISOC ("Global") policy formulation.  I was very much gratified by that reply, as 
i don't think any Philippine group or org would affiliate or assist in the work 
of an international organization otherwise.

b)  Chapter Local Engagement -- Naturally, each ISOC chapter exists and 
acts/functions within a unique local (national and also regional) environment. 
It's not so much a matter of which "badge" you wear (ISOC, At-Large, etc.), but 
rather how the Chapter thru its individual members and group effort engages with 
the various local players -- the Chapter membership itself, academe, government, 
industry, CS, etc.  I do not believer it is a matter of using an ISOC 
"accreditation" as a badge of office within a national context, but rather 
engaging with other stakeholders within that local context.  In the Philippines 
for example, ISOC-PH cooperates (often on issues which are not strictly IG, 
ppolicy or tech related) with the Assoication for Progressive Communications 
(specifically with apcwomen.org), the local PH-CERT, ITAP (the local IT industry 
org), etc.  That is to say -- ISOC.PH not merely as the local presence of ISOC 
"Global", but as an organization has a unique local identity and value, and that 
encourages its members and (very informal) working groups in order to 
positively engages with all these local stakeholders.

c)  ISOC-TNG  --  Regardless of how ISOC-PH has been doing, and we do have 
serious problems similar to many other Chapters -- governmental red tape, 
further inclusion and engagement of our membership, etc., we do very seriously 
try to mentor the next generation of Internet leaders.  Yes, one will often have 
some concerns about sending a younger officer off to represent the local 
Chapter, and there is always the sense of -- "we can't possible bring her/him up 
to speed in time", but i believe that we must take tha chance and send our 
younger members and officers out to represent the org.  Else, there will emege a 
critical gap in leadership and initiative within the Chapter.

2-bits,

WYn



On 9/27/2013 10:31 PM, Talha Habib wrote:
> +1 Victor,
>
> Thank you
> --
> Warm Regards,
> Talha Habib
>
> * Sent from Galaxy Note
>
> On 27 Sep 2013 18:06, "Victor Ndonnang" <ndonnang at nvconsulting.biz
> <mailto:ndonnang at nvconsulting.biz>> wrote:
>
>     +1 Ted,____
>
>     __ __
>
>     I’m following with great attention this discussion initiated by the
>     Cambodian Chapter intention to leave the Internet society Great family which
>     lead to the old debate about ISOC’s direct financial support to Chapters.
>     Before I continue, I would like to clearly express my opposition to that.
>     For me, It is important and better for ISOC HQ to empower Chapters rather
>     than giving them money. Chapters are not “national bureau” of the Internet
>     Society. ISOC Chapters and ISOC Global are partners who share the same
>     vision and the mission. The direct financial support to Chapters for their
>     administrative and running costs will make the Chapters useless, dependent
>     and non-sustainable. If we put in place the systematic direct financial
>     support from ISOC HQ to Chapters, we will see many useless Chapters flourish
>     around the world only to benefit to that direct financial support. ____
>
>     __ __
>
>     The belonging to the ISOC great family comes with advantages but also
>     responsibilities. The Internet Society is already supporting and empowering
>     Chapters in many ways:____
>
>     __-__The community Grants programme gives priority to Chapters projects____
>
>     __-__The Event funding programme which helps to keep the Chapter active each
>     year____
>
>     __-__The Web presence support____
>
>     __-__The travel support ____
>
>     __-__Capacities Building and Leadership Program____
>
>     __-__International Handbook for Chapters____
>
>     __-__Management Tools ____
>
>     __-__Etc . You can read more on :
>     http://www.internetsociety.org/who-we-are/chapters/lead ____
>
>     All those programs are ways of “indirect” financial support of ISOC to
>     Chapters. Many will say it is not enough, but for me It is enough! Chapters
>     should search for others sources of funding locally and International using
>     the prestige and add-value of been part of ISOC. Chapters should think to
>     create recurrent activities that can generate revenues and help them be
>     independent financially and of course sustainable. I know Chapters are
>     non-profit organization or group, but been non-profit do not means that we
>     cannot generate revenues or sell our expertise (gained from ISOC and others
>     Chapters) and services locally. For example, when we organize trainings, we
>     can ask participants for small participation fees and this can help us
>     overcome our administrative and running costs. But we can only do this in a
>     sustainable way when we are registered as a legal entity in our respective
>     country.____
>
>     __ __
>
>     Let come back to issue which brings this discussion live: Making ISOC
>     Cambodia Chapter a legal entity in Cambodia. ____
>
>     I know how It is difficult to establish a non-profit organization in many
>     countries, especially in developing countries. When I started the
>     “re-formation” process of ISOC Cameroon Chapter, I made that goal my N°1
>     priority and which the help (time and money) of others founding members, we
>     achieved it. We had the choice at that time to legalize the Cameroon Chapter
>     as a NGO or Association. The process to become an NGO was too complicated,
>     so we choice to be registered as an Association (a sort of small NGO). This
>     is very important because Chapters can only be respected locally and
>     interact freely with government, private sector and other groups when they
>     are registered as a legal entity by the local administrative authorities. ____
>
>     Based on that experience, I suggest to our Cambodia Chapter colleagues to
>     explore all alternatives of legal recognition in their country. Be
>     registered as a NGO is not the only way to become a legal non-profit
>     organization or entity, I hope this is true in Cambodia too. ____
>
>     __ __
>
>     When the Chapter is registered as a legal entity (NGO, Association…) in its
>     respective country, it can easily search or apply to local funding
>     opportunities (government grants, big national corporates grants…). The
>     formation an ISOC Chapter is a process and Chapter founding members are
>     aware during the process that ISOC HQ will not be the only source of funding
>     for the Chapter (that’s why there is a mention about “Chapter supporters” in
>     the application form and means of funding the draft By-Laws). Let’s search
>     for others sources of funding and thanks the ISOC HQ for all It is already
>     offering us rather than fighting for something which will make us useless. ____
>
>     __ __
>
>     Sorry for the long email. ____
>
>     Best regards,____
>
>     Victor Ndonnang____
>
>     __ __