[Chapter-delegates] ChAC Decision Needed: Proposal for greater Chapter participation in developing position & policy briefs

[bukhalidn]

We strongly support this proposal.

Nabil.

-- 
Nabil Bukhalid
ISOC Lebanon
P.O.Box 113-6596
Hamra, Lebanon
M: +961 (0)3 779116
Skype: nabil.bukhalid
E: nabil.bukhalid at isoc.org.lb
W: http://www.isoc.org.lb 



-----Original Message-----
From: Chapter-delegates [mailto:chapter-delegates-bounces at elists.isoc.org]
On Behalf Of avri doria
Sent: August 19, 2016 10:11 PM
To: Chapter Delegates <Chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org>
Subject: [Chapter-delegates] ChAC Decision Needed: Proposal for greater
Chapter participation in developing position & policy briefs

Dear ChAC delegates,

The ChAC Steering Committee has reviewed "A proposal for greater involvement
of Chapters in the position and policy brief development process"  (below &
attached) and is submitting it to the Chapter Council for approval.

Decisions by the ChAC are governed by the Rules & Procedure paragraph 6

> Substantive decisions, in particular regarding advice and 
> recommendations, shall be made by the AC. Decisions may be made by 
> electronic means (e.g. E-Mail, electronic voting systems, etc.) or 
> during remote (audio/video conferencing) or physical meetings.
> Decisions shall normally be taken by consensus (meaning lack of formal 
> opposition). If consensus cannot be achieved, then the Chair of the AC 
> Steering Committee shall organize a vote. In case of voting, decisions 
> shall be taken by a majority vote of the delegates to the AC. The 
> quorum shall be nineteen (19) delegates. In case of tie, the matter 
> will be resubmitted for discussion and a new vote. Votes will be 
> secret. The tally of votes (for, against, abstain, did not vote) will 
> be published. Abstentions will be counted towards determining the quorum.

At this point I would like to open discussion on this proposal for the next
week - until 8/27 1200 UTC.  At that point I will initiate a consensus call
on the document, including any changes that may be warranted as part of the
discussion.  This consensus call will also be scheduled for 1 week.  Should
the document not meet with consensus, I will then request that we continue
discussion on it and will bring it to a vote.

Thank you

Avri Doria

(for the ChAC SC)


-----

*A proposal for greater involvement of Chapters in the position and policy
brief development process*

*Background*

In the past, there have been occasions when ISOC staff met with national
policy makers without involving the national chapter in any way. Since
national chapters often have good relations with national officials, it
would be preferable if the chapters are also involved in meetings with
national officials. We propose a recommendation below to that effect.

At present, there does not seem to be a consistent practice within ISOC
regarding the role of the membership in the policy development process and
the preparation of background and position papers that ISOC puts forward.
Specifically, some policy papers are submitted to the membership for
comment, specifically the policy briefs, while others papers, such as
position papers, are not. In one case, the membership was not informed of a
specific submission. It appears to us that systematic consultation with the
membership can only improve the quality of a policy, background paper, or
position paper. The intent is not to change ISOC's current decision-making
process for such papers: staff would remain fully responsible for the final
version of the paper. The intent is to allow staff to benefit systematically
from the views of the membership, and to decide whether or how to
incorporate comments from the membership. We propose a recommendation below
to that effect.


*Recommendations*

Review with the relevant chapters, policy positions and alliances before
they are made, and inform them of meetings with national policy makers,
unless time constraints do not permit it. We have active mailing lists that
can make it quick and easy.

In general, policy, background and position papers, including policy briefs
should be submitted to the membership for comment prior to publication, with
the understanding that staff retains full ownership for the final version.
Staff can choose the most appropriate method to consult the membership, for
example by asking for volunteers to review drafts, by posting a draft for
comment to a mailing list, by convening a virtual meeting to discuss the
issues, etc.

Further, when papers are published and/or submitted to some entity outside
ISOC, the membership should be informed and a link to the paper should be
sent to the appropriate mailing list and to the Chapter Delegate's mailing
list just prior to the publication or submission.




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