[Chapter-delegates] Revised Chapter Agreement

[Igor Mkrtumyan]

Dear Joyce,

Thank you for providing the Revised Chapter Agreement!

We had an ISOC Armenia Chapter staff meeting and discussed the provided document. In the result we came to the following conclusion: 

 

First some History:

Armenian Internet Community had started its activity in 1995 under the name of the Armenian Internet Users Group. In 2000 it was renamed into Internet Society NGO. In 2006 we filed an application to become an Internet Society Chapter and presented our bylaws for consideration.  The Internet Society considered our documents and granted us the right to be an ISOC Armenia Chapter.  

 

Now our comments:

Paragraph 2. Governing documents.

a. We think that there is no necessity to ensure annual or bi-annual elections as the local law on NGOs permit to set an election period up to 5 years. It is important for Chapters with big membership as convening a General Assembly for the election costs considerable amount of money.

b. Local law on NGO does not suppose that the bylaws of a local NGO should be approved by a foreign organization and it can negatively influence the process of affiliation.

 

We propose the following edition of the Paragraph 2b.

b. When requesting recognition as a chapter, the Chapter shall file a copy of the Chapter’s Governance Documents with the Internet Society for consideration. The Chapter is recommended to submit any subsequent changes to the Chapter’s Governance Documents to the Internet Society staff, and a Chapter may request advice from the staff regarding proposed changes to its Governance Documents.

 

Paragraph 3.

a. i. The requirement that members of a local Chapter must also be members of the Internet Society limits their freedom of choice according to the local law. Membership in the Internet Society should be voluntary, otherwise it can be negatively accepted by the local judicial bodies. It means that some member of the local NGO might not be members of the Internet Society. 

 

We propose the following edition of the Paragraph 3.a.i

i. Establish and maintain the Chapter with a minimum of 25 individual who must be individual members of the Internet Society. The Chapter might have members that are not individual members of the Internet Society.

 

Thank you

Igor Mkrtumyan

ISOC Armenia Chapter

President

 

From: Chapter-delegates [mailto:chapter-delegates-bounces at elists.isoc.org] On Behalf Of Joyce Dogniez
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2017 2:07 PM
To: chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org
Subject: [Chapter-delegates] Revised Chapter Agreement

 

Dear Chapter Leaders,

 

Internet Society Chapters are a very important part of our organization. They act as a local presence globally to advance and represent ISOCs mission, vision and principles. They are a crucial vehicle for ISOC to drive the local advocacy efforts as well as implement activities and actions at local level.

To be able to do this it is important that Chapters are well structured, well governed, functional and that there is a clear definition of the role of Chapters.

 

Since 2013 we have continued to strengthen our relationship with our Chapters and are working with them to improve on a number of areas through:

*	The introduction of standardized Charter agreements to clarify the role of and the support of Chapters 
*	The introduction of minimum standards and a Chapter Performance Evaluation to identify and support areas of improvement 
*	The increase of financial and other support for Chapters

 

With the increased financial support to our Chapters we also have an increased responsibility and accountability towards our community. It is the responsibility of Internet Society’s leadership to manage its funds in a responsible and transparent manner. 

This implies that the legal relationship between Internet Society and its Chapters needs to be well defined. 

 

As you all have seen Internet Society launched a new brand identity over the last months, with a new logo, new font, new colours, a different tone of voice, etc. Some of you have already been implementing this. 

As the local voices of the Internet Society, it is important that our Chapters carry that same image and message. 

 

For all these reasons, we are introducing a revised Chapter Charter that:

*	Clarifies the relationship between Internet Society and its Chapters, including external communications guidelines
*	Clarifies the expectations (minimum criteria, governance structure and support) for both parties
*	Clarifies the expectations in terms of Internet related positions taken by Chapters
*	Clarifies the use of the Internet Society Brand and use of Intellectual Property
*	Clarifies the terms and accountability for funding provided by Internet Society
*	Clarifies the terms of termination of a Chapter
*	Reduces the liability in case of abuse or misuse of funding and branding

 

The attached agreement has been reviewed by the Chapters Advisory Council Steering Committee who have given extensive feedback and input (thanks again!!). 

 

We understand that some of the changes in the agreement will imply some changes at Chapter level and we will of course work with all of you to ensure you can go through the necessary processes at local level in due time. 

We will expect Chapters to sign the revised agreement before 1st of January 2018 to still be eligible for Chapter funding. 

 

Therefore, I’d like to ask you all to review the attached Chapter Charter in the next 30 days, until 31st August and please contact  <mailto:chapter-support at isoc.org> chapter-support at isoc.org with any questions or specific issues you may have. A French and Spanish version will be available later this week. 

 

I look forward to working together to continue to strengthen our Chapters and to support the important work you do on the ground advancing our mission. 

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Joyce 

 

 

 

— 

Joyce Dogniez, CMM

Senior Director Global Engagement

Internet Society

 

dogniez at isoc.org

Mob/Whatsapp: +352 621 266 189

Skype: joycedogniez

 

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