[Chapter-delegates] Thanks for the very helpful open board session

[Dave Burstein]

Folks

Bob Hinden and the board heard some important, frank comments. The other
board members made clear they are thoughtful, dedicated and want an
effective organization.

A member of the Puerto Rico chapter declared ISOC is not bottom-up. There
are two systems staff & chapters. He asked, "Will ISOC become a bottom-up
org?"  Anyone who follows the email list knows this is a major problem. I
believe most of the staff and the board agree that is the way to go.

But a former board member tells me this has happened every two or three
years for a decade. Despite good intentions, decisionmaking remains top
down with a few executives powerful. Robert Atkinson explained to me how
the FCC is controlled by a permanent government of the staff,
"Commissioners come and go but we're still here."

So I circulated two proposals that I believe can win support and be easily
implemented. Watching the dynamic at the board, I realized it didn't even
need a resolution. Bob Hinden as Chair can take President Kathy Brown aside
for a few words. Brown has the skill and authority to make this work.

Hinden might say, "Many of us on the board want better relations with the
chapters. We have two proposals that in general make sense.

First, that we review with the relevant chapters policy positions and
alliances before they are made, unless there's no time. We have active
mailing lists that can make it quick and easy. Every politician knows you
get stronger support if you consult the people involved.

Second, let's start providing the chapters some minimum funds for their
operations. We do that very inefficiently now, with too much staff time
involved with the requests. The chapters are unhappy needing to beg and
cajole to get even small operating expenses. I think we can move quickly to
distributing to the chapters say 3% of our budget. We need to be careful
the program isn't abused, but I'm sure you can work closely with the
chapters committee and get this well begun over the next month or two,"

I hope Bob or some of the other board members make this happen. Even
better, Brown has supported the principles here many times. It would be
great if she led the change.

Kathy, at board direction, has done a great job encouraging members to
speak up. But the organization risks becoming a hollow shell if we don't
respect our chapters. Let's start by sharing the (very modest) proposals
here.

I raised my hand too late but will make sure to be early for the session in
the morning, (9:15 New York time)

Dave Burstein
New York Chapter



-- 
Editor, Fast Net News, Net Policy News and DSL Prime
Author with Jennie Bourne  DSL (Wiley) and Web Video: Making It Great,
Getting It Noticed (Peachpit)
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://elists.isoc.org/mailman/private/chapter-delegates/attachments/20160409/4715e95b/attachment.htm>