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

[Gihan Dias]

Dave,

Thanks.

I wish you all success in this effort.

Gihan

On 2016-04-10 පෙ.ව. 6:02, Dave Burstein wrote:
> 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 ISOCis 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)
>
>
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